Security Policy & Defence
Strategic foresight, secure future
The Working Group Security Policy & Defence analyses evolving security threats, including cyber warfare, terrorism, and military strategy. It evaluates defence alliances, arms control agreements, and emerging technologies in warfare. Special focus is given to deterrence strategies and international defence cooperation. Monthly briefings provide academic insights into strengthening global security frameworks and addressing the challenges of modern warfare.
Airbus Defence Summit 2026 Event Report
The first Airbus Defence Summit took place on 20 May 2026 in Manching, Germany. Discussions focused on European security and strategic autonomy, with speakers stressing industrial cooperation and dual-use technologies. A dedicated ED2 dialogue engaged Gen Z on deterrence as a shared responsibility.
Selling War: Russia’s Strategy of Deathonomics
In early January 2026, a video of Kenyan Francis Ndung’ Ndarua went viral on social media. In the video, Ndarua is seen with an anti-tank mine strapped to his chest. Russian soldiers had ordered him to storm the Ukrainian front line as a human “can-opener” under humiliation with racist slurs (CNN…
Eurosatory 2026
The report discusses the Eurosatory 2026 exhibition, where industry leaders showcased new technologies and discussed, alongside European defence officials, NATO and research institutions, how industrial resilience, financial mobilisation, rapid innovation, and Ukraine’s battlefield experience are…
European Defence and Security Summit Report
From procurement contracts that ‘insure’ production capacity to the Turkey question, three takeaways from the European Business Summit Defence and Security at the heart of the EU’s defence readiness dilemma: closing today’s gaps while building tomorrow’s autonomy.
Berlin Defense Tech Forum 2026
The Berlin Defense Tech Forum 2026 highlighted that successful defense innovation must be driven by battlefield needs. Ukrainian soldiers emphasized practicality, affordability, and rapid adaptation over technological complexity.
The Securitisation of Arctic Science
About the Article How does the use of technological monitoring in the Arctic turn environmental information into a security issue? This article will explore how the environment is transforming a new reality in the Arctic by creating the realm of “environmental security”. It argues that the enviro…
Recovery Under Fire
The Black Sea Security Forum highlighted that Ukraine’s survival, Black Sea security, and Europe’s future defense are closely linked through sustained political, economic, and military support.
Sky is the Limit? FCAS Stress-Tests EU Defence
The FCAS collapse highlights how leadership disputes, export rules, intellectual property, and differing national priorities can undermine European defense cooperation.
Hybrid Security Regimes in Practice
Hybrid security regimes are deliberate political strategies that expand state influence through flexible, state-aligned networks rather than relying solely on formal institutions.
The EU’s Support Against Russian Hybrid Threats
The EU has applied lessons from Moldova to help Armenia strengthen resilience against disinformation and hybrid threats ahead of its 2026 parliamentary elections.
TechNet International 2026
TechNet International 2026 highlighted the need for secure, data-centric defense, emphasizing lifecycle data protection and AI that supports—not replaces—human decision-making.
Escalation in the Dark
China’s nuclear expansion is increasing uncertainty around crisis decision-making, making deterrence less predictable and raising the risk of miscalculation, especially over Taiwan.
Lost in Space: Europe’s Satellite Dependency
Europe can strengthen its strategic autonomy by reducing reliance on foreign satellite systems through stronger governance, redundancy, and EU-led space capabilities.
The Baltic Shield
The Baltic states are strengthening NATO’s eastern flank with Ukraine-inspired defenses, preparing to deter both hybrid and conventional Russian threats from day one.
ILA Conference Report
A major takeaway from ILA Berlin 2026 was the urgent push across all three domains for independent technologies, industrial competitiveness, and defence readiness including high-end software-defined defence in Europe.
The Baltic Pivot
Facing Russian threats and Transatlantic rifts, Poland should make the Baltic Sea a pillar of its grand strategy: joining NB8 permanently, building a military partnership with Sweden, and reducing US arms reliance via cooperation with Sweden, Turkey and Ukraine, boosting deterrence and autonomy.
What to Buy in the Future?
What to Buy in the Future? Recalibrating European Defence Spending to Decrease Structural Dependencies Executive Summary Europe has increased the volume of its defence spending but remains structurally dependent on manufacturers under US jurisdiction. If Europe wants to become a somewhat sovereig…
Intelligence as part of European grand strategy
Intelligence as a part of European grand strategy: a feasible future on a larger scale? Introduction Intelligence agencies help policymakers implement the grand strategy they pursue (Rovner, 2021). They play an important role in monitoring international security, which in turn informs decision-ma…
Reconfiguring Europe’s Forward Presence:
NATO’s Eastern Flank posture shifted from tripwire to forward defence, but a US withdrawal strains credibility. Facing Russian threats, Europe must build autonomous heavy-force deployment and logistics, using coalitions like JEF or MNC-Ukraine to offset reduced US support.
A doctrine before a strategy
A doctrine before a strategy: Building the preconditions of European grand strategic reasoning The European Union confronts acute geopolitical pressure with strategic documents whose vocabulary outruns their substance. I argue that the EU’s three strategic documents — the 2003 European Security S…
