Hizb ut-Tahrir Britain’s report explores the traditional tools in Western Foreign Policy

It is always explicit or implicit in rhetoric of Western foreign policy that Western states aim to promote their grand principles of democracy, peace, human rights and overseas development.

However, in truth these same Western states are systematic violators of these principles and of international law. They are consistent condoners of rights abuses and key allies of repressive and dictatorial regimes.

There has long been an ignominious association between ‘democratically elected’ Western governments and ‘dictatorial regimes’ around the world. When benefit is the axiom around which politics in the West is conducted, international law, principles and ‘ethical’ foreign policies are conveniently discarded.

Given this, it is of no surprise that the UK and US have been at the forefront of courting alliances with the most brutal of dictatorships over the best part of the last century and continue to do so today. In many instances they have installed, supported and removed leaders according to their respective national interests. Their alliance with the world’s most reprehensible regimes has been excused under euphemisms related to strategy, geo-politics and the like.

While Western leaders talk of “stability” and “constructive engagement”, what they often mean is doing deals with dictators. Even the harshest and most shameful measures are accompanied by assurances of noble intent and rhetoric about freedom and independence.

Download / Read Report [PDF]