Explore short, accessible pieces of analysis, research and commentary, on topical issues related to foreign policy and our changing world.
The rise of the ‘climate election’?
Four years ago, when British voters re-elected David Cameron as their next Prime Minister, votes were cast on the issues of the economy, immigration and healthcare. ‘The environment’ did not even feature on Ipsos Mori’s list of fourteen key voter issues, and any mention of the climate was reserved for the Green Party, who returned just one MP in 2015.
Your Right to Know – Herald Sun
British Foreign Policy Group Director, Sophia Gaston, spoke to the Herald Sun in Australia about media freedoms – and the ways liberal democracies can and should define themselves against autocratic states.
What will be the impact of returning UKIP voters on Conservative foreign policy?
Earlier this year, we surveyed Britons about their views on the UK’s foreign policy activities and objectives.
Around the world, young people are fighting for freedom
Nearly nine years on from the self-immolation of Mohammed Bouazizi, the Tunisian fruit seller prevented from selling vegetables by state officials, that kickstarted the ‘Arab Spring’, protests are once again gripping several Arab countries.
Where do Labour Voters Stand on Foreign Policy?
Nearly nine years on from the self-immolation of Mohammed Bouazizi, protests are once again gripping several Arab countries.
British Foreign Policy Group welcomes Matt Gillow
Matt Gillow joins the British Foreign Policy Group The British Foreign Policy Group is today delighted to welcome Matt Gillow as our new Communications and Events Manager. Matt brings a depth of political experience to the British Foreign Policy Group. Also a Research Fellow at…
British Foreign Policy Group welcomes Katarina Kosmala-Dahlbeck
Katarina Kosmala-Dahlbeck joins the British Foreign Policy Group The British Foreign Policy Group is today delighted to welcome Katarina Kosmala-Dahlbeck as our new National Events & Engagement Manager. Katarina brings a depth of experience to the British Foreign Policy Group. Previously, she worked for an…
Sophia Gaston joins the British Foreign Policy Group
British Foreign Policy Group welcomes new Director The British Foreign Policy Group is today delighted to welcome our new Director, Sophia Gaston. Sophia’s background is in social and political research, with a deep grounding in foreign policy. She is also a Research Fellow in the…
Is grassroots foreign policy the answer for a post-Brexit UK?
Nearly nine years on from the self-immolation of Mohammed Bouazizi, the Tunisian fruit seller prevented from selling vegetables by state officials, that kickstarted the ‘Arab Spring’, protests are once again gripping several Arab countries.
A British Foreign Policy with a Digital Strategy
Nearly nine years on from the self-immolation of Mohammed Bouazizi, the Tunisian fruit seller prevented from selling vegetables by state officials, that kickstarted the ‘Arab Spring’, protests are once again gripping several Arab countries.
Britain’s Continued Identity Crisis Is Crippling Its Foreign Policy
Nearly nine years on from the self-immolation of Mohammed Bouazizi, the Tunisian fruit seller prevented from selling vegetables by state officials, that kickstarted the ‘Arab Spring’, protests are once again gripping several Arab countries.
How to respond to the protests in Sudan? The case for a responsible approach to armed intervention
The case for a responsible approach to armed intervention amid the protests in Sudan.
Boris Johnson’s Cabinet: Who are the internationally-facing Ministers?
Britain’s change of Prime Minister has brought with it a total change of the four internationally-facing cabinet Ministers. Who are they and what do they mean for UK foreign policy?
The perfect match? On foreign policy there is more uniting the two leadership candidates than separating them
As the two candidates enter the final stage of the race to become the next PM, what might the UK’s foreign policy under their leadership look like?
Key Takeaways from the Foreign Office’s 2018-19 Departmental Accounts
BFPG Associate Sam Goodman takes a look at the 2018-19 Foreign Office Accounts and provides a useful summary of budget and staff data.
Feeling Disengaged from UK Foreign Policy: the Gender Divide
Recent polling carried out by BMG Research on behalf of the BFPG suggests that women in the UK feel notably less engaged on foreign policy than men, one of the more striking divides on foreign policy in Britain
Diplomacy as a front-line service
When we think of front-line services protecting and serving the British public, we rarely think of diplomats. But that is what they often are, scattered across over 120 countries.
The British Foreign Policy Group welcomes Flora Holmes
Flora Holmes joins the British Foreign Policy Group The British Foreign Policy Group is today delighted to welcome Flora Holmes, who joins the team as a Researcher. Previously, Flora has worked in research in both the UK and EU Parliaments – directly for a Member…
The UK Should Stay Committed to the Iran Nuclear Deal — Student Ambassador Series
Current news cycles have been dominated by growing tensions between American and Iranian forces. The foundations of this tension lie with Trump’s decision to withdraw the US from the Iran nuclear deal last year and reimpose US sanctions.
Jeremy Hunt’s Mansion House Speech: On Manoeuvres?
On Monday the Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt gave a speech at the Mansion House in London on the UK after Brexit. The speech was noted in particular for straying beyond the traditional limits of foreign policy into defence and domestic issues. But whilst it is no secret that Mr Hunt is one of the many contenders to be the next Conservative leader, and perhaps Prime Minister, the speech was perhaps more valuable in signposting the growing recognition that the UK’s international and domestic prospe
UK Government Foreign Policy Ministers
A simple guide to all UK Government Foreign Policy Ministers across the FCO, DfID, MoD and DIT. Who are they, and what department do they work in?
China’s Belt and Road Initiative: Towards a British Response Strategy – Student Ambassador Series
Since its inception in 2013, China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has seen enormous expansion over 2018 and the first quarter of 2019. It has become President Xi Jinping’s foreign policy ‘brand’. At present, the BRI aims to connect 71 economies through Europe, Asia and Africa, with a vast ‘belt’ of overland economic corridors and a corresponding maritime ‘road,’ ostensibly promoting trans-continental cooperation whilst maximising Chinese prosperity. Estimates for cost differ as the BRI expands
Escaping the past: Why we need an honest re-assessment of British Foreign Policy priorities
As Britain edges ever closer to the date of its exit of from the European Union, the UK’s diplomatic failure over the last few years becomes increasingly evident. There is a growing consensus that the UK Government has been outmanoeuvred and outgunned in its Brexit negotiations with EU officials, ceding ground the minute it accepted the EU’s sequencing of talks, and triggered Article 50.
Huawei or the Highway: Is the Tech Giant Really a Threat?
Huawei is facing an existential crisis throughout Europe and North America. The Chinese tech giant is the world’s largest telecommunications equipment maker and has recently overtaken Apple in becoming the world’s second-largest supplier of smartphones. Founded in 1987, boasting 180,000 employees and over $92.55 billion in revenue , Huawei has been deemed the crown jewel of Chinese tech. Huawei has won over 25 commercial 5G contracts worldwide .
Ten International Opportunities for the UK in 2019
It may seem impossible to see through the Brexit fog, but the rest of the world continues to present significant challenges and opportunities for the UK in 2019. Many of the top ten countdowns over the New Year focused on risks – and they remain considerable. But, despite everything, the UK will remain one of the world’s largest and most advanced economies with deeper and more complex trading, security, diplomatic and cultural ‘soft power’ links globally than almost any country in the world. Bre