The MA by Research in Strategy and Security has been developed to allow you to undertake a research project in an area that interests you within a shorter timeframe than a two year MPhil or three year PhD. The award of an MA by Research will provide clear evidence to employers, whether academic or professional, of your ability to conduct independent research and to produce original material within a prescribed timescale. It is ideal both for those who want to pursue careers with a significant research element and for those already in such forms of employment who are interested in pursuing a specific shorter-term research project without taking a career break. The research topic includes: integrated approaches to conflict prevention and management; the changing character of contemporary conflict including counter-insurgency and cyber security; international efforts to stabilise failed, failing or fragile states; Middle East and North African security; decision-making and leadership in strategy; strategy and security in the contemporary world; strategic understanding; defence reform and strategy in the context of wider public policy with particular reference to the UK, US, NATO and the Middle East; science, technology and security policy; strategy in application; humanitarian intervention and the laws of armed conflict; civil-military relations, strategic culture and security sector governance; arms control and non-proliferation including sensitive technology and arms export controls; US-European security and defence relations and the role and future of NATO; domestic security, public resilience and counter-terrorism; the politics of defence industrial consolidation in Europe and the US; ethics of the use of armed force.