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Topic
Global security
Addressing the causes and impact of global instability, fragility and insecurity
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Featured Programmes and projects Latest news Voices blog Upcoming Events Publications Research updates People
Focus on global security
Our work on security, fragility and conflict

Our work focuses on critical priorities in global security such as international law, international relations, the proliferation of weapons, terrorism, cybersecurity, and the ethics of warfare. 

FEATURED

Course leader Tom Simpson
Executive

Military Leadership and Judgment Programme

This programme looks at reconciling the practical requirements for success on the battlefield with the ethical and legal restraints societies place on military decision-making. 

Find out more
Global security
Portrait of Professor Janina Dill
26
Nov
26 November 2024, 17:00 - 18:00

Global security: Is law our last hope?

Professor Janina Dill delivers the inaugural lecture for the Dame Louise Richardson Chair in Global Security at the Blavatnik School of Government. 

Ukraine - view of Kyiv
Featured

Ukraine video series

A series of discussion to help us better understand the implications of the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022 and the continuing war.

Global security
Statue of the goddess of justice
News
07 December 2019

Blavatnik School work helps make starvation of civilians a prosecutable war crime

The starvation of civilians in internal armed conflicts has been made a war crime, prosecutable by the International Criminal Court – a major step forward for the protection of civilians, underpinned by Blavatnik School input. 

Global security
Banner with globe on right side
Programme

Minerva Global Security Programme: Contested Cross-border Spaces, Illicit Flows, and Order in the Contemporary World

This project sheds light on contested cross-border spaces where state actors and violent non-state actors cooperate and compete in governing territory.

Global security

PROGRAMMES AND PROJECTS

    • Project

      Calleva-Airey Neave Global Security Seminar Series

    • Forest fire
      Programme

      Crisis preparation and response

    • Banner with globe on right side
      Programme

      Minerva Global Security Programme: Contested Cross-border Spaces, Illicit Flows, and Order in the Contemporary World

    • Graphic image of digital apps
      Project

      Mass atrocities in the digital age: preserving social media evidence

    • Syria war
      Project

      Anchoring accountability for mass atrocities

    • Blavatnik building line graphic
      Project

      Learning under Conflict: Effects of political violence on the educational attainment of Palestinian students in the West Bank

    • Russian tanks in South Ossetia (source: Yana Amelina, Wikimedia)
      Project

      Establishing State Legitimacy and Effectiveness in Fragile and Conflict-Affected Societies

    • Blavatnik School of Government
      Programme

      Oxford Institute for Ethics, Law and Armed Conflict

    • Jonathan Wolff
      Programme

      Alfred Landecker Programme

    LATEST NEWS

    SEE ALL LATEST NEWS
    Talk in lecture theatre
    News
    25 February 2025

    Minerva Global Security Programme hosts The Army School of Education

    On Tuesday 18th February, the Minerva Global Security Programme hosted sixty Officer Cadets from the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst and students from the Potential Officer Development Programme for a seminar on global security challenges.

    Global security
    Minerva Global Security Programme: Contested Cross-border Spaces, Illicit Flows, and Order in the Contemporary World
    A globe and a judge's gavel (representing international law)
    News
    22 October 2024

    New legal paper on Gaza urges immediate action

    In a paper on international law in Gaza, the Blavatnik School’s Janina Dill and co-author Tom Dannenbaum argue that the role of law in restraining war risks being stifled by too much focus on the threshold for retrospective accountability for war crimes. They argue that, when applying the right threshold, Israel is in violation of international humanitarian law and that outside countries should suspend material assistance such as selling weapons. 

    Global security
    Law
    ...
    Middle East
    Heywood report
    News
    31 January 2024

    Heywood Fellowship report calls for reimagined relationship between business boardrooms and governments to stay ahead of geopolitical change in a ‘new era of statecraft’

    New report recommends a new ‘National Economic Security Centre’ to enable further interaction between business and government on innovation, investment and export decisions.
    Global security
    Business and capitalism
    ...
    United Kingdom (UK)

    VOICES BLOG

    SEE ALL VOICES
    Opinion and insight from around the school
    White cliffs of Dover with the sea in the background
    Blog
    13 December 2024

    We need a transformative approach to border security

    Annette Idler, Associate Professor in Global Security, argues that addressing interconnected smuggling networks, where weapons, drugs and people are trafficked, as well as ensuring safe and legal migration pathways for economic migrants and legitimate asylum seekers is a strategic necessity to build an effective and humane border security network.

    Annette Idler
    Annette Idler
    Global security
    United Kingdom (UK)
    A picture of a plant in Mexico with a white flower
    Blog
    23 February 2024

    Tech breakthrough could bring closure for families of Mexico’s missing

    Miguel Moctezuma, from the Global Security Program at the Blavatnik School of Government, explains how studying life has helped to better understand death.

    Miguel Alejandro Moctezuma Barraza
    Miguel Alejandro Moctezuma Barraza
    Global security
    Mexico
    An armoured vehicle in the Afghan desert
    Blog
    17 October 2023

    Service provision in fragile and conflict-affected states: The role of outcomes-based contracts

    The efficacy of overseas development spending in fragile states has been questioned. Could outcomes-based commissioning, where payment is contingent on measurable improvements for public service users, help?

    Harry Bregazzi
    Harry Bregazzi
    Global security
    Public sector
    ...
    Development

    PUBLICATIONS

      • Publication
        22 May 2024

        Global security: Synthesis of good practices

        This synthesis of good practices summarises the good practices adopted by local communities exposed to armed conflict across three continents and shared during the Oxford Global Security Programme’s cross-stakeholder fora.​

        This unique cross-stakeholder format facilitated exploring different perspectives on topics such as the transition from war to peace, uncertainty, and perceived and experienced insecurities.

        Global security
        Minerva Global Security Programme: Contested Cross-border Spaces, Illicit Flows, and Order in the Contemporary World
        ...
        Myanmar
        Africa
      • Publication
        31 January 2024

        The Crossroads of Geopolitics: The Intersection of Security and Economic Interests – Policymaking in a More Complex and Uncertain World

        This report sets out the conclusions of the Heywood Fellowship’s inquiry: how policymaking at the intersection of economic and security interests needs to change to keep ahead geopolitical and wider global trends.

        Jonathan BlackJack ConnollyAmina AdjeridThomas Kelsey
        Economy
        Global security
        ...
        United Kingdom (UK)
      • Publication
        31 January 2024

        Beyond the Silos: Analytical Capabilities at the Intersection of Economics and Security in 20th Century Britain

        The UK grapples with complex policy issues at the intersection of economics and national security. This paper, part of a series, explores historical challenges and emphasises the need for government reform to enhance analytical capabilities, calling for senior officials' support to effectively address modern policy challenges.

        Thomas KelseyRosa Hodgkin
        Economy
        Global security
        ...
        United Kingdom (UK)
      • Publication
        31 January 2024

        Capability Reform: A Systematic and Sustained Strategy for the Intersection of Economics and Security

        The intersection of economic prosperity and national security poses increasing challenges, demanding a multidisciplinary approach from policymakers. Despite prior Civil Service efforts, frequent reform programs have failed to equip policymakers with lasting expertise to address evolving complexities. This report explores historical shortcomings and suggests a strategy for sustained improvement. 

        Amina Adjerid
        Economy
        Global security
        ...
        United Kingdom (UK)
      • Publication
        01 December 2023

        Global Security: From Evidence-Based Research to Networked Impact

        Understanding global security requires identifying how political, economic, and social dimensions interact with each other dynamically. Our roadmap provides guidance to government officials, civil society actors, academics, and private companies on how to best analyse and think about global security.

        Global security
        Minerva Global Security Programme: Contested Cross-border Spaces, Illicit Flows, and Order in the Contemporary World
      • Publication
        01 June 2023

        Global security: Myanmar forum report

        Specifically centered on the Shan, Karen, and Kachin states, the Myanmar forum delved into community experiences of conflict changes and related uncertainties. Through its cross-stakeholder methodology, the Oxford Global Security Programme enabled diverse views on conflict dynamics and their community impact.

        Global security
        Minerva Global Security Programme: Contested Cross-border Spaces, Illicit Flows, and Order in the Contemporary World
        ...
        Myanmar
      • Publication
        27 January 2023

        Developing a UK atrocity prevention strategy

        The recent selection of a new leader of government in the United Kingdom has created both the opportunity and a responsibility for Her Majesty’s Government (HMG) to improve and restructure its approach to atrocity prevention, particularly in light of the ongoing atrocities in Ukraine, as well as in Syria, Yemen, Myanmar and countless other situations.

        Federica D’Alessandra Gwendolyn Whidden
        Global security
        Oxford Institute for Ethics, Law and Armed Conflict
        ...
        United Kingdom (UK)
      • Publication
        01 December 2022

        Global security: Horn of Africa forum report

        The Oxford Global Security Programme partnered with the Danish Refugee Council to host a virtual cross-stakeholder forum that brought together civil society, the international community, and academia focusing on discussing challenges from evolving conflict dynamics, fostering cross-stakeholder collaboration, and sharing good practices that mitigate the adverse effects of armed conflict in the Horn of Africa.

        Global security
        Minerva Global Security Programme: Contested Cross-border Spaces, Illicit Flows, and Order in the Contemporary World
        ...
        Africa
      • United Nations Headquarters, Geneva
        Publication
        19 May 2022

        Anchoring accountability for mass atrocities

        This new report co-authored by The Oxford Institute for Ethics, Law and Armed Conflict aims to build and support UN capacity in investigating mass atrocities.

        Federica D’Alessandra Sareta AshraphStephen RappKirsty Sutherland
        Law
        Global cooperation
        ...
        Global security
        Oxford Institute for Ethics, Law and Armed Conflict
      • Medical workers and supplies
        Publication
        31 January 2022

        Mainstreaming atrocity prevention: Seeing fragility, conflict, and violence programming through an atrocity prevention lens

        New paper by the Oxford Institute for Ethics, Law and Armed Conflict describes the value that could be added to fragility, conflict and violence (FCV) programming by incorporating an atrocity prevention lens.

        Orly Maya SternClare Brown
        Global security
        Oxford Institute for Ethics, Law and Armed Conflict
      • Publication
        08 November 2021

        Rethinking Health Security after COVID-19

        In a critical examination of the health security paradigm, this report argues that, while the security implications of pandemics are clear, the concept of health security distracts attention from the underlying determinants of health that exacerbate the effects of severe disease outbreaks and disproportionately affect the most vulnerable. The report offers recommendations for developing and sustaining a human-centred approach to global health.

        Federica D’Alessandra Nima GeramiAmanda Moodie
        COVID-19
        Health
        ...
        Global security
        Oxford Institute for Ethics, Law and Armed Conflict
      • Publication
        22 March 2021

        Strengthening development finance in fragile contexts

        Camilla SacchettoPaul CollierSebastian KriticosSarah Logan
        Economy
        Global security
        ...
        International Growth Centre
      • Publication
        11 March 2021

        Advancing justice for children: innovations to strengthen accountability for violations and crimes affecting children in conflict

        Federica D’Alessandra Sareta AshraphJelia SaneVéronique AubertAurélie LamazièreKeyan SalarkiaVanessa Grée
        Global security
        Law
        ...
        Global cooperation
        Oxford Institute for Ethics, Law and Armed Conflict
        Economic growth and equality
      • Publication
        24 February 2021

        Scaling energy investments in fragile states

        Camilla SacchettoSarah Logan
        COVID-19
        Development
        ...
        Global security
        International Growth Centre
      • Publication
        04 November 2020

        Priorities for renewable energy investment in fragile states

        Camilla SacchettoNicholas SternCharlotte Taylor
        Climate and environment
        Global security
        ...
        International Growth Centre
      • Publication
        27 July 2020

        Atrocity Prevention in a Transatlantic Setting

        Federica D’Alessandra
        Global security
        Oxford Institute for Ethics, Law and Armed Conflict
      • Publication
        01 June 2020

        A reoriented approach to atrocity prevention in UN peace operations

        Ryan D'Souza
        Global security
        Law
        ...
        Global cooperation
        Oxford Institute for Ethics, Law and Armed Conflict
      • Publication
        01 January 2020

        Preventing nuclear proliferation in the Middle East post-JCPOA

        Nima GeramiChen Kane
        Global cooperation
        Global security
        ...
        Oxford Institute for Ethics, Law and Armed Conflict
        Iran
        Middle East
      • Publication
        27 November 2019

        The war crime of starvation in non-international armed conflict

        Federica D’Alessandra Matthew Gillett
        Global security
        Oxford Institute for Ethics, Law and Armed Conflict
      • Publication
        27 November 2019

        Conflict-induced food insecurity and the war crime of starvation of civilians as a method of warfare

        Dapo Akande Emanuela Gillard
        Global security
        Oxford Institute for Ethics, Law and Armed Conflict
      • Publication
        01 January 2018

        Policy options for Kabul’s informal settlements

        Paul CollierPriya ManwaringMichael Blake
        Economy
        Global security
        ...
        Public sector
        Development
        International Growth Centre
        Health, education and public services
        Afghanistan
      • Publication
        01 October 2016

        Oxford guidance on the law relating to humanitarian relief operations in situations of armed conflict

        Dapo Akande Emanuela Gillard
        Law
        Global cooperation
        ...
        Global security
        Oxford Institute for Ethics, Law and Armed Conflict
      • Publication
        01 May 2015

        Countering Islamist insurgents

        Monica Duffy ToftYuri Zhukov
        Global security
        Global governance
      • Publication
        01 November 2014

        Killer robots - Regulate, don't ban

        Tom SimpsonVincent Müller
        Digital, Cyber and AI
        Global security
        ...
        Global governance
      • Publication
        01 March 2014

        Grounds for Hope

        Monica Duffy ToftDominic D.P. Johnson
        Global security
        Global governance

      RESEARCH UPDATES

      SEE ALL RESEARCH UPDATES
      Anette Idler
      Research update

      Annette Idler paper in International Studies Quarterly on the role of local illicit authority in global megaprojects

      Using examples of dams in Colombia and Myanmar that could not be built without the cooperation of FARC and the KIA respectively, the authors show how geo-economic ambitions (such as regional or global influence and energy security) can depend on negotiating with violent local groups.

      Global security
      Minerva Global Security Programme: Contested Cross-border Spaces, Illicit Flows, and Order in the Contemporary World
      Palace of Westminster, home of the UK Parliament
      Research update

      Tsvetelina van Benthem cited in the House of Lords AI in Weapon Systems Committee Report

      ELAC postdoctoral researcher Tsvetelina van Benthem cited in the report of the House of Lords Artificial Intelligence in Weapon Systems Committee.

      Digital, Cyber and AI
      Global security
      Anette Idler
      Research update

      New paper applying mathematical modelling to conflict violence published in Nature journal, Scientific Reports

      A new research paper published in Nature journal, Scientific Reports applies data distribution analysis to conflict-related violence in Colombia.

      Global security
      Colombia
      Anette Idler
      Research update

      Partnership with UN on new tool to mitigate the impacts of armed conflict

      An eight year partnership between the UN System Staff College (UNSSC) and an Oxford University team, led by Dr Annette Idler, has produced a new conflict analysis tool aiming to aid the understanding, tracing, and forecasting of changes in conflicts across the world.

      Global security
      Global cooperation
      ...
      Minerva Global Security Programme: Contested Cross-border Spaces, Illicit Flows, and Order in the Contemporary World

      UPCOMING EVENTS

        • 12
          May
          12 May 2025, 17:00 - 18:30

          Peace Diplomacy and the Russo-Ukraine War

          Join Professor Sir Lawrence Freedman, Emeritus Professor of War Studies, King's College London, for a seminar on peace diplomacy and the Russo-Ukraine War as part of the Calleva-Airey Neave Global Security Seminar Series.

        PEOPLE

        See all people
        Dapo Akande
        Co-Director and Co-Founder; Co-Convenor, The Oxford Process; Chichele Professor of Public International Law
        Harry Bregazzi
        Postdoctoral Research Fellow (Goverment Outcomes Lab)
        Federica D’Alessandra
        Deputy Director; Director, Oxford Programme on International Peace and Security (IPS)
        Janina Dill
        Co-Director; Dame Louise Richardson Chair in Global Security
        Annette Idler
        Associate Professor in Global Security and Director of the Minerva Global Security Programme
        Ciaran Martin
        Professor of Practice in the Management of Public Organisations
        Roxana Radu
        Associate Professor of Digital Technologies and Public Policy
        Stephen Rapp
        Senior Visiting Fellow of Practice
        Tom Simpson
        Associate Professor of Philosophy and Public Policy
        Philippa Webb
        Professor of Public International Law
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