Defence Studies

YouTube video by Al Jazeera English Creating chaos in Gaza ‘part of Israel’s day-after plan’

Is chaos in Gaza part of a deliberate strategy?

In this Al Jazeera interview, Dr @Rob Geist Pinfold, Lecturer in International Security, examines how Israel’s “day-after plan” may involve long-term destabilisation intended to make Gaza unliveable.
👉📺Watch here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=BD-f...

Can Germany help to further strengthen Ukraine's air defence?

Hear Dr Domitilla Sagramoso discuss the difference two German Patriot systems could make to Ukraine's future defence.

👇
www.youtube.com/watch?v=qUd4...

UK high-altitude research and intelligence balloon soars to new heights The UK has successfully trialed high-altitude balloons which can conduct intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions.

💡Can high-altitude intelligence balloons boost the UK's national security?

With the ability to fly above most military aircraft, uncrewed balloons offer a low-cost surveillance and communications capability, alternative to traditional solutions.

Read👇
www.gov.uk/government/n...

Russia and China could kick off war in space - here's how Britain can fight back Maj-Gen Paul Tedman, the head of UK Space Command, says the threat of war in space is 'here, now' - and growing

How should the UK respond to the growing threat of space conflict?

FASI's @nuclearbalm.bsky.social explains "The use of dual-use civilian space systems further complicates escalation, as interference may unintentionally draw private actors into conflict."

Read 👇
inews.co.uk/news/world/r...

How Syria's New Government Risks Undermining Itself Syria’s caretaker government is struggling to contain violence in Sweida and Latakia, exposing cracks in authority, legitimacy, and national unity.

Can Syria’s new government survive without legitimacy or control?

In this article Dr Rob Geist Pinfold, examines how recent violence in Sweida reveals the risks of state failure if Damascus can’t build capacity and trust.

👉 Explore the article here: mecouncil.org/blog_posts/h...

Why did Trump move his best nuclear deterrent? Not for strategic gain The US president says he has deployed submarines closer to Russia — but this would only make the boats more vulnerable to attack

Does moving nuclear submarines closer to Russia make America safer — or more vulnerable?

Prof Michael Clarke, Visiting Professor in the School of Security Studies, examines Trump’s claim and why it makes no strategic sense.

👉 Explore the article here: www.thetimes.com/us/american-...

❓ Could Trump "un-unite" Russia and China?

Dr Geraint Hughes & Dr Zeno Leoni of the Defence Studies Dept compare Kissinger's overtures to China in 1972 with Trump's potential rapprochement with Russia today.

Do conditions compare? 🔗👇

bit.ly/3U7aW0f

#SinoRussia #TrumpDiplomacy #ReverseKissinger

💭 In this commentary for the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, Dr Joe Devanny considers how effectively international efforts are improving global cyber diplomacy 👇

🔗 bit.ly/3ISa9xS

#CyberDiplomacy #DigitalDiplomacy

@carnegieendowment.org @joedevanny.bsky.social

🎙️New Podcast!

@andreisoldatov.bsky.social & Irina Borogan join @drichterova.bsky.social to discuss their book Our Dear Friends in Moscow. They explore how fear, betrayal & moral choices shaped a generation of Russians.

🎧Listen now:
☁️ bit.ly/3GibvBf
🟢 bit.ly/4lNgNnf
🍎 bit.ly/4kt6Av2

The Strategic Defence Review: Innovation Without the People? In this Defence in Depth article, Tara Zammit questions whether the Strategic Defence Review delivers meaningful innovation—or overlooks the people and culture needed to sustain it.

Can defence innovation succeed without putting people first?

In this #DefenceinDepth article ‪@tarazammit.bsky.social‬ questions whether the UK’s newly released #StrategicDefenceReview side-lines personnel and culture in favour of tech-driven priorities.

Read it here: www.kcl.ac.uk/the-strategi...

YouTube video by War Studies KCL What is Peace Photography - Event with Dr Tiffany Fairey #imagingPEACE

🎥 Missed the event What is Peace Photography?

Watch the full recording now: youtu.be/V2V7m6RMKy0?...

📸 Hear from international photographers using the camera as a tool for memory, dialogue, and peacebuilding in post-conflict communities.

#PeacePhotography #ImagingPeace

🎉 Congratulations to Dr Vinicius de Carvalho, Reader in the School of Security Studies, awarded the title Commander of the Order of the Defence in Brazil — recognising exceptional service to Brazil’s national defence.

#SecurityStudies #DefenceHonours #InternationalRecognition

Future of Security Conference: Article 2, Collective Economic Defence and Institutional Responses Join senior leaders from finance, industry and government to explore how economic security can strengthen national defence in a time of rising geopolitical risk.

🛡️How can we defend against economic warfare?

Join senior leaders from government, finance, and defence at the Future of Security Conference, exploring the role of economic security in national defence.

📅24 July | 🕘09:00 | 📍Strand Campus
🎟️More info: www.kcl.ac.uk/events/futur...

Between Quad and Squad: Understanding India’s Indo-Pacific take in a Trump Era Explore India’s shifting Indo-Pacific strategy in a potential second Trump era with Dr Jagannath Panda in this timely roundtable discussion.

🚢 How is India navigating the Indo-Pacific amid shifting US politics?

Join Dr Jagannath Panda for a roundtable on India’s evolving strategy between the Quad and a new ‘Squad’ in a Trump era.

📅 2 July | 🕚11:00 |📍Strand Campus & Online
🎟️Register here: bit.ly/4kkazKh

Panel Discussion and Book Launch – War in the Smartphone Age Join this CSSS hosted panel discussion with Matthew Ford, reflecting on war in the smartphone age

📱Are smartphones turning civilians into combatants?

Join us for a panel and book launch with Dr Matthew Ford on War in the Smartphone Age — how smart tech is reshaping the politics and practice of war.

📅2 July |🕕18:00 |📍Strand Campus
🎟️Register here: bit.ly/4nlCyfG

How Nato summit shows Europe and US no longer have a common enemy The Nato summit showed up an increasing divide between Europe and the US, and their military priorities.

Is NATO’s unity unravelling as the US and Europe face diverging security threats?

Dr Andrew Corbett, Senior Lecture in Defence Studies unpacks these shifting dynamics in his article: How NATO summit shows Europe and US no longer have a common enemy.

Read it here: bit.ly/3Gf6cm0

Challenges loom for nuclear-powered data centres - Raconteur Westminster has relaxed planning laws for a new type of nuclear reactor. But challenges loom for the developers of these projects

☢️ Could autonomous nuclear reactors pose new security threats?

On this risk, Dr Ross Peel states:
“Some developers want autonomous reactors... with no on-site staffing... driven entirely by remote control from a centralised operations room.”

Read the article here: bit.ly/4nibvBQ

How Israel’s Dangerous New Grand Strategy Has Set Mideast on Fire To secure his political survival, Netanyahu has ditched the status quo to become a radical revisionist of the worst kind.

How is Israel’s grand strategy shifting—and what does it mean for the Middle East?

In this new article, Dr Rob Geist Pinfold examines Israel’s move from status quo to a more aggressive posture—and the regional consequences that follow.

📖 Read the article: mecouncil.org/blog_posts/h...

What risks does Israel face by targeting Iran’s nuclear infrastructure?

“Without diplomatic closure, this war too may end with root causes unresolved, setting the stage for an even more dangerous future conflict.” - Dr @andreaskrieg.bsky.social

Read more:
bit.ly/4jQ8LIP

Syria’s Foreign Fighter Dilemma Why Trump's about-face on integrating foreign fighters into the Syrian military makes sense.

Why is the US now supporting the integration of foreign fighters into Syria’s army?

“By accepting the TIP’s integration into the Syrian army, Trump has chosen the least bad option.” - Dr Rob Geist Pinfold

Understand the pragmatic approach behind it:
bit.ly/4dWzYYY

How does AUKUS impact world order?

Dr Sarah Tzinieris & Zeno Leoni analyse "order-engineering," exploring AUKUS's role in shaping deterrence, military projection & strategic cooperation, while also noting its role in setting long-term security trajectories in the Indo-Pacific.

Read:
bit.ly/4dYioUr

⚓No More Napoleons: How did Britain manage Europe from Waterloo to WWI?

Join Prof Andrew Lambert for the launch of the Corbett Sea Power Centre + the 2025 Peter N. Davies Lecture

🗓️18 June |17:15 | Strand Campus & Online
🎟️Free & open to all – Register: bit.ly/4kGshce

India and Pakistan’s drone battles mark new arms race in Asia The nuclear-armed neighbours are expected to increase their use of unmanned aerial vehicles. Read more at straitstimes.com. Read more at straitstimes.com.

Are drones helping India and Pakistan signal strength without starting a war?

“India and Pakistan appear to view drone strikes as a way to apply military pressure without immediately provoking large-scale escalation.” — Dr Walter Ladwig III

📰 Read more: bit.ly/4dWuY6B

Big night at King’s on 26 June: Sir Philip Bobbitt joins us for this year’s Dockrill Lecture – The Bow of Odysseus

He’ll be talking global security, defence, and the US role in sustaining a liberal world order in the era of the market state—drawing from his upcoming book

🎟️Register: bit.ly/4jycTNt

How can Europe balance urgent defence needs with complex cooperation?

@bencenemeth.bsky.social argues that time, not funding, is the key constraint, suggesting frontline states to boost national capabilities first and then integrate them into NATO and the EU.

Explore his insights:
bit.ly/45CM47t

Taiwan’s New Strategy: Make China Fear the Pain of an Invasion Taiwan’s so-called porcupine strategy aims to deter a Chinese invasion—or at least stall it until U.S. support arrives.

How Is Taiwan Turning to ‘Porcupine’ Tactics to Stall a Chinese Invasion?

Professor Alessio Patalano tells the Wall Street Journal, “Using weapons that are cheaper to acquire and faster to deploy will be key to fending off China.”

📰Read more: bit.ly/3HDwPkG

How a King's academic's research is changing NATO's approach to planning for the future NATO has featured a paper co-authored by Dr Bence Nemeth, Senior Lecturer in the Defence Studies Department, as the key case study in a new handbook advising all its institutions and member states on ...

Congratulations to Dr @bencenemeth.bsky.social

@NATO has featured his co-authored research paper in its #StrategicForesight manual. A fantastic example of how academic research from @KingsCollegeLon is shaping real-world #DefencePolicy.

Full story 👉 bit.ly/43yxY4m

#OurDividedPlanet

Revisiting Counter-revolutionary Repression and Mass Regime Violence in Syria, 2011-2012 - Project on Middle East Political Science Reinoud Leenders, King’s College London & Ali Aljasem, Utrecht University When Syria witnessed largely peaceful mass protests and revolutionary mobilization between March 2011 and the end of 2012, the...

Was Syria’s 2011 crackdown a desperate reaction—or a calculated strategy to provoke war and mobilise support?

In his new paper, Dr Reinoud Leenders examines how Assad’s “calibrated-indiscriminate violence” fuelled militarisation and rallied support through fear.

Read it here: bit.ly/4dnTMnY

Craig Larkin: The Politics of Memory, From Mosul to Beirut to Gaza | Babel: Translating the Middle East | CSIS Podcasts Jon Alterman speaks with Dr. Craig Larkin to unpack different approaches taken to reconstruction and reconciliation after violence in the Middle East.

How does collective memory shape the way communities rebuild after war?

Dr Craig Larkin explores this in the new episode of the @csis.org Babel Podcast, reflecting on post-conflict recovery from Mosul to Beirut to Gaza.

🎧 Listen to the episode here: bit.ly/4kiz6jA

Sir Keir Starmer announces boost in defence spending at King's conference British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has today committed to the “largest sustained increase since the Cold War” for defence spending during a speech given on the 80th anniversary of VE Day at King’...

Sir Keir Starmer announces a boost in UK defence spending to 2.5% of GDP from April 2027, with a long-term goal of 3%, at #LDC2025 hosted at King's College London.

"Mark my words the British defence industry will be the engine of national renewal,” he says.

Read more:
bit.ly/43tXqs3