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).
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
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 […]
Global and operational: a new strategy for EU Foreign and Security Policy
Strategists of Europe, rejoice! The June 2015 European Council mandated High Representative Federica Mogherini to prepare “an EU global strategy on foreign and security policy” by June 2016. Fully twelve […]
Considering DPRK regime collapse: its probability and possible geopolitical and security consequences
Both the EU and its member states are in a period of rethinking security strategy to adapt to contemporary challenges both in the European region and beyond, including Northeast Asia. […]
Commentaries
The EU at a crossroad
Speech given by Marc Otte, Director-General Egmont Institute, on the occasion of the Opening Day of the School for Young leaders in Ohrid.
Commentaries
EMSS: new and approaching ‘hot-buttons’ for maritime security
Given the success of EU maritime cooperation combatting piracy in Somalia and the Western Indian Ocean, and with activity in the area gradually subsiding, there’s an inevitable question of “where […]