Section: Royal United Services Institute (UK)
Going to War With Spain: The Latest Episode in a Whitehall Farce
Indications from the EU that Spain may get a special say over Gibraltar in the final Brexit deal have raised hackles. There has even been talk of a potential ‘war’ between Spain and the UK. All nonsense, but the episode does raise some very important questions for the future of the Brexit negotiations.‘Up Yours Senors’ screamed...
Are We Dancing? US Ambition for German Defence Spending
Berlin has promised that it will meet its 2% NATO spending commitment – but it is going to take some time.German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s meeting with US President Donald Trump in Washington last week went as well as expected, given the huge differences between them.However, few areas remain as frosty between Washington and Berlin as the...
About Face! Sweden Reactivates Conscription
Earlier this month, the Swedish government reinstated conscription, one of several recent moves to strengthen the operational capability of its armed forces.The worsening security situation, in particular Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine, has led to the conclusion that the Nordic region is again confronting a resurgent and aggressive...
Brussels Attacks One Year On: More Still Needs to Be Done
Belgium has accomplished much since last year’s devastating terrorist attacks – the worst in its history. But the threats continue, and new security vulnerabilities are becoming apparent.One year ago, Belgium was struck by the worst terrorist attack in its history, killing 32 civilians and injuring several hundreds.The bombings followed...
A New Deal to Make NATO and America Great Again
There are some traditional but also a number of innovative ways by which NATO’s core values could be reasserted and reinvigorated in the wake of Donald Trump’s election.I have no doubt that Donald Trump’s presidency will do terrible harm to the moral, economic, and cultural ties that have bound the transatlantic community...
Complete issue: January/February 2017
This issue of Newsbrief includes articles on the evolution of US special forces, how Trump could shatter global non-proliferation efforts, and how to respond to the threat from foreign fighters returning to Europe from Syria and Iraq, as well as articles on the Philippines, Kazakhstan and Kosovo. Download the complete issue (3.3 MB)Download the...
Romania’s Difficult Transition
The latest anti-corruption and anti-government demonstrations in Romania, the biggest since the overthrow of the communist regime in 1989, raise difficult questions about the country’s political transformation. But they should raise fewer doubts about Romania’s continued commitment to European integration, or about the country’s...
Hassan Rouhani and the Future of Iran’s Moderates
In Iran’s upcoming elections it is not just the presidency that is at stake, but the future of the country’s moderates. Download the article (PDF)Iran’s presidential elections are fast approaching, and their outcome will influence not only the country’s foreign policy, but also the internal dynamics for the coming years....
2017 Survey of Foreign Policy Elites
Researchers at the University of Exeter, in collaboration with RUSI, are conducting a survey among foreign policy and security elites in the United Kingdom. Members of RUSI and its extended network are invited to take part. TO PARTICIPATE, PLEASE CLICK ON THIS LINK. Your input will be invaluable in understanding how foreign policy elites and...
Extended Nuclear Deterrence under Trump: Why Removing Weapons from Turkey Might be Good Policy
Despite Donald Trump’s presidential election campaign rhetoric, the US still has a central role to play in international nuclear non-proliferation efforts. There is hope Trump’s defence officials and the international community will have a steadying influence on the new president.Download the article (PDF)During his election campaign,...
