12 Jan 06. Discussion Panel: The Profession of Arms – Can We Achieve International Standards?
1 February 2006, 1230 – 1415 (sandwich lunch from 1200)
RUSI, Whitehall, London
The Panel will explore issues emerging from ‘the profession of arms’ and suggest how international standards can be promoted. Amongst armed forces of first and second world nations, there are vastly different standards of efficiency and military usefulness. Many conscripted forces include a high proportion that cannot be used at all. Others are of dubious utility. Of the volunteer forces, ‘role specialist’ contingents are put forward by their governments for alliance operations, which avoid the likelihood of ‘combat’ and the use of lethal force. Some other nations carry extra responsibilities time and again for the most dangerous operations.
If you would like to take part please contact Mamoona Shah Events Manager Tel: +44 (020) 7747 2648

12 Jan 06. The American Military after Iraq: A Speculation
A roundtable discussion with Professor Eliot Cohen Robert E. Osgood Professor of Strategic Studies, School of Advanced International Studies, Johns Hopkins University, USA
18 January 2006, from 1530
RUSI, Whitehall, London.
Although the war in Iraq might have been necessary, the execution of the war has been haphazard at best. So goes the argument made by Eliot Cohen in his Washington Post op-ed entitled “A Hawk Questions Himself as His Son Goes to War”. The media carry regular reports on how the US Army, one of the most advanced fighting forces in the world, is suffering from low morale and exceedingly poor enlistment rates. Long deployments, a lack of proper equipment and poor post-war fighting strategy have all compounded the problem. In this transatlantic forum Professor Cohen will make some remarks and then open the floor up to discussion about the future of the American military and western military strategy after Iraq.
For further information please contact Dawn Williams tel: +44 (0)20 7747 2615 or visit the RUSI website