AIR AND SPACE POWER
Israel-Hezbollah Conflict: A Fragile Balance on the Brink of Regional War
Executive Summary The conflict between Israel and Hezbollah has entered a dangerous new phase, raising the possibility of a regional war in the Middle East. This escalation, rooted in longstanding regional power struggles, has been significantly fueled by Hezbollah’s...
China-Africa Relations in Transition: The 2024 FOCAC Summit and Its Implications
Key Takeaways Financial Commitment: China pledged $50 billion in financial support over the next three years, signalling a shift from large-scale infrastructure projects to more diversified investments in green energy, industry, and digital infrastructure. Green...
The Beijing Declaration and Beyond: China’s Strategic Role in the Israel-Palestine Issue
The question of Palestine has consistently been at the center of international diplomatic efforts, drawing attention from major global actors seeking to sway the region's stability. Historically dominated by Western nations, especially the United States, the narrative...
How do the results of the EU Elections affect the European Green Deal?
As King Charles of England expressed at COP 28, while the world is drifting into uncharted waters due to global warming, concerns about the future of the European Green Deal, one of the most critical moves in combating climate change, have materialized due to the...
The 2024 Shangri-La Dialogue: Strategic Rivalries and Cooperative Futures
The Shangri-La Dialogue (SLD) is held every year in Singapore to discuss security and defense related issues in the Asia-Pacific region. Sponsored by IISS, the forum draws defense ministers, military chiefs, and other top brass from around the world. These delegations...
Un nouvel horizon : les jeunes auront le dernier mot lors des Élections Européennes de 2024
Introduction Dans une décision historique, la Belgique a ouvert les portes de la démocratie plus largement que jamais en permettant aux citoyens âgés de 16 ans et plus de participer aux élections européennes (EE24). La loi initiale promulguée en décembre 2023...
Beyond Grey: Kenya and Namibia’s Roadmap Against Financial Crime Challenges
Background On February 23, 2024, the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) categorized Kenya and Namibia as high-risk countries for anti-money laundering (AML) and countering the financing of terrorism (CFT) regulations, enlisting them on the “FATF Grey List” due to...
Xi Jinping in Europe: Strategic Autonomy and the Shifting Alliances in EU-China Relations
In early May of 2024, Chinese President Xi Jinping undertook a significant diplomatic visit to Europe, the first since the global pandemic began. His five-day itinerary included visits to France, Serbia, and Hungary. Each stop on the tour was imbued with meaning and...
Een nieuwe horizon omarmen: De jeugd zal het laatste woord hebben bij de Europese verkiezingen van 2024
Inleiding In een baanbrekende beslissing opende België de deuren van de democratie breder dan ooit door het mogelijk te maken voor burgers van 16 jaar en ouder om deel te nemen aan de Europese Verkiezingen (EE24). De oorspronkelijke wet die in december 2023 werd...
The Role of CSRD and CS3D in Tackling with Climate Crisis
“Europe is the fastest-warming continent in the world” says the new report published by European Environment Agency. A rise in average global temperature of more than 1.5 degrees Celsius between February 2023 and January 2024 is a clear indicator of future increase...
Embracing a New Horizon: Youth Will Say the Last Word in The European Elections 2024
Introduction In a landmark decision, Belgium opened the doors of democracy wider than ever before by making it possible for citizens aged 16 and above to participate in the European Elections (EE24). The initial law enacted in December 2023 allowed the youth to vote...
Crossroads of Power: Navigating the 2024 US Election’s Impact on Transatlantic Relations
Crossroads of Power: Navigating the 2024 US Election's Impact on Transatlantic Relations by Ilaria Gallo April 09, 2024 | 17 min read 1. Introduction 2024 takes on an influential character as the electoral process is underway in more than 80 nations, including the US,...
Unveiling the Chessboard: Macron’s Gambit, NATO’s Dilemma, and Putin’s Warning Amidst the Ukraine Crisis
Unveiling the Chessboard: Macron’s Gambit, NATO’s Dilemma, and Putin’s Warning Amidst the Ukraine Crisis by Laura Scotto di Clemente March 19, 2024 | 12 min read 1. Macron’s controversial stance on Western troop deployment to Ukraine: a closer look and its...
Beyond the Carnage: Implications of the ISIL-Claimed Attack in Moscow
Beyond the Carnage: Implications of the ISIL-Claimed Attack in Moscow by Laura Scotto di Clemente & Onur Sultan May 17, 2021 | 12 min read Introduction On March 23, a devastating incident unfolded as ISIL launched an attack on the Crocus Show Center in...
Facing the Future: Navigating Egypt’s Deepening Socio-Economic Challenges
Background Egypt suffered mighty consequences from food rising prices, which rose by 72% in the last fiscal year, pushing the cost of living over the reach of many. Inflation is slowing down from historic peak of 38.0% in September but still remains high. The official...
Strategic Show of Strength: Unpacking the Largest NATO Exercise since the End of Cold War
Introduction The illegal annexation of Crimea by Russia in 2014 shook the international community, challenging the very foundations of European security. In response to this violation of Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity, NATO quickly strengthened its...
Governance, Growth, and Geopolitics: Insights from China’s Two Sessions
The National People's Congress (NPC) of China functions as the paramount organ of state authority, operating as a single-chamber legislature endowed with extensive capabilities, including amending the Constitution, legislating, supervising governmental activities, and...
Between Ballots and Battleships: Dissecting Taiwan’s 2024 Electoral Aftermath
Within the intricate mosaic of Asia-Pacific geopolitical dynamics, Taiwan stands out not just as a sovereign entity but as a central hub, pivotal to the strategic frameworks of global heavyweights such as the United States and China. Positioned strategically along...
The growing importance of artificial intelligence in corporate sustainability reporting
Excessive use of raw materials, pollution of air & soil, melting of glaciers, rising sea levels and negative implications of climate change demonstrate that unsustainable business activities endanger the Earth’s habitability and in turn the profitability of future...
The Admiral’s New Role: Analysing the Geopolitical Implications of China’s Defense Ministry Shift
The appointment of Admiral Dong Jun as the People's Republic of China's (PRC) Minister of National Defense represents a critical juncture in the nation's military leadership and strategic direction. Dong's ascension to this role, notable for being the first naval...
The role of AI in response to climate-related security problems and the European Green Deal
The relationship between climate change and security is becoming more conspicuous as the intensity and frequency of climate-related environmental disasters affect fragile countries especially. Climate change increases the likelihood of mass migration and social...
After COP 28 Climate Summit: Is it a victory for the future of the EU Green Deal?
The EU Green Deal is the most comprehensive and effective policy package to respond to the adverse impacts of climate change. On the other hand, geopolitical tensions, high inflation, rising populist political discourses and energy crises create an inconvenient global...
The Geopolitics of Climate Change: China and the US Strategies in Focus at COP28
The 28th United Nations Climate Change Conference, known as COP28, scheduled for November 30 to December 12, 2023, in the United Arab Emirates, marks a significant juncture in the ongoing global effort to address climate change. Amidst this crucial summit, a pivotal...
The role of EU in COP 28 – Can EU be the forefront fighter in the war against climate change?
Climate change has turned into a real climate emergency or crisis. July 2023 was recorded as the hottest month in 120.000 years, while geopolitical confrontations are getting exacerbated in different regions like Ukraine, Syria, Yemen, Gaza and others. The United...
The Biden-Xi Dialogue: Balancing Competition and Cooperation in a Fragile World
Introduction At the recent Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit in San Francisco, a significant meeting took place, drawing considerable attention in the realm of international politics. This was the dialogue between President Joe Biden of the United States and...
The US and Israel’s War with Hamas
Introduction The situation in Israel and the Gaza Strip is tense. Although there have been numerous attacks in Israel, the present situation appears to be much more extensive than in the past. Coming to the aid of its ally, the United States has sent military forces...
Decoding the BRI’s Second Decade: Ideology, Governance, and Geopolitics
Introduction As the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) marks its 10th anniversary, its context has evolved significantly within the geopolitical and economic landscape. Initiated in 2013 with the objective of fostering global economic development and international...
Lebanon Treads a Narrow Path to Avoid Regional War
As Israel’s assault on Gaza rages on, the prospect of a regionalization of the fighting grows. Lebanon, in particular, remains the most likely point of escalation, even if the country cannot afford it. Two weeks into the unfolding crisis in Palestine-Israel, and...
Latest Gaza War to Reshuffle Cards in the Middle East
Background On October 7, 2023, in the next day of the 50th anniversary of the 1973 Arab-Israeli War, the world woke to the news of another terrorist attack where militants of Hamas and Islamic Jihad infiltrated borders around Gaza from land, air and sea to seize...
Gabon Coup
Background Omar Bongo was president of Gabon for four decades. In 1967, following the death of Leon Mba, he rose to the seat of power for the country with France’s backing. Throughout his tenure, various measures benefited Omar Bongo in securing his power. Under...
Book Review: Nomad Century: How to Survive the Climate Upheaval
A great upheaval is coming. It will change us, and our planet. In the global south, extreme climate change will push vast numbers of people from their homes, with large regions becoming uninhabitable; in the planet’s more comfortable north, economies will struggle to...
Moldova Independence
Background The breakaway region of Moldova, known as Transnistria, is a small region that borders Ukraine on the east and the Dniester River on the west. The river separates the region from the rest of Moldova. From 1924 to 1940, this region held autonomy before...
Cultural aspects in multicultural mentoring-to-work relationships
Sirppa Kinos (Turku University of Applied Sciences, Finland)Ilse Van den Berckt (Eudres, University of Applied Sciences Leuven-Limburg, Belgium)Roza Pambukhchyan (University of Turku, Finland)Marja Kiijärvi-Pihkala (LAB University of Applied Sciences, Finland)Olga...
Niger Military Coup
Background The Sahel region of Africa has the fastest growing population in the world. Poverty, food crisis, and armed conflict threaten the area as the number of refugees of internally displaced people reaches over 4.1 million. The conflict in Ukraine exacerbates the...
Japan’s Defense Buildup and NATO Involvement
Background In 2007, India, Japan, Australia, and the United States formed the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, the Quad for short, to counter Chinese influence. Since March 2021, the frequency of meetings has increased showing a revived effort to bring security to...
The New EU Security Paradigm: Climate and Security Nexus
The risks posed by climate change, such as extreme weather events and losses in biodiversity, have forced security policy-makers to change their traditional security paradigms that mostly rely on power struggles among major powers. More than one billion people are...
French Unrest: Police killing of Nahel Merzouk
Background In 2017, former president of France, François Hollande In 2018 and 2019, France experienced a unique wave of protesters called the Gilet Jaunes. This group of protestors ranged far and wide in their grievances with some protesting tax raises and others...
China’s Rising Power in the Middle East: A New Geopolitical Landscape
The Middle East, a region rich in energy resources, is strategically important for global powers. As the world's largest oil importer, China has steadily increased its influence in the area. This influence is driven by China's energy needs and diplomatic efforts, as...
Shangri-La Dialogue 2023: Charting a Path Towards Security and Stability in the Indo-Pacific
The IISS Shangri-La Dialogue, Asia's premier defense summit, convened in Singapore from 2nd to 4th June 2023, marking a pivotal moment for policymakers, ministers, and experts to gather and deliberate on the most critical security challenges facing the Indo-Pacific...
Increased Militarisation of Space – A New Realm of Security
Abstract The military use of space is not new, yet it has developed and become more advanced today. Major powers, such as the US, China, and Russia, now have their own military units specialized in space operations, indicating that space has become a new war-fighting...
Generative AI – Astonishing but no reason to be afraid
1. Introduction Generative AI (GenAI) is a form of artificial intelligence that can create novel content such as audio, data, codes, or images. It will drastically change how we approach digital content in the future, and a range of jobs are executed.[1] GenAI gained...
Cultural aspects in multicultural mentoring-to-work relationships
Sirppa Kinos (Turku University of Applied Sciences, Finland)Ilse Van den Berckt (Eudres, University of Applied Sciences Leuven-Limburg, Belgium)Roza Pambukhchyan (University of Turku, Finland)Marja Kiijärvi-Pihkala (LAB University of Applied Sciences, Finland)Olga...
Two Major Earthquakes Hit Türkiye and Syria – An Evaluation of Crisis Management Efforts
Two Major Earthquakes Hit Türkiye and SyriaAn Evaluation of Crisis Management Efforts by Onur Sultan* and Jannis Figura** February 21, 2023| 17 min read 1. Introduction On February 6, 2023, a series of earthquakes struck southern Türkiye and northern...
Western weapon supplies to Ukraine in 2023 and potential Russian responses
1. New forms of Western weapon supplies to Ukraine in 2023 In my previous article, I discussed that Ukraine mainly needs three weapon systems to continue the fight against Russia in 2023. These systems are modern fighter jets, long-range artillery, and tanks (Hooker,...
Why is giving an old frigate to Ukraine such a bad idea?
Ukraine’s deputy Foreign Minister Andrij Melnyk called on Germany in a series of tweets to provide a class 212A submarine and a 32 years old decommissioned frigate Lübeck to Ukraine. Even though it was an important call, the issue was not covered as extensively as...
An assessment of the European microchip industry and its expansion strategy
Abstract The microchip industry will probably grow from $575 billion in 2022 into a trillion-dollar industry by 2030. The main obstacles are limited production capacity and unstable production chains. Europe’s strengths in the microchip industry are the presence of...
The Defrosting of the Arctic region and the interventionism of the European Union
Introduction The Arctic region presents itself as a complex geopolitical chess game. Given the emerging concerns of climate change and its consequences, the region has gained significant relevance. The Arctic Circle Zone is composed of a number of states, such as...
US-China Relations: Adrift Between Conflict and Tianxia
US-China Relations: Adrift Between Conflict and Tianxia by Mats Radeck[i], Fatih Civrillioglu[ii] October 18, 2022 | 8 min read Introduction On August 2, 2022, Nancy Pelosi visited the island of Taiwan (officially the Republic of China) to underscore America’s...
The potential directions of the Ukraine War in spring 2023
Abstract The Ukraine War slowed down over the past months due to the harsh weather conditions and the high casualties on both sides. Russia and Ukraine will likely launch new offensives between February and April 2023. While Russia’s battlefield destiny lies in its...
International criminal justice and the war in Ukraine
Abstract The international crimes committed during the Russian invasion of Ukraine can be prosecuted under the current international law framework except for the crime of aggression. Prosecution of the latter is the only judicial way to prosecute the Russian...
Japan: Proactive in the Light of Current Issues
Introduction Following World War II (WWII), just as Germany did, Japan disarmed itself. Since then, the country has prioritized economic development over political and military disputes, and it has determined a foreign policy strategy that fosters stability in its...
Digitalisation for integration of migrants: Necessity more than an opportunity
Digitalisation entered almost every part of human life with the pace of technology’s advance, fuelled by the pandemic and lockdown. Internet connectivity has unlocked new and faster modes of communication, and we are now more connected than ever before. Digitalisation...
South Sudan’s Vulnerability to Floods
South Sudan’s Vulnerability to Floods by Jannis Figura December 28, 2022 | 7 min read 1. Introduction Climate change is a global phenomenon, but its negative impact mainly affects poorer countries due to their dependence on natural resources and lacking coping...
Learning from experience: Comparing disaster management in the Philippines and Europe
Learning from experience: Comparing disaster management in the Philippines and Europe
EU Green Deal, Corporate Sustainability and Decarbonization of Global Supply Chains
EU Green Deal, Corporate Sustainability and Decarbonization of Global Supply Chains by İlyas Gülenç December 20, 2022 | 7 min read Introduction Achieving the net-zero target by the year 2050 is critical to curb the catastrophic impacts of climate change for...
The Political Crisis in Pakistan
Background A political crisis has erupted in Pakistan, following months of unrest since the removal of former Prime Minister Imran Khan in April. Khan lost a no-confidence motion in the parliament and quickly called for his supporters to take to the streets. Since...
Lebanon and the Janus-faced Border Deal
Introduction When a large amount of ammonium nitrate exploded in the port of Beirut in August 2020, it left a swath of destruction in the city. The incident caused, among others, 218 deaths, thousands of injured, and millions of dollars in property damage....
COP 27, EU Green Deal, and the Birth Pain of a New International Order
COP 27, the EU Green Deal, and the Birth Pain of a New International Order by İlyas Gülenç* November 22, 2022 | 6 min read Introduction Ending up the fossil fuel addiction of the global economy, which is the main reason for global warming, is a challenging task...
India’s Dilemma over Ukraine
Introduction The war on Ukraine has clearly transformed the political environment in Europe, but it has also divided the world. In this turbulent time, India has positioned itself as neutral, balancing between Russia and the West. While India has not officially...
Disputes in Government: Nuclear Test for Scholz’s ‘Zeitenwende’
Background In 2011, the German government, run by Christian Democrats (CDU) and Liberals (FDP) and headed by Angela Merkel decided to phase out nuclear energy in the wake of the Fukushima nuclear disaster. The move was met with great approval from the public and...
Dissecting the New Swedish Migration Policy
A new political era awaits Sweden as Ulf Kristersson (Moderate) has officially been elected the new Swedish Prime Minister with the support of the right coalition bloc consisting of the Swedish Democrats, the Moderates, the Christian Democrats, and the Liberals. The...
Reskilled and Integrated, but How? Navigating Trauma and Temporary Hardships
Abstract Immigrants are often pressed to show how they will contribute to a host country, thus proving through their conditions of entry and human capital whether they will be perceived as an asset or burden, and this is juxtaposed with the host country’s institutions...
Global Supply Chain After the 20th Congress of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP)
Strengthening his position in the Congress after winning the elections for the third time, Xi Jinping raised the Taiwan issue in the Congress. His harsh words and constitutional amendments have stoked up fears of a large-scale military operation against Taiwan. A...
When the clock strikes midnight!
At Midnight this Monday, President Aoun becomes Mr. Michel Aoun, a Lebanese citizen. This transition is the ancient Greeks’ greatest gift to humanity, a peaceful transition of power that does not involve familial inheritance. I was always struck by that almost magical...
The Implications of Nord Stream-1 Explosion within the Context of the EU Green Deal
The Implications of Nord Stream-1 Explosion within the Context of the EU Green Deal by İlyas Gülenç October 18, 2022 | 8 min read Introduction The latest sabotage attacks damaging the Nord Stream-1 pipeline, which carries one-third of the imported natural gas...
The New Global Order in the Making
The New Global Order in the MakingGeopolitics Task Force Brief by Onur Sultan[i], Mats Radeck[ii], Jeremy Alan Garlick[iii], Olena Snigyr[iv], Charles Joseph Sullivan[v] October 5, 2022 | 10 min read Background On August 29, 2022, the Ukrainian military...
Iran: The Beginning of a Feminist Revolution
Iran: The Beginning of a Feminist Revolution by Mats Radeck[i] and Avin Khodakarim[ii] October 5, 2022 | 10 min read For about four weeks, the people of Iran have been taking to the streets and were met by the extraordinary force of the Islamic regime. Often,...
Book Review: The Dictator’s Learning Curve
Dobson's (2012) book takes on a somewhat different task to provide us with insights from dictatorships. While the works of political scientists on this subject, such as Levitsky & Ziblatt's How Democracies Die (2019), or John Keane's The New Despotism (2020), explain...
Reception crisis’ for asylum seekers in Belgium and the Netherlands: What does it tell us?
Reception crisis’ for asylum seekers in Belgium and the Netherlands: What does it tell us? by Fatih Yilmaz, Director of Projects and Partnerships and Mert Serhan Arslan, Research Assistant October 5, 2022 | 13 min read Introduction Belgium and the Netherlands...
Follow-Up: Saied’s Project of Democratic Backsliding
Background In 2011, the Jasmine revolution brought Tunisia’s president Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali to fall and ended an entrenched dictatorship. The momentum further spread to other countries of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) and initiated a protest movement...
Post Election Reflection – A New Political Era in Sweden
After a tense wait following the Swedish election on Sunday, September 11, the result came on Wednesday. After eight years of government by the Social Democrats with the support of the center-left bloc, there will be a shift in power as the right coalition bloc won...
A Play of Divide and Power: Making Sense of the Violent Unrests in Iraq
Background On October 10, 2021, parliamentary elections were held in Iraq about six months before schedule in response to protestors’ demands. Winning 73 out of 329 seats, the Sadrist movement, the party of influential Shi’ite cleric Muqtada Al-Sadr, settled for...
Tension in Taiwan increase as Western-Chinese rivalry intensifies
Background On August 2, US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi made a controversial visit to Taiwan while on a tour in Asia to show support for US Allies. At the beginning of her trip in Singapore on July 31, there was no mention of a visit to Taiwan. However, speculations...
Climate Action Failure and Its Implications on Military Security
Introduction Global Risks Report-2022 of the World Economic Forum has ranked “Climate action failure” as the most severe security risk at the global scale for the decade coming. It is followed by “Extreme weather” and “biodiversity loss,” both closely related to the...
The integration challenges of Ukrainian refugees in the Netherlands: What’s next?
THE INTEGRATION CHALLENGES OF UKRAINIAN REFUGEES IN THE NETHERLANDS: WHAT’S NEXT? by Kubra Tasbas, Research Intern September 01, 2022| 11 min read Introduction This policy brief analyses the rapid reaction of the Dutch government regarding the influx of refugees from...
Assessing Germany’s Potential Responsibility in a Rearming Europe
Introduction Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has moved the topic of defence to the epicentre of the political debate in the transatlantic zone. Responding to the new circumstances, the German government recently announced a massive scale-up of the country’s defence...
Finland and Sweden to Become NATO Allies Soon
While the discussions and musings on “strategic autonomy” after Brexit flooded corridors of EU, the brutal invasion of Ukraine by Russia brought back memories of Cold War. The war unleashed all sorts of strategic thinking at EU, NATO and European capitals. Naturally,...
Green or Brown Future for The World: Geopolitical Dimensions of The Eu Green Deal
Green or Brown Future for The World: Geopolitical Dimensions of The Eu Green Deal by İlyas Gülenç* June 24, 2022 | 13 min read Rising energy prices, ongoing negative impacts of the pandemic, and dependence on Russian natural gas have created a harsh political...
The Prime Minister elections, and government formation in Lebanon
Following the elections of Speaker Berri, the time is now for the choosing of a new Prime Minister followed by government formation. Although Lebanon’s political system might seem complicated and archaic, there is a clear order for the next few steps that will lead to...
A Two-way Process: Towards a new (better) environment for labour market integration of refugees?
European and OECD countries remain among the main destination points for refugees from all around the world. Since the 2015 Syrian refugee crisis, Europe has been experiencing another mass flow of refugees from Ukraine; the total number recorded is currently 5 million...
Post Parliamentary Elections Indicators in Lebanon
With significant help from the international community, channeled through the efforts of UNDP Leap and other agencies, the elections happened without any major logistical problems. Some polling centers had electricity cuts, others faced long queues, and there was some...
What is Tech Diplomacy? A Very Short Definition
Too many concepts, too much confusion Anyone trying to make sense of technology and international relations today will stumble into a plethora of closely related terms, such as e-diplomacy, cyber diplomacy, digital technology, tech diplomacy, and so forth. All these...
Intra-European migration. A gender perspective
The EU enlargement processes have resulted in the emergence of new patterns and forms of migration within Europe. In this new setting, the natives of member states exposed to financial instability look for better jobs in the West, South, or North Europe. According to...
EU-NATO and the Eastern Partnership Countries Against Hybrid Threats: From the EU Global Strategy till the war in Ukraine
In a period of geopolitical shocks, intensifying competition, regional shifts, external pressures, and rapid changes in the security environment, it is important to pay attention to instability drivers and threats that can affect the EU and NATO and their partners....
Vote Abstention in France
On April 24 2022, the second round of the French presidential elections took place with a 28% vote abstention rate.[1] In the first round of the elections, this rate was even lower, at 26.31%. The strong competition between France's two historical parties goes a long...
Does the EU move away from EU Green Deal in the wake of the Ukraine war?
Introduction Having adopted the EU Green Deal in 2019 and set the goal of being the first climate-neutral continent by the year 2050, the EU strives to be the world's climate leader. Overall, the EU wants to take the bull by the horns when tackling the catastrophic...
Tunisia’s Deadlocked Situation: President Saied Takes the Authoritarian Exit
Introduction On the 25th of July 1957, Tunisia was stripped of its monarchical superstructure and became a republic. 64 years later, this day is still special to Tunisians. However, besides festivities and protests, it has recently gained a further meaningful...
Will Sweden break with its military non-aligned policy?
The ongoing Russian war on Ukraine has abruptly transformed the political landscape in not only Europe, but also the world. In Scandinavia, political tensions are high as both Finland and Sweden are discussing the future of their security policies and potentially...
Early indicators from the expatriates voting in Lebanon
Tomorrow the parliamentary electoral process in Lebanon begins, starting with the expatriates voting worldwide. The voting will take place over two days, Friday for the country, in which the weekend falls on that day, and then Sunday for the rest. The elections will...
Analyzing the Lebanon Electoral Lists: What do the numbers really mean?
On April 7, the final number of the Lebanon Electoral Lists for the 2022 parliamentary elections were announced. 103 lists were officially registered, vying for 128 parliamentary seats in 15 districts. This year's elections have witnessed an unprecedented number of...
Analysis of The Sunken Russian Cruiser Moskva, Its Implications for Russia and Lessons for the World Navies
ANALYSIS OF THE SUNKEN RUSSIAN CRUISER MOSKVA, ITS IMPLICATIONS FOR RUSSIA AND LESSONS FOR THE WORLD NAVIES by Furkan AKAR April 28, 2022| 15 min read 1. BACKGROUND On 13 April, the Ukrainian governor for the Odesa region, Maksym Marchenko, said on his Telegram...
Regional Power Rivalries and Militarisation in the Horn of Africa
Located in the east of the African continent, the Horn of Africa, which includes Ethiopia, Eritrea, Somalia and Djibouti, is today the scene of considerable challenges, both for the traditional powers and for regional powers. In the past, the main emphasis was on the...
China’s Options in the Ukraine War: Bandwagoning with Russia or Being a Real Mediator
China’s Options in the Ukraine War: Bandwagoning with Russia or Being a Real Mediator by Tom Peeters April 15, 2022 | 12 min read Introduction Fukayama described the end of the Cold War as the completion of the ideological evolution of humanity and claimed...
Why Cold War is Not Such a Bad Idea
Depuis l’annexion de la Crimée, l’OTAN et l’UE peinent à trou- ver la juste réponse face au regain d’agressivité de la politique étrangère russe. En dépit de sa condamnation unanime de l’agression, la classe politique occidentale n’a jamais été à même de forcer la...
Truce, President Hadi’s Transfer of Power, and Prospects for Peace in Yemen
Introduction The last two weeks witnessed two extremely consequential developments that will give shape to the future of Yemen. The first is certainly the UN-brokered two-month truce. On 1 April, UN Special Envoy for Yemen Hans Grundberg issued a statement announcing...
The Conflict in the South China Sea: A Focus on a Possible Solution
1. Introduction Over the last 10 years, the conflict in the South China Sea has been constantly in the spotlight. As China builds islands in the middle of the South China Sea, once underwater reefs have become sandy islands with airfields, roads, buildings, and bases...
Rapid Response for Facilitating Ukrainian Refugees’ Orientation and Labour Market Integration in Flanders
Rapid Response for Facilitating Ukrainian Refugees’ Orientation and Labour Market Integration in Flanders (1) by Fatih Yılmaz (2), Samet Coban (3) April 07, 2022 | 14 min read Ukrainian refugees arrived in Belgium (Source: Belga) 1. Background The Russian...
A Quick Overview of the Strategic Compass
A bit of a History The EU’s first strategy document, European Security Strategy, dates back to 2003, in the wake of the longstanding Cold War. Penned at a time of enormous hope, prosperity and an absence of a global rival, the EU’s self-confidence is reflected...
War in Ukraine: How NATO Responds and What NATO Summit Statement Tells?
War in Ukraine changed the security and defence perception in Europe drastically. Twenty-three years after the war in Kosovo, Europe witnessed another war inside its borders, this time between much more capable sides and with far-reaching effects. The war between the...
The role of naval forces in Russia’s war against Ukraine and its implications
The Russian Navy has and continues to provide an important supporting role in Russia’s operations against Ukraine. This has included undertaking highly visible deployments in the pre-invasion phase and maintaining a presence in the eastern Mediterranean (augmented...