A Legal Analysis of Space Debris I: The Kessler Syndrome and the Regulation of Space in International Law

The evolution of industrial models applied to space technologies has opened the door to space exploration and activities for smaller states and private actors. This proliferation of actors and the access to launching objects into Earth’s orbit has multiplied the amount of functional and non-functional objects in space, increasing the amount of space debris and the risk of triggering the Kessler Syndrome. This paper is the first of a series of articles analysing this challenge from a legal perspective. In this first part, the purpose is to frame the space debris threat and analyse the regulation of space in International Law.

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The Crescent and The Star: A Turkish Option for the European Defence

This paper examines the evolving role of Türkiye’s military-industrial complex within the European security framework in light of shifting global power dynamics and the growing strategic autonomy debates within the European Union. As the United States retreats into isolationist policies, echoed by the Trump administration's stance on Ukraine, Europe increasingly seeks alternative and critical partnerships to bolster its defense capabilities. Türkiye, with its rapidly expanding indigenous defense industry and proven operational successes in previous conflicts such as Karabakh and Syria, emerges as a pivotal albeit complex partner for Europe. The study analyses Türkiye’s key defense platforms, including UAVs, naval assets like TCG Anadolu and PİRİREİS, and its collaboration with European companies such as Leonardo. It also evaluates the strategic opportunities and political risks involved in deepening military cooperation between Türkiye and the EU. The paper concludes by offering policy recommendations to balance pragmatic defense collaboration with broader geopolitical considerations.

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TCG Anadolu: The Dawn of Drone-Centric Naval Power Projection

This paper examines the strategic transformation embodied by Türkiye’s drone-centric naval platform TCG Anadolu, reconfigured from an amphibious assault ship—in response to geopolitical shifts and drone warfare lessons from the war against Ukraine. Following the transitioning from manned aviation to advanced unmanned systems Bayraktar TB3 and Kizilelma, the paper compares global responses to these platforms and evaluates vulnerabilities in conventional aircraft carriers that may encourage navies to adopt drone-centric platforms. The analysis shows that while drone carriers enhance operational flexibility and cost-efficiency for low-intensity missions, their effectiveness depends on future technological advancements. These findings underscore the evolving impact of unmanned systems on naval power projection and modern maritime warfare.

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A regulatory roadmap to EU’s Security of Supply in Defence: Assessing the current legal framework effort and the next steps toward an effective Security of Supply Strategy

Security of Supply in Defence has progressively shifted from being the sole interest of Member States to an area where the EU plays an increasingly important role. From the Directive on Defence Procurement and Intra-EU transfers to ASAP and EDIRPA, this paper examines the potential and limitations of the EU legal framework in supporting the Union’s Security of Supply. This analysis will lead us to consider the EU’s ability to ensure robust Security of Supply further through its EDIP proposal, marking a new step toward strategic autonomy.

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Long-Range Capabilities Development in Ukraine: Current Projects and Implications for Europe

The 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine demonstrated how crucial long-range capabilities are in modern warfare. After a brief overview of Ukraine and Russia’s situation in this area at the beginning of the hostilities as well as the Western policy over missile supplies to Ukraine, this paper analyses how Ukraine has focused on the development of domestic long-range munitions to pursue a more autonomous strategic interdiction campaign against Russia, increasing its future deterrence potential. The study also discusses what implications these projects could have on future European missile capabilities in the context of an uncertain security environment and increased disengagement from the United States vis a vis European security.

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