As we approach another major anniversary of the end of the Second World War (VE80), the international institutions built to prevent such a cataclysmic conflict reoccurring have never seemed so challenged. Amidst the anxiety about where we are headed, politically and diplomatically, it is essential that we communicate the successes of cooperation and sustainable security. Joana Frew summarises some of the critiques of the post-1945 order and begins to look at successes achieved since then. RS will be sharing more such stories of cooperation, success and progress in developing sustainable security in a webinar on 21 May and a series of Blog articles over this year.
The Lucas Plan Showed the Way to an Alternative Security Strategy
With political commitment to increase military spending, military production is thriving in the UK. But do these heavily subsidised industries meet the British people’s security needs, or the state’s desire to dominate abroad? Khem Rogaly argues for a new approach to industrial strategy that centres the needs of workers, people and planet.
Beyond the SDR: From strength abroad to a secure and peaceful home
The UK’s new government is looking for ways to be stronger abroad, but is that any way to build a more secure country and society? Diana Francis argues that the government will make things worse by pushing for military dominance and failing to address the climate and ecological emergency that threatens us all.
SDR: What should the Strategic Defence Review say about nuclear disarmament?
In an age of increasing insecurity, Steve Barwick of NET argues that the Strategic Defence Review should prioritise diplomatic avenues for conflict prevention and resolution, and explain how the UK will work to revive arms control and disarmament to reduce the threat of nuclear conflict.
Does the new Government’s Strategic Defence Review offer a window for rethinking UK defence policy?
On 13 September 2024, the British International Studies Association’s new Security Policy and Practice working group hosted a ‘Dialogue on the UK Government’s Strategic Defence Review’, supported by Rethinking Security. Over 50 scholars, plus experts working with parliamentary committees, NGOs and think tanks, joined the session. This article captures key points from the discussion while respecting the Chatham House Rule.
Fight Tonight, Blight Tomorrow: NATO consolidates amidst climate breakdown
Two of the many consequences of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine have been the release of vast amounts of climate-damaging carbon and the reconsolidation of the NATO alliance. Ian Davis reflects on two recent reports that illustrate how the world’s revived obsession with military ‘deterrence’ and protracted war heightens the risk of more than one type of existential catastrophe.
Covert Counter Terror Policing in Health and Social Care
A new report from Medact and the University of Warwick reveals the extent of new non-traditional methods of surveillance and counter-terror policing in health, education and social care. The Counter Terrorism Clinical Consultancy Service (CT CCS) raises serious ethical questions for potentially vulnerable members of society, their rights and agency – fundamental components of human security. Report author Charlotte Heath-Kelly outlines how the CT CCS came about, how it works and the ethical issues it raises.
Citizen Social Science: Researching security that matters to you
Security means something different to each of us, so why shouldn’t we all research it? A new guide from Rethinking Security and Coventry University explains how anyone can design and implement their own citizen social science project to research security in their own context. Zsófia Hacsek explains why and how.
How does the UK public define its own security?
How the British people understand their own security is a question that ought to be central to security policy analysis. Yet public opinion polling on security issues almost always seeks to gauge reaction to and validation of a small range of established security threats and responses. New research by Rethinking Security and Coventry University sought to let people define their own security and how it relates to the UK state and society. The responses were startling.
Election 2024: Opening a new conversation on sustainable security
Some commentators and politicians are saying that the 2024 general election is all about security and it is clear that the main parties are using the language of ‘security’ frequently. As Rethinking Security publishes a new briefing on five critical security issues, Joanna Frew reflects on this election’s opportunities for creating change in understandings of security.
Picking up the pieces of the UK’s conflict and development policy
Oliver Walton and Andrew Johnstone discuss how UK conflict and development policy since 2015 has become more fragmented and explore the wider implications of this case for the security-development nexus.
Beyond COP28: Plan E and the Entangled Security Approach
With this year’s COP once again failing to meet expectations for rapid transition to a post-fossil fuel future, surely a more effective and urgent approach is required? Elizabeth Boulton argues for a Plan E that would harness global cooperation to see off humanity’s common ‘hyperthreat’ of planetary breakdown.