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Rethinking Security @rethinkingsecurity.bsky.social · 14h

For all its talk of a 'national conversation' on security & defence, the gov't is clearly not going to have one that involves listening to people. So we've been kicking off our own conversations, and we hope you'll join this one. TONIGHT 6pm. Register: rethinkingsecurity.org.uk/webinar-seri...

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Rethinking Security @rethinkingsecurity.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

Useful PQ and answer on the 'national conversation campaign on defence and security' that we're supposedly having. But we repeat - a conversation is not a campaign; it involves listening at least as much as telling. HMG needs to hear from people and understand their (in)security.

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Rethinking Security @rethinkingsecurity.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

'Proud', 'Hopeful', 'Happy', 'Safe' and 'Confident' are the words respondents most often used to describe how they felt about the UK helping to prevent conflict overseas.

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Rethinking Security @rethinkingsecurity.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

And that support shows across the political spectrum. While support is strongest among Labour and Green voters, 53% of Reform UK voters also see peacebuilding as important.

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Rethinking Security @rethinkingsecurity.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

British people overwhelmingly (65%) think that investing in global peacebuilding is important.

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Rethinking Security @rethinkingsecurity.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

'Proud', 'Hopeful', 'Happy', 'Safe' and 'Confident' are the words respondents most often used to describe how they felt about the UK helping to prevent conflict overseas.

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Rethinking Security @rethinkingsecurity.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

And that support shows across the political spectrum. While support is strongest among Labour and Green voters, 53% of Reform UK voters also see peacebuilding as important.

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Rethinking Security @rethinkingsecurity.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

British people overwhelmingly (65%) think that investing in global peacebuilding is important.

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Rethinking Security @rethinkingsecurity.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

Our next webinar: Increasingly, attempts to expose UK complicity in conflicts & to challenge security, foreign & climate policy have been suppressed by new laws & police powers. Why is this happening & who or what is being sidelined in result? Register: rethinkingsecurity.org.uk/webinar-seri...

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Rethinking Security @rethinkingsecurity.bsky.social · 27/07/2026

Beginning an answer on the pending national conversation on defence and security, "In many ways, the conversation has already begun" and citing the former PM's words tends to suggest that, in many ways, the government still does not have any plan for a "Prime Minister-led national conversation".

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Rethinking Security @rethinkingsecurity.bsky.social · 08/07/2026

TOMORROW evening at 6pm: Open Online Discussion on UK Security What do last week's Defence Investment Plan and today's NATO Summit mean for UK and European security? Join RS + NATO Watch Director Ian Davis for implications, alternatives & action. Register: rethinkingsecurity.org.uk/home/.

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Rethinking Security @rethinkingsecurity.bsky.social · 19/06/2026

New Open Online Discussion, 09 July: Precede by the Defence Investment Plan (👀), the NATO summit on 07-08 July may well be a crucial moment for UK and European security policy. Join RS + NATO Watch Director Ian Davis to discuss its implications. Register: rethinkingsecurity.org.uk/home/events/...

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Rethinking Security @rethinkingsecurity.bsky.social · 07/04/2026

Today is a good day to read @dronewarsuk.bsky.social's briefing on the USAF use of RAF Fairford for air strikes against Iran. Today is the day the UK government must stop all US combat aircraft flying from its bases, whether in the UK, Cyprus or Diego Garcia. dronewars.net/wp-content/u...

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Rethinking Security @rethinkingsecurity.bsky.social · 26/03/2026

Finally, not sure what to make of this under 'Making defence diplomacy a whole‑of‑society effort'. Could be good if the MoD was genuinely open to independent challenge and listening rather than telling on security/defence priorities. But is it?

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Rethinking Security @rethinkingsecurity.bsky.social · 25/03/2026

A moving and joyous memorial service for our friend and mentor Simon Fisher this afternoon. Simon was one of the great thinkers, writers and practitioners of conflict transformation and helped to inspire, found and guide RS over his last decade. His legacy is immense. Famba naye.

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Rethinking Security @rethinkingsecurity.bsky.social · 06/03/2026

What does just and sustainable security look like?

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Rethinking Security @rethinkingsecurity.bsky.social · 20/02/2026

Some good letters in the Guardian today on the current campaign to surge spending to the dysfunctional MoD and disingenuous calls for a national or 'continental conversation' on security, including from our Coordinator, @quaker.org.uk & @nortontaylor.bsky.social. www.theguardian.com/politics/202...

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Rethinking Security @rethinkingsecurity.bsky.social · 23/10/2025

There was no opportunity for outsiders to input to this year's National Security Strategy but the Joint Committee on the NSS currently has an inquiry into the NSS, which has recently published our evidence submission. committees.parliament.uk/writtenevide...

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Rethinking Security @rethinkingsecurity.bsky.social · 15/10/2025

Don't miss our webinar tomorrow, 09.00: 'Rethinking Peace & Security Policy in Australia & the UK' Reps from RS and the Australian Peace and Security Forum will discuss how and why our networks seek urgent change to security policies, incl. AUKUS. rethinkingsecurity.org.uk/uk-australia/

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Rethinking Security @rethinkingsecurity.bsky.social · 02/10/2025

We were delighted to join the debate on military spending at this year's Labour Party Conference. RS Coordinator Richard Reeve spoke on an Eleanor Crook Fdn panel on 'the future for aid & development in an era of defence and security', incl. @umakumaran.bsky.social & @tandhesi.bsky.social MPs.

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Rethinking Security @rethinkingsecurity.bsky.social · 26/09/2025

In Liverpool for the Labour Party Conference next week? Don't miss our Coordinator Richard Reeve and a great panel of speakers at this Eleanor Crook Fdn event on: 'The Future of Aid & Development in an Era of Defence & Security' Mon 29 Sept, 12.30, Revolucion de Cuba, Albert Dock

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Rethinking Security @rethinkingsecurity.bsky.social · 18/09/2025

📢New event We see growing hostility & racism in our politics and streets, climate breakdown across the globe, and ongoing war & genocide. Competition & militarism are not the answer. Join our discussion on 08 October to share ideas for a counter-narrative. rethinkingsecurity.org.uk/home/events/

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Rethinking Security @rethinkingsecurity.bsky.social · 26/06/2025

🚨New Event - 16 July, 6pm We are delighted to announce another collaboration with our friends at @HopeFTFuture supporting political engagement on climate and conflict. Sign up for free at: www.hftf.org.uk/event/climat...

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Rethinking Security @rethinkingsecurity.bsky.social · 24/06/2025

Rethinking Security's statement in response to today's National Security Strategy: a missed opportunity to promote human and common security. rethinkingsecurity.org.uk/wp-content/u...

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Rethinking Security @rethinkingsecurity.bsky.social · 24/06/2025

The UK's latest National Security Strategy has just been published. Security amidst 'radical uncertainty' is its leitmotif. Those hoping for a broader and more nuanced approach to security than the recent SDR will be disappointed. assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/685a86...

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Rethinking Security @rethinkingsecurity.bsky.social · 09/06/2025

NATO Sec-Gen Mark Rutte confirms that Hague Summit on 24-25 June is expected to authorise all-NATO spending target of 3.5% GDP on 'core defence' + 1.5% on military industry, infrastructure, intel, etc. For UK that = doubling defence spending plans (+>£60Bn/year). For most others, way more than that.

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Rethinking Security @rethinkingsecurity.bsky.social · 04/06/2025

We are delighted to see a much smarter version of our recent article by Larry Attree, Hillary Briffa, Thomas Martin & Richard Reeve on how to make the next NSS more pro-peace published by our friends at @twpcommunity.org. twpcommunity.org/wp-content/u...

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Rethinking Security @rethinkingsecurity.bsky.social · 23/05/2025

With @mybisa.bsky.social & the KCL @csns-uk.bsky.social, we hosted a roundtable of 30+ scholars, practitioners & policy-makers to discuss challenges & opportunities for UK peace & security as the gov't drafts a new National Security Strategy. Summary here: rethinkingsecurity.org.uk/wp-content/u...

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Rethinking Security @rethinkingsecurity.bsky.social · 20/05/2025

About our speakers III: Lindsey Fielder Cook will discuss what it takes to bring people together in a multilateral system that can make space for addressing some of the underlying causes of insecurity, sharing some of the successful initiatives that @quakerunoffice.bsky.social has been involved in.

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Rethinking Security @rethinkingsecurity.bsky.social · 19/05/2025

About our speakers II: Cleodie Rickard is @globaljusticenow.bsky.social's Campaigns and Policy Manager, working on trade justice. She will tell us about the work by global south countries to curtail extractive mining, working towards planet- and people- centred security.

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Rethinking Security @rethinkingsecurity.bsky.social · 15/05/2025

About our speakers I: Dr Olamide Samuel is an expert on arms control and nuclear non-proliferation. He leads Open Nuclear Network's engagement initiatives, is a track II diplomat, researches and provides media commentary, and advises many bodies, including Demilitarise Education. .

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Rethinking Security @rethinkingsecurity.bsky.social · 13/05/2025

Join us online on 21 May to hear about successful international initiatives that have built inclusive & just security; featuring speakers from @quakerunoffice.bsky.social, @globaljusticenow.bsky.social and Open Nuclear Network. Register: us06web.zoom.us/webinar/regi... 📷

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Rethinking Security @rethinkingsecurity.bsky.social · 08/05/2025

Join us on 21 May to hear about successful international initiatives that have built inclusive and just security, including from @olamidediy.bsky.social and @cleodierickard.bsky.social. We need to hear these success stories now, more than ever. us06web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...

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Rethinking Security @rethinkingsecurity.bsky.social · 10/04/2025

NEON event on 24 April to discuss the UK government's decision to increase military spending, why this is happening, and how progressives can respond. Incl. Khem Rogaly of @cmmonwealth.bsky.social, Katie Fallon of @caatuk.bsky.social and our own Richard Reeve. Tix: eventbrite.co.uk/e/warfare-no...

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Rethinking Security @rethinkingsecurity.bsky.social · 28/02/2025

Politically, Southern England's military-industrial heartland is now a key battleground between Labour/Lib Dem/Tory. Lancashire/Cumbria = Labour/Tory/Reform. Central Scotland = hard-fought Labour/SNP. Even Greens are strongest in aerospace-hub Bristol. So sensitivities for all the GB parties. 4/6

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Rethinking Security @rethinkingsecurity.bsky.social · 28/02/2025

2. Concentration of spending Actually, 56% of MoD spending w/ UK businesses is in London & southern England. About 40% of all such spending in UK is within a 50 mile radius of Salisbury Plain (e.g. M4, Bristol, Solent, Yeovil) - already relatively rich & home to just 10-12% of UK population. 3/6

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Rethinking Security @rethinkingsecurity.bsky.social · 28/02/2025

1. Yes, defence industries sustain many skilled job and apprenticeships. BUT If spending 2.3% of GDP in 2023/24 supported 1.7% of jobs (1:60), surely that's a weaker return on investment than average, at least in employment terms. Potentially, it's actually slowing growth by diverting Iv. 2/6

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Rethinking Security @rethinkingsecurity.bsky.social · 28/02/2025

Military Keynesianism (stoking economic growth via military spending) was at the heart of PM Starmer's 2.5%+ announcement on Tuesday. But does it stand up that MoD spending is better at boosting inclusive growth than other spending? A couple of points arise from Starmer's data. 1/6

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Rethinking Security @rethinkingsecurity.bsky.social · 26/02/2025

Mostly overlooked in yesterday's statement by the PM was the commitment to publish "a single new national security strategy, bringing together all reviews into one document", somewhere between 26/03 and 24/06. No further details on this yet. gov.uk/government/n...

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Rethinking Security @rethinkingsecurity.bsky.social · 12/02/2025

For ideas on how you can engage your MP (or MSP, AS/MS, MLA) in effective conversations on security, see our new guide, produced with Hope for the Future. rethinkingsecurity.org.uk/wp-content/u...

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Rethinking Security @rethinkingsecurity.bsky.social · 31/01/2025

It's never been more important to talk to our elected representatives about security. Our new guide, written with Hope for the Future, shows you how to open meaningful conversations with your (probably still new) MP & suggests 5 issues to engage them on. rethinkingsecurity.org.uk/wp-content/u...

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Rethinking Security @rethinkingsecurity.bsky.social · 29/01/2025

We are sad to report the death of our friend and colleague David Gee. A founder and inspirer of our network, David wrote our seminal discussion paper in 2016, crafting a positive & hopeful vision of security. He died in Oxford on 20 December, 40 days ago. rethinkingsecurity.org.uk/wp-content/u...

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Rethinking Security @rethinkingsecurity.bsky.social · 13/12/2024

What does security mean today? 🌍 Our new report, 'Defining Security: The Policymaker Perspective', explores insights from policymakers, academics, and military experts to redefine security for the 21st century. Read the findings here rethinkingsecurity.org.uk/wp-content/u...

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