Read more about the article Checks and Balances in the High North: The British Vision of the Arctic
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Checks and Balances in the High North: The British Vision of the Arctic

The UK’s Arctic strategy is shaped by evolving geopolitical, military, and environmental challenges. Although not a part of the Arctic, the British Army plays a crucial role for the greater securitisation of the region. This paper examines the UK's defence contributions in the High North, focusing on military cooperation with Arctic states, strategic deterrence measures, and environmental considerations. Key initiatives such as Project Heimdall, the F-35 Lightning II program, and the Littoral Response Group (North) illustrate the UK’s commitment to NATO’s Arctic security framework. Additionally, UK partnerships with Arctic nations highlight collaborative approaches to Arctic governance. With increasing Russian and Chinese activity in the region, the UK’s role is crucial in maintaining stability through joint exercises and surveillance initiatives. The paper also explores future policy directions, including UK-Scandinavian security alignment and transatlantic defence shifts. Balancing military preparedness with environmental stewardship remains a core challenge for UK policymakers. As Arctic geopolitics continue to evolve, the UK's strategic role will be integral to shaping a secure and sustainable Arctic future.

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4 March 2025
Read more about the article Where are the Women? Hegemonic Masculinity and the Struggle for the Integration of Women into the Military
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Where are the Women? Hegemonic Masculinity and the Struggle for the Integration of Women into the Military

This research argues that the underlying problems behind the integration of women into the military lie in the hegemonic masculinity that embodies the institution as a whole. The research begins by theoretically outlining how this hegemonic masculinity takes form in institutional structures and how it constructs masculinised gender configurations. This is used as a foundation for an exploration of the practical dimensions of how hegemonic masculinity hampers the integration of women. The research finds that symbolism, language, and actions within the institution of the military are construed around hegemonic masculinity and that this is fundamentally obstructing the integration of women into the military, which has major Civil-Military and political implications on the current security context of Europe.

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27 February 2025
Read more about the article The Application of Artificial Intelligence to Unmanned Aerial Vehicles and the Challenge of Targeting
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The Application of Artificial Intelligence to Unmanned Aerial Vehicles and the Challenge of Targeting

As Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) proliferate on battlefields from Ukraine to the Middle East, states and private actors are increasingly moving towards equipping them with Artificial Intelligence (AI). AI-enabled UAVs excel in intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance and can effectively counter enemy electronic warfare measures. However, they also raise ethical and legal concerns, particularly when AI is applied in targeting processes. As a result, many in the international community have called for their regulation or an outright ban. Failure to properly regulate the development and use of AI-enabled drones could lead to their proliferation and also to human rights abuses, especially among non-state actors.

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26 February 2025
Read more about the article NATO Unveils Baltic Sentry: A New Security Mission for Undersea Pipelines and Cables
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NATO Unveils Baltic Sentry: A New Security Mission for Undersea Pipelines and Cables

In response to escalating threats, NATO launched Operation Baltic Sentry, a coordinated effort to secure undersea communication and energy networks from sabotage and cyber-attacks. This paper examines the strategic importance of the Baltic Sea, the evolving nature of hybrid warfare, and the core components of the Baltic Sentry initiative. It explores the role of naval assets, surveillance technologies, and multinational cooperation in countering emerging threats. Additionally, the study evaluates the mission’s implications for regional security and NATO’s long-term strategic posture. While Baltic Sentry marks a crucial step in securing vital infrastructure, challenges such as resource limitations and the complexity of hybrid threats necessitate ongoing adaptation. The operation underscores the need for enhanced intelligence-sharing, advanced surveillance systems, and sustained multinational collaboration to safeguard stability in the region.

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25 February 2025
Read more about the article European Space Strategic Autonomy
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European Space Strategic Autonomy

This paper examines the European Union's pursuit of strategic autonomy in the increasingly contested space domain, a critical aspect of contemporary geopolitics. Through an analysis of EU space policies and strategies, this study aims to provide a comprehensive picture of the current quest of the EU towards the achievement of European space strategic autonomy. The findings reveal that the intense astropoliticisation of space has reignited the hard power dimensions of space, pushing the EU to make substantial progress in developing autonomous space capabilities, especially in the field of defence and security. Despite the high ambition and commitment demonstrated by the EU, several institutional and material challenges continue to impede its path to full strategic autonomy.

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24 February 2025