Mike Higgins

Who owns Greenland? Denmark’s claim is unimpeachable. In the 1951 Defense of Greenland Agreement with Denmark, the US unambiguously recognizes ‘the sovereignty of the Kingdom of Denmark’ over Greenland.

Under the present constitutional arrangement with Copenhagen, Greenland could not instantly swap Denmark for the United States as their sovereign.

President Trump’s ambition to rebuild Venezuela’s oil sector will be challenging, especially if prices continue to fall Robust long-term oil demand is needed to justify significant investment, but is called into question by the growing popularity of electric vehicles.

Trump's dream of an economic bonanza from the Venezuelan oil he has asserted American control over is likely to remain just that

One underappreciated reason is that electric vehicles are set to strangle oil demand, pushing down prices

Me for @chathamhouse.org

www.chathamhouse.org/2026/01/pres...

Britain should step up in the Arctic as US rethinks its security role President Trump’s threats towards Greenland and rumoured American mineral deals with Russia mean NATO allies can no longer rely on the US in the High North. Britain could help fill the military gap, w...

As the US rattles Arctic security, Britain should step up, says @alanderminna.bsky.social in @theworldtoday.org (written last month, sharp and prescient as ever) www.chathamhouse.org/publications...

Become a member Chatham House membership is essential if you are passionate about international affairs, high quality research and open debate.

Membership details here (members also get the print edition of @theworldtoday.org - magnifique) www.chathamhouse.org/become-member

Members’ Question Time: Is France on the brink? Join us as Grégoire Roos, incoming Programme Director for Europe and Russia at Chatham House, explores France’s political crisis, the challenges facing its leadership, and the implications for its rol...

From 1pm today, members of @chathamhouse.org get the chance to ask Grégoire Roos, new director of @cheurope.bsky.social, 'Que diable se-passe-t'il en France?' (I'm hosting) - details below www.chathamhouse.org/events/all/m...

In conversation with David Miliband The world has changed. Aid needs to change too.

www.chathamhouse.org/events/all/m...

It’s time we faced up to ‘aid realpolitik’ A tougher, more joined-up approach to foreign aid is needed so that left-behind communities in donor countries also feel its benefit, argues Justine Greening.

www.chathamhouse.org/publications...

We need to explain better how vital British aid is Former development minister Anneliese Dodds writes that voters are more likely to support overseas aid if they understand its human impact.

www.chathamhouse.org/publications...

The global implications of slashed aid budgets have dropped from the headlines - but not in @theworldtoday.org or at @chathamhouse.org. Read and listen to @anneliesedoddsmp.bsky.social, Justine Greening and David Miliband (@uk.rescue.org) on how each believes aid must be reinvented 👇

Fans of middle-age men struggling to remember more than 50w, this is for you. For everyone else, the autumn issue of @theworldtoday.org is out now - check out the 20+ stories at the link below

Autumn 2025: How a new global order is taking shape What will – and won’t – endure as ‘the Rest’ succeed the West

Here's the full issue, all free to read www.chathamhouse.org/publications..., including Amitav Acharya's essay on the rise of a 'multiplex' world order as the US retreats from its global role - a good chaser to Neil's article.

Neil's article for the new autumn issue of @theworldtoday.org urges governments to adapt fast to the global fracturing between the two superpowers - or else. Bracing stuff.

Starmer’s ‘flatter Trump’ strategy may turn to damage limitation during state visit The US president will enjoy the pageantry, but the prime minister will want to avoid moments that reveal differences on trade, Ukraine and Palestine recognition, writes Iona Allan.

But first up, will Starmer's 'flatter Trump' strategy pay off once more over the state visit? Short and sharp from @iona-allan.bsky.social with excellent comment from @oliviaosullivan.bsky.social and @rentouljohn.bsky.social www.chathamhouse.org/publications...

So much to read in the new autumn 🍂 issue of @theworldtoday.org - full issue below, all free to read

Thank you for reviewing and, again, for pointing out the error, Hans.

How China–India relations will shape Asia and the global order Relations between China and India hold great long-term significance for the future of both Asia and the emerging global order. This paper details their relationship and why their competition for influ...

Following this week's meeting between India's S. Jaishankar & China's Xi Jinping on the side-lines of the #SCO Foreign Ministers' Meeting, what lies ahead for the China-India relationship?

Our analysts @chietigj.bsky.social & Yu Jie explain all in their recent report 👇

In data: Could Britain and France’s nuclear weapons protect Europe? Britain’s nuclear capability depends on the US and France reserves its for national defence. How might they cooperate to bolster NATO’s ultimate ability to defend itself?

Here is the link to the revised page @nukestrat.bsky.social www.chathamhouse.org/publications...

Thank you for pointing out these errors which are mine and for which I apologize, Hans. We are working to correct them today. I will reply here with the link to the page once it has been updated.

🚨PUBLICATION ALERT🚨

What the UK must get right in its China strategy:
Resilience, flexibility and autonomy as core principles for engagement

Read the new paper by @wmatthewschina.bsky.social here👇
www.chathamhouse.org/2025/07/what...

What will global trade look like after the chaos of Trump’s tariffs? The system that prevailed before the recent shocks is gone forever. A new vision for world trade is possible, but it will require fresh thinking and collective leadership from the European Union and o...

'There is no going back to the system that existed before Trump's tariff campaign.'
@ButlerCreon argues that a new global trade order may emerge - but the EU and others must provide leadership 👇

I am writing something in the next month or so on how the NATO regional defence plans are being implemented: how they're evolving, how exercises and experiments are feeding back and refining the plans, how a new SACEUR might affect the process. If you're a planner, get in touch.

As Doug says, a tricky commission - the coverline was 'The Middle East's Great Realignment' for the spring issue of @theworldtoday.org, but he more than rose to challenge. Bravo, Doug. (www.theworldtoday.org to read the excellent piece it illustrates, by @linakhatibuk.bsky.social)

The US and Iran are on the road to escalation. Europe can and should create an off-ramp The E3 and Tehran have no better option than re-engaging. Failing to do so risks movement towards a weaponized nuclear programme, military escalation, or both.

This is a critical year for Iran’s nuclear programme. Without an off-ramp, Iran could weaponize its nuclear programme — or have its nuclear facilities attacked.

How to help Nigerians who want to act against corruption Leena Koni Hoffmann tells Sara Seth why ‘integrity role models’ are key to ending a cycle that hurts the poorest most.

Integrity role models are first adopters of anti-corrupt behaviours – they take on the initial cost of doing the right thing & lower the risk for others — Leena Koni Hoffmann via @theworldtoday.bsky.social

🚨Upcoming event: chathamhouse.org/events/all/r...

www.chathamhouse.org/publications...

How can the UK maximize the impact of its climate policy know-how to reduce global emissions? By cooperating with China, the world's biggest emitter, says @chrisaylett.bsky.social in the new issue of @theworldtoday.bsky.social 👇

Thank you Anna, and to @chrussiaeurasia.bsky.social as ever - specifically to @olgatokariuk.bsky.social for her excellent feature on ever-more difficult situ Ukrainian refugees find themselves in, and to @jamesnixey.bsky.social for his contribution to our package on Trump's first 50 days in power

The spring issue of @theworldtoday.bsky.social is out & free to read:
- How Trump upended the world in 50 days
- Can Syria unify its army to stem the growing violence?
- Former N'lands defence minister @kajsaollongren.bsky.social urges Euro economies to move to a war footing
... and much more 👇

Here's foreword to Victoria's book by Margaret Atwood www.theguardian.com/books/2025/f...

Independent Thinking: Can Donald Trump end the war in Ukraine? Mark Landler, Francis Dearnley and Orysia Lutsevych join the podcast to discuss whether a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine is possible.

Podcast🎙️| Can Donald Trump end the war in Ukraine?

Mark Landler (@nytimes.com), Francis Dearnley and Orysia Lutsevych join the podcast this week to discuss whether a ceasefire in Ukraine is possible.

Apple: apple.co/4gomeps
Spotify: spoti.fi/4gCtfn3

Jimmy Carter remembered Experts from across Chatham House look at the key challenges and achievements of the 39th president of the United States.

‘Jimmy Carter will be remembered for many things, but his post-presidency work to advance peace, democracy, human rights, and freedom from poverty and hunger is an extraordinary example for all leaders’

www.chathamhouse.org/2024/12/jimm...