RUSI: Submission Guidelines

About RUSI

The Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) is a UK defense and security think tank whose work spans defense policy, sanctions, and financial crime.

Topics they accept

RUSI accepts external contributions on defense and sanctions. If your piece sits at the edge of these areas, frame the pitch around the overlap rather than the exception — editors commission what they can place in an existing coverage line.

Formats

The outlet primarily publishes commentary and reports. Match the format to the argument: a single sharp claim belongs in the shortest format the outlet runs, while a piece that needs evidence laid out in sequence belongs in the longer one.

Length requirements

Typical length: 800-1,200 words. Treat this as the range editors expect to edit, not a hard ceiling. If your draft runs long, cut background before you cut evidence.

Response time

Reported response time: Varies — check their guidelines page. Response windows are typical ranges reported by contributors, not guarantees. If the window passes, one short follow-up note is professional; more than one is pushy.

What editors look for

• A UK or allied angle helps even on global topics — show why the issue matters to British or allied policy.
• Sanctions and illicit-finance work is a distinctive strength here; technical detail on enforcement is welcome.
• Commentary is short and pointed: open with the judgment, then spend the body defending it.

How to submit

Submission routes change from time to time, so always start from the outlet's own website: look for a "Submissions", "Write for us", or "Guidelines" page and follow the current instructions there. Read three or four recent pieces in your topic area before you draft, so tone, depth, and paragraph style match the house.

Looking for a home for tech-policy commentary? Strategic Insight Institute is currently accepting pitches — see the submission guidelines.