foreign policy

Liars, Guns and Money: How (not) to learn from Britain’s Iraq War

Owen D Thomas — 10th November 2017

After 2.3 million words, seven years, and £13 million, what are the lessons of the Iraq ‘Chilcot’ Inquiry? Don’t just look for liars and war criminals. Ask how so many of the main players thought they were doing the right thing. Read more

The Regime Security Concerns Driving China’s Quest for Soft Power

Kingsley Edney — 15th December 2015

China’s focus on developing soft power is a key part of its plan to reduce international resistance to its rising power and create a more stable regional security environment, but domestic regime security is another important—and often overlooked—driver of China’s soft power strategy. Read more

Soft Power Strategies: The Russian Version

Alexander Sergunin — 29th October 2015

Is Russia's soft power strategy the same as that of other major international players? Alexander Sergunin and Leonid Karabeshkin explore this in their recent Politics article. Read more

British public attitudes towards Iraq and Afghanistan: Implications for future missions

Rachael Gribble, Simon Wessley, Susan Klein, David Alexander, Christopher Dandeker and Nicola Fear — 12th May 2015

After a decade of war in Iraq and Afghanistan Rachael Gribble, Simon Wessley, Susan Klein, David Alexander, Christopher Dandeker and Nicola Fear examine British public opinion regarding these missions finding support for the missions is low, their perceived success is poor and there is evidence of cynicism regarding motives. If these uncertainties and suspicions become commonplace, they suggest there may be implications for the viability of UK involvement in future missions. Read more