Government Response To The House Of Commons Foreign Affairs Committee S Fifth Report Of Session 2013 2014 Hc88 On The Uk S Relations With Saudi Arabia And Bahrain

Author : Jonathan Fulton,Li-Chen Sim
Publisher : Routledge
Page : 200 pages
File Size : 45,6 Mb
Release : 2018-08-23
Category : Political Science
ISBN : 9781351615921

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External Powers and the Gulf Monarchies by Jonathan Fulton,Li-Chen Sim Pdf

The Gulf monarchies have been generally perceived as status quo actors reliant on the USA for their security, but in response to regional events, particularly the Arab Spring of 2011, they are pursuing more activist foreign policies, which has allowed other international powers to play a larger role in regional affairs. This book analyses the changing dynamic in this region, with expert contributors providing original empirical case studies that examine the relations between the Gulf monarchies and extra-regional powers, including the USA, Russia, China, India, Brazil, Turkey, Japan, South Korea, France, and the United Kingdom. At the theoretical level, these case studies explore the extent to which different international relations and international political economy theories explain change in these relationships as the regional, political and security environment shifts. Focusing on how and why external powers approach their relationships with the Gulf monarchies, contributors ask what motivates external powers to pursue deeper involvement in an unstable region that has seen three major conflicts in the past 40 years. Addressing an under-analysed, yet important topic, the volume will appeal to scholars in the fields of international relations and international political economy as well as area specialists on the Gulf and those working on the foreign policy issues of the extra-regional powers studied.

Author : Great Britain: Parliament: House of Commons: Foreign Affairs Committee
Publisher : The Stationery Office
Page : 264 pages
File Size : 55,8 Mb
Release : 2013-11-22
Category : Political Science
ISBN : 0215064585

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House of Commons - Foreign Affairs Committee: The UK's Relations with Saudi Arabia and Bahrain - HC 88 by Great Britain: Parliament: House of Commons: Foreign Affairs Committee Pdf

Saudi Arabia and Bahrain remain key partners for the UK but relations are complicated by the differences between our societies and the pressing need for reform in the Gulf. Historic warm relations between the UK government and the leaders of Saudi Arabia and Bahrain are not mirrored in public opinion in Saudi Arabia and the UK, and the UK's reputation in Bahrain has also suffered since 2011. The Government must make its public profile and reputation a more central part of its work in the Gulf, consider how it can best support much-needed economic and political reforms, and how it can explain its policies and point to specific achievements when speaking to the public at home and in the Gulf. In Saudi Arabia, the Government must convert its promising steps so far in providing assistance on legal and judicial reform into solid and reportable programmes. In Bahrain, it must work to secure access for NGOs and the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture, and press more strongly for swifter implementation of reforms. Saudi Arabia's role as a key buyer for the UK defence industry is controversial but the report finds little to suggest that ending defence sales from the UK would have any positive effect. The aggressive way in which the Bahraini security forces handled events in 2011 has deeply damaged Bahrain's reputation. The recommendations of the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry (BICI) were sensible and the Bahraini government's failure fully to implement them is inexplicable.

Author : David Wearing
Publisher : John Wiley & Sons
Page : 240 pages
File Size : 42,7 Mb
Release : 2018-11-26
Category : Political Science
ISBN : 9781509532063

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AngloArabia by David Wearing Pdf

UK ties with Saudi Arabia and the other Gulf monarchies are under the spotlight as never before. Huge controversy surrounds Britain’s alliances with these deeply repressive regimes, and the UK’s key supporting role in the disastrous Saudi-led intervention in Yemen has lent added urgency to the debate. What lies behind the British government’s decision to place politics before principles in the Gulf? Why have Anglo-Arabian relations grown even closer in recent years, despite ongoing, egregious human rights violations? In this ground-breaking analysis, David Wearing argues that the Gulf Arab monarchies constitute the UK’s most important and lucrative alliances in the global south. They are central both to the British government’s ambitions to retain its status in the world system, and to its post-Brexit economic strategy. Exploring the complex and intertwined structures of UK-Gulf relations in trade and investment, arms sales and military cooperation, and energy, Wearing shines a light on the shocking lengths to which the British state has gone in order to support these regimes. As these issues continue to make the headlines, this book lifts the lid on ‘AngloArabia’ and what’s at stake for both sides.

Author : Great Britain. Parliament. House of Commons. Foreign Affairs Committee
Publisher : The Stationery Office
Page : 44 pages
File Size : 53,5 Mb
Release : 2015-02-27
Category : Electronic
ISBN : 9780215081728

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HC 605 - The FCO's Performance and Finances in 2013-14 by Great Britain. Parliament. House of Commons. Foreign Affairs Committee Pdf

The cuts imposed on the FCO since 2010 have been severe and have gone beyond just trimming fat: capacity now appears to be being damaged. If further cuts are imposed, the UK's diplomatic imprint and influence would probably reduce, and the Government would need to roll back some of its foreign policy objectives. The FCO's budget is a tiny element of Government expenditure, but the FCO makes disproportionate contribution to policy making at the highest level, including decisions on whether to commit to military action. The next Government needs to protect future FCO budgets under the next Spending Review.

Author : Great Britain. Parliament. House of Commons. Foreign Affairs Committee
Publisher : The Stationery Office
Page : 80 pages
File Size : 50,8 Mb
Release : 2015
Category : Great Britain
ISBN : 9780215081100

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HC 564 - UK Government Policy on the Kurdistan Region of Iraq by Great Britain. Parliament. House of Commons. Foreign Affairs Committee Pdf

The Kurdistan Region of Iraq is a genuine, if developing, democracy. It is also a haven of tolerance and stability in a critically unstable region where those values are needed more than ever. It has huge strategic value to the UK as a bridge to other regional powers, is a key bulwark against ISIL, and has significant oil and gas potential. But it is also vulnerable and needs the support of its friends. It should respond positively to the invitation from the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) to be its "partner of choice" on trade, education and cultural exchange as well as on defence and intelligence matters. The Kurdistan Region has work to do on developing its democratic culture and its respect for human rights, and UK support should go hand in hand with proof of progress in these areas. The Committee commends the Region's defence force, the Peshmerga, for its defence of Kurdish territory against ISIL and its protection of vulnerable minorities. It supports the UK Government's decision to offer the Peshmerga equipment and training. Advice is also needed from the Kurdistan Region's experts on issues like counter-terrorism and on the situation on the ground in Iraq and Syria. More diplomats need to be working out of a proper office in Erbil instead of hotel rooms. And this is not easily achieved as the FCO has suffered from cuts to its meagre budget at a time when more expertise and high-level co-operation is desperately needed.

Author : Great Britain: Parliament: House of Commons: Foreign Affairs Committee,Richard Sir Ottaway
Publisher : The Stationery Office
Page : 20 pages
File Size : 41,7 Mb
Release : 2014-03-31
Category : Business & Economics
ISBN : 0215070542

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House of Commons - Foreign Affairs Committee: The Future of the BBC World Service - HC 1045 by Great Britain: Parliament: House of Commons: Foreign Affairs Committee,Richard Sir Ottaway Pdf

In this report, published on the last day that the Foreign and Commonwealth Office has funding responsibility for the World Service, the Foreign Affairs Committee says that it has "clear differences" with the BBC on new arrangements for governance of the World Service. It specifically has reservations about the move to licence fee funding for the World Service and what that would mean for the World Service's budget, and its ability to be heard amongst all the other competing voices within the BBC. The Committee regrets that the World Service now has no direct voice on either the BBC Executive Board or the Management Board, and it says that it "remains to be seen" whether representation of the World Service's interests at Board level by the Director of News and Current Affairs will indeed safeguard the distinct nature of the World Service. The Committee welcomes the assurance given in evidence by James Harding, the BBC's Director of News and Current Affairs, that the £245 million budget for the World Service in 2014-15 will be used as a baseline for the following two years. But what is really needed is longer-term protection at institutional level, and we continue to be concerned about the absence of a direct voice for the World Service on either the BBC's Executive Board or the Management Board

Author : Great Britain. Parliament. House of Commons. Foreign Affairs Committee
Publisher : The Stationery Office
Page : 64 pages
File Size : 46,6 Mb
Release : 2014-11-27
Category : Human rights
ISBN : 9780215078865

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HC 551 - The FCO's Human Rights Work in 2013 by Great Britain. Parliament. House of Commons. Foreign Affairs Committee Pdf

The FCO designated 28 countries of concern in its 2013 report, where it judged the gravity of the human rights abuses to be so severe that a particular focus should be applied. The Committee concentrated attention on three of these countries: Sri Lanka, Burma, and Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories. Favourable trade concessions to the EU market should be removed from Sri Lanka if the Government of Sri Lanka continues to deny the OHCHR investigation team access into the country. The Government should advocate re-imposition of sanctions by the EU if there is no improvement in the human rights situation in Burma. The human rights of Israeli, Palestinian and Bedouin citizens living in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories continue to be of serious concern to the UK.

Author : Great Britain. Parliament. House of Commons. Foreign Affairs Committee
Publisher : The Stationery Office
Page : 16 pages
File Size : 43,8 Mb
Release : 2014-12-11
Category : China
ISBN : 9780215080745

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HC 842 - Hong Kong: China's Ban On The Committee's Visit by Great Britain. Parliament. House of Commons. Foreign Affairs Committee Pdf

In July 2014, the Committee launched an inquiry into the UK's relations with Hong Kong, 30 years after the signing of the Joint Declaration. As part of this inquiry, they planned to visit Hong Kong to speak to a wide range of interlocutors about the UK-Hong Kong relationship. The Chinese and Hong Kong authorities informed the Committee that they considered this to be interference in China's internal affairs and they urged a halt to the inquiry. On 28 November, the Chinese Deputy Ambassador informed the Committee that the Chinese government would take any necessary measures to prevent the Committee from visiting Hong Kong, forcing the postponement of the visit. It was made clear that the Committee would be prevented from entering Hong Kong, despite the fact that, as UK nationals, no visa for entry was required. The Committee considers the ban by China to be unprecedented, and sees it as an obstruction to the conduct of the Committee's parliamentary duties.

Author : Great Britain: Parliament: House of Commons: Foreign Affairs Committee
Publisher : The Stationery Office
Page : 70 pages
File Size : 43,6 Mb
Release : 2014-04-03
Category : Political Science
ISBN : 9780215070586

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Government Foreign Policy Towards the United States - HC 695 by Great Britain: Parliament: House of Commons: Foreign Affairs Committee Pdf

This reports finds that the Coalition Government has developed in public a more mature and measured relationship with the US, although there has been no fundamental change in the nature of the tie. The Committee declares the relationship to be in good health. In particular, the Committee said that it was not aware of any evidence that the House of Commons vote in August 2013 against potential military action in Syria had damaged the UK's relationship with the US. Rather, the Committee concluded that the episode illustrated general features of the UK-US relationship, namely that developments in the UK could influence US policy; and that the underlying tie was resilient. Today's publication follows up a report produced by the previous Foreign Affairs Committee at the end of the last Parliament, which recommended that the UK Government should adopt a more hard-headed and less deferential approach to the US. The Coalition Government seemed to have taken up this recommendation. The Committee criticises the UK Government's poor provision of information about the UK-US Joint Strategy Board, which was created during President Obama's State Visit to the UK in May 2011. Among strategic issues that it considered, the Committee agreed with the Government that the proposed EU-US Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) could have significant positive strategic impact for the UK and the transatlantic relationship.

Author : Great Britain: Parliament: House of Commons: Foreign Affairs Committee
Publisher : The Stationery Office
Page : 20 pages
File Size : 50,7 Mb
Release : 2014-06-19
Category : Political Science
ISBN : 9780215073112

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HC 377 - The Use of Diego Garcia by the United States by Great Britain: Parliament: House of Commons: Foreign Affairs Committee Pdf

In 1966, the UK concluded an Agreement with the United States giving it permission to use the British Indian Ocean Territory, including the island of Diego Garcia, for defence purposes for an initial period of 50 years. Unless the UK or the US takes steps to terminate the Agreement, it will automatically be extended in 2016 for a further twenty years. The disclosure in 2008 that the US had, contrary to previous statements by the FCO, used facilities at Diego Garcia in the course of rendition (the practice of sending a foreign criminal or terrorist suspect covertly to be interrogated in a country with less rigorous regulations for the humane treatment of prisoners) since 2001, dented public confidence in the UK's ability to exercise control over its sovereign territory. If the UK allows the 1966 Agreement to be extended beyond 2016, the text should be revised. It should specify that any extraordinary use of the US base or facilities, requires prior approval from the UK Government; and it should state explicitly that the British Indian Ocean Territory should not be used for rendition unless authority has first been granted by the UK Government, on a case by case basis

Author : Great Britain. Foreign and Commonwealth Office,Stationery Office (Great Britain)
Publisher : Unknown
Page : 128 pages
File Size : 44,7 Mb
Release : 2014
Category : Electronic
ISBN : 1474102719

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Government Response to the House of Commons Foreign Affairs Committee's Eighth Report of Session 2-13-14 (HC695) by Great Britain. Foreign and Commonwealth Office,Stationery Office (Great Britain) Pdf

Author : Great Britain. Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Publisher : Unknown
Page : 17 pages
File Size : 55,5 Mb
Release : 2014
Category : Electronic
ISBN : 1474113648

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Government Response to the House of Commons Foreign Affairs Committee's Fifth Report of Session 2014-15 (HC 516) by Great Britain. Foreign and Commonwealth Office Pdf

Author : Great Britain. Ministry of Defence,Great Britain. Parliament
Publisher : Stationery Office/Tso
Page : 88 pages
File Size : 48,6 Mb
Release : 2013-07-01
Category : Political Science
ISBN : 010186552X

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Reserves in the Future Force 2020 by Great Britain. Ministry of Defence,Great Britain. Parliament Pdf

This White Paper sets out the future relationships Defence seeks with reservists and their families, their employers and society. Under the Future Reserves 2020 programme the Government has committed an additional £1.8 billion over ten year. The route from selection, is being simplified, making it easier for reservists to get to the level of training required. There will be improved alignment of pay and benefits with regulars. Reservists' total remuneration will be increased through the provision of a paid annual leave entitlement. From April 2015, when the new Armed Forces pension scheme is introduced, reservists will accrue pension entitlements for time spent on training as well as when mobilised. Welfare support will also be delivered to regulars and reservists alike, and their families, according to the impact of military service and their need. Recruitment of Army Reserve officers and those leaving the Regular Army will be encouraged to join the Reserves through bonuses of up to £5,000. A National Relationship Management scheme will be established to strengthen relationships with employer organisations and the largest employers from both the public and private sector and there will be provision of extra financial support to small and medium sized employers. New legislation will be introduced to enable mobilisation for the full range of tasks which our Armed Forces may be asked to undertake. The Territorial Army will also be renamed the 'Army Reserve' to reflect the significant changes in its role and its integration into the Whole Force.

Author : Great Britain: H.M. Treasury
Publisher : Stationery Office
Page : 76 pages
File Size : 46,7 Mb
Release : 2013-06-26
Category : Business & Economics
ISBN : 0101863926

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Spending round 2013 by Great Britain: H.M. Treasury Pdf

The Government's economic plan has three parts: keeping mortgage rates low for families and fixing the banks to support investment in business; dealing with the country's debts to maintain confidence in the UK's ability to pay its way; and long-term economic reform to back aspiration and equip Britain to win the global race. The Government will continue to reduce the deficit by taking difficult decisions to cut public spending and prioritise investment in infrastructure to deliver a stronger economy and fairer society. Because spending reductions since 2010 have been accompanied by reforms to how services are delivered, crime is at its lowest level in 30 years, school standards have risen and employment is at record levels. The Government will reduce current spending by £11.5 billion in 2015-16, allowing it to increase capital spending plans by £3 billion a year from 2015-16 and by £18 billion over the next Parliament. Without the £3.6 billion savings from the welfare budget in 2015-16 that were announced at Autumn Statement 2012, reductions in departmental spending would have been commensurately higher. The Government will protect spending on health, schools and overseas development - maintaining the vital public services that everyone relies on at home, and supporting the poorest overseas

Author : David Cole
Publisher : ReadHowYouWant.com
Page : 450 pages
File Size : 43,9 Mb
Release : 2010-09
Category : Political Science
ISBN : 9781458788191

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Terrorism and the Constitution by David Cole Pdf

Tracing the history of government intrusions on Constitutional rights in response to threats from abroad, Cole and Dempsey warn that a society in which civil liberties are sacrificed in the name of national security is in fact less secure than one in which they are upheld. A new chapter includes a discussion of domestic spying, preventive detention, the many court challenges to post-9/11 abuses, implementation of the PATRIOT ACT, and efforts to reestablish the checks and balances left behind in the rush to strengthen governmental powers.