The Sahel Crisis – What is Happening in Niger? A First Look

On 26 July 2023, the military seized power in Niger. General Abdourahamane Tchiani, leader of the Presidential Guard, declared himself head of state, completing the second coup d’état that the country has seen in the last decade, and the fifth since its independence. Four days later, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) issued a one-week ultimatum to the junta: they demanded that President Mohamed Bazoum be restored to power, threatening to impose sanctions and to “use military force in Niger if necessary”.

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Is the United Nations Security Council’s Practice of Authorising CSDP’s Military Operations Incompatible with the EU’s Ambition to Become a Major Player in the International Arena? The Demand for a new Legitimacy for CSDP deployments.

The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) is authorised to take action in accordance with international law, including resorting to the use of armed force, in order to address threats to international peace and security (Article 42 of the United Nations Charter). The collaboration between the European Union (EU) and the relevant parties has played a pivotal role in upholding world peace and security and this partnership is merely one facet of the various modes of cooperation established between these two entities.

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Digital Resilience. A New Contribution Agreement Between the EU Commission and ESA for the EU Connectivity Programme.

The EU Commission and the European Space Agency (ESA) have just signed a Contribution Agreement as part of the EU Secure Connectivity Programme. Established in the first trimester of 2023, the EU Secure Connectivity Programme provides for the creation of Iris2 (Infrastructure for Resilience, Interconnectivity and Security by Satellite), promoting digital autonomy and strategic relevance for the EU. 

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The Aerial Chessboard: Russian Aviation’s Struggles Against Ukraine’s Ground Defences

After one year and a half of war, none of the belligerents achieved to take the upper hand in the air. Air superiority in the Ukrainian sky is still denied to Russia. Why is the Russian Aerospace Force (VKS), theoretically superior by number and by equipment, having difficulties against the outnumbered Ukraine Air Force? What conclusions should Europeans armies draw from this modern interstate war?

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Towards A New Era Of European Defence: The First-Ever EU Live Military Exercises.

“Today we are creating a new page for European defence”, declared Josep Borrell, the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, on the first-ever EU live military exercises (MILEX) that are taking place in the Rota Naval base in Southern Spain this week (Euronews, 2023).

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