Column Rob de Wijk | Trump turns against his own supporters – including in the Netherlands
If President Donald Trump had taken over Greenland, there would be no more NATO. An attack on an ally is something NATO cannot survive, writes Rob de Wijk in his column for Trouw. Recently, Trump said that NATO faces a dark future if European countries do not help him keep the Strait of Hormuz open. What Trump is doing amounts to outright blackmail and reckless gambling with European security. The only winner is Russia.
New paper: Making Russia Fear Escalation Again
Russia’s hybrid war is expanding, exploiting NATO’s reluctance to escalate. Alexander Mattelaer’s latest HCSS paper argues that defensive resilience alone cannot stop Moscow. NATO must undermine the Kremlin’s confidence by demonstrating credible escalation options and reinforcing political will. “If NATO wants Moscow to back down, Russian leaders must fear escalation again,” Mattelaer warns. The paper lays out how Europe can restore strategic restraint and counter Russia’s confidence-driven hybrid strategy.
Webinar | Strategic Negotiations 101
Interested in strengthening your negotiation skills? This introductory webinar, hosted by Sven Koopmans, offers a practical overview of core and advanced negotiation strategies and tactics, along with insights into what to expect from HCSS’s upcoming Strategic Negotiations course in June 2026. During the session, Koopmans—former EU Special Representative for the Middle East Peace Process—will share key lessons from his experience in international diplomacy and conflict resolution, followed by a Q&A. He will also outline how the course, delivered together with Paul Sinning, Michel Rademaker, and Kees van Rij, prepares professionals to navigate high-stakes negotiations across business and geopolitical contexts. This webinar is designed for anyone considering the full Strategic Negotiations programme or looking to build practical negotiation expertise.
