Commentaries
An EU global strategy for foreign and security policy… and even defence
EU global strategy may help to curb growing defeatism and populism in Europe… says Jo Coelmont.
Europe in the World
In a world that is largely driven by competition and rivalry (and partnership, yet) between great powers, understanding the Grand Strategy of each of these powers is crucial. So is developing a Grand Strategy for the EU itself. An EU that acts as one, as one pole of the multipolar world on a par with the other powers, is the only way to safeguard the way of life that the Member States of the EU have chosen, based on democracy, the free market, and equality.
Power cannot be divided: a global player must have political, economic, as well as military power. To that end, the Europe in the World Programme analyses the diplomacy and defence of the US, China, and Russia, and of the EU, NATO, and their members. We also focus on geoeconomics, researching Open Strategic Autonomy and the Global Gateway as key EU instruments, as well as the geoeconomic approaches of the other powers.
Defence policy is our third main axis of research, with a particular focus on European defence and its interaction with NATO, but also on nuclear deterrence and the deterrence of hybrid threats. Throughout all three research axis, we devote special attention to the role of Belgium, including notably the development of its own National Security Strategy and diplomatic and military capabilities.
Publications
Commentaries
Defence: Belgium is not a small country
Contrary to how most Belgians feel, Belgium is not that small a country – and hence its allies and partners do expect a proper contribution to European defence and NATO. […]
Commentaries
No prevention without defence
If one does not prevent conflicts from escalating, one will have to suffer the consequences, as with the refugee crisis today. At given times military interventions are the indispensable catalyst […]
Commentaries
US-China cybersecurity agreement: a good case of cyber diplomacy
The US and China concluded a major cybersecurity agreement during President Xi Jinping’s visit to Washington, on 25 September. This agreement, which includes some commitments and enforcing mechanisms,
Commentaries
Putin is not such a brillant strategist
Putin may be a master tactician, but a sober analysis of the outcome of some of his recent decisions show him to be an apprentice strategist (in Dutch).
Commentaries
An eventful summer (Syria and the teething of Europe)
This summer was not your typical summer. Among the many events that made the news, two events proved particularly dramatic for Europe: the continuous influx of refugees from war-torn countries […]