Projects

Explore the research programmes and projects undertaken by RUSI's research groups.

Adversaries Programme

We seek to understand how opponents think about war, and how they organise and fight. This programme brings together practitioners and theorists from across the world to discuss these matters.

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.

Assessment of Military Capabilities Programme

This programme aims to provide analysis and insights into military capabilities using OSINT and GEOINT techniques.

CT and P/CVE Programmatic Learning Programme

This programme is designed to assess the effectiveness of interventions in these fields as well as what is considered success and how it can be measured.

Chemical and Biological Threats

Our work on chemical and biological threats shines a light on underexplored challenges from unconventional weapons of mass destruction.

Conflict and Peacebuilding Programme

This multi-dimensional conflict and peacebuilding programme has been developed to better understand and address violent ecosystems.

Counterproliferation Financing Programme

This programme aims to reduce and mitigate the risks related to the financing of weapons of mass destruction, as well as drive global thought leadership through timely and relevant policy-oriented research and analysis.

Counterterrorism Policy Programme

This programme focuses on improving effectiveness and impact of counterterrorism policy in the UK, EU, and internationally through our research and by providing training and support.

Cyber Operations Programme

Examining the value and impact of interstate cyber operations and exploring different national approaches to cyber strategy, capability and development.

Cyber Resilience Programme

Analysing how to mitigate cyber risks through building cyber-resilient societies.

Cyber Strategy Programme

Examining how policy and strategy can tackle the challenges posed by cyber.

Cyber Threats Programme

Analysing the types of cyber threats facing societies and identifying how to mitigate them.

Deterrence and Risk in the New Nuclear Age

We examine nuclear weapons policy, including deterrence, strategic stability, risk reduction, arms control and disarmament.

Energy and Security Programme

This theme focuses on the national, geopolitical and environmental security risks of fossil fuel reliance and solutions for securing clean energy globally.

Environmental Crime and Climate Security Programme

This theme focuses on the multifaceted relationship between climate change, environmental and human security, activism, and organised crime.

European Security in Transformation Programme

The European Security in Transformation Programme analyses perennial and emerging security challenges for the wider Euro-Atlantic region within the context of the UK’s national security.

Evolving Security of Russia and Eurasia Programme

This research programme analyses Russia’s strategic thinking, political change and its global and regional ambitions.

Extremism and Terrorism Programme

This programme of work looks at potential drivers and modalities for the spread of violent ideologies.

Finance and Statecraft Programme

This programme examines the weaponisation of finance as a tool of international statecraft through the lens of evolving threats and cross-sector responses.

Financial Crime Policy Programme

This programme focuses on the development and implementation of effective anti-financial crime policies and regulation both in the UK and internationally.

Financially Resilient Europe Programme

This programme develops research and activities that centre around the intersection of illicit finance and security, with a focus on the EU and its neighbourhood.

Future Conflict Programme

This programme examines factors shaping the likely nature of armed conflict in both the near future and further out, with a view to assessing their likely implications for both armed forces and policymakers.

Great Power Competition Programme

This programme considers the implications of a return to great power competition, especially for medium powers whose impact is typically magnified in alliances.

Military and Defence Ecosystem Programme

This programme examines the context, structures, processes and people that deliver defence outputs, since success ultimately depends on how well they can manage the complexity with which they are faced.

Navigating the Indo-Pacific Programme

This programme covers security in the region that is the global centre of gravity for economic growth, technological development, and geopolitical competition: the Indo-Pacific.

Networks and Learning in Nuclear Policy

We convene dialogues, host events and deliver briefings to broaden understanding of nuclear issues.

Organised Crime and Corruption Programme

Our work on organised crime and corruption explores the dynamics of illicit markets and the drivers and enablers that sustain them in order to inform effective policy responses.

Policing Programme

We focus on enhancing police effectiveness in response to new and complex security threats and social challenges, and measures to improve police accountability. We also specialise in the more specific opportunities and difficulties facing policing in developing countries.

Profession of Arms Programme

This programme provides resources for professional military educational purposes and public awareness. It examines contemporary warfare, challenges to the orthodoxies of military doctrines, and behaviours in conflict.

Project Sandstone

This Project is an initiative to systematically analyse North Korea’s proliferation, procurement and sanctions evasion networks.

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.

Stopping the Spread of Nuclear Weapons and Their Means of Delivery

We study the nuclear and missile programmes of Iran and North Korea, and examine policies in support of global non-proliferation regimes.

Strategic and Security Aspects of Civil Nuclear Power

We seek to understand the role that civil nuclear power plays as an instrument of geopolitics, and how to mitigate potential security and safety risks of its spread.

The Changing Nature of Intelligence Programme

This programme seeks to understand how the proliferation of data and digital tools is changing the nature of intelligence inside and outside of government.

The MENA Region in Flux Programme

This programme covers the evolving regional order of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), examining dynamics in and between the region’s countries as well as the region’s place in a changing world.

Transnational Threat Finance Programme

This programme examines the financial dimensions of non-state threats to peace, security and democracy through research and external engagements.