Foreign Relations

  • Israel is a troubled – not failed – state

    The incoming visit of the President of Israel this week is likely to stir up strong feelings in some places. It’s a fact now most of the political parties in our system are part of a fight against Israel, critiquing its domestic and foreign policies in equal measure.

    It’s small comfort that it’s a different matter on a personal level. In response to a negative sentiment by a Labour staffer, new Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper once stated about Israeli leaders, “It’s always a privilege to meet one.”

    It’s unlikely to be shared on the streets, but a small patchwork of politicians in Parliament feel the same. They regret the actions of the IDF and what happens in Gaza, but they see pragmatism in dealing with it as a democracy, and not by bullying people.

  • Exclusive: FCDO staff doubt outreach

    It’s a torrid time for the Foreign, Commonwealth, & Development Office. According to disgruntled staff, the policies spun around about outreach to other states aren’t sufficient.

    The hacks that work in research for the Department have cited poor rationales and lack of detail in its approach to work.

    It’s alleged the particular issue is over small states, such as Belgium and Portugal, that receive little to no attention at times.

    It’s not clear if any staff are thinking of throwing in the towel, but many think the UK needs to work harder to do better. Otherwise, it’s thought, the UK will suffer a sharp drop in overall respect.

  • Lammy’s policy on Syria is strange

    The UK is in a feckless state at times. The news we’re going to process Syrian asylum claims is just indicative of it.

    Syria is a sponsor of global terrorism. Its citizens have supported the presence of it in the UK.

    The Foreign Secretary has criticised Israel’s offensive. He’s befriended Syria’s revolutionary head.

    There’s little to no realistic prospect of real democracy emerging in such a divided, riddled country.

    The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has been accused of looking like amateurs before.

    The bigger risk is the UK will begin to look unserious. It’s not helpful for the UK post-Brexit.

    Our overseas relations won’t make sense until facts are included in every conversation.

    It can’t be driven by public sentiment, or business-driven pipe dreams. It needs to be realistic in future.

  • UK slams Russia

    The Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office has today summoned the Russian ambassador to the UK. It’s due to accusations of intimidation or harassment against the UK in Russia and activities to promote misinformation in Europe.

    The FCDO allege Russia has attempted to do it to dissuade the UK from its support of Ukraine. Since the start of its fight against Russia in February 2022 we’ve provided moral, military, and financial support.

    “The UK condemns in the strongest terms Russia’s unprecedented and unfounded public campaign of aggression against the UK, including the malicious and completely baseless accusations made against Foreign Office staff last week. This behaviour is in direct contravention to Russia’s obligations under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.”

    Lately Russia has also been accused of placing assets in the UK to disrupt our normal activities. Although it’s not directly linked to its war against Ukraine, its activities here are under constant review.