Blog

How should the humanitarian sector adapt to the funding cuts of USAID -- differentiate funding, cooperate with locals more, and more flexibility -- dependency relationships are dangerous and new (flexible) mechanisms must be put in place

- Main question: can BiH strengthen rule of law and fundamental rights while preserving a constitutionally exclusionary system?
- Main argument: the post-Dayton framework institutionalised ethnopolitical division, while veto mechanisms and sectarian incentives obstruct reform.
- Conclusion: democratic transformation depends on gradually expanding more inclusive and civic-based political participation within existing institutional structures.

Main question: How can peacebuilding move beyond rigid approaches to create an inclusive and sustainable peace? Contemporary peacebuilding is framed by concepts which exclude local communities and organizations, thus, we need to ensure their inclusion in peace process on all stages and with full incorporation of relevant experiences they possess.

Russia presents a challenge to European security with no clear answer. Baltic states viewed Russia as an immediate threat, whilst western states appeared more cautious and strategically uncertain. Concerns over weakening US commitment exposed growing divisions within the NATO alliance. The conference suggested that European security remains characterised by strategic drift and unresolved disagreement over how exactly to deal with Russia.

Can economic engagement change a hostile authoritarian regime? This article is arguing that South Korea's left-wing policies toward North Korea failed to reduce tensions but instead enabled Pyongyang's military expansion. By prioritizing symbolic reconciliation over deterrence, progressive administrations underestimated North Korea's intentions, eventually strengthening a nuclear adversary than promoting peace.

Stefan Noël Hageman asks whether military power can succeed without understanding how adversaries and civilians perceive violence. He argues that recent US and Israeli campaigns failed because they disregarded empathy as a strategic skill, strengthening resistance instead of weakening it. He concludes that long-term stability depends not only on force, but on perspective-taking and understanding the psychological effects of military action.

-What is NVE? How is it linked to terrorism, and how can it be countered?

NVE is a form of violence driven not by ideology but by hatred toward society and misanthropic worldviews. Often targeting minors, some groups or subgroups may engage in terrorism. Responses to NVE include youth education and reporting encouragement or global investigative cooperation measures.

-While these responses are crucial in fighting NVE, the legal, structural, and cooperative challenges remain major obstacles.

Main question: How can sovereignty be protected in a volatile, disrupted world?
Argument: Power now depends on resilience, partnerships, chokepoints, and institutions able to challenge their own assumptions.
Conclusion: Sovereignty today cannot mean isolation; it requires strong alliances, diversified dependencies, diplomacy, and honest debate.

How does patriotism influence China’s policy-making in a fragmented global order?
Patriotism acts as a source of national cohesion that supports long-term policies, especially in technological self-reliance.
While effective for coordination, this model raises questions about debate, flexibility, and global implications.

Main question: What elements led to the breakdown of the Meloni-Trump partnership and what are the risks for Italy's Atlanticist vision?
Argument: The crisis stemmed from Italy denying the use of Sigonella airbase for Iranian operations and Trump’s harsh attacks on Pope Leo XIV, which Meloni declared unacceptable
Conclusion: Geopolitical reality and core cultural values have overtaken personal ties, shifting the paradigm from allies to tools in Trump’s "America First" vision

1. Do Russian strikes on Ukrainian energy infrastructure violate international humanitarian law? 2. The attacks systematically targeted civilian infrastructure during extreme winter conditions, causing disproportionate civilian harm with no identifiable military necessity, in breach of the Geneva Conventions and Additional Protocol I. 3.The law is clear. What is missing is the political will to enforce it.

Can the EU move from a strong civilian drone framework to achieving air sovereignty through a more security- and defence-oriented drone strategy, and how should it do so without fragmentation?

Major structural gaps remain, while increasing securitisation risks undermine innovation and market growth.

Achieving true European air sovereignty will depend on closing capability gaps, reducing dependencies, and ensuring coordinated, non-fragmented development, balancing security with innovation.

Main question: Do Kim Ju-ae’s appearances signal succession, or something broader about regime strategy?
Argument: Her visibility is less about naming a successor than projecting dynastic continuity, strategic confidence, and strengthened legitimacy amid growing military power and ties with Russia/China.
Conclusion: This signals a more self-assured North Korea, potentially reducing incentives for diplomatic engagement.

In the world of international diplomacy, sanctions have emerged as the weapon of choice for nations seeking to punish, pressure, or paralyze their adversaries. This article briefly summarizes the ethical background of economic sanctions, viewed as a punitive tool of statecraft. Building on insights from the field of applied ethics, it explores the moral and logical justification of European economic sanctions against Russia after its 2022 invasion of Ukraine.

Main question: Does Taiwan prefer partnership with the U.S. or China?

Argument: Shifting opinions and geopolitics in East Asia affect Taiwan's confidence and trust with the U.S.

Conclusion: Taiwan still prefers U.S. partnership due to their decades' long relationship.

The 2026 Italian Arctic Policy responds to the end of Arctic exceptionalism by defining Italy as a "Near-Arctic State". Through the concept of "teleconnections," Italy links Arctic stability to Mediterranean security. It employs science diplomacy and the Navy’s "High North" operation to protect interests. Despite Russia's isolation, Italy views functional dialogue as a "creative necessity" to prevent regional chaos.

Executive Order: “Reevaluating and Realigning United States Foreign Aid”; who could oppose the need to eliminate abuses of the system? Domestically, the freeze on spending carries tangible risks for essential social programmes, threatening services that many communities rely on. Internationally, it also fuels uncertainty: allies and partners are left wondering whether the country will remain a dependable security provider and consistent strategic partner in the years ahead.

This essay aims to highlight the impact of the current blockade of the Strait of Hormuz on the EU, how it is managing, relatively, the crisis effectively, and what this entails for its strategic (energy) autonomy plans.

- Competitiveness in the next MFF
- Spaceshield and new Space capabilities
- The defense-industrial dimension of DG DEFIS

Main question: progress of doemtic unrest and war in Iran
Arguemnts: domestic unrest less important for Iran compared to War
Conclusion: situation needs to be observed as it progresses