Resources

The National Security Strategy the peacebuilding sector hoped for vs the one the UK delivered

There was much hope within the conflict prevention community and beyond that the new UK National Security Strategy (NSS) – published last week – could be a much more comprehensive response to the international security environment, update the UK’s approach to preventing and resolving proliferating conflicts, and plug the gaps in the considerably narrower Strategic Defence Review. Alas, the gulf between the new UK NSS and this vision couldn’t be bigger.

The UK Strategic Defence Review: A risky rearmament plan

Lewis Brooks and Charlie Linney examine the UK’s recent Strategic Defence Review and argue that the SDR risks undermining global peace and security through its militarised narrative, narrow scope, and short-term thinking.

Making the case for de-escalation in the UK's Strategic Defence Review

As a new UK Strategic Defence Review gets underway, a series of complex interconnected crises from the Middle East to the Horn of Africa must prompt a much greater emphasis on de-escalation. Charlie Linney and Lewis Brooks propose three areas where UK Defence can contribute to de-escalation and conflict prevention.

UK continues to provision Israel’s F-35 fighter aircraft despite finding Israel at clear risk of breaking international law

The UK has suspended 30 of the 350 currently extant licences for exports to Israel but continues to allow the most problematic of UK arms exports, components for F-35 fighter aircraft, which have been at the heart of Israel’s bombardment of Gaza.

What is the right role for the UK in preventing and resolving conflict? Views from Africa, Asia and the Middle East

We brought together UK government officials and peacebuilders from conflict-affected countries to inform the UK government’s understanding of contemporary conflict trends and how the UK should respond to them. 

UK, US and EU must halt arms sales to Israel or risk complicity in potential war crimes

New UK Plan is step in right direction – but only with a peacebuilding approach will it deliver the radical goals of the Women, Peace and Security agenda

In the run up to the 25th anniversary of UN Security Council 1325, the UK has launched its fifth National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security. Though a positive step, the government must take an ambitious approach to implementation if it wants to make genuine progress towards peace and gender equality.

On South Sudan’s 10th Anniversary, NGOs call for sustained assistance and safe access for aid workers

As South Sudan marks its 10th anniversary, the world’s youngest nation faces severe challenges of food insecurity, violent conflict, and long-term humanitarian and development needs.

Joint Conciliation Resources, International Alert and Saferworld statement on the impact of UK aid cuts on peacebuilding efforts and our partners around the world

The recent cuts to UK aid have impacted many conflict-affected parts of the world, and were abrupt, seemingly arbitrary, and left little to no scope for conflict sensitivity in their implementation.