You are here

RUSI Newsbrief
January 2020 , No: 1
Challenger 2 Tank

War Without Tanks

RUSI Newsbrief, February 2020

William F Owen

The British Army must re-examine its use of heavy armour.

Armed Forces, Equipment and Acquisitions, UK Defence
British artillery in Germany.

The Integrated Review: Rebuilding the UK’s Hard Power

RUSI Newsbrief, February 2020

Peter Roberts

The upcoming Integrated Review gives the UK an opportunity to reconsider the role of its armed forces and its international strategy.

Armed Forces, Defence Spending, Global Strategy and Commitments, UK Defence
Pompeo meets Lavrov

No New START for the New Year

RUSI Newsbrief, February 2020

Chelsey Wiley

On 5 February, the one-year countdown to extend the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty began.

Proliferation and Nuclear Policy
jin ling cigarettes

Are Your Cigarettes Funding Terror Attacks? Examining the Intersection of Terrorist Financing and Illicit Trade

RUSI Newsbrief, February 2020

Stephen Reimer and Tom Keatinge

There is rising interest in how illicit trade contributes to the funding of terrorist activities. Recognising the differences between wholesale and retail illicit trade will be crucial for effectively countering this form of terrorist financing.

AML/CTF
Putin and Medvedev

Why Russia’s Constitutional Changes Reveal Who Will Bear Responsibility for Putin’s Pet Projects

RUSI Newsbrief, January 2020

Emily Ferris

Russia’s swathe of constitutional changes has prompted much debate about Putin’s future, but the amendments actually revealed very little about his plans. What they do reveal, however, is the importance of Putin’s legacy – his national projects – and who will be held responsible if they fail.

Al-Hol camp in Syria

Out of Sight, Out of Mind? European Responses to the Return of Foreign Fighters

RUSI Newsbrief, January 2020

Juliana Suess

European states are dealing with foreign fighters in diverse judicial and legislative environments, and while they would benefit from collaboration, a lack of political will could prevent this.

Tackling Extremism
Vladimir Putin meets with Nechirvan Barzani

Russia’s Outreach to Iraqi Kurdistan: A Gambit for Energy Investments and Regional Status

RUSI Newsbrief, January 2020

Samuel Ramani

As Russia’s resurgence in the Middle East continues and Moscow hones its position as a regional diplomatic arbiter, Russia’s partnership with the Kurdistan Regional Government will likely continue to strengthen in the months and years to come.

Global Security Issues
Putin and Lukashenko shake hands at a Union State summit.

Is Russia Changing Gear on Belarus? Unpacking the Importance of the Union State for Russia

RUSI Newsbrief, January 2020

Emily Ferris and Paul Hansbury

High-level presidential meetings, increasing rhetoric from the Kremlin and the growing use of Russia’s soft power levers all indicate that Moscow is adapting its approach to Belarus amid a changing political climate.