You are here
Themes
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.
Browse Themes
- Aerospace
- Civil–Military Relations
- AML/CTF
- Brexit Briefings
- Art, Culture and Literature
- Counterinsurgency
- Defence Management
- Defence Policy
- Domestic Security
- Global Security Issues
- Proliferation and Nuclear Policy
- History
- Information
- Intelligence
- International Institutions
- Land Forces
- Law and Ethics
- Maritime Forces
- Military Personnel
- National Security
- Organised Crime
- Peacekeeping and Peacebuilding
- Resilience
- Technology
- Terrorism
- UK Defence
Browse Regions
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
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
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
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
First Flight of Russia’s S-70 Okhotnik-B UCAV
Article, 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...
Air Power and Technology, Military Sciences, RUSI Defence Systems, Martial Power Programme
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
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
How can Coordinating Public, Private and People Help Reduce the Impact of a Grey-Zone Incident?
Commentary, 7 August 2019Cate Pye
This article considers how to increase societal and governmental resilience in the UK to reduce the impact of an attack, whatever its nature.
Modern Deterrence, Defence Management, UK, National Security, Resilience, UK Defence
Joint Forces Command to Become Strategic Command
Commentary, 6 August 2019Andrew Curtis
While the changes to the organisation of UK Defence are welcome, the long-term effects remain to be seen.
Defence, Industries and Society, Defence Management, UK, UK Defence, Europe
Hamza bin Laden Dead
Commentary, 2 August 2019Raffaello Pantucci
But decapitating a terrorist organisation is not proven to result in a lower threat from terrorism.
Tackling Extremism, The decade after 9/11, International Security Studies, Counterinsurgency, Terrorism, The War on Terror, Al-Qa'ida, 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 DefencePages
The New Boris Johnson Government
Multimedia, 2 August 2019Professor Malcolm Chalmers and Dr Jonathan Eyal discuss the implications of the premiership of Boris Johnson and the impending Brexit deadline. Professor Malcolm Chalmers is Deputy Director...
Tags:
Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al Jubeir at RUSI
Multimedia, 20 June 2019RUSI welcomes Adel al Jubeir, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. He arrives at a time of great tension between Saudi Arabia and the Islamic Republic of Iran....
Tags:
Dr Aniseh Bassiri Tabrizi on the Iran Nuclear Deal
Multimedia, 18 June 2019Dr Aniseh Bassiri Tabrizi talks to BBC News about the Iran Nuclear Deal. One year after the U.S. withdrew from the Iran Deal, Iran is looking to scale back its commitment.
Tags: United States, Iran, Americas, Germany, International Security Studies, Russia, France, UK, Europe, Middle East and North Africa
Dr Karin von Hippel on the State Visit of President Trump
Multimedia, 7 June 2019Dr Karin von Hippel on CNN discussing UK-US relations and the outcomes of the State Visit to the UK by President Donald Trump.
Tags:
Someone Had To Do It - Reflections from D-Day
Multimedia, 31 May 2019Tags: Germany, France, UK, History, Military Personnel, Europe
What is the Agenda for the New Defence Secretary?
Multimedia, 2 May 2019Dr Jack Watling, Research Fellow at RUSI, discusses what the new agenda might be for the new Defence Secretary, Penny Mordaunt.
Tags: Military Sciences, UK, UK Defence
How North Korea Exploits Cryptocurrency
Multimedia, 24 April 2019Kayla Izenman gives an overview of how her paper reveals how North Korea can exploit cryptocurrency, particularly in Southeast Asia, to circumvent international sanctions. She sets out practical...
Tags:
In Context podcast - Episode 11: Jane Marriott OBE
Multimedia, 18 April 2019Recently appointed as the new UK High Commissioner to Nairobi, Jane Marriott joins Karin for the In Context podcast to discuss her varied career, including working in hot spots such as Iraq,...
Tags:Pages
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.
Tags:
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
Tags:
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 - 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?