Britain and the Middle East: A Conversation with the British Ambassador to the United States

From Iraq to Iran to the Arab-Israeli peace process, Britain is a major player on the European stage and a critical Middle East partner with the United States. After a decade of the Blair government's close ties with the United States, new Prime Minister Gordon Brown has promised continuity in a relationship that he has praised as London's most important bilateral connection. How the new British government responds to evolving challenges in the Middle East will have an important impact throughout Europe and across the Atlantic.

To discuss British Middle East policy under the Brown government, The Washington Institute invited Sir Nigel Sheinwald to address a special policy forum on January 15, 2008.

Sir Nigel assumed his position as British ambassador to the United States in October 2007. For the previous four years he served as chief foreign and defense policy advisor to Prime Minister Tony Blair. Since joining the diplomatic service in 1976, he has served in Brussels (including as permanent representative to the European Union), Washington, and Moscow and in a wide range of policy positions in London.