• Defeating the Adversaries with Tess Butler

    Monday 15 June

    National Liberal Club and Online

    1800-1900

    Join Tess Butler CEO and founder of DSET Ltd (the most influential and impactful annual gathering of military simulation, education, training and skills experts in the UK)

    A degree in Russian & Soviet Studies, hands on experience with the Royal Navy, contribution to the British Army’s AFV project and time as an military expert in the Middle East. Tess has the “insider” insight to bring us up to date with today’s challenges for winning the fight and out-thinking our opponents.

    Free to attend.

    Register via chair@defencesecuritycircle.org

  • If crisis or war comes: lessons from Sweden

    Friday 26 June

    National Liberal Club

    1800- 1900

    Join a panel discussion on lessons to be drawn from our friend and ally Sweden.

    Looking at civil defence, cyber resilience, supply chain dependability and reserve occupation mobilisation.

    The evolving threat landscape will be addressed with particular attention to Baltic maritime and air domains. Cultural, community and strategic information campaigns will be judged from the perspective of both Nordic and UK best practice.

    Cash Bar from 1730.

    Free to attend. Register via chair@defencesecuritycircle.org

  • Battleground Taiwan

    Wednesday 15 July

    National Liberal Club

    1730- 1900

    Assess, debate and strategically “game” the various scenarios arising from a mainland blockade, siege or invasion of Taiwan.

    What can the West do? How can allies and friends help? Will the invader be defeated or resisted with success? Is preparation within our resources?

    What are the implications from Trump’s diplomacy with the PRC?

    Cash Bar from 1730

    Free to attend.

    Register via chair@defencesecuritycircle.org

Our purpose:

Mission

At the Defence & Strategy Circle, our mission is to shape strategic thinking and policy at the nexus of defence and national security. We connect insight with influence — translating rigorous analysis into actionable solutions for an increasingly contested world.

Defence

We explore the evolving character of warfare — from force posture and capability development to emerging technologies and deterrence strategy — to ensure nations remain ready, resilient, and responsibly armed.

Security

We engage with the grand challenges facing open societies, from geopolitical competition and grey-zone threats to homeland resilience and strategic statecraft, ultimately supporting the stakeholders that protect and uphold them.

Our values

We believe in strategic dialogue and candid conversations in the national interest. Our community is grounded in a commitment to informed, robust analysis — valuing rigour over rhetoric, and insight over ideology. Our endeavours reflect an unshakeable commitment to the national interest. We are a trusted space where ideas are tested, futures are forecast, and security is taken seriously.

Contact us

Interested in working with us? Please complete the form opposite and we will be in touch shortly.