• Sign up
  • Log in
  • Basket: (0 items)
Oxford Research Group
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
Sign up for newsletters Donate
Skip over main navigation Menu
  • About Us
    • ORG's vision
    • Our work
      • Remote Warfare
      • Sustainable Security
      • Strategic Peacebuilding
    • History of organisation
    • Who we are
      • Staff
      • Fellows and Consultants
      • Trustees
      • Patrons
    • Governance
    • Jobs
  • Research & analysis
    • Peacebuilding
    • Climate and environment
    • Geopolitics
      • Europe and NATO
      • Middle East
      • Africa
      • Asia
    • Defence
      • Industry
      • Operations
      • Peacekeeping
      • Policy and doctrine
      • Nuclear weapons
      • Non-state armed groups
  • News & events
  • Support us
    • Donate now
    • Become a sustainer
    • Legacy giving
    • In memory
    • Online and other ways to support
    • Trusts and Foundations
  • Blog & podcasts
    • ORG Blog
    • Podcasts
  • Admin
    • Log in
  • Basket: (0 items)
  • 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

  • Event Podcast | Fusion Doctrine in Five Steps: Lessons Learned From Remote Warfare in Africa

    On 26 November, the Remote Warfare Programme launched their new report on the roll-out of the UK’s Fusion Doctrine at an event held at Fyvie Hall, London. An expert panel discussed the report's findings. Read more

  • Fusion Doctrine in Five Steps: Lessons Learned from Remote Warfare in Africa

    This report on the roll out of the UK’s new Fusion Doctrine in Africa is the first independent assessment of the Doctrine’s potential to tackle instability on the continent. 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

  • UK General Election 2019: Time for a New Approach to Security Partnerships?
  • Event Podcast | Fusion Doctrine in Five Steps: Lessons Learned From Remote Warfare in Africa
  • Fusion Doctrine in Five Steps: Lessons Learned from Remote Warfare in Africa
  • Why Al-Shabaab’s attack on US drone base shouldn’t be ignored
  • Next
  • Prev
  1. About Us
  2. Our work
  3. Remote Warfare

The Remote Warfare Programme

Our work focuses on areas where the military is responding to conflict and instability. Breaking out of a cycle of violence requires military interventions that contribute to the conditions needed for lasting peace settlements. Otherwise, as we see too often, warfare exists to serve itself, with catastrophic consequences. We work closely with partners in military, government, parliamentary and expert communities to help build effective, accountable and sustainable approaches to defence and security.

This means analysing and understanding the contemporary defence environment. We have seen long wars in Iraq and Afghanistan decrease the risk appetite for military intervention among politicians, parliaments, and publics. When combined with major developments in military technology and an increasing focus on counter-terrorism, this creates an incentive for the British government to take a remote approach to warfare. This involves supporting local groups – who are now doing the bulk of the frontline fighting against terrorist groups – in an attempt to counter threats without putting large numbers of British boots on the ground. The effectiveness of this approach has been under-explored, and efforts to study it are complicated by a lack of government transparency.  

In order to fill this gap, we commission and conduct research on the opportunities, risks and costs of remote warfare. By engaging with a broad range of experts in troop-contributing countries as well as on the ground in conflict zones we make sure that our research and policy recommendations are robust, fair, and applicable to contemporary priorities and challenges. This means tailoring our work for the policy-makers, military decision-makers, and parliamentarians that have the power and the responsibility to improve defence and security policy.

Projects

  • Fusion Doctrine in Five Steps
  • Conceptual Series: Defining Remote Warfare
  • Remote War: Political, Military and Legal Issues


News and Publications

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

Published: 10th December, 2019

Author: Alasdair McKay

Related topics:
  • Policy and Doctrine
  • The Remote Warfare Programme

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

Published: 6th December, 2019

Author: Alasdair McKay

Related topics:
  • The Remote Warfare Programme

Event Podcast | Fusion Doctrine in Five Steps: Lessons Learned From Remote Warfare in Africa

On 26 November, the Remote Warfare Programme launched their new report on the roll-out of the UK’s Fusion Doctrine at an event held at Fyvie Hall, London. An expert panel discussed the report's findings. Read more

Published: 29th November, 2019

Updated: 4th December, 2019

Author: Alasdair McKay

Related topics:
  • The Remote Warfare Programme
  • Africa
  • Sahel - Sahara
  • Fusion Doctrine in Five Steps
  • Podcasts

Fusion Doctrine in Five Steps: Lessons Learned from Remote Warfare in Africa

This report on the roll out of the UK’s new Fusion Doctrine in Africa is the first independent assessment of the Doctrine’s potential to tackle instability on the continent. Read more

Published: 6th November, 2019

Updated: 2nd December, 2019

Author: Alasdair McKay

Related topics:
  • The Remote Warfare Programme
  • Operations
  • Africa
  • Sahel - Sahara
  • Fusion Doctrine in Five Steps

Infographics: Fusion Doctrine in Five Steps

ORG's research on Fusion Doctrine in Africa summarised in infographics. Read more

Published: 5th November, 2019

Updated: 29th November, 2019

Author: Alasdair McKay

Related topics:
  • Policy and Doctrine
  • The Remote Warfare Programme
  • Africa
  • Sahel - Sahara
  • Fusion Doctrine in Five Steps

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

Published: 22nd October, 2019

Author: Alasdair McKay

Related topics:
  • The Remote Warfare Programme
  • Operations
  • Africa
  • Sahel - Sahara

WarPod Ep #7 | Drones, A.I., and Sci-Fi

Ulrike Franke discusses drones, artificial intelligence, the future of technology in warfare, and the insights that can be gained from studying the portrayal of drones in science fiction. Read more

Published: 14th October, 2019

Updated: 15th October, 2019

Author: Alasdair McKay

Related topics:
  • Non-state armed groups
  • Policy and Doctrine
  • The Remote Warfare Programme
  • Operations
  • Podcasts

WarPod Episode #6 | Views from Inside Westminster

Liam Walpole is joined, on location at Portcullis House, by three past and present parliamentary researchers to discuss the future of UK defence and foreign policy. Read more

Published: 16th September, 2019

Updated: 20th November, 2019

Author: Alasdair McKay

Related topics:
  • Policy and Doctrine
  • The Remote Warfare Programme
  • Podcasts

WarPod Ep #5 : Covert Action and Accountability

RWP are joined by Dr. Jamie Gaskarth from the University of Birmingham to discuss the accountability of the more secretive elements of the UK security services. Read more

Published: 15th August, 2019

Updated: 18th September, 2019

Author: Alasdair McKay

Related topics:
  • Policy and Doctrine
  • The Remote Warfare Programme
  • Podcasts

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

Published: 29th July, 2019

Updated: 30th July, 2019

Author: Alasdair McKay

Related topics:
  • The Remote Warfare Programme
  • Westminster Round-Up
  • Africa
  • Peacekeeping
  • Podcasts

WarPod Ep #4 : We Need to Talk About Yemen

Liam Walpole is joined by Marwa Baabbad, Director of ORG's Strategic Peacebuilding Programme, to discuss the UK's policy towards Yemen and the impact of its security partnership with Saudi Arabia on the country. Read more

Published: 23rd July, 2019

Updated: 9th December, 2019

Author: Alasdair McKay

Related topics:
  • Strategic Peacebuilding
  • The Remote Warfare Programme
  • Middle East
  • Peacebuilding
  • Podcasts

Westminster Round-Up Podcast | June 2019

The Remote Warfare Programme's Liam Walpole and Megan Karlshoej-Pedersen discuss the latest developments in UK defence and security policy. Read more

Published: 26th June, 2019

Author: Alasdair McKay

Related topics:
  • The Remote Warfare Programme
  • Westminster Round-Up
  • Middle East
  • Podcasts

WarPod Ep #3 | A Very British Approach to Collusion?

In this episode, the Remote Warfare Programme are joined by Rory Cormac and Andrew Mumford of the University of Nottingham to discuss their new project on collusion. Read more

Published: 26th June, 2019

Author: Alasdair McKay

Related topics:
  • The Remote Warfare Programme
  • Podcasts

Remote Warfare and the Practical Challenges for the Protection of Civilians Strategy

This briefing explores the strategic consequences of remote warfare for Protection of Civilians (POC) and outlines practical lessons the British armed forces can draw from contemporary theatres to improve its capacity for POC in partnered operations. Read more

Published: 10th June, 2019

Updated: 18th July, 2019

Author: Alasdair McKay

Related topics:
  • Policy and Doctrine
  • The Remote Warfare Programme
  • Operations

Westminster Round-Up Podcast | May 2019

The Remote Warfare Programme's Liam Walpole and Megan Karlshoej-Pedersen discuss the latest developments in UK defence and security policy. Read more

Published: 28th May, 2019

Updated: 19th June, 2019

Author: Alasdair McKay

Related topics:
  • Policy and Doctrine
  • The Remote Warfare Programme
  • Podcasts

Conceptualising Remote Warfare: The Past, Present, and Future

On 28 February and 1 March 2019, the Remote Warfare Programme and the authors, held a two-day conference on remote warfare. This essay provides an overview of the event and reflects more broadly on remote warfare scholarship. Read more

Published: 23rd May, 2019

Updated: 27th August, 2019

Author: Alasdair McKay

Related topics:
  • The Remote Warfare Programme
  • Operations

WarPod Ep #2 | Yemen, Drones and International Law

To discuss a recent German court case regarding drones, the Remote Warfare Programme team are joined by Fiona Nelson of ECCHR and Jennifer Gibson of Reprieve. Read more

Published: 23rd May, 2019

Updated: 29th November, 2019

Author: Alasdair McKay

Related topics:
  • The Remote Warfare Programme
  • Operations
  • Middle East
  • Podcasts

Westminster Round-Up Podcast | April 2019

The Remote Warfare Programme's Liam Walpole and Megan Karlshoej-Pedersen discuss the latest developments in UK defence and security policy. Read more

Published: 29th April, 2019

Author: Alasdair McKay

Related topics:
  • The Remote Warfare Programme
  • Westminster Round-Up
  • Podcasts

The WarPod Ep #1: Building Partner Capacity in Africa

The Remote Warfare Programme are joined by Nic Marsh and Marie Sandnes of the Peace Research Institute Oslo to talk security assistance and building partner capacity in Africa. Read more

Published: 29th April, 2019

Updated: 31st May, 2019

Author: Alasdair McKay

Related topics:
  • The Remote Warfare Programme
  • Operations
  • Africa
  • Podcasts

Improving the UK offer in Africa: Lessons from military partnerships on the continent

Based on field research conducted in Africa with British and international military personnel, this brief focusses on the military contribution to UK efforts in Kenya, Mali and Nigeria. Read more

Published: 29th March, 2019

Updated: 5th August, 2019

Author: Alasdair McKay

Related topics:
  • The Remote Warfare Programme
  • Operations
  • Africa

Podcast | Learning Lessons from Partner Operations: A Conversation with Larry Lewis

The Remote Warfare Programme's Liam Walpole and Megan Karlshoej-Pedersen sit down with Dr. Larry Lewis to discuss working with strategic military partners and civilian casualties. Read more

Published: 25th February, 2019

Updated: 1st March, 2019

Author: Alasdair McKay

Related topics:
  • The Remote Warfare Programme
  • Podcasts

Westminster Round Up | February 2019

The Remote Warfare Programme provides its monthly update on the developments in UK defence and security policy. Read more

Published: 25th February, 2019

Updated: 28th February, 2019

Author: Alasdair McKay

Related topics:
  • The Remote Warfare Programme
  • Westminster Round-Up

Podcast: The Modernising Defence Programme Review In Focus

The Remote Warfare Programme team critically discuss the recently released Modernising Defence Programme review. Read more

Published: 25th February, 2019

Updated: 29th March, 2019

Author: Alasdair McKay

Related topics:
  • The Remote Warfare Programme
  • Podcasts

Podcast: The 2013 Syria Vote Revisited

The Remote Warfare Programme team revisit the 2013 parliamentary vote over intervention in Syria and whether the result reflected a shift towards a pacifist parliament as some have claimed. Read more

Published: 24th January, 2019

Updated: 27th February, 2019

Author: Alasdair McKay

Related topics:
  • The Remote Warfare Programme
  • Podcasts
Load more Back to top

Showing 10 of 72

Latest

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Marwa Baabbad Speaks at We the Peoples Film Festival

    Marwa Baabbad, ORG's Head of International Projects, joined an expert panel at The We the Peoples Film Festival.

  • Abigail Watson Presents at Egmont Institute Roundtable

    On 28 November, Abigail Watson, the Remote Warfare Programme’s Research Manager, joined a research and policy roundtable on security force assistance at the Egmont Institute in Brussels.

Most read

  • 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 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 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 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.

Tag cloud

Accoutability Africa Al-Shabaab AMISOM Climate Peacebuilding Peacekeeping Responsibility to Protect Somalia Special Forces Special Forces oversight Special Operations Forces Sustainable Security Index Transparency UNISOM Yemen

Support us

Support Oxford Research Group and help us develop and promote non-violent alternatives to current security issues.

Please select a donation amount: *
Set up a regular payment Donate

Sign up to our newsletter 

Subscribe for the latest updates from ORG Sign up

Contact

Oxford Research Group
The Green House
244-254 Cambridge Heath Road
London
E2 9DA

Charity no. 299436
Company no. 2260840

Email us

020 3559 6745

Follow us

  • Twitter
  • Facebook

Useful links

  • Login
  • Logout
  • Manager
  • Contact us
  • Sitemap
  • Accessibility
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy policy