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.

The Iranian regime is evil. But attacks like this undermine regional stability + security in the short term, and just as concerningly, undermine the principles of sovereignty and int. law long term that are integral for global security. The era of so called global values is in rapid decline.

Very interesting (and positive) to see the UK, Germany and France making a joint statement and acting in lockstep on the US-Israel attacks on Iran. We’re slowly seeing a revival of the E3, which given current global instability and breakdown on transatlantic relations, could be incredibly powerful.

Really looking forward to returning to Kings, where I did my Masters, in a few weeks for an IWD panel on gender and the under recognition of women’s achievements and its implication for politics and policy, a topic very close to my heart. Open to all. www.kcl.ac.uk/events/invis...

As with the last time Trump u-turned on Chagos, this isn’t about the deal itself it’s about Trump’s wider foreign policy. Last time it was a stick to beat Starmer with for standing up for Greenland. This time it’s about Iran and Trump’s increasingly likely plans to attack it.

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 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.

Spoke to Politico about what Starmer should seek to gain/raise on his trip to China and why it’s so important we have a public facing China strategy. www.politico.eu/article/expe...

Another tightrope for Starmer to walk as he heads off to China - as we saw with Carney, Starmer will want deals that drive growth but Trump will be v sensitive to anything he sees as his Western sphere of influence moving closer to China. Particularly challenging given last week’s Greenland crisis.

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.

Multiple things can be true at once: 1. Carney's speech was excellent 2. The UK needs to diversify away from reliance on the US 3. Starmer should be firm with Trump BUT also be more constructive than other leaders as the UK plays a key role as a bridge between the US and Europe.

Trump stating that he won't use force to invade Greenland is a positive step. But it was always a negotiating tactic, and with the threat of tariffs still looming, there is still a bumpy road ahead.

Doing more media this afternoon: 4.15pm - BBC Radio 4, the BBC Media Show discussing Greenland, Iran and internet blackouts 5pm - Channel 5 News discussing the future of UK-US relations and developments at Davos.

Looking forward to speaking to @lbc.co.uk at 11.40am on how the UK is and should be approaching relations with Trump.

My review of Trump's first year in office, his foreign policy and what it means for global security and stability for @bestforbritain.org

Five key takeaways from Starmer's statement on UK-US relationship this morning.

Surreal start to the week waiting for an early morning PM statement on the relationship with the UK's biggest ally. Starmer will likely take a softer approach than others like Macron to avoid fanning the flames but he'll still need to appease a nervous domestic audience too.

While Trump often talks bigger than he acts on tariffs, the US essentially trying to blackmail Europe over territory which is already part of NATO is deeply troubling and a sign of how little regard Trump has for the transatlantic relationship. Increasingly concerning times.

Another big day in foreign policy. What to expect/look out for: 1. Iran - a slight de-escalation this morning after an intense night. Trump wants any US strike to take out the regime. That is difficult given US military build up in the Caribbean due to their attacks on Venezuela.

Excited to share my first joint blog post at the British Foreign Policy Group with @evieaspinall.bsky.social. We reflect on the attack on Venezuela over the weekend and what it might men for the future of the rules based order.

Big moment for Europe as France hosts the latest ‘Coalition of the Willing’ meeting days after US attacks on Venezuela. What to look out for: 1. Comments on Venezuela - leaders will desperately avoid questions on this but there are big qs about US commitment to international law

Anyone know a reliable boiler person in South London? (British gas and Pimlico plumbers fully booked)

Fascinating research now out from @bestforbritain.org on trust in UK partners. Particularly striking is change in net trust in the US among Conservative (40%) and Labour (37%) voters over the last year. Only Reform voters seem unphased by current US direction. www.bestforbritain.org/uk_trading_p...

At lunchtime today, we'll be exploring the policy implications of supporting Ukraine until the end, inspired by @ldfreedman.bsky.social's "Hennessy Lecture". You can book your place to hear @evieaspinall.bsky.social, @patporter76.bsky.social, @elkeschwarz.bsky.social and @drjamesstrong.bsky.social🔽

Delighted to release our latest report for BFPG, 'Science and Soft Power: Building a New Narrative for the UK's Role in the World'. It outlines the role of science in achieving the UK's international ambitions and opportunities to better leverage this. bfpg.co.uk/2025/10/scie...

We'll be joined by @evieaspinall.bsky.social (Director, the British Foreign Policy Group) @patporter76.bsky.social (Chair of International Security & Strategy, Birmingham) @elkeschwarz.bsky.social (Professor of Political Theory, QMUL) @drjamesstrong.bsky.social (Reader in British Politics, QMUL)

As Poland reels from the incursion of Russian drones on its territory, I spoke to the Metro about what the attack means for the UK and NATO. metro.co.uk/2025/09/10/m...

My latest for Progressive Britain is on the challenges of building public support for increasing defence spending and why we need a national conversation around national security. www.progressivebritain.org/the-defence-...

Passionate about foreign policy? Eager to shape the debate on UK foreign policy? I have just the job for you! We're hiring a new Senior Researcher, a brilliant role at the heart of the foreign policy debate in Westminster. Deadline 4th September. bfpg.co.uk/2025/08/job-...

Great to speak to the Metro yesterday about the implications of the meeting between Trump and Putin (and increasingly unlikely but maybe Zelensky) for the war in Ukraine. Thoughts here - metro.co.uk/2025/08/07/h...

Great thread from Evie here that drives home the massive impact Trump’s actions have had on British public opinion.

As Starmer and Trump prepare to meet in Scotland, what does the public think of it all? My latest for BFPG explores - bfpg.co.uk/2025/07/a-pr.... Key stats from our new public opinion survey in the thread below.

New survey: Brits think that the UK's new aid budget is too low. One of many interesting findings in the BFPG survey.

It was really good to attend this report launch yesterday. Lots of rich insight into the British public’s approach to foreign policy. The shift in focus to the EU relationship is particularly notable but other key insights below…

Delighted to release BFPG’s 2025 Annual Public Opinion Survey. The survey highlights a watershed moment in UK foreign policy, as Britons turn their back on the ‘Special Relationship’ and pivot dramatically back to Europe. Here are 10 key findings. Full report here - bfpg.co.uk/2025/07/2025...

Language coming from the Government is very careful - not condemning the US' actions (and endorsing their aims) but making clear the UK did not participate and instead supported a diplomatic solution. An attempt to diplomatically put distance between UK and US responses, without upsetting Trump.

The bombing on Iranian nuclear sites by Trump puts heed to Trump's attempts to paint himself as a global peacemaker. Iran having nuclear weapons would be bad but bombing Iranian nuclear sites is hardly going to make Iran less keen to develop nuclear weapons in the future...

Looking forward to giving evidence to the House of Lords International Relations and Development Committee this morning on the future of the UK-US relationship. Tune in from 11.30am - committees.parliament.uk/event/24377/...

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...

Full strategic defence review finally out. Will be trawling through all 130 pages so you don't have to - will have a full summary of the key takeways out in the morning. www.gov.uk/government/p...

Finding the debate about the Defence Review today very frustrating. With the review still not out in full, there's lots of big claims being made by people who have read the headlines and by the time the detail comes out everyone will have moved on. Terrible for public scrutiny.

UK-EU Summit, Key Takeaways. A 🧵.

It's time for the long-awaited UK-EU Summit, negotiations were still ongoing last night but what can we expect to see? (1/4)

Fascinating new report on the soft power impact of the media. E.g. BBC users are 27% more likely to favour democracy than non-users. Meanwhile, 71% of CGTN consumers view China favourably and 58% of RT consumers view Russia favourably. Well worth a read. www.bbc.co.uk/aboutthebbc/...

ICYMI: Watch the recording of our latest UKTBC Evidence Session with; 👉 @evieaspinall.bsky.social 👉 Miguel Berger (@germanambuk.bsky.social) 👉 Philip Rycroft www.tradeandbusiness.uk/evidence/wha...

Looking forward to speaking at the Progressive Britain conference tomorrow on 'Britain and the New World Order'. Final chance to get tickets - www.tickettailor.com/events/progr... .

Picking an American Pope could be an incredibly powerful counterbalance to Trump's influence in the US. The importance of that should not be understated.

There will be lots of discomfort in parts of the UK about the UK-US trade deal, especially given public perceptions of Trump and concerns about beef, BUT this is what diplomacy is - sometimes sucking it up and putting on a brave face, picking fights only when it makes sense to, for the greater good.