Understanding the interplay between history, politics and international security is essential in a world where global challenges grow increasingly complex. Alan Mendoza, a scholar, thinker and policy advocate, has dedicated his career to addressing these challenges through intellectual rigor and strategic action. Mendoza’s journey, from co-founding the Henry Jackson Society to engaging in grassroots campaigns, reflects a passion for driving meaningful change.
As a politically neutral observer, this piece focuses on ideas over ideologies, exploring Mendoza’s perspectives on history’s influence on modern security, the role of think tanks in shaping policy and the importance of resilience in addressing global threats.
A journey sparked by curiosity and a passion for history
In an interview with The NYC Daily Post, Mendoza reflected on his formative years.
“I was brought up in a fairly ordinary household in a fairly ordinary part of London. My parents were politically interested, so I was aware of events more than perhaps had I been in a house where that wasn’t the case, and I watched a lot of news and read newspapers avidly. I think I was just interested in how the world worked and how it had come into being the way it was. This led to a keen interest in history while I was at school, augmented by extensive external reading, and it was an easy choice to make, to choose to study the subject at university, which was one of the best decisions of my life as I loved every moment of my undergraduate degree at Cambridge. My academic career snowballed from there into a more international relations focus at Ph.D. level,” Mendoza recalled.
Founding the Henry Jackson Society: a vision for global policy
Mendoza’s fascination with history and global dynamics became the foundation of his intellectual and policy-driven journey, ultimately leading to his co-founding of the Henry Jackson Society (HJS), a British think tank founded in 2005. It is named after former Sen. Henry “Scoop” Jackson, D-Wash., who was known for his strong stance on defense, human rights and support for liberal democracies. The society promotes Western values, a robust defense policy and international engagement, advocating for the principles of democracy, the rule of law and human rights.
In our interview, Mendoza explained, “HJS was founded in Cambridge as a result of a genuine grassroots initiative from students and an at the time young academic Dr. Brendan Simms (now a professor), who all wanted to do something to increase debate and understanding of the foreign policy options available to the UK in an era characterized by very tough positions in the aftermath of 9/11.”
The Henry Jackson Society began with a clear mission: to spark meaningful discussions about foreign policy and provide a framework for understanding global challenges through a set of core principles.
“We purposely set up a set of guiding principles, which can be found on our website, which reflected the way we saw the world and how we would try and educate others to consider it as well. At its inception, HJS was just a part-time website with the ambition to drop a few pebbles to create ripples into the foreign policy lake. But pretty early on we realised that there was an opportunity to go much further and set up as a full-time think tank that could do more than just inject ideas into debate, but would look to shepherd them across the line into actual policy,” Mendoza stated.
Lessons from the campaign trail: a grassroots perspective
Alan Mendoza’s foray into electoral politics offered valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities of grassroots campaigning. As the Conservative Party candidate for Brent Central in the 2015 UK General Election, Mendoza stepped into a tough race with limited preparation time. Still, he demonstrated a relentless commitment to connecting with voters and addressing local concerns.
“This is a story all in itself,” Alan Mendoza began in our interview when asked about his experiences as a Parliamentary candidate. “But I knew that I wasn’t going to win the seat I stood in as it was safe Labour Party territory and I was running as a Conservative. I was also chosen very close to the election so had little opportunity to really make a big difference.”
While his campaign may not have directly influenced his role in shaping national and international policy, Mendoza acknowledges the lessons learned on the ground have proven useful in his current position as a councilor in the city of Westminster. This hands-on experience with public engagement continues to shape his approach to governance and communication.
Global security challenges: revitalizing Western resolve and strategic alliances
Alan Mendoza sees a weakening of Western resolve as a major security challenge, driven by both external threats, like China, Iran, radical Islam and internal societal divides. He calls for a renewed Western unity, stating, “To address it, we have to rediscover who we are as The West, and recall the principles and ideas that made us into the global police force that has underpinned the international order since 1945. Above all, it requires a mindset shift along the lines of what Reagan and Thatcher achieved in the early 1980s when they said ‘no’ to decline and defeatism and reinvigorated the West at home and abroad.”
On the UK’s global security role, Mendoza stated, “It stems from our position as a major military power, a NATO member, and a country willing to burden share with allies and to engage with the world when required rather than sit out the fight. As long as that attitude and the capabilities to back it up are maintained, the UK will continue to be an important constituent part of any international security alliances. But if we allow our military abilities to wither, then so will our influence.”
Turning to the Middle East, Mendoza critiques recent policy as neglecting the core destabilizing force in the region: “Middle East policy for the past four years has been underwhelming, as it has avoided the obvious source of global security concern in the region: the role of Iran as a destabilising force through its regional interventions and support for terrorist and proxy groups.”
The power of media in shaping policy influence
Alan Mendoza highlights the critical role media plays in amplifying the work of think tanks like the Henry Jackson Society. “Media coverage is an essential way for us to broadcast our work to a wider audience,” he told the NYC Daily Post, emphasizing its impact on shaping debates and influencing policy decisions.
He stresses the importance of a pragmatic approach to media relations, explaining, “You navigate the relationship simply by understanding what journalists require in order to create a story, and then attempting to provide that.” By effectively engaging with the media, Mendoza and HJS have successfully made their ideas heard in the crowded landscape of global policy-making.
Advice for aspiring professionals and staying motivated
Alan Mendoza encourages young professionals to seize opportunities boldly and prioritize building meaningful connections.
“Take every opportunity you can to network in the field and make connections with people who might be able to help you progress in the chosen area of your interest,” he advised.
For Mendoza, motivation stems from knowing his work has the power to create positive change. “Simply by knowing that what I am doing is important, right, and has the opportunity to change people’s minds and make a difference in a positive way to our common futures,” he shared.
“I don’t need plaudits — heaven knows we don’t get any when fighting for unpopular but right causes before they are proven correct — just the sense that change is possible through what I do.”
Reflecting on his career, Mendoza expresses pride in his achievements but remains focused on the work ahead.
“However, my work is clearly not done given the state of the West and the world as described, and I intend to keep plugging away, one step at a time, to try and make a difference that benefits the nation and beyond. There’s always room for more people to fight the cause, however — if readers are inspired to join, then I would be delighted to pick up the cudgels of freedom together with them!”
Featured image: Photo courtesy Невідомо/Kira Rudik CC BY 4.0
Edited by Abbigail Earl & James Sutton
