Is Europe a player or is it being played? What will the Taliban takeover mean for the region’s water security? Is the US a retired police officer? And how should Europe approach transatlantic relations as America shifts its focus to the Indo-Pacific? Find out in the new HCSS Digest!
Forum: The Future of European Strategy
What role should normative power play in European strategy? How should Europeans think about relations with US, China and Russia within the context of debates about strategic autonomy?
To find out, read the latest installment in the HCSS forum on European strategy! With brand-new essays by Trineke Palm (Netherlands Defence Academy) and HCSS Senior Strategic Analysts Paul van Hooft and Jack Thompson, edited by Michiel Foulon (Center for Security Studies, ETH Zürich) and Jack Thompson (HCSS).
- Trineke Palm argues that normative power is an essential instrument in the EU’s foreign policy toolbox and should play a central role in debates about strategic autonomy.
- Jack Thompson contends that when it comes to the transatlantic relationship Europe will need to be ambidextrous: cooperating with the US where possible but also developing the ability and political will to act independently where necessary.
- Paul van Hooft writes that European strategic autonomy is necessary as US shifts focus to Indo-Pacific. Europe should do more for its own security in ways of bolstering transatlantic alliance e.g. investing in conventional deterrence vis-à-vis Russia.
Resources
The world will need increasing amounts of resources in the next decades. Through the WEF serious game developed by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs and HCSS, young people from the Netherlands, UAE & Jordan will discover how to secure water, energy & food supplies.
Students in the Netherlands, UAE or Jordan, pay attention: would you like to participate in the WEF strategic game developed by HCSS and the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and have the opportunity to represent your country at the WEF Summit in Dubai?
Drought and water mismanagement have brought Iran’s water crisis to a boil and threaten both national and regional security – read the latest Water, Peace & Security (WPS) blog.
At the same time as the corona crisis hit, the world was struck by an oil crisis of unprecedented proportions. But the situation has now turned 180 degrees. HCSS energy expert Lucia van Geuns explained how this is possible in a new Strateeg podcast on BNR Nieuwsradio.
Droughts and water shortages could lead to battles – and even full-scale wars – to secure the precious resource, reports BBC Future. But the WPS Global Early Warning Tool uses machine learning to predict conflicts before they happen.
Afghanistan
China seems willing to do business with the Taliban to extract raw materials. ‘The Taliban give a ‘piece’ of Afghanistan to China in exchange for funds,’ says Rob de Wijk in the Financieele Dagblad. “Everything depends on how the Taliban behave.”
“We must finally realize that the US is a retired police officer who can no longer be sent to every slum in the world to serve our security,” Han ten Broeke commented on the Afghan situation in De Volkskrant.
“We have always felt extremely comfortable here in Europe under the American nuclear umbrella,” says Rob de Wijk in Trouw. “That’s why we didn’t have to spend much on defense. But that whole structure is now starting to shake.”
The takeover by the Taliban not only affects people’s immediate lives and security, but will also have long-term implications for the country’s and the region’s water security, predicts the Water, Peace & Security (WPS) partnership, fearing that the recent developments will increase Afghanistan’s waterstress, causing rampant displacements that may further fuel the conflict.
Geopolitics & International Security
Is Europe a player or is it being played? At the Mars & Mercurius symposium on November 3rd, Rob de Wijk will speak on the role of Europe in the geopolitical violence of the great powers, the US and China (and a little bit of Russia). Register now!
There is still a lot of ignorance and misunderstanding about unmanned, automatic and autonomous weapon systems, writes Patrick Bolder in his new column. Partly based on prejudice and ignorance, but also colored by political motivations and the tendency to see the Netherlands as a ‘guiding country’ that shows the world what is ‘right’ and what is ‘wrong’.
The Russian government is not waiting for observers during the elections in September. The Kremlin is therefore tightening the reins again, explains HCSS Russia expert Helga Salemon in VPRO’s Bureau Buitenland.
Cyber
Are you a Dutch or Indian student or young professional with an interest in cyber security? In October 2021 the fourth edition of the Indian Dutch Cyber Security School will take place, offering 20 lectures on a wide range of cyber security-related topics from renowned experts as well as the opportunity to work on real case studies provided by leading Dutch and Indian organizations. Apply now!
Experts
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