'Special Relationship'The Future of the UK-US AllianceFollowing the formation of the new British Coalition Government, Foreign Secretary William Hague made his first trip to the United States. RUSI explores the state of the ‘Special Relationship’ between the United States and the United Kingdom.
Special Relationship at a Crossroads: Where Next for Britain?
A RUSI poll, conducted by YouGov, suggests that 74% of the British public believe relations with the US have stayed the same or deteriorated since Obama took office. It suggests the re-orientation of US foreign policy towards multilateralism has not strengthened ties between Britain and the United States.
Though 62% believed the US is Britain's most important ally in the world, an overwhelming majority of Britons surveyed (85%) believe that the nation has little or no influence over their key ally.
Read the finding and analysis of the RUSI-Legatum Institute poll here >Do the US and UK Share the Same Level of Commitment to NATO?
Watch Professor Christopher Coker’s remarks at a RUSI conference where he explores the state of the US-UK relationship and how this intersects with shared interests in NATO. He calls for a realistic appraisal of the relationship with both the United States and Europe.
Watch the speech >
An International Regulator: A US View on Future UK Defence Plans
From an American perspective, the international community and Americans expect the UK and US to act in concert. Defence reviews on both sides of the Atlantic must be mindful of this consideration.

India and Britain: the New Special Relationship?
Britain's governing coalition has promised 'a new special relationship' with India. However, drawing closer to India will require messy compromises and a realistic assessment of the price of partnership.
Read the RUSI analysis >
Latest report
Nuclear NarrativesReflections on Declaratory PolicyThis Whitehall Report explores the scope of current developments in the world of nuclear deterrence. In light of this year’s US Nuclear Posture Review and the NPT Review Conference, there is much to consider.
The report by Professor Malcolm Chalmers dissects the purpose and potential of declaratory policy, and rejects the credibility of deterrence as its crucial function. Instead, it proposes a way forward that accepts ‘mutual vulnerability’ between China, France, Russia, the UK and the US; and a commitment to use nuclear weapons only as a ‘very last resort’. Through these commitments, it argues, there is a stable and secure path to reducing the influence of nuclear weapons in security policy.Read the report here >
FURTHER ANALYSIShttp://www.rusi.org/globalsecurity/nuclear/

Agenda for a New Government Will the new government fund Britain’s position in the world?
The new Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition government must address the most basic question affecting the Defence Review and Britain's position in the world 'how much is the nation prepared to pay for defence?', according to a Future Defence Review Working Paper.
Read the report >
RUSI CONFERENCETime for Trade-offs: Strategic Defence Review 2010
MORE RUSI ANALYSISwww.rusi.org/generalelection2010
On RUSI.org nowThe Rise of China
Listen to Chris Patten, the last British Governor of Hong Kong, deliver his assessment of China’s rise and how Britain and Europe should engage with a country that will shortly be once again the largest economy in the world.
Listen now >
Tension in KoreaAs the South Korean government formally accuses Pyongyang of sinking it's warship in March, it is also resisting popular demands for retaliation. Instead Seoul will bolster efforts to exact international penalties on North Korea.
Read the analysis >
RUSI in the NewsCitations of RUSI experts, analysis and events in the global media from April 2010.
See coverage
See also: RUSI coverage during the 2010 General Election