Topic: Royal United Services Institute for Defence and Security Studies
All Content
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Britain to remove last troops from Germany in 2019
In a legacy of the cold war, Britain still maintains 20,000 troops in Germany. It's now accelerating troop withdrawals.
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Iran maneuvers for upper hand ahead of nuclear talks
Expectations for a breakthrough at the talks are low. The P5+1 appears to be offering little new and an IAEA report shows Iran has made steady nuclear progress since talks stalled last spring.
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Why the Iran threat assessment may be easing – for now
Iran's unexpectedly slow missile progress, a dialed down 'covert war,' and uranium enrichment changes may yield more room for diplomacy over the country's nuclear program.
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Israel sends message with dawn attack in Syria
In an early morning air raid Israel targeted weapons being transfered from Syrian President Assad's military to Hezbollah. Official secrecy shrouded the event, which reportedly killed two in Jamraya (located between Damascus and Lebanon's border).
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NATO members need to step up, says UK defense minister
Philip Hammond said today that Europe needs to take greater responsibility for its own security and be ready to act abroad. But NATO will have to become more efficient first, he warned.
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A truce in Syria? Peace envoy calls for ceasefire during Eid. (+video)
International peace envoy Lakhdar Brahimi is asking Syria's closest regional ally, Iran, to help arrange a pause in the fighting in Syria during the Islamic holiday of Eid al-Adha.
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Why has it taken Britain eight years to extradite Abu Hamza?
British extradition proceedings against the militant cleric Abu Hamza, wanted in the US on terror charges, began in 2004. But only this week has an end to the legal process become visible.
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Turkey reinforces border: Assad's helicopters hammer northern Syria (+video)
Turkey reinforced its border with missile batteries Thursday. Syrian tanks massed 20 miles from the border with Turkey. Helicopters attacked Saraqeb, Syria.
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Syria's downing of Turkish jet unlikely to pull NATO into Syrian conflict (+video)
Military action is unlikely to get the support of either the UN Security Council or the Arab League, and outside intervention without the blessing of both of those bodies is all but unthinkable. And there is little appetite among the 28 NATO countries for another war in the Middle East.
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Military intervention in Syria? Germany pushes back hard on French warning.
French President Hollande suggested yesterday that military intervention might be required in Syria. Why that idea resonated particularly negatively in Germany.
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Iran nuclear stand-off: Why the war drumbeat has died down
Western countries are on alert for any decisive moves from Tehran that hint at an 'all-out bid' for an Iranian nuclear weapon. But in the meantime they are sticking to diplomatic measures.
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Good Reads: Dissecting Iran assassination plot, a broken America, and Qatar's rise (video)
Newspapers are picking holes in an alleged Iranian assassination plot against a Saudi diplomat, while George Packer offers up a sharp analysis of a US that can upgrade its iPhones but can't fix its bridges. And what's up with Qatar?
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Aircraft carriers gain naval clout
Aircraft carriers: The floating fortresses became the backbone of U.S. sea power after WWII, projecting military might around the world in crises and in conflicts such as Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, Kosovo and Afghanistan.
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Libya protests spread to capital city of Tripoli
Libya protests reached the capital city of Tripoli Monday in the strongest challenge yet to leader Col. Muammar Qaddafi, who derives much of his support from the western part of the country.
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What Britain's cuts mean for its place in the world
Britain made deep cuts to social services, government jobs, welfare benefits, and defense spending in order to reduce a mounting deficit. The cuts could dramatically reshape British society.
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Britain says it's still US 'wingman' despite defense budget cuts
Britain's sharp defense budget cuts target 8 percent of the military's $59 billion budget. Prime Minister David Cameron called President Obama to reassure him that the UK would remain a 'first rate' military power.
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Opinion: Budget cuts are cracking the West's defenses
Facing budget shortfalls, Britain and France must make difficult choices that could reshape how Western allies meet common security challenges.
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The Monitor's View: US and UN aid for Pakistan floods: It helps fight Taliban, effects of global warming
The lives of 14 million Pakistanis are disrupted by massive flooding. The US must prepare for more security crises triggered by erratic weather, perhaps caused by global warming.
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US, Russia spy swap: Why London is a hotbed of spies
The US-Russia spy swap today in Vienna was aimed at bringing a quick close to spy tales that have transfixed the media. But London – a magnet for Russians – is likely to remain a hotbed of spies.
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To rein in Al Qaeda in Yemen, Britain taps its colonial past
Analysts in the UK says Britain's colonial history in Yemen may give it useful insights and expertise in dealing with the presence of Al Qaeda supporters there.
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Obama's speech on Afghanistan war: Will Europe send more troops?
President Obama's speech on Afghanistan at West Point Tuesday is expected to appeal to Europe to match his troop surge. Will Europeans provide 10,000 soldiers?
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UK Iraq war inquiry: Will Tony Blair come under fire?
A UK Iraq war inquiry began Tuesday, amid allegations that British soldiers abused detainees during the war. The panel is to focus on how and why Britain went to war.
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Airline bomber convictions lead to pride and praise for British security
Monday's conviction of three young British Muslims has boosted the service after recent setbacks. But concerns remain about the ongoing radicalization of young Muslims.
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Troop deaths in Afghanistan rattle Britain
Despite a new poll showing firm public support, the deaths of eight troops in 24 hours last week is raising fresh questions about the end goals of the war.
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Once an empire, Britain faces big military cuts
Afghanistan operations in the future could be affected.
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