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    • 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

      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

      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?

      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?

    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

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

    Published: 30th October, 2020

    Updated: 31st October, 2020

    Author: Alasdair McKay

    Related topics:
    • The Remote Warfare Programme
    • Podcasts

    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?

    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: 30th October, 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

    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

    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

    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

    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?

    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: 2nd October, 2020

    Author: Alasdair McKay

    Related topics:
    • The Remote Warfare Programme
    • Integrated Review

    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

    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

    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?

    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: 2nd October, 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

    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

    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

    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

    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

    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

    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

    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

    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

    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

    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

    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

    • Marib: A Yemeni Government Stronghold Increasingly Vulnerable to Houthi Advances

      This paper adds color to the monochromatic narrative that has developed around Marib in recent decades by highlighting its rich history, complex social fabric nd important role in the national economy.

    • 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

    • 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.

    • ORG Co-Signs Statement By Track II Actors in Yemen on the 20th Anniversary of UNSCR1325

      Together with 10 track II actors, ORG have issued a statement on the twentieth anniversary of the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325, on women, peace, and security.

    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 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.

    • 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.

    • 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.

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

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