Defence Studies
The Defence Studies Department at King's College London. World-leading research on #war & #conflict | Contact: comms-soss@kcl.ac.uk
Website: kcl.ac.uk/dsd
- 📜 2025 Sir Michael Howard Annual Lecture - Resistance: The Underground War in Europe, 1939-1945 📅 03 Dec | 📍Bush House Dr Halik Kochanski will explain how and why all across Nazi-occupied Europe some people decided to resist the Third Reich. 🎟️ RSVP: ow.ly/Bbne50X5C5l
- 📢 Join the public launch of the new CBRN Disinformation Tracker - an interactive resource demonstrating disinformation's impact on WMD disarmament debates Developed by King's Dr @filippalentzos.bsky.social & Dr Gemma Bowsher 📅 20 Oct 2025 🕒 15.00 GMT | 10.00 EST 🔗 bit.ly/4hrUgM1
- Reposted by Defence StudiesDr Domitilla Sagramoso discusses the broader implications of the #SCOSummit, noting that it sends a clear message that "the policy of the United States to decouple Russia from China is really not being very successful." ⏯️Watch:https://bit.ly/3UYuKUc #SCO2025 @dsagramoso.bsky.social
- Reposted by Defence StudiesDr Natasha Kuhrt describes the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (#SCO) as a "loose grouping" with "disparate interests", emphasising that it "is not an organisation like #NATO" & doesn't function as a collective security or defence alliance. ⏯️ bit.ly/45KkUeG #SCOSummit @natashakuhrt.bsky.social
- Reposted by Defence StudiesThe US's absence from #PacificFutureForum has sparked concern among experts. Prof Alessio Patalano called it “remarkable” that the US missed “the opportunity to be on stage alongside #NATO and East Asian allies to discuss the value of ever-closer ties.” ➡️Read more: bit.ly/45VKnAz
- Dr Rod Thornton and Dr Marina Miron highlight Ukraine’s western #Donetsk “fortress belt” as a crucial defence against Russia. “If Kyiv does accede, though, then this may amount to #Ukraine accepting its overall defeat. It may, indeed, lose the war.” ➡️Read more: bit.ly/4lSppIU
- Dr Zeno Leoni says Trump’s idea to “un-unite” Russia and China misreads today’s geopolitics. Unlike the Cold War, Russia and China now share a stable partnership. The US should focus on strengthening alliances and managing competition with China. 🔗Read: bit.ly/3HCwaka
- 📄Read the full analysis by Dr Zeno Leoni and Dr Geraint Hughes: “A ‘Reverse Kissinger’? Why Trump’s Anti-China Rapprochement with Russia Is Likely to Fail” ➡️ bit.ly/4lWoO9d
- Dr Ahron Bregman highlights the widening rifts between key social and political groups could escalate dangerously. “Tensions within Israeli society are so high that the situation could easily deteriorate into an open civil war,” he says. 🔗Read more: bit.ly/4mEwy0I
- Join us for a seminar exploring the evolution of cyber operations, the use of plausible deniability, and China’s efforts to influence global cyber narratives. 📅3 Oct | 🕘16:00 |📍Strand Campus 🛡️Secure your spot now: bit.ly/4mRb3cv @monicakello.bsky.social #CyberSecurity #CyberCrime
- How has drone warfare changed the trajectory of Sudan’s civil war? “Drones have made the war feel omnipresent...This inescapable threat has become part of daily life in many parts of Sudan.” - Dr Andreas Krieg Read: bit.ly/4p0iLmO @andreaskrieg.bsky.social #Sudan #CivilWar #DroneWarfare #UAV
- Dr Marina Miron highlights the ambiguity of the US position & expresses doubts about direct military involvement by #NATO. “Ukraine wants a lot, but how much of those #securityguarantees that #Ukraine envisages it will get is another question.” 🔗Read more: bit.ly/3HnsKlc #UkraineWar #Zelenskyy
- What if close intelligence allies see the world differently? “Abandoning a close partner in an existential conflict left NATO allies, including the UK, wondering whether Washington viewed any standing commitments as firm.” - Prof David Gioe, a former US intelligence officer 🔗Read: bit.ly/3JdPsNc
- Reposted by Defence StudiesDr @paulmcgarr.bsky.social draws on newly declassified British documents to reveal how, during the #ColdWar, India’s Congress government, the CIA & British intelligence took covert actions to undermine the Communist Party of India in #Kerala in the late 1950s. Read more: bit.ly/3JjPwe6
- Reposted by Defence StudiesWhat does the #Alaska summit suggest about US–Russia relations & global stability? “It tells the world that the Trump administration does not consider the Russian government to be an adversary, but a partner and perhaps a friend.” - Dr @ruthdeyermond.bsky.social 🔗 www.kcl.ac.uk/trump-putin-...
- What influence do European leaders have over a potential deal between #Putin and #Trump in #Alaska? "The Europeans shouldn’t overstate what they can do, but they can actually do quite a lot to keep the Ukrainians going," says Prof Michael Clarke @mikeclarke2020s.bsky.social. Watch: bit.ly/45IVZHk
- Can battlefield gains shape peace talks? Putin heads to #Alaska for a summit with Trump amid Russian advances in eastern Ukraine. “Putin has much stronger cards to play than his opponents... The Russian army is on the offensive & they are dictating the rules.” - Dr Marina Miron. 🔗 bit.ly/47vfJjY
- General Anthony Cotton, Commander of the United States Strategic Command, spoke at King’s on the role of strategic deterrence, nuclear security & global collaboration in today’s complex threat landscape. He stressed the need to develop adaptable, innovative future leaders. 🔗Read: bit.ly/45ttFbG
- What challenges face a Ukraine peace deal? The UK military may face difficulties committing troops without impacting #NATO duties, while Dr Marina Miron notes Russia is unlikely to accept Western peacekeepers, given its strong leverage in negotiations. Read more: bit.ly/45AjNNq
- How will the collision between Chinese vessels near #ScarboroughShoal affect tensions with the Philippines? “This was highly unprofessional and dangerous,” says Prof Alessio Patalano, adding the manoeuvre showed “no seamanship-like behaviour to speak of.” Read more: bit.ly/46Tx8mi
- Research, educate and partner with the Defence Academy of the UK. Join us at the forefront of interdisciplinary research and professional military education. Full-time, indefinite contracts. APPLY NOW 👇 🔗 bit.ly/4fMzndD #DefenceJobs #AcademicJobs #HigherEdCareers
- 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...
- Reposted by Defence StudiesCan 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...
- Reposted by Defence Studies💡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...
- Reposted by Defence StudiesHow 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...
- 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...
- 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
- 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...
- 🎥 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
- 🛡️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...
- 🚢 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
- 📱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
- 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
- ☢️ 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 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
- 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
- Reposted by Defence Studies⚓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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- Reposted by Defence StudiesSir 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
- Could Spain’s blackout really have been caused by a cyberattack? Senior Research Fellow Dr Lukasz Olejnik discusses the vulnerabilities of power systems and why large and synchronised attacks would be extremely difficult. Read the article: bit.ly/42QIRON
- With key envoys pull out, can the US still lead peace efforts if it’s no longer seen as neutral? "This is not just about diplomacy fatigue. It also signals a hard pivot: The US is not positioning itself as a neutral mediator." - Dr @bencenemeth.bsky.social Read: bit.ly/3Gqun0E
- 📌 How did Habyarimana’s assassination set the stage for decades of mistrust between Rwanda and Belgium? 🗣️ “The assassination of Juvenal Habyarimana on April 6 was the beginning of a dark chapter in Rwanda.” — Dr Jonathan Beloff 👉 Read the article: bit.ly/3GksjHg
- How did a group chat among top US officials spark a national security debate? #SignalGate raises questions about the risks of using encrypted apps for sensitive discussions & the limits of convenience in high-stakes environments. Read the full analysis: bit.ly/3Gpv2iA
- Should international governments reconsider their relationship with the UAE? "...There is the hope, at least in Europe, that governments would use the evidence in the case to reconsider how they engage with the UAE." - Dr @andreaskrieg.bsky.social. Read more: bit.ly/4jUDu8j
- With cyberattacks and disinformation campaigns intensifying, how can we defend against these evolving threats?🔒💻 "The EU and UK must be proactive, adaptable and united to counter evolving cyber threats." - Dr @lukaszolejnik.bsky.social . 📖Learn more: bit.ly/3Gbjgsg
- What would NATO’s shift in leadership mean for Europe’s security? "Removing the American Saceur position... would have profound effects on NATO’s military capability and immediate repercussions for alliance deterrence strategy." - Dr Andrew Corbett. Read: bit.ly/43SWvD9
- Dr Rob Geist Pinfold explains that since the collapse of the 2015 agreement, Iran’s nuclear programme has accelerated, with a significant shortening of its breakout time. However, he emphasises that it was “the US and Israel that killed that deal, not Iran”. Read more: ➡️https://bit.ly/4i9k2mV
- 🌍🚢New paper explores the South Atlantic's strategic value, its geopolitical significance & the risks of isolating regions in security policies. It challenges the Western focus on the Indo-Pacific & highlighting global security interconnections. Read: 👉https://bit.ly/42ocXsG
