Amid scandals and crises, Britain faces waning global influence, critics argue

In the wake of Queen Elizabeth II’s death, US observers have raised concerns about the UK’s declining influence on the global stage. The UK is grappling with numerous challenges, from the aftermath of Brexit to the energy crisis and the ongoing scandals surrounding former Prime Minister Boris Johnson. These issues have led many to view Britain as a nation in decline, struggling to maintain its global stature.

While the US media initially covered the Queen’s death with reverence, by the end of the week, a more critical perspective emerged. Commentators pointed to the deep connections between the British monarchy and the country’s imperial past, suggesting that the Queen’s death marks the end of an era tied to a period of violent imperialism. Harvard historian Maya Jasanoff emphasized that the Queen’s reign was intertwined with the bloodied final chapters of British colonialism, notably in places like Kenya, Malaya, and Cyprus, where the British resisted granting independence. These moments of British history, according to Jasanoff, starkly contrast with the narrative of peaceful power transitions.

As King Charles III ascends to the throne, many see the UK at a crossroads, facing an uncertain future both domestically and on the international stage.