The Government :

The english government is quite special because it is still a monarchy. But nowadays, the power of the Queen is just "symbolic". In fact, the government is run by the prime minister. Let's have a look about the powers of each parts of the government.

The Queen : 

The Queen’s prerogative powers vary and fall into different categories…

             - Political power : The Queen's political powers nowadays are largely ceremonial, thought some actively used by The Queen, such as at General Elections or are available in time of crisis.

              - Judicial power : The Queen's judicial powers are now very minimal.

              - Armed forces : The Queen's powers in the armed forces are usually used on the advice of Generals and Parliament, thought some functions are retained by the Queen herself nowadays.

              - Honors : One of the main prerogative powers which is still used personally by the Queen these is the power to grant honors. As all honor derive from the Crown, The Queen has the final say on knighthoods, peerages...

The Prime Minister :  

The Prime minister is head of the UK government. He is ultimately responsible for all policy and decisions. He:

     - Oversees the operation of the Civil Service and government agencies

     - Appoint members of the government

     - Is the principal government figure in the House of Common.

Today, the Prime Minister is David Cameron, he was elected in London in 2010.

The Deputy Prime Minister : 

The Deputy Prime Minister, Nick Clegg, is the deputy head of government. He is the leader of the Liberal Democrats and was appointed Deputy Prime Minister when the coalition government was formed following the 2010 general election.

External conflict :

 The UK in engaged in a significant number of peacekeeping operations around the world. The UK is also involved in Afghanistan and Iraq and engages in combat operations in both countries. 

Afghanistan : 

The UK was involved in Afghanistan alongside Coalition forces, led by the US under Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF), from the first military engagement in October 2001. The UK is currently engages in armed conflict in Afghanistan as part of a UN-authorised country.

ISAF (International Security Assistance Force), which aims to assist the Afghan Transitional Authority in creating and maintaining a safe and secure environment in Kabul and its surrounding area, was created in december 2001, authorized by UN Security Council Resolution 1386 and successive resolutions.

As of May 2012, the UK was contributing 9500 troops to ISAF.

Iraq:  

UK military operations in Iraq were conducted under the name "Operation TELIC". The UK operates as part of a coalition called Multi-National Force-Iraq alongside troops from 25 other nations. In Febuary 2007, the-then British Prime Minister, Tony Blair, announced the first large-scale withdrawals of British troops from Iraq. As of November 2008, there were 4,100 British troops stationed in Iraq.

Internal Conflicts : Conflict in Northern Ireland:

The conflict in Northern Ireland, which has killed thousands, has political and religious roots that are centuries old.

In modern times the conflict has centred on opposing views of the area's status.Some people in Northern Ireland, especially the mainly Protestant Unionist community, believe it should remain part of the United Kingdom.

Others, particularly the mainly Catholic Nationalist community, believe it should leave the UK and become part of the Republic of Ireland.

 Origins : 

Since the 12th Century constant revolts challenged the often brutal British rule of Ireland, climaxing in the 1916 Easter Uprising in Dublin.

It sparked a chain of events leading to civil war and partition of the island.

Over successive decades the Catholic minority in the north suffered discrimination over housing and jobs, which fuelled bitter resentment.In the south 26 counties formed a separate state, while six counties in the north stayed within the UK.

Nowadays : 

Problems remain as devolution has been suspended several times since it began.

It was last suspended in October 2002 over allegations of a republican spying ring at Stormont. The case against the accused later collapsed and one of the defendants was revealed to be a British agent. He was found shot dead in April 2006.