Defence Archives

Research Briefing

EU bibliographies: European External Action Service

Friday, 13 April, 2012

This Note brings together documents relevant to the proposed legislation establishing the organisation and functioning of the European External Action Service and its scrutiny in the UK and the EU. It is not an attempt to define policy in this area. For information on the institutional issues or policy developments, contact Vaughne Miller on extn 4327 or Claire Taylor on extn 3852. See also SN/IA/5558 The European External Action Service
Research Briefing

In brief: Afghanistan – timetable to 2014

Thursday, 29 March, 2012

This note provides a brief outline of the timetable for withdrawal of NATO combat forces from Afghanistan by 2014.
Research Briefing

Preventing and prosecuting piracy at sea: legal issues

Tuesday, 28 February, 2012

The resurgence in piracy at sea, particularly hijackings off the coast of Somalia, has prompted a range of efforts to tackle it. These throw up a series of legal issues including the use of force by governments and private armed security guards, and transferring of suspects for trial or imprisonment. Library Standard Notes covering related issues include: Piracy at sea: overview and policy responses; Somalia: recent political, security and humanitarian developments; and Does Somali piracy have any ‘developmental effects’?.
Research Briefing

Is Iran building a nuclear weapon?

Wednesday, 15 February, 2012

Iran’s nuclear programme remains at the top of the international agenda. Many commentators think that Iran has not made a decision to build a nuclear weapon, but that Iran may want to be at the threshold, with the technical ability and materials to build a weapon fairly quickly if the decision were to be made.
Research Briefing

The Defence of the Falkland Islands

Wednesday, 08 February, 2012

This note looks at the UK defence presence in the Falkland Islands and reviews the current debate about whether the Islands are adequately defended in the event of future aggression.
Research Briefing

Oil embargo on Iran and the threat to the Straits of Hormuz

Thursday, 19 January, 2012

EU countries are preparing to impose a new round of sanctions on Iran, to include an embargo on the import of oil. The US has also enacted new legislation which will target the Iranian central bank and make oil trading more difficult for Iran. Iran has responded with some threatening comments about closing the Straits of Hormuz, leading to a rise in the oil price. It has also signalled that it is open to re-starting talks. This note details these developments and gives some samples of recent expert commentary.
Research Briefing

Drone attacks and the killing of Anwar al-Awlaqi: legal issues

Tuesday, 20 December, 2011

Anwar al-Awlaqi, a dual US-Yemeni citizen described as the “leader of external operations for Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula”, was killed by a US drone attack in Yemen on 30 September 2011. Whether this was legal under international or US law is a matter of considerable debate.
Research Briefing

Privatisation of RAF/Royal Navy Search and Rescue

Friday, 16 December, 2011
Research Briefing

Military balance in Southeast Asia

Wednesday, 14 December, 2011

This paper examines the military balance of power in Southeast Asia and specifically at the military capabilities and priorities of six regional actors: Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, Vietnam and Singapore.
Research Briefing

In Brief: The Financial Restrictions (Iran) Order 2011

Tuesday, 13 December, 2011

Comprehensive financial sanctions were imposed on Iran by Statutory Instrument 2775, The Financial Restrictions (Iran) Order 2011, to be debated on a motion to approve on 13 December 2011.
Research Briefing

Afghan reconciliation and the Bonn conference

Monday, 05 December, 2011

This note describes briefly the security situation in Afghanistan, the progress or otherwise of attempts to reconcile and reintegrate insurgents with the government and looks at the conference to be held in Bonn, marking the 10th anniversary of the conference which set up the present government.
Research Briefing

The Intelligence and Security Committee:

Friday, 18 November, 2011

This paper is essentially a short selective bibliography of resources on the Intelligence and Security Committee.
Research Briefing

The Arab Uprisings

Tuesday, 15 November, 2011

Since December 2010, the most profound process of change has affected the countries of the Arab world. The change spread quickly between the countries of the region, underlining the many common factors that provoked unrest. How the region’s revolutions progress, however, depends on the individual characteristics of each country, which are very different. This paper looks at these similarities and differences and considers the possible outcomes in each case. The legitimacy of ruling regimes, the effect of societies’ divisions along confessional lines and the role of the region’s militaries are considered.
Research Briefing

Defence Basing Review

Monday, 14 November, 2011

Since October 2010 the MOD has been conducting a basing review to examine all of the issues that arose out of the Strategic Defence and Security Review. The conclusions of that review were announced in the House on 18 July 2011. In November 2011 the MOD announced the first tranche of moves envisaged under the rebasing programme.
Research Briefing

In Brief: The IAEA report and action against Iran

Monday, 07 November, 2011

The IAEA is to release a report on the Iranian nuclear programme on 8 or 9 November. The report will give strong evidence suggesting that Iran is working on the components of a nuclear weapon, and there has been a flurry of speculation that Israel is preparing for military action against Iran.

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