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

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NATO Climate Change and Security Centre of Excellence (CCASCOE) inaugural publication: “Advancing Climate Security Together”
The NATO Climate Change and Security Centre of Excellence (CCASCOE) have published their inaugural publication entitled "Advancing Climate Security Together". HCSS is proud to have provided a contribution by senior strategic analyst Laura Birkman. The publication features insights from 12 Sponsoring Nations, as well as from organizations active in the climate change and security realm.

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Geweld aan de horizon: Trends omtrent geweld en maatschappelijke stabiliteit
De Nederlandse samenleving is kwetsbaar voor nieuwe vormen van geweld, zoals online intimidatie en extremistische dreigingen, aldus een nieuw HCSS rapport. Dit vraagt om nieuwe inzichten en effectieve beleidsmaatregelen, waarschuwen strategisch analisten Gerben Bakker en Pieter-Jan Vandoren. De groeiende diversiteit en complexiteit van geweldsvormen ondermijnen het traditionele geweldsmonopolie van de staat, en veroorzaken angst en een verminderd vertrouwen in maatschappelijke instituties.

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Notitie | Defensieplanning: Van evenwicht naar keuzes
De Nederlandse krijgsmacht staat voor een fundamentele verandering door de nieuwe geopolitieke situatie in Europa, mede veroorzaakt door de Russische inval in Oekraïne. Deze paradigmaverandering brengt discussies met zich mee over Europese defensie, de rol van de VS en de verdeling van middelen tussen nationale en internationale taken. De veranderende veiligheidssituatie vereist politieke keuzes over de vraag welke bijdrage Nederland aan de collectieve verdediging van Europa wil leveren, stellen Frank Bekkers, Rob de Wijk en Hans van der Louw in deze nieuwe HCSS notitie.

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HCSS Draghi Report Series | Expert Commentary
Many of the sectors mentioned in the much anticipated report by Mario Draghi, “The future of European competitiveness”, touch directly on research areas of HCSS. The almost 400 pages of analysis and recommendations of the report provide a stark warning for the EU to clean up its economic and industrial act. In the HCSS Draghi Report Series, Ron Stoop and Berend Kwak sat down with several of our strategic analysts to ask for their views on the sector-specific in-depth analyses and recommendations of this high-profile report.

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The Socio-Political Instability Observer: September 2024
The fourth edition of the ‘Observer’, analysing the results of the HCSS Socio-Political Instability Survey, continues to monitor high levels of instability in Western Asia and Eastern Europe. Lebanon has displaced Ukraine at the top of the list of countries most at risk of socio-political instability, for the first time in over a year. Russia’s alliances with unconventional partners have led experts to perceive Russia as the most influential country in the next six months. This edition also highlights that military factors have now surpassed economic ones as the primary drivers of instability, likely due to worsening security conditions in Western Asia and across Central, Eastern, and Western Africa.

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Write-up | Navigating Tomorrow: Global Perspectives on Future Security Trends
On September 23, 2024, The Hague Centre for Strategic Studies (HCSS) hosted experts from South Africa, Brazil, and global organizations like the UN to discuss future security trends and establish a global foresight baseline. This was the second event in the "Hague Strategic Foresight Forum Talks" series, titled "Global Perspectives on Future Security Trends." This summary reflects non-Western experts' views on Western models of cooperation, democracy, and the interplay between multipolarity and multilateralism, offering insights from African, Latin American, and UN perspectives. Key takeaways and conclusions shared by participants are also included.

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November 25, 2024

NATO Climate Change and Security Centre of Excellence (CCASCOE) inaugural publication: “Advancing Climate Security Together”

November 25, 2024

Geweld aan de horizon: Trends omtrent geweld en maatschappelijke stabiliteit

November 25, 2024

Notitie | Defensieplanning: Van evenwicht naar keuzes

November 20, 2024

HCSS Draghi Report Series | Expert Commentary

November 18, 2024

The Socio-Political Instability Observer: September 2024

November 14, 2024

Write-up | Navigating Tomorrow: Global Perspectives on Future Security Trends

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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

November 11, 2024

Twilight of Atlanticism? America’s shifting approaches to Europe

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

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

November 20, 2024

HCSS Draghi Report Series | Expert Commentary

November 13, 2024

A new Golden Age for Argentinian Mining? Why RIGI has the potential to make Argentina a critical raw materials powerhouse

October 23, 2024

The Dutch tank storage sector: Navigating uncertainty in the energy transition

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

November 25, 2024

NATO Climate Change and Security Centre of Excellence (CCASCOE) inaugural publication: “Advancing Climate Security Together”

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

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

November 25, 2024

Notitie | Defensieplanning: Van evenwicht naar keuzes

November 14, 2024

Write-up | Navigating Tomorrow: Global Perspectives on Future Security Trends

November 11, 2024

Twilight of Atlanticism? America’s shifting approaches to Europe

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

November 20, 2024

HCSS Draghi Report Series | Expert Commentary

October 24, 2024

Augmentation, Not Substitution: HCSS Manual for the Responsible Use of Generative AI

October 9, 2024

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

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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