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-...

Take a look at what BFPG has been up to this Summer bfpg.co.uk/2025/08/summ...

We’re hiring! BFPG is recruiting for a Senior Researcher to join our team. If you’re passionate about UK foreign policy, we'd love to hear from you. Apply by 11:59pm on Thursday 4 September 2025. Full details: bfpg.co.uk/2025/08/job-...

Great to see BFPG's 2025 Annual Survey polling data highlighted in The Times. The piece references the sharp decline in Britons' trust in the US over the past year, as Britons increasingly turn towards Europe. Read the full article: www.thetimes.com/comment/colu...

NEW: As President Trump and Kier Starmer prepare to meet later today, Evie Aspinall reflects on a UK-US relationship that remains vital but is increasingly defined by pragmatism rather than sentiment. bfpg.co.uk/2025/07/a-pr...

My latest @politico.eu piece delves into the @bfpg.bsky.social's annual survey on global affairs — the findings are striking: growing distrust towards the US, fears about Donald Trump's actions and greater trust towards the EU. www.politico.eu/article/brit...

It was great to attend @bfpg.bsky.social’s 2025 Annual Survey on UK public opinion on foreign policy yesterday. Britons trust the EU to act responsibly in the world (60%), believe the UK should strengthen trade relations with the EU (51%), view the EU as the UK’s closest ally (29%). Excellent news

BFPG's 2025 Annual Survey features in POLITICO Europe. The piece highlights the striking drop in UK public trust in the US, as Brits look to move closer to Europe. Read it here: www.politico.eu/article/brit...

📢 NEW: BFPG’s 2025 Annual Survey on UK public opinion on foreign policy finds Britons’ support for the special relationship is collapsing as Britons instead turn towards Europe. Read the full report here: bfpg.co.uk/2025/07/2025... (1/6)

As the UK prepares to host the Berlin Process Summit in Autumn, aiming to promote regional cooperation, security & growth, BFPG hosted Dame Karen Pierce, UK Special Envoy to the Western Balkans, to explore the region’s enduring significance in the world. Catch up: www.youtube.com/watch?v=dSQE...

NEW: BFPG Associate Fellow Michael Martins explores how the role of Ambassadors has changed in today's diplomatic environment. bfpg.co.uk/2025/06/from...

Today BFPG was privileged to host Ambassador Yao, Representative of the Taipei Representative Office, for a roundtable reflecting on today’s current geopolitical environment & the future of UK-Taiwan relations. We thank all who attended & the Ambassador for his time.

BFPG spoke to Sky News Australia about the future of AUKUS, as the US announced its review of the partnership, exploring what the broader geopolitical implications might be for the UK and its allies if the US withdraws. www.skynews.com.au/australia-ne...

NEW: In the second blog in his series on UK-US relations, BFPG Associate Fellow Michael Martins explores how the UK's new Strategic Defence Review will be received in Washington and what it means for the 'special relationship'. bfpg.co.uk/2025/06/stra...

On Sunday BFPG Director @evieaspinall.bsky.social will be speaking at @yorkfestofideas.bsky.social on 'A New World order' and what it means for the global future. Free to attend. yorkfestivalofideas.com/2025/calenda...

NEW: After almost a year of waiting, the Strategic Defence Review is out. Want the highlights? @evieaspinall.bsky.social explores the 10 key takeaways from the Review. bfpg.co.uk/2025/06/10-k...

As we wait for the new Strategic Defence Review, see BFPG's new blog on the future of the UK-US relationship. This is the first in a series exploring the relationship, with the next coming soon on how the SDR may impact relations + how it'll be received in Washington. bfpg.co.uk/2025/06/rhet...

This week BFPG Director Evie Aspinall was a guest on Audley's DipTel podcast. The episode covers Britain’s Brexit ‘reset’ with the EU and the importance of foreign policy in a world being reset by the second Trump administration. Listen here: audleyadvisors.com/audley-intel...

As co-convenors of the UK Soft Power Group, we are delighted to be launching the Group’s latest report, ‘Strengthening UK Soft Power: Strategic Recommendations’. It explores how to strengthen UK soft power in today's turbulent global environment. Give it a read: bfpg.co.uk/2025/05/stre...