Abigail Watson attends NATO workshop

17 December 2018

The NATO Centre of Excellence for Security Force Assistance had its first workshop on December 6 and 7 2018. It brought together a range of practitioners to discuss the opportunities, challenges and risks of security force assistance and to explore the lessons from civilian and military experiences. Our senior research officer, Abigail Watson, attended the two days and joined the discussion, speaking to our own research in this area – especially the three reports we released in the summer which examined the legal, military and political implications of remote warfare:

Image credit: Abigail Watson.

Latest

Westminster Round Up | December 2018

In the 12 days of December that parliament sat, the long-awaited release of the Modernising Defence Programme could and should have been the big news. Instead it was released two days before the Christmas recess began and it was deemed underwhelming by MPs and analysts alike.
Drone Proliferation: An Interview With Ulrike Franke

Specialist on European security and defence issues, Ulrike Franke, discusses the global proliferation of drone technology.
Emily Knowles presents at Peace Research Institute Oslo Event

RWP Director Emily Knowles delivered a presentation at the Litteraturhuset in Oslo aimed at improving Norwegian approaches to security force assistance.
The Government’s Defence Review: An Incomplete Picture

The Ministry of Defence’s long-awaited Modernising Defence Programme was released this week. The report appears to reinforce the government’s shifting strategic focus towards countering state-based threats, despite the fact that remote warfare is likely to dominate British military engagement in the foreseeable future.

Drone Proliferation: An Interview With Ulrike Franke

Specialist on European security and defence issues, Ulrike Franke, discusses the global proliferation of drone technology.
Emily Knowles presents at Peace Research Institute Oslo Event

RWP Director Emily Knowles delivered a presentation at the Litteraturhuset in Oslo aimed at improving Norwegian approaches to security force assistance.
The Government’s Defence Review: An Incomplete Picture

The Ministry of Defence’s long-awaited Modernising Defence Programme was released this week. The report appears to reinforce the government’s shifting strategic focus towards countering state-based threats, despite the fact that remote warfare is likely to dominate British military engagement in the foreseeable future.
Iraq After Islamic State: Divided We Stand?

This briefing examines how choices made throughout the anti-IS campaign have contributed to several of the factors that are currently destabilising the Iraqi security sector.
Linking spending to strategic priorities: why the MDP should be published in full

The Modernising Defence Programme is marks an significant step for the government and there are many important reasons why a full publicly accessible report is preferable to a written ministerial statement.
Westminster Round Up | November 2018

As the Brexit negotiations continue at full speed, other significant issues, such as defence, seem to have taken a backseat in parliament this November.
The Perils of Remote Warfare: Finding a Political Settlement with Counter-Terrorism in the Driving Seat

Despite efforts to address the broader causes of instability, the current use of remote warfare has been predominantly military-focused and counter-terrorism oriented, often to the detriment of broader political efforts.
Abigail Watson Speaks at Sandhurst Trends Symposium

Abigail Watson, the Remote Warfare Programme's Senior Research Officer, spoke at the third in the Sandhurst Trends symposium on November 15.
ORG Submits Evidence to Inquiry into the Conflict, Stability and Security Fund

ORG’s Remote Warfare Programme recently submitted evidence to the Joint Committee on the National Security Strategy’s inquiry into the Conflict, Stability and Security Fund.
Westminster Round-up | October 2018

Westminster’s October agendas were once again dominated by discussions on the value and impact of the UK’s relationship with Saudi Arabia.

The Role of Youth in Peacebuilding: Challenges and Opportunities

Young people are frequently ‘othered’ in discussions about conflict. This is a dangerous practice as youths can play a very positive role aiding peacebuilding in societies recovering from conflict.
Making Bad Economies: The Poverty of Mexican Drug Cartels

Some stories say that local economies benefit from cartels in Mexico. But research suggests that the areas most plagued by drug-related violence have seriously suffered economically.
ORG's Vision

Oxford Research Group (ORG) is an independent organisation that has been influential for over 35 years in pioneering new, more strategic approaches to security and peacebuilding. Based in London since 2006, ORG continues to pursue cutting edge research and advocacy in the United Kingdom and abroad while managing innovative peacebuilding projects in several Middle Eastern countries.
Remote Warfare: Lessons Learned from Contemporary Theatres

This report is a first attempt to identify some of the factors that have helped or hindered the UK’s current approach to remote warfare.
Weavers of Peace: The Higaonon Tribe in the Philippines

The Higaonon, an indigenous tribe in Northern Mindanao in the southern Philippines, have preserved an ancient system of conflict resolution which has enabled them to be a truly peaceful community. However, there is a need to ensure that this knowledge is not lost in the future.
The Cyprus Problem: Why Solve a Comfortable Conflict?

Several diplomatic efforts have been made both domestically and internationally to enhance peaceful unity since the start of the Cyprus Problem. Despite the shortcomings of past efforts, it is still desirable not only to resolve the issue, but also to do so in a timely manner.
Why Does UN Humanitarian Intervention Remain Selective?

Over the past two decades, the United Nations Security Council has responded more strongly to some humanitarian crises than to others. This variation in Security Council action raises the important question of what factors motivate United Nations intervention.
The UK and UN Peace Operations: A Case for Greater Engagement

This report supports an enhanced role for Britain in UN peace operations and sets out a case for greater engagement.
The Politics of Coltan: An Interview with Michael Nest

In this interview, Dr. Michael Nest discusses the political, environmental, ethical and social issues surrounding the mining of columbite–tantalite (coltan).
The Expanding Role of Chinese Peacekeeping in Africa

China's increased involvement in United Nations (UN) peacekeeping in Africa reflects a broader trend of the country taking a more proactive approach to foreign policy.