Read more about the article The joint action of the EU and NATO in Ukraine: are we doing enough?
Analytical Reflections

The joint action of the EU and NATO in Ukraine: are we doing enough?

In February 2022, Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. This decision forced the European Union (EU) and the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) to take more decisive action in supporting Ukraine’s defence of its territory. For example, many EU member states increased their defence spending and sent weaponry to Ukraine. However, the interoperability issue remains pertinent as the European Defence and Technological and Industrial Base (EDTIB) is structurally fragmented. Moreover, given Ukraine’s inheritance of Soviet-era weaponry, further training and logistical difficulties have arisen, posing setbacks and challenges to Ukraine’s effective defence strategies. This paper will discuss the joint action of the EU and NATO and its impact on Ukraine’s defence of its territory. The analysis will focus on the evolution of financial mechanisms and the creation of a military mission on the ground that complements nonmilitary efforts. Following this, it explores NATO’s complementary action, reinforcing cooperation with Ukraine and boosting armament in the East. Finally, the paper analyses hybrid threats in the examined case and problematises about a way forward through EU-NATO joint action.

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3 April 2025
Read more about the article Rapid Response in a Changing World: The New Force Model (NFM) as a Game Changer for NATO’s Readiness?
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Rapid Response in a Changing World: The New Force Model (NFM) as a Game Changer for NATO’s Readiness?

The New Force Model (NFM) represents a fundamental shift in NATO’s defence posture. This strategy is designed to enhance rapid deployment, deterrence, and interoperability in response to the current volatile geopolitical context characterised by evolving security threats. This study examines the NFM’s origins, structural evolution, and operational implications, particularly considering Russia’s aggression and the new dimensions of hybrid warfare. A key element of this transformation is the Allied Reaction Force (ARF), whose multi-domain capabilities are currently being assessed through Steadfast Dart 2025 (STDT25), NATO’s largest military exercise of the year. The findings highlight progress in force readiness while underscoring persistent challenges, including logistical coordination and multinational integration. As NATO adapts to modern warfare, refining the NFM will be essential to maintaining credible deterrence and collective defence.

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11 March 2025
Read more about the article The Light Advantage: Exploring Li-Fi as the Next Frontier in Military Data Transmission
Food For Thought

The Light Advantage: Exploring Li-Fi as the Next Frontier in Military Data Transmission

Light Fidelity (Li-Fi) is an emerging technology that revolutionises wireless communication by leveraging the visible light spectrum for data transmission. Addressing the limitations of tradi- tional radio frequency (RF)-based systems, Li-Fi offers unparalleled advantages in bandwidth, security, and energy efficiency. This paper examines Li-Fi’s transformative potential, partic- ularly in military contexts where secure and resilient communication is paramount. From enhancing command and control operations to facilitating naval coordination and disaster re- sponse, Li-Fi’s unique attributes, such as immunity to electromagnetic interference and high- speed transmission, make it a compelling alternative to RF technologies. However, issues like line-of-sight reliance and environmental sensitivity must be addressed be- fore widespread use occurs. The integration of Li-Fi with existing RF systems via hybrid tech- niques, as well as the new IEEE 802.11bb standardisation, point to a route towards practical feasibility. The paper also explores prospects, including Li-Fi’s role in multi-domain operations and its potential synergy with quantum encryption technologies. The study’s extensive research highlights Li-Fi’s importance in tackling current communica- tion difficulties, as well as its ability to reinvent connection in military and civilian applica- tions. The adoption of Li-Fi might signal a watershed moment in the transition to more secure, efficient, and adaptive wireless communication networks for an increasingly linked world by encouraging collaboration among governments, academics, and businesses.

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10 March 2025
Read more about the article The Impact of Intergovernmentalism on Interoperability in Developing a Common European Defence
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The Impact of Intergovernmentalism on Interoperability in Developing a Common European Defence

As Europe faces evolving security challenges, the need for a unified and common approach to defence within the EU has never been more pressing. Yet the intergovernmental model of governance, with its emphasis on national sovereignty, significantly hampers the EU's ability to develop a cohesive defence ecosystem. This article investigates this issue from the perspective of interoperability, defined as the ability of different systems or actors to work together in an efficient and coordinated manner. Given the plasticity of this concept, it can be articulated in various ways, and in this case is tripartite in its institutional, material and strategic dimensions. Therefore, this paper dissects the impact of intergovernmental logic on these interoperability dimensions while highlighting the European Commission's emerging role in transcending these limitations through entrepreneurial political activities. In conclusion, this analysis highlights the critical interplay between national sovereignty and collective defence efforts within the EU.

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6 March 2025
Read more about the article Beyond Exquisite: Europe’s Defence Strategy in the Era of Precise Mass
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Beyond Exquisite: Europe’s Defence Strategy in the Era of Precise Mass

As precision strike capabilities proliferate globally, European states face the strategic dilemma of finding the right balance between mass and precision in their defence posture. Historically reliant on high-quality, exquisite systems, a legacy of the Cold War, their militaries must adapt to an era where lower-cost, mass-produced precision weapons are reshaping modern warfare. While the United States is recalibrating its strategy toward a mix of stealth and scale, Europe must craft its own approach, factoring in its industrial capacity, geopolitical imperatives, and alliance commitments. Successfully developing and integrating attritable systems without undermining technological superiority will be necessary to strengthen European armed forces and ensure long-term operational readiness. This article argues that European defence planners must rethink force structures and procurement strategies, striking the right balance between quality and quantity to enhance flexibility and credible deterrence in a volatile regional environment.

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5 March 2025