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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The Strategic Importance of Chloralkali and Sustainable Aviation Fuel for the EU & Saudi Arabia
The costs of energy are an important part of various industrial value chains and are very decisive for the competitive position of the industry. In three studies commissioned by the Royal VNCI and the National Program for Sustainable Industry, TNO, HCSS and Roland Berger compared the future energy costs of the renewable energy supply for industrial processes in the Netherlands with Saudi Arabia for two value chains: the chlor-alkali chain and the production of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) from household waste via syncrude.

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Securing the Digital Backbone: NATO’s Quest for Interoperability in the Age of Emerging Disruptive Technologies
A new HCSS Capstone paper by Hans Horan, Sofia Romansky and Davis Ellison outlines a blueprint for modernising NATO's C4ISR systems across NATO Europe. Building on four expert guest papers, it presents urgent solutions across cloud integration, AI adoption, institutional reform, and interoperability, laying the groundwork for collective digital readiness ahead of the 2025 NATO Summit.

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Deterrence Warning Messages: A Short Guide for NATO
Why do deterrence efforts fail? Often, it’s not what is said, but how it’s said. In a new report, HCSS strategic advisor Dr. Jeffrey H. Michaels explores how the success or failure of deterrence often hinges not just on military threats, but on how warnings are communicated. With case studies from WWI to Ukraine, this report offers practical lessons for NATO’s current and future deterrence strategies.

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Command Confrontation: Considering China’s Evolving Command Capabilities and Implications for NATO
A new HCSS guest paper by Elsa B. Kania assesses China's evolving command capabilities and the implications for NATO with a particular focus on developments in C4ISR. It outlines the strategic importance of the PLA's advancements and highlights key lessons for NATO, emphasising resilience, adaptation and responsible innovation in future command capabilities.

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Appraising the State of Play of C4ISR Infrastructure within NATO: Gaps, Deficiencies and Steps Forward
A new HCSS guest paper by Andrea Gilli and Mauro Gilli explores how NATO’s information backbone is under threat from electronic warfare, cyber vulnerabilities, and fragmentation. It outlines urgent reforms in AI-driven command, procurement, and investment alignment—vital ahead of the 2025 NATO Summit.

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How Ukraine’s War is Reshaping C4ISR for the Modern Battlefield
In a new HCSS guest paper, Kateryna Bondar examines how Ukraine’s Armed Forces have transformed their battlefield coordination under pressure. Through rapid innovation and adaptation, Ukraine developed a more agile C4ISR system. The paper offers key lessons and five recommendations for NATO allies seeking to modernise their command structures.

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July 2, 2025

The Strategic Importance of Chloralkali and Sustainable Aviation Fuel for the EU & Saudi Arabia

June 13, 2025

Securing the Digital Backbone: NATO’s Quest for Interoperability in the Age of Emerging Disruptive Technologies

June 12, 2025

Deterrence Warning Messages: A Short Guide for NATO

June 11, 2025

Command Confrontation: Considering China’s Evolving Command Capabilities and Implications for NATO

May 26, 2025

Appraising the State of Play of C4ISR Infrastructure within NATO: Gaps, Deficiencies and Steps Forward

May 19, 2025

How Ukraine’s War is Reshaping C4ISR for the Modern Battlefield

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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

February 7, 2025

From the Steppes of Ukraine to the Shores of Formosa: Lessons Learned from Contemporary War for Taiwan

February 7, 2025

Lessons Learned from the War in Ukraine Applicable to Taiwan: The Land Domain

February 7, 2025

Lessons for Taiwan from the Russo-Ukrainian War

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

June 12, 2025

Deterrence Warning Messages: A Short Guide for NATO

April 16, 2025

Voortzettingsvermogen: Een parate krijgsmacht in een weerbare maatschappij

March 27, 2025

From the Euronuke to a Nuclear Weapon Free Zone: Europe’s Options in an Era of Eroding American Extended Deterrence

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 2, 2025

The Strategic Importance of Chloralkali and Sustainable Aviation Fuel for the EU & Saudi Arabia

April 22, 2025

Securing European Military Fuels in a Tense Security Environment: Supply, Distribution and Storage

December 18, 2024

Bonaire, Sint Eustatius, and Saba in International Networks: Strategic Partnerships for Sustainable Development

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

March 7, 2025

WPS Policy Brief | Entry-points for Collaborative Water Governance in Southern Iraq

February 28, 2025

Snapshot | Uncharted Waters: Two Opportunities for Water and Security in Syria’s Reconstruction

January 21, 2025

Veilige stad: Uitdagingen voor hoogstedelijke gebieden in Nederland

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

June 12, 2025

Deterrence Warning Messages: A Short Guide for NATO

March 27, 2025

From the Euronuke to a Nuclear Weapon Free Zone: Europe’s Options in an Era of Eroding American Extended Deterrence

March 19, 2025

Guest Paper | Are the West’s Golden Years Over?

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

June 13, 2025

Securing the Digital Backbone: NATO’s Quest for Interoperability in the Age of Emerging Disruptive Technologies

June 11, 2025

Command Confrontation: Considering China’s Evolving Command Capabilities and Implications for NATO

May 26, 2025

Appraising the State of Play of C4ISR Infrastructure within NATO: Gaps, Deficiencies and Steps Forward

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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