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New Report | Reshaping the international legal order: China’s strategic use of lawfare and lessons learned for Europe

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A new HCSS report examines how China uses lawfare to reshape the international legal order from within. By reinterpreting norms, building parallel institutions, and leveraging legal asymmetries, Beijing is expanding its influence across trade, technology, and maritime governance. The report outlines what this means for Europe and how policymakers can strengthen resilience and maintain normative influence in an increasingly contested legal landscape.

HCSS Datalab Internship Deadline extended! (Open until 30 April)

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The Datalab of The Hague Centre for Strategic Studies offers an exciting internship to aspiring data scientists. Our clients include major corporations, key government ministries, development aid agencies, and security providers, both domestic and global. The HCSS data internship therefore offers invaluable experience working on some of the most significant global issues of our time. Candidates should either have a strong quantitative background or demonstrated affinity for all things quantitative. They should also demonstrate transferable programming skills, as well as a keen interest in the topics covered by HCSS policy research.

Irina Patrahau and Benedetta Girardi author chapter on Critical Raw Materials for Defense

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Strategic Analysts Irina Patrahau and Benedetta Girardi authored a chapter in the edited volume ‘Industrial Open Strategic Autonomy in the Indo-Pacific’. Their chapter examines the critical role of secure access to raw materials in defence preparedness. They argue that modern defence systems—ranging from missiles to AI and space technologies—depend heavily on a limited set of critical raw materials (CRMs). These materials are often geographically concentrated and exposed to geopolitical risks, creating vulnerabilities for resource-dependent countries like the Netherlands and South Korea.

New Report | Between the Berlaymont and the Glass Palace: The relative roles of the European Union and NATO in European defence

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HCSS’s new report explores the complex relationship between the EU and NATO in European defence. Authors Davis Ellison and Daniel Fiott offer a roadmap for policymakers navigating this pivotal moment in European defence. Despite persistent tensions, both institutions remain central to European security. The study identifies practical reforms – ranging from Berlin Plus updates to closer political coordination – that can strengthen cooperation, enhance Europe’s self-sufficiency, and reduce reliance on the United States.

Webinar | Strategic Negotiations 101

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Interested in strengthening your negotiation skills? This introductory webinar, hosted by Sven Koopmans, offers a practical overview of core and advanced negotiation strategies and tactics, along with insights into what to expect from HCSS’s upcoming Strategic Negotiations course in June 2026. During the session, Koopmans—former EU Special Representative for the Middle East Peace Process—will share key lessons from his experience in international diplomacy and conflict resolution, followed by a Q&A. He will also outline how the course, delivered together with Paul Sinning, Michel Rademaker, and Kees van Rij, prepares professionals to navigate high-stakes negotiations across business and geopolitical contexts. This webinar is designed for anyone considering the full Strategic Negotiations programme or looking to build practical negotiation expertise.

Alessandro Dell’Orto on working in the Datalab, collaborative research and building his academic path

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Hi! My name is Alessandro Dell’Orto and I live in Delft as I have for the last 1.5 years. I’m Italian, but moved to the Netherlands to start a master’s degree in Engineering and Policy Analysis at TU Delft. The reason being that I wanted to specialise in applying hard-science knowledge and techniques to policy problems. The same drive led me towards this HCSS Data Internship. I am planning to pursue a PhD after I graduate, and during my HCSS internship extension, I will be working on several projects that will lead to an academic publication.

New Report | Frontiers of Influence: Counter Measures to Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference in the Grey Zone

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The report Frontiers of Influence analyses Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference (FIMI) across Europe’s Eastern borders. The study highlights a shift toward “whole-of-society” models, noting that high-capacity states like Estonia treat information defense as a “continuous governmental task.”Recommendation: To move beyond reactive measures, states must implement a proactive, layered defense integrating strategic communication, regulatory enforcement, and deep societal resilience. Safeguarding democracy requires “not only technical tools but also sustained political will and societal cohesion.”

Marit Weurding on how ‘De Strateeg’ led her to HCSS, mentorship and growing in confidence

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So what’s it like being an intern at HCSS? Marit Weurding talks about working at a fastpaced, independent thinktank, personal growth, mentorship and serious gaming in turbulent times: I first found out about HCSS through its podcast ‘de Strateeg’, which I listened to religiously. HCSS’ relevant and interdisciplinary focus of research combined with a group of high-level experts seemed like the perfect environment to gain my first-ever working experience.

HCSS Datalab Internship (start May-June 2026 / Open until April)

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The Datalab of The Hague Centre for Strategic Studies offers an exciting internship to aspiring data scientists. Our clients include major corporations, key government ministries, development aid agencies, and security providers, both domestic and global. The HCSS data internship therefore offers invaluable experience working on some of the most significant global issues of our time. Candidates should either have a strong quantitative background or demonstrated affinity for all things quantitative. They should also demonstrate transferable programming skills, as well as a keen interest in the topics covered by HCSS policy research.

The HCSS Datalab launches: Chinese Latent Activity and Related Interference Scanner (CLARIS)

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HCSS has launched CLARIS, a new interactive dashboard mapping verified Chinese hybrid threat activity against small and middle powers in Europe and the Asia-Pacific. Complementary to the report Responding to China’s Hybrid Threats: Strategic Postures for Small and Middle Powers, the tool offers a transparent, data-driven overview of trends, country exposure, and individual incidents since 2010.

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