Alastair Cameron

Position: Head, European Security Programme

As Head of the European Security Programme, Alastair Cameron is responsible for leading research projects, private discussion meetings and public conferences on all aspects of European Security and Defence. His main research interests relate to the development of European military capabilities, the EU’s European Security and Defence Policy, NATO transformation and NATO-EU relations, as well as international defence partnerships and military operations.

Prior to joining RUSI, Alastair worked as a Defence Consultant within Frost & Sullivan’s Aerospace and Defence Practice. Between 2004 and 2006, he spent two years working as Armed Forces Editor for Jane's, where he was responsible for the editorial overview of all Jane's country-based military assessments. Whilst living in France, he worked as a Project Leader within the EU/NATO office of 'Directorate for Strategic Affairs' of the French Ministry of Defence co-ordinating European and NATO military exercises. In 2001, he also gained work experience as a Research Assistant at the Assembly of the Western European Union in Paris.

Alastair has a Masters in International Relations, Conflict & Security from the Institut d’Etudes Politiques de Paris - Sciences Po, as well as a BA in European Studies from the University of London. He has dual French and British nationality.

While working at Jane’s, Alastair was the editor of the Jane's Sentinel - defence files, Jane’s Defence Budgets, as well as Jane's World Armies, Jane's World Air Forces and Jane's World Navies.

Selected publications

European Defence: Breaking New Ground, Edition l'Harmattan, October 2009

Combating International Terrorism: Turkey's Added Value, RUSI Occasional Paper, October 2009

British-German Dialogue on Defence and Security Policies: Taking a Comprehensive Approach, March 2009 (PDF download)

France's NATO Reintegration: Fresh Views with the Sarkozy Presidency?, RUSI Occasional Paper, February 2009

NATO in South Eastern Europe: Reconstruction and Security in the Balkans, RUSI Occasional Paper, March 2008

Launching EU Battlegroups, RUSI Occasional Paper, December 2007

Defence Research and Development in the Atlantic Nations, RUSI Occasional Paper, 2007

RUSI articles and analysis by this author

The new Franco-British Entente: a practical defence relationship in an age of austerity 23 Jun 2010
In June, France and Britain commemorated the seventieth anniversary of the British Dunkirk evacuation and French General De Gaulle's 18 June call to arms across BBC airwaves in 1940. The leaders of both countries have indicated that this relationship could move beyond historical bonds of friendship to a more strategic and practical defence partnership.

Shaping the Contours of a New Defence ‘Entente Formidable’ 17 Mar 2010
With the coming UK defence review, an enhanced Franco-British bilateral relationship may be on the horizon

Facing down the possibility of future British opt-outs? 6 Nov 2009
David Cameron's European policy speech still leaves questions over the kind of partner a Conservative Britain could be in post-Lisbon Europe.

Turkey's added value in combating international terrorism 28 Oct 2009
Turkey's fight against terrorism deserves more encouragement and support from its European partners, according to a new RUSI Occasional paper.

The Arctic Uncovered: Refuting the Last Colonial Grab Theory 22 Jun 2009
Sovereignty over Arctic resources can be determined by existing maritime conventions, but security challenges in the region may yet suggest a role for NATO in the High North.

NATO Reintegration: Causing a Stir in France's Domestic Debate 20 Mar 2009
President Sarkozy's decision to reintegrate France fully back into NATO has caused much debate. While it may appear frivolous to foreign observers, it actually goes to the heart of French political identity.

France’s NATO Reintegration: Fresh Views with the Sarkozy Presidency? 26 Feb 2009
RUSI Occasional Paper examines the context and implications of French reintegration into NATO as suggested by President Sarkozy.

Franco-Czech EU Presidencies: A Smooth Transition? 19 Dec 2008
With the end of the French EU Presidency fast approaching, the European Union is getting itself ready to pass on the chairmanship of the Council of the European Union to the Czech Republic for another six-month rotation. Yet several tell-tale signs point towards the fact that the French are in no hurry to relinquish their grip on initiating EU policy or even ready to give up their spot in the euro-limelight.

Georgia, Russia and the EU 26 Sep 2008
The conflict that flared-up in the Caucasus between Georgia and Russia heralds uneasy times ahead for Russia and the West.

Testing times; Georgia’s gamble forces Europeans to take a long and hard look at its collective security agreements 13 Aug 2008
As the conflict between Georgia and Russia unfolded in the Caucasus, the West found itself lacking any kind of meaningful riposte. In fact, the response from international bodies responsible for conflict management has been so timorous that it raises important questions regarding Europe’s collective security agreements.

Papering Over the Cracks? An Analysis of the New French Defence and National Security White Paper 23 Jul 2008
This article outlines the main areas of the most recent French Defence and National Security White Paper, and provides an analysis of the implications on France's foreign policy aspirations

Seizing the opportunity for better NATO/EU relations 28 May 2008
Passage taken from the joint RUSI Transatlantic and European Security Programme study entitled 'NATO's Strategic and Operational Challenges'.

The Upcoming French Presidency of the European Union 15 May 2008
The French Presidency of the EU has been a key item on the strategic calendar of European capitals over the last year. An underlying feeling of both anticipation and reserve can be felt across Europe.

Modernising France’s Security and Defence Apparatus: a French National Security Council? 18 Feb 2008
This article explores the changes to France’s security and defence apparatus currently under discussion in the halls of power in Paris. It seems the changes will result in a further strengthening of the role of the president in the French political system.

Dialogue, Partnership and an Eventual Union? Making Sense of our Security Relations in the Mediterranean 15 Jan 2008
Looking into the structures which define Europe’s relations with its southern neighbouring region, this article calls for further developments in EU-NATO co-operation within the security arena.

Stepping Up to the Challenge: Will EUFOR Chad/CAR Deliver? 14 Dec 2007
The European Union's upcoming military operation in Africa is one of its largest, most ambitious and, hence, most challenging to date.

ESDP implications of the reform treaty 26 Oct 2007
The European Security Programme looks into the implications of the upcoming Libson Treaty in the field of security and defence.

Galileo satellite navigation system off course? 12 Oct 2007
Will it end up in a blind alley?

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Alastair Cameron

Selected publications

RUSI articles and analysis by this author