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Simon J Smith

Associate Professor of Security and International Relations, Staffordshire University
Simon is currently an Associate Professor of Security and International Relations at Staffordshire University as well as a Senior Research Fellow at the Scotland Institute, an Honorary Research Fellow at Aston University and Editor-in-Chief of Defence Studies .

Before Joining Staffordshire University, Simon was a Research Officer in PoLIS at University of Bath, a Teaching Fellow at Aston University. Before his time at Aston, he was a University Teacher and the Administrator for the Centre for the Study of International Governance (CSIG) at Loughborough University. His doctoral research on the EU-NATO Relationship was also conducted at Loughborough University.

Qualifications
PhD (International Relations) Loughborough University.

MSc (Conflict and Cooperation) University of Stirling.

BA (History/Political Science) Gonzaga University.

Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (2017)

Postgraduate Certificate of Professional Practice in Higher Education - Merit (Staffordshire University, 2017)

Ukraine war: reports suggest that Russia has been deliberately targeting journalists – which is a war crime

Sep 20, 2023 11:40 am UTC| Insights & Views

At least 15 media workers have been killed in Ukraine since Russia began its full-scale war in February 2022. Along with targeting civilians, hospitals, schools, orphanages, residential buildings, communications centres...

Finland joins Nato in a major blow to Putin which doubles the length of the alliance's border with Russia

Apr 05, 2023 13:09 pm UTC| Politics

In 1948, the Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation, and Mutual Assistance was signed between the Soviet Union and Finland, providing a key basis for relations between the two states that was to last throughout the cold war....

Global Geopolitics Series

NATO and the EU: a short history of an uneasy relationship

Dec 03, 2019 03:51 am UTC| Insights & Views

In the face of growing security challenges to Europe, from an antagonistic Russia, to instability in the Middle East, cyberwar and terrorism, there is a growing recognition that enhanced cooperation between the EU and NATO...

What US wants from UK on security after Brexit – and why this puts Britain in a tricky position

Aug 15, 2019 17:43 pm UTC| Insights & Views

Even before Boris Johnson became prime minister, the Trump administration has been on a charm offensive towards the UK and him in particular. When Britains Johnson met US National Security Advisor John Bolton on August 12...

Economy

South Korea Raises Interest Rates to 2.75% as Inflation and Weak Won Drive Tightening

South Koreas central bank raised its benchmark interest rate by 25 basis points to 2.75% on Thursday, marking its first rate hike in three and a half years as policymakers moved to curb persistent inflation and support the...

US Stock Futures Hold Steady as Soft Inflation Data Eases Fed Rate Hike Fears

U.S. stock index futures traded slightly higher late Wednesday after softer-than-expected June inflation data eased concerns that the Federal Reserve could resume raising interest rates in the near term. However, ongoing...

UBS Boosts China Tech Bets, Adds Kuaishou and Meituan to Focus List

UBS has strengthened its bullish stance on Chinese equities by adding Kuaishou Technology (HK:1024) and Meituan (HK:3690) to its China Global Equity Focus List while increasing allocations to Alibaba Group, Ping An...

Oil Prices Rise as U.S. Strikes on Iran Raise Strait of Hormuz Supply Fears

Global oil prices extended their rally for a fourth consecutive session on Thursday as renewed U.S. military strikes on Iranian targets heightened concerns over escalating conflict in the Middle East and potential...

Port of Los Angeles Posts Record June Cargo Volume as Importers Rush Ahead of U.S. Tariffs

The Port of Los Angeles handled a record amount of cargo in June as importers accelerated shipments ahead of higher fuel costs and new U.S. tariffs, highlighting continued strength in U.S. trade activity despite growing...

Politics

US Restricts Commercial Flights From Congo Amid Ebola Outbreak

The United States has introduced new travel restrictions tied to the ongoing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), preventing U.S. citizens and nationals who have been in the country within the previous...

NY Times Challenges Trump Administration Subpoenas Over Air Force One Report

The New York Times has asked a federal court to block grand jury subpoenas issued to three of its journalists following their reporting on President Donald Trumps new Qatari-donated Air Force One, escalating a legal battle...

Trump Orders ICE to Resume Traffic Stops After Deadly Immigration Enforcement Incidents

U.S. President Donald Trump has ordered Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents to resume using traffic stops during immigration enforcement operations, reversing a temporary suspension announced just a day...

Russian Missile Strike Sparks Fires in Kyiv After Early Morning Air Alert

Russian missiles struck at least two districts in Ukraines capital, Kyiv, early Thursday, igniting fires and prompting authorities to issue an air raid alert before declaring the immediate danger over. Kyiv Mayor Vitali...

Senate Weighs Permanent Daylight Saving Time Bill as Support Remains Uncertain

The U.S. Senate is reviewing legislation that would make daylight saving time permanent nationwide, but Senate Majority Leader John Thune said it remains uncertain whether the proposal has enough support to pass the...

Science

Blue Origin New Glenn Explosion Could Delay Launch Operations Until 2028

Blue Origin is facing a significant setback after a dramatic explosion involving its New Glenn rocket severely damaged a launch pad at Cape Canaveral, Florida. According to NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman, repairs to the...

Blue Origin New Glenn Rocket Explodes During Launch Pad Test, Delaying Space Ambitions

Blue Origin suffered a major setback after its uncrewed New Glenn rocket exploded during a launch pad test in Florida on Thursday, raising new challenges for Jeff Bezos space company as it competes with Elon Musks SpaceX...

SpaceX Delays Starship V3 Launch Ahead of Potential Record IPO

SpaceX on Thursday postponed the highly anticipated launch of its 12th Starship rocket test from Texas after technical issues interrupted the final countdown. The company now plans to attempt the Starship V3 launch again...

Trump Administration Releases New UFO Files and Apollo Mission Records

The U.S. Defense Department has released dozens of previously classified UFO-related files following an order from President Donald Trump, sparking renewed debate over unidentified anomalous phenomena (UAP) and government...

China vs. NASA: The New Moon Race and What's at Stake by 2030

The space race is back and this time, its a direct competition between the United States and China for dominance on the lunar surface. NASAs Artemis II mission recently made history when four astronauts flew farther into...

Technology

Jamie Dimon Warns Anthropic's Mythos AI Poses National Security Risks

JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon has warned that Anthropics advanced Mythos artificial intelligence model presents significant national security risks, highlighting growing concerns over the potential misuse of powerful AI...

SpaceX Stock Falls Below IPO Price as Investors Weigh Losses and Lockup Expiry

SpaceX shares fell below their initial public offering (IPO) price for the first time on Wednesday, highlighting growing investor caution as the companys early post-listing momentum continues to fade. The stock dropped...

xAI Sues Man for Allegedly Using Grok to Generate AI Child Abuse Deepfakes

Elon Musks artificial intelligence company xAI has filed a federal lawsuit against a South Carolina man accused of using its Grok chatbot to generate child sexual abuse material (CSAM) and non-consensual explicit...

Trump Slams New York Data Center Ban, Warns AI Investment Could Shift to Other States

U.S. President Donald Trump sharply criticized New Yorks new one-year moratorium on large-scale data center construction, arguing that the move will discourage investment, eliminate jobs, and weaken the states position in...

Apple Intelligence Cleared for China as Alibaba and Baidu AI Power iPhone Features

Apple has moved a step closer to launching Apple Intelligence in China after the countrys cyberspace regulator officially registered the companys on-device generative AI service for use on iPhones. The approval marks a...