- 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
- International Security Studies
- Military Sciences
- National Security and Resilience
- Conflict, War and Culture
- Cyber Space and Cyber Security
- Defence, Industries and Society
- Environmental Change and Security
- European Futures
- Middle East and North Africa
- Nuclear Weapons and Nuclear Arms Control
- Terrorism
- UK Defence Policy
- View all (31)
Follow us on
Project RSS feed
Af-Pak strategies
RUSI is engaged across its programmes and initiatives in examining the wars in Afghanistan and Pakistan - and what they entail for Britain's security.
Local political developments continue to set the pace of security in the region. RUSI's Asia programme closely monitors the geography and politics of both wars.
In addition, the Transatlantic Security and European Security programmes have explored how international intervention interacts with these local conditions.
RUSI's combined Military Sciences programmes are examining all aspects of military performance in both theatres - including the intensive strategy debate in Britain on sending more equipment and troops to Afghanistan.
Finally, the Future Defence Review project explores the long-lasting effects of involvement in Afghanistan and Pakistan for Britain's future military posture.
Related research areas and publications
British Security Policy
Latest commentary
Martin Dempsey on the Milestones for Success in Afghanistan
Commentary: 24 Jun 2011
Speaking to RUSI.org, the Chief of the United States Army and nominee for Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Martin Dempsey, discusses the milestones for success in Afghanistan.
Speaking to RUSI.org, the Chief of the United States Army and nominee for Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Martin Dempsey, discusses the milestones for success in Afghanistan.
The Calculus of Risk in Afghanistan
Commentary: 1 Oct 2010
Stephen Biddle, Roger Hertog Senior Fellow for Defense Policy at the Council on Foreign Relations, discusses whether the costs of the war in Afghanistan outweigh the benefits for the West and highlights that maybe the situation in Pakistan is a much greater security risk.
Stephen Biddle, Roger Hertog Senior Fellow for Defense Policy at the Council on Foreign Relations, discusses whether the costs of the war in Afghanistan outweigh the benefits for the West and highlights that maybe the situation in Pakistan is a much greater security risk.
What Will Success Look Like in Operation Moshtarak?
Commentary: 16 Feb 2010
Operation Moshtarak is the most important campaign in Afghanistan since the invasion in 2001. Its success, however, will not be measured in military terms but in terms of public opinion, both in Helmand and the rest of Afghanistan and in the Coalition's domestic electorate.
Operation Moshtarak is the most important campaign in Afghanistan since the invasion in 2001. Its success, however, will not be measured in military terms but in terms of public opinion, both in Helmand and the rest of Afghanistan and in the Coalition's domestic electorate.
Afghans optimistic for the future
Commentary: 11 Jan 2010
The results of an annual poll of Afghan opinion show a surprising degree of optimism for their country's future direction. But we should not rest on our laurels. A great deal could go wrong before the favourable perceptions can be seen to have turned a genuine corner in Afghanistan.
The results of an annual poll of Afghan opinion show a surprising degree of optimism for their country's future direction. But we should not rest on our laurels. A great deal could go wrong before the favourable perceptions can be seen to have turned a genuine corner in Afghanistan.
Latest publications
Pakistan and the Shadow of 9/11
Articles: 1 Aug 2011 by Alexander Evans
Pakistan's strategic relationships with key regional and international powers need to evolve
Pakistan's strategic relationships with key regional and international powers need to evolve
Charging up the Valley: British Decisions in Afghanistan
Articles: 1 Aug 2011 by Michael Clarke and Valentina Soria
The UK deployment to Helmand in 2006 has proven highly controversial. But was the decision taken properly?
The UK deployment to Helmand in 2006 has proven highly controversial. But was the decision taken properly?
The Afghan National Army: Unwarranted Hope?
Articles: 16 Dec 2009 by Antonio Giustozzi
Building up the Afghan Army is a crucial element of NATO stabilisation efforts. But this approach may be built on unsound assumptions
Building up the Afghan Army is a crucial element of NATO stabilisation efforts. But this approach may be built on unsound assumptions
The Rise (and Fall?) of AfPak
Articles: 24 Nov 2009 by Arabella Phillimore
Washington's newest shorthand ‘AfPak’ illustrates the regional dimension to the current conflict, but alienates friends and foes on both sides of the border
Washington's newest shorthand ‘AfPak’ illustrates the regional dimension to the current conflict, but alienates friends and foes on both sides of the border
India's Af-Pak Strategy
Articles: 25 Feb 2010 by Shashank Joshi
India is playing a key role in the Afghan conflict. But its animosity with Pakistan threatens this contribution, and the US has been unable to choose a long-term partner
India is playing a key role in the Afghan conflict. But its animosity with Pakistan threatens this contribution, and the US has been unable to choose a long-term partner
- 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