Matthew Savill
@mtsavill.bsky.social
Director of Military Sciences at the Royal United Services Institute; recovering former civil servant; all views expressed here are my own.
A good list, and pleasing to see Jack Watling’s ‘Arms of the Future’ recommended.
Only took me a few weeks but here is a list of books to introduce one to all things military. My latest⬇️
January 23, 2026 at 9:20 AM
A good list, and pleasing to see Jack Watling’s ‘Arms of the Future’ recommended.
Reposted by Matthew Savill
'Most governments do not disclose offensive cyber operations. Boasting about capabilities is not the usual game' writes @lmhurel.bsky.social in the latest RUSI Commentary.
Layered Ambiguity: US Cyber Capabilities in the Raid to Extract Maduro from Venezuela
The US operation to remove Maduro succeeded despite fundamental ambiguity about what cyber delivered but that opacity has strategic consequences.
www.rusi.org
January 14, 2026 at 1:29 PM
'Most governments do not disclose offensive cyber operations. Boasting about capabilities is not the usual game' writes @lmhurel.bsky.social in the latest RUSI Commentary.
A powerful story from @bbcnewsnight.bsky.social last night, adding details on the human impact of the Iranian regime's behaviour.
Surviving "Interrogation Centre 209" & "notorious Hall 12" at Iran's Evin prison
#Newsnight
www.youtube.com/watch?v=iPX422tMlZk
#Newsnight
www.youtube.com/watch?v=iPX422tMlZk
Surviving Iran’s “notorious” Evin prison
YouTube video by BBC Newsnight
www.youtube.com
January 14, 2026 at 6:47 PM
A powerful story from @bbcnewsnight.bsky.social last night, adding details on the human impact of the Iranian regime's behaviour.
Reposted by Matthew Savill
🎙️Tune in to the latest Talking Strategy episode, where we explore how Western nations are evolving their strategies - from historic Cold War approaches to today’s cutting-edge innovations in technology and defence: https://bit.ly/4pjXumN
January 6, 2026 at 3:54 PM
🎙️Tune in to the latest Talking Strategy episode, where we explore how Western nations are evolving their strategies - from historic Cold War approaches to today’s cutting-edge innovations in technology and defence: https://bit.ly/4pjXumN
Reposted by Matthew Savill
🚨📅Join us this Friday for an in-depth webinar exploring the future of Venezuela. Our experts will analyse the regime’s trajectory and the pivotal role of external actors. Open to all RUSI members.
Webinar: Venezuela’s Crisis: Regional Dynamics and Global Consequences
Join us online for a briefing and Q&A, with a panel of RUSI experts discussing the evolving security implications of the US strikes on Venezuela.
my.rusi.org
January 7, 2026 at 4:54 PM
🚨📅Join us this Friday for an in-depth webinar exploring the future of Venezuela. Our experts will analyse the regime’s trajectory and the pivotal role of external actors. Open to all RUSI members.
An important update on previous work, to highlight that the air superiority that underpins so much of Western military power (see recent highly successful operations!) is increasingly challenged.
🚨Russian and, particularly, Chinese capabilities now pose greater threats to Western air power than in 2020, argues @justin-br0nk.bsky.social in the latest RUSI report - read it here: bit.ly/49pK7vw
January 8, 2026 at 2:28 PM
An important update on previous work, to highlight that the air superiority that underpins so much of Western military power (see recent highly successful operations!) is increasingly challenged.
Start your week by looking at this; given the initial statements from the US Administration, there must be some doubt as to whether there is even a plan for a transition to democracy, let alone how feasible it will be.
'The challenge will lie not in engineering regime change, but in supporting a legitimate, inclusive process that restores governance in Caracas, rebuilds the economy [...] and avoids reproducing the cycle of dependency and mistrust' writes Dr Carlos Solar in the latest RUSI Commentary.
The US Commits to Venezuela's Transition. Can it Succeed?
Capturing Nicolás Maduro is not a shortcut to rebuilding a broken country. Washington must now prevent a lengthy interregnum by Maduristas.
www.rusi.org
January 5, 2026 at 3:59 PM
Start your week by looking at this; given the initial statements from the US Administration, there must be some doubt as to whether there is even a plan for a transition to democracy, let alone how feasible it will be.
Reposted by Matthew Savill
NEW RUSI Paper, ‘Reducing Global Reliance on Nuclear Deterrence’ by Lukasz Kulesa is out now! www.rusi.org/explore-our-...
Reducing Global Reliance on Nuclear Deterrence
To reduce reliance on nuclear weapons, states must narrow their nuclear doctrines, utilise non-nuclear deterrence alternatives and engage in risk reduction.
www.rusi.org
December 23, 2025 at 9:33 AM
NEW RUSI Paper, ‘Reducing Global Reliance on Nuclear Deterrence’ by Lukasz Kulesa is out now! www.rusi.org/explore-our-...
Reposted by Matthew Savill
🎄Merry Christmas from all of us at RUSI!
December 25, 2025 at 4:51 PM
🎄Merry Christmas from all of us at RUSI!
Detailed but important analysis, with lessons for NATO and integrated air and missile defence planners.
Russia has reportedly modified its Iskander 9M723 ballistic missiles making them harder to intercept. The causes are unclear, but the impact on Ukraine is not, write Sam Cranny-Evans and Dr Sidharth Kaushal.
Iskander: An Improved Russian Missile Tests Ukraine’s Air Defence
Russia has reportedly modified its Iskander 9M723 ballistic missiles making them harder to intercept. The causes are unclear, but the impact on Ukraine is not.
bit.ly
November 19, 2025 at 8:09 AM
Detailed but important analysis, with lessons for NATO and integrated air and missile defence planners.
Reposted by Matthew Savill
🎙️Gen. Robinson brings her military expertise to the Talking Strategy podcast, offering valuable insights that shape foreign policy and drive innovative strategic thinking.
🎧Listen here: https://bit.ly/4i6uUn3
🎧Listen here: https://bit.ly/4i6uUn3
November 18, 2025 at 3:47 PM
🎙️Gen. Robinson brings her military expertise to the Talking Strategy podcast, offering valuable insights that shape foreign policy and drive innovative strategic thinking.
🎧Listen here: https://bit.ly/4i6uUn3
🎧Listen here: https://bit.ly/4i6uUn3
Reposted by Matthew Savill
#HIRING
We are seeking a Senior Research Fellow! The role will focus on Russian and Eurasian issues, delivering research projects and enhancing our profile in this critical area. Interested? Apply now or share with your network: https://bit.ly/3LOmeFJ
We are seeking a Senior Research Fellow! The role will focus on Russian and Eurasian issues, delivering research projects and enhancing our profile in this critical area. Interested? Apply now or share with your network: https://bit.ly/3LOmeFJ
November 18, 2025 at 4:45 PM
#HIRING
We are seeking a Senior Research Fellow! The role will focus on Russian and Eurasian issues, delivering research projects and enhancing our profile in this critical area. Interested? Apply now or share with your network: https://bit.ly/3LOmeFJ
We are seeking a Senior Research Fellow! The role will focus on Russian and Eurasian issues, delivering research projects and enhancing our profile in this critical area. Interested? Apply now or share with your network: https://bit.ly/3LOmeFJ
Important research given the current state of the war, and the lessons that are being drawn - perhaps erroneously - about the future of manoeuvre, armoured vehicles and the mix of weapons and capabilities needed to survive and succeed on the modern battlefield.
🚨🧵New RUSI Report, 'Emergent Approaches to Combined Arms Manoeuvre in Ukraine' by Jack Watling is out now!
Emergent Approaches to Combined Arms Manoeuvre in Ukraine
Ukrainian forces have begun to develop novel approaches to combined arms manoeuvre, incorporating new capabilities, that bear scrutiny for NATO armies.
www.rusi.org
October 23, 2025 at 6:26 PM
Important research given the current state of the war, and the lessons that are being drawn - perhaps erroneously - about the future of manoeuvre, armoured vehicles and the mix of weapons and capabilities needed to survive and succeed on the modern battlefield.
Reposted by Matthew Savill
'Overall we're slightly creaking at the seams.'
@mtsavill.bsky.social explains that despite higher spending and strong support for Ukraine, the UK’s military still faces serious capability and readiness gaps.
🎧 Listen here: ifs.org.uk/articles/end...
@mtsavill.bsky.social explains that despite higher spending and strong support for Ukraine, the UK’s military still faces serious capability and readiness gaps.
🎧 Listen here: ifs.org.uk/articles/end...
October 10, 2025 at 8:17 AM
'Overall we're slightly creaking at the seams.'
@mtsavill.bsky.social explains that despite higher spending and strong support for Ukraine, the UK’s military still faces serious capability and readiness gaps.
🎧 Listen here: ifs.org.uk/articles/end...
@mtsavill.bsky.social explains that despite higher spending and strong support for Ukraine, the UK’s military still faces serious capability and readiness gaps.
🎧 Listen here: ifs.org.uk/articles/end...
Reposted by Matthew Savill
'The security environment is not great at the moment. There is a major industrial war on our doorstep.'
@mtsavill.bsky.social explains why the UK's armed forces had been 'hollowed out' in previous decades, from our podcast on defence spending.
🎧 Listen here: ifs.org.uk/articles/end...
@mtsavill.bsky.social explains why the UK's armed forces had been 'hollowed out' in previous decades, from our podcast on defence spending.
🎧 Listen here: ifs.org.uk/articles/end...
October 8, 2025 at 7:16 AM
'The security environment is not great at the moment. There is a major industrial war on our doorstep.'
@mtsavill.bsky.social explains why the UK's armed forces had been 'hollowed out' in previous decades, from our podcast on defence spending.
🎧 Listen here: ifs.org.uk/articles/end...
@mtsavill.bsky.social explains why the UK's armed forces had been 'hollowed out' in previous decades, from our podcast on defence spending.
🎧 Listen here: ifs.org.uk/articles/end...
Reposted by Matthew Savill
🚨🧵New RUSI report, ‘UK National Security Advantage from Disruptive Technologies’ by @piahuesch.bsky.social and @tashbuckley.bsky.social is out now!
UK National Security Advantage from Disruptive Technologies
This paper identifies existing assets that strengthen UK strategic advantage for national security in disruptive technologies and highlights some gaps and risks for UK policymakers to consider.
www.rusi.org
October 8, 2025 at 10:54 AM
🚨🧵New RUSI report, ‘UK National Security Advantage from Disruptive Technologies’ by @piahuesch.bsky.social and @tashbuckley.bsky.social is out now!
Detailed analysis of the kind of targets in scope if (a big 'if') the US provides Tomahawk to Ukraine. But my (admittedly superficial) view is that achieving an impact on the 'front line' will be hard, primarily because it's doubtful the US would provide the volume required.
MORE: The Kremlin is trying to prevent the United States from providing Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine in order to retain the sanctuary that Russia enjoys in its rear.🧵 (1/7)
isw.pub/UkrWar100525
isw.pub/UkrWar100525
October 8, 2025 at 9:00 AM
Detailed analysis of the kind of targets in scope if (a big 'if') the US provides Tomahawk to Ukraine. But my (admittedly superficial) view is that achieving an impact on the 'front line' will be hard, primarily because it's doubtful the US would provide the volume required.
Reposted by Matthew Savill
A key question going into winter is how focused and intense Russia’s strike campaign will be — against Ukraine’s critical infrastructure, defense industry, military sites, and civilians — and how well Ukraine can defend against it.
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/05/w... via @NYTimes
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/05/w... via @NYTimes
Russia Targets Ukraine’s Energy Infrastructure With Deadly Bombardment
www.nytimes.com
October 5, 2025 at 3:04 PM
A key question going into winter is how focused and intense Russia’s strike campaign will be — against Ukraine’s critical infrastructure, defense industry, military sites, and civilians — and how well Ukraine can defend against it.
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/05/w... via @NYTimes
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/05/w... via @NYTimes
Reposted by Matthew Savill
Are environmental, social and governance standards really the barrier to defence companies' ability to raise capital and invest as they are often made out to be? Dr Linus Terhorst examines the veracity of such claims in his latest report on the real factors that stall defence growth.📖 bit.ly/4gP93zM
October 2, 2025 at 12:35 PM
Are environmental, social and governance standards really the barrier to defence companies' ability to raise capital and invest as they are often made out to be? Dr Linus Terhorst examines the veracity of such claims in his latest report on the real factors that stall defence growth.📖 bit.ly/4gP93zM
Reposted by Matthew Savill
Former PM of Ukraine Arseniy Yatsenyuk took to the stage at RUSI today to warn that Putin seeks to divide the US and Europe and weaken NATO and the EU, to ultimately pave the way for a China-led global order.
RUSI Members can watch the event in full: bit.ly/42ZTqjc
RUSI Members can watch the event in full: bit.ly/42ZTqjc
October 2, 2025 at 3:49 PM
Former PM of Ukraine Arseniy Yatsenyuk took to the stage at RUSI today to warn that Putin seeks to divide the US and Europe and weaken NATO and the EU, to ultimately pave the way for a China-led global order.
RUSI Members can watch the event in full: bit.ly/42ZTqjc
RUSI Members can watch the event in full: bit.ly/42ZTqjc
Reposted by Matthew Savill
'US officials should consider whether another year of New START limits, without verification of Russian strategic forces, is satisfactory' writes @pranayrvaddi.bsky.social, Senior Nuclear Fellow at the Center for Nuclear Security Policy, MIT, in the latest RUSI Commentary.
Beware Russia Bearing Arms Control Gifts
Washington should maintain a critical eye when measuring Putin’s latest arms control offer.
www.rusi.org
October 3, 2025 at 11:25 AM
'US officials should consider whether another year of New START limits, without verification of Russian strategic forces, is satisfactory' writes @pranayrvaddi.bsky.social, Senior Nuclear Fellow at the Center for Nuclear Security Policy, MIT, in the latest RUSI Commentary.
It would be easy in Europe to dismiss this week’s display at Quantico as purely political theatre. But that would be a mistake.
'Partners will need to be prepared for the use of US military power in a way that is deeply uncomfortable' writes @mtsavill.bsky.social in the latest RUSI Commentary.
Not Business as Usual: Why Trump’s War Department Rhetoric Matters
Much of the language coming out of the gathering of US military leaders this week could be dismissed as political spectacle. But international partners of the US should take seriously the US Administr...
www.rusi.org
October 2, 2025 at 11:14 PM
It would be easy in Europe to dismiss this week’s display at Quantico as purely political theatre. But that would be a mistake.
Reposted by Matthew Savill
Thank you @cnn.com for having me on to assess the Quantico disgrace
Defense analyst on Hegseth generals’ meeting: ‘A dangerous way to politicize the American military’ | CNN
Former Defense Department official Kori Schake says US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and President Donald Trump “did not well serve the American military today.”
www.cnn.com
September 30, 2025 at 8:00 PM
Thank you @cnn.com for having me on to assess the Quantico disgrace
Some thoughts on Ukraine for Times Radio recorded before the weekend, but I think still valid this week.
youtu.be/f3BW6bbhxWA?...
youtu.be/f3BW6bbhxWA?...
'It's hard to see how Putin could survive' if Russia is forced to withdraw from Ukraine
YouTube video by Times Radio
youtu.be
September 30, 2025 at 8:02 AM
Some thoughts on Ukraine for Times Radio recorded before the weekend, but I think still valid this week.
youtu.be/f3BW6bbhxWA?...
youtu.be/f3BW6bbhxWA?...
Reposted by Matthew Savill
🚨 Applications now open for the UK Cyber Effects Network Fellowship Programme! Early-career professionals, don't miss this chance to deepen your knowledge of offensive cyber operations. Submit your application now. (Only open to NATO member citizens)
Cyber Effects Fellowship Programme: Call for Applications
The UK Cyber Effects Network is now accepting applications for the inaugural cohort of its Cyber Effects Fellowship Programme.
my.rusi.org
September 15, 2025 at 7:07 PM
🚨 Applications now open for the UK Cyber Effects Network Fellowship Programme! Early-career professionals, don't miss this chance to deepen your knowledge of offensive cyber operations. Submit your application now. (Only open to NATO member citizens)