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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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The Toxic Legacy of the Northern Ireland Troubles
Article, 21 June 2019Aaron Edwards
The 50th anniversary of the day that British troops first deployed to Northern Ireland offers an opportunity to reflect on the legacy of Operation Banner, and whether the security forces contributed...
Armed Forces, UK Counter-terrorism, RUSI Newsbrief, Tackling Extremism, UK, History, National Security, Terrorism
Shangri-La Dialogue: Europe Navigating Asia Amidst a US–China Standoff
Commentary, 20 June 2019Veerle Nouwens
This year’s Annual Shangri-La Dialogue set the stage for confrontation between China and the US. The now former US Acting Secretary of Defense Patrick Shanahan launched Washington’s Indo-Pacific...
China, European Union, International Security Studies, France, UK, Asia, Global Security Issues, International Institutions, Law and Ethics, Maritime Forces, Europe, Pacific
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....
Strike: From Concept to Force
RUSI Publications, 20 June 2019Jack Watling and Justin Bronk
This Occasional Paper provides an independent assessment of non-discretionary capabilities to enable the British Army's Strike concept to achieve its mission. It explores which vulnerabilities can be...
Armed Forces, Occasional Papers, Global Strategy and Commitments, Military Sciences, UK, Land Forces, Land Operations, UK Defence
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.
United States, Iran, Americas, Germany, International Security Studies, Russia, France, UK, Europe, Middle East and North Africa
Shangri-La Dialogue: Europe Navigating Asia Amidst a US–China Standoff
Commentary, 20 June 2019Veerle Nouwens
This year’s Annual Shangri-La Dialogue set the stage for confrontation between China and the US. The now former US Acting Secretary of Defense Patrick Shanahan launched Washington’s Indo-Pacific...
China, European Union, International Security Studies, France, UK, Asia, Global Security Issues, International Institutions, Law and Ethics, Maritime Forces, Europe, Pacific
Hong Kong: So What? Now What? In the Future What?
Commentary, 18 June 2019Charles Parton
Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam’s attempt at introducing a Fugitive Offenders Ordinance has harmed the interests of Hong Kong and China; it may also harm their relations with foreign countries.
China, RUSI International, Asia, Global Security Issues, Law and Ethics, Pacific
WhatsApp Hack Calls into Question Government Use of Commercial Spyware
Commentary, 17 June 2019Sneha Dawda and Alexander Babuta
As government use of commercial spyware becomes increasingly commonplace, stronger checks and balances will be needed to ensure software providers are acting in the public interest.
Cyber, National Security Studies, Cyber Security, Israel, Information, Intelligence, Technology
The UK’s Proscription of Hizbullah: All Talk and No Action?
Commentary, 12 June 2019Tom Keatinge
The UK Home Secretary’s proscription announcement raised expectations, but those that cheered are likely to be disappointed.
Centre for Financial Crime and Security Studies, UK Counter-terrorism, Tackling Extremism, Counterinsurgency, Terrorism, Lebanon, UK, Securing Britain, Terrorism
Hard Days for Europe’s Interests in Iran
Commentary, 10 June 2019Wojciech Pawlus
Europe needs to do more to save the Iranian nuclear deal.
Iran's Nuclear Programme, United States, Americas, Proliferation and Nuclear Policy, Proliferation and Nuclear Policy, Europe
‘County Lines’: The Modern Cyber Slaves of Britain’s Drug-Trafficking Networks
Commentary, 5 June 2019Evangelina Moisi
Vulnerable children are being used to peddle drugs in the UK’s rural communities. Efforts to stamp out this form of modern slavery are recording only feeble successes.
Cyber, National Security Studies, Domestic Security, Organised Crime, Law and Ethics, National Security, Organised Crime, Technology
Libra Rising: Exploring Facebook’s Cryptocurrency Project
Commentary, 4 June 2019Kayla Izenman
Facebook's cryptocurrency ambitions could transform the global financial system.
Centre for Financial Crime and Security Studies, Cyber, Technology
The Heat is on Cyber-Criminals. But Are Governments Doing Enough to Tackle Rogue Cryptocurrency Exchanges?
Commentary, 31 May 2019Anton Moiseienko
Cyber-criminal groups are being dismantled. But more needs to be done about the enforcement of rules that bind cryptocurrency exchanges.
Centre for Financial Crime and Security Studies, Counter-Proliferation Finance, Cyber, AML/CTF, European Union, Financial Crime 2.0, Organised Crime, Technology
Britain and the US: The Relationship Runs Deep, Which is Why it is Often Difficult to See
Commentary, 29 May 2019'Sir Humphrey'
President Trump will be greeted with a torrent of doom-laden criticism when he arrives in the UK on 3 June. Some of this criticism is just wrong, while some simply misses the critical point of this...
United States, UK
Risk of Nuclear Weapons Use Still Lower Than During Cold War
Commentary, 28 May 2019Sam Dudin
UN disarmament research chief incorrectly assesses the risk of nuclear war.
United Nations, UK Project on Nuclear Issues, Proliferation and Nuclear Policy, Proliferation and Nuclear Policy, Information, International InstitutionsPages
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....
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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.
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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...
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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,...
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Pages
The Toxic Legacy of the Northern Ireland Troubles
RUSI Newsbrief, 21 June 2019Aaron Edwards
The 50th anniversary of the day that British troops first deployed to Northern Ireland offers an opportunity to reflect on the legacy of Operation Banner, and whether the security forces contributed to the troubles or prevented them.
Tags: Armed Forces, UK Counter-terrorism, Tackling Extremism, UK, History, National Security, Terrorism
The US–Turkey Strategic Stalemate
RUSI Newsbrief, 13 June 2019Michael Stephens
Despite Daesh’s military defeat there remains a significant clash between the US and Turkey about Kurdish-controlled areas in Syria. Should Washington continue to support the Kurds?
Tags: Turkey, United States, Iraq, Counterinsurgency, Syria, Global Security Issues
Remembering D-Day
RUSI Newsbrief, 6 June 2019Hew Strachan
On the 75th anniversary of the D-Day landings, RUSI and YouGov have conducted a special opinion poll to assess current public attitudes to the event. The poll indicates that only half of Britain knows the significance of D-Day, a source of irony amid today’s polarised politics, says Sir Hew Strachan.
Tags: UK, History
Can Biology Give Us the Information Edge that Physics Cannot?
RUSI Journal, 31 May 2019Chris Hitchins
Individual autonomy and decentralised decision-making may give Western militaries the advantage they need in the Information Age.
Tags: Defence Policy, Information
Book Review: Hybridity on the Ground in Peacebuilding and Development: Critical Conversations
RUSI Journal, 31 May 2019Bethan Greener
Bethan Greener reviews Hybridity on the Ground in Peacebuilding and Development: Critical Conversations, by Joanne Wallis et al. (eds).
Tags: Peacekeeping and Peacebuilding
What are Governments in Central and Eastern Europe not Buying with their Defence Budgets? The Readiness Clue
RUSI Journal, 31 May 2019Thomas-Durell Young
To bolster the readiness of their forces, Central and Eastern European countries will need to modernise budgetary and organisational practices.
Tags: Defence Management, Defence Policy, Europe
Book Review: Military Historian: My Part in the Birth and Development of War Studies, 1966–2016
RUSI Journal, 31 May 2019Brian Holden Reid
Brian Holden Reid reviews Military Historian: My Part in the Birth and Development of War Studies, 1966–2016, by Brian Bond.
Tags: UK, History, Europe
Editor's Note: RUSI Journal, March 2019
RUSI Journal, 31 May 2019Emma De Angelis
Editor Dr Emma De Angelis introduces the March 2019 edition of the RUSI Journal.
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Book Review: Against Elections: The Case for Democracy
RUSI Journal, 31 May 2019Edward Mortimer
Edward Mortimer reviews Against Elections: The Case for Democracy, by David Van Reybrouck.
Tags: Global Security Issues
When is a Defence Review Not a Defence Review? The Impact of the National Security Capability Review and Modernising Defence Programme
RUSI Journal, 31 May 2019Andrew Curtis
The UK is drifting away from the established pattern of periodic defence reviews.
Tags: Defence Spending, Equipment and Acquisitions, Defence Management, Defence Policy, UK, UK Defence, EuropePages
Breakfast Briefing: Intelligence Assessment and Policy Making - Lord Butler’s Lessons, Fifteen Years On
Events, 4 December 2019An exclusive breakfast briefing with Tim Dowse CMG, Senior Associate Fellow, RUSI and former Intelligence Adviser to the UK Foreign Secretary.
Breakfast Briefing - Operating in Russia: High Risks with Little Return?
Events, 19 November 2019An exclusive breakfast briefing with Emily Ferris, Research Fellow, Russia and Eurasia, RUSI.
Turning Technology Against Financial Crime
Events, 23 October 2019A lecture by Megan Butler, Director of Supervision – Investment, Wholesale and Specialist, Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).
Breakfast Briefing: Policing the UK in an Evolving Threat Landscape
Events, 9 October 2019An exclusive breakfast briefing with Lord Hogan-Howe QPM, Distinguished Fellow, RUSI and former Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Service.
Elisabeth Braw on the Stasi’s Cold War Espionage Campaign inside the Church
Events, 25 September 2019A presentation by Elisabeth Braw, Associate Fellow, Modern Deterrence, RUSI, on the real-life cloak-and-dagger story of how East Germany’s notorious spy agency, the Stasi, infiltrated churches here...
Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al Jubeir at RUSI
Shangri-La Dialogue: Europe Navigating Asia Amidst a US–China Standoff
Dr Aniseh Bassiri Tabrizi on the Iran Nuclear Deal