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RUSI covers a broad range of areas affecting defence and international security around the world. See here RUSI commentary, reports, events and videos organised by theme and region. Scroll below for the latest content.
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Transparency in the Backbone of Global Supply Chains: Foreign Trade Zones
Commentary, 16 October 2019Clay R Fuller
Foreign trade zones bring many benefits, but they require greater transparency in order to operate securely and ethically.
AML/CTF, Global Security Issues, Illicit Trade, Law and Ethics, National Security
Partnerships are at the Core of Modern Deterrence
Commentary, 15 October 2019Giedrimas Jeglinskas
How does a state achieve effective deterrence? Lithuania provides an example.
Modern Deterrence, NATO, Defence Management, Defence Policy, Global Security Issues, International Institutions, Land Forces, Military Personnel, Peacekeeping and Peacebuilding, Resilience, Europe
Crossing the River by Feeling the Stones: The Trajectory of China's Maritime Transformation
RUSI Publications, 14 October 2019Sidharth Kaushal and Magdalena Markiewicz
This Occasional Paper examines China's maritime strategy by placing its contemporary evolution in context.
Armed Forces, China, Occasional Papers, Equipment and Acquisitions, Military Sciences, Asia, Maritime Forces, Military Personnel, Technology, Pacific
Sea Training: An Oft Overlooked Strategic Asset
Commentary, 11 October 2019Peter Roberts and Sidharth Kaushal
Rumours abound that the Royal Navy is to gut its globally respected Operational Sea Training organisation in order to reallocate cash across defence. It is not simply the UK’s martial reputation that...
UK Defence Policy, Military Sciences, Defence Management, UK, Maritime Forces, Military Personnel, National Security
Deep Impact? Refocusing the Anti-Money Laundering Model on Evidence and Outcomes
RUSI Publications, 11 October 2019Matthew Redhead
This Occasional Paper examines the effectiveness of the current anti-money laundering model, with particular reference to the financial services sector, and makes relevant recommendations to enhance...
Centre for Financial Crime and Security Studies, AML/CTF, Occasional Papers, International Institutions, Law and Ethics, Financial Crime 2.0, Organised Crime, Terrorism
Another Chinese Defence White Paper: What Impact on the UK?
Commentary, 1 August 2019Veerle Nouwens
China’s latest defence white paper repeats many concepts already known but does include a number of interesting novelties.
China, Global Strategy and Commitments, International Security Studies, Defence Policy, Asia, Global Security Issues, Land Forces, Maritime Forces, Military Personnel, UK Defence
UK Ministry of Defence Announces Ambitious Plans for Space
Commentary, 30 July 2019Alexandra Stickings
The UK has recently announced a number of new military space initiatives, showing that it is taking this strategic environment seriously. While these are welcome developments, questions persist over...
Aerospace, Air Power and Technology, United States, Defence Spending, Equipment and Acquisitions, UK Defence Policy, Military Sciences, Defence Management, Defence Policy, UK, Technology, UK Defence
The UK’s Economic Crime Plan: A First Step on the Road to Progress
Commentary, 24 July 2019Helena Wood and Isabella Chase
The government’s first-ever comprehensive Economic Crime Plan is a step in the right direction, but requires adequate funding.
Centre for Financial Crime and Security Studies, AML/CTF, UK, Law and Ethics, Financial Crime 2.0, Organised Crime
Expect Iran to Go Further
Commentary, 23 July 2019Jack Watling
Iran is dominating the escalation cycle, but the risk of miscalculation is high.
Iran's Nuclear Programme, Iran, Military Sciences, Sanctions, Global Security Issues
UK Strategic Command: Look East to Understand What it Means
Commentary, 22 July 2019Peter Roberts
A recent command transformation announced in the UK may have drawn inspiration from an unlikely source: China.
Armed Forces, Global Strategy and Commitments, UK Defence Policy, Military Sciences, Defence Management, UK, Domestic Security, Securing Britain, Land Forces, Military Personnel, National Security, UK Defence
The UK, France and the US: Still Special Relationships
Commentary, 19 July 2019Tom Plant
A yearly gathering of experts and think tanks from the world’s powers reiterates the values, interests and approaches which still bind them together in the nuclear sphere, notwithstanding current...
United States, Americas, France, Proliferation and Nuclear Policy, UK, Proliferation and Nuclear Policy, Europe
Ethiopia’s Security Dilemmas
Commentary, 18 July 2019Ann M Fitz-Gerald
The recent murders of regional officials and top federal army officers raise serious questions about Ethiopia’s ability to manage and contain various regional militias and militant formations which...
Domestic Security, National Security, Africa
New Technology and ‘Old’ Think Tanks
Commentary, 12 July 2019Tom Ascott
Technology poses some familiar and new problems for think tanks.
Information, Technology
UAVs in the Middle East: Coming of Age
Commentary, 10 July 2019Alexander Balas
UAVs are fast becoming a major feature of security in the Middle East.
Global Security Issues, Technology, Middle East and North Africa
Kicking the Can Down the Road: The Law Commission’s Report on UK Anti-Money Laundering Law
Commentary, 9 July 2019Helena Wood
The Law Commission’s report provides useful analysis of the problem but lacks a bold blueprint for reform of the UK’s suspicious activity reporting regime.
Centre for Financial Crime and Security Studies, AML/CTF, UK, EuropePages
In Context podcast – Episode 7: General the Lord Houghton of Richmond
Multimedia, 1 February 2019General the Lord Houghton of Richmond spent over four decades in the British Army, including tours in Ireland and Iraq, with his last appointment being the military’s highest as Chief of the Defence...
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In Context podcast - Episode 6: Sir Malcolm Rifkind
Multimedia, 7 December 2018Sir Malcolm Rifkind is a major figure in UK defence and security, having served as defence secretary, foreign secretary and most recently as chair of the Parliamentary Intelligence and Security...
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In Context podcast - Episode 5: Nik Gowing
Multimedia, 23 November 2018Nik Gowing has spent his career breaking news: in this episode he and Karin sit down and explore some of the most incredible stories Nik has reported on. His new book, ‘Thinking the Unthinkable’,...
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Reflections on the First World War Centenary
Multimedia, 9 November 2018In this RUSI Analysis podcast, Dr Emma De Angelis interviews Richard Grayson, Professor of Twentieth Century History at Goldsmiths, University of London; Catriona Pennell, Associate Professor of...
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In Context podcast - Episode 4: Kori Schake
Multimedia, 9 November 2018Karin von Hippel, Director General of RUSI speaks to Kori Schake, Deputy-Director General of the IISS. They discuss Kori’s role in US politics: from the Pentagon to the State Department and onwards...
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In Context podcast - Episode 3: Mona Juul
Multimedia, 26 October 2018Karin talks to Mona Juul, a diplomat and current Norwegian Ambassador to the UK who, along with her husband, played a key role in the Oslo Accords, the landmark agreement that attempted to bring an...
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Nelson and Trafalgar
Multimedia, 21 October 2018Professor Peter Roberts, Director, Military Sciences, RUSI on Nelson's legacy and the Battle of Trafalgar.
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The US-Russia Nuclear Treaty Under Threat
Multimedia, 21 October 2018After reports that the USA may with from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty, Professor Malcolm Chalmers, Deputy Director General of the Royal United Services Institute speaks to BBC news...
Tags: United States, Russia, Proliferation and Nuclear Policy, Proliferation and Nuclear Policy
In Context podcast - Episode 2: Baroness Ashton
Multimedia, 12 October 2018This time Karin von Hippel talks to the European Union’s former foreign policy chief, Baroness Cathy Ashton. We’ll be talking about the EU, the Iran Deal and... Daleks.
Tags: EuropePages
Get Yourself Stress Tested
RUSI Newsbrief, 15 August 2019Elisabeth Braw
Ordinary citizens in Western countries are under-prepared to deal with extended disruptions to power or the internet. To strengthen resilience to greyzone attacks, societies should start stress testing themselves.
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First Flight of Russia’s S-70 Okhotnik-B UCAV
RUSI Defence Systems, 9 August 2019Justin Bronk
Russia’s first UCAV prototype marks a milestone for the country’s troubled efforts to field truly modern airpower capabilities, and should also be a wakeup call to NATO Allies still publicly opposed to or unconvinced by the need for Western UCAVs to be part of future capability plans
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Retired Generals in Israeli Politics: Concerning Backstep or Status Quo?
RUSI Newsbrief, 8 August 2019Ian Westerman
Concern over the political rise of former IDF Chief of Staff Benny Gantz is misplaced. The military’s role in Israeli politics has always served to reinforce democratic values, not erode them.
Tags: Civil–Military Relations, Israel, Global Security Issues
The Gathering Storm: As the Baltic States Prepare to Disconnect from the Russian Power Grid, the Kremlin is Ready to ‘Help’
RUSI Newsbrief, 2 August 2019Justinas Juozaitis
With the Baltic states on-track to become independent from centralised Russian control over their power networks, the Kremlin has demonstrated an alarming potential to disconnect them from its power grid before they are ready to join the continental European network.
Tags: Russia, Global Security Issues
‘Rasputitsa’: Why Railways and Roads are Russia’s Achilles’ Heel
RUSI Newsbrief, 26 July 2019Emily Ferris
Ageing railways, poor-quality roads and an inadequate response by the authorities to calls for basic services are the weak underbelly of the Russian infrastructure system.
Tags: Russia, Domestic Security, Global Security Issues
Rethinking Strategy
RUSI Journal, 25 July 2019Jeremy Black
Responsibility for strategy has long been a source of tension between politicians and the military.
Tags: Brexit Briefings, UK
Book Review: Famous Battles and How They Shaped the Modern World: From Troy to Courtrai, 1200 BC–1320 AD and Famous Battles and How They Shaped the Modern World: 1588–1943, From the Armada to Stalingrad
RUSI Journal, 25 July 2019Michael S Neiberg
Michael S Neiberg reviews Famous Battles and How They Shaped the Modern World: From Troy to Courtrai, 1200 BC–1320 AD and Famous Battles and How They Shaped the Modern World: 1588–1943, From the Armada to Stalingrad, edited by Beatrice G Heuser and Athena S Leoussi.
Tags: History
Book Review: Russian ‘Hybrid Warfare’: Resurgence and Politicisation
RUSI Journal, 25 July 2019Bettina Renz
Bettina Renz reviews Russian ‘Hybrid Warfare’: Resurgence and Politicisation, by Ofer Fridman
Tags: Russia
Brexit and Cyber Security
RUSI Journal, 25 July 2019Tim Stevens and Kevin O'Brien
The UK will need to rely on new methods of cooperation with its European neighbours.
Tags: Cyber, Brexit Briefings, UK
Book Review: Mediating Power-Sharing: Devolution and Consociationalism in Deeply Divided Societies
RUSI Journal, 25 July 2019Jan Pospisil
Jan Pospisil reviews Mediating Power-Sharing: Devolution and Consociationalism in Deeply Divided Societies, by Feargal Cochrane, Neophytos Loizides and Thibaud Bodson.
Tags: Peacekeeping and PeacebuildingPages
Breakfast Briefing: The New British Army Operating Concept
Events, 17 June 2020An exclusive breakfast briefing with Dr Jack Watling, Research Fellow in Land Warfare, RUSI.
Breakfast Briefing - UK Security Policy After Brexit
Events, 18 March 2020An exclusive breakfast briefing with Professor Malcolm Chalmers, Deputy Director-General, RUSI.
Breakfast Briefing: Countering Cyber Risk - Threats, Responses and Future Trends
Events, 5 February 2020An exclusive breakfast briefing with The Lord Evans of Weardale KCB DL, Distinguished Fellow, RUSI and former Director General of the British Security Service (MI5).
Douglas Haig Fellowship Lecture: Haig and the Aftermath, 1919
Events, 31 January 2020A lecture by Professor John Bourne, Honorary Professor of First World War Studies, University of Wolverhampton.
Professor Azar Gat on Has War been Declining: Why and Where?
Events, 27 January 2020A lecture by Professor Azar Gat, Ezer Weitzman Professor of National Security, Tel Aviv University, on whether war has really been declining and, if so, why.
Transparency in the Backbone of Global Supply Chains: Foreign Trade Zones
Partnerships are at the Core of Modern Deterrence
Sea Training: An Oft Overlooked Strategic Asset