Confronting The Evolving Missile Threat in Europe | IAMD Conference 2026
The 2026 RUSI Air‑Missile Defence conference opened with Siddharth Kaushal framing Europe’s air‑and‑missile threat as a convergent, evolving challenge that now dominates anti‑access, critical‑infrastructure and supply‑chain security. Speakers highlighted how Russian forces have shifted from limited precision strikes to massive, coordinated salvos of cruise missiles, drones and quasi‑ballistic weapons. Drone‑led ISTAR now drives target acquisition, while low‑cost UAVs and loitering munitions such as the Lancet‑3 generate 100‑200 strikes per month, and nightly attacks can exceed 1,000 systems. This duality of high‑end missiles and massed cheap munitions strains interceptor stocks and forces defenders to confront both volume and sophistication. Examples cited included the Rubicon Center—a Russian unit built to hunt Ukrainian drones and radars—and the dramatic increase from two Geran strikes per month in 2022 to dynamic, 24‑hour planning that floods Ukrainian air‑defence zones with 180‑450 engagements nightly. Ukrainian commanders reported that Russian drones now act as relay nodes, enabling coordinated attacks on air‑defence sites. The discussion concluded that NATO must redefine “good‑enough” protection, investing in a layered architecture that blends high‑performance interceptors with affordable, scalable solutions and reshapes the industrial base to sustain rapid production. Without such a shift, Europe risks a persistent capability gap against a threat that can overwhelm both technology and logistics.
Will Russia Learn From Iran's Recent Experiences? | Integrated Air and Missile Defence Conference 26
The Integrated Air and Missile Defence Conference highlighted Russia’s accelerating collaboration with Iran, China and North Korea on advanced missile and air‑defence systems. Analysts noted that Moscow is not only sharing technology but also observing Iranian operational concepts, such as...
Dr Kaushal on Subsea Cable Sabotage
Dr. Kaushal explains that the vulnerability of subsea communication cables varies dramatically with water depth. In shallow regions such as the Baltic Sea, a simple commercial vessel dragging an anchor can sever a fiber‑optic line, providing a low‑cost, deniable method...
Matthew Savill on BBC 5 Live: Iran's 10-Point Ceasefire Plan
On BBC 5 Live, security analyst Matthew Savill dissected Iran’s newly unveiled 10‑point cease‑fire proposal, questioning its viability and alignment with U.S. interests. The discussion centered on Tehran’s demand to retain influence over the Strait of Hormuz and other concessions that...
Dr Burcu Ozcelik on BBC 5 Live: Trump's Deadline on Iran
Dr. Burcu Ozcelik appeared on BBC 5 Live to warn that President Trump's looming deadline on Iran could trigger attacks on overwhelmingly civilian targets, raising strategic concerns for the White House. She argued that while Trump has cultivated an image of...
Dr Burcu Ozcelik on BBC Newsnight 1 April 2026 - Trump’s Iran 'Update'
The interview centered on the United Kingdom’s plan to convene a virtual meeting of more than thirty countries tomorrow, aimed at safeguarding the Strait of Hormuz – a critical artery for global oil shipments. Dr. Burcu Ozcelik linked the timing...
State Threats in Sub-Saharan Africa: Identity, Influence and Insecurity | 18 March 2026
The panel convened experts from Rusei to examine how state‑sponsored threats are reshaping Sub‑Saharan Africa through the lenses of identity, influence, and insecurity. By applying a gender‑focused framework, they argue that modern geopolitical competition is no longer confined to...
Lord Coaker: Why Defence Diplomacy Matters More Than Ever
Lord Coaker’s remarks underscore a strategic pivot toward defence diplomacy, arguing that in today’s security environment soft power is as vital as hard power. He frames Britain’s role within NATO—a 32‑nation alliance—as the cornerstone of this approach. The speaker highlights that...
Webinar: Empowering Women in Cyber Security | 6 March 2026
The webinar, hosted by research fellow Piranha Joshi on International Women’s Day, spotlighted Dr. Mary Haye, BAE Systems’ Director of Digital Delivery and Deputy Global CIO, to discuss the persistent gender imbalance in cyber security and actionable pathways to redress...
RAF Chief: Air Warfare Is Entering a New Era
The video features the RAF Chief outlining how air warfare is entering a new era, stressing that the control of the skies is shifting and that the service must evolve quickly. He frames the discussion around the transition from fourth‑...
Iran’s Nuclear Programme Has Previously Survived Regime Change and War
The video examines Iran’s nuclear program, tracing its origins to the 1950s under the Shah and highlighting its resilience through political upheaval and conflict. It argues that the initiative survived the 1979 Islamic Revolution and could endure another regime change. Key...
Is the Gulf War Expanding? UK, France & Germany Shift as Conflict Widens
The video examines growing concern that the Gulf war could expand as regional actors and European allies move from diplomatic caution to potential military engagement. Analysts note that Gulf states, feeling threatened, may feel obligated to respond, while the United Kingdom,...
Will the UK Be Drawn Into Gulf Conflict as Iran Escalates?
The video examines whether the United Kingdom will be drawn into the escalating Gulf conflict as Iran intensifies its military actions. It highlights the UK’s historic and strategic interests in the region, including substantial trade, cultural connections, and a sizable...
Reflections After Four Years of War in Ukraine | Dr Maryna Vorotnyuk
Dr Maryna Vorotnyuk, an associate fellow at the Royal United Services Institute, delivered a briefing on the fourth anniversary of Russia’s full‑scale invasion, evaluating the current military stalemate and diplomatic avenues for peace. She noted that Ukraine has reclaimed portions...
Four Years After Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine: Can the Stalemate Be Broken?
Four years into the war, the conflict looks set to remain a grinding stalemate into 2026 driven by three structural factors: neither side can achieve decisive firepower overmatch, rapid diffusion of commercial drone and countermeasure technologies erodes battlefield advantages, and...