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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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Turkey, the US and the S-400: A Counter-Narrative
Commentary, 15 August 2019Peter Roberts and Seth Newkirk
Regardless of how difficult Erdogan’s Turkey may now be, it is a key state in NATO and must be treated as such.
Turkey, United States, US Defence Policy, NATO, Americas, Military Sciences, Defence Policy, International Institutions, Europe
Get Yourself Stress Tested
Article, 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...
Modern Deterrence, RUSI Newsbrief
Transnational Lessons from Terrorist Use of Social Media in South Asia
RUSI Publications, 13 August 2019Aaditya Dave
This paper looks at how social media platforms have been instrumentalised for a variety of purposes by terrorist organisations in Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, and how the governments of those...
Cyber, The Global Research Network on Terrorism and Technology, Other Publications, International Security Studies, Terrorism, Central and South Asia
Towards a Framework for Post-Terrorist Incident Communications Strategies
RUSI Publications, 9 August 2019Alastair Reed and Haroro J Ingram
This paper synthesises research on post-incident communications from a range of fields – including terrorism, crisis communications, mass-shooter incidents, serial offenders, and suicide studies – to...
Cyber, The Global Research Network on Terrorism and Technology, Other Publications, Terrorism
India Tightens Control Over Jammu and Kashmir
Commentary, 9 August 2019Aaditya Dave
A move to extinguish the territory’s autonomy may play well with voters in India but is unlikely to improve regional security.
India, International Security Studies, Asia, Global Security Issues, Law and Ethics, Central and South Asia
Sizing Up Sanctions in the Second Trump–Kim Jong-un Summit
Commentary, 26 February 2019Emil Dall
Can the US offer enough financial incentives to North Korea in exchange for denuclearisation, without discrediting the current sanctions regime? A way around the dilemma may exist. As President...
North Korea, Proliferation and Nuclear Policy, Sanctions, Proliferation and Nuclear Policy, Pacific
Ministers Meet to Discuss Middle East in Warsaw Conference Beset by Divisions in the West
Commentary, 21 February 2019Wojciech Pawlus
Poland has improved its bilateral strategic links with the US by hosting an American-inspired conference on the future of the Middle East. But the conference did nothing to improve Western coherence.
Iran's Nuclear Programme, United States, US Defence Policy, Iran, Israel, Global Security Issues, Europe, Middle East and North Africa
A New Generation of Intelligence: National Security and Surveillance in the Age of AI
Commentary, 19 February 2019Alexander Babuta
Engaging in open debate will be crucial for the UK Intelligence Community to gain public trust regarding the use of artificial intelligence for national security purposes.
Cyber, Equipment and Acquisitions, National Security Studies, Cyber Security, UK, Information, Securing Britain, Intelligence, National Security, Technology, UK Defence
Upholding Stability in the Middle East: An Opportunity for Russia–Europe Cooperation?
Commentary, 14 February 2019Andrei Kortunov and Malcolm Chalmers
No single power can ‘fix’ the current turmoil in the Middle East. Still, there may be scope for Russia–Europe cooperation in managing the region’s ills.
Civil–Military Relations, RUSI International, UK-Russia Security Dialogue, Russia, Defence Management, Defence Policy, Global Security Issues, National Security, Peacekeeping and Peacebuilding, Resilience, Europe, Middle East and North Africa
Germany Calling: The Bundeswehr, Acquisition and a Broken Narrative
Commentary, 13 February 2019John Louth
Germany’s armed forces are beset by problems, and procurement difficulties are proving to be intractable.
Defence, Industries and Society, Germany, Defence Management, Defence Policy, Military Personnel, Europe
To Understand the INF Treaty’s Demise, Look to the US Republican Party
Commentary, 8 February 2019Lincoln Pigman
The INF Treaty’s demise owes to not only Russian violations but also a fundamental shift in the way the current US administration and much of the Republican Party view arms control.
United States, US Defence Policy, Americas, Russia, Global Security Issues, Proliferation and Nuclear Policy, Europe
Charting Britain’s Moves in the South China Sea
Commentary, 6 February 2019John Hemmings
A British naval presence in the South China Sea strengthens global security and Britain’s global role. But it must be matched with a more systematic approach to the region, and to China’s defiance of...
China, Defence Policy, Global Security Issues, Maritime Forces, UK Defence, Pacific
Resilience of Necessity in the Baltics
Commentary, 31 January 2019Ojars Eriks Kalnins
The fact that the three Baltic states of Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia managed to establish, lose, and restore their sovereign statehood during the 20th Century is no guarantee they will be able to...
Civil–Military Relations, Modern Deterrence, NATO
A Hard Hardware Breach
Commentary, 29 January 2019Tom Ascott
Western governments are shedding their inhibitions about naming and shaming states suspected of infiltrating their critical national infrastructure. This is a good step, but should be just the...
Cyber, UK, Intelligence, Technology, Europe
Sudan’s Protests: Something New?
Commentary, 24 January 2019Michael Jones
A wave of protests sweeping the country may, unlike previous crises, be quite significant.
Horn of Africa, National Security Studies, Sudan, STRIVE - Horn of Africa, Global Security Issues, National Security, Resilience, AfricaPages
Trump: Year One
Multimedia, 24 January 2018Director-General Dr Karin von Hippel discusses the first year of the Trump Presidency.
Tags: United States, US Defence Policy, Global Security Issues
British Army Recruitment
Multimedia, 11 January 2018Tags: Armed Forces, Military Sciences, Defence Policy, UK, Land Forces, Military Personnel, UK Defence
The Iran Protests
Multimedia, 5 January 2018Tags: Iran, International Security Studies, Global Security Issues, Middle East and North Africa
European Security in 2018
Multimedia, 4 January 2018Dr Jonathan Eyal outlines the projected developments in Europe in the year ahead.
Tags: Europe
Tackling Financial Crime in 2018
Multimedia, 4 January 2018Tom Keatinge and Olivier Kraft discuss developments and challenges in fighting financial crime in 2018.
Tags: Centre for Financial Crime and Security Studies, AML/CTF
Brexit in 2018
Multimedia, 4 January 2018RUSI Deputy Director General Professor Malcolm Chalmers discusses the prospects for Brexit in 2018.
Tags: Brexit Briefings, Europe
Understanding Unpredictability in the Middle East in 2018
Multimedia, 4 January 2018Dr Aniseh Bassiri Tabrizi outlines priorities for analysts will be to understand the impact and unpredictability of US policy in the Middle East.
Tags: Iran, International Security Studies, Middle East and North Africa
International Space Security in 2018
Multimedia, 4 January 2018Alexandra Stickings discusses the prospects for international space security in the year ahead.
Tags: Aerospace
President Trump's Nuclear Button Tweet
Multimedia, 3 January 2018Tags: United States, North Korea, Proliferation and Nuclear Policy, Proliferation and Nuclear Policy, Pacific
Pages
‘Short of War’: No Peace in the South China Sea
RUSI Newsbrief, 1 April 2019Huong Le Thu
China’s ongoing construction efforts have created a situation where (in the words of the Commander of the US Indo-Pacific Command, Admiral Philip Davidson) Beijing is ‘capable of controlling the South China Sea in all scenarios short of war with the United States’. The absence of outright war reflects not only China’s ability to move the threshold for instigating open conflict, but also the fact that law, justice and security are not being respected, and that some have come to terms with this.
Tags: China, Global Security Issues, Pacific
What Do Future Main Battle Tanks Need to Succeed? Ask the Operators
RUSI Defence Systems, 25 March 2019Micah Clark
As the US Army and British Army eye upgrades to their respective main battle tanks, the often-overlooked operator’s perspective calls for the focus to fall on maintainability in the field over incremental upgrades to firepower and survivability
Tags: United States, Land Forces
How East Africa’s Terrorists Build Their Brand Strength
RUSI Newsbrief, 15 March 2019Matthew Freear
To further its ambitious agenda, the Somali terrorist organisation Al-Shabaab has dedicated substantial time and effort into polishing its unique brand.
Tags: Horn of Africa, Tackling Extremism, African Union, Counterinsurgency, Terrorism
The Hanoi Summit: It is Not About the Economy, Stupid
RUSI Newsbrief, 13 March 2019Tom Plant
The Hanoi summit between North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and US President Donald Trump came to no clear agreement on measures to limit North Korea’s nuclear programme. The two countries’ opposing positions and motives will make next steps challenging.
Tags: United States, North Korea, Proliferation and Nuclear Policy
The Bajwa Fence: The Pakistani Military Seals the Afghan Border
RUSI Newsbrief, 8 March 2019Kamal Alam
Will the construction of a 1200km fence along the Afghanistan–Pakistan border spark new confidence in Pakistan’s commitment to combatting cross-border terrorism?
Tags: Pakistan, Afghanistan, Counterinsurgency, Global Security Issues
Feet of Clay: Can Megaprojects Distract the Russian People from Sanctions?
RUSI Newsbrief, 1 March 2019Emily Ferris
Five years on from their initial introduction, international sanctions on Russia have done little to alter the country’s behaviour on the international scene or domestically. As the sanctions continue to restrict foreign investment in Russia’s infrastructure, authorities are keen to promote the idea of megaprojects – large but often symbolic constructions – as a distraction from Russia’s economic constraints. However, in the long term this strategy may prove short-sighted, as it diverts government funds away from necessary social welfare projects that may increase public dissatisfaction in...
Tags: Russia
Why the UK Should Work to Prevent Nuclear Conflict Between India and Pakistan
RUSI Newsbrief, 21 February 2019Tim Willasey-Wilsey
The risk of nuclear war between India and Pakistan presents dangerous global implications and should be considered as a serious threat, particularly since Pakistan’s acquisition of the short-range Nasr missile. Quite apart from the enormous human cost, there would also be significant environmental and migratory consequences.
Tags: Pakistan, India, UK, Indo-Pakistan Conflict, Proliferation and Nuclear Policy, Terrorism
Shooting the Messenger: Do Not Blame the Internet for Terrorism
RUSI Newsbrief, 15 February 2019Andrew Glazzard
The internet clearly matters to terrorists, but online content by itself rarely causes people to carry out terrorist attacks. Responses should therefore not be limited to the mass removal of terrorist content from online platforms.
Tags: UK Counter-terrorism, Tackling Extremism, Information, Technology, Terrorism
Mackinder, Spykman and the Geopolitical Significance of Ballistic Missile Defence
RUSI Newsbrief, 8 February 2019Peter Roberts and Sidharth Kaushal
As missile defence becomes a central feature of many states’ security postures, it is attendant to frame the enterprise in a wider strategic context to understand its importance. The classic geopolitical dichotomy between Heartland and Rimland states outlined by Halford Mackinder and Nicholas Spykman might help us understand the geopolitical significance of global allied missile defences.
Tags: Global Strategy and Commitments, Maritime Forces
Beyond Force Transformation: Rethinking South Sudan’s Defence Policy
RUSI Journal, 28 January 2019Brian Adeba
South Sudan needs a new defence policy.
Tags: Defence Management, Defence Policy, AfricaPages
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.
Annual Chief of the Defence Staff Lecture and RUSI Christmas Party
Events, 11 December 2019Lecture by General Sir Nick Carter GCB CBE DSO ADC Gen, Chief of the Defence Staff, UK Ministry of Defence.
Turkey, the US and the S-400: A Counter-Narrative
India Tightens Control Over Jammu and Kashmir
How can Coordinating Public, Private and People Help Reduce the Impact of a Grey-Zone Incident?