Migration and Security

RUSI's work on migration and security builds on the Institute's expertise in political violence, terrorism, organised crime and policing. We examine the many ways in which migration and diaspora communities intersect with conflict, organised crime, climate change, radicalisation and foreign influence, recognising that these relationships are often complex, interconnected and contested.

Using a multidisciplinary, policy-focused approach, we explore how both state and non-state actors, including hostile foreign states, violent extremist organisations and organised criminal networks, seek to exploit migration routes and diaspora communities to advance their objectives. Our research identifies opportunities to strengthen prevention, governance, law enforcement and resilience so that policymakers are better equipped to respond to these evolving challenges. Our work spans a range of geographical regions and institutional settings, enabling us to analyse how migration both influences and is influenced by conflict, crime, climate change, governance and external influence. By bringing these themes together, we support a more holistic understanding of migration as an increasingly important dimension of contemporary security.