The WarPod Ep #1: Building Partner Capacity in Africa

28 April 2019

The Remote Warfare Programme's Emily Knowles and Abigail Watson are joined by Nic Marsh and Marie Sandnes of the Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO) to talk security assistance and building partner capacity in Africa.

Research discussed in the podcast

Music by Bensound.

Image credit: US Army Africa/ Flickr.

About the discussants

Emily Knowles is Director of the Remote Warfare Programme.

Abigail Watson is Senior Research Officer at the Remote Warfare Programme

Nicholas Marsh is a Research Fellow at PRIO where he runs a unique database project that tracks and visualizes the international trade in small arms and light weapons (see NISAT).

Marie Sandnes is a Doctoral Researcher at PRIO

ORG's content is circulated free of charge for non-profit use. If you would like to support our work, please consider making a donation.

Please select a donation amount: *

£5

£10

£20

Other

Set up a regular payment Donate

Latest

Richard Reeve speaks at Finnish Institute for International Affairs

Oxford Research Group (ORG) Chief Executive Richard Reeve joined the Finnish Institute for International Affairs (FIIA) in Helsinki on 14 May to discuss UK approaches to climate security policy-making.
Job Opportunity: Fundraising & Communications Officer

ORG is seeking a committed and dynamic fundraiser to join its team in London. The post-holder will work primarily on unrestricted fundraising for ORG, with a focus on identifying and engaging trusts, foundations and individual givers in the UK and elsewhere. Apply by 27 May 2019.
The spotlight is on UK Special Forces, whether the Government likes it or not

Allegations that UK special forces were assisting Saudi-backed militias in Yemen led to a short-lived public and parliamentary backlash. However, the Government should not be too quick to forget this backlash or the lessons it offers.
China’s UN Peacekeeping in Mali: Strategies and Risks

China’s peacekeeping in Mali represents another example of the country's increasing willingness to send personnel into an active conflict zone and a shift in Chinese strategic thinking.

The spotlight is on UK Special Forces, whether the Government likes it or not

Allegations that UK special forces were assisting Saudi-backed militias in Yemen led to a short-lived public and parliamentary backlash. However, the Government should not be too quick to forget this backlash or the lessons it offers.
China’s UN Peacekeeping in Mali: Strategies and Risks

China’s peacekeeping in Mali represents another example of the country's increasing willingness to send personnel into an active conflict zone and a shift in Chinese strategic thinking.
Trump administration’s move away from transparency may undermine US military operations

In early March, President Donald Trump caused a furore when he revoked a requirement for the US intelligence community to report on civilian casualties in airstrikes outside war zones. The decision is the latest in a larger trend of the Trump administration’s undermining the mechanisms of oversight for the use of force abroad.
RWP Submits Parliamentary Evidence to Liaison Committee

In a written submission to the UK Parliament’s Liaison Committee the Remote Warfare Programme argues that Defence Committee members’ limited access to classified information, as well as no mechanism for legislative scrutiny of the UK’s special forces, impedes the effectiveness and influence of select committees over executive decision-making.
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.
Emily Knowles speaks at Exeter Centre for International Law

From 8–10 April 2019, Emily Knowles, the Remote Warfare Programme’s Director, presented at the University of Exeter.
Africa's Approach to Climate Change Negotiation

Leaders across the Africa have recognised the need to develop policies that will mitigate climate change and allow the continent to adapt to the effects which are already being felt.
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.
The Military Intervention in Mali and Beyond: An Interview with Bruno Charbonneau

Distinguished scholar and Sahel specialist Bruno Charbonneau critically examines the 2013 French military intervention in Mali and the peacekeeping initiative which followed.
BISA Event Podcast: Roundtable on AI and the Future of Remote Warfare

From 28 February to 1 March, the Remote Warfare Programme held a two day conference entitled ‘Conceptualising Remote Warfare: The Past, Present and Future’. This roundtable looks at how Artificial intelligence will effect the future of remote warfare.

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 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

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

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.