The Hague Centre for Strategic Studies

HCSS conducts research on geopolitical and defence & security issues for governments, international institutions and businesses. Our research is characterized by a datadriven, multidisciplinary approach, specialist knowledge and a strategic orientation.

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Latest Research

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Preventing the (Un)thinkable: Escalation Scenarios and Risk Reduction Measures for Russia and NATO following the War in Ukraine
The Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022 has reawakened thinking in terms of risks and ‘escalation’. NATO as a whole, and NATO-states individually, must keep a balanced position: do not cave to unacceptable threats, as accommodation is a recipe for further escalation from the Russian side.

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Water Governance in Iraq: Enabling a Gamechanger
The dysfunctional decentralization system and the insufficient implementation of the water allocation framework are the two main challenges Iraq needs to address in order to meet water demands in the coming years. In a new joint WPS-Clingendael publication sheds light on ‘unseen’ structural dynamics that impact both the quality and quantity of water in Iraq.

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India’s approach to the Russian Invasion of Ukraine: An Example of the BJP’s ‘India First’ Thinking and What it Means for the West
India’s approach to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, described as "strategic ambivalence" has disappointed many in the US and Europe who hoped that India, as a democracy, would join them in criticising Russia’s actions. This paper explores the multiple motivators behind India’s approach to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and what the BJP’s geopolitical thinking means for European relations with India and other players in the Indo-Pacific going forward.

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Tankopslag in Transitie
Met de juiste beleidsondersteuning wordt de tankopslagsector een aanjager van de energietransitie, die bijdraagt aan het vormgeven van het energielandschap van de komende decennia. Zo concluderen HCSS onderzoekers Irina Patrahau, Michel Rademaker en Lucia van Geuns in een nieuw rapport over de veranderende rol van tankopslag in de energietransitie.

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Call for papers: Information-based behavioural influencing and Western practice
As part of the project Platform Influencing Human Behaviour, HCSS is bringing together academic experts and policymakers to explore ethical, legal and military-strategic issues and boundaries involved in information-based behavioural influencing in the military context. Scholars, experts and policymakers are invited to submit a paper on the employment of information-related capabilities to influence human behaviour in the military context, from the perspective of an individual European or NATO country’s perspective.

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The Inflation Reduction Act Explained | Part 1: What it means for electric vehicles (EVs) and battery materials
Is President Joe Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) the perfect tool to help the U.S. become leader in clean energy tech? In the first of two papers, HCSS Strategic Advisor Energy & Raw Materials Jeff Amrish Ritoe will analyze the possible impact of the proposed policy changes on the global energy landscape, and share observations on the impact that the IRA can have on an American EV and battery materials supply chain.

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September 14, 2022

Preventing the (Un)thinkable: Escalation Scenarios and Risk Reduction Measures for Russia and NATO following the War in Ukraine

September 12, 2022

Water Governance in Iraq: Enabling a Gamechanger

Russian minister of defence and foreign affairs with Indian conterparts

September 8, 2022

India’s approach to the Russian Invasion of Ukraine: An Example of the BJP’s ‘India First’ Thinking and What it Means for the West

August 30, 2022

Tankopslag in Transitie

August 29, 2022

Call for papers: Information-based behavioural influencing and Western practice

August 23, 2022

The Inflation Reduction Act Explained | Part 1: What it means for electric vehicles (EVs) and battery materials

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Europe in the Indo-Pacific

The Indo-Pacific region has emerged as the new epicentre of geopolitical competition. Europe has begun its own tilt towards the Indo-Pacific, yet it remains unclear what specific role Europeans should play. The HCSS “Europe in the Indo-Pacific Hub (EIPH)” brings together scholars, experts and practitioners across Europe, Asia, as well as East-Africa and the US.

Latest Research

September 8, 2022

India’s approach to the Russian Invasion of Ukraine: An Example of the BJP’s ‘India First’ Thinking and What it Means for the West

June 23, 2022

Seoul’s Changing Indo-Pacific Manifesto and India: Policy Prescriptions for India-ROK Ties

May 4, 2022

Europa in de Indo-Pacific: moeilijk te vermijden en moeilijk uit te voeren

Cyber Policy & Resilience

Cyberspace is increasingly a key domain for both domestic and international policy making, with cybersecurity being one of the most pressing challenges. We bridge the field of cybersecurity with traditional statecraft.

Latest Research

September 14, 2022

Preventing the (Un)thinkable: Escalation Scenarios and Risk Reduction Measures for Russia and NATO following the War in Ukraine

June 13, 2022

Aanpak voor het vaststellen van interventienoodzaak en handelingsperspectief ten aanzien van strategische autonomie op cybersecurity

May 30, 2022

The Cyber Arms Watch: Uncovering the Stated & Perceived Offensive Cyber Capabilities of States

Energy & Natural Resources

The energy transition is changing the architecture of economies by replacing the traditional fuels with new energy carriers. In this transition period, balancing the conventional energy system with the low-carbon one presents challenges for governments and companies alike. HCSS seeks to understand, analyse and address pressing geo-economic and geopolitical issues induced by the energy transition.

Latest Research

August 30, 2022

Tankopslag in Transitie

August 23, 2022

The Inflation Reduction Act Explained | Part 1: What it means for electric vehicles (EVs) and battery materials

August 4, 2022

From the War in Ukraine to the Energy Transition: Searching for a New Balance in the Oil Market

a moped with 2 passengers drives through the water

Climate & Security

The Climate & Security Program (CASP) is HCSS’ response to the urgent and ever increasing need for a better understanding of the most pressing geopolitical and security implications of climate change.

Latest Research

September 12, 2022

Water Governance in Iraq: Enabling a Gamechanger

August 8, 2022

Serious Gaming: Grounding and Directing Climate Action

July 25, 2022

IMCCS | Climate Security Snapshot: The Balkans

Strategic Monitor

In order to remain on top of the rapid changes in the international environment, the Dutch MFA and MoD have tasked HCSS and the Clingendael Institute to conduct research within the framework of the Strategic Monitor.

Latest Research

April 6, 2022

The Promises and Perils of a Minimum Cyber Deterrence Posture: Considerations for Small and Middle Powers

March 28, 2022

Strategic Monitor 2021-2022 | Hanging Together: Partners and Policies for the Netherlands and EU in Turbulent Times

December 8, 2021

Climate Security in Global Hotspots: Policy Options for The Netherlands

HCSS Datalab & Data Warehouse

The Datalab is HCSS’ in-house evidence and knowledge base that is increasingly becoming the foundation on which we build our geostrategic analyses. By doing so, we complement deep human expertise with more systematic – and multi-perspectivist – machine-based and data-driven analysis.

About The Hague Centre for Strategic Studies

HCSS conducts research and provides advice on geopolitical, defence & security issues to governments, international institutions and businesses. We combine broad conceptual knowledge, qualitative and quantitative methods and present our findings in the form of recommendations, strategic explorations and scenario analyses.

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