02 Apr BFPG’s March 2026 Review
March has been a month defined by the war in Iran, which has left thousands dead, oil prices spiralling, and global security in tatters. President Trump’s near-unilateral action has left little doubt that the old world order is over and that, under President Trump at least, the so-called special relationship is increasingly futile.
The UK has found itself largely sat on the sidelines, doing its best to avoid being drawn into another major war in the Middle East, a war which Britons are clear they do not support and do not want to be involved with. Talk then has quickly turned to how to keep oil prices down and whether King Charles’ state visit to the United States should be cancelled.
On the former, the answer is, in many ways, easy. The quickest way to bring down oil prices is to do everything we can to end the war. On the latter, the question is, for many, more uncomfortable. While the risks of the visit being derailed and King Charles being embarrassed are very real, the UK is too far down the line to rescind the offer. Withdrawing the visit now would have far too great a geopolitical and economic risk at a time when the UK desperately needs some stability. Instead, and short of President Trump actually leaving NATO or attacking Greenland, the UK will have to grin and bear it, work out how best (if at all) it can leverage the visit to improve relations, and perhaps pray for a time machine.
Evie Aspinall
Director of the British Foreign Policy Group
Latest Analysis
Senior Advisor David Landsman examines how the war in Iran is forcing the convergence of UK foreign and domestic policy in key areas including net zero, defence spending, and economic resilience.
READ HERE
Associate Fellow Michael Martins explores the United States’ strategic objectives in Iran, in particular for the strait of Hormuz. He examines the difference of opinion between the United States and UK in the conflict, and what it might mean for the special relationship.
READ HERE
Amid geopolitical instability, guest authour David Allfrey sets out the concept of “subtle power”, the influence that operates through norms, institutions and trust, shaping how others act, and explores its role in foreign policy in an increasingly volatile environment.
READ HERE
BISA-BFPG Undergraduate Network
This month BFPG were proud to officially launch the BISA-BFPG Undergraduate Network, alongside the British International Studies Association, at our launch event at the University of Edinburgh on Scottish foreign policy. The event was the first in a series the network will host throughout the academic year, connecting undergraduates across the UK with a shared interest in foreign policy and international relations and providing them with an opportunity to engage with leading foreign policy thinkers.
This month also saw the network’s second event, an online webinar for the network on careers in foreign policy and international affairs. We are very grateful to the speakers at both events and are looking forward to continuing to grow the network.
If you are an undergraduate with an interest in international relations, geopolitics and foreign policy, or know someone who is, then you can find out more or sign up to the network here.
