RUSI: Latest Publications

Cyber Exercises and Capture the Flag Competitions as UK Policy Tools

Katy Harrington,[object Object] — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 23:00:00 GMT

Taking a page from the approach of China and Italy, cyber competitions could enhance the talent pipeline for UK offensive cyber operations.

To Fight Ransomware, Turn to Incident Response Professionals

Rob Knake and Sezaneh Seymour,[object Object],[object Object] — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 23:00:00 GMT

If the UK hopes to end ransom payments, it must build an ecosystem of accredited cyber incident responders to work with government agencies and move as quickly as criminal operators.

The ‘US blockade’ of Iran: How It Might Function (Or Not!)

Steve Prest,[object Object] — Tue, 14 Apr 2026 23:00:00 GMT

A blockade striking Iran’s Economy will provide direct leverage in negotiations, but that it provokes questions that are going unanswered should impel caution.

Stolen Species, Missed Opportunities: Wildlife Laundering in Latin America

Jennifer Scotland and Samuel Sucre,[object Object],[object Object] — Mon, 13 Apr 2026 23:00:00 GMT

The laundering of illegally sourced endemic species undermines conservation efforts. National governments must switch the incentives to ensure sustainable trade benefits are captured locally.

Editorial: RUSI Journal, Issue 2, 2026

Kevin Rowlands,[object Object] — Sun, 12 Apr 2026 23:00:00 GMT

Kevin Rowlands, Editor of the RUSI Journal, shares his take for 2026's Issue 2.

The West’s Ukraine Sanctions Strategy has Lost its Way

Tom Keatinge,[object Object] — Sun, 12 Apr 2026 23:00:00 GMT

World events and the oil price are likely to determine the future sanctions strategy of Ukraine’s allies. It is time to finally focus on crypto.

The UK’s Chagos Islands ‘Deal’: Where are We Now?

Robert Midgley,[object Object] — Thu, 09 Apr 2026 23:00:00 GMT

The next three weeks could change western security and the geo-political world forever if the Chagos ‘deal’ passes through UK Parliament.

Integrating Hunt Forward Operations for Enhanced UK Cyber Campaigning

Tacita McCoy-Parkhill,[object Object] — Wed, 08 Apr 2026 23:00:00 GMT

The UK should integrate defensive and offensive cyber capabilities into a unified cyber campaigning strategy, with 'Hunt Forward' operations for intelligence and access.

Europe’s AML Package: A Strong Framework at the Wrong Time?

Kinga Redlowska,[object Object] — Wed, 08 Apr 2026 23:00:00 GMT

The EU’s new super-supervisor is coming to life, but will it enable or restrict the future of the EU’s financial services industry?

How North Korea is Modernising its Defence

John Hemmings,[object Object] — Wed, 08 Apr 2026 23:00:00 GMT

Stirred on by engagement in the War in Ukraine – and buoyed by resources through reciprocal arrangements with Russia – North Korea is seeing rapid development in modernising its military.

The US Army’s Next Generation Squad Weapon and the Future of NATO Standardisation

Darragh McGovern,[object Object] — Tue, 07 Apr 2026 23:00:00 GMT

As Britain seeks a successor to the SA80 through Project Grayburn, what does the US Army’s Next Generation Squad Weapon project mean for NATO ammunition standardisation and supply chains?

Episode 15: Integrating Today’s Forces for Air and Missile Defence

,[object Object],[object Object] — Tue, 07 Apr 2026 23:00:00 GMT

Rear Admiral Archer M Macy Jr describes today’s military, organisational, human and cultural risks and opportunities in integrating forces for air and missile defence.

NATO’s Rutte is Doing a Tough Job. Europeans Should Help

Oana Lungescu,[object Object] — Tue, 07 Apr 2026 23:00:00 GMT

Mark Rutte has come under attack for demeaning NATO, going beyond his remit and being ultimately ineffectual. Rutte is actually doing his job. And as he meets Trump this week, European allies could do more to help.

RUSI Reflects: The Reality of an Extended Closure of the Strait of Hormuz

,[object Object] — Tue, 07 Apr 2026 23:00:00 GMT

Energy supplies remain a core driver of geopolitical volatility, notwithstanding the latest conditional ceasefire agreed between the US and Iran.

Operational Continuity in a Contested Energy Transition

Petras Katinas,[object Object] — Mon, 06 Apr 2026 23:00:00 GMT

RUSI's Organised Crime and Policing Team recently hosted a roundtable discussion on 26 March 2026 in Brussels to examine Europe's energy system and the resilience of critical energy infrastructure under hybrid and war scenarios.

Corporations Must Re-learn How to be Geopolitical Actors

Colin Reed and Lewis Sage-Passant,[object Object],[object Object] — Mon, 06 Apr 2026 23:00:00 GMT

A generation of executives, ascendent post-Cold War, lack an institutional memory of intensifying divergence between the world’s largest economies. History offers a roadmap.

Nationalism and Defence Willingness: Mobilising for the Future

Sophie Boulter,[object Object] — Wed, 01 Apr 2026 23:00:00 GMT

Where is the ‘rally ‘round the flag’ effect without nationalism?

Why the US’s Financial Efforts to Keep the Hormuz Strait Open Failed

Valery Bonakhau,[object Object] — Wed, 01 Apr 2026 23:00:00 GMT

The US government tried to provide political risk insurance and guarantees to shipping and energy firms operating in the Gulf in an effort to keep the Hormuz Strait open. Here is the story why the scheme did not work.

The Real Test for Iran Comes After the War

Burcu Ozcelik,[object Object] — Wed, 01 Apr 2026 23:00:00 GMT

Hasty or premature assessments aside, it is too soon to read Iran’s conduct in this war as definitive evidence of regime survival.

Licence to Operate: Transparency and Responsibility in UK Offensive Cyber Power

Riam Kim-Mcleod,[object Object] — Wed, 01 Apr 2026 23:00:00 GMT

Recent Western approaches to cybersecurity embrace the notion that the best defence is a good offence.