Security and Defence

While many countries rushed to evacuate their national and local Afghan contacts, neighboring countries began to assess the significance of an Afghanistan under renewed Taliban leadership

The future shape of Japan’s Myanmar policy depends on who wins the LDP leadership election. Despite their membership of the same political party, the candidates’ respective political positions vary considerably.

With Russia taking up the chair at the Arctic Council and the Biden Administration seemingly favouring a far more cooperative posture in the High North than was seen under Trump, now is the opportunity for both states to make some inroads into improving overall bilateral ties by prioritising cooperation in the Arctic.

While Burkina Faso has not in more recent times witnessed classic civil wars like other West African states, there are many similar traits between the current situation and a civil war with several groups including the government fighting internally.

17 August, 2021 HSC Deputy Director Dr Rowan Allport has had a comment piece on Taiwan’s approach to deterrence published in The Diplomat. In it, he examines how the Taipei government is developing a capability via both its domestic industry ...

When it comes to the Euro-Atlantic region’s relations with Beijing, the former is likely to maintain a cautious approach. The People’s Republic of China needs to be kept in check, but a door for dialogue and collaboration must be kept open.

It may be possible that in the not-too distant future Switzerland will operate a helicopter fleet with a trio of models, one light, one medium and one heavy. Such a trio could theoretically cover any scenario the Swiss Armed Forces would be called upon to overcome. While the acquisition process will prove to be a challenge, acquiring heavy-lift helicopters would guarantee retaining the spectrum of capacities which will become more relevant and called upon in the future.

Japan and Taiwan share complex bilateral relations. An important element of this complexity is that while the dispute over Senkaku Islands is principally between Japan and China, Taiwan also claims them as its own territory.

The spate of diplomatic expulsions and sanctions seen over the past few months may be indicative of a failing Russian foreign policy in Europe. Russian foreign policy has always been motivated by three primary drivers – the need for security and a strong buffer; the necessity to be recognised as a great power; and the need to maintain a pragmatic relationship with the West. On all counts, one could argue that recent events have hindered these objectives.

9 June, 2021 The UK House of Commons Defence Committee has published written evidence submitted to it by the HSC as part of its ‘The Navy: purpose and procurement’ inquiry. The inquiry seeks to assess the threats and standing commitments the ...