Commentary

Olympic Security 2011 Main ImageLondon 2012: A Glittering Legacy? Despite the Olympic Charter's commitment to internationalism and neutrality, the history of the Olympic Games reveals that what happens both on and off the field is shaped by political considerations.
26 Jul 2012
Free Syria Army Idlib February 2012 - Photo by tinyccSyriaFreedomSYRIA CRISIS BRIEFING: A Collision Course for Intervention The Syrian crisis took a decisive new turn on 25 July. President Bashar al-Assad’s own future is now significantly less relevant to whatever will happen next in the country and external intervention, in some form, is now significantly more likely. In this Briefing, experts detail the risks and challenges of intervention in Syria. Our contributors delve further into the internal andexternal aspects of this conflict, offering a sobering assessment ofthe prospects for Syria and the region.
25 Jul 2012
Typhoon take-offVIDEO: Air Power at the Farnborough International Airshow 2012 Professor Trevor Taylor, head of RUSI's Defence, Industries and Societies Programme gives an analysts' perspective of the Farnborough International Airshow and the technology show cased there.
26 Jul 2012
Bashar al-Assad posterBloody days ahead as the Assad regime is decapitated A bomb attack killing close Assad officials now begs the question of when, not whether the Assad regime will fall from power. For now, the counterattacks by the regime indicates a worrying outlook for a post-Assad Syria.
19 Jul 2012
German Leopard TankGermany’s Defence Industrial Policy Dilemma Germany has historically restricted defence exports in fear of contributing to international insecurity. Now, recent steps to reform restrictions on defence exports has once more fuelled a debate that goes to the heart of Germany's political consciousness, while highlighting one of Germany's fundamental defence industrial policy dilemmas.
19 Jul 2012
Air Power 2008 imageVIDEO: The Defence Industry at the Farnborough International Airshow Professor Trevor Taylor, head of RUSI's Defence, Industries and Society Programme, assesses the importance of the Farnborough International Airshow to the defence and aerospace industries.
26 Jul 2012
Marching British SoldiersThe Long and Winding Road: Army 2020 Size is not everything as the British Army announces reductions in personnel. Though sheer quantity is certainly not irrelevant, the numbers in the Regular Army are rather less important than the structure, training and equipment that it embraces.
9 Jul 2012
Bomber Command thumbnailAnd the Poppies Fell in Soho - The Unveiling of the Bomber Command Memorial Even though there were glitches at the unveiling ceremony of the Bomber Command Memorial, it was no less moving. After sixty years of campaigning for this remembrance of fallen comrades, this bit of human frailty made it quietly, comically, magnificent.
28 Jun 2012
FARCFrom Drugs to Gold: Colombia's Drug Barons Diversify Increasing pressure from anti-drug trafficking activities are forcing Colombia's illegally armed groups to diversify their traditional income streams. Against this backdrop, revenue generated through other sectors, such as gold mining, could begin to rival the drug trade as a leading driver of regional insecurity.
25 Jun 2012
Tahrir Egypt ThumbWhy a Presidential 'Win' for Ahmed Shafiq Might Re-Energise the Egyptian Revolution A win for Ahmed Shafiq as Egyptian President will be seen as a last desperate attempt by the remnants of the Mubarak regime to cling on to power. It may also re-energise the Egyptian revolution as the Muslim Brotherhood re-aligns itself with protestors, rather than the establishment.
22 Jun 2012
Prince NayefSaudi Succession after the Death of Crown Prince Nayef The death of Saudi Crown Prince Nayef and the quick installation of his full brother Salman in the role highlights once again that the country's leadership still rests with the first generation of Saudi rulers. This is done to manage a delicate status quo, putting off real questions of succession for the next generation of the House of Saud.
19 Jun 2012
European UnionVIDEO: The Greek Elections and Implications for the European Financial Crisis 18/06/12 - Now that the Greeks have voted in a government that will -- more than most -- agree to abide by stringent European austerity measures, is the Eurozone safe? Dr Jonathan Eyal assesses the implications for Europe and its impact on European security.
19 Jun 2012
Data protectionIs the Government's Communications Bill a Charter for Snoopers? Proposals by the government to allow law enforcement officers greater access to communications data will draw understandable criticism from privacy campaigners. However the draft Bill ensures a tighter scrutiny and oversight of such powers while providing an essential tool for police and counter-terrorism agencies.
13 Jun 2012
AfricaWill Mali become the Next Terrorist Sanctuary? In the aftermath of the Mali coup, northern secessionists have declared an independent Islamic state. With verifiable links to Al-Qa'ida, there is a real risk that 'Azawad', as it is known, will become the next wellspring of instability and terrorism in Africa.
6 Jun 2012
Maritime conference 2012 2Do Navies Need to Club Together to Secure the Seas? As navies around the world consider how to support increasing commitments with reduced resources, some are considering whether improved co-operation can offer better value in supporting national objectives.
31 May 2012
Ivo Daalder interviewVIDEO: What the International Community can do in Syria Ivo Daalder, US Ambassador to NATO, talks to RUSI.org offering his assessment on Syria and what the international community can do to stop the bloodshed.
31 May 2012
AQAP PostersWhat is the link between Ansar al-Sharia and Al-Qa'ida in the Arabian Peninsula? The recent escalation of violence in Yemen underscores the terrorist challenge there. However, western policy will be unsuccessful if it conflates the international agenda of Al-Qa'ida with the local ambitions of Ansar al-Sharia.
25 May 2012
UKTA BadgeRe-Balancing Security and Justice - The Reform of UK Counter-Terrorism Legislation UKTA Number 3. This paper argues that the key political question for the Coalition Government to address is how far intelligence agencies should keep secrets to themselves and at what point greater transparency should indeed be demanded.
21 May 2012
Nuclear explosionA Bumpy Road Ahead for the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty To an outside observer, the recent high-level Preparatory Committee meeting of the Non-Proliferation Treaty appeared to be a restrained affair despite tensions over Iran, North Korea, and lack of disarmament progress. But there is plenty of evidence to suggest that the road ahead for the Treaty is far from smooth.
18 May 2012
Persian Gulf foreign ministers July 2009The Gulf Union that Never Was Some kind of a union between Saudi Arabia and Bahrain was believed to herald the beginning of a wider Gulf Union plan. But this idea failed before it even began. While there is a united front against Iran, smaller Gulf states do not want to lose their sovereignty and identity to a dominant Saudi Arabia.
18 May 2012
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