In this episode, Jamie Gaskarth and Laura Southgate discuss the evolving dynamics of the Indo-Pacific region.

They talk about the region's economic importance and growing tensions due, at least in part, to the strained relationship between China and the US. They also discuss the implications for other powers, especially the UK, in seeking to balance security interests in both Europe and the Indo-Pacific.

Jamie is Professor of Foreign Policy and International Relations at the Open University. Laura is Senior Lecturer in Politics and International Relations at Aston University.

In this episode, US and Royal Navy officers examine the mental health challenges experienced by the surviving crew following a mass casualty event.

US Navy officer Ryan Easterday and Royal Navy Medical Officer Charlotte Evans use the tragic collision of USS John S McCain in 2017 as a case study to discuss the actions taken to address such mental health challenges.

Ryan is an officer in the US Navy and has helped return USS John S McCain to warfighting readiness as Executive Officer and then Commanding Officer from late 2017 until early 2021. Charlotte is a Royal Navy Medical Officer and Consultant Psychiatrist. Related article: Learning From the USS John S McCain Incident | Royal United Services Institute

In this special episode, author August Cole and Professor David Gioe FRHistS reflect on the tumultuous events of 2024. They discuss the books, films and exhibitions that have helped make sense of the year's key defence and security developments, and share their insights on what the future might hold in 2025.

RUSI researcher Maria Nizzero talks about the growing problem of illicit finance and its shift from a domestic policy issue to a security threat.

She explains the process of the securitisation of illicit finance, what it means and the impact and challenges that will arise from it.

Maria Nizzero is a Research Fellow at the Centre for Finance and Security at RUSI and was previously Associate Professor of EU Politics and Institutions at the Universitat Pompeu Fabra in Barcelona, Spain.

Albin Östervall and Charlotte Wagnsson explain malign information influence and discuss how one key social factor – loneliness – is contributing to its pervasiveness in Western societies.

They share why democracies are particularly vulnerable and suggest ways that how governments can mitigate this. Albin Östervall holds an MSc in Political Science from Uppsala University; Charlotte Wagnsson is Professor of Political Science at the Swedish Defence University.

Related article: https://www.rusi.org/explore-our-research/publications/rusi-journal/how-russian-malign-information-influence-exploits-western-loneliness

Elena Grossfeld and Magda Long discuss the evolution of Russian sabotage activities, from traditional sabotage to the current ‘gig-economy’ era.

They also discuss how intelligence agencies can adjust their response to these covert actions, and whether the general public should be made more aware of them.

Elena Grossfeld is a PhD candidate at the Department of War Studies, King’s College London, researching intelligence organisations, their strategic culture and technologies. Magda Long is a Visiting Research Fellow at the King’s Centre for the Study of Intelligence at King’s College London.

Russian Sabotage in the Gig-Economy Era | Royal United Services Institute

Major Patrick Hinton, Former Chief of the General Staff's Visiting Fellow at RUSI, discussed how AI can be used in military wargaming, recruitment and retention and procurement.

Ingvild Bode, Associate Professor of International Relations at the University of Southern Denmark, talks about the integration of AI in military systems and discusses the emergence of norms and standards about the use of AI technologies in conflict.