Centre for Defence Studies

The Centre for Defence Studies (CDS) is a world-leading centre for defence and security research, thought-leadership, consultancy and executive development.

CDS currently delivers a variety of bespoke international education and training programmes in: counter-terrorism; intelligence; strategic analysis; foresight; national security studies; and the use of evidence-based analysis in public policy.

These include the National Security Studies MA which runs over several months, as well as shorter, more intensive MA-level accredited courses for practitioner groups at national level. CDS works closely with clients to identify the most appropriate content and delivery style for each of its programmes.

There are four objectives at CDS:

Produce interdisciplinary research to advance the fields of defence studies and national security studies;
Host events and initiatives to generate greater public understanding of defence and security issues;
Deliver tailored executive education and development courses to defence and security practitioners from the UK and overseas;
Provide analysis and consultancy services to clients in the defence and security sectors.

Members

Moira Andrews

Visiting Professor

Philip Berry

Visiting Research Fellow

Hillary Briffa

Lecturer in National Security Studies

Gerhard Conrad

Visiting Professor in Intelligence Studies

Joseph Devanny

Lecturer in National Security Studies

John Gearson

Head of the School of Security Studies

Will Jessett

Visiting Professor

Mark Lyall Grant

Visiting Professor

Nina Musgrave

Teaching Fellow, & Assistant Director, Centre for Defence Studies

Martin Navias

Senior Visiting Research Fellow, Centre for Defence Studies

Peter Ricketts

Visiting Professor

Malcolm Rifkind

Visiting Professor

Hugo Rosemont

Visiting Senior Research Fellow

John Sawers

Visiting Professor

Valtteri Vuorisalo

Visiting Senior Research Fellow

Tim Willasey-Wilsey

Visiting Professor

The Integrated Review in Context: Defence and Security in Focus

The second volume of the series of essays on the Integrated Review provides insight and analysis into the defence and security implications of the Review. Building on the first volume, it develops the contextual, historical and strategic analysis of the Integrated Review, assessing whether it offers a strategy fit for the next decade and beyond. The essays cover key themes of the Review, such as its implications for the British Army, the potential defence contribution to the Indo-Pacific Tilt, and debating salient issues such as the Review’s impact on the global nuclear non-proliferation regime.

The Integrated Review in Context: Defence and Security in Focus

The Integrated Review in Context

A volume of essays, written by leading experts and published by the Centre for Defence Studies, explores the historical and strategic context of the UK's flagship Integrated Review of Security, Defence, Development and Foreign Policy.

The Integrated Review in Context

'The Whole Force by Design': Optimising Defence to Meet Future Challenges

Commissioned by the Serco Institute, The Whole Force by Design: Optimising Defence to Meet Future Challenges aims to improve the efficiency of the armed forces by examining what progress has been made and what obstacles remain to deliver a fully integrated Whole Force model in the UK.

Read the news report here

students present declaration at Defence of Europe conference

The Bush House Declaration

A declaration by students for the Defence of Europe conference (facilitated by the School of Security Studies, King's College London, and Reaction).

Defence of Europe

Conversations with Strategy: Former MI6 Chief, John Sawers on intelligence and diplomacy

Sir John Sawers discusses his 36 year career in diplomacy and intelligence, culminating in five years as Chief of the British Secret Intelligence Service (MI6), as well as how he went on to found his own company, Newbridge Advisory, to advise corporate leaders on geopolitics and political risk.

Conversations with Strategy: Former MI6 Chief, John Sawers on intelligence and diplomacy

Freeman Air & Space Institute

Freeman Air & Space Institute is an inter-disciplinary initiative which sits in the Centre for Defence Studies, providing independent, original knowledge and understanding of air and space issues. It was launched at an online event in September 2020 involving politicians, former civil servants and air and space industry professionals.

Event: Institute Launch & Roundtable

Freeman Air & Space Institute

In conversation with former Head of the Armed Forces, General the Lord Richards of Herstmonceux

General the Lord Richards of Herstmonceux, former Chief of the Defence Staff - the professional head of the British Armed Forces, joined us to discuss the UK’s future role in the world, the implications of the US presidential election result on foreign policy, and the prospects for real peace in Afghanistan. Watch the online conversation with the former Chief of the Defence Staff - the professional head of the British Armed Forces here : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hc9XIyKp7aU G

Watch the event recording

Event listing: In conversation with General the Lord Richards of Herstmonceux

Book Launch and podcast: The War on Drugs and Anglo-American Relations

Philip Berry, lecturer in War Studies at the Centre for Defence Studies, launched his new book, the 'War on Drugs and Anglo-American Relations: Lessons from Afghanistan, 2001-2011', at an online event and for a War Studies Podcast episode. His book reveals the inside story on the Blair Government's mission to destroy opium production at source in Afghanistan including why counter-narcotics was such a key foreign policy objective for Blair, and why his approach caused considerable tension in UK-US relations.

Book Launch: The War on Drugs and Anglo-American Relations: Lessons from Afghanistan, 2001-2011

The Practice of National Security

The distinguished diplomat and Visiting Professor, Lord Peter Ricketts, gave his inaugural lecture discussing the role of the UK's National Security Adviser, a role he first fulfilled. Speakers also included former Cabinet Secretary and Head of the Civil Service Lord Butler, and former Cabinet Office Security and Intelligence Coordinator Professor Sir David Omand.

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Belt & Road event

In his keynote address for the Centre for Defence Studies Professor Andrew Macleod addressed misconceptions about the Chinese Belt and Road Initiative, and placed in this broader international context the current debates about Britain’s place in the world after Brexit.

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The General Election and the next Strategic Defence and Security Review

Following the 2019 UK General Election, CDS led a panel discussion exploring the new government's plans for security and defence. Chaired by Dr Joe Devanny, the distinguished panel included Lord Ricketts, Visiting Professor and the first ever UK National Security Adviser, Will Jessett, Visiting Professor and former Director for Strategic Planning at the Ministry of Defence, and Margaret Aldred, former deputy head of the Cabinet Office and Overseas Secretariat of the Iraq Inquiry.

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National Security Studies MA

Our bespoke MA in National Security Studies fosters a unique academic environment which invites policy practitioners, representatives from the private sector and policy-interested postgraduate students to study side by side.

Executive Education at the Centre for Defence Studies

The Centre for Defence Studies (CDS) is a well-established and highly-regarded provider of strategic consultancy, analysis, programme development and delivery services in the field of defence and security for domestic UK and international clients. In addition to its established courses, CDS regularly develops and delivers bespoke courses to meet the specific needs of its clients.

Executive Education at the Centre for Defence Studies

Our partners

The Freeman Air & Space Institute

The Freeman Air & Space Institute is an inter-disciplinary initiative which sits in the Centre for Defence Studies, providing independent, original knowledge and understanding of air and space issues. It was launched at an online event in September 2020 involving politicians, former civil servants and air and space industry professionals.

Event: Institute Launch & Roundtable

Freeman Air & Space Institute