Read more about the article Laying the Groundwork for Interoperability through Weapons Procurement: EU Institutions Provisionally Agree on Reinforcing the European Defence Industry
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Laying the Groundwork for Interoperability through Weapons Procurement: EU Institutions Provisionally Agree on Reinforcing the European Defence Industry

On 27 June, 2023, the Council of the EU and the European Parliament reached a provisional agreement paving the way for the adoption of the European Defence Industry Reinforcement Through Common Procurement Act (EDIRPA). The regulation will encourage member states to jointly procure weapons and, as a result, enhance interoperability at the supranational level (Council of the EU, 2023). To do so, the Council and the Parliament have foreseen a partial reimbursement scheme for states who, in consortia of at least three, are willing to pool their demand and jointly procure defence products (Council of the EU, 2023). At the same time, equal distribution of available funds is ensured by a 15% cap (Council of the EU, 2023).

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18 July 2023
Read more about the article The Council of the EU tops up the European Peace Facility financial ceiling by an additional €3.5 billion
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The Council of the EU tops up the European Peace Facility financial ceiling by an additional €3.5 billion

On 26 June, 2023, EU ministers adopted a decision to raise the financial ceiling of the European Peace Facility (EPF) by an additional €3.5 billion. This is the second top-up in only six months, with the first one (worth €2 billion) being agreed upon on 12 December, 2022 (Council of the EU, 2022) and operationalised on 13 March this year. As commented upon by the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell, this step provides the Union with the necessary funding to remain steadfast in “delivering concrete military support to our partners’ armed forces” (Council of the EU, 2023).

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17 July 2023
Read more about the article The Intersection between Outer-Space Security and Cybersecurity
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The Intersection between Outer-Space Security and Cybersecurity

The concept of space security first appeared during the Cold War, in the context of the space race between the USA and the USSR. Since the 1990s, the number of space actors has significantly increased, including new national, international and private stakeholders. Space technologies, especially satellites, have gained importance for several aspects of everyday life, and are crucial for commercial purposes, public services and military operations. Particularly in the latter case, space technologies represent a major asset for communication, surveillance and planning.

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17 July 2023
Read more about the article Playing the Long Game: Hungarian Parliament Continues to delay Sweden’s NATO Accession Bid
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Playing the Long Game: Hungarian Parliament Continues to delay Sweden’s NATO Accession Bid

On 28 June 2023, the Hungarian Parliament’s House Committee rejected a proposal to schedule a weekly plenary vote ratifying Sweden’s NATO membership bid (Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 2023). Incidentally, this is the final week of the chamber’s spring session, meaning that Parliamentarians will not return until the ordinary autumn sessions start in late August or early September. Therefore, the only chance to vote on Stockholm’s accession to the alliance is through an extraordinary session, which may only convene upon a motion by the President, the Government or one-fifth of the Parliament’s members (Hungarian National Assembly, n.d.).

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14 July 2023
Read more about the article The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Nuclear Deterrence
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The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Nuclear Deterrence

The world is experiencing the fourth industrial revolution. Significant progress in computing power is facilitating the development of many new and ground-breaking technologies (Kroenig, 2021, p. 59). Artificial intelligence (AI) is one of these technologies that increasingly impacts society, as well as military operations. In the next quarter century, AI and other emerging technologies are also expected to have a massive effect on international security and strategic stability (Geist & Lohn, 2018, p. 1). They are already reshaping the global nuclear order and our understanding of nuclear strategy and deterrence (Futter, 2020, p. 27).

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13 July 2023