Security sector reform - a global challenge

Perpetuation and perpetration: the momentum of violence

So many armed men began their lives as victims of loss and grief. So many have gone on to become the source of bereavement for others. Trying to understand how soldiers make this transformation is crucial to understanding how violence is perpetrated in conflict. Jocelyn Kelly writes from the Nobel

By Jocelyn Kelly

/ 25 May 2011

Who do they think they are? War rapists as people

War is social, and examining soldier identity and male bonding may give us insight into how the incidence of sexual violence in war might be reduced, says Cynthia Cockburn

By Cynthia Cockburn

/ 19 May 2011

The Russians in Afghanistan: part II

In the second part of exclusive extracts from "Afgantsy", Rodric Braithwaite focuses on the soldiers who served in Afghanistan: their music, the dead, the wounded and the ambiguous reaction of their compatriots on their return. Most soldiers found adapting to life back home immensely difficult; so

By Rodric Braithwaite

/ 6 May 2011

Reporting a riot in Britain: how the police spun the battle of Stokes Croft

Media coverage of unrest in the south west of England on Friday was littered with inaccuracies. The lackluster reporting illustrates why more and more young people are choosing to reject the mainstream media altogether, as they turn to social networks for information perceived as more reliable

By Ryan Gallagher

/ 23 Apr 2011

A moral interlude: Russian police suspend corruption

A strange thing is happening in Russia: the police have stopped taking bribes. It is all down to President Medvedev’s police reform, enacted last month, and in particular a ‘recertification’ process designed to weed out the force’s most corrupt officers. Andrei Gridasov sought out the views of ran

By Andrei Gridasov

/ 1 Apr 2011

Baton charged by police: on the frontline with the Black Bloc

OurKingdom's Associate Editor Ryan Gallagher issues a warning to the police over how they behaved in the aftermath of the British TUC's Rally for the Alternative

By Ryan Gallagher

/ 27 Mar 2011

Unknown Soldier on the making of The Skinback Fusiliers

openDemocracy is serialising the novel The Skinback Fusiliers over the next two months. Here, the anonymous author, 'Unknown Soldier', gives an insight into the creation of this fast, funny and deeply disturbing novel about life in the British army.

By Unknown Soldier

/ 27 Mar 2011

Obama's broken promises

The resumption of trials in Guantanamo and his 'war on whistleblowers' highlight the mismatch between Obama's words and actions, argues Ryan Gallagher.

By Ryan Gallagher

/ 23 Mar 2011

Medvedev’s Law on Police: a quiet revolution?

A much-trumpeted Law on the Police comes into force in Russia today. Mark Galeotti considers whether it represents a meaningful step away from arbitrary and authoritarian traditions.

By Mark Galeotti

/ 1 Mar 2011

No real freedom without dismantling the secret political police

In Egypt, police officers are needed back on the streets, protecting civilians from thugs: not the SSI back in full force again.

By Mariz Tadros

/ 22 Feb 2011

Police invasion of Lambeth council meeting part of a worrying trend

On Monday night at a lobby of a Lambeth council meeting to protest against 30% cuts to public services in the borough; policemen entered the council chamber. Who invited them

By Matthew Hall

/ 9 Feb 2011

Fight Back! A Reader on the Winter of Protest

Read 'Fight Back! A reader on the winter of protest' here, and get all the latest information. The book is FREE to download, and available in print on Amazon and in Housmans bookstore

By ourKingdom editors

/ 1 Feb 2011