How healthy is the special relationship? Assessing King Charles III’s speech to Congress

This episode of The Briefing examines the diplomatic implications of King Charles III's speech to the U.S. Congress during his state visit to the United States, framing it as a pivotal moment for the so-called 'special relationship' between Britain and America. Despite strained relations between Prime Minister Keir Starmer and President Donald Trump, Charles's performance was widely seen as a diplomatic triumph, leveraging his non-partisan royal status to soothe tensions. Analysts suggest Trump’s favorable reception of Charles—despite his criticism of Starmer—reflects a deeper reliance on the monarchy as a stable, unifying figure in an era of political volatility. The episode also explores how Charles’s subtle references to checks and balances, Ukraine, and his naval service were interpreted both in Washington and in Britain, where public sentiment remains largely critical of Trump. In a separate segment, the podcast investigates a growing diplomatic rift between Ukraine and Israel over allegations that Israel is purchasing grain stolen by Russia from occupied Ukrainian territories. The EU is stepping in to support Ukraine, signaling a shift toward greater European political assertiveness and divergence from U.S. policy under Trump. Meanwhile, the UAE’s surprise decision to exit OPEC is analyzed as a strategic move to expand oil production amid global supply constraints, with potential long-term implications for global energy markets. The episode closes with a preview of major tech earnings, highlighting the massive investments in AI and investor concerns over profitability. Key takeaways include: the monarchy’s enduring symbolic power in diplomacy, especially in polarized times; the fragility of the U.S.-UK alliance when tied to individual leaders rather than institutional trust; the strategic use of royal diplomacy to bridge political divides; the EU’s growing role in defending Ukraine’s sovereignty; the UAE’s exit from OPEC as a sign of shifting energy dynamics; and the increasing scrutiny of tech giants’ AI spending amid uncertain returns.