NATO Unveils Baltic Sentry: A New Security Mission for Undersea Pipelines and Cables

In response to escalating threats, NATO launched Operation Baltic Sentry, a coordinated effort to secure undersea communication and energy networks from sabotage and cyber-attacks. This paper examines the strategic importance of the Baltic Sea, the evolving nature of hybrid warfare, and the core components of the Baltic Sentry initiative. It explores the role of naval assets, surveillance technologies, and multinational cooperation in countering emerging threats. Additionally, the study evaluates the mission’s implications for regional security and NATO’s long-term strategic posture. While Baltic Sentry marks a crucial step in securing vital infrastructure, challenges such as resource limitations and the complexity of hybrid threats necessitate ongoing adaptation. The operation underscores the need for enhanced intelligence-sharing, advanced surveillance systems, and sustained multinational collaboration to safeguard stability in the region.

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European Space Strategic Autonomy

This paper examines the European Union's pursuit of strategic autonomy in the increasingly contested space domain, a critical aspect of contemporary geopolitics. Through an analysis of EU space policies and strategies, this study aims to provide a comprehensive picture of the current quest of the EU towards the achievement of European space strategic autonomy. The findings reveal that the intense astropoliticisation of space has reignited the hard power dimensions of space, pushing the EU to make substantial progress in developing autonomous space capabilities, especially in the field of defence and security. Despite the high ambition and commitment demonstrated by the EU, several institutional and material challenges continue to impede its path to full strategic autonomy.

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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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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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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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