Foreign Policy & Security
Latest Foreign Policy & Security Publications

Left in the Dark
Brigadier John ClarkHow a lack of understanding of national power generation threatens our way of life

UK Defence from the ‘Far East’ to the ‘Indo-Pacific’
Alessio PatalanoThe balance of power in the Asia-Pacific region is changing. How should the UK respond?

Days of Future Past?
Alessio PatalanoThe UK should develop an Indo-Pacific strategy based on shaping security in the region, with a forward presence centred on a flexible, scalable, sustainable force.
Latest Foreign Policy & Security Blogs

What you didn’t know about the Irish Border – how technology can resolve the issue of the North/South frontier post-Brexit
David Trimble’s former Special Adviser – and Chief Economic Adviser to Policy Exchange – sets out how technology can ensure a low-profile border between North and South.

Britain’s industry-led space policy “model” has been a resounding success. But can it survive the fierce competition of the new space race?
The UK has made significant progress developing its approach to space, including the passage of the recent Space Bill and announcement of the Space Strategy, argues Policy Exchange’s Senior Research Fellow for Defence Gabriel Elefteriu. Discussing the event held at Policy Exchange to explore these issues, Gabriel argues that more will be required if the UK is to fully take advantage of the opportunities offered by this new frontier.

In appreciation of Professor Richard Pipes
Professor Richard Pipes was credited by many as having achieved distinction in both scholarship and public policy in the area of Russian affairs.
Latest Foreign Policy & Security News

Policy Exchange welcomes Hon James Mattis
Policy ExchangePolicy Exchange was delighted to welcome Hon James Mattis, US Secretary of Defense, to our offices. Secretary Mattis discussed the current global situation, a situation which includes the threats posed by North Korea and a Russia seeking to challenge the territorial integrity of its neighbours.

As the Government deals with the Russian threat, former Prime Minister David Cameron reminds us of another: Islamism
Policy ExchangeSpeaking at a Policy Exchange conference in Washington DC, former Prime Minister David Cameron warned of the continuing threat to the West posed by Islamism. Paul Goodman observed on ConservativeHome that no other UK think tank has ‘the reach to bring together 50 or so experts, wonks, and diplomats in America’s capital for an event like this’

Policy Exchange hosts Defence Secretary’s first keynote speech
Policy ExchangePolicy Exchange was delighted to host Defence Secretary Rt Hon Gavin Williamson CBE for his first keynote speech, held at Rolls Royce’s site near Bristol. The Defence Secretary condemned Russia’s “atrocious” actions in Salisbury and committed to a modernising defence programme because “soft power only works because hard power stands behind it”.
Latest Foreign Policy & Security Events
Upcoming Events
- Wednesday, 16 May, 2018
18:00 - 19:30
“US foreign policy under Donald Trump: The scorecard so far” with Professor Walter Russell Mead, Hudson Institute Distinguished Fellow, Wall Street Journal columnist, historian and one of America’s leading writers on foreign policy.
- Friday, 6 April, 2018
8:45 - 10:00
Policy Exchange welcomed Siv Jensen, Norwegian Finance Minister and leader of the Progress Party, who said that British and Norwegian views on the single market in financial services have often been aligned and reflected on the challenges for monetary policy, including the lowering of inflation targets and an increase in interest rates to ensure credit risk is appropriately priced. Singling out the housing market, she argued that home ownership is cherished by people in both Norway and Britain – and that a balanced approach to regulation is required to avoid asset booms (and busts).
Venue: Policy Exchange
Address:
- Monday, 5 March, 2018
10:15 - 12:45
Policy Exchange’s Making Good on Global Britain conference culminated in a discussion between General David H Petraeus (Ret.), former Commander of United States Central Command and former Director of the CIA, and Hon Alexander Downer AC, Australian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, who explored the theme of hard and soft power from their unique perspectives.
- Monday, 5 March, 2018
13:15 - 14:30
Policy Exchange is delighted to host a lunch with General David H Petraeus (Ret.) in conversation with Hon Alexander Downer AC, Australian High Commissioner to United Kingdom The discussion will cover the topic of: “Hearts and Minds” in an era of isolationism The lunch will be the conclusion of a conference following the publication of three reports examining Britain’s international (more…)
- Monday, 5 March, 2018
10:15 - 14:30
Policy Exchange is delighted to host a conference following the publication of three reports examining Britain’s international role in a post Brexit world – and how to address the new isolationism. The conference will focus on the role that the UK can play as an outwardly focused nation and global leader in defence, science, trade (more…)
Venue: Policy Exchange
Address:
- Wednesday, 28 March, 2018
18:00 - 19:30
Policy Exchange was delighted to host the keynote valedictory speech of Hon Alexander Downer as High Commissioner of Australia. Mr Downer praised British leadership in responding to Russia, saying “Not only did the British Government react robustly to the chemical weapons attack in Salisbury but it has brought to bear the power of Britain to corral the great network of Western allies at long last to stand up to Russian intransigence”. He also reflected on the opportunities for free trade after Brexit. Mr Downer is Policy Exchange’s incoming Chairman.
- Wednesday, 14 February, 2018
10:30 - 11:30
The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, Rt Hon Boris Johnson MP, set out his vision for a liberal Brexit in a speech given at Policy Exchange.
- Wednesday, 10 January, 2018
18:00 - 19:30
18:00 – Registration 18:30 – Start 19:30 – End Policy Exchange invites you to: North Korea: Is There A Military Option To Counter The Threat? with Lieutenant General (Ret.) I.-B. Chun, Former Commander, South Korea Special Warfare Command Lieutenant General I.-B. Chun is one of the most decorated officers in South Korea’s military history. He retired in July 2016 (more…)
Venue: Policy Exchange
Address:
- Thursday, 28 September, 2017
18:00 - 19:30
Policy Exchange was delighted to welcome the Hon Peter Dutton MP, Australia’s immigration minister, who reflected on the need for a carefully managed migration system in order to maintain public support for continuing new arrivals. A packed audience heard how the Australian government’s approach has tackled people trafficking while also ensuring Australia has the skilled migrants it needs and maintaining a generous settlement programme for refugees.
- Tuesday, 26 September, 2017
17:30 - 18:30
Chaired by John Bew, Head of Policy Exchange’s Britain the World Project and author of the prize-winning biography of Attlee, Citizen Clem, this event will take place at the Labour Party conference on Tuesday 26th September. Other panellists will include Nick Thomas-Symonds MP, Shadow Home Office Minister and author of Attlee: A Life in Politics, and Nye: The Political Life of Aneurin Bevan; Lord Glasman, Political theorist, academic and founder of Blue Labour; and Baroness Hayter of Kentish Town, Shadow Deputy Leader of the House of Lords.
Venue: Labour Party Conference
Address:
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