Industry

Defining Remote Warfare: The Rise of the Private Military and Security Industry

This briefing will show how, amid a new global security environment shared by state and non-state actors, the market for force has developed into a strategic partner for the state in both the Western and non-Western world.Read more

Capabilities Review: Squaring Naval Ambitions, Priorities & Resources

This briefing analyses the importance of amphibious warfare and global maritime power projection in UK military strategy, the likely actual costs of introducing the two new carriers, their aircraft and accompanying vessels, and the unaddressed manpower challenges that stymie naval development.Read more

What Is the UK Doing in Yemen?

As the situation in Yemen quickly spirals into a humanitarian disaster, the UK must clarify its role in the conflict.Read more

Remote Control Project Report: Nigeria’s Private Army: A Perception Study of Private Military Contractors in the War against Boko Haram

Commissioned by the Remote Control project, the Nigeria Security Network carried out a perception study into the use of private military contractors.Read more

Conservative Defence Policy - Five Knowns and Ten Unknowns

This briefing sets out five things that we now know about the SDSR and ten things we do not yet know.Read more

Cutting the Cloth: Ambition, Austerity and the Case for Rethinking UK Military Spending

This report explores the options for reducing UK military spending in the next parliament as part of a fundamental rethinking of the way the UK conceptualises its own security and thus allocates its resources to the three Ds: defence, diplomacy and development. It forms part of Oxford Research Group’s commitment to moving UK foreign and security policy from a conflict management or containment approach to one of proactive conflict prevention.Read more

Latest

The UK Should Learn from the Transgressions of Australian Special Forces

If greater oversight was given to UK Special Forces it would allow the government to institutionalise lessons learned on the causes of transgressions, as the Australians are currently doing.

The UK Government Needs to Learn that Secrecy is Not the Answer to Increased Litigation

Increasing litigation against the UK Ministry of Defence appears to have reduced the British government’s willingness to publicly justify or explain operations abroad – potentially to the detriment of public trust and the government’s own goals of reducing litigation against it.

Director, Strategic Peacebuilding Programme

ORG is seeking an experienced, Arabic-speaking project manager to lead the strategic direction, growth and diversification of the Strategic Peacebuilding Programme’s projects and funding, managing projects in Palestine and Israel, and overseeing its work on Yemen. Apply by 6pm on Tuesday 2nd October.

“Climate Refugees” and the Role of International Law

Despite huge numbers of people being forced to leave their homes a result of climate change, the governance of climate refugees represents a gaping hole in international law.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

No Such Thing as a Quick Fix: The Aspiration-Capabilities Gap in British Remote Warfare

This report is a first attempt to evaluate the gaps between contemporary strategies and activities in Iraq, Syria and Libya.

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.

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.

Sustainable Security: Global Ideas for a Greater Britain

With the divisive process of leaving the European Union destabilising the UK’s minority government and driving an obsession with redefining a global role for a “Great” Britain, the time is right for political parties of all persuasions to rethink the country’s contribution to global security.

China's Arms Sales-in Africa

One of the negative aspects of China’s increasing engagement with African states is the spread of small arms and/or light weapons especially in conflict zones and were opposition is violently suppressed. These weapons have undoubtably contributed to the enhancement of closer ties between China and authoritarian regimes and served as an instrument for consolidating its presence in the continent.