Antony Blinken, the US Secretary of State, is scheduled to visit London on September 9-10, 2024, for strategic discussions with British officials. This visit marks the highest-level US diplomatic engagement since the Labour Party assumed power in the United Kingdom, ending a 14-year period of Conservative governance.
State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller announced that Blinken's visit would focus on reaffirming the longstanding alliance between the two nations, often referred to as the "special relationship". This diplomatic term, dating back to World War II, underscores the deep historical ties between the United States and the United Kingdom.
The agenda for the talks includes:
- Middle East situation
- Collective efforts to support Ukraine
- Asian affairs
This visit comes at a time of significant political transition in the UK. The Labour Party, founded in 1900, has recently returned to power after more than a decade in opposition. This change in leadership has brought about shifts in certain policy areas, particularly regarding the UK's stance on Israel and international law.
Following Blinken's visit, Keir Starmer, the UK Prime Minister, is set to travel to Washington on September 13, 2024. This will be Starmer's second trip to the US capital since assuming office. His previous visit on July 10, 2024, coincided with a NATO summit, highlighting the UK's continued commitment to the military alliance it has been part of since 1949.
The Labour government has recently made notable policy changes, including the suspension of certain arms shipments to Israel due to humanitarian concerns. This decision is rooted in the UK's arms export control regime, governed by the Export Control Act 2002. Additionally, Labour has abandoned plans to challenge the International Criminal Court's authority to potentially arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
These policy shifts reflect a nuanced approach to international relations under the new Labour government. While the United States, as Israel's primary military supplier, has not criticized the UK's arms decision, it maintains its opposition to the International Criminal Court's potential actions against Netanyahu. The US, which unsigned the Rome Statute in 2002, is not a member of the ICC and argues that Israel has its own accountability systems.
"The strategic dialogue reaffirms our special relationship."
As these high-level diplomatic engagements unfold, they underscore the ongoing importance of US-UK relations in addressing global challenges. The discussions between Blinken and British officials, followed by Starmer's visit to Washington, will likely shape the trajectory of this crucial international partnership in the coming months.