Dr Philip A. Berry is a Visiting Research Fellow at the Centre for Defence Studies in the Department of War Studies. Outside of academia, he is a consultant focusing on the international drug trade.

Prior to this, Philip was a counter-narcotics official at the UK Home Office, working for the Afghanistan Serious & Organised Crime team, before being seconded to the Synthetic Opioids Taskforce Secretariat.

Previously, Philip was a Lecturer in War Studies at the Centre for Defence Studies. His principal research examines UK foreign policy and Anglo-American relations in the post-2001 era, with a particular focus on Anglo–American counter-narcotics policies in Afghanistan.

Philip’s work has been published in The International History Review, Diplomacy & Statecraft, Defence Studies, Studies in Conflict & Terrorism, RUSI and Contemporary British History. His book, The War on Drugs and Anglo-American Relations: Lessons from Afghanistan, 2001-2011 was selected as part of Choice’s prestigious Outstanding Academic Titles list for 2020. His commentary about the Afghan narcotics trade has featured in various media outlets, such as The Financial Times, Al Jazeera, Nikkei Asia, and The Huck Magazine.

He holds a PhD in contemporary history from the University of Dundee, an MLitt from the University of Aberdeen, and an undergraduate degree from the University of Dundee.

Research interests

• Afghanistan
• Counter-Narcotics Policy
• Anglo-American Relations
• UK Foreign and Security Policy

Teaching

• National Security Studies

Publications

Book

• Philip A Berry, The War on Drugs and Anglo-American Relations: Lessons from Afghanistan, 2001-2011 (Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press, 2019)

Book Chapter

• Philip A Berry, Alan P Dobson, and Steve Marsh, ‘Far from “The Highest Level of Special”: Anglo-American Relations under Donald Trump,’ in Foreign Perceptions of the United States under Donald Trump, ed. Gregory S. Mahler (Lanham, Maryland: Lexington Books, 2021)

Articles

• Joe Devanny and Philip A Berry, ‘The Conservative Party and DFID: party statecraft and development policy since 1997,’ Contemporary British History (2021): DOI: 10.1080/13619462.2021.196923
• John Gearson & Philip A Berry, ‘British Troops on British Streets: Defence’s Counter-Terrorism Journey from 9/11 to Operation Temperer,’ Studies in Conflict & Terrorism, (2021): DOI: 10.1080/1057610X.2021.1902604
• Joe Devanny and Philip A Berry, ‘“Gulf Security is Our Security”: Global Britain and UK Gulf Strategy, 2010-20,’ Defence Studies 21, no. 2 (2021): 141-161
• Philip A Berry, ‘From London to Lashkar Gah: British Counter Narcotics Policies in Afghanistan (2001–2003),’ The International History Review 40, no. 4 (2018): 713-731
• Philip A Berry, ‘Allies at War in Afghanistan: Anglo–American Friction over Aerial Poppy Eradication, 2004–2007,’ Diplomacy & Statecraft 29, no. 2 (2018): 274-297

Commentary

• Philip A Berry, ‘What Is the Future of UK Drugs Policy for Afghanistan?’ RUSI Newsbrief 41, no. 7 (September 2021)
• Philip A Berry, ‘The Review and Anglo-American Relations,’ in The Integrated Review In Context: A Strategy Fit for the 2020s? eds. Joe Devanny and John Gearson (London: School of Security Studies, King’s College London, July 2021)
• Joe Devanny and Philip A Berry, ‘The Review and International Development,’ in The Integrated Review In Context: A Strategy Fit for the 2020s? eds. Joe Devanny and John Gearson (London: School of Security Studies, King’s College London, July 2021)
• Philip A Berry and Joe Devanny, ‘What government cuts to the overseas aid budget means for Global Britain,’ Civil Service World, 27 January 2021
• Philip A Berry, ‘Is the UK Engaging Meaningfully with Counter-Narcotics in Afghanistan?,’ RUSI: The Informer, 16 December 2020