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  • PS21 Event Podcast: What Does “Security” Mean in 2020?

    PS21 Event Podcast: What Does “Security” Mean in 2020?

    As Covid-19 reshapes the world and Britain begins its Integrated Defence and Security Review, what does the word “security” really mean in 2020 Read more

  • WarPod Ep #21 | Dissecting the Overseas Operations Bill

    WarPod Ep #21 | Dissecting the Overseas Operations Bill

    Abigail Watson is joined by Camilla Molyneux and Mark Goodwin-Hudson to discuss the Overseas Operations Bill. Read more

  • WarPod Ep #20 | Incorporating the Protection of Civilians into UK Policy

    WarPod Ep #20 | Incorporating the Protection of Civilians into UK Policy

    Megan Karlshoej-Pedersen is joined by Ewan Lawson, an ORG Fellow, and Save the Children's Amanda Brydon to discuss the importance of incorporating a strong focus on the protection of civilians into UK policy. Read more

  • Questions for the Integrated Review #3: How Should the UK Measure Success?

    Questions for the Integrated Review #3: How Should the UK Measure Success?

    Ahead of the Integrated Review, this final briefing in a series looks at how the UK should measure the success of military interventions. Read more

  • PS21 Event Podcast: What Does “Security” Mean in 2020?
  • WarPod Ep #21 | Dissecting the Overseas Operations Bill
  • WarPod Ep #20 | Incorporating the Protection of Civilians into UK Policy
  • Questions for the Integrated Review #3: How Should the UK Measure Success?
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  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

PS21 Event Podcast: What Does “Security” Mean in 2020?

PS21 Event Podcast: What Does “Security” Mean in 2020?

As Covid-19 reshapes the world and Britain begins its Integrated Defence and Security Review, what does the word “security” really mean in 2020 Read more

Published: 10th November, 2020

Author: Alasdair McKay

Related topics:
  • The Remote Warfare Programme
  • Podcasts
WarPod Ep #21 | Dissecting the Overseas Operations Bill

WarPod Ep #21 | Dissecting the Overseas Operations Bill

Abigail Watson is joined by Camilla Molyneux and Mark Goodwin-Hudson to discuss the Overseas Operations Bill. Read more

Published: 30th October, 2020

Updated: 25th November, 2020

Author: Alasdair McKay

Related topics:
  • The Remote Warfare Programme
  • Podcasts
WarPod Ep #20 | Incorporating the Protection of Civilians into UK Policy

WarPod Ep #20 | Incorporating the Protection of Civilians into UK Policy

Megan Karlshoej-Pedersen is joined by Ewan Lawson, an ORG Fellow, and Save the Children's Amanda Brydon to discuss the importance of incorporating a strong focus on the protection of civilians into UK policy. Read more

Published: 24th September, 2020

Author: Alasdair McKay

Related topics:
  • The Remote Warfare Programme
  • Integrated Review
  • Podcasts
Questions for the Integrated Review #3: How Should the UK Measure Success?

Questions for the Integrated Review #3: How Should the UK Measure Success?

Ahead of the Integrated Review, this final briefing in a series looks at how the UK should measure the success of military interventions. Read more

Published: 7th September, 2020

Updated: 26th November, 2020

Author: Alasdair McKay

Related topics:
  • The Remote Warfare Programme
  • Integrated Review
A Call for Dialogue: The Dangers of Polarisation in the Special Forces Debate

A Call for Dialogue: The Dangers of Polarisation in the Special Forces Debate

Drawing upon extensive research, this piece calls for a healthier level of debate on the issue of UK Special Forces oversight. Read more

Published: 28th August, 2020

Updated: 2nd October, 2020

Author: Alasdair McKay

Related topics:
  • The Remote Warfare Programme
WarPod Ep #19 | Partner Operations and the Importance of Legitimacy

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. Read more

Published: 4th August, 2020

Updated: 2nd October, 2020

Author: Alasdair McKay

Related topics:
  • The Remote Warfare Programme
  • Podcasts
Forging a New Path: Prioritising the Protection of Civilians in the UK’s Response to Conflict

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. Read more

Published: 29th July, 2020

Updated: 28th October, 2020

Author: Alasdair McKay

Related topics:
  • The Remote Warfare Programme
  • Integrated Review
WarPod Ep #18 | The UN and the Rise of Counter-Terrorism

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. Read more

Published: 17th July, 2020

Updated: 30th July, 2020

Author: Alasdair McKay

Related topics:
  • The Remote Warfare Programme
  • Podcasts
Questions for the Integrated Review #2: How to Engage: Deep and Narrow or Wide and Shallow?

Questions for the Integrated Review #2: How to Engage: Deep and Narrow or Wide and Shallow?

The best way to address near-peer threats is often through national strategies which unite military and non-military activity with an overall political aim, grounded in British values and not contradictory of the efforts of allies. Read more

Published: 14th July, 2020

Updated: 26th November, 2020

Author: Alasdair McKay

Related topics:
  • The Remote Warfare Programme
  • Integrated Review
Sustainable Security: Defining, Measuring and Building Security after Covid-19

Sustainable Security: Defining, Measuring and Building Security after Covid-19

This article makes the case for Sustainable Security, incorporating a broader range of risk drivers and responses than the national security approach. Embracing this would be an opportunity for the UK to strategise a more secure society and world after Covid-19. Read more

Published: 9th July, 2020

Author: Alasdair McKay

Related topics:
  • Sustainable Security Index
  • The Remote Warfare Programme
  • Integrated Review
WarPod Ep #17 | Remote Warfare and Private Military and Security Contractors

WarPod Ep #17 | Remote Warfare and Private Military and Security Contractors

In this episode Christopher Kinsey and Helene Olsen from Kings College London join the podcast to discuss private military and security contractors and their role in remote warfare. Read more

Published: 8th July, 2020

Updated: 10th July, 2020

Author: Alasdair McKay

Related topics:
  • The Remote Warfare Programme
  • Podcasts
WarPod Ep #16 | The Remote Warfare Paradox

WarPod Ep #16 | The Remote Warfare Paradox

Jolle Demmers and Lauren Gould from Utrecht University discuss the use of remote warfare by democratic states, the reasons why they have chosen to use this type of military engagement and the problems yielded by this practice. Read more

Published: 25th June, 2020

Updated: 29th June, 2020

Author: Alasdair McKay

Related topics:
  • The Remote Warfare Programme
  • Podcasts
Questions for the Integrated Review: #1 How Do We Define Security?

Questions for the Integrated Review: #1 How Do We Define Security?

The UK needs to better conceptualise its understanding of national security. By acknowledging and accounting for all the drivers of conflict and insecurity the UK can ensure that all its engagements work towards a more peaceful and prosperous world. Read more

Published: 25th June, 2020

Updated: 26th November, 2020

Author: Alasdair McKay

Related topics:
  • The Remote Warfare Programme
  • Sustainable Security Programme
  • Integrated Review
WarPod Ep #15 | Foreign Military Assistance, Human Rights and Peacebuilding

WarPod Ep #15 | Foreign Military Assistance, Human Rights and Peacebuilding

Emily Knowles and Jahara Matisek join Abigail Watson to discuss security force assistance and it can be used as a peacebuilding tool. Read more

Published: 29th May, 2020

Updated: 2nd June, 2020

Author: Alasdair McKay

Related topics:
  • The Remote Warfare Programme
  • Podcasts
WarPod Ep #14 | COVID-19 and the Prospects for Peace in Somalia

WarPod Ep #14 | COVID-19 and the Prospects for Peace in Somalia

Abigail Watson is joined by Mary Harper, the BBC's Africa Editor, to discuss the impact of COVID-19 on Somalia and how the pandemic may affect the prospects for peace in the country. Read more

Published: 24th May, 2020

Updated: 2nd October, 2020

Author: Alasdair McKay

Related topics:
  • The Remote Warfare Programme
  • Africa
  • Podcasts
WarPod Ep #13 |  Partnered Operations and Civilian Protection

WarPod Ep #13 | Partnered Operations and Civilian Protection

CIVIC's Daniel Mahanty and Beatrice Godefoy of join the podcast to discuss the protection of civilians in partnered operations. Read more

Published: 19th May, 2020

Updated: 13th August, 2020

Author: Alasdair McKay

Related topics:
  • The Remote Warfare Programme
  • Integrated Review
  • Podcasts
ORG Explains #14: The UK’s Special Forces

ORG Explains #14: The UK’s Special Forces

This explainer will focus specifically on the UK’s special forces examining what we do know about them, what they do, their history, what they cost, and the UK’s policies towards them.. Read more

Published: 11th May, 2020

Updated: 2nd October, 2020

Author: Alasdair McKay

Related topics:
  • The Remote Warfare Programme
  • ORG Explains
What Sir Keir Starmer’s Victory Could Mean for Labour’s Priorities on National Security

What Sir Keir Starmer’s Victory Could Mean for Labour’s Priorities on National Security

This article discusses what direction Labour's security polices could take under Keir Starmer's leadership. Read more

Published: 29th April, 2020

Updated: 9th July, 2020

Author: Alasdair McKay

Related topics:
  • The Remote Warfare Programme
  • Integrated Review
Westminster Round-Up | April 2020

Westminster Round-Up | April 2020

Liam Walpole and Megan Karlshoej-Pedersen discuss the latest defence and security policy developments in UK politics. Read more

Published: 27th April, 2020

Updated: 9th July, 2020

Author: Alasdair McKay

Related topics:
  • The Remote Warfare Programme
  • Integrated Review
  • Podcasts
Planning for the World After COVID-19: Assessing the Domestic and International Drivers of Conflict

Planning for the World After COVID-19: Assessing the Domestic and International Drivers of Conflict

This article will examine how COVID-19 contributes to domestic and international drivers of instability. It will argue that the best way to address these challenges is through improved dialogue at the international and local level. Read more

Published: 22nd April, 2020

Updated: 1st June, 2020

Author: Alasdair McKay

Related topics:
  • The Remote Warfare Programme
  • Operations
  • Middle East
  • Africa
  • Sahel - Sahara
WarPod Ep #12 | The Protection of Civilians in the Sahel

WarPod Ep #12 | The Protection of Civilians in the Sahel

Liam Walpole is joined by two experts from the Danish Institute for International Studies to examine the importance of effective protection of civilians, looking at case studies from the Sahel and West Africa. Read more

Published: 22nd April, 2020

Updated: 2nd October, 2020

Author: Alasdair McKay

Related topics:
  • The Remote Warfare Programme
  • Sahel - Sahara
  • Podcasts
The Integrated Review: Lessons Learned From Remote Warfare

The Integrated Review: Lessons Learned From Remote Warfare

Ahead of the upcoming Integrated Review, this briefing addresses how the Review can take into account the key challenges remote warfare could present in the future. Read more

Published: 15th April, 2020

Updated: 2nd October, 2020

Author: Alasdair McKay

Related topics:
  • The Remote Warfare Programme
  • Integrated Review
  • Operations
Westminster Round-Up | March 2020

Westminster Round-Up | March 2020

Liam Walpole and Megan Karlshoej-Pedersen discuss the latest defence and security policy developments in UK politics. Read more

Published: 30th March, 2020

Updated: 9th July, 2020

Author: Alasdair McKay

Related topics:
  • The Remote Warfare Programme
  • Integrated Review
  • Westminster Round-Up
  • Podcasts
ORG Explains #13: UK Defence Reviews

ORG Explains #13: UK Defence Reviews

This Explainer will explore what the Integrated Review is, why it is being done and what it might contain. Read more

Published: 27th March, 2020

Updated: 9th July, 2020

Author: Alasdair McKay

Related topics:
  • The Remote Warfare Programme
  • ORG Explains
  • Integrated Review
Load more Back to top

Showing 10 of 103

Latest

  • Annual Report 2019-2020

    Annual Report 2019-2020

    ORG is proud to share its Annual Report for the period 2019 to 2020.

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

    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

    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

    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.

Most read

  • The Role of Youth in Peacebuilding: Challenges and Opportunities

    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

    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

    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

    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?

    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?

    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

    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

    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

    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 Peacebuilding Peacekeeping Responsibility to Protect Somalia Special Forces Special Forces oversight Special Operations Forces Transparency UNISOM Yemen

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