There is a misconception that during the Cold War the Japanese did not perceive security threats due to the American military protection, Japan’s geographical insularity, and domestic aversion to militarism. In his book (Japan’s Threat Perception during the Cold War: a Psychological Account, Routledge 2023), Oren dispels this, showing how security threats pervaded Japanese strategic thinking in this period.

Sandwiches served at 12.40.

Sandwiches served at 12.40.

Sandwiches served at 12.40

There is a resurgence in interest in economic statecraft and economic security. This is against a backdrop in which, over the last thirty or so years, economics has been regarded as above and beyond national control and best left untouched by governments; and national security has been lionised for its performance and practice, rather than its impact. What are the connections between the economy and national security, and how might we begin to raise a new generation of security practitioners with the skills to operate in this re-emerging field?

Sandwiches served at 12.40

Sandwiches served at 12.40

Sandwiches served at 12.40

Sandwiches will be served from 12.40.

Mental health is a ‘hot topic’ for the UK Armed Forces and country it serves. There is concern over the effect of service on military personnel and misunderstanding about the realities of mental health and mental illness and its’ treatment. Both the realities and the ‘rumour’ have impact on the UKAF at a variety of levels – tactical, operational and strategic. What are these impacts and what is being done to mitigate them now and if the Cognitive domain is the next theatre of warfare, what might we need to know, re-learn and innovate?