Our Research

This brief explores the ideological convergence between the Muslim Brotherhood and the Islamic Republic of Iran’s doctrine of Wilayat al-Faqih (Guardianship of the Jurist), two movements often perceived as divided by sectarian lines but in fact united in their political vision. Despite their Sunni-Shi’a theological differences, both traditions uphold a worldview in which religious authority is elevated above secular governance and political legitimacy derives from divine law rather than the will of the people. The ultimate aim, whether framed in Sunni or Shi’a terms, is the establishment of an Islamic order in which the ummah transcends national borders and where state structures exist to serve a religious mission.

The annual Al Quds Day rally, coordinated by groups affiliated with or sympathetic to the Iranian regime, is not merely an expression of political opinion. It represents a strategic extension of Iran’s ideological and geopolitical objectives, a manifestation of the Islamic Republic’s efforts to export its revolutionary doctrine to the heart of Western democracies. Through Quds Day, Iran actively weaponises the democratic freedoms of the United Kingdom—freedoms designed to protect peaceful dissent and political plurality—to incite hatred, glorify terrorism, and undermine social cohesion and national security.

This is not simply a failure of policing or intelligence; it is a failure of political will and legal enforcement. Despite the introduction of the National Security Act and the Foreign Influence Registration Scheme, both of which were designed to expose and neutralise foreign malign influence, the continued tolerance of Quds Day and related activities demonstrates a critical shortfall in the UK’s ability to safeguard its institutions, protect its communities, and defend its democratic values.

Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) students—originating from Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates—face an escalating cybersecurity threat while studying in the United Kingdom. As members of politically connected families and future national leaders, they are prime targets for hostile state actors, particularly Iran, which seeks to infiltrate their digital infrastructure for espionage, influence, and coercion.

Iranian cyber units, including those operating under the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and Ministry of Intelligence and Security (MOIS), deploy highly sophisticated tactics such as phishing attacks, spyware, social engineering, and blackmail to compromise students’ communications. These threats extend beyond financial cybercrime; they are part of Iran’s broader geopolitical strategy to undermine GCC states, monitor diaspora communities, and cultivate assets for long-term intelligence objectives.

A university is not just an institution of learning; it is a sanctuary for the mind, a place where thought is free to roam, where dissent is sharpened by argument, and where the contest of ideas—not the menace of intimidation—determines the course of inquiry. It is in these spaces that societies define themselves, where the next generation is shaped, and where civilisation itself is refined through debate, scholarship, and the relentless pursuit of truth.

Yet today, in Britain, this sacred contract is being broken. A new force is sweeping through our universities, not one of knowledge and discovery, but of coercion and fear. This is not the student radicalism of old, where defiance was a matter of principle and rebellion was animated by the great ideals of liberty and justice. What we see now is something different, something darker: a campaign of ideological absolutism, in which intimidation replaces debate, and violence—not reason—draws the line between what may and may not be said.

This research brief examines how jihadist movements strategically manipulate language to infiltrate public discourse in liberal democracies. By repurposing words like “martyrdom” and “resistance,” extremist narratives have gained legitimacy, distorting democratic values and eroding Western identity. Social media amplifies these narratives, fostering ideological echo chambers that resist balanced debate.

The brief highlights the paradox of liberal tolerance, where the fear of appearing intolerant has allowed extremist rhetoric to thrive unchecked. It calls for strategic counter-narratives, stricter social media regulations, enhanced media literacy, and legal frameworks to distinguish hate speech from free speech.

The study warns that the normalisation of jihadist rhetoric threatens democratic resilience and urges policymakers, educators, and civil society to actively defend democratic discourse and values.

The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region has long been characterised by geopolitical tensions and economic disparities. In this context, economic interdependence emerges as a viable pathway to sustainable peace. The proposed Abraham Trade Route—a corridor extending from Afghanistan through a liberated Iran to the Strait of Hormuz, proceeding to Dubai, and traversing to Gaza or Israel with access to the Mediterranean—presents a transformative opportunity. This initiative aims to unlock untapped markets, reduce reliance on traditional choke points such as the Suez Canal, and enhance both economic and security cooperation among participating nations.

This report examines the Russian Orthodox Church’s close alignment with the Kremlin’s agenda, highlighting its support for Moscow’s aggression in Ukraine and questioning its compliance with UK charity laws, regarding political neutrality and public benefit.

The report discusses the Middle Corridor, a strategic trade route connecting China and Europe via Kazakhstan, the Caspian Sea, and Turkey. It highlights its environmental benefits, investment opportunities in Kazakhstan, and geopolitical advantages over Russian routes. Despite infrastructure and political challenges, the route aligns with the UK's post-Brexit strategy for diversified global trade and environmental sustainability.