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Commentary
RUSI experts and associates provide analysis on the latest developments in defence, security and international affairs.

The Case for Reinforcing the UK–Japan Security Partnership
Commentary, 13 June 2017Peter Ricketts
An invitation from RUSI Japan to participate in a roundtable in Tokyo in late May gave the author a great opportunity both to present a view of European security to Japanese experts, and to re-...
Japan, Pacific
General Election 2017: The Oxygen of Publicity – Giving Terrorists the Final Gasp in the Campaign
Commentary, 8 June 2017Michael Clarke
The UK election campaign began with muted and vague debates over Brexit and, following terror attacks in Manchester and London, ends with furious arguments over security.
UK Counter-terrorism, Tackling Extremism, UK, Securing Britain, Terrorism, Europe
A Thinning Blue Line? The Context of Current Debate on Britain’s Police Levels
Commentary, 7 June 2017Alexander Babuta
While the recent UK terror attacks have focused attention on adequate resources for neighbourhood policing and the impact this may have on forces’ local intelligence coverage, a far greater danger to...
Tackling Extremism, Securing Britain, Terrorism
Security Trumps Privacy in British Attitudes to Cyber-Surveillance
Commentary, 5 June 2017Joel Faulkner Rogers
Polling suggests a mix of apathy and emphasis on security in the cyber-surveillance debate.
UK Counter-terrorism, Tackling Extremism, UK, Terrorism, Europe
General Election 2017: A Strategic Moment for Defence?
Commentary, 2 June 2017John Louth
The next UK government – of whatever political stripe – will face two crucial questions when it comes to defence and security – what do you intend to do with the military and, once you have decided,...
Defence Spending, Equipment and Acquisitions, UK Defence
NATO: Towards a New Resilience Alliance
Commentary, 1 June 2017Jennifer Cole
NATO held a Resilience conference in Norfolk, Virginia at the beginning of May. Discussions explored the future of civil–military cooperation on resilience and illustrated that NATO might still have...
NATO, International Institutions, Resilience
What Policy Changes Are Needed after the Manchester Attack?
Commentary, 31 May 2017Raffaello Pantucci
A week after the atrocity in Manchester, it is now possible to draw some preliminary conclusions: there clearly was a breakdown in the intelligence flow that led to suicide bomber Salman Abedi...
UK Counter-terrorism, Tackling Extremism, Securing Britain, Terrorism
General Election 2017: What Did We Learn from RUSI's Defence Debate?
Commentary, 30 May 2017Peter Roberts
RUSI convened a debate between political parties on the subject of defence ahead of the UK General Election, scheduled for 8 June 2017. The main topics proved to be the requirement for a full defence...
UK, UK Defence, Europe
Defining Militarisation: China Grapples with Explaining its Great Power Status
Commentary, 25 May 2017Veerle Nouwens and Peter Roberts
In his statement at the White House in 2015, Chinese President Xi Jinping made a commitment not to militarise the artificial islands China built in the South China Sea. Observers wondered how China...
China, Pacific
Emmanuel Macron, Britain and European Security: Preliminary Indicators
Commentary, 23 May 2017Peter Ricketts
French President Emmanuel Macron earned many plaudits for his astonishing political rise and decisive electoral success. But he still has to win his country’s parliamentary elections, scheduled for...
France, Europe
The US–Russia Relationship is Doomed, for Years to Come
After the Strikes: Returning to the Table
Could Russian S-400s Protect Syria Against Cruise Missiles?