Centre for Defence Studies

The Centre for Defence Studies (CDS), part of @warstudies at @kingscollegelon, is a leading centre for defence & security research, consulting & exec ed.

[Joe Devanny @josephdevanny]

Two interesting @JointCtteNSS cyber-related evidence sessions coming up on Monday, on ransomware and offensive cyber, evidence from: Kelly Butler (@marshmclennan), @sadiecreese, @jamiemaccoll, @tcstvns and @DrAndrewDwyer https://t.co/0LHCHHh8QO

[Joe Devanny @josephdevanny]

Presumably, @JointCtteNSS will be able to scrutinise the government's (welcome, if overdue) new plans to write a national security strategy, including clarifying if the Cabinet Office's national security team will be coordinating its production.

[Centre for Defence Studies @KingsCDS]

As well as announcing an uplift in UK defence spending, the Prime Minister today announced there will be a new national security strategy. Such strategies set the integrated framework for defence, foreign policy, and wider security and intelligence related policy decisions.

[Joe Devanny @josephdevanny]

It was a good statement overall. I'm glad of the U-turn on producing a national security strategy, which should have been the framework for the SDR & other reviews from the beginning. Arguably, the defence spend decision should have been made sooner.

[Centre for Defence Studies @KingsCDS]

Is the Starmer government using the National Security Council process? Apparently not for its cross-government China audit. Our deputy director suggests that the Cabinet Office was a better choice than FCDO to lead this review.

[Joe Devanny @josephdevanny]

The UK’s cross-government “China audit” is reportedly being led by the FCDO, which is the lead foreign policy department, but the Cabinet Office and specifically the NSC, might have been the more obvious choice for shepherding a cross-government approach.

[Joe Devanny @josephdevanny]

The UK’s cross-government “China audit” is reportedly being led by the FCDO, which is the lead foreign policy department, but the Cabinet Office and specifically the NSC, might have been the more obvious choice for shepherding a cross-government approach.

[Centre for Defence Studies @KingsCDS]

And if you are interested in studying with us @warstudies, please explore our range of degree programmes and courses here. https://t.co/SiIL4BFFpj

[Centre for Defence Studies @KingsCDS]

Introducing our new @warstudies Visiting Professor @vvuorisalo. | “As consumers of technologies, we all are participants in great power competition, whether we want to be or not.”

[Centre for Defence Studies @KingsCDS]

Check out the people profiles for @vvuorisalo and all our distinguished @warstudies visiting professors and researchers here https://t.co/DOYeGU1xhY

[Council on Geostrategy @ConGeostrategy]

Does the Foreign Office need a new information research department? 🌍

We asked 7 experts in today’s #BigAsk

✍️@josephdevanny, @MarkGaleotti, Lord Hannay of Chiswick GCMG, @RJohnsonCCW1, Charles Parton OBE, @james_rogers, @gracetheodoulou

#BritainsWorld
https://t.co/mLtiEH9whx

[Joe Devanny @josephdevanny]

Posts like this by @HenryNewman (& also one he cites by @AlexGAThomas on the same issue) demonstrate the continuing value of this website, disseminating in-depth analysis of niche but important issues like the implications of the new UK National Security Adviser appointment.

[Centre for Defence Studies @KingsCDS]

And if you think you might want to study for a postgraduate degree in National Security Studies, there is just the MA programme for you @warstudies @kclsecurity https://t.co/1SVO8GxxnV

[Centre for Defence Studies @KingsCDS]

The Labour government has appointed a new National Security Adviser, Jonathan Powell. This is the first political appointment to the role. It raises questions about what other changes to the central national security machinery might be in the pipeline.

[Joe Devanny @josephdevanny]

As the first political appointee in the role, this isn’t a bad appointment. Obvious strength on foreign policy, offsetting areas where he will need to lean more on his staff. Plenty of scope to revise the role (& wider NS centre) to fit how he/Starmer want it.

[Centre for Defence Studies @KingsCDS]

For a reflection on the UK's adoption of a national security approach, see this @warstudies chapter by Prof John Gearson, @h1llz & @josephdevanny https://t.co/UCUJn68lVm

[Centre for Defence Studies @KingsCDS]

The UK's National Security Council has a lowish profile, but it oversees the strategic direction of UK national security policies. Our deputy director @josephdevanny is tracking coverage of the new Labour government's approach to this important committee. @warstudies @KCLSecurity

[Joe Devanny @josephdevanny]

I think the striking thing isn’t this change, but the original decision. The episode tells us something about political relationships at the top. But we presumably won’t see any substantive changes in NS machinery/processes until the appointment of a new NSA.

[Joe Devanny @josephdevanny]

The UK List of Cabinet Committees was published last week. This has already generated some reporting & commentary, including re: the NSC. But one striking thing I noticed: Europe and Sci/Tech both have their own committees, outside of the NSC process. https://t.co/abORXZusKB

[Joe Devanny @josephdevanny]

Responsibly disrupting cyber-enabled counterterrorism operations | This is a thoughtful @bindinghook commentary & thread from @KCL_CSRG's @Drag0nR3b0rn, exploring the principles shaping private sector responses to discovering vulnerabilities exploited "in the wild".

[Centre for Defence Studies @KingsCDS]

Is an outgoing National Security Adviser necessarily a "lame duck" 🦆? Our deputy director @josephdevanny explores how that phrase might apply. Something for our new National Security Studies students to think about! @warstudies @KCLSecurity

[Joe Devanny @josephdevanny]

In his newsletter, @HenryNewman notes uncertainty over the fate of several posts in the centre of government, including that outgoing/interim National Security Adviser Tim Barrow is widely seen as a “lame duck”.🦆 I thought that phrase, applied to the NSA, deserved elaboration.