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United States
Articles, analysis and events on the United States from the Royal United Services Institute.
Far-Right Extremism in the US: A Threat No Longer Ignored
Commentary, 1 February 2021
Jessica White
The events at the US Capitol in Washington D.C. on 6 January have jolted the US national security system into action and forced an acknowledgement of the dangers posed by far-right extremism.
Tags: Terrorism and Conflict, United States, National Security
Jordan After Trump: Between Hope and Uncertainty in the Middle East
Commentary, 29 January 2021
Tobias Borck
As US President Joe Biden assumes office, many governments in the Middle East are looking to Washington to see what the change in the White House will mean for them.
Tags: United States, Americas, Middle East and North Africa
The US Navy’s Large Surface Combatant Programme: A Project in Search of a Clear Rationale
Commentary, 28 January 2021
Sidharth Kaushal
The US Navy needs to demonstrate that its mammoth investment in large surface combatants has a manifest purpose.
Tags: Military Sciences, United States, US Defence Policy, Maritime Forces
Yemen: Engaging, Not Isolating
Commentary, 25 January 2021
Simona Ross and Stefan Wolff
Five years of war in Yemen have caused one of today’s worst man-made humanitarian crises. To resolve the conflict the Biden administration will have to grasp the nettle of subnational governance reform and be prepared to work with – not against – the Houthis in finding a sustainable political settlement.
Tags: United States, Unpacking the MENA, Middle East and North Africa
The Biden Presidency: What Role for the UK on Iran?
Commentary, 22 January 2021
Aniseh Bassiri Tabrizi, Darya Dolzikova and Tom Plant
UK and US policy towards Iran has diverged substantially in recent years, and both countries need to work hard to restore their partnership. The UK can do its part through a re-energised agenda on the Iran nuclear file, and towards Middle Eastern security more broadly.
Tags: Iranian Nuclear Pathways, Proliferation and Nuclear Policy, UK Integrated Review 2021, United States, Unpacking the MENA, Iran, UK
The Biden Administration’s First Steps and the UN
Commentary, 22 January 2021
Richard Gowan
The new US administration is keen to regain its pivotal role in the UN. Not before time – and the agenda is daunting.
Tags: United Nations, United StatesPages
The Biden Administration’s First Steps and the UN
Commentary, 22 January 2021Richard Gowan
The new US administration is keen to regain its pivotal role in the UN. Not before time – and the agenda is daunting.
United Nations, United States
The Biden Presidency: What Role for the UK on Iran?
Commentary, 22 January 2021Aniseh Bassiri Tabrizi, Darya Dolzikova and Tom Plant
UK and US policy towards Iran has diverged substantially in recent years, and both countries need to work hard to restore their partnership. The UK can do its part through a re-energised agenda on the Iran nuclear file, and towards Middle Eastern security more broadly.
Iranian Nuclear Pathways, Proliferation and Nuclear Policy, UK Integrated Review 2021, United States, Unpacking the MENA, Iran, UK
Of Some Benefit: US Corporate Transparency Inches Forward
Commentary, 21 January 2021Tom Keatinge
The fêting of new company registration requirements in the US is understandable, but critical gaps remain.
Centre for Financial Crime and Security Studies, United States, AML/CTF
The Biden Presidency: The Benefits of Being Boring
Commentary, 20 January 2021Karin von Hippel
As Joe Biden takes the oath of office today as the 46th President of the US, RUSI’s Director-General reflects on the challenges and opportunities facing his administration.
United States
Time for a New UK–US Relationship
Commentary, 19 January 2021Peter Roberts
With the arrival of each new US president, the incumbent UK prime minster hopes to revitalise the UK–US ‘special relationship’ in defence and security. It has largely been missing in action since the heady days of the Reagan–Thatcher relationship.
UK Integrated Review 2021, United States, UKPages
The Trump Presidency After the Inauguration
Multimedia, 21 January 2017Dr Karin von Hippel discussed US foreign policy following the inauguration of Donald Trump on BBC Radio 4's Today programme.
Tags: United States
Looking Ahead to the Trump Presidency
Multimedia, 19 January 2017In this special podcast, experts from the Royal United Services Institute discuss the forthcoming presidency of Donald J Trump as he prepares to take office on 20 January 2017.
Tags: United States, US Defence Policy, Global Security Issues
The Trump Presidency
Multimedia, 19 January 2017RUSI Director General Dr Karin von Hippel discusses the foreign and security policy challenges of the Trump presidency ahead of his inauguration for Sky News.
Tags: China, United States, US Defence Policy, Iran, NATO, Russia, Global Security Issues
NATO and the New Trump Presidency
Multimedia, 16 January 2017Dr Jonathan Eyal, Associate Director of RUSI speaks with Oana Lungescu, NATO spokesperson on the transatlantic relationship as Donald Trump prepares to become the 45th US President.
Tags: RUSI International, United States, Europe
Russian Intelligence and the #Kompromat allegations
Multimedia, 11 January 2017Dr Jonathan Eyal, Associate Director at RUSI examines the allegations behind Russian intelligence and President-elect Donald Trump
Tags: RUSI International, United States, Russia, IntelligencePages
The Strategic Logic of Malaysia’s Muted Response to the South China Sea Standoff
RUSI Newsbrief, 29 May 2020Adam Leong Kok Wey
Malaysia’s response to the latest South China Sea standoff shows a small state practising astute grand strategy.
China, United States, RUSI Newsbrief, Maritime Forces
Assessing Force Requirements for a Military Response to Iranian Actions
RUSI Newsbrief, 7 May 2020Kenneth Freeman
If the US was to invade Iran, how much money, equipment and personnel would be required? This article suggests that the costs would be prohibitive and other methods of managing relations with Iran...
United States, US Defence Policy, Iran, RUSI Newsbrief, Global Security Issues
Management of Cyber Security in Defence Supply Chains
RUSI Newsbrief, 24 April 2020Trevor Taylor and Rebecca Lucas
Cyber concerns and foreign direct investments have dragged reluctant UK and US defence authorities further into supply chain management.
Cyber, Cyber Security, Defence, Industries and Society, UK Integrated Review 2021, United States, RUSI Newsbrief, UK, Defence Management, Technology
Assessing the US–India Strategic Partnership in the Wake of the Trump Visit
RUSI Newsbrief, 17 April 2020Walter Ladwig
Bilateral cooperation between the US and India has expanded in key areas, but the relationship increasingly rests on unstable foundations.
United States, US Defence Policy, RUSI Newsbrief, India, Global Security Issues
Artificial Intelligence, Drone Swarming and Escalation Risks in Future Warfare
RUSI Journal, 16 April 2020James Johnson
Artificial intelligence on the battlefield challenges key assumptions which underpin military planning.
RUSI Journal, United States, Defence Policy, Maritime Forces, TechnologyPages
Blood Year: Islamic State and the Failures of the War on Terror
Events, 2 March 2016A lecture by Dr David Kilcullen, Chairman, Caerus Associates
United States, Counterinsurgency, Terrorism, Middle East and North Africa
‘Which Way to Pennsylvania Avenue?’: The US Election Rundown
Events, 29 February 2016As the US presidential primary gets underway, the Under 35s Forum will host an irreverent session unpacking the candidates’ policies, reflect on some of their gaffes, and attempt to predict who might...
United States, North America
UK PONI: Reviewing the 'Special' Nuclear Relationship
Events, 8 April 2014The 1958 Mutual Defence Agreement (MDA) that provides the foundation for ongoing UK-US nuclear warhead collaboration is due to be reviewed and possibly extended this year. UK PONI will host two...
Proliferation and Nuclear Policy, UK Project on Nuclear Issues, United States, US Defence Policy, Americas, Trident, UK, Defence Policy, UK Defence, EuropePages
"Karin von Hippel, the director general of the Royal United Services Institute, cautioned western countries from overreacting to what she described as characteristic grandstanding from Trump: “I just don’t think it will be implemented in the next few months before a presidential election because Congress or the Pentagon will find ways to block it; but if he wins, then, yes, anything can happen.”"
Trump move to take US troops out of Germany 'a dangerous game'
In The News, 8 June 2020 Tags: United States, Germany
Dr Karin von Hippel on protests and potential use of the National Guard in the US
In The News, 4 June 2020 Tags: United States
""With all of its shortcomings, the U.S. has stood for many ideals we dearly share," said Ziya Meral, a senior associate fellow at the Royal United Services Institute, a London-based think tank. "Now we are witnessing an America spiraling down into chaos, poor governance, social friction, poor policing and poor leadership." "
D.C. police response to George Floyd protests prompts alarm abroad
In The News, 2 June 2020 Tags: United States
"‘Within Washington there is bipartisan consensus China is a threat.’ "
Watch Dr Karin von Hippel on China and the US for Channel 4
In The News, 18 May 2020 Tags: China, United States, Coronavirus
"The risk of escalation between the US and Iran is particularly high at this point because of the coronavirus pandemic, which has affected both countries severely, said Aniseh Bassiri Tabrizi, a Middle East security expert at the Royal United Service Institute. "On top of the fact that each side has maintained in place its strategy (maximum pressure and retaliation respectively), it is possible that the coronavirus outbreak will increase the chances of miscalculation," Ms Tabrizi told The National."
Iran to target US warships if they threaten vessels: IRGC commander
In The News, 23 April 2020 Tags: International Security Studies, United States, Iran, Americas, Defence Policy, Middle East and North Africa
A Post Mortem of a Disintegrated Review
Revolutions Of War
Strengthening the UK’s National Resilience: The Tasks Ahead