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But we are proud to say that Stephanie Govaerts contributed 225 entries already.
The Hague Centre for Strategic Studies (HCSS) co-hosted a high-level side event during the NATO Summit in Ankara. The panel: ‘Mind the Gap: Can Europe Build a More European NATO?’ brought together senior military, diplomatic, and industry leaders to examine Europe’s evolving role within the Alliance.
The international order is fragmenting, but small and middle powers (SMPs) are not powerless. A new HCSS report by Benedetta Girardi, Stephanie Govaerts, Noemie Jacq, Sven Koopmans and Tim Sweijs sets out four strategic options for SMPs and argues that flexible, issue-specific coalitions offer the most promising path for protecting rules, strengthening resilience and shaping future governance. The report also lays out five key recommendations for the governments of SMPs.
A new HCSS and China Knowledge Network (CKN) report by Benedetta Girardi and Hans Horan examines how Chinese foreign interference affects Dutch strategic industries, including semiconductors, maritime industries, and aerospace. Watch their interview and report presentation here.
Just days before the 2026 NATO Summit in Ankara, HCSS strategic analyst Davis Ellison joined a study tour of Estonia to gain first-hand insight into security on NATO’s eastern flank. From military exercises at Tapa and the border city of Narva to discussions with senior Estonian officials, journalists and security experts, the visit highlighted how deterrence, resilience and regional cooperation shape daily life on Europe’s frontier with Russia. It also offered a stark reminder of what is ultimately at stake in defending the Alliance’s eastern border.
A new HCSS and China Knowledge Network (CKN) report by Benedetta Girardi and Hans Horan examines how Chinese foreign interference affects Dutch strategic industries, including semiconductors, maritime industries, and aerospace. The study finds that interference activities form part of a long-term systemic strategy and calls for a more coordinated, resilience-based approach to protecting Dutch economic and technological security.
Hi, my name is Noemie! I am originally from a small village in Bretagne (France) but I have been living in the Netherlands for the past 5 years. Prior to the internship, I had very little experience in working in the field. It was important for me to get work experience before starting my masters, and I couldn’t be happier after my time at HCSS!
So what’s it like, being an intern at HCSS? From California to The Hague, Ethan Mansfield joined HCSS to put his academic knowledge of international relations into practice. During his internship, he contributed to projects on hybrid threats, nuclear deterrence and critical underwater infrastructure, while attending conferences, industry interviews and site visits. Working alongside HCSS analysts gave him first-hand insight into policy research and helped him develop the practical skills needed to bridge the gap between theory and the realities of international security.
On June 25th, 2026 HCSS hosted the second edition of our alumni reunion event at our office, welcoming former staff and interns to reconnect, share stories and re-live great memories! Following the great success of last year’s event, our aim is to continue this annual tradition, strengthening our community and creating new opportunities for connection and networking. If you are an HCSS alumni and would like to receive an invitation for future events, please send an email to events@hcss.nl so we can include you in our mailing list.
Hi! My name is Clarice van der Paardt and I was born and raised in Amsterdam. I found out about this internship through an AUC alumnus who had been at HCSS a few years earlier. When browsing HCSS’ projects and fields of research, the breadth of research topics really reflected the learning opportunities that this internship would offer me. I also read a lot of intern testimonials when familiarising myself with the internship programme. They helped a lot and made me excited to apply. Writing this therefore really feels like a full-circle moment!
As global competition intensifies over technology standards, supply chains, and digital governance, the European Union finds itself in a paradoxical position: it remains the world’s most influential regulatory power, yet continues to treat this influence largely as a by-product of governance rather than a tool of geopolitical strategy. While Brussels has successfully exported its rules across areas such as data protection, sustainability, and competition policy, other major powers are increasingly leveraging regulatory frameworks and standard-setting processes as instruments of statecraft. Drawing on China’s strategic use of legal and regulatory influence, Benedetta Girardi argues that the EU must begin viewing its regulatory power as a geopolitical asset if it wants to preserve and advance its position in an increasingly contested international order.
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