Analysis by region

RUSI Analysis

Posts analysing the latest defence and security stories

News: RUSI's Trevor Taylor Gives Parliamentary Evidence on Defence Implications of Possible Scottish Independence 18 Jun 2013
Senior Associate Fellow Professor Trevor Taylor spoke to the House of Commons Defence Committee, outlining the impact Scottish independence would have on the UK defence industry. Scottish Defence and Security Policy UK Defence UK Europe

Analysis: Rouhani's victory: An Iranian Spring or Business as Usual? 18 Jun 2013 by Professor Ali Ansari
The mere election of Hasan Rouhani should be considered revolutionary as it repudiates the extremist ideology of Iranian hardliners. However, whether the new Iranian leader will be able to affect any change remains to be seen. Iran Middle East and North Africa

Analysis: The Need to Establish the Rule of Law and Accountability in Syria's Rebel Held Areas 17 Jun 2013
Syria's civil war rages on with ad hoc arrangements for civilian law enforcement in rebel-held areas. Debates about the relative merits of arming the Syrian opposition should not hijack attempts to promote accountability and the rule of law. Syria Middle East and North Africa

Videos: Iran's Syria Policy 13 Jun 2013 by Professor Ali Ansari
As the conflict in Syria takes on a decidedly sectarian turn, with Hezbollah and other Shia fighters pitted against Salafi Jihadists, what gains can Iran achieve? Why is Iran so firmly behind Syria and is there policy likely to chance? Iran Middle East and North Africa Syria

Analysis: A Snapshot of Fire and Rescue Services Reform in Europe 7 Jun 2013 by Luke Gribbon
European governments are findings ways to 'do more with less' and Fire Services are increasingly the focus of their efficiency drives. A review of English Services follows from reforms initiated on the continent and North of the Border. Resilience Europe UK

Analysis: Explaining Erdogan: The Prime Minister Engages his Base 5 Jun 2013
The unrest in Turkey demonstrates how Erdogan's rhetoric has polarised Turkish society, despite his political and economic achievements. The events could signal political trouble for the powerful Prime Minister. Turkey Europe

Analysis: Why Woolwich Matters: The South London Angle 31 May 2013
The vivid and disgusting images witnessed in Woolwich come not necessarily from the pages of Al-Qa'ida's Inspire magazine, but out of rap videos shot in South-East London. Here is an environment that combines the urban disaffection with perceived certainties from Islam. Terrorism Tackling Extremism UK Europe

Analysis: Obama's Counter-Terrorist Policy 30 May 2013 by Richard Barrett
President Obama's recent speech on counter-terrorism policy defended drone strikes while suggesting a new determination to close Guantanamo. To undermine the narrative of international terrorists, he must show that force is a less efficient tool than the observance of universal values and the rule of law. Terrorism Tackling Extremism International Responses United States Americas

Videos: Iran's 2013 Presidential Candidates: Change Ahead? 30 May 2013 by Professor Ali Ansari
The Guidance Council of Iran has just announced its shortlist of approved Presidential Candidates. Who is the preferred runner and are we likely to see a change in policy? Iran Middle East and North Africa

Analysis: The End of Iraq 29 May 2013
Iraq is on the brink of civil war. Restless Sunni minorities are emboldened by Sunni opposition in Syria and entrenched authoritarianism by a Shia led government. The only solution is deeper de-centralisation or a break-up of Iraq itself. Iraq Middle East and North Africa

Analysis from RUSI publications

Articles from RUSI periodicals: RUSI Journal, RUSI Newsbrief and RUSI Defence Systems

RUSI Newsbrief: Margaret Thatcher 1925-2013: An Irreverent Look at her Foreign-Policy Record 3 May 2013 by Dr Jonathan Eyal
Margaret Thatcher’s death, more than twenty years after leaving office, provides an opportunity to reassess her foreign-policy record UK Europe Global Strategy and Commitments UK Defence European Union International Institutions

RUSI Newsbrief: Structuring the State: Federal Choices in Somalia 3 May 2013 by Anna Rader
As the London Conference on Somalia reconvenes, the focus remains on concerns surrounding the durability of the federal governmental structure Africa Horn of Africa UK Europe Turkey International Institutions International Responses Terrorism

RUSI Newsbrief: Atoms for Turkey: Ankara's Struggle for Nuclear Energy 3 May 2013
Turkey's pursuit of nuclear energy is likely not about hedging against Iran's own growing capabilities Turkey Europe Japan Pacific Nuclear Non-Proliferation and Strategy Global Security Issues

RUSI Newsbrief: Naval Iran in 2013: An Emerging Threat? 3 May 2013 by Frederic Ischebeck-Baum
While Iranian threats to close the Strait of Hormuz may prove a bluff, Iran’s developing naval capability should be a matter of concern Maritime Forces Iran Middle East and North Africa The Gulf Region

RUSI Newsbrief: Closing the 'Reciprocal Confidence' Gap with Iran 3 May 2013
The lack of progress at the Almaty talks points to a deep-seated problem: the continuing decline in reciprocal confidence Nuclear Non-Proliferation and Strategy Global Security Issues European Union International Institutions Iran Middle East and North Africa United States Americas

RUSI Newsbrief: Propaganda and Precedent: North Korean Tensions 3 May 2013 by Andrea Berger, Hugh Chalmers
As the first such salvo under Kim Jong-un, the intentions behind the latest round of hostile rhetoric emanating from North Korea have been difficult to interpret (Free access) United States Americas North Korea Pacific Nuclear Non-Proliferation and Strategy Global Security Issues

RUSI Newsbrief: Manning the Unmanned 3 May 2013 by Elizabeth Quintana
As the UK steps up its drone capability, it is changing the RAF’s training programmes for pilots and operators UK Defence Armed Forces UK Europe Aerospace Equipment and Acquisitions Military Personnel

RUSI Newsbrief: Mr Emmerson Takes on Washington 3 May 2013 by Adrian Johnson
With a UN panel now investigating US drone strikes, the mounting backlash against targeted killing highlights the political costs of drone warfare (Free access) United States Americas United Nations International Institutions Aerospace Pakistan Central and South Asia The War on Terror Terrorism

RUSI Newsbrief: After the Vote: The Future of the Falklands 3 May 2013
The result of the Falkland Islands referendum underscores the growing agency of the local government in the territorial dispute Latin America Americas UK Europe UK Defence

RUSI Newsbrief: Meeting the Challenge: Notes from the (Air-)Field 3 May 2013 by Peter Quentin
Despite the challenges, the early stages of the British redeployment from Afghanistan appear to be progressing well Equipment and Acquisitions UK Defence Armed Forces Afghanistan Central and South Asia UK Europe NATO International Institutions