Read more about the article South Korea’s Pursuit of Closer Ties: The Importance of EU Engagement on the Korean Peninsula
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South Korea’s Pursuit of Closer Ties: The Importance of EU Engagement on the Korean Peninsula

The relationship between the European Union (EU) and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK, commonly known as North Korea) has mostly been characterised by tension, limited engagement and strained diplomatic ties. Although the DPRK has embassies in most European countries, the relationship remains largely formal and marked by infrequent high-level interactions (EEAS, 2022). The EU has consistently condemned the DPRK’s unlawful weapons programmes and called for the complete denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula in line with the international community’s stance (Council of the European Union, 2023). Direct diplomatic engagement between the EU and the DPRK has been limited and there have been few substantial efforts to improve relations or foster dialogue.

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20 July 2023
Read more about the article Private Military and Security Groups: Main Successes and Failures
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Private Military and Security Groups: Main Successes and Failures

On Saturday 24 June 2023, Russia woke up to a military mutiny. The Wagner Group, a Russian private military organisation that has played a central role in the current Ukrainian conflict, had started marching back across the Ukrainian border into Russia (Maguire, 2023). This was announced on the Telegram channel of Wagner’s leader, Yevgeny Prigozhin, while Russian channels initially did not release an official statement (Maguire, 2023)

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19 July 2023
Read more about the article Laying the Groundwork for Interoperability through Weapons Procurement: EU Institutions Provisionally Agree on Reinforcing the European Defence Industry
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Laying the Groundwork for Interoperability through Weapons Procurement: EU Institutions Provisionally Agree on Reinforcing the European Defence Industry

On 27 June, 2023, the Council of the EU and the European Parliament reached a provisional agreement paving the way for the adoption of the European Defence Industry Reinforcement Through Common Procurement Act (EDIRPA). The regulation will encourage member states to jointly procure weapons and, as a result, enhance interoperability at the supranational level (Council of the EU, 2023). To do so, the Council and the Parliament have foreseen a partial reimbursement scheme for states who, in consortia of at least three, are willing to pool their demand and jointly procure defence products (Council of the EU, 2023). At the same time, equal distribution of available funds is ensured by a 15% cap (Council of the EU, 2023).

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18 July 2023
Read more about the article The Intersection between Outer-Space Security and Cybersecurity
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The Intersection between Outer-Space Security and Cybersecurity

The concept of space security first appeared during the Cold War, in the context of the space race between the USA and the USSR. Since the 1990s, the number of space actors has significantly increased, including new national, international and private stakeholders. Space technologies, especially satellites, have gained importance for several aspects of everyday life, and are crucial for commercial purposes, public services and military operations. Particularly in the latter case, space technologies represent a major asset for communication, surveillance and planning.

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17 July 2023
Read more about the article The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Nuclear Deterrence
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The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Nuclear Deterrence

The world is experiencing the fourth industrial revolution. Significant progress in computing power is facilitating the development of many new and ground-breaking technologies (Kroenig, 2021, p. 59). Artificial intelligence (AI) is one of these technologies that increasingly impacts society, as well as military operations. In the next quarter century, AI and other emerging technologies are also expected to have a massive effect on international security and strategic stability (Geist & Lohn, 2018, p. 1). They are already reshaping the global nuclear order and our understanding of nuclear strategy and deterrence (Futter, 2020, p. 27).

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13 July 2023