Commentaries
Time to restore conventional deterrence-by-denial
We are on the very brink of a new Cold War. Hybrid War has kept Western analysts in awe although it is highly unlikely that it would be successful against […]
European defence / NATO
Publications
‘All radicalisation is local’. The genesis and drawbacks of an elusive concept
The concept of ‘radicalisation’ is now firmly entrenched at the heart of European and global counterterrorism. But 12 years after its introduction, it remains ill-defined, complex and controversial. It is […]
Message to – and from – the European political leadership: Agreeing to disagree on strategy is a luxury the EU can no longer afford
“We, the political leaders of the EU member states, in order to ensure the security of our citizens and to resolve more effectively and more efficiently the common problems we face at
Envisioning European defence. Five futures
This collective endeavour, published by the EU Institute for Security Studies, outlines five possible future scenarios for European defence. The aim is to develop plausible and coherent descriptions of what […]
Why Belgium needs a Special Operations Command
As Europe confronts a rapidly deteriorating security environment, policy-makers are turning to their elite soldiers to save the day. This Security Policy Brief makes the case for setting up a Special Operations Command within […]
Commentaries
Why Belgium is not Europe’s jihadi base
International experts and journalists have resorted to Belgium-bashing and finger-pointing. They call Belgium a “failed state,” our police and intelligence services “incompetent.”
Events
Book launch: The State, the Firm and Europe – Defence industrial cooperation in the European Union
With the creation of the European Defence Fund and the EU’s institutional transition, increasing attention is turning to the role of EU institutions such as the European Commission in steering […]
Bluster: Donald Trump’s War on Terror
Defeating terrorism was one of Donald Trump’s key campaign promises. But there is no easy way to make sense of Donald Trump’s war on terror. Is it all bluster, aimed […]
The European Intervention Initiative
Twelve European countries have joined the European Intervention Initiative, which was launched by French President Macron in September 2017. The ultimate aim of EI2 is to develop a shared strategic […]
The Utility of Force – The Art of War in the Modern World
Conference with General Sir Rupert Smith KCB DSO OBE QGM on the occasion of the publication of the 2nd edition of The Utility of Force – The Art of War […]