The team delivers policy-driven research and analysis on the leading developments in global politics including the international impact of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the rise of China.
Drawing on extensive regional expertise, experience, and language skills, the International Security team comprises researchers drawn from government, diplomacy, academia, the military, and the private sector. The London-based team is supported by an international network of associates including former government ministers, senior civil servants, and other officials.
With the international environment becoming increasingly volatile, we have launched the International Security in Transformation initiative to examine key developments reshaping security politics around the globe, identify trends disrupting businesses and markets, and highlight opportunities for new forms of cooperation.
The initiative also explores the impact on the UK as an international actor. It identifies ways in which the UK can best manage risks and exploit opportunities in the fast-changing international context.
Programmes
Explore the research programmes run by the International Security Studies team.
Africa in Perspective Programme
We take an in-depth look at the evolving nature of conflict and security in key regions of Sub-Saharan Africa.
European Security in Transformation Programme
This programme analyses perennial and emerging security challenges for the wider Euro-Atlantic region within the context of the UK’s national security.
Navigating the Indo-Pacific Programme
This programme focuses on the maritime-centric region spanning the Indian and Pacific Oceans as the central arena of competition and cooperation between global and regional powers.
Russia in the World Programme
This programme offers a new approach to less-studied aspects of Russia, including its political systems, strategy formation and foreign policy priorities.
Shifting Security in Latin America Programme
We examine the fast-evolving security and defence agenda in Latin America and consider the most effective ways to counter the leading threats across the region.
Unpacking the MENA Programme
This programme assesses current and emerging security challenges in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), bringing together policymakers and experts from the region and beyond.
Our team
Dr Neil Melvin
Director, International Security
International Security
Dr Aniseh Bassiri Tabrizi
Senior Research Fellow, Middle East Security Studies
International Security
Dr Tobias Borck
Senior Research Fellow for Middle East Security Studies
International Security
Simon Rynn
Senior Research Fellow for Africa
International Security
Dr Carlos Solar
Senior Research Fellow, Latin American Security
International Security
Ed Arnold
Research Fellow for European Security
International Security
Emily Ferris
Research Fellow, Russia and Eurasia
International Security
Jeremy Wimble
Programme Manager
International Security
Bianka Venkataramani
Project Officer, International Security
International Security
The International Security Studies team is supported by a global network of associate fellows. The team is also joined by visiting fellows from around the world conducting independent research. For more information about the visiting fellowship programme please email Jeremy Wimble, Programme Manager at jeremyw@rusi.org
Fellows
Distinguished Fellows
The Rt. Hon. Alistair Burt
Distinguished Fellow
Fiona Clouder
Distinguished Fellow - Expertise in Latin America
Ambassador Jonathan R. Cohen
Distinguished Fellow
David Gallagher
Distinguished Fellow, Former Chilean Ambassador to the UK
Peter Jones CMG
Distinguished Fellow; Former COO and Director-General, FCDO
Vice Admiral Ignacio Mardones
Distinguished Fellow; Director of Institutional Relations at AthenaLab, Chile
Senior Associate Fellows
Ali Ansari
Senior Associate Fellow; Professor of Iranian History and Director of the Institute for Iranian Studies, University of St Andrews
Andrew Cainey
Senior Associate Fellow; Founding Director of the UK National Committee on China
Nick Clarke
Senior Associate Fellow; Founder and Chairman of the Curzon group of companies
Professor Mark Galeotti
Senior Associate Fellow; Principal Director, Mayak Intelligence
Professor Tracey German
Senior Associate Fellow; Deputy Dean of Studies (Research), Defence Studies Department, King's College London
Dr Bates Gill
Senior Associate Fellow; Professor of Asia-Pacific Security Studies at Macquarie University, Australia
Dr H A Hellyer
Senior Associate Fellow
Richard Kouyoumdjian Inglis
Senior Associate Fellow; Vice Chairman of AthenaLab, Chile
Professor David Lewis
Senior Associate Fellow; Professor of Global Politics, University of Exeter
Professor Duncan McCargo
Senior Associate Fellow; Director of the Nordic Institute of Asian Studies and Professor of Political Science, University of Copenhagen
Dr Ziya Meral
Senior Associate Fellow; Senior Resident Fellow, Centre for Historical Research and Conflict Analysis, British Army
Dr Andrew Monaghan
Senior Associate Fellow; Founding Director, Russia Research Network
Raffaello Pantucci
Senior Associate Fellow; Senior Fellow at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
Jim Townsend
Senior Associate Fellow; Former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for European and NATO Policy
Associate Fellows
Fola Aina
Associate Fellow; International security analyst and researcher
Marwa Baabbad
Associate Fellow; Researcher and Development Consultant
Simon Chelton
Associate Fellow; Independent Consultant
Dr Richard Connolly
Associate Fellow - Specialist on the Russian economy
Duncan Depledge
Associate Fellow
Dr Jürgen Haacke
Associate Fellow; Associate Professor in International Relations at LSE
Jalel Harchaoui
Associate Fellow
Ahmed Hassen
Associate Fellow - Specialist in security of East Africa and the Horn
Dr Louise Kettle FRHistS
Associate Fellow; Assistant Professor of International Relations, University of Nottingham
Walter Ladwig
Associate Fellow; Senior Lecturer in International Relations, War Studies at KCL
Sarah Lain
Associate Fellow
Clovis Meath Baker CMG OBE
Associate Fellow
Dr Michael Nwankpa
Associate Fellow; Founding Director/Director of Research at the Centre for African Conflict and Development, London
Dr Samuel Ramani
Associate Fellow; Tutor of Politics and International Relations, University of Oxford
Natia Seskuria
Associate Fellow; Founder and Executive Director of the Regional Institute for Security Studies (RISS)
Michael Stephens
Associate Fellow
Dr Andrew E. Yaw Tchie
Associate Fellow; Senior Research Fellow at the Training for Peace Programme
Dr Maryna Vorotnyuk
Associate Fellow
Visiting Fellows
Burzine Waghmar
Visiting India Fellow
International Security
