Research Briefing
It is widely acknowledged that cyber attacks will increasingly be a key aspect of future warfare and organised crime. This note explains the increasing threat to national security posed by the new "front" of the cyber realm of networked, digital activities (often internet-based) and sets out the Government's response.
Research Briefing
This paper is now out-of-date and has been replaced by Commons Library Briefing CBP7353, Replacing the UK's Trident Nuclear Deterrent, 26 October 2015
Research Briefing
This note describes the background to the riots in Tunisia, the recent series of events leading to the flight of the president, the interim government and progress towards elections.
Research Briefing
The Committee of the Whole House debate on the Armed Forces Bill took place on 14 June 2011. All of the Government’s amendments to the Bill relating to the call-out of the Reserves and the Armed Forces Covenant were adopted. Several other amendments and new clauses relating to the Covenant and the publication of defence statistics were defeated on division. Report Stage and Third Reading of the Bill is scheduled for 16 June 2011.
Research Briefing
A very brief survey of developments in the Arab world in 2011
Research Briefing
This note examines the Committee of the Whole House amendments to the Armed Forces Bill that have been tabled thus far.
Research Briefing
This note looks at the background to the recent unrest in Syria and analyses briefly the threats to the regime and its sources of strength, and the position of western governments towards the regime.
Research Briefing
President Saleh's departure to Saudi Arabia for treatment for injuries received in a rocket attack leaves a power vacuum in Yemen, with powerful military forces squaring up for a fight over the succession.
Research Briefing
Unlike the majority of Government Bills, the Armed Forces Bill has traditionally been committed to a specially convened Select Committee after Second Reading, which sits only for the duration of the Bill. Three oral evidence sessions were held in early February 2011 on some of the general themes associated with the Bill. Armed Forces welfare and the section of the Bill relating to the Military Covenant received particular attention. Those sessions were then followed by four sessions dedicated to formal consideration of the Bill. Several amendments relating to clause 2 of the Bill were moved in Committee, but after extensive debate were defeated on division. The Special Report of the Select Committee was published on 10 March 2011 (HC 779, Session 2010-11).
Research Briefing
In 2009 two EU directives were adopted relating to the procurement of defence and security related goods and services, and the intra-EU transfer of defence goods. Both of those directives must be transposed into UK law in 2011. This note examines the background to these Directives, the specific provisions in each of them and current plans for transposition.
Research Briefing
The fragile unity of the state of Bosnia and Herzegovina is looking ever more precarious.
Research Briefing
Bosnia’s complex political structures were set up by the Dayton Peace Agreement that ended the war of 1992-95. This note provides a brief description.,
Research Briefing
This note reviews developments in Burma since the November 2010 elections.
Research Briefing
This briefing on the Terrorism Prevention and Investigation Measures Bill has been prepared for the second reading debate on the Bill in the House of Commons. This is due to take place on 7 June 2011
Total results (page 144 of 167)