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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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US and China: Trade, Technology Theft and Arrests
Commentary, 18 January 2019Charlie Parton
A clear differentiation is required between trade and technology wars, Huawei and politicised arrests of foreign nationals. The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is deliberately confusing them, and...
China, Cyber, Law and Ethics, Technology, Pacific
The Good Friday Agreement and Brexit
Article, 18 January 2019Sir Paul Lever
Brexit negotiations on the Northern Ireland border question reveal diverging views on the future of the Good Friday Agreement.
Newsbrief, Brexit Briefings, European Union, UK
The Role of Verification in the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty Dispute
Commentary, 15 January 2019Darya Dolzikova
The Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty is about to pass into oblivion. But its verification provisions merit further attention, both as a reflection on lesson learned from the past, but also as...
United States, Americas, Russia, Proliferation and Nuclear Policy, Global Security Issues, Proliferation and Nuclear Policy, Europe
The Year Ahead
News, 14 January 2019As we begin the year, we look forward to RUSI's busy 2019 research agenda
Centre for Financial Crime and Security Studies, Defence, Industries and Society, National Security Studies, International Security Studies, Military Sciences, Proliferation and Nuclear Policy
The Failure of China’s Security Policy in Xinjiang
Article, 11 January 2019Edward Schwarck
The mass internment of Xinjiang’s Uyghurs in supposed ‘re-education’ facilities as a means of combatting violent extremism suggests that Beijing lacks confidence in the effectiveness of its...
China, Newsbrief, International Security Studies, Counterinsurgency, Asia, New Silk Road, Intelligence, Technology, Terrorism
Modern Deterrence: From Rhetoric to Practice
Commentary, 12 July 2018Ewan Lawson
The final communique of NATO’s Brussels summit pledges Allies to ‘continue to respond to the deteriorated security environment by enhancing our deterrence and defence posture’. But developing NATO’s...
NATO, Military Sciences, UK, Global Security Issues, Risk and Resilience, National Security, Resilience
The Murder of a British Civilian: The Need for Action Against Russia’s Use of Chemical Agents
Commentary, 9 July 2018Ryan Henrici
The death of Dawn Sturgess, one of two British civilians poisoned with Novichok, the same type of nerve agent used in last March’s attempted murder of Sergei and Yulia Skripal, escalates questions of...
International Security Studies, Russia, UK, Global Security Issues, Technology
EU ‘Strategic Autonomy’ and the Ambition of PESCO
Commentary, 4 July 2018Lauren Twort
The EU is trying to transition from its perceived status as a ‘soft power’ actor in defence, focussing on civilian crisis management and regulation of the European defence market, to a mix of soft...
Defence, Industries and Society, European Union, Global Strategy and Commitments, Security Policy, Global Security Issues, International Institutions, Europe
A Final Nail in the Coffin of the Iran Nuclear Deal?
Commentary, 2 July 2018Tom Keatinge
The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) avoided a decision to return Iran to its blacklist of countries not doing enough to combat money laundering. Iran’s continued litany of financial crime failings...
Centre for Financial Crime and Security Studies, Iran's Nuclear Programme, United States, AML/CTF, Iran, Proliferation and Nuclear Policy, Proliferation and Nuclear Policy, International Institutions
The New UK Counterterrorism Strategy: Critical Questions for the ‘Prevent’ Strand
Commentary, 29 June 2018Mohammed Elshimi
A new version of the UK’s counterterrorism strategy (also known as CONTEST), was unveiled earlier this month. Of the four strands comprising CONTEST, it is the Prevent strand, preventing individuals...
UK Counter-terrorism, Tackling Extremism, National Security Studies, UK, Terrorism, Europe
Tier One or Bust?
Commentary, 26 June 2018Malcolm Chalmers
British Prime Minister Theresa May has allegedly refused to pledge that Britain will be a ‘Tier One’ military power in the future, after media reports hinted at tensions with her defence secretary...
Defence Spending, Global Strategy and Commitments, Defence Policy, UK, UK Defence, Europe
China and the Mekong: Future Flashpoint?
Commentary, 25 June 2018Brijesh Khemlani
The mighty Mekong river is a vital lifeline for Southeast Asia, a major source of trade, transport and sustenance for millions. However, the world’s twelfth longest river is emerging as an ecological...
China, International Security Studies, Asia, Global Security Issues
Virtuous Currencies: Time to Accentuate the Positive
Commentary, 20 June 2018Tom Keatinge
Rhetoric on virtual currencies has centred on risks and threats. But the technology also has the potential to promote financial inclusion.
Centre for Financial Crime and Security Studies, AML/CTF, Technology
Colombia’s New President: Will the Peace Deal Survive?
Commentary, 19 June 2018Charlie de Rivaz
The newly elected president of Colombia may end up scuppering a deal which, despite its problems, could be the country’s best chance for prolonged peace.
Americas, Central and South America, National Security Studies, Law and Ethics, Peacekeeping and Peacebuilding
Saudi Arabia and Pakistan: Moving From the Personal to the Strategic Domain
Commentary, 18 June 2018Kamal Alam and Ibrahim Al-Othaimin
On many fronts, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan are working to deepen and formalise ties that have historically been determined by the quality of relationships between kings and prime ministers
Pakistan, The Gulf Region, International Security Studies, Global Security IssuesPages
The UK General Election: What Next?
Multimedia, 9 June 2017Professor Malcolm Chalmers, Deputy Director General of RUSI and Dr Jonathan Eyal, Associate Director, discuss the outcome of the June 2017 General Election and what a hung parliament will mean for...
Tags: UK
What is Behind Qatar–Gulf Tensions?
Multimedia, 8 June 2017Why is Qatar facing censure and sanctions from its Gulf neighbours? RUSI Research Fellow Michael Stephens helps explain.
Tags: The Gulf Region
London Bridge Attack: Understanding the Threat
Multimedia, 5 June 20175 June 2017 Dr Karin von Hippel, Director General of RUSI, was on CNN to discuss the response and challenge emanating from the 3 June London Bridge attack. The attacks in the UK are part of a wider...
Tags: UK, Terrorism
Manchester Attack - Initial Reaction
Multimedia, 25 May 2017RUSI experts Raffaello Pantucci and Emily Winterbotham took part in a live conversation discussing the Manchester attacks that took place in Manchester on Monday 23 May.
Tags: National Security Studies, International Security Studies, Terrorism, UK, Terrorism
Manchester Attacks: The Transnational Connections
Multimedia, 25 May 2017RUSI Director General Dr Karin von Hippel discusses the transnational connections of the 23 May Manchester attacks with CNN.
Tags: UK, Terrorism
The WannaCry Ransomware Attack – Following the Money
Multimedia, 16 May 2017Tom Keatinge, Director, Centre for Financial Crime and Security Studies at RUSI, on the need for a global financial crime strategy to counter cybercriminals following a major ransomware attack on 12...
Tags: Centre for Financial Crime and Security Studies, Cyber, AML/CTF, Cyber Security, Global Security Issues, Technology
The New South Korean President
Multimedia, 12 May 2017On 9 May 2017, South Korea voters elected Moon Jae-in as president. RUSI research analyst Cristina Varriale assesses the policies of the new leader and what this means for relations with North Korea.
Tags: North Korea, Proliferation and Nuclear Policy, Pacific
North Korea's Latest Failed Missile Tests Escalates Tensions
Multimedia, 21 April 2017Cristina Varriale, Research Analyst in Nuclear and Proliferation analyses the implications of North Korea's latest missile test.
Tags: North Korea, Proliferation and Nuclear Policy, Proliferation and Nuclear Policy
The UK General Election 2017 - Initial Reaction
Multimedia, 18 April 2017RUSI Deputy Director General Professor Malcolm Chalmers and Associate Director Dr Jonathan Eyal discuss the news that there will be a general election in June 2017.
Tags: UK
US Air Strikes Against Syrian Air Base
Multimedia, 7 April 2017Justin Bronk, Research Fellow at RUSI assesses the US airstrike against a Syrian airbase following the Syrian government's chemical attack in the Idlib province.
Tags: Aerospace, Military Sciences, SyriaPages
Useful for the Next Hundred Years? Maintaining the Future Utility of Airpower
RUSI Journal, 8 August 2018Clive Bount
The advantages of airpower must be demonstrated to decision-makers.
Tags: Aerospace, Defence Spending, Technology
NATO, Russia and Private Military and Security Companies: Looking into the Dark Reflection
RUSI Journal, 8 August 2018Christopher Spearin
The Atlantic Alliance should update its approach in light of Russia’s recent use of private military and security companies.
Tags: NATO, Russia
Capacity for War: Preparing the British Aviation Industry in the 1920s
RUSI Journal, 8 August 2018Matthew Powell
Aircraft manufacturers and the Air Ministry struggled to agree on the industry’s structure in preparing for the next war.
Tags: Aerospace, Defence Management, UK, History
Book Review: The End of Grand Strategy: US Maritime Operations in the Twenty-First Century
RUSI Journal, 8 August 2018Peter Layton
Peter Layton reviews The End of Grand Strategy: US Maritime Operations in the Twenty-First Century, by Peter Dombrowski and Simon Reich
Tags: United States
The RAF and Space Doctrine: A Second Century and a Second Space Age
RUSI Journal, 8 August 2018Bleddyn E Bowen
The UK’s Ministry of Defence sees space power as a key part of Britain’s security – whether the RAF takes the lead remains to be seen.
Tags: Aerospace, Technology
The RAF’s Force Structure Plan and Future Threat Scenarios
RUSI Journal, 8 August 2018Justin Bronk
In a lengthy conflict with a major rival, the RAF would struggle to sustain operations.
Tags: NATO, Russia, Defence Policy, UK, UK Defence
Airpower in British Popular Culture
RUSI Journal, 8 August 2018Philip Sabin
The human experience, rather than technology and tactics, is emphasised in British portrayals of airpower.
Tags: Art, Culture and Literature, UK, Technology
Book Review: Europe’s Last Chance: Why the European States Must Form a More Perfect Union
RUSI Journal, 3 August 2018Michelle Cini
Michelle Cini reviews Europe’s Last Chance: Why the European States Must Form a More Perfect Union, by Guy Verhofstadt
Tags: Brexit Briefings, Europe
A Tale of Two Terrors: The British Extreme Right Organises While Islamists Scatter
Newsbrief, 31 July 2018Raffaello Pantucci
Once again, the dividing lines that distinguish between variations of violent extremism in the UK have morphed, but addressing the similarities and differences between the extreme right and violent Islamists should help to ensure that the UK’s counter-terror strategy as synchronised as possible with the current threat picture.
Tags: UK Counter-terrorism, Tackling Extremism, UK, Domestic Security, Intelligence, National Security, Terrorism
Book Review: Defending the Rock: How Gibraltar Defeated Hitler
RUSI Journal, 30 July 2018Chris Grocott
Chris Grocott reviews Defending the Rock: How Gibraltar Defeated Hitler, by Nicholas Rankin
Tags: Germany, UK, History, EuropePages
Breakfast Briefing - Whatever happened to Al Qaida?
Events, 10 April 2019An exclusive breakfast briefing by Dr Andrew Glazzard OBE, Director, National Security Studies, RUSI.
Fighting Fraud and Corruption in a Shrinking World
Events, 3 April 2019A lecture by Lisa Osofsky, Director, Serious Fraud Office (SFO).
The New Cyber Arms Race
Events, 2 April 2019At this event Mikko Hypponen will examine the new cyber arms race - beyond what we're already experiencing - and explain what it means for governments, companies and anybody using a computer.
Modern Deterrence
Breakfast Briefing - Security on the Korean Peninsula: Continuity and Change
Events, 27 March 2019An exclusive breakfast briefing by Tom Plant, Director, Proliferation and Nuclear Policy programme, RUSI.
Resilience training: how to involve the population in resilience and national security?
Events, 6 March 2019An executive briefing by Madeleine Moon MP, member of the UK Parliament Defence Committee and the newly elected President of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly.
Modern Deterrence
US and China: Trade, Technology Theft and Arrests
The Role of Verification in the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty Dispute
Unexplained Strategy: Putting Unexplained Wealth Orders to Work