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Christopher Featherstone

Christopher Featherstone

Associate Lecturer, Department of Politics, University of York
My research focuses on US and UK foreign policy, and foreign policy decision-making. In my teaching at the University of York, I teach on Policy-making and US Foreign Policy.

My PhD was on the US and UK decision-making processes that led to the invasion of Iraq in 2003. While international factors contributed to the decision to invade Iraq, to truly understand how these two governments made it, it is necessary to examine the individuals who made the decision. Theoretically, this research responds to the challenges laid down for FPA: to establish links between theoretical models, to compare national contexts, and to speak to policy practitioners. Empirically, this research contributes a rich analysis of both decision-making processes that led to the invasion of Iraq in 2003, using recently declassified documentary materials and interviews with decision-makers involved. This research forms the basis for a book proposal that is under review with Manchester University Press.

I have also co-authored two academic articles on the Trump administration's foreign policy, conceptualizing and explaining President Trump's leadership style in his foreign policy-making. In the first article, co-authored with Asaf Siniver, we argued that Trump’s plutocratic worldview means that he is transactional and money-first in his approach. Whilst this is a significant break from previous US Presidents, it provides much of the consistency within the Trump presidency. In the second article with Oz Hassan, we argue that whilst many think the Trump doctrine is a doctrine of unpredictability, Trump is in fact predictable in the light of his leadership style. These can be found at:
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/23340460.2020.1734953?journalCode=rgaf20
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/09557571.2020.1853054?journalCode=ccam20

With Biden gone, Trump will need a new attack plan for the younger Kamala Harris

Jul 23, 2024 05:58 am UTC| Insights & Views Politics

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The UK’s new prime minister Keir Starmer – hoping for a Democrat in the White House, preparing for Trump

Jul 08, 2024 09:19 am UTC| Insights & Views Politics

Keir Starmer, the UKs new prime minister, was quiet on the question of relations with the US prior to his election, choosing to avoid, in particular, talk of how he would manage a second Donald Trump presidency. Starmer...

Jill Biden: the woman with the US president’s ear as he doubles down on staying in the race

Jul 03, 2024 14:07 pm UTC| Insights & Views Politics

The overwhelming majority of people who watched the first US presidential debate between incumbent Joe Biden and challengers Donald Trump concluded that it was a disastrous night for the 46th US president. Bidens voice was...

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Economy

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The U.S. governments decision to exclude Taiwan from its new restrictions on artificial intelligence (AI) chip and technology exports reflects confidence in the islands regulatory controls and legal compliance, Taiwans...

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Politics

South Korean Ex-President Yoon Arrested After Martial Law Attempt

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Iranian President Denies Plot to Kill Trump, Refutes U.S. Claims

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SEC Accuses Elon Musk of Securities Law Violation Over Twitter Stake Delay

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Science

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Public Health Experts Warn of ‘Quad-Demic’ as Flu, COVID, RSV, and Norovirus Threaten Winter Surge

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Technology

TikTok Braces for Possible US Shutdown This Sunday Amid Security Concerns

TikTok, the popular short-video platform owned by ByteDance, could face a nationwide shutdown in the U.S. as early as this Sunday, according to The Information. The move follows increased scrutiny from lawmakers and...

What si RedNote? The Chinese App Gaining Global Attention Amid TikTok Uncertainty

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Trade Groups Push Back on Biden's New Chip Export Rules

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Global Smartphone Market Sees Shifts as Chinese Brands Gain Ground

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Blue Origin's New Glenn Rocket Launch Delayed to Thursday

Blue Origin, Jeff Bezos rocket company, has rescheduled the inaugural launch of its New Glenn rocket to Thursday, Jan. 16. Originally set for Tuesday, the launch was delayed after a technical issue arose on Monday. The...
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