In his upcoming first meeting with President George W. Bush, Britain's new Prime Minister Gordon Brown will downplay any rumors of strained US-British relations, despite not wanting to appear subservient to America. Recent speeches by Brown's ministers have sparked speculation that his government may be shifting away from the United States in terms of foreign policy, a claim Brown denies. Brown and Bush will emphasize the enduring "special relationship" between London and Washington during their talks at Camp David, but Brown's reserved nature suggests he may not develop the same personal rapport with Bush as his predecessor, Tony Blair, had. According to Strathclyde University politics professor John Curtice, the focus will be on maintaining good relations with America as a key ally, but the interaction is expected to be more formal and professional rather than characterized by a strong personal connection. According to Brown's spokesman, the upcoming agenda will cover discussions on global trade liberalization talks, climate change, as well as various international issues such as Darfur, Iraq, Kosovo, Afghanistan, Russia, and Iran. Brown has stated that Britain will fulfill its obligations to the United Nations in Iraq and there are no immediate plans to withdraw British troops, despite some pressure from the Labour Party. However, the head of the British military has suggested that control of Basra could be handed over to Iraqi forces by the end of the year. Regarding Iran, Brown has not ruled out military action but believes sanctions could be effective in persuading Tehran to abandon its nuclear program. The strong bond between Bush and Blair was formed in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks and their joint decision to go to war in Iraq. The ongoing violence in Iraq was a major factor in Blair's resignation as prime minister, leading to criticism from both voters and his own party. He was often ridiculed in the British media as being too closely aligned with President Bush, a perception that Brown hopes to avoid. Brown, who succeeded Blair, has distanced himself from this image and has seen a boost in popularity since taking office. He has been cautious in his approach to international relations, demonstrating independence from both the US and the EU. The discussion about a change in British foreign policy started when Brown appointed David Miliband as foreign secretary, who was reportedly doubtful about the Iraq war. Brown also assigned a lower-ranking position to Mark Malloch Brown, a former UN deputy secretary general who has criticized Britain and the US over the war. Malloch Brown recently stated that Brown and Bush would not have the same close relationship as Blair and Bush did, while another minister emphasized the importance of alliances over military strength in a speech in Washington.