The Hague Centre for Strategic Studies

HCSS is a knowledge institute that conducts independent research. Our goal is to offer fact-based analysis of the challenges that our societies face in order to inform public discourse, public and private strategic decision making and contribute to international and national security in accordance with liberal democratic values.

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Latest Research

Stay up to date with our latest reports, papers, snapshots and alerts.

Far Seas, Hard Choices: Aligning Ambitious European Objectives with Capabilities and Coalitions for the Indo-Pacific
The most logical use of European naval capabilities does not lie in the Western Pacific, but rather in the Western Indian Ocean, conclude Davis Ellison, Benedetta Girardi and Laura Jasper in this new HCSS brief, which explores why and how different coalitions of European military forces can form and deploy to the Indo-Pacific, the trade-offs faced by European states as they seek both partners within Europe and in the region and the respective impacts these choices make on the military and economic dynamics of the region.

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Looming and Lethal: Assessing the Operational Implications of Drone Use by Mexican Organized Crime Groups
Organized Crime groups in Mexico have been steadily integrating Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, aka drones, into their criminal operations. This new HCSS snapshot by Giulio Damiani and Laura Jasper analyses how UAVs have impacted three operational dimensions: trafficking of illicit goods, the surveillance of rival territory, and the coercion of groups who attempt to resist OCG violence. The snapshot also looks at the inherent risks of this emerging phenomenon in a European context: what can European states and law enforcement learn from understanding the criminal use of drones by organised crime groups in Mexico for the security of our own airspace?

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Defending the Digital Domain: The effort to build a cyber resilient India 2023 Edition – Updated Version
In the 2022 edition of this report, we covered how India, as the largest and most diverse democracy on earth is in the middle of building security within cyberspace and all other domains. India is currently undergoing efforts to digitise its economy and infrastructure. Consequently, the number of users to be safeguarded by securitisation of the cyber domain is rising rapidly. To become an economically developed digital nation, India must therefore also adopt a holistic approach in tackling challenges to its cybersecurity. Using the findings of the National Cyber Resilience Game and desk research, the paper was updated by participants of the 2023 Indo-Dutch Cyber Security School. This updated 2023 edition concludes by providing three recommendations to improve India's overall security in the digital domain.

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Guest Paper | What divides us? And the impact on democracy and stability
This guest paper 'What divides us? And the impact on democracy and stability' was written by Jakkie Cilliers in anticipation of the second The Hague Strategic Foresight Forum Talks titled 'Global Perspectives on Future Security Trends'. This closed-door event will be held on the 23rd of September 2024. The paper examines the widening gap between the Global North and Global South amid shifting economic and political dynamics. It explores how these global divisions—fueled by economic disparities, geopolitical tensions, and climate change—affect democratisation, governance, and global stability. The piece also delves into Africa's unique challenges and opportunities within this evolving landscape.

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Guest Paper | A Latin American perspective on the key drivers of future international security trends
This guest paper 'A Latin American perspective on the key drivers of future international security trends' was written by Prof. Alcides Costa Vaz in anticipation of the second The Hague Strategic Foresight Forum Talks titled 'Global Perspectives on Future Security Trends'. This closed-door event will be held on the 23rd of September 2024. The paper highlights how Latin America, while generally free from interstate wars, faces significant security threats from organised crime, geopolitical rivalries, technological vulnerabilities, and environmental degradation. These trends are likely to persist, shaping both regional and global security landscapes in the near future.

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Write-up | Navigating Tomorrow: Transatlantic Outlooks on the Future Security Landscape and its Implications for the Netherlands
On the 3rd of July 2024, The Hague Centre for Strategic Studies (HCSS) invited experts from across the transatlantic community, specifically the US National Intelligence Council, NATO Allied Command Transformation (ACT), and the EU Institute for Security Studies to exchange views on future security trends in the transatlantic community and their implications for the Netherlands and Europe. This write-up of the event provides a summary of what was discussed, the trends, drivers, shocks and provides some key takeaways for practitioners.

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October 14, 2024

Far Seas, Hard Choices: Aligning Ambitious European Objectives with Capabilities and Coalitions for the Indo-Pacific

October 9, 2024

Looming and Lethal: Assessing the Operational Implications of Drone Use by Mexican Organized Crime Groups

September 27, 2024

Defending the Digital Domain: The effort to build a cyber resilient India 2023 Edition – Updated Version

September 19, 2024

Guest Paper | What divides us? And the impact on democracy and stability

September 18, 2024

Guest Paper | A Latin American perspective on the key drivers of future international security trends

September 12, 2024

Write-up | Navigating Tomorrow: Transatlantic Outlooks on the Future Security Landscape and its Implications for the Netherlands

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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

October 14, 2024

Far Seas, Hard Choices: Aligning Ambitious European Objectives with Capabilities and Coalitions for the Indo-Pacific

April 22, 2024

Strategic Dynamics in the Indo-Pacific: Partnership for Maintaining Inclusive and Stable Maritime Region

April 22, 2024

Debating EU Enhanced Naval Presence in the Indo-Pacific: From Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) to Coordinated Maritime Presence (CMP)

Deterrence and Arms Control

Questions of deterrence and arms control have become more complicated over the past decade, driven by intensified geopolitical competition in Asia and Europe, by emerging technologies, or refinements in existing technologies. Today, the arms control regime of the Cold War is in trouble. How Europe can shape a reinvigorated arms control regime is a question which HCSS seeks to answer in our Deterrence and Arms Control programme.

Latest Research

July 11, 2024

The Role of Conventional Counterforce in NATO Strategy | Georgetown Security Studies Review

March 28, 2024

The Future of Nuclear Arms Control and the Impact of the Russia-Ukraine War

March 20, 2024

Empty Promises? A year inside the world of Multi-Domain Operations

Energy & Raw Materials

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, such as the need for critical raw materials.

Latest Research

July 4, 2024

Kritieke grondstoffen in de provincie Zuid-Holland: Wat, waarom en hoe?

July 4, 2024

Critical raw materials in the Dutch Province of Zuid-Holland: What, why and how?

May 6, 2024

Een snelle energietransitie: niet alleen voor het klimaat!

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. CASP seeks to bridge the gap between researchers, policymakers and practitioners working on climate-related security challenges in Europe and around the world.

Latest Research

August 7, 2024

Developing effective adaptation strategies to water scarcity: Lessons learned from Jordan

July 10, 2024

IMCCS | World Climate and Security Report 2024: Military Innovation and the Climate Challenge

May 29, 2024

NL ARMS | Cooling the Cauldron: A Climate Security Intervention Framework

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

September 19, 2024

Guest Paper | What divides us? And the impact on democracy and stability

September 18, 2024

Guest Paper | A Latin American perspective on the key drivers of future international security trends

September 12, 2024

Write-up | Navigating Tomorrow: Transatlantic Outlooks on the Future Security Landscape and its Implications for the Netherlands

Strategic Technologies

HCSS produces data-driven research at the intersection of security and the Emerging Technologies shaping our future, such as semiconductors, quantum technology, artificial intelligence, cyber, robotics, biotechnology and photonics.

Latest Research

October 9, 2024

Looming and Lethal: Assessing the Operational Implications of Drone Use by Mexican Organized Crime Groups

September 27, 2024

Defending the Digital Domain: The effort to build a cyber resilient India 2023 Edition – Updated Version

September 5, 2024

International Norms Development and AI in the Military Domain

About The Hague Centre for Strategic Studies

HCSS conducts research 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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