RUSI - Smart Thinking

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.

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Latest reports

UK FATF mutual evaluation taskforce: Second meeting report

This report from UK think tank RUSI analyses the UK's evolving anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing risks ahead of the 2027 FATF mutual evaluation. This paper provides a timely and authoritative analysis of the UK’s evolving anti-money laundering (AML) and counter-terrorist financing (CFT) risks ahead of the 2027 Financial Action Task Force (FATF) mutual evaluation...

The Royal Marines in the High North: Shaping the maritime battle

This report from UK think tank RUSI examines how UK and NATO maritime strategy is reshaping the way the Royal Marines contribute to countering Russian threats. The Royal Marines are reshaping UK maritime strategy in the High North, countering Russian threats and advancing NATO objectives for regional security. This entails a close conceptual integration between...

Masculinities and violence in the Horn of Africa borderlands

This report from UK think tank RUSI reveals how masculinity norms fuel conflict, violent extremism and gender-based violence in the Kenya-Somalia-Ethiopia borderlands. This paper reveals how masculinity norms fuel conflict, violent extremism (VE) and gender-based violence (GBV) in the Kenya-Somalia-Ethiopia borderlands, shaping Al-Shabaab's recruitment and deepening insecurity. It offers actionable recommendations for defence and security...

Private capital in UK defence

This report from UK think tank RUSI examines how UK defence sector challenges and policy reforms impact private capital investment. This paper analyses how the UK government can increase private capital investment in the UK defence sector to help finance the development of innovative technologies and scaling up production capacity. The paper finds that, while...

The Columbia-Ecuador organised crime and security nexus

This report from UK think tank RUSI explores how Colombia's evolving criminal landscape has transformed Ecuador into a central hub for global drug trafficking. This paper provides a critical analysis of how Colombia's evolving criminal landscape has transformed Ecuador into a central hub for global drug trafficking, driving unprecedented violence and challenging regional security and...

FATF greylisting and financial inclusion

This report from UK think tank RUSI offers policy solutions to balance financial integrity with financial inclusion. This paper reveals how FATF greylisting – the designation of countries as ‘jurisdictions under increased monitoring due to strategic deficiencies in their anti‑money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT) regimes’ – can unintentionally undermine financial inclusion....

Gender-responsive approaches to countering state threats: a policy brief

This report from UK think tank RUSI explores how intersectional gender analysis strengthens understanding of and defence against state threats. This paper demonstrates how integrating intersectional gender analysis enhances defence and security strategies against state threats by exploring why it has been absent and the basis for including it. Key Recommendations: Build the evidence base...

China and rare earth supply chains

This report from UK think tank RUSI reveals how China's rare earth supply chain dominance and export controls are reshaping global defence and security industries. This paper reveals how China's rare earth supply chain dominance and export controls are reshaping global defence and security industries, directly affecting the UK and its Allies. China's strategic use...

Fast-jet pilot training modernisation choices

This report from UK think tank RUSI provides a clear framework for policymakers but above all says that airmanship must be treated as a primary requirement, not a budget variable. This paper sets out the core structure of flight training for fast-jet pilots, explains the necessary airmanship and tactical skill sets that must be taught,...

Winning without technological advantage

This report from UK think tank RUSI explores how the UK can effectively operate when facing adversaries with technological superiority. This paper explores strategies for UK forces to overcome adversaries' technological advantages through targeted investments, structured engagements and maintaining initiative. This research paper explores how the UK can effectively operate and prevail on the battlefield...

Algorithms of evasion: The rise of AI-enabled proliferation financing

This report from UK think tank RUSI explores how AI is revolutionising proliferation financing and sanctions evasion. This paper explores how AI is revolutionising proliferation financing (PF) and sanctions evasion, particularly by states such as North Korea and Iran. The report warns that a shift from AI-assisted to autonomous, 'AI-enabled' evasion tactics, including the mass...

The UK and the future of Artic and High North security

This report from UK think tank RUSI is a pivotal analysis of the evolving security landscape in the Arctic and High North. This paper is a pivotal analysis of the evolving security landscape in the Arctic and High North, highlighting the urgent need for UK and NATO leadership as geopolitical tensions rise due to increased...

The DPRK’s chemical facilities: Aoji-ri area: Site profile 6

This report from UK think tank RUSI delivers a critical assessment of North Korea's Aoji-ri chemical facilities. This paper delivers a critical assessment of North Korea's Aoji-ri chemical facilities, offering new insights into their role within the country's broader chemical weapons (CW) landscape. Leveraging open source intelligence and satellite imagery, the report clarifies the operational...

The DPRK’s chemical facilities: Kanggye area: site profile 5

This report from UK think tank RUSI delivers a critical assessment of North Korea's chemical weapons (CW) infrastructure in Kanggye. This paper delivers a critical assessment of North Korea's chemical weapons (CW) infrastructure in Kanggye, offering new insights through satellite imagery and open-source intelligence. Its impact lies in providing a clearer, evidence-based foundation for understanding...

The impact of fraud on financial inclusion in the UK

This report from UK think tank RUSI identifies how fraud undermines financial inclusion in the UK and offers actionable policy solutions. This paper reveals how payment fraud undermines financial inclusion for low- and middle-income households in the UK. Drawing on a survey of 2,000+ adults from LMI households, it demonstrates that fraud disproportionately impacts those...

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