

Commentary
Hama Rules: the resilience of the Syrian Army
As tanks roll into the Syrian town of Hama to crush opposition to President Assad, the international community has voiced its outrage at the ensuing human rights violations. But unlike Libya, words will not be followed up by deeds.
1 Aug 2011
Rebalancing the UK's armed forces
The Ministry of Defence has indicated the need for reservists to become integral to all defence tasks, resulting in the significant rebalancing of the structure of the armed forces by 2020. Undoubtedly there will be risks involved, but these are manageable provided there is political and institutional willingness to develop a more sophisticated approach to force generation.
21 Jul 2011
No space for Israel on Egypt's post-Mubarak agenda
Since the fall of Mubarak, there has been much concern about the viability of the 30-year peace between Israel and Egypt. Egypt will certainly be a less pliable partner to Israel, but however threatened it may feel by its neighbour's changing social and political dynamics, the Jewish state need not panic about the peace treaty breaking.
20 Jul 2011
CONTEST 3: The importance of interoperability
The government's latest counter-terrorism strategy once again places an importance on the interoperability of the police and other agencies to respond to emergencies such as terrorist attacks. Yet, without placing a proper framework, and with constrained finances, it will be difficulty to see how interoperability will be achieved.
15 Jul 2011
CONTEST 3: progress for transparency and evaluation?
CONTEST 3 continues to recognise the now-established tradition that counter-terrorism strategy should be as transparent as possible. But with transparency comes robust evaluation, a mechanism that seems to be missing in the government's latest plan to deal with terrorism.
14 Jul 2011
The Mumbai Blasts and the Indian Mujahideen
The three bombs that tore through Mumbai add to the city's death toll from terrorism - 700 killed since 1993. If the Indian Mujahideen (IM) is responsible, it indicates the grave threat posed by domestic Indian groups plugged into international jihadi network.
14 Jul 2011
A protracted endgame in Libya?
NATO's engagement in Libya moves into its fourth month with the prospect of success looking more realistic. Such an achievement would be a long-time coming, and total success will not be assured.
14 Jul 2011
Kuwait reaps the sectarian Gulf whirlwind
Kuwait's Parliament is argumentative, obstreperous and stymied at the best of times. Now, with escalating Sunni-Shia tensions in the region, it is more paralysed than ever.
5 Jul 2011
The Top Brass and the Politicians: Strained Relations
Recent tensions between British politicians and the military top brass are a symptom of the uncertainty over whose long term vision for British defence policy is the more realistic. Such tensions are not new, demonstrating the inability of policymakers to get to grips with strategy.
3 Jul 2011
Sudan: The Trouble Ahead
With ten days to go until South Sudanese independence, tensions are high. Violence continues along the disputed border, and aid organisations fear another humanitarian crisis in a country wracked by conflict. At this crucial intersection, can Sudan be pulled back from the brink?
30 Jun 2011
Chapter Two: Al-Qa'ida's New Beginning?
The 'information-space' is always vital for Al-Qa'ida's operational effectiveness. Its ability to make swift statements in the media and through the internet demonstrates the terror-network's potency and ability to reach a mass audience. Yet, since Bin Laden's death, we have seen the US dominate the media with stories about both the man and the organisation, demystifying both.
29 Jun 2011
Prevent Strategy 2011: the problem of universities
In outlining its Prevent strategy, the UK government has identified university campuses as the new frontline in the battle against Al-Qa'ida. Yet the success of the strategy will depend largely on the willingness of universities to see the problem through the same lense as the government.
13 Jun 2011
The Security Implications of Scottish independence
The victory of Scottish nationalists in the recent Scottish Parliamentary elections brings closer the possibility of Scotland's independence. With Britain's nuclear arsenal located largely in Scotland, policymakers must now consider what independence would entail for the security of the United Kingdom.
9 Jun 2011
The New PREVENT Strategy: Establishing Realistic Expectations
In conducting a review of the Prevent counter-terrorism strategy, a genuine effort has been made to recalibrate the policy. Yet, behind the rhetoric of the document, the substance of the argument risks to be lost over vague, and sometimes contradictory, terms of reference. More clarity is still required for the counter-radicalisation policy to be effective.
9 Jun 2011
Yemen and the Threat of Terrorism
As events in Yemen are coming to an all too violent and bloody head, it is essential to examine the long-term implications of an increasingly unstable Yemen for both regional and Western security.
1 Jun 2011
Un-strategic Victory in Libya
Operational success in Libya appears to be close for anti-Qadhafi rebels and their international military backers. But victory will bring the NATO powers little direct strategic benefit. Grateful for success, we should nevertheless be careful how we interpret it and understand the limitations of success for the West and the wider policy implications for the Middle East.
31 May 2011
Obama's UK Speech: A Strategic Challenge for Europe?
Behind his warm and effusive speech to the great and the good in Parliament, President Obama laid out a subtle but serious challenge to Europe's leaders. Europe, and by extension the UK, will be farther down America's foreign policy priorities unless Europe is willing to step up as a truly global partner.
27 May 2011