Not One War but Three Wars in the Middle East
From a strategic perspective, the currently labelled “Iran War” is in fact three distinct wars, inter-connected no doubt, but with distinct aims and characteristics. These are: the US war on […]
Europe in the World
In a world that is largely driven by competition and rivalry (and partnership, yet) between great powers, understanding the Grand Strategy of each of these powers is crucial. So is developing a Grand Strategy for the EU itself. An EU that acts as one, as one pole of the multipolar world on a par with the other powers, is the only way to safeguard the way of life that the Member States of the EU have chosen, based on democracy, the free market, and equality.
Power cannot be divided: a global player must have political, economic, as well as military power. To that end, the Europe in the World Programme analyses the diplomacy and defence of the US, China, and Russia, and of the EU, NATO, and their members. We also focus on geoeconomics, researching Open Strategic Autonomy and the Global Gateway as key EU instruments, as well as the geoeconomic approaches of the other powers.
Defence policy is our third main axis of research, with a particular focus on European defence and its interaction with NATO, but also on nuclear deterrence and the deterrence of hybrid threats. Throughout all three research axis, we devote special attention to the role of Belgium, including notably the development of its own National Security Strategy and diplomatic and military capabilities.
Publications
Dissuasion avancée: Macron’s Realistic Complement to NATO Nuclear Deterrence
On 2 March 2026, French President Emmanuel Macron delivered a speech on nuclear deterrence at the Ile Longue nuclear submarine base. The speech was made in a vastly different geopolitical […]
Commentaries
War on Iran: Tactical Success, Strategic Risk?
Today Turkey, not Iran, is Israel’s main strategic rival. If we agree on this, as strategists, the brilliance of the spectacular tactical display of military might, intelligence, and technology in […]
Commentaries
A European War
The longer Russia’s war against Ukraine has lasted, the more important it has become to the security of all of Europe. Ukraine is not a member of the EU or […]
External publications
How Nuclear Weapon Reductions Backfired for NATO
Russia continues to rely on its sub-strategic nuclear arsenal, and NATO is therefore hoping in vain for sub-strategic nuclear arms control negotiations. For three decades, says Wannes Verstraete, the Alliance has […]
Renegotiating the Transatlantic Bargain
The end of 2025 and the beginning of 2026 have showcased the foreign policy and defence approach of the second Trump administration, not only in words, such as the releases […]