Andy Burnham, the likely next prime minister, would rather focus on domestic issues than foreign affairs, but international crises will demand his attention.
Donald Trump's recent military actions in the Middle East have created instability, with no clear achievements and a ceasefire that offers Iran better terms than the 2015 nuclear deal.
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This strategic blunder may lead to further aggression from a wounded leader.
Similarly, Vladimir Putin refuses to accept defeat in Ukraine, increasing the risk of Russian provocations such as sabotage and cyber-attacks.
Reduced US support under Trump compounds the challenge for Kyiv's allies.
The delayed defence investment plan (Dip), published Tuesday, highlights the urgency. Keir Starmer, the current PM, struggled to manage defence spending disputes, a task Burnham will inherit.
Starmer's resignation over the issue has paved the way for Burnham.
Burnham's Foreign Policy Gap
Burnham has little foreign policy experience, and colleagues are unaware of his international instincts.
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He is pro-European and wary of US tech giants, but lacks a developed global vision.
He may retain Jonathan Powell as national security adviser and consider David Miliband for a role, outsourcing geopolitics to focus on domestic renewal.
Starmer's foreign policy record is mixed: he kept Britain out of the Iran war and supported Ukraine, but his decision to raid the aid budget for military spending traded soft power for short-term US goodwill.
He failed to articulate a coherent strategy, a weakness Burnham must avoid.
Burnham's strength lies in domestic politics, as shown in the Makerfield byelection and his speech on national renewal.
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However, he must quickly develop a foreign policy framework, as his first international crisis is imminent.
