Commentary

Iran flagIran and the Iraq War of 2003: the Real Victor? The Iraq War emboldened hawks in the United States and Iran. Increasingly obsessed with each other, they shunned pragmatism for an ideology of confrontation which saw both sides expend political and economic capital they could not afford for ambitions that were beyond them.
24 Mar 2013
Greece EuroThe Next Domino: Cyprus and the Euro Crisis The Cyprus financial crisis again begs the question: how long can the Euro-structure survive these periodic tremours, especially since every single shock which comes is bigger and has a deeper structural impact than its predecessor.
22 Mar 2013
Saddam statue topplesIraq Ten Years On - a Troubled Past and Unpredictable Future Iraq is as volatile as it was after the fall of Saddam in 2003. Politics are fought along sectarian lines, and grievances run deep. Nevertheless, Iraq remains united and has the potential to be a regional, and democratic, powerhouse.
21 Mar 2013
Zim moneyIs Britain the Organised Crime Capital of Europe? A new EUROPOL assessment highlights the scale of the threat coming from organised crime in Europe. Half of the major investigations pursued by EUROPOL have links to Britain. Fighting organised crime can no longer be the poor relation to tackling the threat from international terrorism.
19 Mar 2013
Saddam statue topplesIraq War - Ten Years On We mark the tenth anniversary of the Iraq War by asking our analysts to offer their perspectives, and highlighting key material from our archives
22 Mar 2013
ANA Soldier HeadThe Afghan National Army: An Army for the Nation? The Afghan National Army is seen by many policy-makers as the only viable 'exit strategy' for NATO forces. While NATO has made significant progress in developing it as a professional armed force, the army has major hurdles ahead before it attains full control in 2015.
14 Mar 2013
Yemen ProtestThe Strategic Vacuum in Yemen Delegates at a ministerial conference in London on 7 March were urged to release more funds to help Yemen. However, such funds will be divested in a strategic vacuum, and paves the way for a perfect storm for Yemen and the International community.
13 Mar 2013
North Korea Nuclear motifSouth Korea's Emergent Missile Defence Capabilities The continuing development of North Korea's nuclear and missile capabilities is testing the readiness and long-term planning of South Korea's missile defences. The plans will undoubtedly be overshadowed by Chinese concerns.
12 Mar 2013
Antimicrobial ResistanceBACKGROUND: The Danger of Antobiotics Resistance In her second annual report, the UK's Chief Medical officer has warned that the danger posed by growing resistance to antibiotics should be ranked along with terrorism on a list of threats to the nation.
11 Mar 2013
Flood 2Adapting to Flood Risk in the Twenty-First Century The frequency, severity and duration of flood events is increasing. With five million properties in the UK and 58 per cent of agricultural land at risk, do we need to look more radically at how we adapt for the future?
11 Mar 2013
Argo poster'And the Best Film Goes to...' Argo Raises Awkward Questions and Consternation for Iran The Iranian regime is none too pleased with Argo winning best film at the Oscars. It feeds into Iranian conspiracy theories about the United States, and highlights the tricky role the current Supreme Leader had during the US Embassy Hostage Crisis of 1979.
27 Feb 2013
Iran flagTo Be or Not to Be: Fact and Fiction in the Nuclear Fatwa Debate There has been much talk about a fatwa - a juristic ruling issued by Iran's Supreme Leader outlawing the use of nuclear weapons. But how binding is this ruling and has it actually been made?
25 Feb 2013
Birmingham 3 February 2013The Birmingham Terrorist Plotters: Lessons for Counter-Terrorism Today The convictions of three Birmingham residents of a terrorist plot reveal classic linkages between homegrown bombers and Pakistan. The supply side of the terrorist threat in the UK continues to prove a problem.
22 Feb 2013
US DoDThe 'S Word': The Sequestration Fight and the US Defence Budget For nearly a year US political leaders have been fighting over the federal budget. By 1 March they must either reach a deal or implement automatic and deep cuts drastically affecting the running of the military and the defence industry which it procures from.
20 Feb 2013
UAV in IraqDrones in the Service of Peace: Unmanned Aircraft in UN Deployments Long associated with the CIA's targeted killing programme, there are concerns that drones are a weapons system out of control. But a suggestion to deploy them on the UN mission in the Congo underscores the potential the system has in keeping the peace.
18 Feb 2013
Terrorism 2011 imageAn Insight into Jihadist Strategy in the Sahel The revelation of documents from fleeing jihadists in Mali reveals a centrally-directed attempt to achieve all the old Al-Qa'ida ambitions: to ally with other political movements in order to hijack them.
14 Feb 2013
North Korea Nuclear motifThe Death of Nuclear Talks with North Korea North Korea’s latest nuclear test has resulted in a familiar chorus of international condemnation. Surprisingly, the only meaningful change in rhetoric has come from the regime itself. Pyongyang now implies its nuclear programme is no longer up for negotiation.
14 Feb 2013
North Korea Nuclear motifWhat Does North Korea's Warhead Test Tell Us About its Nuclear Capabilities? Seismic signals detected around the world indicate that North Korea has successfully conducted its third nuclear test, and taken a step towards a more potent nuclear deterrent. But without more information, it is very hard to say just how big this step is.
12 Feb 2013
Khamenei squareKhamenei, US-Iran Talks, and the Nuclear Dispute Ayatollah Khamenei has firmly rejected the prospect of direct US-Iran talks, but his remarks should be read in the context of Iran's fractured domestic politics. Iran's talks with the P5+1 must progress first.
7 Feb 2013
Qatar FlagIs Qatar Sponsoring Al-Qa'ida in Mali? There have been many reports circulating that Qatar is directly or indirectly supporting terrorist groups in Mali, having asserted its influence in the rest of North Africa. But there would be no logical reason for Qatar to be involved or gain in meddling in Mali's affairs.
7 Feb 2013
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