Security Archives

Research Briefing

Investigatory Powers Bill

Friday, 11 March, 2016

The Investigatory Powers Bill would overhaul the framework governing the use of surveillance by the intelligence and security agencies and law enforcement to obtain the content of communications and communications data. It follows three important reports published in 2015, all of which concluded that the law in this area is unfit for purpose and in need of reform, and a draft Bill that has been subjected to pre-legislative scrutiny by three parliamentary committees.
Research Briefing

The People’s Mujahiddin of Iran (PMOI)

Monday, 07 March, 2016

The People's Mujahiddin of Iran (PMOI) or Mujahiddin e Khalq (MEK) is a group of exiled Iranians opposed to the government of Iran. It is a member of a wider coalition known as the National Council of Resistance in Iran. PMOI/MEK was put on to the Government's list of proscribed terrorist organisations in March 2001. This note describes the proscription of the PMOI in the UK and EU and subsequent removal of the organisation from both the UK and EU proscription lists in June 2008 and January 2009 respectively.
Research Briefing

The 2015 Strategic Defence and Security Review

Tuesday, 12 January, 2016

This Commons Library briefing paper examines how the 2015 Strategic Defence and Security Review will affect the armed forces.
Research Briefing

The UK National Security Council

Monday, 11 January, 2016

The Commons Library has published a briefing paper on the UK National Security Council (NSC). Using a Q&A format, the briefing provides basic information about its origins, mandate and operation.
Research Briefing

Regulation of Investigatory Powers: Codes of Practice

Tuesday, 05 January, 2016

New draft codes of practice providing guidance on equipment interference and the interception of communications were published in November 2015. They relate to the investigatory powers of law enforcement agencies and the intelligence and security agencies provided for by the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 and the and Intelligence Services Act 1994.
Research Briefing

Pakistan: November 2015 update

Monday, 30 November, 2015

The Pakistan Muslim League – Nawaz (PML-N) government, led by prime minister Nawaz Sharif, is now well into its third year in power. Its tenure has arguably seen a weakening of civilian authority, although there seems little prospect of a military coup. But the overall security situation within the country has improved markedly during 2015.
Research Briefing

Iraq and Syria – developments in 2015

Friday, 27 November, 2015

After the Paris attacks, the pressure for Western countries to do more about ISIS has grown. Is that leading them to downgrade the violence perpetrated in Syria by the government of Bashar al-Assad?
Research Briefing

Draft Investigatory Powers Bill

Thursday, 19 November, 2015

The Draft Investigatory Powers Bill, published in November 2015, seeks to update and consolidate the legal framework governing the interception of communications and the acquisition of communications data by intelligence and law enforcement agencies
Research Briefing

France and Article 42(7) of the Treaty on the European Union

Wednesday, 18 November, 2015

In response to the recent terrorist attacks in Paris France invoked Article 42(7) of the Treaty in the European Union on 17 November 2015. That article obligates all EU Member States to provide France with aid and assistance, although it does not go so far as to confer a security commitment, akin to NATO's Article V. This paper looks briefly at Article 42(7) TEU and the implications for the UK.
Insight

UK 2015 National Security Strategy: advance insights

Friday, 06 November, 2015
- Insight
- Defence
- Security
Debate Pack

Conflict in Yemen

Monday, 19 October, 2015

This is a Debate Pack for the debate on the 'Conflict in Yemen', in Westminster Hall on Thursday 22 October (1.30pm). Debate Packs are collections of parliamentary and other relevant material produced for most non-legislative debates in the Chamber and Westminster Hall, other than half-hour adjournment debates.
Insight

Regulating the web, the Open Internet and Net Neutrality

Wednesday, 20 May, 2015
Research Briefing

Key Issues for the 2015 Parliament

Tuesday, 19 May, 2015

This book examines the key issues facing the House of Commons over the course of the 2015 Parliament - from the public finances to the UK’s membership of the EU and from school places for children to climate change.
Research Briefing

ISIS and the sectarian conflict in the Middle East

Thursday, 19 March, 2015

The radical jihadis of ISIS still control large areas of Iraq and Syria, despite the international campaign against them. But who are they really?
Research Briefing

Interception of communications

Friday, 13 March, 2015

This Note looks at past and present law, the role of the Interception of Communications Commissioner in overseeing the present regime and recent developments in this area.

Total results (page 10 of 18)