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Articles, analysis and events on the United States from the Royal United Services Institute.

Book Review: Can’t Hurt Me: Master Your Mind and Defy the Odds
RUSI Journal, 29 November 2019
Andrew Otchie
Andrew Otchie reviews Can’t Hurt Me: Master Your Mind and Defy the Odds, by David Goggins.
Tags: United States, US Defence Policy, Defence Policy, Military Personnel
Resolving the Battle over Artificial Intelligence in War
RUSI Journal, 29 November 2019
Larry Lewis
The military application of AI presents multiple challenges for the relationship between defence, industry and technology companies.
Tags: United States, US Defence Policy, Defence Policy, Law and Ethics, Technology
A New Direction for EU Sanctions: The New Commission and the Use of Sanctions
Commentary, 21 November 2019
Emil Dall
As the new EU Commission takes office, responsibility for the EU’s sanctions portfolio appears to have moved between commissioners. The move is part of a focus on stricter sanctions enforcement within the EU, but could also lay the groundwork for redefining the role and impact of EU sanctions.
Tags: Centre for Financial Crime and Security Studies, United States, European Union, Europe
Dr Karin von Hippel on ISIS in Syria for BBC Today Progamme
In The News, 15 October 2019
Tags: United States, Syria, Middle East and North Africa

"Taking nuclear weapons out of Turkey would cause NATO a significant headache. "I could imagine NATO nuclear planners working overtime to work this one out," Plant noted.
"If they were to move, there would be some gap that would need to be addressed in some way. And the alliance as a whole could decide that it could tolerate that, that's possible as possible. Or it could decide to move things around in some way." "
U.S.-Turkey Tensions Raise Fears Over Future Of Nuclear Weapons Near Syria
In The News, 15 October 2019 Tags: United States, Syria, Proliferation and Nuclear Policy, Middle East and North Africa
"Michael Stephens, research fellow for Middle East studies at the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) think-tank in London, said: "It is fair to say that this decision has not gone down well in the UK or France, and I think we have been left in the lurch a bit and are having to play a reactive strategy to a president who doesn't have a strategy."
"It is very difficult to know exactly what the US is aiming at here and what their strategic priorities are... So from a European perspective, it's a confusing time and difficult to come up with a response." "
Trump's Syria policy dismays Europe as Turkey launches campaign
In The News, 10 October 2019 Tags: United States, SyriaPages

A New Direction for EU Sanctions: The New Commission and the Use of Sanctions
Commentary, 21 November 2019Emil Dall
As the new EU Commission takes office, responsibility for the EU’s sanctions portfolio appears to have moved between commissioners. The move is part of a focus on stricter sanctions enforcement within the EU, but could also lay the groundwork for redefining the role and impact of EU sanctions.
Centre for Financial Crime and Security Studies, United States, European Union, Europe
Denuclearising North Korea Through a Broader Security Framework
Commentary, 4 October 2019Cristina Varriale
The resumption of the US–North Korea denuclearisation talks at a ‘working level’ is to be welcomed. But a broader security engagement is urgently needed.
United States, US Defence Policy, North Korea, Defence Management, Proliferation and Nuclear Policy, Global Security Issues, Proliferation and Nuclear Policy
Turkey, the US and the S-400: A Counter-Narrative
Commentary, 15 August 2019Peter Roberts and Seth Newkirk
Regardless of how difficult Erdogan’s Turkey may now be, it is a key state in NATO and must be treated as such.
Turkey, United States, US Defence Policy, NATO, Americas, Military Sciences, Defence Policy, International Institutions, Europe
UK Ministry of Defence Announces Ambitious Plans for Space
Commentary, 30 July 2019Alexandra Stickings
The UK has recently announced a number of new military space initiatives, showing that it is taking this strategic environment seriously. While these are welcome developments, questions persist over the UK’s broader space ambitions.
Aerospace, Air Power and Technology, United States, Defence Spending, Equipment and Acquisitions, UK Defence Policy, Military Sciences, Defence Management, Defence Policy, UK, Technology, UK Defence
The UK, France and the US: Still Special Relationships
Commentary, 19 July 2019Tom Plant
A yearly gathering of experts and think tanks from the world’s powers reiterates the values, interests and approaches which still bind them together in the nuclear sphere, notwithstanding current political differences.
United States, Americas, France, Proliferation and Nuclear Policy, UK, Proliferation and Nuclear Policy, EuropePages

Dr Aniseh Bassiri Tabrizi on the Iran Nuclear Deal
Multimedia, 18 June 2019Dr Aniseh Bassiri Tabrizi talks to BBC News about the Iran Nuclear Deal. One year after the U.S. withdrew from the Iran Deal, Iran is looking to scale back its commitment.
Tags: United States, Iran, Americas, Germany, International Security Studies, Russia, France, UK, Europe, Middle East and North Africa
The US-Russia Nuclear Treaty Under Threat
Multimedia, 21 October 2018After reports that the USA may with from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty, Professor Malcolm Chalmers, Deputy Director General of the Royal United Services Institute speaks to BBC news...
Tags: United States, Russia, Proliferation and Nuclear Policy, Proliferation and Nuclear Policy
US Sanctions on Russia
Multimedia, 10 August 2018Emily Ferris, RUSI Research Fellow, on the new US sanctions on Russia and what the Russian response might look like.
Tags: United States, International Security Studies, Russia
The North Korean Nuclear Summit
Multimedia, 9 March 2018Tom Plant, Director, Proliferation and Nuclear Policy programme at RUSI on the proposed nuclear summit between North Korea and the US
Tags: United States, North Korea, Proliferation and Nuclear Policy, Proliferation and Nuclear Policy, Pacific
That's No Moon... That's A Tesla
Multimedia, 9 February 2018The successful and spectacular inaugural launch of SpaceX’s Falcon Heavy this week not only captured public imaginations with its ground-breaking double booster recovery and quirky payload, but also...
Tags: Aerospace, Air Power and Technology, United States, Terrorism and ConflictPages

Resolving the Battle over Artificial Intelligence in War
RUSI Journal, 29 November 2019Larry Lewis
The military application of AI presents multiple challenges for the relationship between defence, industry and technology companies.
RUSI Journal, United States, US Defence Policy, Defence Policy, Law and Ethics, Technology
Book Review: Can’t Hurt Me: Master Your Mind and Defy the Odds
RUSI Journal, 29 November 2019Andrew Otchie
Andrew Otchie reviews Can’t Hurt Me: Master Your Mind and Defy the Odds, by David Goggins.
RUSI Journal, United States, US Defence Policy, Defence Policy, Military Personnel
Book Review: A Not-So-Special Relationship: The US, the UK and German Unification, 1945–1990
RUSI Journal, 25 September 2019V R Berghahn
V R Berghahn reviews A Not-So-Special Relationship: The US, the UK and German Unification, 1945–1990, by Luca Ratti.
RUSI Journal, United States, Germany, UK, History
Book Review: Peace Works: America’s Unifying Role in a Turbulent World
RUSI Journal, 25 September 2019Andrew Rathmell
Andrew Rathmell reviews Peace Works: America’s Unifying Role in a Turbulent World, by Rick Barton.
RUSI Journal, United States, Peacekeeping and Peacebuilding
Book Review: Chaos in the Liberal Order: The Trump Presidency and International Politics in the Twenty-First Century
RUSI Journal, 25 September 2019Arthur I Cyr
Arthur I Cyr reviews Chaos in the Liberal Order: The Trump Presidency and International Politics in the Twenty-First Century, edited by Robert L Jervis et al.
RUSI Journal, United States, US Defence PolicyPages

Reflections on D-Day: The Battle for Normandy
Events, 30 May 2019A panel discussion to commemorate the 75th anniversary of D-Day, the Battle for Normandy.
United States, UK, History, Europe
Breaking the Ice – Russia and the West in 2019
Events, 9 January 2019Our next Under 35's Forum event will be a round table briefing followed by discussion led by RUSI's Russia and Eurasia Research Fellow, Emily Ferris
United States, Russia, UK
General Stephen Townsend to Deliver the Annual Kermit Roosevelt Lecture 2018
Events, 15 June 2018General Stephen J. Townsend, commander of the US Army Training and Doctrinal Command will deliver the 72nd Annual Kermit Roosevelt Lecture.
United States, Military Sciences, UK
Transatlantic Traumas: A discussion with Professor Stanley R. Sloan on the future of the West
Events, 16 April 2018Professor Stanley R. Sloan will discuss his latest book, Transatlantic traumas: Has illiberalism brought the West to the brink of collapse?, which examines the external threats and internal...
RUSI International, United States, Americas, Russia, UK, Global Security Issues
UK Security Policy: National Institutions and the Gap between Expert and Public Opinion
Events, 19 September 2017The conference will discuss the findings from a three-year study of elite foreign policy attitudes and security policy preferences, comparing the views of the UK elite with their American...
RUSI International, United States, UK, Global Security IssuesPages

Dr Karin von Hippel on ISIS in Syria for BBC Today Progamme
In The News, 15 October 2019 Tags: United States, Syria, Middle East and North Africa
"Taking nuclear weapons out of Turkey would cause NATO a significant headache. "I could imagine NATO nuclear planners working overtime to work this one out," Plant noted. "If they were to move, there would be some gap that would need to be addressed in some way. And the alliance as a whole could decide that it could tolerate that, that's possible as possible. Or it could decide to move things around in some way.""
U.S.-Turkey Tensions Raise Fears Over Future Of Nuclear Weapons Near Syria
In The News, 15 October 2019 Tags: United States, Syria, Proliferation and Nuclear Policy, Middle East and North Africa
"Michael Stephens, research fellow for Middle East studies at the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) think-tank in London, said: "It is fair to say that this decision has not gone down well in the UK or France, and I think we have been left in the lurch a bit and are having to play a reactive strategy to a president who doesn't have a strategy." "It is very difficult to know exactly what the US is aiming at here and what their strategic priorities are... So from a European perspective, it's a confusing time and difficult to come up with a response.""
Trump's Syria policy dismays Europe as Turkey launches campaign
In The News, 10 October 2019 Tags: United States, Syria
"Raffaello Pantucci, director of international security studies at the Royal United Services Institute in London, said that European countries were concerned returnees “are likely to be the really hardened fighters and ideologues with a range of links which mean that among them there are people who will present a significant risk”. "
Turkey’s military incursion into Syria threatens to revive Isis cells
In The News, 9 October 2019 Tags: United States, Syria
"A phone call with U.S. president used to be like hitting the jackpot for world leaders but Trump had turned that idea on its head, said Jonathan Eyal, the international director of the Royal United Services Institute. "Getting the president on the phone is very risky. It is very difficult to avoid these calls, but there will be a greater care among heads of government now in what they say to Trump.""
Phone Calls With Trump: More Risky Venture Than Diplomatic Boon
In The News, 8 October 2019 Tags: United States
Clarity on Brexit: The Security Consequences
Hong Kong After the District Council Elections: Will Anything Change?
Sir Michael Howard - A Tribute