The UK owes much of its prominence in world affairs to its seat on the UN security council. However, since 1945, it has followed a largely US line in its foreign policy. It was a founder-member of NATO and maintained front-line troops in West Germany during the Cold War. In 1991, it was a major partner in UN operation Desert Storm to evict Iraqi forces from Kuwait.
The UK signed the Maastricht Treaty in 1992, paving the way for possible eventual political and monetary union with its EU partners.
Relations with China over the hand-over of Hong Kong have been tense. Beijing has objected to British attempts to introduce democracy to the colony.
