StrategicALLY

Since the end of the Cold War, most European countries have suspended compulsory military service, reducing their militaries to a relatively small force of volunteers. The consequences of the cuts to military budgets have become more apparent following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. While only 9 out of the 27 Member States of the EU have compulsory military service today, developing highly professional armed forces capable of conducting multinational complex operations has become a huge challenge.In the third episode of StrategicALLY, Gaia Durante Mangoni is joined by Sophia Besch, a Senior Fellow in the Europe Program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. They discuss whether we are witnessing a comeback of mandatory military service in Europe and the main conscription challenges for European countries. They explore how states are reshaping their military service models to make them more attractive and fit for this new era of collective defence. They also look at concrete examples of how conscription is particularly successful today, including Finland and Sweden.For more about the topics discussed in this episode, check out Sophia Besch's latest publication on Europe’s Conscription Challenge: Lessons From Nordic and Baltic States.The news clips in this episode are taken from: video “Compulsory military service back on the table in Europe as war rages in Ukraine” published on the Youtube channel of FRANCE 24 English on 28 May 2024; video “Denmark announces compulsory military service for women too” published on DW News’ Youtube channel on 15 March 2024.Edited and produced by Gaia Durante Mangoni.

Between the 15th and the 16th of June 2024, delegations from nearly 100 countries gathered in Bürgenstock Resort in Switzerland to discuss a path to peace in Ukraine. While Russia and its key ally China were not there, most participants reaffirmed their support for Ukraine’s territorial integrity and the core principles of international law in the final communique.In the second episode of StrategicALLY, Gaia Durante Mangoni and Patricia Bernardo are joined by Andreas Umland, Senior Analyst at the Stockholm Centre for Eastern European Studies and a research fellow at the Swedish Institute for International Studies, to talk about the outcomes of the Ukraine Peace Summit in Switzerland and its significance for future diplomatic efforts. They assess how successful this conference was for Kyiv and Ukrainian President Zelenskyy’s efforts to rally the support of as many countries as possible for its peace formula. They also analyse the current situation on the battlefield and the implications of Ukraine's Western allies easing restrictions on the use of certain weapons. Finally, they examine the nuclear risks of this war and Russia’s peace plan.Edited and produced by Gaia Durante Mangoni.

As we enter the 2024 European elections voting weekend, defence and security is one of the main campaign issues for voters.In the first episode of Finabel’s brand-new podcast, the hosts Gaia Durante Mangoni and Patricia Bernardo are joined by Thomas Tindemans, chairman of the strategic communications consultancy Hill & Knowlton, to discuss why European common defence and security should be on every European citizen’s mind when heading to the polls. Thomas, Gaia and Patricia explain why a vote that recognises the potential of a more coordinated military approach is important. They also stress why having representatives in the European Parliament who promote interoperability can overall improve the EU’s effectiveness in navigating an increasingly volatile security environment.Edited and produced by Gaia Durante Mangoni.