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.

Adjusting the Multilateral System to Safeguard Dutch Interests FI
1 Oct 2020
The global balance of power is changing rapidly, and the multilateral system is under pressure. Erosion or even collapse of the multilateral system could have disastrous consequences for the Netherlands. In this new study Rob de Wijk and his co-authors illustrate how the Netherlands can help breathe new life into the international system and prevent its impending collapse.
30 Sep 2020
Conflicts between states have taken on new forms and hybrid operations play an increasingly important role in this volatile environment. Belligerent powers introduce a new model of conflict fought by proxy, across domains, and below the conventional war threshold to advance their foreign policy goals while limiting decisive responsiveness of their victim.   Given these hybrid […]
Samenvatting Adjusting the Multilateral System FI
28 Sep 2020
“Als het multilateraal systeem instort, zou dit voor een open land als Nederland catastrofale gevolgen voor de economie en de veiligheid hebben.” – Rob de Wijk Het multilaterale systeem, waar Nederland onderdeel van is, levert ons ontzettend veel op. Zo boekte Nederland tegenover een bijdrage van €5,4 miljoen aan de WTO in 2019 een exportstijging […]
28 Sep 2020
Conflicts between states have taken on new forms and hybrid operations play an increasingly important role in this volatile environment. Belligerent powers introduce a new model of conflict fought by proxy, across domains, and below the conventional war threshold to advance their foreign policy goals while limiting decisive responsiveness of their victim.    Given these hybrid […]
24 Sep 2020
In 2016 and 2018, both the U.S. and France found their electoral infrastructure under attack from Russian malicious cyber operations. Notably, this included the hacking of the Presidential campaigns of Hilary Clinton and Emmanuel Macron. How should Western governments respond to these attacks? Are there any effective tools they could use to deter such behavior?
21 Sep 2020
Conflicts between states have taken on new forms and hybrid operations play an increasingly important role in this volatile environment. Belligerent powers introduce a new model of conflict fought by proxy, across domains, and below the conventional war threshold to advance their foreign policy goals while limiting decisive responsiveness of their victim.    Given these hybrid threats, how should Western states respond? Are there any […]
NATO Symposium Capstone FI
15 Sep 2020
On June 30th, The Hague Centre for Strategic Studies (HCSS) and the Netherlands Defence Academy (NLDA), hosted a Global Expert Symposium on NATO’s Warfighting Capstone Concept (NWCC), in coordination with NATO’s Supreme Allied Commander Transformation (SACT). At the Symposium the NWCC Team presented unclassified findings from the Capstone Concept, followed by discussions between experts. Now, HCSS and the NLDA present the key findings of the Symposium.
20 Aug 2020
Wat zijn de gevolgen van Covid-19 voor de Europese veiligheid? In een nieuwe notitie gaan HCSS onderzoekers Tim Sweijs, Femke Remmits, Hugo van Manen en Frank Bekkers in op de veiligheidsimplicaties van de pandemie voor Europa en geven zij aanbevelingen voor het Nederlands buitenland- en veiligheidsbeleid om deze het hoofd te bieden. Hoe zal de coronacrisis de […]
20 Aug 2020
What can be done to tackle Iraq’s growing water security issues? A new Water, Peace and Security (WPS) working paper outlines that Iraq’s water challenges have security implications at the interprovincial level that until recently received little attention. Read the working paper by Dorith Kool, Laura Birkman and Bianca Torossian here.
12 Aug 2020
The Expert Group of the International Military Council on Climate and Security (IMCCS) released a new report, “Climate and Security in the Indo-Asia Pacific”, urging leaders to make climate change a security priority in the Indo-Asia Pacific. This unprecedented report clearly outlines how climate change is already affecting the security situation in the Indo-Asia Pacific […]
11 Aug 2020
The character of war is changing, and the long-held U.S. superiority is under threat. New weapon systems require investment in modern defenses, but does absolute reliance on technology make our Alliance safer, or are we fooling ourselves and leaving open vulnerabilities? This snapshot by Patrick Bolder and Dorith Kool provides some insights and food for […]
21 Jul 2020
While many fixate on the South China Sea, the vast Indian Ocean region (IOR), stretching from East Africa to South East Asia, and down to Australia, has become a tense multipolar security space. Foreign military facilities and naval forces are proliferating around the Arabian Peninsula, writes HCSS Subject matter expert Richard Ghiasy in a new snapshot.
3 Jul 2020
The global challenges caused by the Covid-19 crisis call for a combined effort of nations worldwide; however, the pandemic unfolds against the backdrop of a world that is increasingly characterized by great power competition. This new paper by HCSS and DISCvision highlights possible future interplays between nations in the aftermath of the corona crisis. Comparing […]
22 Jun 2020
State fragility presents an increasing global security threat, but security sector reform (SSR) missions have met with mixed results. A new HCSS report by Dorith Kool and Tim Sweijs lays out a framework to assess security sectors’ potential contribution to stability.
15 Jun 2020
In een nieuwe notitie gaat Rob de Wijk in op de geopolitieke effecten van Covid-19, de gevolgen voor de veiligheid en hoe Nederland hierop kan reageren.
26 May 2020
This snapshot considers the path forward for Dutch defense planning. While the Netherlands has a relatively small defense budget, wise investment in innovation for the future will allow these funds to go a long way in preparing for coming developments in warfare, especially as the coronavirus crisis highlights the need for better governmental budgeting. In […]
18 May 2020
The economic relevance of space is growing, and interstate competition is heating up. Satellites are key to the Netherlands’ military capabilities, and space is also likely to play a role in the global energy transition. Our new strategic alert explores the threats and opportunities of space from the Dutch perspective.
13 May 2020
This policy brief discusses the methodology for assessing the impact of the lifestory approach on preventing and countering violent extremism. It recommends a mixed-methods approach of qualitative and quantitative elements including interviews, ethnographic observations, questionnaires, and project activities reception. Using these methods to explore the impact of the lifestories on violent extremists, directly affected individuals, […]
12 May 2020
Lifestory videos, which are the personal stories of affected individuals, can be very persuasive in changing attitudes and thus reducing violent extremist sentiments. However, it is important to be able to gauge how effective lifestories have been as an approach to reducing extremism in a community. Therefore, this report lays out a methodology for assessing […]
5 May 2020
This report lays out guidelines for creating lifestory videos to assist in producing high-quality, consistent media with a coherent message. It specifies ideal script/video structure and other technical aspects, such as video shooting, filming locations, imagery, clothing, video length, language and subtitles, music, audio, and translations. The audiovisual format of lifestories can be highly informative […]
30 Apr 2020
This policy brief discusses how to design strategic communications campaigns to prevent and counter violent extremism using lifestory narratives. It focuses on the most effective choices to make when producing and disseminating lifestories in regard to audience, goals, media, and typology. It recommends treating the whole society as the audience, aiming to reduce tensions in […]
29 Apr 2020
Lifestory narratives can be a highly effective tool in efforts to prevent and counter violent extremism. These narratives are authentic personal stories told by those whose lives have been touched by extremism, and through sharing them it is possible to promote understanding and empathy among different members of the affected community, thus building resilience and […]
29 Apr 2020
There have been significant developments in the field of conflict prediction methods, with many new tools and models available for researchers. However, the effectiveness of these methods and their potential utility in real-world applications still needs to be tested. Many traditional early warning tools are broad, looking at only national or international trends, which makes […]
24 Apr 2020
This policy brief outlines some of the challenges researchers face in the field when working to counter and prevent (non)violent extremism. It focuses on five problematic areas: accessing the targeted communities, security risks, politicization of violent extremism, collaboration with local and international actors, and work-life balance and trauma. It offers suggestions for mitigating these risks.

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