Defence Archives

Research Briefing

In brief: North Korea and the nuclear issue one year on from the succession

Monday, 28 January, 2013

After a failed ballistic missile launch by North Korea in April 2012, an apparently more successful one took place in December, characterized at the time by the regime as a satellite launch. The UN Security Council passed a resolution further toughening sanctions. North Korea has responded to the new sanctions with its customary threatening rhetoric and has announced that it is preparing to conduct a third nuclear weapon test, following on from those undertaken in 2006 and 2009. This note surveys the state of play on the nuclear issue in the light of internal developments in North Korea, where Kim Jon-Un appears to have consolidated his power.
Research Briefing

The Armed Forces Covenant

Friday, 04 January, 2013

The Armed Forces Covenant is a statement of the moral obligation which exists between the nation, the Government and the Armed Forces. It was published in May 2011 and its core principles were enshrined in law, for the first time, in the Armed Forces Act 2011. It applies to all three services. The Government published the first annual report in December 2012.
Research Briefing

Justice and Security Bill

Friday, 14 December, 2012

This paper has been prepared for the Second Reading of the Justice and Security Bill in the House of Commons, which is due to take place on 18 December 2012. The Bill, which has proved contentious, was originally introduced in the House of Lords on 28 May 2012. It is aimed at modernising and strengthening the oversight of the intelligence and security services and would allow the civil courts to use closed material procedures to hear sensitive evidence in cases that raised national security concerns. It would also preclude the courts from ordering the disclosure of sensitive information in certain circumstances. The Bill was revised significantly in the Lords and was introduced in the House of Commons on 28 November 2012.
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Research Briefing

European Union (Croatian Accession and Irish Protocol) Bill [Bill 76 of 2012-13]

Thursday, 01 November, 2012

Croatia is expected to join the EU in July 2013. This Bill would allow the UK to ratify Croatia’s accession treaty and would also cover the Protocol to the Lisbon Treaty put forward by the Irish Government.
Research Briefing

The cost of international military operations by the UK (2001-2013)

Monday, 01 October, 2012

This note provides a summary of the estimated and actual costs of international military operations conducted by the UK in Afghanistan, Iraq and Libya. The paper includes information on Urgent Operational Requirements (UOR) as well as comparisons with US expenditure. Comprehensive analysis of policy developments concerning Afghanistan, Iraq and Libya can be found on the associated Topic pages.
Research Briefing

In Brief: Afghanistan – insider attacks

Tuesday, 18 September, 2012

This note looks at the rising number of insider attacks against ISAF personnel in Afghanistan and the response from ISAF and the Government.
Research Briefing

Medal Campaigns

Friday, 27 July, 2012

Examines the process by which campaign medals are instituted, the rules governing the acceptance and wearing of foreign medals, and some of the medal campaigns that are currently underway. Summarises the findings of the interim Military Medals Review.
Research Briefing

Army 2020

Thursday, 26 July, 2012

The Ministry of Defence announced a major re-structuring of the British Army in July 2012. This note looks at what the restructure involves and which regiments and battalions it affects.
Research Briefing

Olympic Britain

Thursday, 26 July, 2012

Olympic Britain tells the story of the profound economic and social change in the UK since the two previous London Olympics, in 1908 and 1948, using statistics and expert analysis. The book can also be browsed using the Parliament website at www.parliament.uk/business/publications/research/olympic-britain/
Research Briefing

Afghanistan: The Timetable for Security Transition

Monday, 09 July, 2012

NATO assumed command of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan in August 2003. At its summit in Chicago in May 2012, NATO confirmed ISAF’s mission will end on 31 December 2014. It also mapped out the transition of security for Afghanistan from ISAF to Afghan National Security Forces. Specifically, it set the goal for Afghan forces to be in the lead for security nation-wide by mid-2013.
Research Briefing

EU bibliographies: Defence equipment Directives

Wednesday, 27 June, 2012

This note brings together documents relevant to legislation and the draft directives on EC defence equipment.
Research Briefing

In Brief: Armed Forces Day 2012

Friday, 15 June, 2012

Armed Forces Day will be held on 30 June 2012.
Research Briefing

Iran: could there be a compromise?

Friday, 01 June, 2012

For the first time since January 2011, the negotiating group that deals with Iran’s nuclear programme is in talks with Iranian representatives. Whether or not this is a result of increased economic pressure and a growing threat of military action, there has been some speculation that this times the talks may be serious and that there is a prospect of a compromise.
Research Briefing

In brief: Guinea-Bissau – has the 12 April coup been overturned or rewarded?

Thursday, 31 May, 2012

A 12 April coup has provoked renewed political crisis in the West African state of Guinea Bissau. On 20 May there was an ECOWAS-backed deal under which power was ostensibly returned to civilians, but there is concern about its credibility and legitimacy. The crisis is likely to set-back recent efforts to strengthen Guinea-Bissau’s capacity to combat drug-trafficking and thereby shed its reputation as a ‘narco-state’. In a country where there are regular military coups, no president has completed a full term in office since the mid 1990s.
Research Briefing

NATO: The Chicago Summit

Friday, 11 May, 2012

The North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) holds its Heads of State and Government summit in Chicago on 20-21 May 2012. The main themes of the summit are Afghanistan, capabilities and partnerships.

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