LONDON — During the British general election Ed Miliband scored a hit that few noticed. In a speech at Chatham House he accused David Cameron of pursuing an “isolationist” foreign policy that has led to the “biggest loss of influence for our country in a generation.”

Harry's haka won hearts as the ruddy-faced royal impressed his army hosts and their families with a spirited performance on his tour today. Prince Harry arrived at Linton Army Base in a New Zealand Defence Force NH90 helicopter after spending the morning in Christchurch.

Is the UK's role on the world stage a decades-long story of managed decline, including the orderly withdrawal from a once vast empire? Or is it the story of a medium-sized power whose standing in the world reflects the new global reality?

The UK Independence Party (Ukip) has pledged to slash Britain’s overseas aid spending by more than two-thirds and abolish the “wasteful” Department for International Development (DfID) if it wins next month’s general election.

Lebanon and Jordan now have the highest number of refugees worldwide. And with the humanitarian crisis continuing, a leading British think tank on foreign affairs suggests Britain should allow 10,000 Syrian refugees to settle in the UK to enhance Middle East relations — despite Britain's controversial role in its foreign and military interventions in the region.

Creating strong identities for regions through outstanding tourism experiences can deliver a lot more than more visitors. A strong identity can provide soft power support for regions in their struggle for self-determination by building strong local economies. 

Last December, Peter Horrocks, the BBC World Service’s former director, warned that the West was losing the “information war” with Moscow as the old Cold War foe pumped out wave after wave of pro-Kremlin propaganda on its rapidly expanding radio, TV and online platforms.