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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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Financing Right-Wing Extremism and Terrorism
Multimedia, 5 March 2021Following the recent wave of attacks by far-right extremists around the world, the task of throttling the financing of right-wing terrorism and extremism has seldom been more pressing. The CFCS’s...
Centre for Financial Crime and Security Studies, AML/CTF
Diversity in the UK's Intelligence Agencies
Commentary, 5 March 2021Daniel Lomas
The UK’s intelligence agencies have been criticised for not reflecting the ‘makeup of modern Britain’. But significant improvements have been made.
UK, Intelligence

Seven Reasons Why the US Needs to Re-Engage with Turkey
Article, 5 March 2021Taras Kuzio
The election of President Joe Biden presents a strategic opportunity for the US to resume playing a more active role in the South Caucasus, Eurasia and the greater Middle East – if Washington and...
Turkey, United States, RUSI Newsbrief
New UK Government Initiative to Support High-Risk, High-Reward Military Science Needs Refinement
Commentary, 4 March 2021Trevor Taylor and Rebecca Lucas
The initiative is clearly inspired by the US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, but the devil will be in the detail.
Defence, Industries and Society, Defence Spending, UK, Technology
On the Offensive: The UK’s New Cyber Force
Commentary, 23 November 2020Conrad Prince
The creation of a new National Cyber Force is an important development but should not divert attention from the wider issues around cyber security.
Cyber, Cyber Security, UK Integrated Review 2021, UK
More Than Meets the Eye: Who Benefits Most from Russia’s Ministerial Rotations?
Commentary, 20 November 2020Emily Ferris
A Cabinet reshuffle in Russia raises questions about the country’s future trajectory.
Russia
Ethiopia in Turmoil
Commentary, 19 November 2020Ann M Fitz-Gerald
The northern region of Tigray is challenging Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s reform agenda. The prospects for peace are dim.
Africa
Britain’s Defences: The Biggest Spending Boost Since the Cold War
Commentary, 19 November 2020Peter Roberts
The UK military is to receive an extra £4 billion a year over the next four years, the government has announced.
Military Sciences, UK Integrated Review 2021, Defence Spending, UK
Turkey Forges a New Geo-Strategic Axis from Azerbaijan to Ukraine
Commentary, 18 November 2020Taras Kuzio
A new informal alliance is emerging in Southeastern Europe, and it is being led by Turkey.
Turkey
Revising EU Export Controls: A Path to Greater Coherence?
Commentary, 17 November 2020Maria Shagina
The EU is close to agreement on expanding the list of dual-use cyber-surveillance technology to be banned from sale to autocratic regimes. The move would strengthen the EU’s human rights advocacy and...
European Union, Technology, Europe
The Silent Rise of Greece as a Mediterranean Power
Commentary, 16 November 2020Emmanuel Karagiannis
Greece is emerging as a Mediterranean power with a more proactive foreign policy.
Europe
The Impact of a Biden Presidency on the Middle East and North Africa
Commentary, 13 November 2020Aniseh Bassiri Tabrizi, Antonio Giustozzi, Michael Stephens, H A Hellyer and Tobias Borck
Our analysts and associate fellows look at what awaits the Biden presidency in the region.
International Security Studies, Iran's Nuclear Programme, United States, Unpacking the MENA, Middle East and North Africa
What Europe Needs on Russia from a Biden Administration
Commentary, 12 November 2020Neil Melvin
The incoming US administration will have to articulate a new policy towards Russia. This will benefit the entire transatlantic community.
International Security Studies, United States, US Defence Policy, Russia
Australia’s Cyber Security Strategy
Commentary, 11 November 2020Tom Uren
Australia’s cyber security strategy has been updated and has a remarkably different vision to its predecessor.
Cyber, Cyber Security, TechnologyPages

Conceptualising the Indo-Pacific
Multimedia, 21 October 2020In this first episode, Veerle is joined by Dr. Neil Melvin, Director of RUSI’s International Security Studies department and Aaditya Dave, Research Analyst in the Navigating the Indo-Pacific...
Tags: Bridging the Oceans Podcast Series, China, International Security Studies, Navigating the Indo-Pacific, Japan, India, Maritime Forces, Pacific, Central and South Asia
Western Way of War: Outwitted, Outgunned, and Outflanked
Multimedia, 15 October 2020The West has been losing wars for too long and needs to change, suggests James Heappey MP, UK Minister for the Armed Forces. Peter Roberts talks to the former soldier-turned politician about people,...
Tags: Military Sciences
Western Way of War: Wars Change Religion
Multimedia, 8 October 2020The West (a contested concept in itself) has been misunderstanding the relationship between wars and religion for too long, contends Ziya Meral. Framed this way makes for a different interpretation...
Tags: Military Sciences
Western Way of War: Don't Invade Parthia
Multimedia, 1 October 2020The commanders place in the Western Way of War from Boudica to Montgomery, the rise of the professional soldier, luck and talent, and strategic vision. Leaning on the Romans, the abnormal view of...
Tags: Military Sciences
Welcome to Bridging the Oceans
Multimedia, 28 September 2020In this trailer, we explore some of the key questions we’ll be asking in the flagship podcast of the Navigating the Indo-Pacific programme of RUSI’s International Security Studies department.
Tags: Bridging the Oceans Podcast Series, China, International Security Studies, Navigating the Indo-Pacific, Japan, India, Maritime Forces, Pacific, Central and South Asia
Tom Keatinge on Voice of America News
Multimedia, 23 September 2020Leaked documents allege that some of the world’s biggest banks have allowed $2 trillion worth of suspicious or fraudulent activity to take place – including money laundering for criminal gangs and...
Tags:
On the Cusp: General Riho Terras
Multimedia, 22 September 2020What can other countries learn from Estonia's defence against greyzone aggression? How to best involve youth in national security? And what was it like to do more than three years' military service...
Tags: Modern Deterrence
Western Way of War: Political Risk, the Media and the Military
Multimedia, 17 September 2020Do Values define a Western Way of Warfare? Does the military understand the media? What motivates Western politicians to make decisions? Lucy Fisher (Defence Editor of The Times) joins Peter...
Tags: Military Sciences
Western Way of War: Society and the Western Way of Peace
Multimedia, 17 September 2020Does a successful and respected professional military force make a conversation with society at large over security and insurmountable conversation? Do government narratives over military threats...
Tags: Military Sciences
Western Way of War: CBRN and the Western Way of Warfare
Multimedia, 10 September 2020Peter Roberts talks to chem/bio warfare guru Dan Kaszeta about the journey from weevils to sarin, political biological poisonings since 2000BCE, food security as a catalyst for chemical weapon...
Tags: Military SciencesPages

‘The Unsolid’ Pro-Kremlin Narratives in Slovak Cultural and Educational Institutions
RUSI Journal, 14 August 2020Veronika Golianová and Aliaksei Kazharski
Pro-Russian sentiments can be found in a number of Slovakia's leading cultural and educational institutions.
Tags: Russia, Art, Culture and Literature, Information, Europe
The Nexus Between Crime and Violent Extremism in Kenya: A Case Study of Two Prison Complexes
RUSI Journal, 14 August 2020Gayatri Sahgal and Martine Zeuthen
There is little evidence that radicalisation is occurring in Kenya's prisons.
Tags: Domestic Security, Terrorism, Africa
The UK Stimulus: Spending on Defence for Economic Benefit
RUSI Newsbrief, 7 August 2020Peter Roberts
There are a myriad of reasons why defence spending has not featured in the fiscal stimulus plan of the UK government, but chief among them is the limited ambition of the Ministry of Defence.
Tags: Armed Forces, Defence Spending, Equipment and Acquisitions, UK, UK Defence
Afghanistan: As War Escalates, Questions About ‘Peace’ Persist
RUSI Newsbrief, 3 August 2020James M Page
The Trump administration appears keen to further reduce troop levels in Afghanistan, and for the Afghan government and Taliban to start formal negotiations. However, key security threats to the US and its allies in Afghanistan remain unresolved and a sustainable peace at this juncture is highly unlikely.
Tags: United States, Afghanistan
A Voice on the Stage, Not Just a Seat at the Table
RUSI Newsbrief, 24 July 2020Veerle Nouwens
China is looking to translate its economic power into political influence in international organisations and standards bodies.
Tags: China, International Institutions
Dealing with Returning Islamic State Fighters
RUSI Newsbrief, 17 July 2020Sabin Khan
We should take collective global action to hold foreign terrorist fighters to account, prevent impunity, and reverse the growth and influence of global jihadism.
Tags: UK Counter-terrorism, Tackling Extremism, Iraq, Syria, UK, Domestic Security
Editor's Note: RUSI Journal, March 2020
RUSI Journal, 13 July 2020Emma De Angelis
Emma De Angelis introduces the March 2020 issue of the RUSI Journal.
Tags:
China Pulls Back
RUSI Newsbrief, 10 July 2020Sarosh Bana
An uneasy truce has developed between India and China. Beijing stunned New Delhi by commencing withdrawal on 6 July from areas it had seized two months earlier.
Tags: China, India
Where’s the Anti-Tank Reserve?
RUSI Defence Systems, 7 July 2020Jack Watling
The British Army needs a mobile anti-tank reserve capability in order to credibly stop opposing heavy armour during a peer conflict. Without it, outnumbered UK armour will be held at bay while infantry are overwhelmed
Tags: Land Forces
Understanding the Whole of Military Health Systems: The Defence Healthcare Cycle
RUSI Journal, 6 July 2020Martin Bricknell and Paul Cain
A clear understanding of modern military healthcare will lead to better policy.
Tags: UK, Military Personnel, EuropePages

Precision Strike in 21st Century Multidomain Operations
Conference, 13 May 2021The conduct of 21st century campaigns will be shaped in large measure by opponents’ use of reconnaissance strike complexes to achieve effects in depth. This conference will seek to examine both the...

Strategic Command Conference: Sharpening the UK Defence’s Edge in the 2020s
Events, 21 April 2021Held against the backdrop of the substantial financial settlement for Defence but also a deteriorating security situation and the broader impact of the pandemic, the UK Strategic Command Conference...

Future War and the Defence of Europe
Events, 1 April 2021A conversation with General John Allen, Lieutenant General Ben Hodges and Professor Dr Julian Lindley-French, to launch their latest book entitled ‘Future War and the Defence of Europe’.

UK PONI Workshop: Introduction to Nuclear Weapons Policy
Events, 25 March 2021UK Project on Nuclear Issues will host an introductory workshop covering the basics of nuclear weapons policy for early career professionals. The event will take place online over two half-days.

Combat Air Power 2021: Competing Visions for the Future
Conference, 24 March 2021Evolving peer threats, new budgetary pressures and national industrial imperatives are fuelling fierce competition. This online conference will examine the key next-generation combat air approaches...
Diversity in the UK's Intelligence Agencies
Financing Right-Wing Extremism and Terrorism
New UK Government Initiative to Support High-Risk, High-Reward Military Science Needs Refinement