The vote in the British House of Commons against taking military action in Syria has generated discussions about the traditional role of the British as close allies to the United States in international military involvements.

Dr. Dana Allin, senior fellow for U.S. foreign policy at the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) in London, told Xinhua on Friday, "The UK House of Commons has now voted against its prime minister in terms of joining them in the action. So, this is an awkward moment for the UK, and for the US-UK special relationship."

Allin predicted that many commentators would interpret the vote against military action as the "death knell for the U.S.-UK special relationship and that it damages it irreparably."

"I don't think that is going to be the case. I think the relationship will endure. I think the United States needs allies and Britain is one of its most important ones -- not so much for military reasons, but for diplomatic reasons. Having said that I think it is serious," said Allin.

He added, "It is a serious event in the history of this relationship. And among other things it shows the relationship is laden on the UK side with a certain amount of bitterness about the Iraq War and about the mistakes and really the falsehoods that were involved in that war."

Allin said it was an awkward time for Britain "because it is very troubled about its relationship with the European Union, which it may leave, and it is now somewhat troubled about its relationship with the United States. So, it will have an effect but I do not think it will have a terminal effect."

However, not all commentators saw such profound meanings in the British "no" vote.

Dr. James Boys, a senior visiting fellow at King's College, London, told Xinhua, he thought the vote made little difference to US-UK relations, which would continue much as before.

He said, "This will be a short term headache for the U.S. President and the British Prime Minister but within a few months this will be forgotten."

Boys added, "The special relationship resets itself every time there is a new occupant in Downing Street or the White House."

Boys also said it would make little difference to Britain's military abilities or geo-strategic priorities and ambitions.

"This is not going to negatively impact on Britain's ability to project power around the world or diminish the country as a second-tier, middle range power," he said.

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