Entries by Stephanie Govaerts

One year after the Draghi Report Conference | Berend Kwak & Ron Stoop

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HCSS Strategic Analysts Ron Stoop and Berend Kwak joined the European Commission’s High-Level Conference: One Year After the Draghi Report. Attended by Ursula von der Leyen, Mario Draghi and leading voices from academia, think tanks, business, European institutions, Ron and Berend were invited thanks to their publication of the HCSS Draghi Report Series last year, which explores the long-term implications of Draghi’s recommendations. Read to find out which 6 key messages stood out from the Conference and keep an eye out for the second edition of this series, reflecting on Draghi’s vision one year later.

Franco-Dutch Defence Talks

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The French Defence Attaché Office in the Netherlands is proud to host the inaugural Franco-Dutch Defence Talks (FDDT) on 30 September 2025 at the Hague Centre for Strategic Studies at Lange Voorhout 1. This event offers a unique opportunity to engage with French and Dutch officials, as well as leading academics and experts from think tanks in both countries, in order to foster a shared Franco-Dutch perspective on defence issues. Register now to secure your spot!

The 8th edition of the Indo-Dutch Cyber Security School (IDCSS25) is open for registrations!

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The 8th Edition of the Indo-Dutch Cyber Security School (IDCSS25) is now open for registrations! IDCSS25 will run from October 6th to November 7th, 2025. IDCSS is an annual online 5 week course for students and young to mid-career professionals who are interested in cybersecurity based in India or the Netherlands. Make sure to register now to secure your spot!

New Report: Europe’s Strategic Access to Battery Minerals in a Changing Geoeconomic Landscape 

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Batteries are central to the EU’s transition to a low-carbon economy. This paper analyses the geopolitical vulnerabilities arising from the three most widespread battery chemistries – Lithium Nickel Manganese Cobalt Oxide (NMC); Lithium Ferro Phosphate (LFP); and Sodium Ion Batteries (SIB) – on two timelines, 2025 and 2030 and provides three main takeaways for EU-based policymakers and industry actors.

New Snapshot: The Four (not so noble) Truths about Nuclear Governance

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Can arms control survive when giving up nukes seems to invite risk and keeping them feels like the only reliable hedge? Assistant Analyst Elton Högklint traces this dilemma through four case studies—Ukraine, Libya, North Korea, and Iran—revealing systemic breakdowns in security guarantees, negotiation dynamics, policy continuity, and treatment of civilian nuclear aims. He proposes a revised framework to answer the central question: how do we make disarmament rational, credible and sustainable?

HCSS at the NATO Public Forum 2025: A behind-the-scenes look at what we brought to the table

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You’ve seen the speeches, the world leaders, and the headlines from the recent NATO Summit in The Hague. But what you haven’t seen is what happened behind-the-scenes. HCSS was proud to be one of the co-organizers of the NATO Public Forum last month. While world leaders took to the stage, our dedicated team worked tirelessly to make the event run smoothly, from shaping the agenda with last-minute speaker changes, to cross-continent coordination of international panels and managing communications and media requests. We’re excited to share a few sneak peeks from the backstage world here – insights, photos, and stories from that other side of the camera by our team on the scene.

Job Opening: Data Scientist & Software Developer (Junior) (OPEN)

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We are expanding our Datalab team with junior-level data scientists & software developers who have a strong quantitative background and an affinity for geopolitics and national and international security. We are specifically looking for candidates who have knowledge of methodologies in data science and development, such as machine learning, statistical modelling, and NLP/Generative AI. Candidates must also be able to function in a dynamic project organisation and have a strong interest in building data-driven tools and applying data analysis for strategic policy advice. 

Irina Patrahau | Five Key Decisions to Revitalize US Critical Mineral Stockpiles

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In a new report published by the Center on Global Energy Policy (CGEP) at Columbia University, experts Dr. Tom Moerenhout, Cina Vazir, and Irina Patrahau identify five key decisions that must be made to revitalise the U.S. stockpiling system and to establish effective strategies for Europe and the Netherlands. From expanding its mandate to refining what, how, and who should manage it, the report offers a roadmap for policymakers.

New Paper | Uncovering the Climate–Conflict Link: Mapping the Causal Pathways in Iraq

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Environmental conditions like drought, heat, and soil stress are increasingly linked to armed conflict, but the exact pathways remain unclear. In a new study, Ninoslav Malekovic, Maarten Vonk, Laura Birkman, and Tim Sweijs use advanced causal analysis on Iraqi subdistricts to reveal how these conditions—especially when paired with high energy demand and dense populations—can drive violence through complex chains of resource and demographic pressure. Their findings highlight where and why conflict is more likely, offering a foundation for targeted interventions to prevent violence before it unfolds.