Read more about the article European Health Data Space (EHDS) and Cybersecurity: The Gaps in Europe’s Digital Health Future
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European Health Data Space (EHDS) and Cybersecurity: The Gaps in Europe’s Digital Health Future

The European Health Data Space (EDHS) aims to revolutionize medical accessibility across EU Member States. The COVID-19 pandemic underscored the need for a collective health data system to improve patient care and track health trends across the EU. While EDHS relies on the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) to safeguard private data, certain cybersecurity issues remain unresolved. Despite multiple EU cybersecurity initiatives, cyber-attacks persist, raising concerns about EDHS’s vulnerability and its potential impact on private and state security. This article explores EDHS’s purpose, the gaps it aims to fill, and GDPR’s role in ensuring data safety. It also examines cybersecurity threats and their broader implications for state sovereignty, defence, and collective health data management within the EU.

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20 February 2025
Read more about the article The Evolving Theatre of Urban Warfare: A Post-Modern Battlefield in Ukraine and Gaza
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The Evolving Theatre of Urban Warfare: A Post-Modern Battlefield in Ukraine and Gaza

This paper examines the evolving dynamics of urban warfare, emphasising the integration of advanced technologies and their profound impact on modern military operations. Through detailed analyses of the battles of Bakhmut and Gaza, the study explores how innovations such as kamikaze drones, precision-guided munitions, and enhanced surveillance systems have transformed the urban battlefield, rendering it both deadlier and less predictable. The research highlights how these technologies have led to the ‘civilianisation’ of high-tech warfare, where cyber operations and sophisticated information campaigns play roles as critical as physical firepower. Additionally, the paper investigates the psychological dimensions of urban combat, focusing on the use of cyber warfare to influence morale and public perception. By synthesising insights from recent conflicts, this study reflects on the operational, ethical, and strategic challenges faced by modern militaries, particularly in densely populated environments. The findings aim to inform future defence strategies, offering valuable perspectives for policymakers and military planners confronting the complexities of post-modern urban warfare.

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18 February 2025
Read more about the article Reassessing the Euro-Atlantic Nuclear Umbrella in the 21st Century
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Reassessing the Euro-Atlantic Nuclear Umbrella in the 21st Century

This article assesses the credibility of the current Euro-Atlantic nuclear deterrence in the context of 21st century geopolitical and technological challenges. Russia’s ‘escalate to de-escalate’ strategy and modernisation of its nuclear triad pose significant challenges to NATO’s deterrent credibility. Simultaneously, China’s rapid military advancements and growing strategic alliance with Russia complicate the Euro-Atlantic security picture. The advent of disruptive technologies, such as hypersonic missiles and artificial intelligence (AI), creates new vulnerabilities in nuclear command, control, and communication (NC3) systems, increasing worries about decision-making processes and the possibility of catastrophic mistakes. To meet these developing threats, this paper contends that NATO must modernise its nuclear arsenal, strengthen transatlantic coordination, and pursue strong arms control and diplomatic measures. NATO can adapt to the difficulties of great power rivalry by combining conventional, nuclear, and hybrid response techniques, ensuring its sustained position in global security and stability.

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4 February 2025
Read more about the article Indian Ocean Strategic Relevance to Europe: Collaboration, Challenges and Competition
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Indian Ocean Strategic Relevance to Europe: Collaboration, Challenges and Competition

The Indian Ocean plays a crucial role in global geopolitics, trade, and security. Serving as a vital link between Europe, Asia and Africa, it facilitates the flow of commerce and energy supplies, making a key strategic corridor. The region’s importance is underscored by critical chokepoints that are both essential for global trade and vulnerable to disruption. For European nations, ensuring the stability of these maritime routes is vital for economic and energy security. The strategic landscape of the Indian Ocean is increasingly shaped by geopolitical competition, particularly with the growing influence of China through infrastructure investments and military expansion. In response, European countries have sought closer security and economic ties with India, a dominant regional player, through military cooperation and strategic engagement. However, the challenge remains in balancing partnerships while addressing the broader implications of China’s presence. This paper explores the Indian Ocean’s strategic significance to Europe, analysing the key drivers of collaboration, competition, and security challenges. As geopolitical rivalries intensify, European nations must adopt a proactive approach to safeguard their interests and maintain influence in this critical maritime domain.

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3 February 2025
Read more about the article European Troops for Ukraine? Evolving Perspectives and Strategic Debates on the Deployment of European Ground Troops to Ukraine
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European Troops for Ukraine? Evolving Perspectives and Strategic Debates on the Deployment of European Ground Troops to Ukraine

In February 2024, French President Emmanuel Macron sparked an intense debate by suggesting the deployment of European ground troops to Ukraine. However, other NATO and EU leaders quickly dismissed such an idea. French authorities rushed to frame it as part of a strategic ambiguity policy, emphasising non-combat roles to avoid a public outburst. Although the idea faded, reports in December 2024 revealed renewed Franco-British discussions on deploying Western troops to prevent another Russian aggression in the context of a potential US shift in European priorities under the new Trump administration and announced peace talks. Analysing European leaders’ reactions and future scenarios for possible deployment, this article finds that the suggestion mainly served to signal to other actors that European states are preparing to assume responsibility for guaranteeing Ukraine’s security when a peace agreement is reached. Although such a project is likely to remain in the discussion stage, the existence of the debate itself may help shape European geopolitical actorness at a time of increasing instability throughout the continent.

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17 January 2025