Paul Higate argues that ‘counter-terrorism’ strategy in Afghanistan and elsewhere has been grounded in persistent ideas of racial hierarchy that value the lives of ‘deserving’ British troops well above those of contracted foreign personnel, let alone ‘disposable’ local allies and proxies.
Preventing or countering ‘violent extremism’ (P/CVE) is a highly contentious field that has increasingly characterised counter-terrorism policy, in the UK and internationally, over the last 20 years. Joel Busher, Tufyal Choudhury and Paul Thomas assess the implications of current efforts to ‘mainstream’ P/CVE into other policy areas.
The unfolding tragedy of Afghanistan has eclipsed reporting of the COVID pandemic while a fourth wave of infections is sweeping the Earth. Paul Rogers argues that global vaccine inequality risks those in all countries as the Delta variant tests the limits of current vaccines.
Rethinking Security’s new Outreach Coordinator Joanna Frew and her partner live in Martha House*, a ‘house of hospitality’ in north London with forced migrants who have no other means of support. Here she shares what she’s learnt about the value of a community setting for security over the last seven years.
Many rich states believe they are finally getting COVID-19 under control but with new viral variants, most of the world’s population far from being vaccinated, and local tensions building over impact on livelihoods and liberties, the political impact of the pandemic is far from played out.
Is rethinking security for the common good even possible while a tiny policy-making elite equates security with dominance and control? David Gee argues that our history of change-makers is more powerful than we may realise.
The current pandemic has exacerbated huge inequalities in human security in the UK, says Bryn Lauder. Rebuilding a more generous, equal and compassionate society demands tax justice reforms that spread responsibilities fairly, tax wealth, tackle tax dodging and prioritise the needs of the Global South.
Abigail Watson and Alasdair McKay make 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.
As the coronavirus crisis precipitates the most rapid and far-reaching economic interventions in British history, Andrew Rigby argues that providing Universal Basic Income is now fundamental to human security.
