Peacekeeping

Westminster Round-up | July 2019

RWP discuss the implications of Boris Johnson's premiership for UK defence and security and the recent announcement by the MoD that a 250-strong force of British troops will be deployed to Mali next year to join MINUSMA. Read more

ORG Explains #9: The Responsibility to Protect

This primer explains the Responsibility to Protect concept, including its origins, applications and critiques. Read more

ORG Explains #4: The UK and UN Peacekeeping

This primer explains the United Kingdom’s human, financial and other commitments to UN Peacekeeping operations, how these compare to other states, and how they have changed over time. Read more

UN Peacekeeping and the 2017 Election

While it seems unlikely that any decisive bloc of British voters will be swayed in their vote on 8 June by the competing parties’ pledges on UN peacekeeping, a survey of the various party manifestoes reveals a resurgence of commitment to such operations. Read more

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. Read more

Latest

WarPod Ep #19 | Partner Operations and the Importance of Legitimacy

Hijab Shah of CSIS and Dorith Kool from HCSS join the Remote Warfare Programme team to discuss partner legitimacy, security force assistance and security sector reform.

Forging a New Path: Prioritising the Protection of Civilians in the UK’s Response to Conflict

This report examines the serious challenges remote warfare poses to the protection of civilians in modern conflict and outlines how these issues can be resolved.

COVID-19: Not Out of the Woods Yet

There is still much to learn about the virus and its behaviour, but it seems probable that we are still in the early stages of the global pandemic and the worst impacts of the outbreak may be yet to come.

WarPod Ep #18 | The UN and the Rise of Counter-Terrorism

Ali Altiok and Saferworld's Jordan Street join the podcast to discuss the emergence of the four pillar of the United Nations, counter-terrorism.

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.