UK in the World Programme

Finland, Sweden and their neighbours have much to teach the UK about ‘total defence’ and building societal resilience to Russian ‘grey zone’ warfare, writes Robin Potter.

The UK must lead on Ukraine’s defence with clear spending commitments – and invest in European collaboration. 

While engaging with China’s leaders can be beneficial, it must be underpinned by a clear strategy to counter covert influence and manage the risks of economic and technological dependencies.

The time the prime minister is spending abroad is justified but voters must be convinced of the links between domestic and international concerns.

The budget marks the lowest amount in decades the country has spent on development, and it is struggling to fund other international priorities too.

The UK decision was welcomed by India and the US, and shows a capacity for fresh thinking. But the transfer of sovereignty must be handled carefully.

While problems with procurement and recruitment may be being addressed, appointing external reviewers to the Strategic Defence Review is a creative way to overcome inter-service rivalry and build on deep experience.

The summit is not only a chance for the new UK government to build relationships with European leaders, but a key opportunity for European countries to make progress on shared political and security challenges.

Keir Starmer and his foreign secretary will face difficult, early decisions on foreign policy. The test will be whether those rebuild the UK’s influence, reputation and interests.

Keir Starmer’s Labour Party has won an extraordinary victory, ending fourteen years of Conservative government. What does this mean for the UK’s global role?

A new UK government should consider the resilience and preparedness of society as a vital aspect of national security.

Procurement, security cooperation and international development policy require urgent attention.

The next UK government will immediately be thrust onto the world stage with NATO and European summits in July. The campaign is a distraction but there are urgent questions to answer on foreign affairs, including Gaza.

The prime minister’s choice of timing for a general election thrusts foreign policy to the fore and will expose the parties’ differences on migration, Europe and Gaza.

Labour and the Conservatives each place unusual emphasis on foreign policy in this election year. A new Chatham House paper advises what the next government must prioritize.

The government will need to be clearer on how the spending increase will be funded and where the UK will direct its focus.

Having a foreign secretary with status that is largely free of domestic political concerns matters, but a lack of strategy matters more.

But without US leadership, the ability of Ukraine’s European allies to cooperate effectively looks uncertain.

From major elections to the AI boom, here are the issues six of our expert contributors expect to make the news in the year ahead.

The white paper should help restore confidence in the UK’s approach to international development, but it ducks some central questions.

Keir Starmer wants Britain to re-engage in the region. A dedicated envoy or minister will be vital.

The latest episode of our weekly podcast discusses Rishi Sunak’s AI summit in Bletchley Park.

The Bletchley Park summit – and the UK’s new AI Safety Institute – will not deliver a new international regulatory framework. But they can be important first steps.

The conferences showed cross-party consensus on Israel, NATO, Ukraine and China. Differences may only emerge from a second Trump presidency.

Episode 42 of our weekly podcast discusses Rory Stewart’s latest book and its criticisms of the British state.

An internship at Chatham House offers an invaluable learning experience through a six-month placement in one of our teams.

Britain should seize the summit’s opportunity to take on a problem-solving role in the global effort on AI governance, writes Olivia O’Sullivan.

The views of voters are uncertain, while the damage to UK relations – and the climate – is inevitable.

Chatham House will host a series of events at the Labour Party Conference on 9 and 10 October, following successful events at the Conservative Party Conference.

Episode 31 of our weekly podcast explores the UK’s role in the defence of the Nordic region.

Whichever party wins the general election, limited resources will prevent an expansive foreign agenda. ‘Realistic ambition’ should be the guiding principle, with a focus on adapting to risks around the US and China, improving relations with the EU, and strengthening the UK’s role in international governance and development.

Although the UK is less exposed to the direct effects of the war in Ukraine than other European countries, the indirect and longer-term impact will be significant.

To help sustain the unity of response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the UK needs to rebuild its relationship with the EU, expand the role of the G7, and deploy its trade and development policies more strategically.

A proposed blueprint for Britain’s future foreign policy argues that the country can remain internationally influential post-Brexit by acting as the broker of solutions to global challenges.