Read more about the article Episode 4: European Deterrence and the Changing U.S. Strategy
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Episode 4: European Deterrence and the Changing U.S. Strategy

In this episode of StrategicALLY, hosts Bori Benedek and Zsigmond Tar sit down with Paul van Hooft, a defence and deterrence expert at RAND Europe, to explore the evolving dynamics of European security. The discussion covers critical topics such as NATO enlargement, European deterrence, and the shifting focus of American foreign policy from Europe to the Indo-Pacific. Mr. van Hooft provides context on the potential implications of a Trump administration on transatlantic relations, the war in Ukraine, and the strategic cohesion of European militaries. Drawing on his extensive research and publications, he discusses Europe’s reliance on the U.S. in key military sectors, the necessity for European fallback options, and the prospects for enhanced EU-NATO collaboration. Packed with expert insights, this episode offers a comprehensive analysis of the future of European defence in an increasingly multipolar world.

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21 November 2024
Read more about the article Seabed and hybrid warfare in Europe: the strategic importance of undersea cables in the Baltic region
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Seabed and hybrid warfare in Europe: the strategic importance of undersea cables in the Baltic region

The Russian full-scale invasion of Ukraine has greatly transformed the political and military landscape in Europe. Amidst a tense strategic environment, the Nordic-Baltic region has emerged as a potential point of friction between Russian and NATO allies. The undersea cables beneath the Baltic Sea, which hold a vital importance for military communications, internet, and financial traffic, are a focal point in the battlefield preparation according to the Russian hybrid war planning. This study looks at the importance of sub-sea telecommunications infrastructure in the wider Baltic region within the context of hybrid warfare.

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19 November 2024
Read more about the article Securing the Sky: Challenges to Building a European Integrated Air and Missile Defence System
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Securing the Sky: Challenges to Building a European Integrated Air and Missile Defence System

This paper examines the prospects for a European Air Defence Shield, focusing on the technological, political and industrial challenges in creating an Integrated Air Defence (IADS). The urgency for a unified system is underscored by Russia’s war of aggression and the growing threats from hypersonic missiles, drones and electronic warfare. The European Sky Shield Initiative (ESSI) marks an important step towards addressing these vulnerabilities but faces significant obstacles, including fragmented procurement and national priorities. The paper explores the potential of ESSI, its limitations and the broader need for an integrated European approach to air defence.

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8 November 2024
Read more about the article The EU’s Approach towards Countering Hybrid Threats: Conceptualization and Capacity Building
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The EU’s Approach towards Countering Hybrid Threats: Conceptualization and Capacity Building

In this paper, Marek Gallo examines the European Union’s approach to hybrid warfare, particularly following the Russian annexation of Crimea in 2014. It begins by defining hybrid warfare, exploring its historical context and contemporary implications for security. The analysis highlights the EU’s strategies, including the creation of institutions like the Hybrid Fusion Cell, and assesses their effectiveness. While recognising the dual role of the EU in utilising soft power alongside NATO's hard power, the paper also addresses the challenges posed by geopolitical ambiguities and the necessity of building trust among member states. Furthermore, it emphasises the importance of enhancing the EU's capabilities, as articulated in the Strategic Compass of 2022, and proposes recommendations for strengthening resilience against hybrid threats. The conclusion calls for a proactive stance in upholding international law and engaging civil society, reinforcing the EU's position as a key player in addressing hybrid warfare in a complex security environment.

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18 October 2024
Read more about the article The Legal Concept of Neutrality: The Case of the Ukrainian – Russian War
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The Legal Concept of Neutrality: The Case of the Ukrainian – Russian War

As countries like Finland and Sweden shift away from neutrality to join NATO, the war has prompted a reevaluation of neutrality's relevance within European security. Mostly known as a political concept, this article explores the legal principle of neutrality in the context of the Ukrainian-Russian war, where military aid from numerous states has sparked debate on the boundaries of neutrality in modern conflicts.  The narrow legal framework of neutrality highlights the ambivalence of the legal obligations of neutral states where abstention from supporting belligerents and help to a state defending against aggression coexist. Therefore, the rigidity of traditional neutrality law appears to be challenged by the ongoing war shifting towards more flexible interpretations in the face of collective security threats. Consequently, the need to adpat the legal doctrine in the rapidly changing landscape of international law and warfare underlines the obsolescence of the concept.

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17 October 2024