Commentaries
Unpacking the EU’s New Sahel Strategy
The European Union has just released its new Sahel strategy. The strategy’s focus on governance as the core problem in the region is a success. Going forward, the EU needs […]
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
The external representation of the EU: A simple matter of protocol?
“Sofagate” has brutally disclosed the internal divergences within the EU in the field of its external relations. Some tried to minimize this unfortunate incident as a mere breach of diplomatic […]
What Belgium Can Do: Proposals for the National Security Strategy
Belgium has never had a National Security Strategy: a single strategic vision outlining how to safeguard its national interests from external threats and challenges and to prevent the exploitation of […]
Commentaries
‘Mixed’ feelings about the EU–Mercosur deal: How to leverage it for sustainable development
Before signing the EU–Mercosur trade agreement, the European Commission must deploy all its legal instruments, in close cooperation with the Parliament and Council, to guarantee strong sustainable development commitments from […]
External publications
Back in Fashion? The resurgence of bilateral diplomacy in Europe
Article in “Poland and Germany in the European Union. The Multidimensional Dynamics of Bilateral Relations” (Routledge). This book explores the political and social dynamics of the bilateral relations between Germany […]
External publications
Strategic Partnerships: The rise and fall of an idea
Strategic partnerships have flourished since the 1990s. In the late 2000s, when the EU consolidated its ten strategic partnerships, there were more than 200 similar agreements between countries worldwide. However, […]