Good ideas come from informed research and good conversation but they can also arrive from having a space to put considered thought into a written piece. Writing clarifies our thinking and makes our ideas more coherent. The British Institute of Global Affairs is keen to share commentary that stimulates new thinking. If you are interested in submitting a commentary piece, be sure to email us at: big.affairs.uk@gmail.com
Latest Posts
- Green Card: How the UK’s Global Influence Can Shape Ethical Climate Migration Policies
Climate change is not only reshaping coastlines and weather patterns, but it is also remapping the future of the human movement. According to the World Bank, over 216 million people could be internally displaced by climate impacts by 2050, a staggering projection that underscores how environmental instability is fast becoming a major driver of human …Read more “Green Card: How the UK’s Global Influence Can Shape Ethical Climate Migration Policies”
- Settlement and Heartbreak: The British Response to Gaza
Earlier this week, Louis Theraux released his latest documentary, The Settlers. While the conflict in Palestine has not left public scrutiny, it had begun to retreat in the face of headlines about Donald Trump, European defence, and local council elections. Nonetheless, the public remains passionate about the issue. In a recent Question Time episode, one …Read more “Settlement and Heartbreak: The British Response to Gaza”
- Whining and Dining: Does Britain’s Palate Deserve Its Reputation?
Editor’s Note: This piece is brought to you by Maya Huby. Maya achieved a First-class degree in Politics and International Relations from the University of Bath, during which she undertook a work placement with various English vineyards. Since completing her degree, she has worked as a Food and Beverage Assistant with Lainston House as well …Read more “Whining and Dining: Does Britain’s Palate Deserve Its Reputation?”
- Ukraine, Palestine, and NATO: Three Conversations on Youth and Security
Over the last week, I have been fortunate enough to enjoy and witness some great conversations with some very interesting people. All of them have, in some way, related security back to young people and made defence relevant to a generation that has largely been the witness to a failing politics. Despite the worrying cause …Read more “Ukraine, Palestine, and NATO: Three Conversations on Youth and Security”
- Education, Education, Education: Rethinking the UK’s Global Education Strategy
Education has long served as one of the most prominent instruments of UK soft power, particularly across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). The British Council, Chevening Scholarships, and partnerships with elite regional institutions have historically projected a narrative of mutual learning and opportunity. But behind that narrative lies a critical truth: access alone …Read more “Education, Education, Education: Rethinking the UK’s Global Education Strategy”
- The Cost of Starmer’s Shortsighted U-Turn On Foreign Aid
In 2021, an MP stood in Parliament and confidently asserted that “investing 0.7% [of Britain’s GNI] in international aid is in Britain’s interest” and that it would be wrong to cut it. One may find it perplexing that only 4 years later the same man, now Britain’s Prime Minister, would announce (with perhaps a bit …Read more “The Cost of Starmer’s Shortsighted U-Turn On Foreign Aid “
- What is ‘Grand’ About Grand Strategy?
When setting out a new path, or the next step in the current path, leaders will often make reference to history. “[insert country] has always…” is the line so often parroted. To take one example, Putin’s speech with Tucker Carlson made frequent and incessant references to Russia’s supposed history to justify his invasion of Ukraine. … - After Empire, Beyond America?: Britain’s Identity at a Crossroads
Donald Trump’s second presidential term has already shaken up the international stage. His unpredictable foreign policy and inward turn have left many US allies perplexed and recalibrating. Among them, Great Britain stands in a particularly precarious position. Since the end of World War II, the so-called ‘special relationship’ with Washington has been a cornerstone of …Read more “After Empire, Beyond America?: Britain’s Identity at a Crossroads”
- ‘The Strategists’: A Review
With the release of the defence season of the podcast, this week’s commentary piece is going to be a review of Professor O’Brien’s latest book The Strategists: How War Made Them and How They Made War. The book focuses on the five key leaders during World War II: Churchill, Roosevelt, Stalin, Mussolini, and Hitler. The … - What It Feels Like to Seek Refuge in the UK
Editor’s Note: This piece is brought to you by Nabila Arab. Click on her profile at the bottom of this piece to read more of her work with us or follow her on LinkedIn, here. For decades, the UK held a reputation as a place of safety. But for many refugees and asylum seekers today, … - Who is Strategy For?
I’m excited to announce that next week, season two of the BIGA podcast will begin and the theme for the season will be: Security, Strategy, and Defence. With Peter Jones helping to round out our season on diplomacy, it seems a fitting leap to discuss all things security. I’ve written previously about strategy, in particular … - Why Refugee Rights Must Come Before Algorithms
Editor’s Note: Nabila returns with a fascinating new commentary. Nabila has a Master’s in Migration Studies as well as being a board member on the UNDP Youth Panel and the Hub Coordinator for the Beirut branch of the Al Sharq Forum. Make sure to follow her work, here. As artificial intelligence becomes increasingly embedded in … - Bad Apples: Adolescence, masculinity, and expression in the UK
Author’s Note: This piece is looking at the recent Netflix show Adolescence as a starting point for conversation about gender in the UK. As such, there will be spoilers about the show and I would recommend you watch it before reading this piece. ‘overall, male emotional repression is good, actually’. This was one of the …Read more “Bad Apples: Adolescence, masculinity, and expression in the UK”
- Democratic Dividends: Brexit’s First Triumph
Editor’s Note: This piece is brought to you by John McCabe. He is a recent Master’s graduate from the University of St Andrews in International Relations having written his dissertation “British Engagement in the Indo-Pacific: Substantial or Superficial”. Be sure to follow his work here. In 2016, 52% of the United Kingdom’s population voted to … - The Gulf Between Trump and History
Author’s Note: Welcome back to my weekly commentary. I do apologise for not posting anything last week! A mix of interviews, illness, and travels made it a bit much but hopefully this week’s piece makes up for it! It is hardly a profound insight to say that Trump has been stirring the pot when it … - The UK and Global Peacebuilding and Conflict Resolution: Will It Step Up or Step Back?
Editor’s Note: This piece is brought to you by Nabila Arab, who has a Master’s in Migration Studies as well as being a board member on the UNDP Youth Panel and the Hub Coordinator for the Beirut branch of the Al Sharq Forum. Make sure to follow her work, here. In recent decades, the UK …Read more “The UK and Global Peacebuilding and Conflict Resolution: Will It Step Up or Step Back?”
- The Administration of the Possible
US ‘destroying’ world order, EU leaders in emergency meeting, China vows it will ‘fight to the end’ with US in trade war – or any other war. These are just a handful of the headlines from this week. While the news benefits from stirring up anxiety – fear sells after all – it does seem … - CDU Victory and What It Means for Britain
Editor’s Note: This piece is brought to you by Vincenz Bill, a Master’s graduate from the University of St Andrews, research analyst with Project Khthon, and most recently a trainee with the EU in Brussels. Be sure to follow his work, here. On the 27th of February, the public received the final results of the … - Building the Transport to the Future
Author’s Note: On the 20th of February, the British Institute of Global Affairs was honoured to have been invited to attend the ‘Unconference: Building the Transport of the Future’. The event was hosted in Leeds by Civic Future and Britain Remade, organisations aiming to encourage civic leadership and to “make it easier for Britain to … - Standing on the shoulders of Giants or in their shadows?: Britain’s place in a new world order
Editor’s Note: This piece is brought to you by Kateryna Shtepa, a graduate of Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv in American and European Studies and a member of the Ukrainian Foreign Policy Association. Her main interests include American-British relations, the history of economics, and world food security. Be sure to follow her work, here. … - English Devolution: Devolving Power or Diluting It?
Littered in the news this week are place names of exciting importance. Vance’s entry into Munich’s Security Conference, Riyadh’s peace talks, the latest news from Washington, and Kyiv’s continued defiance against Moscow all battle for the attention of the world’s public. While Macron once again pushes for European strategic autonomy, decisions are being made closer …Read more “English Devolution: Devolving Power or Diluting It?”
- The Lost Meaning of Strategy
Author’s Note: This is the first of what I hope will be a regular commentary piece. My personal focus for the foreseeable future will be on strategy and how it relates to the UK though I will be looking for contributors to offer their thoughts on the myriad of opportunities and challenges presented to the …