Britain's Foreign Policy in a Fast-Changing World

The 2022 Peter Nailor Memorial Lecture
For 40 years Britain's national strategy rested on two main pillars: close partnership with the United States, and a leading role in Europe. Both remain important, but the dramatic shifts in global geopolitics of recent years must make us re-appraise Britain's diplomatic priorities. How has Russia's aggression in Ukraine changed the focus of our foreign policy? How can the UK- outside the EU- best exercise influence to protect its interests and promote its values in a fast-changing world?
A lecture by Lord Peter Ricketts
The transcript and downloadable versions of the lecture are available from the Gresham College website:
www.gresham.ac.uk/watch-now/b...
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[@janicejames3005]

It is inevitable that other countries outside of NATO have a somewhat different view of the way that the USA and the UK have exercised control. Even before the Iraq invasion.

[@rosiewhite8313]

This needs bringing up to date!

[@johnmarshall9575]

This is a fair presentation of the case by Lord Peter, but this really is "The Same Foreign Policy in a Fast Changing World"

[@arnoldattard1146]

I don't quite see the acknowledgment of the 'fast changing world', in these policy statements.

[@SaSa-dl6rp]

I am just a big fun of UK and had stayed there for a couple of years only. Actually UK seems to have lost its control under this inner/global circumstance for a long time, but I really believe that UK has a lot of fan outside UK, which would be of great support for her. May UK flourish as ever.

[@squareinsquare2078]

It also has a lot of people that don't like it, mainly from places they stole from.

[@torstenkranz5839]

You must have been as blind as they come (((((((((((-:

[@blibloblab]

Wonderful lecture.

[@karrararra4820]

I liked this talk about the 🇬🇧

[@jamesbond695]

Fantastic speech and superbly given. Would you present yourself for the position of prime minister? We could do with somebody sensible for a change.

[@lenwilkinson672]

It certainly didn’t help Hungary in 1956 Sorrry I’m not impressed.

[@michaelbasher]

Top notch to the education board here. Take the reins, via other countries educational Foundation.. for instance, an understanding to Germany as necessary full agreement making use of His Majesty's armed services to Halting Russian controls, disarming and repurposing for the Russian people betterment. Trust

[@SirAntoniousBlock]

Bit of a pointless lecture, it seemed just like a news summary, we're all aware of the political/economic situation at present. Brexit and how it has poisoned and paralysed British politics for the past 6 years was brushed aside as was the question of Scottish secession, it won't take decades it will happen within a few years, the UK will be dissolved and will lose a third of it's land mass and much of its natural resources and England will return to being a backwater. The war in Ukraine was also dismissed in a casual manner, there is nothing inevitable about the outcome of war, that's what war does it throws all the cards up into the air and we must await to see where they fall, Ukraine may very well throw every Russian soldier off its soil, the Russian army may mutiny (as it has done in the past) Putin may be overthrown or my decide to bring everything down in a blaze with him, the cost to reconstruct Ukraine and Russia (or whats left of it) will be immense and a task for the next generation.

[@English_Dawn]

Too many commentators just have never understood Brexit. For most voters it was about Sovereignty and control. Hence the attachment to fish and the waters they swim in. To have a direct effective link between the voter and their political representative and their ability to enact law, not have it diminished increasingly by remote politicians using increasingly Qualified Majority Voting. What's the point of that? The economic view was proposed by perhaps a small minority of Brexiteers. Am sure in time there will be economic benefits. Only around 8% of British companies export - anywhere, less than that, probably, to the EU. It is unlikely therefore that many people work in companies that export so any economic advantages/disadvantages were only ever a sideshow. This is rubber-stamped by the fact that 90% of British trade is in services, much of which isn't in the Free Trade Agreement Liberal Democracy has failed many Britons and people in the West. Globalism has created rust-belts and left behind communities with no stake in the system. If you're bottom of the pile you also have nothing to lose by changing the rules of the game if the game is rigged against you. Liberal Democracy is failing in the West. Davos is finished.

[@bettyhappschatt3467]

"Only around 8% of British companies export" Yes, that is a big problem. You have lost your opportunities and no wonder you are in economical crisis.

[@MatthewMcVeagh]

"Am sure in time there will be economic benefits. " - keep dreaming

[@SuperMerlin2005]

A very rosey eyed view of the US and it view of its NATO colleagues

[@suv2w]

He reminds me of Peter ricketts

[@maxyogi]

Not really. Based on the Description to the video/speech. Britain's primary focus was/is on Asia (both East and West). The US is a Military conduit for the UK. More than it is an ally. Where do you see Britain's Genuine Geopolitical prowess? The answer is Asia. And truthfully Only Asia.

[@arshadmalik9725]

The British remind me so much of the jackal, who has to stick close to the lion, watching it hunt, calling the hyenas to get his piece of the cake.

[@rja421]

This guy should have been Church of England Vicar instead of one of our top diplomats. Would have been better for all concerned.

[@nathanpaulson9460]

I hope he’s wrong about the end of the Russo-Ukraine war. The Korea-style “truce” he describes would be catastrophic

[@ulfosterberg1979]

Not the only thing he is wro g about. If this is the level of british education.... It is like a Swedish gymnasium. putin as adolf has to be totally defeated. Otherways we has to do this again. And against china too.

[@nathanpaulson9460]

@@ulfosterberg1979 I don't think it's anything to do with "the level of British education" (he must have gone through the education system, what... 40 years ago?). He has a particular worldview that is regrettably common in foreign policy circles, and not just in the UK.

[@vespelian]

The reawakening of the Prussian Eagle. What joy!

[@PMMagro]

When the UK invaded Iraq for bogus made up reasons it did hurt your credibility complaining about Russias invasion of Ukraine (Russia obviously not having any relevant reasons at all). I am glad many do support Ukraine (and that many in the UK saw through the lies motivating the Iraq war). To me it seesm the UK are finally ending the Brexit bing drinking session now. The hangover might be abd but we look forward to a reliable ..stabile ally again.

[@murrayeldred3563]

Well presented. But nothing new.

[@mrsomeone846]

In a nutshell what I’d like is trade with whoever’s willing to trade with us & mind our business whenever possible.

[@charlesottowilliamwade5328]

pozzed

[@philipfarmer3232]

The UK's foreign policy is to do exactly what the US tells it to do, and this has been the case for at least fifteen years.

[@onlineonlineaccount2368]

@Philip Farmer..Exactly, the UK follows the policies given from Washington. The UK has always been a backdoor for the US to influance Europe.

[@ulfosterberg1979]

It has been since suez. Uk has been pretending otherwise, but fact is fact.

[@stevenredpath9332]

We are seeing the final decline of the British empire and brexit is a major factor in that. Unfortunately, as we have seen that decline we have seen a stepping up of far right extremism within our government. It does not brood well for our semi-democratic state.

[@kg8489]

>"far right extremism" >highest immigration rates ever 🤔

[@stevenredpath9332]

@@kg8489 draconian laws on peaceful protest, security forces allowed to commit major crimes, the Rwanda policy, the windrush scandal, austerity, increased surveillance on the population, increased powers to the executive, increased demonisation of refugees, increased demonisation of the courts holding government to account and that’s just off the top of my head. The increased number of migrants might have something to do with the collapse of various sectors due to the hard brexit that the 52% allegedly voted for (regardless of the actual words said by pro-brexit politicians) and the resulting leaving of EU citizens from the UK, especially during the pandemic. I wonder how the extreme right wing parties in the EU parliament are doing without their British colleagues from the Conservative party and brexit party.

[@kg8489]

@@stevenredpath9332 Trying to paint people like Patel and Sunak as fascists makes you look ridiculous. They are neo-liberals, like all our leaders since Thatcher. Immigration rates were high and increasing throughout the Blair, Brown and Cameron years. The policy has been basically the same for decades. None of the policies you mentioned amount to "far right extremism".

[@onlineonlineaccount2368]

@@kg8489 Far right extremism have always existed in the UK in essence you dealing with British etno-nationalist who are often from the workingclass and to way lesser extend the middle class who strong British conservatist/nationalist/ethno-chauvenist sentiments. In essence anyone can be far right even muslim fundamentalist in the UK are far right as they have strong orthodox conservative values. Immigration to them is not the real issue its non-white western immigration they fear especially from islamic nations. Because they feel ''immigration'' will make the UK a third world nation which is rubbish and narrative they picked up from the 70s psuedo intelectuals who had latent racist vieuws on society.

[@kg8489]

@@onlineonlineaccount2368 We are not talking about the working class, whom you clearly look down on. We are talking about the government.

[@TenOrbital]

sb ‘how does the world keep up with a fast-changing Britain’.

[@vespelian]

It stuffs itself with popcorn and splits its side enjoying the show.

[@ednorton47]

Britain always stands in opposition to the strongest power on the Continent, whether that is Spain, Netherlands, France, Germany, the Soviet Union, or Russia.

[@torstenkranz5839]

I am still waiting for an intelligent Brit ((((((((((-; at least he is not only lying and there is a hit for self criticism and less arrogance

[@josephslater2266]

What a load of twaddle.

[@BloobleBonker]

I find your comments on China rather sad. Btw, you failed to identify Boris and Trump by name as huge factors in the collapse of faith in democracy.

[@stevenredpath9332]

The USA and it’s satellite allies (primarily the UK) have had 2 long term goals: western dominance over the world and an enemy to justify that dominance. The ussr and communism were the best justification, the Middle East was a poor substitute despite the emphasis on terrorist states but China is almost perfect (it’s geographical location isn’t ideal compared to the ussr) and rhetoric will continue to build up the threat of China (whether they are credible or not). The talk about an attack on the Chinese province of Taiwan by China ignores the lack of amphibious assault capabilities needed. But talking as if it’s a viable option certainly ramps up the boogeyman image of China. I’d be interested in just what Chinese warships were in the Mediterranean and why they were there.

[@onlineonlineaccount2368]

@@stevenredpath9332 Very well said sir and very astute and realistic outlook on reality many people dont see or whish not to say explicitly. What this all boils down to is the conservation and preservation of western dominance of geopolitics, geoeconomics, military and technological/innovation edge. China what we may think of it has proven to surpass the US and has already surpassed all member states of the EU, including the UK as a outsider in Europe. The whole ''China bashing in MSM'' serves a purpose especially the Taiwan case regarding (semiconducters, south china sea, economic trade routes, BRI etc.) The US is known on operating on mass sophisticated propaganda to influance the public opinion of Americans and the western world to see China as a boogyman aka the ''Yellow Peril''.

[@georgesdelatour]

Democracy means that the people are sovereign; in other words, that the will of the people is the highest authority. The problem is, across decades, multiple “democratic” western governments have consistently carried out policies which were literally the antimatter of what most of their populations wanted. This dates from at least a half century before Trump or Boris. No doubt many a 2015 Trump voter or 2019 Boris voter now feels disillusioned with what Trump or Boris delivered in office. But this is not a new kind of disappointment.

[@davidharner5865]

@@georgesdelatour 'democracy' means that the electorate votes on everything. No representation. U.K. is a Monarchical Republic (no actual Constitution, so...).

[@BK-uf6qr]

The hate towards Trump astonishes me. There is way more effort with the trump bashing than there ever was towards China or Russia. Sad that the west finds attacking trump more important than our real enemies.

[@thedexterbros]

It's a sign of freedom though, the ability to self-criticize one's government in the press

[@edwardb7811]

Do you think Trump supports article five?

[@Bond047]

Because he was against the Military Industrial complex.....☝️

[@bettyhappschatt3467]

I think he was polite.

[@robertaspindale2531]

Zelensky was about to sign a peace deal with Russia in April, but then NATO intervened and promised him massive military and financial support in return for a war against Russia.

[@Fredmayve]

Specifically , Johnson flew to Kiev and persuaded him to end all negotiations and fight on to the last Ukrainians.

[@robertaspindale2531]

@@Fredmayve Yes, that's true.

[@btjmrp]

'That was simply disgusting.there seems little to recommend about Nato ]zzaNATO had been. Doing its job

[@dennyli9339]

Nato is not fragile, Russia is not fragile..... Ukraine will be destroyed....

[@Fredmayve]

@@dennyli9339 That's what is happening, and risk that the human world as we know it will be destroyed. It will take a 1917 event to stop this US war drive.