As 2020 comes to an end (finally!), we take stock of a year to remember in this final HCSS Digest. The corona crisis changed the world at an unprecedented rate. Global trends that already existed are accelerating, geopolitical relationships are no longer the same and the way we travel, work and spend our free time has changed radically. What will 2021 bring us?
In an extra-long episode of podcast De Strateeg, host Paul van Liempt discusses five major trends with five HCSS experts: what happened in 2020, and what will 2021 bring? And most importantly: what does this mean for you? Listen to Patrick Bolder (space as a military domain), Rob De Wijk (the power of China), Frank Bekkers (Integrated Air and Missile Defense), Paul van Hooft (multilateralism and the Indo-Pacific) and Tim Sweijs (new wars).
How did Covid-19 change the future? In a Chaillot Paperfor the European Union Institute for Security Studies, Deputy Director Florence Gaub and HCSS Strategic Analyst Lotje Boswinkel assess the geopolitical trends the Covid-19 pandemic is perceived as having accelerated, as well as the scope for innovation and far-reaching change induced by the crisis. (PDF download link)
The world has benefited economically for years from the growth spurt China is experiencing. Yet Rob de Wijk warns entrepreneurs who want to do business with the Chinese. “Naivety is lurking, China plays the game a lot smarter”. Read the complete interview in the latest edition of Nederland Logistiek here.
The January 1 deadline is getting closer. Will the British and the EU still manage to reach a Brexit deal? Han ten Broeke discussed the issue in WNL Vandaag, where he commented that the current turmoil shows how chaotic and bad Brexit is. “Britons wanted sovereignty and are only now learning that they depend on trading partners.”
Covid has delivered a wake-up call for long-term thinking, said HCSS energy expert Lucia van Geuns at BNR De Wereld. That longer term is not that far away at all, but corona disguises the fact that we are far from being on that path.
Trump, Brexit and a growing distrust of traditional geopolitical collaborations, the world was at the threshold of a new era 5 years ago. So how is Europe doing now? Platform O talked to Rob de Wijk at length to discuss the current state of affairs.
In WNL Vandaag, Han ten Broeke also discussed the mutated and more contagious form of the coronavirus and the measures the EU countries should take, the need for a good communication strategy about the vaccine by the government, and which influencer should be the face of that vaccination campaign – suggesting the King, but we wouldn’t be surprised if Han stepped to the plate and rolled up his sleeves himself…
What would you do with $ 900 billion? It took them months, but Democrats and Republicans have finally reached a deal on a Covid-19 relief package. From stimulus checks, to jobless aid and small-business loans, HCSS Data Scientist and expert on US Politics Paul Verhagen discussed the bill on BNR Nieuwsradio.
Are Western countries too naive about dealing with Chinese companies? “China is on the rise. There is nothing wrong with that, but China is pursuing power politics and does so in every possible way,” says Rob de Wijk at EenVandaag. “It’s a state capitalist country, so the economy is politics.” (video link here)
Are you up for a challenge in 2021? Interested in working in a dynamic, fastpaced and international environment? Then check out the HCSS Internship Program and apply now!
And with that, we end the final HCSS Digest of the year – wishing you a very Merry Christmas, and a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year!
