This House of Lords Library Briefing has been prepared in advance of the debate on 18 January 2018 on the following motion moved by Lord Ashdown of Norton-sub-Hamdon (Liberal Democrat) “that this House takes note of the effect of the foreign policy of the USA on inter-state relationships around the world, particularly in light of the UK’s changing relationships with other European countries”.
US Foreign Policy and the UK’s International Relationships (351 KB , PDF)
Since President Donald Trump’s inauguration in January 2017, the past twelve months have seen significant shifts of US policy on issues ranging from climate change and international trade agreements, to the Middle East and nuclear proliferation. In some cases, such as the recent declaration by the Trump Administration that it would recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, these decisions have reversed decades of US policy. Further, the ‘America-First’ agenda promoted by President Trump, and the new US National Security Strategy published in December 2017, potentially has significant implications for international relations around the world.
Against such a backdrop, the so-called ‘special relationship’ between the United States and the United Kingdom has arguably been subject to even more intense scrutiny, particularly as the UK seeks to define its global role in preparation for its withdrawal from the European Union. In particular, opportunities for cooperation such as a mooted bilateral trade deal, and areas of disagreement such as the US’s stance on the Iranian nuclear deal, have prompted a number of questions about the potential nature of future relations between the two countries, and the wider ramifications.
To explore these issues, this Briefing examines recent developments in US foreign policy, and the UK’s reaction to them. It then specifically examines UK-US relations, particularly with regard to UK foreign policy and international relations post-Brexit, and examines how that relationship might evolve in future.
US Foreign Policy and the UK’s International Relationships (351 KB , PDF)
2025 marks the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day and Victory over Japan Day, events which in 1945 brought an end to the second world war. On those days 80 years ago, celebrations erupted across Britain. However, world leaders and domestic politicians were aware of the numerous problems still to be tackled, such as reconstruction, demobilisation and the legacy of the development and use of the atomic bomb.
Between the 1970s and 1990s, the Gaddafi-led Libyan regime supplied the Provisional IRA with weapons, finance and military training. This included shipments of the explosive Semtex, which was used in several bombings where a number of people died and many more were injured. Campaigners have called on the UK government to use Libyan assets frozen in 2011 to compensate victims. However, successive governments, including the current Labour government, have declined to do so, arguing it would break international law.
On 8 May 2025, the country will mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day, the end of the second world war in Europe. Many of the commemorations will take place in cemeteries where those who died during the conflict are remembered. This briefing focuses on the organisation behind these cemeteries, the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. It looks at how the commission developed and recent work on one of its key principles: equality in death.
