Occasional Papers

The Future of Air C2 and AEW: E-3 Sentry, Threat Technologies and Future Replacement Options

Justin Bronk

This paper assesses the different options available to the RAF in meeting the government’s objective to extend the crucial air C2 capability provided by the E-3D fleet out to at least 2035. It also explores the trends and emerging capabilities that may well shape the final form of the post-2035 replacement for the E-3 across NATO.

The Consequences of Brexit for European Defence and Security

This paper examines the contribution the UK currently makes to EU security in justice and home affairs, as well as through the Common Security and Defence Policy. It examines what the EU – and the UK – might lose if Brexit negotiations result in Britain withdrawing from participation in EU security structures.

In Pursuit of Big Data: An Analysis of International Funds Transfer Reporting

Anagha Joshi

Policymakers have been exploring different ways to fight serious and organised crime and terrorism while upholding fundamental rights to privacy and ensuring that financial institutions are not overburdened with regulation. One such policy initiative is international funds transfer reporting (IFTR). This paper asks whether IFTR requirements are necessary and proportionate, and therefore whether...

Virtual Currencies and Financial Crime: Challenges and Opportunities

David Carlisle

The rapid rise of Bitcoin has prompted extensive discussion about the nexus between virtual currencies and financial crime. This paper examines the financial crime risks involving virtual currencies, the challenges that come with attempting to address those risks, and considers the implications for key stakeholders.

On Tap Europe: Organised Crime and Illicit Trade in Greece: Country Report

Calum Jeffray

This is the third in a series of five country-level papers on the role of organised crime groups in the illicit trade of tobacco, alcohol and pharmaceuticals across Europe, focusing on Greece as a case study.

On Tap Europe: Organised Crime and Illicit Trade in Spain: Country Report

Clare Ellis

This is the second in a series of five country-level papers on the role of organised crime groups in the illicit trade of tobacco, alcohol and pharmaceuticals across Europe, focusing on Spain as a case study.

Lone-Actor and Small Cell Terrorist Attacks: A New Front in Counter-Terrorist Finance?

Tom Keatinge and Florence Keen

As the threat from lone-actor and small cell terrorism evolves, this paper examines the financing of both disrupted and successful plots since 2000 in Great Britain, France and Australia. These plots often require minimal amounts of funding, making proactive identification through financial means challenging. Nonetheless, this paper highlights a number of key themes that warrant further...

The Cartography of Compliance

Inês Sofia de Oliveira, David Artingstall and Florence Keen, with Matt Russell and Ben Luddington

The UK has one of the most advanced anti-money laundering (AML) legal and regulatory frameworks in the world. This paper, researched with the help of PwC, is a collection of perceptions expressed by the private sector – in particular banks – on the field of AML and its implementation in the UK. With a staggering number of suspicious activity reports received by the National Crime Agency every...

Implementing the Iran Nuclear Deal: Balancing Proliferation Finance Risk and Economic Opportunity

Emil Dall, Andrea Berger and Tom Keatinge

Almost a year after the Iran Nuclear Deal came into effect, this paper examines how financial institutions have approached Iran after the lifting of sanctions. It also highlights the need to update international standards on counter-proliferation finance in order to ensure that attention on proliferation financing does not disappear in the slipstream of the Iran agreement.

The Art of the Covenant: The Armed Forces Covenant and the Role of the Commercial Sector

John Louth, Trevor Taylor and Lauren Twort

An Armed Forces Covenant programme office should be established to enable businesses to better support the armed forces and their families. Championed by a senior member of the Royal Family, the office would be based in the Cabinet Office or 10 Downing Street, rather than the Ministry of Defence.