RUSI Journal

Scope & Guideline

Shaping insights that influence global policy.

Introduction

Welcome to the RUSI Journal information hub, where our guidelines provide a wealth of knowledge about the journal’s focus and academic contributions. This page includes an extensive look at the aims and scope of RUSI Journal, highlighting trending and emerging areas of study. We also examine declining topics to offer insight into academic interest shifts. Our curated list of highly cited topics and recent publications is part of our effort to guide scholars, using these guidelines to stay ahead in their research endeavors.
LanguageEnglish
ISSN0307-1847
PublisherROUTLEDGE JOURNALS, TAYLOR & FRANCIS LTD
Support Open AccessNo
CountryUnited Kingdom
TypeJournal
Convergefrom 1972 to 2024
AbbreviationRUSI J / RUSI J.
Frequency7 issues/year
Time To First Decision-
Time To Acceptance-
Acceptance Rate-
Home Page-
Address2-4 PARK SQUARE, MILTON PARK, ABINGDON OX14 4RN, OXON, ENGLAND

Aims and Scopes

The RUSI Journal aims to provide a comprehensive platform for the analysis of contemporary security and defense issues, focusing on the implications of military, political, and technological developments. Its core areas reflect a commitment to understanding the complexities of modern warfare and international relations.
  1. Military Strategy and Operations:
    Research published in the journal frequently explores military strategy, tactics, and operations, examining historical and contemporary case studies to derive lessons applicable to modern conflicts.
  2. Geopolitical Analysis:
    The journal emphasizes geopolitical assessments, particularly concerning major powers like Russia, China, and the United States, and how their strategies shape global security dynamics.
  3. Technological Impact on Defense:
    A significant focus is placed on the implications of emerging technologies, including AI, cybersecurity, and drone warfare, and how these technologies are reshaping military operations and international relations.
  4. NATO and International Security:
    The journal consistently addresses issues related to NATO, its strategic relevance, and the evolving security landscape in Europe and beyond, particularly in light of recent geopolitical tensions.
  5. Human Security and Defense Ethics:
    Research also delves into the ethical dimensions of warfare, the impact of military actions on civilian populations, and broader themes of human security in conflict zones.
The RUSI Journal has increasingly focused on emerging themes that reflect the current state of global security, addressing contemporary challenges and innovations in military and defense strategy.
  1. Cyber Warfare and Security:
    Recent publications have shown a significant uptick in research related to cyber warfare, highlighting the evolving nature of conflict in the digital realm and its implications for national security.
  2. Artificial Intelligence in Defense:
    There is a growing emphasis on the integration of AI technologies in military operations, with discussions on how these innovations can enhance strategic capabilities and decision-making.
  3. Climate Change and Security:
    Emerging themes include the intersection of climate change and security, analyzing how environmental factors contribute to instability and conflict, particularly in vulnerable regions.
  4. Hybrid Warfare Tactics:
    The journal increasingly addresses hybrid warfare tactics, focusing on the blend of conventional and unconventional methods employed by state and non-state actors in modern conflicts.
  5. Geopolitical Shifts in the Indo-Pacific:
    As global power dynamics shift, there is a rising focus on the Indo-Pacific region, exploring the implications of strategic realignment and military partnerships among nations in this vital area.

Declining or Waning

While the RUSI Journal has maintained a robust focus on several critical areas, some themes have seen a decline in publication frequency, reflecting shifts in global security priorities and research interests.
  1. Historical Military Analysis:
    There appears to be a waning interest in purely historical military analyses, with fewer papers focusing solely on historical events without a direct connection to contemporary strategic lessons.
  2. Cold War Era Studies:
    Research centered specifically on the Cold War and its direct implications for current military doctrine has decreased, as contemporary conflicts and new geopolitical challenges take precedence.
  3. Traditional Warfare Concepts:
    The focus on traditional concepts of warfare, such as state-on-state conflicts, has diminished in favor of more complex and hybrid warfare analyses that incorporate non-state actors and asymmetric strategies.
  4. Conventional Arms Control:
    Discussions surrounding conventional arms control agreements and treaties have seen reduced prominence, likely due to the evolving nature of threats that are less focused on conventional military capabilities.
  5. Legacy Military Forces:
    There is a noticeable decline in papers discussing legacy military forces and their relevance, as modern military capabilities and reforms become more critical in the analysis of current security environments.

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