Britain Debrief with Ben Judah

What does the Tory leadership contest say about race in Britain?

The candidacies of Rishi Sunak, Sajid Javid, Suella Braverman, and Kemi Badenoch for the leadership of the UK Conservative Party (and the UK premiership by extension) have demonstrated the potential for ethnic minority politicians to break "the glass ceiling" of political leadership. To understand these dynamics further, I spoke with Tomiwa Owolade, contributing writer to the New Statesman magazine, on how the political advancement of ethnic minority politicians reflects on British society at large.

Are American ideological frames on race misapplied to British realities? Why is a party of social conservatism open to the possibility of an ethnic minority leader? Will there be an ethnic minority prime minister in the near future?

As Boris Johnson announces his resignation from the premiership, the question on everyone's mind is: now what? To get to the potential outcomes of Johnson's departure from No 10, I interviewed Tom McTague, Staff Writer at The Atlantic, to discuss what to watch out for in both the Conservative Party and British politics in the near future.

Who are the frontrunners to replace Johnson? Will the Conservative party retain its Johnsonian inertia? Will Labour benefit from dysfunction in the Conservative party? What does it say about Britain and its post-Brexit trajectory?

Is this a new 1914?

As Western alliances have broadened and deepened, with quasi alliances like that with Ukraine and Taiwan proliferating, I interview Dr. Bruno Tertrais, Deputy Director of the Foundation for Strategic Research in Paris, on his new paper for the Atlantic Council on whether there is a risk or a new 1914.

How are alliances different today than at the outbreak of the First World War? Are alliances heightening or reducing the risk of war?

What future for Australian foreign policy under the Albanese government?

As the Albanese government approaches its first month in office, I interviewed Hervé Lemahieu, Director of Research at the Lowy Institute, Susannah Patton, Research Fellow and Project Director, Power and Diplomacy Program at the Lowy Institute, and Ashley Townshend, Senior Fellow at the Asia Program of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, to discuss how Australian foreign policy may evolve under the Albanese government.

Are there major divergences between the Coalition and Labor party on Australian foreign policy? Will AUKUS remain an important factor in Australia's regional strength in the Indo-Pacific? Will Australia deepen its cooperation with France in the Indo-Pacific now that the fallout from AUKUS has settled? How is Australia working to counter-balance growing Chinese influence in the region? Does Australia view China as a potential aggressor against Taiwan following the Russian invasion of Ukraine?

What is Britain trying to achieve with the Northern Ireland protocol? 

As the EU launches a legal challenge to Britain for alleged violations of post-Brexit trade agreements, I spoke with the Rt. Hon. Conor Burns, Minister of State for Northern Ireland, on what Britain's goals are in renegotiating the Northern Ireland protocol.

Is Britain breaking international law over the Northern Ireland protocol? Is there popular support for the Northern Ireland protocol in Northern Ireland and the rest of the United Kingdom?

As the US Congressional delegation to Northern Ireland works to end the ongoing political crisis in Stormont, I spoke with US Representative Brendan Boyle to discuss what the United States can do in a mediator role between the Unionists and Irish Nationalists and also what future exists for Irish unification.

What has the United States done historically in relation to lowering tensions in Northern Ireland? What can the United States do to assuage the worries of unionists who feel threatened by Irish nationalism?

As Finland continues its accession process into NATO, I interview Satu Hassi, Chair of the Grand Committee in the Finnish Parliament, to discuss Finland's new security position.

What role is the UK's new security pact with Finland playing in its accession to NATO? How is Turkey's opposition to Finland's accession impacting the rest of NATO?

What future for Northern Ireland?

As Stormont remains paralyzed by the Democratic Unionist Party's refusal to nominate a new speaker, I spoke with Kellie Armstrong, Alliance MLA for Strangford, to discuss how the crisis may be defused.

How has Northern Irish society changed since the Troubles? Is a more liberal Northern Ireland emerging?

As international support for Ukraine remains steady in the face of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, I interviewed Kira Rudik, member of the Ukrainian Parliament and leader of the Voice Party, about which of Ukraine's allies have helped the most.

Why does Ukraine view British Prime Minister Boris Johnson so positively? Why isn't US President Joe Biden viewed as favourably in Ukraine despite consistent US military aid to Ukraine? How does Ukraine view French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz?

Are sanctions on Russia working?As the chances of Europe imposing a full oil and gas embargo on Russia are becoming increasingly likely, I interviewed Ambassador Daniel Fried, former US Coordinator for Sanctions Policy (2013-2017) for #BritainDebrief on how sanctions on Russia are impacting the Kremlin’s war chest, the Russian economy and third countries.How unprecedented is targeting the Russian central bank? What is the long view on Russia sanctions?