Publications

Over the years, HCSS has built up an extensive archive of reports, monitors, papers and other publications. We disseminate the results of our research as broadly as possible to benefit the public good. Use the advanced search functions below to browse through our research library, most of which is available as free PDF downloads.

22 Mar 2022
Graphite is a critical mineral for governments in Europe and the United States, given its importance to the energy transition and high supply risk. Technologies that enable the decarbonization of transport and steel production, i.e., electric vehicles and electric arc furnaces, rely heavily on a consistent supply of high-quality graphite, leading to an exponential growth in the demand for graphite over the coming decades.
15 Mar 2022
Het Volksbevrijdingsleger probeert met de technologische innovaties van de 4e industriële revolutie de militaire koppositie te pakken in de wereld. Anno 2022 worstelt China juist nog met een belangrijke militair-technologische achterstand. Deze mag niet ingelopen worden met behulp van Europese kennis en technologie. China’s indrukwekkende militaire opkomst, heeft namelijk vergaande gevolgen voor Europese veiligheid, betoogt HCSS China-analist Joris Teer.
14 Mar 2022
In 2021, Germany jumped its shadow by sending the frigate FGS BAYERN to a 7-month Indo-Pacific deployment. Johannes Peters highlights what this means for Germany’s security role in the future of this region, in the 6th paper of our Guarding The Commons series.
10 Mar 2022
South Korea’s hedge is less likely to transform into overt balancing against China over the short-term via multilateralizing cooperation with European partners, Kuyoun Chung (Kangwon National University) argues, as both South Korea and Europe share an interest in an open and secure Indo-Pacific.
9 Mar 2022
By redefining the approach to Maritime Security, the EU Indo-Pacific strategy constitutes a useful strategic framework which, although not decisive, could provide the basis for an effective European policy and presence in the Indo-Pacific, Frédéric Grare and Mélissa Levaillant argue in the 4th paper of our Guarding The Commons series.
9 Mar 2022
Op woensdag 9 maart zal de Vaste Kamercommissie voor Economische Zaken en Klimaat een rondetafelgesprek “Russisch Gas” houden over de huidige ontwikkelingen op de gasmarkten, met name de afhankelijkheidspositie van Rusland. HCSS energie expert Jilles van den Beukel is daarbij (virtueel) aanwezig om mogelijke vragen te beantwoorden. Samen met Lucia van Geuns schreef hij deze korte position paper voor de Kamerleden.
3 Mar 2022
The energy transition will change the architecture of economies by gradually replacing the traditional types of fuels that power our societies with new energy carriers. Tank storage companies are essential players in our energy, manufacturing, and food industries. The tank storage sector supports a complex network of actors, from domestic industry players to residential users and international traders. This paper outlines the current role of the tank storage sector in maintaining Europe’s prosperity, competitiveness, and geopolitical position.
22 Feb 2022
We have witnessed a dramatic deterioration in Russian-Western relations in which the ‘harder’ policy options like coercion and the use of brute force are gaining the upper hand on both sides. A broader, deeper and more systematic examination of all – also ‘softer’ – ways in which Europe could achieve its longer-term policy objectives towards Russia may enable policy makers to design an options portfolio that delivers superior value-for-money.
21 Feb 2022
Europeans could play the role of “honest broker” and promote potential cooperation on arms control between the US and China, Tong Zhao (Carnegie Endowment for International Peace) argues in his paper.
21 Feb 2022
This report explores various options for the development of a Conflict Early Warning System (CEWS) that can immediately flag countries or regions that face imminent emerging conflict, support strategic and programmatic planning and enhance conflict analysis. It analyses the practices, principles and promises of EW based on a review of academic literature; an analysis of a set of CEWS currently deployed by governments, international organisations, non-governmental organisations, research institutes and expert analysis. It reflects on opportunities and limitations and outlines risks.
18 Feb 2022
Iraq faces an increasingly dire water situation as both the quantity and quality of water continue to decline, impacting the complex dynamics between actors within Iraq’s borders, at the federal, provincial, and local levels. The aim of this study is to shed light on the link between water and conflict in Iraq at the interprovincial, provincial, and local levels in the provinces Basra, Missan, Dhi Qar, and Wasit in the south of Iraq.
17 Feb 2022
What role should Europe play in the Indo-Pacific? The new HCSS report “Guarding the Maritime Commons: What role for Europe in the Indo-Pacific" by Paul van Hooft, Benedetta Girardi, and Tim Sweijs looks to answer that question. Get a first look with this Executive Summary.
17 Feb 2022
With increasing pressure from China in the East China Sea, Japan welcomes greater European enagement in the Indo-Pacific. Yuki Tatsumi argues that Japan considers Europe a diplomatic and strategic partner to help maintain a value-based liberal international order in the Indo-Pacific region.
15 Feb 2022
The AUKUS pact casts serious doubts within Europe over the US’ leadership. Relying on traditional partners, namely the US and the UK, does not seem feasible for the EU’s approach towards powers in the Indo-Pacific, Jagannath Panda (Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses) writes in the 2nd paper for the HCSS Guarding the Commons series.
15 Feb 2022
Renewed competition, nuclear multipolarity and the emergence of new technologies are making deliberate and inadvertent nuclear escalation increasingly likely. This new HCSS report by Paul van Hooft, Lotje Boswinkel and Tim Sweijs identifies both the risks and potential solutions.
14 Feb 2022
Strategic stability has come under pressure from a shifting military and political environment: the number of major strategic actors has increased; missile defense has evolved; and the battlefield has expanded. Nuclear arsenals are being increased and diversified. Yet, as Bruno Tertrais (Foundation for Strategic Research) argues, warnings that we have entered into a new arms race should be viewed with caution.
10 Feb 2022
The Thucydides trap, which suggests that rising and declining powers are destined for conflict, has been dismissed as irrelevant to the Sino-American competition. However, in his careful reading of Thucydides’ text, Patrick Porter argues that the power transition trap is in fact real and has major implications for the current rivalry between the US and China.
9 Feb 2022
The world has grown more dangerous but also less open to arms control measures that could limit some of the dangers. What can be done? Steven E. Miller (Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs) offers a tour de force overview of both dismal and hopeful trends within arms control over the past decades, in this first paper of a new HCSS series on Arms Control.
31 Jan 2022
Dat geopolitieke veranderingen een koerswijziging eisen wordt inmiddels breed erkend. Maar hoe die koerswijzigingen eruit moet zien, en welke rol de NAVO en de EU daarin moeten spelen is minder duidelijk. Deze HCSS paper levert een bijdrage aan de discussie door aan te geven hoe de NAVO en de EU zich tot elkaar kunnen verhouden en welke initiatieven kunnen worden genomen die de Nederlandse belangen dienen.
26 Jan 2022
In het kader van de krijgsmachtontwikkeling heeft Defensie behoefte aan inzicht in hoe de invulling van de tweede hoofdtaak er de komende 15 jaar uit zal zien. Daarbij wordt gekeken naar wat deze hoofdtaak feitelijk is, de gewijzigde context waarin deze moet worden uitgevoerd en de toekomstige zwaartepunten voor de inzet.
20 Jan 2022
European and Asian allies of the US are increasingly under pressure from Russia and China. In both regions, small and middle powers face a revisionist and assertive nuclear-armed military power in possession of regional power projection capabilities. What could lead to a breakdown of deterrence between the US and small and middle powers in Europe and Asia?
18 Jan 2022
Deterrence scholars stress military imbalances as a major cause of interstate war. According to Dr. Jeffrey H. Michaels they underplay the complex motives for why states decide to go to war or are self-deterred from it. Deterrence effectiveness requires more understanding of these motives.
18 Jan 2022
During the Expo 2020 in Dubai, young participants of the Water Energy Food (WEF) game developed by HCSS will discuss practical solutions for water, energy and food challenges with governmental leaders. Read their recommendations now.
13 Jan 2022
How NATO can deter Russia from provoking a military confrontation with the Alliance? Wojciech Lorenz (Polish Institute of International Affairs) covers deterrence in the Baltic Sea Region from a Polish view. This is the 4th short paper in a new HCSS series on deterrence.

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