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RSIS Roundtable with Tim Sweijs on the Future of War: Implications for Small and Middle Powers

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On October 31, HCSS director of research Dr. Tim Sweijs will join a roundtable discussion on ‘The Future of War: Implications for Small and Middle Powers’, at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS) in Singapore, chaired by Dr. Michael Raska. Drawing on insights from visits to Armenia, Taiwan, and Ukraine, this roundtable explores the challenges of contemporary warfare and their implications for SMPs.

New policy brief | Attritable Precision Strike: Towards a Mass UAV Loitering Capacity for the Royal Netherlands Army

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New policy brief by HCSS senior fellow Friso Stevens: Europe’s next land war will be shaped by massed UAVs. The Royal Netherlands Army should build a resilient, AI-enabled loitering UAV capability and a domestic industrial base to scale rapidly in crisis. Read the policy options and concrete industrial steps for Dutch defence.

The Draghi Report Revisited | Clean Technologies

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One year after Draghi’s call to secure Europe’s economic future, Europe’s clean tech race is far from over — and time is running short to close the gap between ambition and reality. For the latest edition of our Draghi Revisited series, analysts Irina Patrahau, Ron Stoop and Berend Kwak examine how far has the EU come in strengthening its clean tech competitiveness — and how far it still has to go.

The Draghi Report Revisited | Energy

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“Europe’s energy ambitions remain high — but action still falls short.” One year after Mario Draghi’s landmark report on the EU’s economic future, HCSS strategic advisors Lucia van Geuns and Jilles van den Beukel assess how far Europe has come in strengthening its energy competitiveness and sovereignty — and how far it still has to go. Read their take on whether the EU’s ambitions are finally translating into coordinated action in the latest Draghi Revisited update.

Strategische Vragen | De Strateeg: Kan Europa Rusland wel afschrikken?

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Hoe kan het dat veel politici en beleidsmedewerkers de Russische dreiging voor de inval in Oekraïne drie jaar geleden niet zagen, ondanks duidelijke waarschuwingssignalen van inlichtingendiensten? In deze aflevering van BNR podcast De Strateeg spreekt Paul van Liempt over onze psychologische en cognitieve biases met HCSS onderzoeksdirecteur Tim Sweijs, en met Hubert Smeets, Rusland-expert en medeoprichter van het platform Raam op Rusland.

The Draghi Report Revisited | Artificial Intelligence

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One year after Mario Draghi’s landmark report on Europe’s economic future, HCSS revisits his warnings sector by sector. In the latest edition, strategic analysts Sofia Romansky and Jesse Kommandeur explore whether Europe’s AI ambitions are matching its rhetoric. From the EU’s new AI Continent Action Plan to persistent adoption gaps, they assess what progress has been made—and where Europe still lags—in securing technological sovereignty.

NATO’s Second Foresight Conference Looks Ahead to the Alliance’s Future

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At NATO’s Second Foresight Conference in Rome (7–9 October), Dr. Tim Sweijs shared his insights on developing a Theory of Victory versus a Theory of Long-Term Advantage for NATO. In panels with Professor Olivier Schmitt and other senior experts, he explored how the Alliance can enhance strategic effectiveness amid rising geopolitical tensions. Dr. Sweijs also joined the closing session, What’s Next for NATO, discussing the Alliance’s future direction and deterrence posture.

De Balie | At the frontline of Russia’s shadow war: In conversation with Estonia’s former president Toomas Hendrik Ilves

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Russian MiG-31 fighters entered Estonian airspace on September 19th. The incursion lasted only twelve minutes, but the message was clear: Russia continues to test NATO’s borders. What does this mean for Europe’s security? On 15 October, HCSS research director Tim Sweijs will join Estonia’s former president Toomas Hendrik Ilves at De Balie in Amsterdam. Together with photographer Claudia Heinermann, they will discuss Europe’s security challenges now that Russia is increasingly testing the borders of Nato-territory, in a panel moderated by Yoeri Albrecht.

The Draghi Report Revisited | Semiconductors

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One year after Mario Draghi’s call to action, Europe’s pursuit of technological sovereignty remains a work in progress. In this latest edition of our Draghi Report Series, HCSS strategic analyst Benedetta Girardi examines Europe’s semiconductor ambitions. Despite political momentum and the EU Chips Act, progress remains uneven. What has been achieved — and where does Europe still fall short? Read how the EU’s bid for technological sovereignty is faring in the global chip race.

Nico Tak joins HCSS as Strategic Advisor Defence and Security

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HCSS is pleased to announce that Nico Tak will be joining us as Strategic Advisor Defence and Security! A retired three-star general with practical experience of security policy and defence at the strategic, operational and tactical levels, he is an expert in security policy, strategy and leadership. “We are living at a time when the geopolitical situation is deteriorating, whilst nations are faced with internal divisions, unrest and isolationist movements. HCSS is an important thinktank for informing policy makers, academics and the general public. With my political-military and practical experience, I look forward to contributing to the team.” 

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