Human Security Centre Human Rights and International Security Research

While the tonal change in the content of the new NDS compared to its predecessors is undeniable, the substance is far from radical. Although such strategies and similar documents are not prescriptive to administration decisions, they do guide the planning that shapes day-to-day White House policy options and act to signals to allies and parters. In this context, it should be regarded as less of a historical break than some headlines suggest.

That the PRC’s propaganda is now pivoting towards deterring China’s partners is no surprise, as the PLA has long recognized the ability to deter or defeat U.S. intervention attempts as central to any military effort to take Taiwan.

While the Trump administration’s approach to Taiwan is continuing to coalesce, current signs indicate no dramatic departure from long-standing positions.

The House of Commons Defence Committee has published its report, The UK Contribution to European Security. The report, to which the HSC gave written and oral evidence, concludes that while the UK remains a leading European security actor, it needs to take measures to “urgently strengthen its conventional and nuclear capabilities, improve interoperability with Allies, strengthen its defence industrial base and ensure it can defend the UK homeland and overseas territories.”

War Child UK has published the Return Every Child report, exposing Russia’s systematic campaign to indoctrinate and militarise Ukrainian children in the occupied territories. Co-authored with the Human Security Centre and Save Ukraine, the report draws on testimonies from 200 rescued children and reveals harrowing patterns of abuse. The report concludes that the most likely goal of Russia is to encourage, manipulate, or coerce Ukrainian children into the Russian Armed Forces, including participation in combat against their own country.

HSC Deputy Director Dr Rowan Allport is giving evidence to the UK House of Lords International Relations and Defence Committee’s inquiry ‘The UK contribution to European Security’ on Tuesday 29 April 2025.

The House of Commons Defence Committee has published the HSC’s evidence on the UK contribution to European Security. The inquiry comes amidst an ongoing Strategic Defence Review, and as the Russian invasion of Ukraine enters its fourth year.

The House of Lords International Relations and Defence Committee has published its report Ukraine: a wake-up call. The paper outlines the central lessons of the Russia-Ukraine conflict for UK defence policy.

The House of Lords International Relations and Defence Committee has published the HSC's evidence on the implications of the war in Ukraine for UK defense. The inquiry comes as the conflict enters its third summer and Russia has intensified its offensive operations.

The House of Commons Defence Committee has published its ‘Ready for war?' report. The HSC provided evidence to the inquiry centred upon a breakdown of key capability shortfalls.