Influence or Strategy: Lessons from Iraq ahead of Mali

This article discusses how the Iraq War carries important lessons for the UK as it prepares to deploy its troops to Mali, particularly when it comes to prioritising influence above a strategy. Read more
Overseeing the UK’s Special Forces

If Britain is to be a “force for good”, there must be oversight of the UK’s Special Forces. Read more
European Military Presence in the Sahel: Searching for Purpose

In January French President announced a new Coalition for the Sahel, to tackle with the security and development challenges in the region. But public debate in some countries about why so many organisations and countries are engaging in the region and what they hope to achieve has been lacking. Read more
Time for External Oversight of Britain's Special Forces

Many of the most damning accusations against special forces were from their fellow soldiers and not from the external lawyers viewed with suspicion. Read more

The ORG Blog

This blog is a platform for defence and security experts to exchange and discuss ideas. The views and opinions expressed here by commissioned authors do not necessarily reflect those of Oxford Research Group.

Influence or Strategy: Lessons from Iraq ahead of Mali

This article discusses how the Iraq War carries important lessons for the UK as it prepares to deploy its troops to Mali, particularly when it comes to prioritising influence above a strategy. Read more

Overseeing the UK’s Special Forces

If Britain is to be a “force for good”, there must be oversight of the UK’s Special Forces. Read more

The DFID-FCO Merger: Long-Term Thinking and the Role of Civil Society

On 16 June, the UK government announced a merger between DFID and the FCO. ORG offers its comments on this development, Read more

European Military Presence in the Sahel: Searching for Purpose

In January French President announced a new Coalition for the Sahel, to tackle with the security and development challenges in the region. But public debate in some countries about why so many organisations and countries are engaging in the region and what they hope to achieve has been lacking. Read more

Time for External Oversight of Britain's Special Forces

Many of the most damning accusations against special forces were from their fellow soldiers and not from the external lawyers viewed with suspicion. Read more

UK General Election 2019: Time for a New Approach to Security Partnerships?

This general election is an opportunity for UK political parties to commit to a review of the UK’s approach to security partnerships to ensure that they are consistent with UK strategic objectives to reduce conflict and build peace abroad. Read more

Why Al-Shabaab’s attack on US drone base shouldn’t be ignored

The long-term impacts of western operations exacerbate the very radicalization and violence they claim to be trying to avoid. Read more

‘Stabilization’ and UN Peace Operations

The term 'stabilization' has been frequently used by the UN. But what exactly does the term mean in the UN context and does its use denote a shift in the practice of the UN? Read more

Children and Conflict: An Interview with Katrina Lee-Koo

Katrina Lee-Koo discusses how children both struggle within and shape conflict zones. Read more

Latest

Security in the DRC and Yemen: Military Conflict, Disease Outbreak and Containment

This briefing examines the effect of military conflict on the response (and vice versa) to Ebola and COVID-19 in DRC and Yemen, respectively.
Mistrust, Misinformation and Community Engagement: Reflections on lessons from the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Yemen

This briefing examines the mistrust, misinformation and community engagement during the Ebola and COVID-19 outbreaks in the DRC and Yemen, respectively.
Women’s Experiences of Disease Outbreaks in Conflict: Reflections on lessons from the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Yemen

This briefing will explore the challenges facing women and girls in each of these contexts. It will first examine the response of the international community in the DRC, and identify key challenges to Congolese women.
Background Briefing - Military Conflict, Disease Outbreak and Containment: A Comparative Study of Yemen and DRC

This is the first briefing in a series released by the Oxford Research Group’s (ORG) Strategic Peacebuilding Programme. These briefings examine the lessons that can be drawn from the response to Ebola in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and how they can be applied in the response to COVID-19 in Yemen.

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 for nearly four decades 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.