World affairs by topic
World affairs includes the following topic areas. Please click the links to access lists of publications by topic:
War in Ukraine
Find a selection of Lords Library research and resources relevant to Russia's ongoing invasion of Ukraine.
Defence
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Undersea cables: Threats to the UK’s infrastructure
Undersea cables connect countries and continents and form the ‘backbone’ of the global internet. Up to 99% of the world’s telecommunications data runs through such cables, including financial transactions. The UK is reliant on such cables. However, concerns have been raised in recent years that these cables could be targeted by hostile parties, particularly in times of conflict. This briefing explores the threats posed to the UK’s undersea cables and government action to protect them.
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British Sovereignty Protection (Chagos Islands) Bill [HL]: HL Bill 15 of 2026–27
The British Sovereignty Protection (Chagos Islands) Bill [HL] is a private member’s bill sponsored by Lord Weir of Ballyholme (Democratic Unionist Party). The bill would restrict any cession or transfer of sovereignty of the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT) unless certain requirements were met, including the consent of the Chagossian people and an act of parliament. It would also see the UK remain sovereign over the military base on Diego Garcia.
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Armed forces: UK future capability and requirements
This briefing examines the increasingly volatile international security environment and the UK government’s defence strategy and investment commitments to make the armed forces “fit for war in the 21st century”.
International law
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Undersea cables: Threats to the UK’s infrastructure
Undersea cables connect countries and continents and form the ‘backbone’ of the global internet. Up to 99% of the world’s telecommunications data runs through such cables, including financial transactions. The UK is reliant on such cables. However, concerns have been raised in recent years that these cables could be targeted by hostile parties, particularly in times of conflict. This briefing explores the threats posed to the UK’s undersea cables and government action to protect them.
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UK-EU Agreement in respect of Gibraltar
The UK and the EU have agreed a treaty that would create a new framework for Gibraltar’s relationship with the EU following the end of the Brexit transition period at the end of 2020. The arrangements are aimed at creating a fluid land border between Gibraltar and Spain. The treaty has been provisionally applied by the parties since 15 July 2026.
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British Sovereignty Protection (Chagos Islands) Bill [HL]: HL Bill 15 of 2026–27
The British Sovereignty Protection (Chagos Islands) Bill [HL] is a private member’s bill sponsored by Lord Weir of Ballyholme (Democratic Unionist Party). The bill would restrict any cession or transfer of sovereignty of the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT) unless certain requirements were met, including the consent of the Chagossian people and an act of parliament. It would also see the UK remain sovereign over the military base on Diego Garcia.
Foreign policy
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Conflict prevention, mediation and peacebuilding: Role of the UN and UK
This briefing examines the role of the United Nations and the UK in conflict prevention, mediation and peacebuilding. It outlines recent UN reforms to its peacebuilding architecture, assesses the UK’s approach and funding commitments, and considers debates about the effectiveness of international efforts to prevent conflict and sustain peace amid rising global instability and pressure on development budgets.
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British Sovereignty Protection (Chagos Islands) Bill [HL]: HL Bill 15 of 2026–27
The British Sovereignty Protection (Chagos Islands) Bill [HL] is a private member’s bill sponsored by Lord Weir of Ballyholme (Democratic Unionist Party). The bill would restrict any cession or transfer of sovereignty of the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT) unless certain requirements were met, including the consent of the Chagossian people and an act of parliament. It would also see the UK remain sovereign over the military base on Diego Garcia.
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UK-Poland defence and security treaty
The UK and Poland have signed a new treaty on defence and security which provides a framework for cooperation across a range of policy areas, including foreign policy and defence innovation, economic resilience, and energy and climate security. It is not yet in force; the process of its ratification is ongoing. The treaty comes at a time of rising geopolitical tensions, particularly over the war in Ukraine and Russian activity on NATO’s eastern flank.
