Defence Archives

Research Briefing

The EU’s Common Security and Defence Policy: A Fresh Impetus?

Wednesday, 04 December, 2013

The European Council Summit is due to be held on 19-20 December 2013. Among the main issues for debate is the EU’s Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP). It will be the first time in five years that EU leaders have comprehensively discussed EU defence policy, amid criticisms that CSDP has lost momentum due to a lack of consensus over its strategic direction, an unwillingness on the part of Member States to commit the necessary resources and the prevailing economic crisis which has seen defence budgets fall across Europe and capabilities cut.
Research Briefing

The Royal Navy’s surface fleet: in brief

Friday, 29 November, 2013

The Royal Navy is in the middle of an ambitious programme to upgrade its surface fleet with new destroyers, frigates and at least one operational aircraft carrier.
Research Briefing

Report Stage and Third Reading of the Defence Reform Bill

Tuesday, 26 November, 2013

Report Stage and Third Several amendments were tabled prior to Report stage, including one which sought to impose an obligation on the Government to report on the viability and cost-effectiveness of the plan to increase the size of the Reserves, which would then be subject to approval by both Houses before the Government could continue with its reform agenda. Despite the support of several Conservative backbenchers, that amendment was, however, defeated on division. A clause seeking to increase the leave entitlement of Reservists was also defeated. Reading of the Defence Reform Bill took place in the House of Commons on 20 November 2013.
Research Briefing

Recent developments in Iran

Monday, 04 November, 2013

Does the election of Hassan Rouhani in iran mean that the nuclear crisis will be resolved?
Research Briefing

Defence Reform Bill: Public Bill Committee Stage

Tuesday, 29 October, 2013

This note looks at the discussion and amendments to the Bill made during the Public Bill Committee stage, and the wider debate on the Bill’s proposals, in particular the establishment of a Government-Owned, Contractor-Operated (GOCO) model for Defence Equipment and Support.
Research Briefing

UK withdrawal from Germany: the end of an era

Friday, 18 October, 2013

British forces have been permanently stationed in Germany since 1945. The Government announced in 2010 as part of its Strategic Defence and Security Review that all 20,000 Service personnel will be withdrawn by 2020. This note provides a short overview of the withdrawal plans.
Research Briefing

Future Reserves 2020

Thursday, 03 October, 2013

The Ministry of Defence has proposed significant changes to the UK’s Reserve Forces. A White Paper was published in July 2013. This note examines the proposals, why they have been made and reaction to them.
Research Briefing

Citizenship (Armed Forces) Bill

Wednesday, 11 September, 2013

This briefing has been prepared for the Second Reading debate on the Citizenship (Armed Forces) Bill on 13 September 2013. The Bill, which was published on 3 September 2013, is sponsored by Jonathan Lord MP, who came third in the 2013-14 ballot for Private Members’ Bills.
Research Briefing

In brief: National positions on Syria intervention

Thursday, 05 September, 2013
Research Briefing

US Government and Congress Response to Syria

Wednesday, 04 September, 2013

A look at the political situation in the US after President Obama's surprise decision to seek Congressional authorisation on Syria.
Research Briefing

Conditions for using force in humanitarian intervention

Thursday, 29 August, 2013

Could the Government’s legal position on intervention in Syria contribute to setting a new precedent?
Research Briefing

Military interventions: some comparisons

Thursday, 29 August, 2013
Research Briefing

UK and the Egyptian military

Friday, 23 August, 2013
Research Briefing

In Brief: International Military Forces in Mali

Monday, 19 August, 2013

As offensive military operations in the country have begun to wind down concerns remain that Malian and foreign forces will now face a protracted insurgency from Islamic militants who have continued to conduct counter-attacks from the north of the country.
Research Briefing

Defence Reform Bill

Thursday, 11 July, 2013

The Defence Reform Bill was introduced in the House of Commons on 3 July 2013. Second Reading has been tabled for 16 July 2013.

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