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“The Latvian government, under Silina’s leadership, has demonstrated a strong commitment to addressing both domestic and foreign policy challenges,” Vladlens Kovalevs, managing partner at VA Government Rud Pedersen Group, told WPR. Kovalevs added that the government’s agenda reflects popular priorities. 💡Vladlens Kovalevs highlights several key points regarding the Latvian government's actions and strategies under Silina’s leadership, as well as the potential future direction of Latvia’s international relations and internal policies. 🔎 Learn more in the World Politics Review article! #publicaffairs #Latvia #LatvianGovernment

On the latest episode of “The Foreign Affairs Interview,” U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken reflects on the geopolitical challenges facing the United States today—and offers lessons from his own tenure for American foreign policy going forward: https://fam.ag/4gfJEhE

As the party leaders broke from active campaigning to commemorate D-Day, it is worth considering what the newly installed Prime Minister might face in terms of contemporary military threats. Russia’s determination to engage in sabotage operations on Western soil has been outlined in our recent intelligence briefings. Those operations are likely to be disruptive but contained in scale. The challenge from China is more substantive. We still assess an 80% chance of China blockading Taiwan within the next 18months, which would have serious implications for world trade and put the onus on Western countries – including the UK – to decide how, or even if, they can respond to liberate an erstwhile but diplomatically unrecognised ally. Of all the members of Starmer’s Shadow Cabinet, David Lammy is (according to Labour sources) least likely to translate his current brief from Opposition to Government. Instead, various figures, including the likely returning Douglas Alexander, are being touted as potential Foreign Secretaries in Lammy’s stead. Prime Ministers normally only turn their attention to foreign affairs towards the end of their term – and mostly as a welcome relief from the wading-through-treacle drudgery of domestic politics. The next PM might not have that luxury. Our next full intelligence report on China will be ready on Monday. If you would like to subscribe for that, please get in touch.

As the party leaders broke from active campaigning to commemorate D-Day, it is worth considering what the newly installed Prime Minister might face in terms of contemporary military threats. Russia’s determination to engage in sabotage operations on Western soil has been outlined in our recent intelligence briefings. Those operations are likely to be disruptive but contained in scale. The challenge from China is more substantive. We still assess an 80% chance of China blockading Taiwan within the next 18months, which would have serious implications for world trade and put the onus on Western countries – including the UK – to decide how, or even if, they can respond to liberate an erstwhile but diplomatically unrecognised ally. Of all the members of Starmer’s Shadow Cabinet, David Lammy is (according to Labour sources) least likely to translate his current brief from Opposition to Government. Instead, various figures, including the likely returning Douglas Alexander, are being touted as potential Foreign Secretaries in Lammy’s stead. Prime Ministers normally only turn their attention to foreign affairs towards the end of their term – and mostly as a welcome relief from the wading-through-treacle drudgery of domestic politics. The next PM might not have that luxury. Our next full intelligence report on China will be ready on Monday. If you would like to subscribe for that, please get in touch.

The 2024 presidential contest, like those in 2016 and 2020, features a clash of #worldviews on US foreign policy. Just as there have been foreign policy swings since 2016 between the Trump and Biden administrations, the American public’s foreign policy mood has also alternated over the past eight years. Americans are well aware of the ongoing turmoil around the globe and a majority prefer that the United States continue to play an active role in world affairs. Majorities continue to recognize the importance of both alliances and superior military power to US national security and continue to favor #international trade.   But in an #election year, most Americans are focused on issues closer to home such as inflation, the economy, and American democracy. Still, Americans overall do not want a radical change to US foreign policy. Support remains strong for the core pillars of US foreign policy, and the past 50 years of #Chicago Council polling suggests that is likely to continue no matter who wins the presidency.   Read the full report: https://lnkd.in/d3rzaVpv  

Ex-ambassador to the US, Meera Shankar, discusses the diplomatic implications of the Trump Vs Biden Presidential debate & what the future of US foreign policy could look like. Watch her in conversation with ThePrint's Pia K.

Trump 2.0’s Strong Comeback and Taiwan’s Strategic Options – Part I With Trump’s return to the White House, Taiwan faces both challenges and opportunities. Political shifts in the US and Japan could impact Taiwan’s strategic landscape, demanding a recalibration of its national security and diplomatic policies. This analysis explores the implications of Trump’s second term and offers insights into how Taiwan can adapt and thrive in an increasingly uncertain geopolitical environment. #USPolitics #Trump2024 #TaiwanStrategy #Geopolitics Read full article 👇 https://lnkd.in/dTaWgZ7G Originally published by Voice Tank

🌟 Reflecting on U.S. Foreign Policy: A Global Perspective 🌟 As we approach another U.S. election, it's crucial to consider the broader implications of American foreign policy. For many around the world, the outcome of U.S. elections often feels inconsequential in terms of the global impact. Regardless of who sits in the Oval Office, the U.S. maintains a significant military presence, a massive defense budget, and a consistent approach to global affairs that often prioritizes its own interests. 🔍 Key Points to Ponder: Military Presence: The U.S. has military bases and personnel deployed worldwide. While this is often justified as a means of ensuring global security, it also raises questions about imperialism and the use of force. Resource Control: The control of resources, particularly oil, has been a driving factor in U.S. foreign policy. This has led to interventions and conflicts in resource-rich regions, often with significant humanitarian consequences. Economic Coercion: The U.S. uses economic measures, such as sanctions and control over international financial institutions, to exert influence. The petrodollar system, where oil is traded in U.S. dollars, is a key aspect of this economic power. Interventionism: The U.S. has a history of intervening in the internal affairs of other countries, sometimes covertly through the CIA. These interventions have had varied outcomes, ranging from regime changes to prolonged conflicts. Public Perception and Accountability: There is growing awareness and criticism of these policies among the U.S. public and internationally. However, translating this awareness into significant policy changes can be challenging due to the complexity of the political system and the entrenched interests involved. 📣 Call to Action: As professionals, we have a responsibility to engage in informed discussions about the global impact of U.S. foreign policy. Let's foster dialogue, encourage critical thinking, and advocate for policies that prioritize peace, justice, and sustainable development. What are your thoughts on the global impact of U.S. foreign policy? How can we, as a global community, work towards a more equitable and peaceful world? Share your insights and let's keep the conversation going! #ForeignPolicy #GlobalAffairs #USPolitics #InternationalRelations #PeaceAndJustice #SustainableDevelopment

In the final instalment of a three-part UTS:ACRI Analysis series that examines the prospects for and limitations on the Australia-Taiwan relationship following the election of Lai Ching-te as President of the Republic of China (Taiwan) on January 13 2024, UTS:ACRI Adjunct Fellow and former Australian representative to Taiwan Kevin Magee discusses the Taiwan factor in Australia’s defence and security policy in the Indo-Pacific. The series is based on interviews the author conducted in late 2023 and early 2024 with representatives from Taiwan’s two main political parties, the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and Kuomintang (KMT), senior officials from Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of National Defense and Taiwanese academics and analysts. Read: https://bit.ly/4dO197Z Revisit Part 1: What does a Lai presidency mean for Australia and cross-Strait relations?: https://bit.ly/3y8RLLJ Revisit Part 2: Diplomatic and economic links: https://bit.ly/4bgMTDd

Two things we need to be thinking about, long-term: 1) If Russia is undertaking a major reorientation away from the West towards the South and East, what are the long-term implications for U.S. policy? 2) Are Europeans (and Americans) psychologically ready to have major non-European powers--starting with India and China--take a greater interest in and then active involvement in European security affairs?