Earlier this week BFPG Director Evie Aspinall appeared on The Media Show to discuss how authoritarian and foreign states are leveraging influencers to spread pro-regime content and the dangerous impact this is having on public opinion on foreign policy. www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...

Yesterday, the BISA/BFPG Undergraduate Network hosted its Undergraduate Development Day in Brighton. Students heard from leading practitioners on careers in international affairs and presented original research. You can read more and see the students work here:

See what BFPG have been up to this last month:

This week, in partnership with @wiltonpark.bsky.social, we brought together senior policymakers and security experts to examine the UK's growing national security vulnerabilities and what a whole-of-society response really looks like. A vital conversation, and one we're eager to continue.

This week the BFPG was pleased to support the @goodgrowthfdn.bsky.social in hosting Defence Sec John Healey who spoke on defence investment and boosting UK jobs and innovation. Watch his answer to a question on obtaining public buy-in for defence from Director @evieaspinall.bsky.social

Russia and China spend £6–8bn a year on international state media. The BBC World Service reaches 300m people weekly at 44p per user in government funding. The maths on soft power is hard to argue with. @jackpannell.bsky.social explains why the UK can't afford to let it slide.

On Wednesday our BISA/BFPG Undergraduate Network met at @warwickuni.bsky.social for 'The future of EU-UK relations' Students heard from: 🔹 Pedro Serrano, EU Ambassador to the UK 🔹 Jannike Wachowiak (UKICE) 🔹 Prof Hussein Kassim (Warwick) 🔹 Prof George Christou (Warwick)

On Monday BFPG Director @evieaspinall.bsky.social spoke to Bloomberg TV about King Charles III's visit to the U.S., wider UK-United States relations, and the conflict in Iran. Watch Below 👇

What can King Charles III actually achieve on his US visit this week, and is the pageantry worth it? BFPG Director @evieaspinall.bsky.social analyses the careful diplomatic dance the UK is performing in a moment of major geopolitical uncertainty.

Director @evieaspinall.bsky.social spoke to Time Magazine on why the Royal visit is a "unique opportunity to strengthen the bilateral relationship at a moment where it is fracturing.”

Last Monday we co-hosted a brilliant event on the Politics of Latin America with @mybisa.bsky.social for the UGN network at the Uni of Manchester. Our panel explored everything from domestic politics to Latam's evolving relationship with the US. Thanks to the speakers and everyone who came along!

"When the relationship with the United States is fracturing, it means there's reduced opposition to a closer relationship with the EU among the public." Our Director @evieaspinall.bsky.social spoke to AFP on how the Iran conflict is accelerating the UK's EU reset, featured in France 24.

Last week the BFPG was delighted to host the Shadow Foreign Secretary, the Rt Hon Dame Priti Patel, for an in conversation on the UK's foreign policy challenges, from Ukraine and the Middle East to the future of the Transatlantic relationship.

Lord Robertson's warnings about UK defence are compelling. But if the assessment is that we must increase defence spending, the question isn’t just how do we do it militarily, it is how to do it politically. Read our latest analysis from @evieaspinall.bsky.social

As President Trump threatens to withdraw from NATO, BFPG Director Evie Aspinall spoke to the I twice last week to explore how Trump's actions may embolden Russia and what should happen with King Charles' state visit to the US. inews.co.uk/news/four-wa... inews.co.uk/news/politic...

Take a look at what BFPG got up to in March

New Guest Article: David Allfrey introduces the idea of Britain as a 'subtle power' superpower - the influence that works through norms, networks, language and trust, often before anyone notices.

Yesterday we held the first virtual event for the BISA/BFPG Undergrad Network! The panel on Careers in Foreign Policy featured brilliant insights, offered tips to undergraduates on getting experience, how to develop their skills, and the many routes into the world of foreign policy.

The UK's approach to the Hormuz crisis may have been consistent with international law but it came with political costs. Our latest analysis looks at how Starmer's decision is reshaping the UK-US relationship and what Trump may ask of London next.

Last night our Director @evieaspinall.bsky.social spoke at the launch event of the joint BISA/BFPG Undergraduate Network, a network for undergraduates across the UK with an interest in foreign policy. It was a fascinating discussion at Edinburgh University on Scotland's role in foreign policy.

NEW: BFPG is delighted to have contributed to this ICR Research report for the British Council which tracks how soft power has evolved over the last 5 years across 25 countries. Read the report here- www.britishcouncil.org/research-ins...

The US attack on Iran has direct consequences for UK domestic policy from energy prices and net zero to defence spending and political polarisation. BFPG Senior Advisor David Landsman sets out five key takeaways for the UK.

BFPG Director Evie Aspinall spoke to the AFP about the difficult diplomatic tightrope the Prime Minister must walk over Iran.

There will be lots of pressure on Starmer at PMQs to make headline-grabbing statements about Trump. He must resist. Starmer was right to limit the UK’s involvement in Iran but shouldn’t unnecessarily provoke Trump with jibes given the possible economic consequences. Head down, carry on.

Following last night's by-election, the Greens and Reform have shown they are serious contenders in British politics and their foreign policy positions will come under increased scrutiny. @jamesjennion.bsky.social examines their positions on a key area: China

New BFPG Guest Paper: Britain Backed Greenland's Autonomy - What does that mean for Wales?

BFPG Director @evieaspinall.bsky.social speaks to Bloomberg TV in a wide-ranging interview covering the Munich security conference, negotiations between the US, Russia and Ukraine, US-Iran nuclear talks, and Europe's relationship with China and the United States.

This morning BFPG Director @evieaspinall.bsky.social was on Bloomberg TV discussing the Munich Security Conference and the future of the world order ahead of US-Iran nuclear and US-Russia-Ukraine negotiations today.

As the government was forced by its backbenchers into yet another retreat this week over the opposition's humble address, @jackpannell.bsky.social argues this increasingly muscular parliament may begin to push the government in an area where it has historically had little say: Foreign policy.

As Kier Starmer embarked on the first trip by a UK Prime Minister to China in 8 years, our Director @evieaspinall.bsky.social spent the morning on Sky News discussing the trip and providing analysis on what it means for UK-China relations and the UK more broadly.

Our director @evieaspinall.bsky.social spoke to Politico about the Prime Ministers trip to Beijing. She discusses the importance of a public China strategy from UK government to help business and civil society engage with China.

On Wednesday, Director @evieaspinall.bsky.social appeared on the Media Show to discuss the value of the BBC World Service as a soft power asset, and a tool for promoting truth, democracy, accountability and human rights.

Our Director @evieaspinall.bsky.social spoke spoke to Steve Holden on LBC about the Prime Minister’s response to Presdient Donald Trump’s threats of tariffs on the UK and other European allies over Greenland.

This morning the Prime Minister set out the UK's position on Greenland, tariffs, and the relationship with the United States in a speech in Downing Street. Senior Researcher @jackpannell.bsky.social reflects on the key takeaways from his address to the nation. bfpg.co.uk/2026/01/star...

2026 has arrived in dramatic fashion with US attacks on Venezuela. BFPG Director @evieaspinall.bsky.social and Senior Researcher @jackpannell.bsky.social reflect on what it all means for the future of global stability, norms and values and how the UK should respond. bfpg.co.uk/2026/01/sove...

BFPG was delighted to host an event with GovAI on the UK’s role in the AI landscape. Fantastic insights from GovAI Summer Fellows Tiffany Perry & Vidya Ramesh on themes inc. the future of UK partnerships in AI capabilities & strengthening UK leadership on AI safety & security.

In BFPG's latest analysis, Associate Fellow James Jennion examines how the UK’s inconsistent responses to China reveal a lack of strategic clarity in managing the relationship. bfpg.co.uk/2025/12/how-...

NEW: BFPG's latest analysis examines how the first G20 Summit on African soil tests whether major powers can match rhetoric with real partnership. bfpg.co.uk/2025/11/the-...

BFPG Director Evie Aspinall joined the New Statesman Politics Live 2025 conference yesterday. Speaking with fellow panelists Sarah Champion MP, Uma Kumaran MP, and Calum Miller MP, the session explored how international cooperation makes the UK safer and more prosperous.

Today BFPG was joined by Dame Chi Onwurah MP for a valuable conversation on the role of science in shaping the UK's global influence. Thank you to our audience and the Wellcome Trust for their support. Our recent report on science and soft power can be found here: bfpg.co.uk/2025/10/scie...

Tomorrow, 28th October at 12:00, tune in to the Mile End Institute's webinar to hear BFPG Director, Evie Aspinall, and fellow panellists discussing Britain's role in Ukraine, and the implications for UK foreign and domestic policy. Sign up here: us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...

Research Professional News has spotlighted BFPG’s report on Science and Soft Power, highlighting its calls for the restoration of long-term international funding, stronger coordination + narratives to better harness UK science for global influence. www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-p...

NEW: BFPG’s new report argues that science is an underutilised tool in the UK’s soft power arsenal - vital to UK growth, global influence, trust and prosperity - and should sit at the heart of the UK’s international strategy. Read the full report here: bfpg.co.uk/2025/10/scie...

NEW: Our latest piece explores shifting public attitudes, as more Britons desire pragmatism in foreign policy, backing trade and aid that deliver economic and security returns over values. bfpg.co.uk/2025/10/brit...

Take a look at what BFPG got up to in September. bfpg.co.uk/2025/10/bfpg...

Ahead of US President Trump's state visit, BFPG Director Evie Aspinall spoke to NPR about the President's long-standing affinity for the British royal family and the potential for the UK to leverage this relationship to its advantage. www.npr.org/2025/09/15/n...

BFPG Director Evie Aspinall spoke to Metro about the likely fallout and repercussions from Russian drones being shot down in Polish airspace. metro.co.uk/2025/09/10/m...

NEW: Senior Advisor David Landsman argues that the UK’s recent defence reviews set out sweeping ambitions, but without a clear national interest, sufficient resources or public support, they remain ungrounded. This analysis calls for a realist reset for UK defence. bfpg.co.uk/2025/09/givi...

In a piece for Progressive Britain, BFPG Director Evie Aspinall considers how, in a time of cost-of-living crises and tight fiscal rules, the government can build public support for high defence spending. www.progressivebritain.org/the-defence-...

BFPG is delighted to be recruiting for a Senior Researcher. This is a rare opportunity to join a leading foreign policy think tank at a critical geopolitical moment. 🗓️ Deadline: 11:59pm, 4th Sept bfpg.co.uk/2025/08/job-...