Commentaries
Out of the blue: a white book
The idea for a European ‘white book’ on defence is again gaining traction, but Sven Biscop argues that it must become an integral part of the work on an European […]
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
Terror alert in Europe: A comprehensive response to a comprehended threat
Brussels woke up with a terror hangover this Monday morning. The threat level remains at its highest level (level 4),
Commentaries
Invoking the EU’s Mutual Assistance Clause. What it says, what it means.
The reaction of France to the terrorist attacks of Friday the 13th was invoking the EU’s mutual assistance clause. All EU member states expressed their unanimous and full support.
Commentaries
EU mutual assistance is more than defence
Activating the EU Mutual Assistance Clause has more than just military consequences; it requires strategy, planning, and institutions.
European Strategy, European Defence and the CSDP
The Netherlands Institute of International Relations ‘Clingendael’ and the Egmont – Royal Institute for International Relations have published a new report, entitled “European Strategy, European Defence and the CSDP”.
Commentaries
Escalate the diplomatic offensive in the war against Islamic State
We are at war with IS. Not since the attacks in Paris on Friday 13 November, but since 2014, when we decided on military intervention to halt their advance in […]