The KVBK in cooperation with the War Studies Research Centre (WSRC) and the Hague Centre for Strategic Studies (HCSS) has the pleasure to invite you to the book launch of Defence Planning for Small and Middle Powers.
Small and middle powers across the globe face pressing challenges in their immediate security environment. Here in Europe, the Russian invasion of Ukraine and doubts about the strength of the US commitment to NATO are raising concerns amongst European policymakers . They fear that on their own, they are unable to effectuate a credible deterrence strategy and, if necessary, defend European territory.
In the Middle East, defence spending among the wealthier states is consistently high in the context of persistent instability, multiple regional rivalries and recurring wars. At the same time, many SMPs in the Middle East region still cope with a lack of national expertise and technological know-how.
Meanwhile, intensifying geopolitical competition in Asia and Oceania poses a whole different set of challenges in that region. China’s rise as a regional power is cause of concern for many SMPs in the region that struggle with the question whether to pursue balancing, bandwagoning or hedging (including engagement) strategies to address the security implications associated with China’s ascent.
Edited by Tim Sweijs, Saskia van Genugten and Frans Osinga, the new book published by Routledge examines the processes, practices and principles of defence planning in small and middle powers (SMPs) in today’s world.
The book offers incisive and long overdue comparative analysis of how smaller states prepare to defend themselves, in these turbulent times of returning great power competition, with an assertive China, an aggressive Russia and a declining United States.
Small and middle powers are recalibrating their force postures in this age of disruption, adapting their defence planning and military innovation processes to protect the security of their nations. Yet they suffer from inherent constraints on self-reliance to safeguard their security.
How can small and middle powers engage in military innovation and adaptation in times of rapid change and in the context of limited resources? What common challenges and opportunities do small and middle powers face? What patterns can be distilled from small and middle power defence planning and military innovation processes and practices?
On October 29, Tim Sweijs, Director of Research at HCSS and Senior Research Fellow at the War Studies Research Centre of the Netherlands Defence Academy, and Frans Osinga, Professor of War Studies, Leiden University, will take on these questions. They will provide an introduction to the book, share their insights into the different chapters and their implications for defence policies, and answer questions from the audience at Leiden University’s The Hague Campus.
Program
15:45 | Doors open (pre-registration required)
16:15 | Opening
17:45 | End, drinks available
18:45 | End
Location
Campus Wijnhaven
Turfmarkt 99
2511 DP The Hague
Experts
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