Changing Character of War

Professor Monica Toft explores religious motivations in insurgency.

The Director of CCW outlines the future of armed conflict and how we should be preparing for it.

Thomas Flichy reflects on the current politics of Iran and its role in the wider region. Thomas Flichy de la Neuville is Professor of Intelligence Studies at the Saint-Cyr military academy, and a senior officer specialist in Iran. He has studied Persian in the National Institute of Oriental Languages and Cultures and holds a Ph. D. in History. His latest works on Iran are : Persian Negotiation Culture (2011), Russia, Iran, China: a New Mongol Empire ? (Lavauzelle, 2013), and  Iran Beyond Islamism (Editions de l'Aube, 2013). He is currently coordinating the Geopolitics of Iran which will be published by the Presses Universitaires de France in May 2014.

The Challenge of Private Military and Security Companies. The private military industry has been growing rapidly since the end of the Cold War. Given its extent, the increased reliance on private military and security companies (PMSCs) is often claimed to be one the most significant changes in the military profession over the past three decades. Although the potential benefits and disadvantages of using PMSCs are often discussed, the ethical considerations are rarely fully elaborated. James Pattison's research has been employing normative political theory to assess the leading normative objections to the use of these firms.

Professor Christopher Coker looks at the presentation of war in fiction, focussing in particular on the different character types commonly portrayed.

New wars and the Horn of Africa.

A discussion of military ethics and war crimes. A philosophical approach to the question of war crimes and military ethics.

Drawing on her recent book, Janne Matlary addresses the question of burden-sharing in NATO and the role of the US's European allies. Addressing the question of burden-sharing in Europe, Janne Matlary discusses whether Europe, in a current situation of economic austerity and postmodern political values, can play a key role in regional and global security and defence.

Professor Beatrice Heuser looks at the systemic challenges of intervening in insurgency. A survey of the causes of insurgencies and how to resolve them.

A discussion of the sociology of contemporary urban combat and professionalism in the military. Professor Anthony King looks at the nature of urban combat and the development of close quarter battle tactics, and how these have been disseminated out from special forces to the conventional forces.