StrategicALLY

In this episode of StrategicALLY, hosts Bori Benedek and Zsigmond Tar sit down with Paul van Hooft, a defence and deterrence expert at RAND Europe, to explore the evolving dynamics of European security. The discussion covers critical topics such as NATO enlargement, European deterrence, and the shifting focus of American foreign policy from Europe to the Indo-Pacific. Mr. van Hooft provides context on the potential implications of a Trump administration on transatlantic relations, the war in Ukraine, and the strategic cohesion of European militaries. Drawing on his extensive research and publications, he discusses Europe’s reliance on the U.S. in key military sectors, the necessity for European fallback options, and the prospects for enhanced EU-NATO collaboration. Packed with expert insights, this episode offers a comprehensive analysis of the future of European defence in an increasingly multipolar world.ReferencesDeter, Compete, and Engage: Europe’s Responsibility within the Arms Control Regime after Ukraine, with or without the United States: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/379021985_Deter_Compete_and_Engage_Europe’s_Responsibility_within_the_Arms_Control_Regime_after_Ukraine_with_or_without_the_United_StatesW/ Ivan Oehlrich and Stephen Biddle Anti-satellite warfare, proliferated satellites, and the future of space-based military surveillance: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/01402390.2024.2379398Every Which Way But Loose: The United States, NATO Enlargement, European Strategic Autonomy and Fragmentation https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/978-3-031-23364-7_13.pdf?pdf=inline+linkW/Davis Ellison – Twilight of Atlanticism? America’s shifting approach to Europe: https://hcss.nl/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Twilight-of-Atlanticism-HCSS-2024.pdfW/ Tim Sweijs, Philip Geurts – Strengthening deterrence against nuclear, conventional, and hybrid threats: Strengths, Weaknesses, and Insights for US Allies in Europe and Asia: https://hcss.nl/report/strengthening-deterrence-nuclear-conventional-hybrid-threats/Transatlantic relations after four years of Trumpism: a postmortem: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/351271137_Transatlantic_relations_after_four_years_of_Trumpism_a_postmortem

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.