Military operations

All Standard Notes
15 Documents
DateDescription
23.04.2013In Brief: International Military Forces in Mali
As offensive military operations in the country have begun to wind down concerns remain that Malian and foreign forces will now face a protracted insurgency from Islamic militants who have continued to conduct counter-attacks from the north of the country.
15.02.2013Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (drones): an introduction
This note provides an introduction to the use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) by the UK Armed Forces, more commonly known as drones.
13.02.2013In brief: UK withdrawal from Afghanistan
The number of British troops in Afghanistan will be reduced from 9,000 to 5,200 by the end of 2013.
18.01.2013Chilcot Inquiry: an update
The Iraq Inquiry, chaired by Sir John Chilcot, was originally expected to have reported by now but the broad scope of the inquiry and the amount of evidence have led to delays in publication, which is now not expected until autumn 2013 at the earliest. This note provides a brief update on progress.
01.10.2012The cost of international military operations
This note provides a summary of the estimated and actual costs of the international military operations in Afghanistan, Iraq and Libya.
18.09.2012In Brief: Afghanistan - insider attacks
This note looks at the rising number of insider attacks against ISAF personnel in Afghanistan and the response from ISAF and the Government.
09.07.2012Afghanistan: The Timetable for Security Transition
NATO assumed command of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan in August 2003. At its summit in Chicago in May 2012, NATO confirmed ISAF's mission will end on 31 December 2014. It also mapped out the transition of security for Afghanistan from ISAF to Afghan National Security Forces. Specifically, it set the goal for Afghan forces to be in the lead for security nation-wide by mid-2013.
29.03.2012In brief: Afghanistan - timetable to 2014
This note provides a brief outline of the timetable for withdrawal of NATO combat forces from Afghanistan by 2014.
28.02.2012Preventing and prosecuting piracy at sea: legal issues
The resurgence in piracy at sea, particularly hijackings off the coast of Somalia, has prompted a range of efforts to tackle it. These throw up a series of legal issues including the use of force by governments and private armed security guards, and transferring of suspects for trial or imprisonment. Library Standard Notes covering related issues include: Piracy at sea: overview and policy responses; Somalia: recent political, security and humanitarian developments; and Does Somali piracy have any 'developmental effects'?.
20.12.2011Drone attacks and the killing of Anwar al-Awlaqi: legal issues
Anwar al-Awlaqi, a dual US-Yemeni citizen described as the 'leader of external operations for Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula', was killed by a US drone attack in Yemen on 30 September 2011. Whether this was legal under international or US law is a matter of considerable debate.
05.12.2011Afghan reconciliation and the Bonn conference
This note describes briefly the security situation in Afghanistan, the progress or otherwise of attempts to reconcile and reintegrate insurgents with the government and looks at the conference to be held in Bonn, marking the 10th anniversary of the conference which set up the present government.
24.10.2011Military Operations in Libya
Military action to implement UN Security Council Resolution 1973 in Libya
16.05.2011Killing Osama bin Laden: has justice been done?
The US government has asserted that by killing Osama bin Laden on 1 May 2011, justice has been done. Its view is that the killing was clearly lawful. But the nature, timing and location of the killing have raised various questions under international law. The killing also has possible implications for future policies towards al-Qaeda as well as Libya and other countries.
06.04.2011Interpretation of Security Council Resolution 1973 on Libya
What the rules of engagement are in Libya, and how far coalition forces are allowed to go in protecting the civilian population are highly controversial. This note looks briefly at some of the current questions.
26.02.2010The legal basis for the invasion of Afghanistan
The military campaign in Afghanistan was not specifically mandated by the UN, but was widely (although not universally) perceived to be a legitimate form of self-defence under the UN Charter. This note outlines the self-defence justification for military action.
All Research Papers
20 Documents
DateDescription
14.12.2011Military balance in Southeast Asia
This paper examines the military balance of power in Southeast Asia and specifically at the military capabilities and priorities of six regional actors: Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, Vietnam and Singapore.
15.11.2011The Arab Uprisings
Since December 2010, the most profound process of change has affected the countries of the Arab world. The change spread quickly between the countries of the region, underlining the many common factors that provoked unrest. How the region's revolutions progress, however, depends on the individual characteristics of each country, which are very different. This paper looks at these similarities and differences and considers the possible outcomes in each case. The legitimacy of ruling regimes, the effect of societies' divisions along confessional lines and the role of the region's militaries are considered.
22.06.2010The 'AfPak policy' and the Pashtuns
The first part of this paper focuses on the Pashtuns, beginning with a survey of the geographic, historical and cultural factors which have shaped Pashtun identities in Afghanistan and Pakistan before going on to describe the political and security arrangements under which they currently live. The paper then reviews the Pashtun armed militant groups currently operating in Afghanistan and Pakistan. The second part of the paper then looks at the US AfPak policy, setting out its origins and evolution before assessing the prospects for success over the coming year and beyond.
05.06.2009War and peace in Sri Lanka
This paper provides a brief historical and social survey of Sri Lanka, including the origins of the conflict between the Sri Lankan Government and the LTTE. It then gives an account of developments since 2002, when a ceasefire was agreed and hopes were raised - rapidly to be dashed - that there might be a peaceful negotiated resolution of the conflict. The paper also surveys the stance taken by the international community on the conflict, the military capabilities of the Sri Lankan military, and aid and development issues. It concludes by considering Sri Lanka's future prospects, including assessing how real the Government's military victory is and whether genuine political and constitutional reforms are likely to be introduced.
20.03.2009Geneva Conventions and United Nations Personnel (Protocols) Bill [HL] (Bill 69 of 2008-09)
This short Bill is intended to amend two UK Acts to enable the Government to ratify two international agreements protecting military medical personnel and humanitarian workers. In line with the protocols, the Bill would firstly sanction and protect the 'red crystal' as a new symbol to protect humanitarian personnel in armed conflict instead of (or in addition to) the existing red cross or red crescent; and secondly extend the definition of protected UN workers to include those delivering humanitarian, political or development assistance in peacebuilding operations and those delivering emergency humanitarian protection.
06.07.2007Hamas and the seizure of Gaza
Hamas and the seizure of Gaza. House of Commons Library Research Paper 07/60.
19.01.2007The crisis in Lebanon
The Crisis in Lebanon. House of Commons Library Research Paper 07/08.
08.08.2005Armed Forces (Parliamentary Approval for Participation in Armed Conflict) Bill: Bill 16 of 2005-06
19.07.2004Iraq:political and security issues at the handover
Iraq: political and security issues at the handover. House of Commons Library Research Paper 04/58.
23.06.2004Sudan: Conflict in Darfur
Sudan: conflict in Darfur. House of Commons Library Research Paper 04/51.
23.05.2003The Conflict in Iraq
The Conflict in Iraq. House of Commons Library Research Paper 03/50.
13.03.2003Iraq: Developments since UN Security Council Resolution 1441
Iraq: developments since UN Security Council Resolution 1441. House of Commons Library Research Paper 03/22
11.12.2001The campaign against international terrorism: prospects after the fall of the Taliban.
The campaign against international terrorism: prospects after the fall of the Taliban. House of Commons Research Paper 01/112.
31.10.2001Operation Enduring Freedom and the conflict in Afghanistan: an update.
Operation Enduring Freedom and the conflict in Afghanistan: an update. House of Commons Library Research Paper 01/81.
07.02.2000The Conflict in Chechnya
The conflict in Chechnya. House of Commons Library Research Paper 00/14.
29.04.1999Kosovo: operation Allied Force
Kosovo: operation 'Allied force'. House of Commons Library Research Paper 99/48.
24.03.1999Kosovo: NATO and Military Action
Kosovo: NATO and military action. House of Commons Research Paper 99/34.
10.02.1999Iraq: Desert Fox and Policy Developments
Iraq: "Desert Fox" and Policy developments. House of Commons Library Research Paper 99/13.
27.10.1998Kosovo: The Diplomatic and Military Options
Kosovo: The diplomatic and military options. House of Commons Library Research Paper 98/93.
07.07.1998Kosovo
Kosovo. House of Commons Library Research Paper 98/73