Geraint Hughes studied for a BA in History at the University of Durham from October 1994 to June 1997, subsequently completing an MA in War Studies at King’s College London (1997-1998) and his PhD at the same institution (September 1998-October 2002).

Prior to his appointment with the Defence Studies Department in July 2005, he taught part-time with the Department of War Studies. Dr Hughes served with the Territorial Army (the London Regiment) between June 1999 and April 2005, and saw active service in Iraq on Operation Telic 4 (May-November 2004).

Dr Hughes’ main research interests lie in Cold War History, proxy warfare, and the history of British military intervention in the Middle East. He has written several articles, some of which have been published in Diplomatic History, International Affairs, The International History Review, The Journal of Cold War Studies, The Journal of Military History, The Journal of Strategic Studies, and Survival. He is also the author of three books; Harold Wilson’s Cold War: The Labour Government and East-West Politics, 1964-1970 (2009), My Enemy’s Enemy: Proxy Warfare in International Politics (2012), and Britain and the Dhofar War in Oman, 1963-1976: A Covert War in Arabia (2024).

With external activities, Dr Hughes is one of the convenors for the International History Seminar Group at the Institute of Historical Research. He is co-organiser of the annual Memorial Lecture that celebrates the dedication and achievements of Professors Saki and Michael Dockrill, two distinguished alumni who played a pivotal role in the development of the Department of War Studies. He is also the Secretary of the British International History Group, and also became a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society in October 2024.

Research Interests

• Cold War History
• British Foreign and Defence Policy since 1945
• Counter-insurgency: historical and contemporary conflicts
• The Dhofar Conflict, Oman
• Proxy Warfare
• The Invasion and Occupation of Iraq, 2003-2011
• Land Warfare since 1945

Publications

Dr Geraint Hughes PURE Profile