The Future of the Benelux Defence Cooperation
Report of the seminar on Benelux Defence Cooperation, May 2013. This report is based on input for a seminar on Benelux Defence Cooperation which took place on 9 April 2013 […]
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
A European global security strategy: offering seven-league boots to become a global actor
In mid-2012 the Foreign Ministers of Italy, Poland, Spain and Sweden took the initiative to launch the debate on a “European Global Strategy” and invited think tanks to set up […]
The Sixth EU-Brazil Summit: business beyond the usual?
After much foot-dragging and hesitation, the European Union (EU) and Brazil may be inching towards a new level of cooperation. Both sides would benefit greatly from an enhanced partnership. Following […]
Pool it, share it, use it: the European Council on defense
The December 2013 European Council will address the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP). Pooling & Sharing of military capabilities will be high on the agenda. What should be expected […]
Geopolitical shifts in the Eastern Mediterranean
Three major geopolitical events are putting the stability of the Eastern Mediterranean at risk. Most of the region is in a deep monetary and economic crisis. The Arab Spring is […]
Mali: another European intervention without the EU?
As French forces are engaged in combat operations in Mali, even belated EU involvement remains crucial, to ensure that the intervention fits in with the political end-state that the EU […]