Why Great Britain matters even more after Brexit

We in the Middle East have been watching Britain with increased fascination. No, not because of the drama involving Meghan and Harry. But because of how the United Kingdom speaks to us across so many issues. 

Its renewed independence with Brexit, the unstinting loyalty of Her Majesty the Queen to duty and country, the miraculous vaccine innovation and delivery success, David Attenborough’s warning to the UN on climate change, JK Rowling’s defence of women. 

Despite pioneering change in the modern world, Britain has conserved its long tradition of the rule of law. Boris Johnson, Rishi Sunak, Dominic Raab, and Priti Patel – all children or grandchildren of migrants to Britain — now occupy the highest offices of state. How does Britain do it?

The country’s output and influence is always on our screens. It forces us to ask how this tiny island nation addresses such big ideas, from politics to our planet to gender to race? One thing is clear: Britain still matters.