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HCSS Strategic Analysts Irina Patrahau and Ron Stoop were invited to speak at a conference in Bucharest to present their upcoming paper on geopolitical vulnerabilities for battery chemistries. The conference was called ‘The Long View and the Short in Building Resilience: Natural Resources and Geoeconomics in the 21st Century. Held at the University of Bucharest from the 30–31st May 2025.
HCSS is looking for a new Water, Peace and Security (WPS) intern to start in July/August 2025. Are you a student interested in climate security in the MENA region? The WPS internship is a dynamic and varied opportunity in research, project management, communication, design, networking, copy writing, and policy development. Deadline to apply is July 20th!
HCSS is looking for new interns to start in August 2025. Are you a student interested in geopolitics and international security? The HCSS internship is a dynamic and varied opportunity in research, analysis, data, communication, design, networking, copy writing, and policy development. Deadline to apply is July 20th!
Hi my name is Emma and I am half Italian, half American and I have lived and studied in both countries. For my bachelor’s studies, I started off doing Political Science and International Relations at the University of Bologna, and then proceeded to do my Master’s in International Relations and Diplomacy, focusing on International Security Policy. I decided to narrow my field by attending the Cyber Security and Governance program at Leiden University. Because I was looking for practical experience in my field, I decided to apply to HCSS, and so, long story short, here I am!
On 27 May 2025, a diverse group of Iraqi policymakers, technical experts, academics, and international partners gathered in Baghdad for a dynamic one-day Symposium organised by the Water, Peace & Security (WPS) partnership. Held directly after the 5th Baghdad International Water Conference, the Symposium aimed to transform insights from WPS initiatives in Wasit, Missan, Basra, and Dhi Qar into actionable and collaborative solutions for addressing water-related security challenges in Iraq. Organised by the WPS partnership, the event marked a pivotal step toward transforming data and insights into collaborative solutions for southern Iraq’s mounting water-related challenges.
On March 27th, 2025, HCSS celebrated its 18th anniversary, officially making HCSS an ‘adult’. To celebrate the past years, we decided to host an event in May 2025 at our office inviting previous staff and interns to catch up, share stories, and re-live great memories!This event was a huge success and the first of many, as the idea is for HCSS to organise an HCSS Alumni Reunion every year, to keep our connections close and allow further networking. The date for the 2026 Reunion will be announced soon and will most likely happen in May. Whether you were with us for half a year or a decade, you’re a valued part of our history, and we’d love to see you there.
What’s it like being an intern in the HCSS Datalab? Oscar Lodeizen tells you more about his experience: My time at HCSS has been incredibly valuable, both for learning and for having fun. It’s an exciting first step into the professional world. So far it has made me realise how important it is to have both affinity and enthusiasm for the field you are in. If the internship aligns with your interests and you are ready for the challenge, I would absolutely recommend applying.
Strategic analyst Benedetta Girardi and former assistant analyst Alisa Hoenig have authored a chapter in the newly published book ‘Decoding the Chessboard of Asian Geopolitics: Asian Powerplay in East and Southeast Asia, The Global North, and Other Emerging Issues.’ Their chapter, titled ‘Navigating Geopolitics: Europe’s Evolving Connections with South and Southeast Asia’, explores the dynamic and shifting relationships between Europe and key actors in Asia through a geopolitical lens.
HCSS is pleased to announce that Emma Bokel has joined our team as a Data Science Officer! Emma: “I’m excited to return to HCSS in my new role as Data Science Officer. As someone deeply interested in both data science and public policy, especially in the field of geopolitics, the Data Lab at HCSS is a perfect fit. I’m particularly enthusiastic about the opportunity to apply my policy knowledge to support code design, and, on the other hand, to use my data background to critically analyse information for policy purposes.”
Last week, from May 6-8, 2025, GC REAIM successfully held its fourth in person Commission Meeting in Abu Dhabi, bringing together Commissioners, Experts, and local partners to work on the drafting of its Strategic Guidance Report. Graciously hosted by TRENDS Research & Advisory and with additional support from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office of the United Kingdom. Our three days in Abu Dhabi have proven incredibly fruitful and presented a great opportunity to collect insights from the UAE and the wider region.
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