• Home |
• About us |
• Research |
• Events |
• Publications |
• Membership |
• Library |
• Media |

This project seeks to propose new ways for the UK to pursue its agenda at a time when the global economic crisis is increasing pressure on budgets throughout government.

The project starts from the simple premise that for any government to make informed choices about its international policies and resource investments, policy-makers and the broader policy community need to be able to draw on a solid understanding of the changing dynamics of global power and influence.

During the course of the project a series of working groups will provide a neutral and independent forum for exploring these issues. Six policy papers on a broad range of topics will be published to provide the context for two reports which will outline options for the UK in terms of organizing for influence and securing its future security and defence. A high-level conference was held in July to discuss the findings of the project and offer a forum for discussion and debate on the UK's international role. Video/transcripts available >>

Project flyer >>

Please contact Jonathan Knight for more information on the project.

Resources on the UK Election 2010 >>

Project Team

The project is led by Dr Robin Niblett, Director of Chatham House, with the support of Alex Vines, Research Director, Regional and Security Studies and Dr Paul Cornish, Carrington Professor of International Security. A high-level Senior Advisory Group are providing advice throughout the project.

Project Output

The project will include a series of policy papers and reports during 2010 and a major conference in July that will also mark Chatham House's 90th anniversary.

Publications

Playing to its Strengths: Rethinking the UK's Role in a Changing World
by Robin Niblett, June 2010
This paper considers the key challenges that the UK faces in pursuing its interests and ambitions at a time when the world is undergoing transformational change.

Organizing for Influence: UK Foreign Policy in an Age of Uncertainty
by Alex Evans and David Steven, June 2010
This report considers how effectively the UK government is organized to pursue its international ambitions, and what structural and broad budgetary changes might be needed over the coming decade for it to have the greatest chance of success.

Aiming for New Vigour: The UK in the Global Economy
by Jim Rollo and Vanessa Rossi, June 2010
This paper considers the likely impact of a decade of domestic financial stringency on the country's broader political influence and interests, and whether the UK can sustain its position in the top league of the world's most competitive economies.

British Attitudes Towards the UK's International Priorities
Chatham House-YouGov Survey, July 2010
The aim of this survey was to test the views both of the general public and 'elite' opinion-formers concerning the key themes addressed by the output of this project, including the UK's overall place in the world, the importance of the country's relations with its principal allies and other significant countries, and how the government should prioritize particular international risks.

Between Faith and Reason: UK Policy towards the US and the EU
by Anand Menon, July 2010
This paper analyses how the UK's future international policies must reflect an objective assessment of the transatlantic partnership, UK relations with the US, and the EU's global ambitions.

Investing for an Uncertain Future: Priorities for UK Energy and Climate Security
by Nick Mabey and John Mitchell, July 2010
This paper analyses how the UK will be required to manage the shift from being a net exporter to a net importer of energy while also building on its significant contributions to the climate change debate in the coming years.

Forthcoming Publications

The UK's Security and Defence Policy Options
by Paul Cornish
This report will place recommendations for the UK's future security and defence investments and policies not only within future budgetary realities, but also within the context of the country's potential national ambitions and vision for the future.

The UK and the Developing World
by Kevin Watkins
This paper will review the commitment of the UK as a leading player internationally in promoting sustainable development in the poorest countries in the light of the increasing economic power and influence of countries such as China, India and the Gulf states.

The UK and the World's Rising Powers
by Zhou Hong, Prem Shankar Jha, Andrei Zagorski and others
This series of papers will assess the consequences for the UK of the growing international power and regional influence of countries such as China, India, Brazil and others in the G20.

Further Resources

Events

19 July 2010
Aiming for New Vigour: The UK in the Global Economy
Professor Jim Rollo, Associate Fellow, International Economics, Chatham House
Vanessa Rossi, Senior Research Fellow, International Economics, Chatham House
Chair: Dr Robin Niblett, Director, Chatham House

13 - 14 July 2010
UK and the World
Rethinking the UK's International Ambitions and Choices
Video/transcripts from the conference available here >>

Tuesday 22 June 2010
The UK in the Global Economy: Achieving New Vigour

Tuesday 15 June 2010
Rethinking the UK's Role in a Changing World: Playing to its Strengths

9 June 2010
UK and the World: Governing in an Age of Uncertainty
Alex Evans, Fellow, Center on International Cooperation, New York University
David Steven, Fellow, Center on International Cooperation, New York University
Chair: Dr Robin Niblett, Director, Chatham House

18 May 2010
BBC Recording: Rethinking the UK's International Ambitions and Choices

28 April 2010
The UK's Security and Defence Policy Options - Working Group
Dr Paul Cornish, Carrington Professor of International Security and Head, International Security Programme, Chatham House
Chair: Alex Vines OBE, Research Director for Regional and Security Studies, Chatham House

21 April 2010
The UK, the US and Europe - Working Group
Professor Anand Menon, Director of the European Research Institute and Professor of West European Politics, Birmingham University; Associate Fellow, Europe Programme, Chatham House
Chair: Robin Niblett, Director, Chatham House

13 April 2010
E-lection 2010: Can Britain's Politicians Connect?
Tom Cheshire, Wired magazine
Anna Doble, Online Producer, Channel 4 News
Alberto Nardelli, Co-Founder, Tweetminster

29 March 2010
Protecting Future UK Security and Defence Interests
Bob Ainsworth MP, Defence Secretary
Dr Liam Fox MP, Shadow Defence Secretary
Nick Harvey MP, Liberal Democrat Shadow Defence Secretary

22 March 2010
The UK and the Developing World - Working Group
Dr Kevin Watkins, Director, EFA Global Monitoring Report, UNESCO and Senior Visiting Research Fellow, Global Economic Governance Programme, University College, Oxford University
Chair: Alex Vines OBE, Research Director for Regional and Security Studies, Chatham House

18 March 2010
The UK's Role in the Global Economy - Working Group
Professor Jim Rollo, Professor of European Economic Integration and Co-Director, Sussex European Institute, University of Sussex and Associate Fellow, International Economics Programme, Chatham House
Vanessa Rossi, Senior Research Fellow, International Economics Programme, Chatham House
Chair: Dr Robin Niblett, Director, Chatham House

10 March 2010
What Next for Britain?
Rt Hon Nick Clegg MP, Leader, Liberal Democrats

3 March 2010
Britain's Place in a Changed World
Rt Hon David Miliband MP, Foreign Secretary
Rt Hon William Hague MP, Shadow Foreign Secretary
Edward Davey MP, Liberal Democrat Shadow Foreign Secretary

9 February 2010
The UK's Approach to Energy and Climate Security - Working Group
Nick Mabey, author of the forthcoming paper, 'The UK's Approach to Energy and Climate Security'; Founding Director and Chief Executive, E3G
John Mitchell, author of the forthcoming paper, 'The UK's Approach to Energy and Climate Security'; Associate Fellow, Energy, Environment and Development Programme, Chatham House

3 February 2010
Organizing for Influence - Working Group
Alex Evans, co-author of the forthcoming report, 'Organizing for Influence'; Non-Resident Fellow at the Center on International Cooperation, New York University
David Steven, co-author of the forthcoming report, 'Organizing for Influence'; Non-Resident Fellow at the Center on International Cooperation, New York University
Chair: Paul Cornish, Head, International Security Programme and Carrington Professor of International Security, Chatham House

15 January 2010
How Britain Can Best Address the Threats of the 21st Century
David Cameron, Leader of the Conservative Party
Pauline Neville-Jones, Shadow Security Minister and National Security Adviser to the Leader of the Opposition

16 December 2009
The UK in a Changing World - Working Group
Dr Robin Niblett, Director, Chatham House
Chair: Lord Wallace of Saltaire, Liberal Democrat Foreign Policy Spokesman, House of Lords

Publications

British Foreign Policy Priorities: Tough Choices
Christopher Hill, The World Today, April 2010

Breaking the Mould: the United Kingdom Strategic Defence Review 2010
Paul Cornish and Andrew Dorman, International Affairs, March 2010

The Internet and the British Election: Politicians Get Their Clicks
Andy Williamson, The World Today, February 2010

National Defence in the Age of Austerity
Paul Cornish and Andrew Dorman, International Affairs, July 2009

New Ideas for the London Summit: Recommendations to the G20 Leaders
A Chatham House and Atlantic Council Report, Chatham House Report, March 2009

Cyberspace and the National Security of the United Kingdom: Threats and Responses
Paul Cornish, Rex Hughes and David Livingstone, Chatham House Report, March 2009

Reassessing the Special Relationship
William Wallace and Christopher Phillips, International Affairs, March 2009

Blair's Wars and Brown's Budgets: From Strategic Defence Review to Strategic Decay in Less Than a Decade
Paul Cornish and Andrew Dorman, International Affairs, March 2009

Ready to Lead? Rethinking America's Role in a Changed World
Dr Robin Niblett, Chatham House Report, February 2009

The Feeding of the Nine Billion: Global Food Security for the 21st Century
Alex Evans, Chatham House Report, January 2009

Major Foreign Policy Challenges for the Next US President
Zbigniew Brzezinski, International Affairs, January 2009

The Limits and Potential of Obama's Foreign Policy: Living Up To Expectations
Robin Niblett, The World Today, January 2009

United States Presidency and Europe: Over to You, Europe
Robin Niblett, The World Today, December 2008

A British Agenda for Europe: Designing Our Own Future
Commission on Europe after Fifty: Policy Implications for Britain, a Chatham House Commission Report, September 2008