- Home
- Research
Research
- Analysis
Analysis
Themes Regions - Events
Events
Listings Conferences Highlights - Publications
Publications
Periodicals Reports and Papers Feature 
The Afghan Papers
Committing Britain to War in Helmand, 2005-06Ten years after British troops entered Afghanistan, a new book dissects the strategic decisions that took the UK to war in Helmand.
- Membership
- About us
- Contact us
- Media
Royal United Services Institute for Defence and Security Studies
- UK Defence
- Counter-insurgency
- Aerospace
- Defence Management
- Defence Policy
- Domestic Security
- Global Security Issues
- History
- Information
- Intelligence
- International Institutions
- Land Forces
- Law and Ethics
- Maritime Forces
- Military Personnel
- Resilience
- Technology
- Terrorism
- Africa
- Americas
- Pacific
- Europe
- Middle East and North Africa
- Central and South Asia
Follow us on
Commentary
Prevent Strategy 2011: the problem of universities
In outlining its Prevent strategy, the UK government has identified university campuses as the new frontline in the battle against Al-Qa'ida. Yet the success of the strategy will depend largely on the willingness of universities to see the problem through the same lense as the government.13 Jun 2011
The Security Implications of Scottish independence
The victory of Scottish nationalists in the recent Scottish Parliamentary elections brings closer the possibility of Scotland's independence. With Britain's nuclear arsenal located largely in Scotland, policymakers must now consider what independence would entail for the security of the United Kingdom.9 Jun 2011
The New PREVENT Strategy: Establishing Realistic Expectations
In conducting a review of the Prevent counter-terrorism strategy, a genuine effort has been made to recalibrate the policy. Yet, behind the rhetoric of the document, the substance of the argument risks to be lost over vague, and sometimes contradictory, terms of reference. More clarity is still required for the counter-radicalisation policy to be effective.9 Jun 2011
Yemen and the Threat of Terrorism
As events in Yemen are coming to an all too violent and bloody head, it is essential to examine the long-term implications of an increasingly unstable Yemen for both regional and Western security. 1 Jun 2011
Un-strategic Victory in Libya
Operational success in Libya appears to be close for anti-Qadhafi rebels and their international military backers. But victory will bring the NATO powers little direct strategic benefit. Grateful for success, we should nevertheless be careful how we interpret it and understand the limitations of success for the West and the wider policy implications for the Middle East.31 May 2011
Obama's UK Speech: A Strategic Challenge for Europe?
Behind his warm and effusive speech to the great and the good in Parliament, President Obama laid out a subtle but serious challenge to Europe's leaders. Europe, and by extension the UK, will be farther down America's foreign policy priorities unless Europe is willing to step up as a truly global partner.27 May 2011
Two Cheers for Mladic's Arrest
The mastermind of the worst crimes of Bosnia's civil war has been caught. But bringing Mladic to justice will not be a regional panacea, and neither does it assure that Serbia's European dream will now be realised.27 May 2011
VIDEO: The Arrest of Ratko Mladic
Dr Jonathan Eyal, Director of International Security Studies, assesses the impact of the arrest of Ratko Mladic, the Serbian general accused of war crimes in the Balkans. WHat will this mean for the region and for Serbia's hopes for accession to the European Union?
26 May 2011
Why did Russia opt for liquid-fuel in its next generation ICBMs?
Russia is enhancing strategic nuclear capabilities to meet its psychological and military objective of remaining a superpower. The credibility of Russia's nuclear arsenal - and its potential equality with that of the US - remains one of the Kremlin's key political aims.25 May 2011
The Obama Middle East Speech and Israel's Reaction
For Israeli policymakers, President Obama's major Middle East speech on 19 May 2011 has been met with alarm. An American president has for the first time broken with the traditional US approach to Israeli-Palestinian peace negotiations. The end result may harden attitudes on both sides of the conflict.24 May 2011
Implications of the Karachi attack
The co-ordinated attack on a Pakistani naval base, the latest assault on a military facility, raises deep questions about the security of the country's nuclear weapons and the endurance of Pakistan's relationship with China and the United States.23 May 2011
The GCC's anti-revolutionary expansion
With its thirtieth anniversary in May, the Gulf Co-operation Council is proposing to expand by incorporating Morocco and Jordan. The unlikely inclusion is more a response and a challenge to the revolutionary impulses of the Arab Spring than it is towards regional coherence.19 May 2011
Libya: three scenarios and settlement
Two months after intervention began, NATO's war in Libya has become an open-ended stalemate. A resolution requires compromises from each side rather than self-righteous declarations of total war. The balance of power does not permit a decisive victory for regime or rebels. A settlement must either reflect this fact, or give way to renewed fighting.19 May 2011
Popular Uprising in Syria: Beware of the Henchmen from Within
Even though it faces a range of protests, Syria is unlikely to face popular-led regime change. Instead, unremitting instability and a standoff between protestors and the regime are more likely to follow leading to a combination of piecemeal reforms and more violence. However, internal challenges to the regime should not be ruled out.18 May 2011
Understanding the Dissident Republican Threat to the UK and Ireland
The rising threat of dissident Republican activity in Northern Ireland comes at a time when the vast majority of Northern Irish people are moving towards a more normalised political environment. To challenge the threat, we need a more nuanced understanding of dissident republican motivations.17 May 2011
How the Gulf is Keeping Water Security Fears at Bay
Water scarcity, although a relatively low priority, is still a concern for the Middle Eastern security agenda. Gulf states in particular can lead the way in ensuring that water co-operation replaces the threat of water conflict. 17 May 2011
Putting the Arctic Boom on Ice: Proceedings of RUSI Arctic Roundtable
On 12 May 2011, foreign ministers from the eight Arctic countries will participate in the seventh summit of the Arctic Council, an organisation initially forged to secure agreed environmental standards for the region. Now, amid growing interest in the opportunities and challenges energy resources and sea lines of communication present, the Council must reform to meet the interests of global demand.11 May 2011
The Death of Bin Laden: Analysing the Implications
RUSI's experts examine the implications of the death of Osama Bin Laden and the operation that led to his killing6 May 2011
The Killing of Osama: Easy Operation as a result of Hard Intelligence
The audacious operation that killed Osama Bin Laden was completed relatively shortly. It reaped the benefits of a careful intelligence operation that lasted months, if not years.
6 May 2011
6 May 2011
Will the death of Bin Laden spawn the re-birth of a movement?
There is no doubt that the death of Bin Laden represents a great success for US counter-terrorism and a huge blow to Al-Qa'ida. But, after ten years, Bin Laden has spawned a movement and an ideology not requiring a figurehead.6 May 2011
- RUSI Annual Report
- Access the 2011-2012 Annual Report for the Royal United Services Institute for Defence and Security Studies
- RUSI Library of Military History
- A unique collection of national historical and cultural importance.
- New Benefits
- A greater range of membership packages announced
- Follow RUSI.org
- Follow RUSI through Twitter, Facebook and RSS feeds