Welcome to the GSF web site
Global Strategy Forum is an open forum, which was founded in 2006 and which is dedicated to the promotion of fresh thinking and active debate on foreign affairs, defence and international security issues.
We are an independent, non-party political organisation.
We present commissioned work and we run a series of lectures and debates. Further details of our work are available by exploring the links to the left.
Baroness Neville-Jones of Hutton Roof and Lord Howell of Guidlford
Advisory Board members
On Monday 8th December, Baroness Neville-Jones, the Conservative Shadow Security Minister, gave a lecture entitled 'A Conservative National Security Policy' in which she provided a comprehensive and thought-provoking overview, both of the present national security situation and of Conservative policy. Her speaking notes can be downloaded by clicking above.
Tom Porteous, Dr Steve Tsang, Michael Ancram and Dr Chris Alden
The panel with Michael Ancram, GSF's Chairman
On Monday 1st December, Dr Chris Alden of the LSE, Tom Porteous, London Director of Human Rights Watch and Dr. Steve Tsang took part in a debate entitled: 'China in Africa: friend or foe?' in which it was concluded that despite much criticism of China's influence in Africa in the lead-up to the Beijing Olympics, with particular reference to Darfur, China's record in pursuit of her own interests in Africa was not substantially worse than that of many other foreign powers and moreover, that China had the potential to be at least instrumental in the solution to some of Africa's problems.
Bill Barnard and Sir Christopher Meyer
Sir Christopher Meyer KCMG, former UK Ambassador to the US (1997-2003), Michael Ancram MP and Bill Barnard, Chair of Democrats Abroad UK
On Monday 24th November, Bill Barnard, Chair of Democrats Abroad UK and Sir Christopher Meyer KCMG discussed the implications of the result of US Presidential election on American foreign policy and both agreed that in spite of the rhetoric and high expectations, President Obama would have relatively little scope to implement change in foreign policy; and in many cases, the main difference in the post-Bush era would be of style, rather than substance.
Sir Emyr Jones Parry, GCMG
UK Permanent Representative to the UN (2003-2007)
On Monday 27th October, Sir Emyr Jones Parry (UK representative to the UN from 2003-2007) gave a lecture at Global Strategy Forum entitled 'Is the UN's future behind it?' Following his remarks and the frank and absorbing Q&A session which followed, Sir Emyr concluded that the 'economic, political, strategic and... security interests of the United Kingdom are bound up with the United Nations continuing and making a better success of the challenges we face.'
Dr Jack Caravelli
Guest speaker
On 21st October, Ambassador Denis Bauchard, Dr Jack Caravelli and Professor William R Polk shared their thoughts on the subject of 'Iran's Nuclear Ambitions and Energy Security' in a roundtable which was co-hosted by Global Strategy Forum and Gulf Policy Forum. A summary of the meeting is available by clicking the link above.
Dr Liam Fox MP
Shadow Defence Secretary
The Shadow Defence Secretary, Dr Liam Fox MP, addressed Global Strategy Forum on Tuesday 14th October. His lecture, entitled 'General Overview of Conservative Defence Policy', did just that and provided a comprehensive outline of what a future Conservative defence policy might look like, although Dr Fox refused to be drawn on whether a Conservative Government would increase defence spending.
Conservative Conference Event (Allegro Suite, Hyatt Regency)
Sunday 28th September 12.30-2pm
The audio transcript of the GSF event at the Conservative Party Conference entitled: 'Might 12,000 nuclear weapons be more than we need? The case for multilateral nuclear disarmament', at which the Rt Hon Michael Ancram QC MP and Sir Malcolm Rifkind QC MP spoke, is now available. Please click on the link above.
"How 'Special' is the Special Relationship?"
Professor John Dumbrell, Bronwen Maddox, Dr Nao Matsukata, Mark Spragg and Andrew Tyrie MP
For the last debate in our 2007-2008 series, we were delighted to be joined by Professor John Dumbrell, Bronwen Maddox, Dr Nao Matsukata and Andrew Tyrie MP, for a debate entitled 'How 'Special' is the Special Relationship', in which they discussed political, economic and cultural relations between the UK and the UK; and the future prospects for the relationship. The debate was chaired by Mark Spragg and it was sponsored by the Special Relationship Campaign.
'Kurdistan Region in Iraq - what prospects for the future?'
Sir Hilary Synott KCMG, Minister Falah Mustapha Bakir, Michael Ancram, Mike Gapes MP and Huseyin Gun
We were delighted to welcome Minister Falah Bakir, Head of the Kurdistan Regional Govenrment Department of Foreign Relations, to Global Strategy Forum. Together with Mike Gapes MP, Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee and Sir Hilary Synnott, KCMG, whose new book, 'Bad Days in Basra, was published in March by IB Tauris, he gave his views on the future prospects of the Kurdistan Region in Iraq and the various challlenges that it faces.
'Isolation and Polarisation: the West's failing agenda?'
Michael Ancram QC MP and Alistair Crooke
On Monday 14th July, GSF's chairman, Michael Ancram was joined by Alistair Crooke, founder and director of Conflicts Forum, to discuss 'Isolation and Polarisation: the West's failing agenda?' They both underlined the need not only for engagement with the countries of the greater Middle East by the west, but also for a more thoughtful diplomacy and a deeper understanding of the issues.
"Radicals v. moderates: does Islam in Britain face a 'war within'?"
Lord Ahmed of Rotherham, Sir Gulam Noon, Baroness Warsi, Michael Ancram QC MP
Lord Ahmed of Rotherham, Sir Gulam Noon and Baroness Warsi took part in a debate entitled 'Radicals v. moderates: does Islam in Britain face a 'war within?'' on Monday 9th June 2008. Each of the panellists brought a distinctly different perspective to this fascinating debate as they discussed the various issues affecting Muslims in the UK today.
"Is Russia a 'strategic partner' and a worthy member of the G8?"
Sir Roderic Lyne, KBE, CMG - British Ambassador to Russia 2000-2004
On 2nd June 2008, Sir Roderic Lyne delivered a comprehensive and wide-ranging analysis of our relationship with Russia, in which he concluded that we have no choice but to continue to deal realistically with Russia, as we do with China, for example, but that time must be factored into our thinking - it should not be forgotten that barely half a generation has passed since Russians experienced 'the most sudden and dramatic upheavals to affect any large nation in peace time in the modern era and it is going to take much longer than half a generation for that country to settle into its new pattern.'
Politics and Pipelines: Central Asia's role in European energy security
Mehmet Ogutcu, Dr Shamil Yenikeyeff, Michael Ancram QC MP, Rt Hon the Lord Fraser QC and John Roberts
On 6th May 2008, GSF held its first event covering both Central Asia and energy security, entitled 'Politics and pipelines: Central Asia's role in European energy security'. Our panel consisted of the Rt Hon Lord Fraser of Carmyllie QC, Mehmet Ogutcu of BG, John Roberts of Platts and Dr Shamil Yenikeyeff of the Oxford Institute for Energy Studies. The hour of debate and Q&A did not do justice to the scale of the subject and we shall be returning to this topic in future events.
