Mr Frank Ledwidge
Summary
Following eight years as a criminal barrister in his home city of Liverpool Frank worked for a decade in the Balkans and throughout the former Soviet Union in international human rights protection, criminal law reform, and institution building at the highest levels of government. He developed particular expertise in missing persons, human trafficking and torture prevention. He also served for a number of years as a reserve officer with extensive opertional experience retiring as head of his service branch.
Later he served as the first ‘Justice Advisor’ to the UK Mission in Helmand Province in 2007-2008 and worked in a similar role at the UK Embassy in Libya during and after the war there (2011-12). He has also worked in Ukraine during the current war.
He is the author of several books, including the best-selling 'Losing Small Wars' (Yale 2011 2nd Edition 2017), which was selected as a 'Book of the Year' by the Times and Amazon UK. Like 'Losing Small Wars', his 'Aerial Warfare' (OUP 2018) was placed on the RAF 'Chief of the Air Staff's Reading list' and was shortlisted for the 'Military book of the Year' by Military History Matters' magazine.
Frank makes regular appearances on national and international broadcast and print media and has acted as a consultant for many TV productions including the award-winning 'Panorama' investigation into British war crimes in November 2019. He has been invited to give evidence by the House of Commons Defence Commmittee and other parliamentary bodies.
He is regularly invited to speak to military, academic and governmental authorities worldwide on military operations, especially air power.
Frank hold a law degree from Oxford University and a doctorate in War Studies from Kings College London.
Frank's teaching and research focusses on:-
Military capabilities, history and strategy
Military history, especially air power
Missing persons in war
Research outputs
2024
A Most Congenial Spy: MI6 spy turned novelist spills the beans on Russian espionage
Ledwidge, F.
17 Jul 2024, In: The Insider
Ukraine is in serious trouble - the West has no real strategy
Ledwidge, F.
19 May 2024, In: The Independent
What the explosive testimony of a minister reveals about Britain's war in Afghanistan - and its rogue special forces
Ledwidge, F.
12 Mar 2024, In: The Guardian
2023
Equipping Ukraine for the long haul: some initial thoughts
Ledwidge, F.
21 Jun 2023, In: Forum for Ukrainian Studies
No “aces up the sleeve” left for Russia’s armed forces, says former military officer Frank Ledwidge
Ledwidge, F.
9 Jun 2023, In: The Insider
Irish Airspace and waters remain Europe's 'open flank'
Ledwidge, F.
2 Jun 2023, In: RUSI Analysis
Does the west really want Ukraine to win the war? If so, increase military support
Ledwidge, F.
20 May 2023, In: The Guardian
I've just returned from Kyiv where they are expecting a long war and want more help from the west
Ledwidge, F.
10 May 2023, In: The Conversation
The Pentagon leaks reveal the rot at the heart of US intelligence - but they haven't hurt Ukraine
Ledwidge, F.
17 Apr 2023, In: The Guardian
How will the war in Ukraine develop during 2023? Our panel look ahead
Ledwidge, F.
24 Feb 2023, In: The Guardian