Author Archive for: Stephanie Govaerts

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New Snapshot | Global Health Data in a Shifting International Order: Risks and Implications for Small and Middle Powers

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Health data sharing has long underpinned global pandemic preparedness, early warning systems and vaccine development. Yet, as US-PRC rivalry intensifies, health data is increasingly treated as a strategic asset, reshaping patterns of international cooperation. This snapshot by Noemie Jacq examines how great power competition is transforming global health governance and the implications for Small and Middle Powers (SMPs), which remain structurally dependent on effective multilateral systems. Drawing on the COVID-19 pandemic and the 2026 Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, it identifies three key risks for SMPs: informational, technological and distributional, and considers how fairer and more resilient systems for health data sharing can be established.

Staatssecretaris Derk Boswijk bezoekt HCSS voor gesprek over de toekomst van Defensie

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Op 19 augustus 2026 verwelkomde HCSS Staatssecretaris van Defensie Derk Boswijk voor een inhoudelijk gesprek over de ontwikkelingen die de Nederlandse veiligheidsomgeving vormgeven. Tijdens zijn bezoek deelden HCSS-experts hun inzichten over onder meer de toekomst van de krijgsmacht, de defensie-industrie, lessen uit actuele conflicten, de strategische betekenis van de Indo-Pacific en de rol van technologie en ruimte in moderne oorlogsvoering.

Jesse Kommandeur: Why a think tank needs a Datalab

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HCSS Datalab Manager Jesse Kommandeur on “Why a think tank needs a Datalab.” In this blog, Jesse talks about the evolving role of data and AI in policy research and strategic decision-making. He reflects on how the HCSS Datalab has evolved, the value of combining quantitative methods with deep subject-matter expertise, and the challenges of applying data science to defence, security and geopolitics. Looking ahead, Jesse shares his perspective on emerging AI methods and the future of data-driven geopolitical analysis.

HCSS Analyst Irina Patrahau takes part in French exchange on industrial resilience

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HCSS analyst Irina Patrahau recently took part in the Personalities of the Future Invitation Programme (PIPA), visiting France from 8 to 11 June. The visit enabled Irina to deepen her understanding of France’s strategic and industrial ecosystem and to build connections with key stakeholders working on these issues.

DOMINO 2.0 | the Dutch Observer for Materials Intelligence and Operations

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On Thursday September 24, 2026 HCSS invites you for a webinar to introduce DOMINO 2.0, the Dutch Observer for Materials Intelligence and Operations, First introduced in December 2025, and at the Raw Materials Week, DOMINO 2.0 features an enhanced dashboard that makes it easier to monitor supply chain events and identify early warning signals for potential disruptions. Join us for an interactive demonstration of the new and improved dashboard and how it can be used to support policy-relevant geopolitical analysis.

Sven Koopmans at the European Negotiation Association Conference

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Addressing the current global crisis in peace negotiations, HCSS Chair of Negotiations Dr. Sven Koopmans delivered the keynote at the annual conference of the European Negotiation Association, bringing together scholars and practitioners working across fields ranging from procurement and labour talks to aviation disputes and mergers and acquisitions. Sven will bring his insights and experience to another exclusive HCSS Strategic Negotiations course, and registrations are now open!

HCSS Strategic Negotiations Course: Second Edition Now Open

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After launching its Strategic Negotiations Course in June 2026, HCSS is now welcoming participants for the next edition, taking place from October to November 2026. Designed for professionals operating at the intersection of business, geopolitics, and international affairs, the programme is led by HCSS negotiation specialist Sven Koopmans and supported by Executive Director Paul Sinning, Deputy Director Michel Rademaker, and former Dutch Ambassador and diplomatic advisor Kees and Rij. The programme equips mid- to senior-level executives with the insight, tools, and confidence to navigate high-stakes negotiations across cultures, borders, and sectors.

Expert Analysis | Droneproductie in Nederland vergt meer industriële capaciteit

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Nederland wil de productie van drones versnellen, zowel voor defensie als voor civiele toepassingen. Maar hoe sterk is de Nederlandse industrie eigenlijk gepositioneerd om daarin een leidende rol te spelen? In deze analyse onderzoeken Ron Stoop en Rens van Dam hoe de Nederlandse economische structuur zich verhoudt tot die van andere Europese landen. Zij laten zien dat Nederland weliswaar uitblinkt in software, fotonica en hoogwaardige dronecomponenten, maar achterblijft in grootschalige productiecapaciteit. De auteurs betogen dat Nederland daarom moet kiezen: investeren in een sterkere eigen industriële basis of zich strategisch positioneren als gespecialiseerde partner binnen Europese dronewaardeketens.

New publication: Friso Stevens on China’s way of war by punishment

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HCSS Strategic Analyst Friso Stevens has published a new peer-reviewed article in Comparative Strategy examining how the ideas of Sunzi and the Seven Military Classics continue to shape Chinese strategic culture. The study argues that the Chinese way of war is best understood as strategically defensive and tactically offensive, offering new insights into contemporary debates on China’s approach to conflict and the use of force.

New Report | GENOME: A New Geopolitical Event Methodology and Dataset using Large Language Models

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HCSS has won an Honorable Mention at ACL 2026 in San Diego, the world’s leading Natural Language Processing conference, for GENOME, a new method that uses Large Language Models to map geopolitical events from global news, capturing both conflict and cooperation with unusual precision. Developed by the HCSS Datalab, the award-winning method is the foundation for what comes next: later this year, HCSS will launch the GENOME platform, a public interface turning global news into a living map of how states interact. Sign up for early access.

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