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Pacific
Re-Examining the UK’s Priorities in the Asia-Pacific Region
Commentary, 17 March 2020
Veerle Nouwens
The UK’s upcoming Integrated Review is a good opportunity to assess the country’s commitment to and posture in the Asia-Pacific, which is rapidly becoming the world’s most pivotal region.
Tags: International Security Studies, UK Integrated Review 2021, UK, Pacific
Project Sandstone Report 6: The Phantom Fleet: North Korea’s Smugglers in Chinese Waters
Other Publications, 5 March 2020
James Byrne, Joe Byrne, Gary Somerville and Hamish Macdonald
A large fleet of North Korean cargo ships continues to deliver coal to China in contravention of UN Security Council resolutions, in what appears to be a large-scale, coordinated effort to evade sanctions imposed on the country over its nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programmes.
Tags: Project Sandstone, Proliferation and Nuclear Policy, North Korea, Global Security Issues, Proliferation and Nuclear Policy, Pacific
What North Korea Is not Telling Us about Denuclearisation in 2020
Commentary, 2 March 2020
Cristina Varriale
A new rallying cry to ‘achieve a breakthrough’ has been launched by the North Korean leader. But what this actually means is, probably deliberately, obfuscated.
Tags: Proliferation and Nuclear Policy, North Korea, Global Security Issues, Proliferation and Nuclear Policy, Pacific
"“I don’t think he was sharing any shocking insights,” says Kayla Izenman, a research analyst at the Royal United Services Institute in London. “It’s pretty obvious that North Korea knows what they’re doing with cryptocurrency.”
According to Izenman’s own research at RUSI’s Centre for Financial Crime and Security Studies, North Korea has successfully used cryptocurrencies as a revenue stream and money laundering tool since at least 2017. "
What North Korea Really Wants From Its Blockchain Conference
In The News, 13 February 2020 Tags: Centre for Financial Crime and Security Studies, Cyber, North Korea, AML/CTF, Technology, Pacific
Foresight 2020: The Challenges Facing China
RUSI Journal, 11 February 2020
Charles Parton
The Chinese Communist Party is facing an increasingly challenging domestic and international environment.
Tags: China, Pacific
""Cryptocurrency exploitation is allowing North Korea to transact with the rest of the world in ways that aim to circumvent sanctions designed to curb its proliferation financing," Kayla Izenman, a research analyst who co-authored a paper on the phenomenon, told The Independent last year. "
North Korean Hackers Use Telegram to Steal Cryptocurrency
In The News, 10 January 2020 Tags: Centre for Financial Crime and Security Studies, North Korea, AML/CTF, PacificPages
Is China’s Xi Jinping Removing Possible Successors?
Commentary, 26 July 2017Charles Parton
President Xi Jinping has moved decisively and unexpectedly against one of the top 25 Communist Party officials in the Politburo, Sun Zhengcai, once seen as a possible successor.
China, Pacific
The US and South Korea: A Fracturing Alliance?
Commentary, 27 June 2017Cristina Varriale
While there is a strong relationship between the US and South Korea, the new administrations in both capitals face challenges in adopting a common approach to Pyongyang.
Proliferation and Nuclear Policy, North Korea, Global Security Issues, Proliferation and Nuclear Policy, Pacific
A Proactive Diplomat: Vietnam’s Wooing of Trump’s America
Commentary, 14 June 2017Huong Le Thu
The Vietnamese prime minister travelled to Washington, DC last month in an attempt to get the Trump administration onside on trade, defence and regional issues.
United States, Americas, Pacific
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-immerse briefly in local perspectives on the risks facing their region.
Japan, Pacific
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 defined the term ‘militarisation’. And it is this lack of clarity helping to fuel speculation over Beijing’s strategic ambitions.
China, PacificPages
Book Review: Australia's Defence Strategy: Evaluating Alternatives for a Contested Asia
RUSI Journal, 16 June 2017Peter Layton
Peter Layton reviews Australia's Defence Strategy: Evaluating Alternatives for a Contested Asia by Adam Lockyer
RUSI Journal, Defence Policy, Pacific
A House Without Foundations: The North Korea Sanctions Regime and its Implementation
Whitehall Reports, 9 June 2017Andrea Berger
This report identifies the challenges of implementing sanctions on North Korea.
Proliferation and Nuclear Policy, Sanctions, United Nations, Whitehall Reports, North Korea, Proliferation and Nuclear Policy, International Institutions, Pacific
China's Eurasian Pivot: The Silk Road Economic Belt
Whitehall Papers, 31 May 2017Raffaello Pantucci and Sarah Lain
The modern Silk Road is a key component of China's political and economic strategy in Eurasia.
China, International Security Studies, New Silk Road, Whitehall Papers, Pacific
The EU in the Asia-Pacific: Crisis Management Roles?
Conference Reports, 12 May 2017Peter Roberts
RUSI convened a conference on 22 March 2017 to consider what part Europe might play in Crisis Management in the Asia-Pacific region.
China, Military Sciences, European Union, Conference Reports, Europe, Pacific
The Rebalance to Asia Under Trump: What Comes Next?
RUSI Journal, 8 May 2017Patrick Cullen
In contrast to earlier predictions, President Donald Trump's policies towards Asia may not radically depart from those of the previous administration.
RUSI Journal, United States, US Defence Policy, Americas, Defence Policy, PacificPages
"“There isn’t really a known defense mechanism against a railgun shot at high Mach numbers. It’s too fast and too small for current anti-ship missile and anti-aircraft defense systems....If they can get it integrated as a major component into their future fleet arsenal, it will give them a really significant edge over the U.S. Navy.""
What Is A Hypersonic Railgun? How The Superweapon China May Be Building Works
In The News, 2 February 2018 Tags: China, Military Sciences, Maritime Forces, Technology, Pacific
"Professor Malcolm Chalmers, a defence expert from the Royal United Services Institute (Rusi), told Daily Star Online China wants a North Korean regime change. Prof Chalmers said: “China has been trying to find another member of the Kim family to replace him – which has of course enraged him. China are interested more in personnel change rather than regime change.”"
Kim Jong-un 'to be KILLED' by SAS and US commando units amid fears of EMP attack on Seoul
In The News, 1 October 2017 Tags: China, North Korea, Global Security Issues, Pacific
"“Trump’s singling out of Pakistan for harbouring terrorist organisations has led to a downturn in US-Pakistan relations. Pakistan will be looking to China to discuss not just their economic relationship, but how to proceed with matters of regional security, like Afghanistan,” Nouwens said."
Pakistani minister’s visit to Beijing comes at tricky time after China’s ‘terrorist’ declaration
In The News, 7 September 2017 Tags: China, International Security Studies, Pakistan, Global Security Issues, Pacific, Central and South Asia
"It is not North Korea’s intention to launch a bolt-from-the-blue attack. This would lead to an overwhelming US military response that would see the end of the Kim regime, the exact outcome Pyongyang is trying to avoid."
North Korea’s nuclear programme: How worried should we be?
In The News, 5 September 2017 Tags: Proliferation and Nuclear Policy, United States, Americas, North Korea, Global Security Issues, Proliferation and Nuclear Policy, Pacific
"“The Ministry of Defence has expressed an interest in being involved in Asia and the South China Sea. The British defence security policy is to be an international player and to make a contribution to security on the global scale.“One consequence of Brexit, perhaps, is it’s made us more interested in relations with other countries, which might include Australia. One way of making yourself more relevant to Australia and even Japan is to commit some forces to operate in that area. On the other hand it also might be the UK wishes for influence in the United States, you might judge influence in the US might be greater if our forces are operating alongside the US in these areas away from Europe.”"
NORTH KOREA WAR: Britain promises to send nuclear sub to help Trump blitz Kim Jong-un
In The News, 20 August 2017 Tags: Defence, Industries and Society, North Korea, UK, Defence Policy, Pacific
The Trouble with Northern Ireland Legacy Cases
Michèle Flournoy: The Enemy Went to School
Bohemian Forest Dark Tales: The Czech Republic, Russia’s Dirty War Machine and Western Solidarity