New Labour, 1997 - 2007: Foreign affairs
Europe
USA
Military interventions
Britain's position by 2007
Blair wanted to strengthen the EU's role in the wider world - he took the leas on European initiatives on issues like climate change, world trade + reducing poverty - however this was very slow.
Blair was enthusiastic act the possibility of Britain joint the European Currency of the Euro.
2004, expansion of the EU form 15 to 25 states, including Malta + Poland.
Brown was against gaining the Euro, so set up economic conditions that had to be met before Britain would give up the £ - these were unlikely to be met.
Britain took a leading role in negotiations for EU expansion e.g. 2001 Treaty of Nice.
Britain was at the centre of developing common European strategy against global terrorism after 911.
Blair tried to make Britain a bridge between Europe and the USA.
After the failures of of the EU and UN to deal with the Yugoslavian crisis in the 90s, Blair believed it was essential to keep the US involved in European affairs.
Geogre Bush and Blair also formed a close relationship, especially with regard to dealing with the threat of global terrorism.
Blair was keen on maintaing the special relationship - Clinton and Blair had similar govs
Continued accusations that British foreign policy became too dominated by US priorities.
War on terror
Afghanistan
Yugoslavia + Sierra Leone
Iraq
This was highly unpopular and accused of being a war for oil, despite Blair claiming it was over fear of Iraq developing weapons of mass destruction.
Taliban gov post-991 allowed Al-Qaeda to use it as a base for training and planning terrorist operations.
Oct 2001, Britain joined the US in a military campaign to overthrow te Taliban gov, supported by NATO and the UN.
Began after Al-Qaeda terrorists attacked the US on 11 September 2001. Almost 3,000 ppl died, causing shock across the world.
Blair convinced Clinton to back military against Serbia, during the Balkan wars.
1999, a prolonged NATO bombing campaign against Serbiaforced troops to pull out of Kosovo - vital in the end of the war.
Later military interventions to support the was on terror became more controversial.
2000, civil war in Sierra Leone, rebels trained to take one the capital - Birian sent armed forces, securing the capital and held end the civil war.
2003, invasion of Iraq bu US forces baked by Britain, Italy and others.
Leaders of the Taliban escaped + a New Democratic regime was established but progress of economic + political development was slow.
4 minister resigned over the issue and a 'stop the war' Match wa held in 2003 in London, which attracted more than 1 million ppl.
British + US troops were accused of mistreating Iraqi prisoners of war.
Much of national presss remained hostile towards Europe.
European divisions increased with many European nations imposing Britain's role in Iraq.
The Iraq was would make it harder for the gov to convince the public of the need of military intervention in the future.
Whilst Britain played a major role in foreign affair, many believed it had obviously been dominated by the USA.
By 20007, it was clear Britain remained a major power in world affairs, but it was very dependent on the USA.