Commentary

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
Turkey Flag 2Suicide Blast in Ankara: Turkey's Terrorism Dilemma A suicide blast outside the US Embassy in Ankara on 1 February will lead to further pressure on the Turkish government to crackdown hard on all terrorist groups, including the PKK whom the government is trying to negotiate with.
6 Feb 2013
Patriot Batteries AnkaraTurkish Delight? The Deployment of Patriot Missiles to Turkey Poses Further Questions than Answers The deployment of Patriot missiles to Turkey in response to the ongoing Syrian civil war makes sense strategically and underscores NATO's relevance. However, they also hamper Turkey's role to seek accommodation with her neighbours.
6 Feb 2013
House of CommonsA Parliamentary Benchmark for UK Defence Acquisition Policy For many years, British defence acquisition has been mired in problems and controversy. Now, the House of Commons Defence Select Committee has issued a new report, generating a coherent target list and creating a parliamentary benchmark for defence acquisition policy.
4 Feb 2013
GolanIsrael's Attack on Syria: Will it Lead to Escalation? The Syrian regime has accused Israel of, as yet, unconfirmed attacks against Syrian military installations. Nevertheless, it is unlikely that such a move will trigger a retaliation or threaten a regional war.
1 Feb 2013
Indian Flag 2The Implementation of India's Defence Offset Policy India's defence markets become ever more lucrative as the country propels itself to superpower status. However, if India wishes to use offsets to create a strong indigenous defence industry, it needs to foster a transparent and streamlined regulatory environment.
31 Jan 2013
Mali MapThe British Military Contribution to Operations in Mali: Is This Mission Creep? As the UK sends 330 personnel to assist France's military intervention in Mali, there are real concerns that, like Afghanistan, the UK will be mired in another intractable conflict. However, the strategic conditions are very different for this to happen and it is wrong to assume there will be mission creep.
30 Jan 2013
Clinton in AsiaHead of State: Hillary Rodham Clinton's Foreign Policy Legacy ving dominated American and international politics over the last twenty years and become one of the most famous and powerful women in the world, what is Hillary Rodham Clinton's legacy as Secretary of State as she departs the world stage, for now?
31 Jan 2013
US Army Women in Combat 1Women in Combat Roles: The Changing of the Guard With US women now being allowed to participate in combat roles, the US military can be applauded for its move towards gender equality. But its driving imperative must remain a commitment to military effectiveness, and to the lives of the men and women who serve.
28 Jan 2013
euroflagthumbAs the EU Crumbles, Only NATO Can Keep Europe Together In 2012, the European Union was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for guaranteeing peace and stability in the last sixty years. Yet, in 2013, its very existence is in doubt. It is time to consider NATO as Europe's guarantor of peace.
24 Jan 2013
Turkey Free Syria flagsAnkara Responds to the Chaos in Syria The Syrian Civil War has exposed Turkey to the growing threat of Kurdish and Islamist empowerment. Ankara's options are limited by its domestic politics and military means. Turkey's response to the crisis will be critical for pursuing its regional ambitions.
23 Jan 2013
Ulster Loyalist flag Northern IrelandNorthern Ireland Flag Protests - A Sign of Normalisation, Not a Throwback to the Troubles Are the latest violent disturbances in Northern Ireland a serious threat to the decade-long peace process? Not necessarily, but the flags issue is a distraction from deeper underlying social problems; such as poverty and entrenched sectarianism.
23 Jan 2013
David Cameron 2010 ElectionResponses to Sahel Terrorism: Music to Jihadist Ears The attacks on Algerian gas installations and the Mali insurgency has led the UK Prime Minister to describe this as a 'generational struggle'. However, what is happening across the Sahel region is a different terrorist challenge altogether, requiring a reappraisal in strategy.
22 Jan 2013
NetanyahuNetanyahu's Israel: Strategic Fatalism and Disaster On the road to his inevitable re-election, Benjamin Netanyahu has pursued a policy that politically isolates Israel further and ends hopes for a two-state solution. It will be the Israeli Prime Minister, not the surrounding Arab states, who threaten the very existence of the state itself.
22 Jan 2013
Operation ServalFrance in Mali: What Risk for the 'New' Hollande? As French troops continue to engage Islamist rebels in Mali, questions are being raised over how long they will stay, and the real commitment of the president to ending France's long history of interventionism on the continent.
22 Jan 2013
Obama revolutionInauguration Day Priorities for Transatlantic Co-operation After some disappointment in Obama's first term, there is a moment of optimism for transatlantic relations. Washington and Brussels should capitalise on this moment, and work to ensure closer co-operation in pursuit of their strategic objectives in President Obama's second term.
21 Jan 2013
YouTube Prophet Muslim Protest LondonClash of Civilisation in Full Flow? Charting Anglo-American Attitudes to the 2012 YouTube Crisis Polling research by YouGov-Cambridge in conjunction with RUSI suggests significant belief in a wider cultural clash of civilisations, and mixed views on exercising free speech to offend religion.
17 Jan 2013
Al-Shabaab SomaliaFrance Confronts Terror Threat in Africa, Risks Attack at Home The French assault on militant jihadists in Mali reflects a recognition in Paris that the long-brewing Islamist trouble in North Africa is something that has started to spiral out of control, and has potential to have a direct impact within France.
17 Jan 2013
Nuclear weaponsThe Nuclear Agenda for 2013: New Solutions to Old Problems While the leadership transitions of 2012 have altered this year's political landscape, they have left the nuclear agenda for 2013 regrettably unchanged. Thankfully, this new backdrop may provide opportunities to find new solutions to old problems.
10 Jan 2013
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