Peacebuilding works, is far cheaper than war, and has the public's support across the British political spectrum. So why is it so hard to fund compared to military options? Teresa Dumasy shares the findings of some recent polling on public opinion in Britain about preventing conflict and building peace. People in the UK support peacebuilding … Continue reading People Support Peacebuilding: New UK public opinion data
Can Labour’s Reset Extend to National Security?
Three months into his premiership, Andy Burnham seems uncomfortable with growing domestic and international pressure to increase military spending. Larry Attree argues that the PM should query received wisdom on national security, and sets out five big shifts that the PM could make to reset UK security strategy in a sustainable direction. Having assumed power … Continue reading Can Labour’s Reset Extend to National Security?
The Three Myths that Drive the UK’s Nuclear Juggernaut
Within ten days of becoming prime minister, Andy Burnham had hitched his wagon to the idea that an ‘independent nuclear deterrent’ can guarantee not only the UK’s national security but also its reindustrialisation. Ian Davis argues that this is delusional on all counts and heightens the probability of environmental as well as nuclear apocalypse. Speaking … Continue reading The Three Myths that Drive the UK’s Nuclear Juggernaut
The Absolute Insanity of Militarised Security
As the climate collapses and wars sweep the Middle East, Ukraine and beyond, Diana Francis and Andrew Rigby, two of the founders of Rethinking Security a decade ago, make the urgent case for far more radical action to end the death-grip of militarised security on our politics, economy, environment and imaginations. Rethinking Security began when … Continue reading The Absolute Insanity of Militarised Security
Britain should be wary of mistaking higher defence spending for a real strategy
The July 2026 NATO Summit was another display of performative loyalty to Donald Trump, quantified in percentage points of GDP and multibillion dollar equipment contracts. Ian Davis argues that the UK’s new leadership must think beyond Trump’s transactionalism and foster an honest debate about how we spend to really make Britain and the world safer. … Continue reading Britain should be wary of mistaking higher defence spending for a real strategy
Public Opinion on the War in Ukraine: Why right-wing populists are less supportive of Ukraine
What is the linkage between right-wing populist parties in Europe and support for Ukraine or Russia? Is there anything distinct about the views of Reform UK voters on defence and foreign policy issues? New public opinion polling research by Francesco Rigoli explores the psychology of populism and security. The war between Ukraine and Russia has … Continue reading Public Opinion on the War in Ukraine: Why right-wing populists are less supportive of Ukraine
AUKUS: Time for a Public Inquiry
Negotiated rapidly and in secret, the AUKUS pact to produce new nuclear-powered submarines is among the most expensive, consequential and opaque deals in British and Australian military history. Ian Lowe reports on the launch of a new civil society-led expert public inquiry into AUKUS that aims to provide the scrutiny so lacking from Australian politicians. … Continue reading AUKUS: Time for a Public Inquiry
UK Public Opinion and National Security
While the UK government has spent the last year heralding a ‘national conversation’ on defence and security, it seems to have little interest in hearing from the British public on how it views its own security. Thomas Martin shares some of the findings of his own research of public opinion, suggesting that there are significant … Continue reading UK Public Opinion and National Security
Paying for Increased Military Spending: No easy choices for Starmer
With elections looming and pressure mounting on Keir Starmer to up the pace of British military spending increases, the Prime Minister will find that there are no easy ways to find the funds. Michael Brzoska and Ian Davis argue that neither the case for the spending increases nor the trade-offs necessary to achieve them have … Continue reading Paying for Increased Military Spending: No easy choices for Starmer
Puppetry of the Heinous: Dependence and delusion in UK defence strategy
As US strategic bombers and special forces deploy at British air bases, the UK is yet again getting sucked into a major war in the Middle East. Richard Reeve examines how London’s delusions of status and influence condemn it to repeating past mistakes and exacerbating dangerous crises. Whether Keir Starmer admits it or not, the … Continue reading Puppetry of the Heinous: Dependence and delusion in UK defence strategy
Strategising for Peace in the New Age of Empire
This month’s US National Security Strategy underlines an ongoing shift away from liberal values into a new age of empire. In this new long read, Larry Attree discusses how – by rethinking alliances, defence posture, peace and conflict policies, and international cooperation – the UK can oppose these dangerous trends and promote a more peaceful … Continue reading Strategising for Peace in the New Age of Empire
Are Small Modular Reactors a Credible Means to Reduce Carbon Emissions?
Politicians in many countries, including the UK and Australia, have recently advocated the development of ‘small modular reactors’ (SMRs) as a means to speed up nuclear power production as an alternative to burning fossil fuels. But with the technology still some 15 years from maturity, Ian Lowe argues that SMRs are an expensive and risky … Continue reading Are Small Modular Reactors a Credible Means to Reduce Carbon Emissions?