Foreign Policy & Security
Latest Foreign Policy & Security Publications
The UK and the Western alliance: NATO in the new era of realpolitik
John Bew and Gabriel ElefteriuA new paper from Policy Exchange’s Britain in the World project, examining the future of NATO. The paper argues that current events, from Russian aggression to the EU’s internal politics, mean that NATO is weakening at a time when security challenges are growing
The Cost of Doing Nothing: The Price of Inaction in the Face of Mass Atrocities
Jo Cox, Tom Tugendhat, John Bew and Alison McGovernThis report is based on work begun by Jo Cox MP (1974-2016) and Tom Tugendhat MP. It was completed by Alison McGovern MP and Tom Tugendhat MP
“There are few more complex questions than when to intervene overseas. Jo Cox was an inspirational humanitarian who cared deeply about preventing violence and protecting people around the world. It is a fitting part of Jo’s legacy that this paper will challenge politicians of all parties to consider how we can put such considerations at the heart of the decisions we take.” (Rt Hon Theresa May MP, Prime Minister.
After Iraq: When to go to war?
Nigel BiggarThis lecture by Professor Nigel Biggar was delivered at Policy Exchange on 31 January 2017. The lecture reflects on some of the moral lessons we should and should not learn from the recent history of British military interventions abroad, in view of the challenges and dilemmas Britain is likely continue to face in the future. After Iraq, it asks, what are the circumstances in which Britain should go to war?
Latest Foreign Policy & Security Blogs
An American perspective on Pesco: The dangers of de-linking EU defence from NATO
US Army officer T.S. Allen discusses the launch of the Permanent Structured Cooperation (Pesco) at last month’s European Council summit. While there may be benefits in terms of improvements in capabilities, there is a danger that Pesco represents a trend towards de-linking European defence from NATO in search of EU ‘strategic autonomy’.
The new US National Security Strategy: implications for UK National Security Policy
Reviewing Lt Gen McMaster’s keynote speech at Policy Exchange’s Anglo-American conference, Professor John Bew highlights how the new American National Security Strategy will refocus on ‘competitive engagement’, providing support for friendly countries on America’s security frontier while requesting greater ‘reciprocity’ from US allies. Professor Bew also suggests how this should be interpreted by the UK’s ongoing Capability Review.
The return of the internationalists? Unpacking Labour’s position on foreign policy.
Last week, Chuka Umunna spoke to Chatham House in a much-needed intervention on the state of British foreign policy.
In recent years, the British foreign policy debate has not kept up with the pace of global political and economic change. For that reason alone, there was much to commend in Umunna’s sense of urgency. To adapt to the challenges of the twenty-first century, as he put it, “we need to look ahead and develop a proper national strategy on the basis of a clear understanding of what our interests are”.
Latest Foreign Policy & Security News
Western policy in Middle East fudges dangers of Islamism, says former UK Ambassador to Saudi Arabia
Policy ExchangeIn the struggle against Islamist extremism, history matters. It is often under-appreciated how far the groups across the Islamist spectrum, from the Muslim Brotherhood to Daesh, are powered by a simplistic, yet powerful, historical narrative. In the inaugural Elie and Sylvia Kedourie Lecture, “The Importance of History: The Chatham House Version Revisited”, Sir John Jenkins – former UK Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, co-author of the UK Government’s review of British policy towards the Muslim Brotherhood and a Policy Exchange Senior Fellow – critiques the tendency towards shallow, one-dimensional thinking about the Middle East that infects much Western commentary and analysis on the region.
Policy Exchange hosts a speech by the Hon Peter Dutton MP, Australian Minister for Immigration and Border Protection
Policy ExchangePolicy 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.
Policy Exchange’s Hannah Stuart responds to huge surge in counter-terror hotline tip-offs
Policy ExchangeHannah Stuart — Policy Exchange’s Co-Head of Security and Extremism — responds to new figures which suggest counter-terror agencies have registered a 600% surge in tip-offs after the recent attacks in Manchester and London.
Latest Foreign Policy & Security Events
How should Britain negotiate trade deals post-Brexit?
Jul 18, 2016Policy Exchange hosted Dr Geoff Raby, one of the most pre-eminent trade negotiators in the world, a former Australian Ambassador to China and to the World Trade Organisation; Hon Alexander Downer, Australian High Commissioner to the UK; and Sir Lockwood Smith, High Commissioner of New Zealand to UK
Secretary of State for Defence launches new Policy Exchange Security Unit
Mar 24, 2016Policy Exchange launched “Britain in the World”, examining the long-term future of British national security policy. The project will be launched by the Secretary of State for Defence, Rt Hon Michael Fallon MP.
General James N. Mattis gives Policy Exchange’s sixth Colin Cramphorn Memorial Lecture
General Mattis discusses National Security and Contemporary Warfare.
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RT @WillHeaven On p.1 of today's @Telegraph and discussed in the Commons yesterday: the Home Secretary @sajidjavid will examine a new treason law to deal with returning Isis fighters, a cross-party proposal by @Policy_Exchange's Professor Richard Ekins - more here: policyexchange.org.uk/publica…
