
EPIS Format Groups
Blog
Weekly perspectives on current topics
The Format Groups Blog – A weekly series of opinionated briefs (500-1000 words) covering various aspects of global economics and trade strategy. Topics range from economic policy analysis to market trends and trade conflicts. The format presents well-researched, succinct insights to engage both academic and general audiences in timely economic discussions.
Egypt and the Nile
A History of Imagined Hegemony
-Egypt has enjoyed a normative hegemony over the Nile's waters since the period of British colonialism.
-As riparian basin states seek to develop their hydrological development potential, this clashes with Egypts previously privileged position, especially regarding Ethiopia's construction of the GERD dam project.
-Increased water scarcity will lead to future inter-state conflict over shared watercourses if no sustainable governance mechanism can be established.
European Union–India Agreement
Redefining Global Commerce
How a large-scale trade deal will reshape global commerce?
Reducing tariffs and expanding cooperation in goods, services, and mobility will strengthen market access and economic integration.
Success depends on ratification and effective handling of regulatory, environmental, and sector-specific concerns.
Middle East Maritime Security & Geostrategy
Analyzing the Red Sea confrontation and the strategic boundaries of international intervention
Can conventional military deterrence and naval coalitions effectively neutralize asymmetric threats from non-state actors in fractured states like Yemen?
While the U.S. prioritizes trade stability and Israel enforces direct deterrence, these kinetic responses address maritime symptoms rather than the underlying political fragmentation.
Lasting Red Sea security requires political stabilization; military force alone cannot resolve a crisis rooted in regional governance failure.
Was WEF26 Truly Equipped to Address Peace?
Greenland as the Ultimate Stress Test for Global Governance
Was WEF26 equipped to address peace given the complex geopolitical structures and tension around Greenland?
WEF26 was effective in terms of dialogue and de-escalation, but structurally not capable of enforcing and ensuring peace
Davos can be a tool to talk about peace, but it can't guarantee it.
Europe’s Cupboard For War
Why The EU’s Critical Raw Materials Push Matters For Defence
- Why The EU’s Critical Raw Materials Push Matters For Defence
- The EU’s CRM policy should be viewed as a defence issue, and not just an environmental or industrial one.
- Europe is making progress, with a shift in mindset, but is still lagging in many sectors.
Global South Korea
Navigating Through Alliances and Globalised Threats in 2026
Main question: How does South Korea navigate through the current geopolitical landscape?
Argument: Considering the fact that the country has a new administration since June 2025, South Korea has been "reseting" and "recalibrating" current relations with major international actors in 2026.
Conclusion: South Korea must find a balance in managing its alignment with Western countries and international organisations, while maintaining its relevance in the Indo-Pacific region.
EU AI Act
Social Impact and Regulations on AI
1. Is the EU AI Act an effective way to regulate AI while protecting democracy and fundamental rights? Can innovation and regulation coexist in the AI era?
2. Unregulated AI can manipulate citizens and systems. Strict transparency and human oversight requirements are essential to preserve equality and democratic integrity.
3. The Act establishes a human-centric legal safeguard for digital innovation.
MSC 2026: Europe under destruction?
Security in an Age of Fragmentation
The 62nd Munich Security Conference highlighted growing European responsibility, with stronger trilateral cooperation through the Weimar Triangle and rising defense initiatives, while acknowledging industrial and structural limits. Ultimately, Europe is gradually assuming strategic autonomy, adapting to modern hybrid threats, and working to safeguard peace and democratic values.
Europe’s Post-War Coexistence with Russia
How can Europe find stability and security post Russia's war on Ukraine?
How can Europe find stability and security post Russia's war on Ukraine?
Unity is under strain, but it is necessary to maintain a collective European strategy as it is essential for strengthening joint military power. Europe must build up its defence capabilities before seeking negotiations with Russia, as it provides leverage. For long-term stability, Europe must distinguish between Russia’s legitimate and illegitimate security concerns in future negotiations.
Nordic-Baltic Eight
How Does the Nordic-Baltic Eight (NB8) Navigate Current International Crises?
Main question: How Does the NB8 Navigate Current International Crises?
Argument: Strong support to Kyiv + unity and integration from external threats + cautious reaction from internal issues + integration and security management.
Conclusion: NB8's strength lies in its multi-layered integration + NB8 must find a good balance between accommodating US strategic concerns and carefully managing regional security + strengths in flexibility + resilience.
Spheres of Influence Reborn
The Maduro Capture and the Return of Unilateral Power
Does the capture of Maduro reflect justice, or a broader shift toward unilateral U.S. power politics? The intervention serves economic and strategic interests, signaling a move toward spheres of influence and away from international norms.
Ukraine and the Future of Black Sea Security
Lessons from the Black Sea Security Forum
What does the future of Black Sea security look like? The Black Sea Security Forum showcased the many players shaping the region, with Ukraine playing a central role in both trade and defence. As a key security provider for Europe, Ukraine must be fully supported, but Europe must also learn from its ingenuity and innovation in modern warfare
Why Did Moscow Recognize Afghanistan's Taliban?
Counter ISIS-K, energy transit, labour needs, and regional reactions to Russia's move.
Main: Why did Russia recognize the Taliban on 4 Jul 2025 despite post‑2021 isolation, and what follows?
Arg: Shared fight vs ISIS‑K; labour gaps; energy & transit deals; Soviet legacy ties.
Conc: Pragmatism beats isolation—if China, Iran and others move closer. Shared values, rights and norms fade and the Liberal international order weakens.
Italian, German and French Cooperation in Aerospace
Why European unity in aerospace matters for defense and innovation
Technology is complex. European space launches have faced setbacks. But what does space really need to be successful?
Syria and the Future of Iran’s Foreign Policy
Iran’s Foreign Policy in the wake of The Syrian regime Change
How has the new transitional government reshaped the Iranian foreign policy? Under Assad, Iran had a second line of defence and a supply route toward its allies. With the ousting of Assad, Tehran has lost significant presence throughout the region, leading Iran to consider elaborating a nuclear weapon arsenal or financing destabilisation efforts both in Syria and Israel. The Syrian regime change left Iran isolated with no second line of defence and connection route toward its allies.
Humanitarian Aid under Pressure
Conference Report on the Humanitarian Symposium
The 11th Humanitarian Symposium Munich was devoted to the topic “Humanitarian aid in the light of the current geopolitical situation”. Accordingly, the agenda was filled with a series of experts from the field, which allowed us to draw conclusions about the recent geopolitical impacts on humanitarian aid worldwide.
Rojava
The Story of Hope and Struggle in Syria’s Turmoil
How has Rojava become a unique governance model during Syria’s civil war, and what challenges does it face amid a changing regime? Rojava’s grassroots democracy emphasizes equality, sustainability, and inclusivity. Yet, shifting dynamics in Syria bring risks: tensions with HTS, threats from Turkey, and limited global support challenge its autonomy. Despite this, Rojava symbolizes hope for a just Middle East, with its survival relying on unity, resilience, and international backing.
All Things Fall Apart
Even the end of history
Under President Yoon, South Korea aligend its foreign policy with the US. In this era of multipolarism however this may be shortsighted.
Compliance Is Political
Courts Shift the Costs of Non-Compliance onto Allies and Institutions
How do advisory opinions matter politically if they are formally non-binding, and who is their real audience in contemporary disputes?
The article argues that advisory opinions shape behavior by shifting the costs of non-compliance onto allies, donors, and international institutions rather than compelling the defendant state directly.
It concludes that international adjudication is effective when bystanders internalize these costs; where they do not, the rule of law risks strategic irrelevance.
Countering Orwellian Foreign Policy
A Plea for Democratic Integrity in External Affairs
The article asks how democractic states can preserve the integrity of foreign-policy making as authoritarian actors weaponize information and blur shared truth. It argues that contested narratives pull foreing policy into mass politics, shrinking strategic room for action and enabling Orwellian practices. It concludes that democracies must reinforce factuality, complexity, and open judgement to remain resilient.

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