Just passing through New York this weekend on my way back to London. It’s been a fascinating few months in the United States, not least because of the increasingly fascinating — if now somewhat fatiguing — US election [on that note, check out the great Washington event we will have on the election and foreign policy in early June below].

Of course, I still have all the excitement of the Brexit vote to look forward to…

In London this week, we held a really great discussion on London and the challenges facing megacities — one of the themes I really want to explore in more detail in the months to come and next year. That will be followed this week on Wednesday by our latest networking drinks.

On the PS21 website this week, Asha Castleberry writes on the current security situation in Iraq and what it means for the next administration. 

On Reuters.com, meanwhile, I have two pieces. The first looks at the broader global implications of the election of London’s first Muslim mayor. Let’s be blunt, Sadiq Khan wasn’t elected because of his religion and whether or not Londoners vote for him again is going to be dependent on London-centric issues like housing and transport. For the rest of the world, however, his religion will be seen the most important thing about him and that is already having some interesting effects.

The second looks at the BBC’s latest spy drama “The Night Manager”, now airing in the United States. Set in the aftermath of the “Arab Spring”, I argue it gets some things horribly right Wake wakeabout recent Western involvement in the region.

All the best

Peter Apps

executive director, PS21

LONDON

Networking Drinks

Wednesday, May 18, 2016, 5.30 PM. The George, Strand, London

We at PS21 are happy to announce our next networking event! This will take place at the vibrant “George” pub right on the Strand opposite the Royal Courts of Justice on May 18th.

This is a great opportunity to meet and catch up with career professionals while exchanging contacts and insights.

Sign up here

WASHINGTON DC

A Choice of Foreign Policy Futures?

SAVE THE DATE –Wednesday, June 8, 2016, 6 PM. Venue to follow

With the  rise of  isolationist rhetoric with Donald Trump and Bernie Sanders — and, of course, the more conservative foreign policy stature of Hillary Clinton — the 2016 election is shaping up to offer a foreign policy range rarely seen in recent American history. As it faces the rise of rival powers and budget constraints of time, the US faces stock positions. What do the politics and geopolitics of this year’s face-off tell us about Web policy make a in the years and decades to come?

Speakers to be confirmed. Sign-up details to follow. This promises to be a great event and we look forward to seeing you there.