Strategy making at government level is, along with leadership at the strategic level, one of the two enduring threads running through the RCDS course. A top priority of the course is to exercise Members in strategic analysis and strategy-making by addressing security issues in the world today. This element of the course is named Contemporary Strategic Issues (CSI).
The aim of the CSI element of the course is to:
Exercise the skills of strategic analysis and strategy-making at government level, by conducting fresh research and analysis on current real-world security issues, in small groups drawing fully on the unique range of personal and professional experience in the RCDS, and expert contacts outside, over an extended period.
CSI papers are produced in the style of official papers in government. I.e. they are presented as short policy or assessment papers as if offering advice to busy Ministers. Although the final output is a short paper, it has to be based on extensive research, analysis and strategy formulation (i.e. it is only the tip of the iceberg). The CSI paper is also an exercise in group work, conducted in small groups based on the Overseas Study Tour groups. These sub-groups are typically 3 or 4 strong and can be augmented ad hoc by consulting or co-opting Members from the region to be studied and visited.
The RCDS 10-11 course members were offered a choice of “exam questions” on contemporary strategic issues, which were keyed to the countries and regions they were visiting for their overseas study tours.
The opinions expressed in CSI papers are the personal views of the author(s) and do not represent those of their employing authorities or the Royal College of Defence Studies
Here is a selection of the best papers:
Date: 16 May 11