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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

Bessent Urges G7 to Strengthen Iran Sanctions Amid U.S.-China Talks

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced on Monday that he plans to encourage G7 finance ministers to strengthen and maintain a coordinated sanctions regime aimed at cutting off funding tied to Irans military...

ECB’s Nagel Says Central Banks Can Do More to Support Markets Amid Inflation Concerns

Joachim Nagel, head of Germanys central bank, said on Monday that global central banks still have significant tools available to stabilize financial markets and restore investor confidence. Speaking ahead of a Group of...

Dollar Holds Strong as Iran Conflict and China Slowdown Shake Global Markets

The U.S. dollar eased slightly on Monday after posting strong gains last week, as investors continued to react to rising geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and concerns over inflation. Despite the minor decline, the...

Global Companies Face $25 Billion Blow From U.S.-Israel Iran Conflict

The ongoing U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran has already inflicted more than $25 billion in losses on companies worldwide, with costs expected to rise further as energy prices surge and supply chains remain disrupted. A...

Thailand Economy Grows 2.8% in Q1 2026, Beating Market Expectations

Thailands economy recorded stronger-than-expected growth in the first quarter of 2026, supported by higher government spending, rising investment, and solid export performance. Official data released Monday by the National...

Politics

Rick Fox Appointed to Bahamian Senate After Election Loss

Former NBA champion Rick Fox has officially joined the Bahamian Senate after being appointed by the opposition Free National Movement (FNM). The announcement came shortly after Fox failed in his campaign to secure a seat...

Trump-Backed “Rededicate 250” Event Sparks Debate Over Religion and Politics in America

A major faith-based event supported by the Trump administration drew thousands of attendees on Sunday, celebrating Americas religious heritage while also triggering criticism over church-state separation and lack of...

Samsung Faces Major Strike Threat as Union Restarts Pay Talks

Samsung Electronics and its South Korean labor union resumed government-mediated wage negotiations on Monday in an effort to prevent a large-scale strike that could disrupt the global semiconductor supply chain. The...

G7 Finance Ministers Meet in Paris Amid Global Trade and Economic Tensions

Finance ministers from the G7 nations gathered in Paris on Monday to address rising global economic tensions, supply chain risks, and critical mineral dependence as geopolitical divisions continue to challenge the groups...

Cuba Denies U.S. Drone Threat Claims Amid Rising Tensions

Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez has rejected accusations that Cuba is preparing military aggression against the United States, calling the allegations a fraudulent case designed to justify tougher economic sanctions...

Science

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...

NASA Artemis II: First Crewed Moon Mission Since Apollo Takes Four Astronauts on 10-Day Lunar Journey

NASAs Artemis II mission launched Wednesday, marking humanitys return to crewed lunar exploration for the first time since the Apollo era. Carrying four astronauts aboard the Orion spacecraft, this historic 10-day mission...

NASA's Artemis II Mission: First Crewed Lunar Journey Since Apollo

NASA's Artemis II Crew Arrives in Florida for Historic Moon Mission

The four astronauts chosen for NASAs Artemis II mission have touched down at Kennedy Space Center in Florida, marking the beginning of final launch preparations for the first crewed lunar journey in over 50 years. NASA...

Technology

Anthropic to Brief Financial Stability Board on AI-Driven Cyber Risks

Artificial intelligence startup Anthropic is preparing to discuss potential cyber vulnerabilities in the global financial system linked to its latest AI model, Mythos, with members of the Financial Stability Board (FSB),...

TSMC Stake Sale Sends Vanguard Semiconductor Shares Lower

Shares of Vanguard International Semiconductor (TWO:5347) dropped sharply on Monday after Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) announced plans to reduce its ownership stake in the chipmaker. Vanguard shares...

CXMT Forecasts Record Revenue Growth as Global DRAM Prices Surge

Changxin Memory Technologies (CXMT), Chinas leading memory chip manufacturer, expects first-half revenue to climb between 110 billion yuan and 120 billion yuan ($17.62 billion), according to its updated IPO prospectus. The...

China vs U.S. AI Race Shifts Toward Robotics and Manufacturing Power in 2026

The global competition for artificial intelligence dominance is no longer driven solely by computing power and advanced chips. A new Alpine Macro report released on May 12, 2026, argues that industrial scale, manufacturing...

Samsung Union Talks Enter Final Stage as Strike Threat Looms

Samsung Electronics and its largest labor union are set to resume critical wage negotiations on Monday as both sides race to prevent a major strike that could disrupt South Koreas economy and global semiconductor supply...