RUSI

The Royal United Services Institute is the world’s oldest and the UK’s leading defence and security think tank. An Independent institution, RUSI produces evidence-based research, publications and events on defence, security and international affairs to help build a safer UK and a more secure, equitable and stable world.

As a research-led institution, all RUSI activity is linked to its world-class research base. RUSI analysis is accurate, objective and policy relevant. RUSI maintains a wide range of multidisciplinary research specialisms, split across nine research groups as well as extensive network of eminent associates and consultants. 

RUSI is the podium of choice for world leaders and senior policy-makers and attracts high quality speakers and participants at its events, which vary in size and format from seminars to conferences.

RUSI is also a membership led organisation, with its members – both individual and corporate – enjoying unique access to the defence and security community.


Latest reports

Power plays

This report from UK think tank RUSI examines the trade in Russian enriched uranium. This report examines the extent of Western (European and US) dependencies on Russian enriched uranium and identifies ways in which Rosatom may be continuing to access global, including Western, nuclear fuel supply chains, despite some efforts in the US and Europe...

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Transatlantic China policy: In search of an endgame

This report from UK think tank RUSI investigates the reasons for limited transatlantic cooperation on China. This paper investigates the reasons for limited transatlantic cooperation on China in three separate but related domains: economics; security; and the multilateral system and global norms. While China policy has changed markedly on both sides of the Atlantic in...

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The threat from Russia’s unconventional warfare beyond Ukraine, 2022–24

This report from UK think tank RUSI details Russia’s unconventional military activities outside Ukraine. This report details Russia’s unconventional military activities outside Ukraine, including efforts to prepare for destabilisation in European countries, expeditionary operations in Africa to seize control of critical resources, and outreach to target audiences in the Middle East.

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Assessing autonomous weapons as a proliferation risk

This report from UK think tank RUSI assesses autonomous weapons as a proliferation risk. Lethal autonomous weapon systems (LAWS) will cause problems for armed forces, but the absence of an agreed definition complicates attempts to regulate and control their proliferation. LAWS are not a single capability. Hence, this paper considers the risks associated with LAWS...

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Leveraging human–machine teaming

This report from UK think tank RUSI argues that interdependent human–machine teams will be a key component of future Western efforts to deter great power war. Interdependent human–machine teams will be a key component of future Western efforts to deter great power war and, if deterrence fails, win. In this policy guide, the authors argue...

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Ransomware

This report from UK think tank RUSI outlines the harms ransomware causes to organisations, individuals, the UK economy, national security and wider society. The latest report from RUSI’s Cyber Research Group, titled “The Scourge of Ransomware”, outlines the harm ransomware causes to organisations, individuals, the UK economy, national security and wider society. Drawing on interviews...

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Amphibious Futures

This report from UK think tank RUSI examines how the Royal Marines will need to evolve to ensure the UK can effectively contribute to an alliance or a coalition. The report examines how the force design of the Royal Marines will need to evolve to ensure the UK can effectively contribute to the amphibious capabilities...

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Exploring mechanisms for the return of proceeds of corruption

This report from UK think tank RUSI explores mechanisms for the return of proceeds of corruption. In the report, Maria outlines how the amount of assets returned by destination countries to countries of origin represents only a minimal fraction of the total amount of proceeds lost to corruption. In early 2022, it was estimated that...

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New energy supply chains: is the UK at risk from Chinese dominance?

This report from UK think tank RUSI examines what risks China’s position in global supply chains poses to the physical supply of materials. The report examines what risks China’s position in global supply chains poses to the physical supply of materials, components and final goods in the battery and EV, solar, wind and electricity grid...

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Unearthing environmental and human security risks

This report from UK think tank RUSI outlines how the extraction of critical minerals may pose a threat to the UK's energy transition. In the report, the authors outline how the extraction of critical minerals – while being essential to enable the low-carbon transition – also “poses various environmental and human security risks, many of...

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The securitisation of energy

This report from UK think tank RUSI examines how Russia’s energy policy has interacted with its foreign and defence policies since its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Russia views as a serious security threat any restriction of its access to and exploitation of oil and gas markets, either through international sanctions that prevent...

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Saudi Arabia: Kingdom of oil

This report from UK think tank RUSI analyses Saudi Arabia’s oil policy and how it interacts with the Kingdom’s domestic and foreign and security policies. Tobias outlines how oil revenues – which have historically fuelled Saudi Arabia’s social contract – are now the indispensable source of funding for the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 reform agenda. He...

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Anti-money-laundering enablers

This report from UK think tank RUSI looks at the four key challenges and how to address them. Kathryn Westmore In the report, Kathryn outlines how the legal and accounting industries have faced mounting criticism over their apparent failure to effectively prevent and detect illicit actors’ money laundering activities, particularly in the wake of the full-scale...

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Stormbreak: Fighting through Russian defences in Ukraine’s 2023 offensive

This report from UK think tank RUSI looks at the tactics employed and training provided during the Ukrainian offensive. Irrespective of the progress made during Ukraine’s counteroffensive, subsequent offensives will be necessary to achieve the liberation of Ukrainian territory. It is therefore important to assess the tactics employed and training provided during the Ukrainian offensive...

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Furthering Global Britain? Reviewing the Foreign Policy Effect of UK Engagement in East Africa

This report from UK think tank RUSI looks at the background on recent UK policy towards East Africa. This paper provides background on recent UK policy towards East Africa, summarises the research findings for RUSI's project 'Furthering Global Britain? Reviewing the Foreign Policy Effect of UK Engagement in East Africa’ and offers recommendations for the...

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