Deploying the armed forces in the UK
This briefing looks at when the armed forces can be deployed in the UK, what they do, and the legal basis.
What is a ‘whole of society’ approach to defence and security?
What is the government doing to prepare the UK for crisis or conflict?
Home defence: A new ‘Home Guard’?
The 2025 Strategic Defence Review recommended the government explore options to create a new Reserve-style force to protect critical national infrastructure.
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Research Briefing
Home defence: What is the War Book?
The government is working on new plans for the country in the event of a military attack. During the 20th century, plans were set out in the War Book.
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Research Briefing
Global biodiversity loss, ecosystem collapse and UK national security
The government published its national security assessment on Global biodiversity loss, ecosystem collapse and national security in January 2026. A debate on the assessment, introduced by Adrian Ramsay, is due to take place in Westminster Hall on 3 September 2026.
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Research Briefing
What is NATO’s Article 3 commitment to national resilience?
What are NATO's treaty obligations on national resilience and civil preparedness?
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Research Briefing
Syria in 2026: Minority religious and ethnic groups after Assad
Extensive violence targeted some religious minorities in 2025. Tensions continued in 2026. The UK has called for accountability and an inclusive transition.
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Collection
The conflict in Ukraine
View research relating to the conflict in Ukraine, including military assistance, sanctions, international legal issues and efforts to resolve the conflict.
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Research Briefing
Frequently asked questions: Cuba’s humanitarian crisis and US tensions in 2026
Cuba is experiencing a significant humanitarian crisis. US President Donald Trump has been increasing political and economic pressure on Cuba, adding new sanctions on the island's oil imports.
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Research Briefing
Military assistance to Ukraine: What has changed since January 2025?
How has military assistance to Ukraine changed since January 2025 when US President Donald Trump took office?
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Research Briefing
UK aid and women and girls
The development challenges facing women and girls, how much UK and global aid is spent on gender equality, and UK policy and action.
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Research Briefing
UK aid and climate change
Sets out the potential effects of climate change on global development goals, UK Government aid strategies on climate change, and how UK aid is spent.
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Research Briefing
Proposals for a Coalition of the Willing in Ukraine
Part of proposals for securing any future peace deal in Ukraine is the deployment of a European-led multinational force, or Coalition of the Willing.
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Research Briefing
Timeline of British military assistance to Ukraine (2022 to present)
What military assistance is the UK providing to Ukraine?
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Research Briefing
UK aid: Reducing spending to 0.3% of GNI by 2027/28
Aid spending will be cut to 0.3% of gross national income by 2027 to fund greater spending on defence. What are the government's aid plans?
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