EPIS Blog
A weekly series of opinionated briefs (500–1000 words) discussing current issues in foreign affairs and security policy.
Countering Hybrid Threats in the Grey Zone
As hybrid threats increasingly challenge Europe’s security and democratic resilience, David Song-Pehamberger of Hybrid CoE explores the evolving threat landscape, the EU’s response, and how Europe can strengthen its resilience in an era of complex risks.
Safer Schools
While school shootings remain a significant concern for schools and policymakers, the increasing number of incidents highlights the need for effective prevention and mitigation measures. This article explores these mitigation measures from early detection to preparedness and emergency response.
NATO Summit in Ankara
The 2026 NATO Summit in Ankara marked a shift toward “NATO 3.0,” focusing on increased defence spending and burden-sharing. Key outcomes included U.S. plans to lift sanctions on Türkiye, 70 billion dollars in aid for Ukraine, new multinational defence deals, and heightened tensions over Greenland.
Turning EU Priorities Into Regional Action
The 2026 Macro-regional and Sea Basin Strategies Days highlighted how EU cooperation frameworks can strengthen territorial collaboration, resilience, and the implementation of shared EU priorities across regions.
The Berlin Pride Attack and the Migration Myth
The Berlin Pride attacker was German-born, yet right-wing populists blamed migration. Drawing on research into migration and terrorism, this article shows why the attack points to domestic radicalisation, not a “Trojan horse”, and why integration remains part of effective security policy.
Fed, Not Informed
Algorithms feed us more news every day, but less explanation. Here’s how that’s reshaping political belief – one trend at a time.
Airbus Defence Summit 2026 Event Report
The first Airbus Defence Summit took place on 20 May 2026 in Manching, Germany. Discussions focused on European security and strategic autonomy, with speakers stressing industrial cooperation and dual-use technologies. A dedicated ED2 dialogue engaged Gen Z on deterrence as a shared responsibility.
How effective have the EU’s Sanctions against Russia really been
Since 2022, the European Union has imposed twenty packages of sanctions against Russia, which depicts the largest number of restrictive measures in EU history that have ever been made. More than 2,700 individuals and entities have been listed, and over €28 billion in private assets have been froz…
Eurosatory 2026
The report discusses the Eurosatory 2026 exhibition, where industry leaders showcased new technologies and discussed, alongside European defence officials, NATO and research institutions, how industrial resilience, financial mobilisation, rapid innovation, and Ukraine’s battlefield experience are…
European Defence and Security Summit Report
From procurement contracts that ‘insure’ production capacity to the Turkey question, three takeaways from the European Business Summit Defence and Security at the heart of the EU’s defence readiness dilemma: closing today’s gaps while building tomorrow’s autonomy.
Berlin Defense Tech Forum 2026
The Berlin Defense Tech Forum 2026 highlighted that successful defense innovation must be driven by battlefield needs. Ukrainian soldiers emphasized practicality, affordability, and rapid adaptation over technological complexity.
ILA Conference Report
A major takeaway from ILA Berlin 2026 was the urgent push across all three domains for independent technologies, industrial competitiveness, and defence readiness including high-end software-defined defence in Europe.
Reform without inclusion?
– Main question: can BiH strengthen rule of law and fundamental rights while preserving a constitutionally exclusionary system? – Main argument: the post-Dayton framework institutionalised ethnopolitical division, while veto mechanisms and sectarian incentives obstruct reform. – Conclusion: democ…
Breaking Down Structures of Dependency
How should the humanitarian sector adapt to the funding cuts of USAID — differentiate funding, cooperate with locals more, and more flexibility — dependency relationships are dangerous and new (flexible) mechanisms must be put in place
The Left’s Failed North Korea Fantasy
Can economic engagement change a hostile authoritarian regime? This article is arguing that South Korea’s left-wing policies toward North Korea failed to reduce tensions but instead enabled Pyongyang’s military expansion. By prioritizing symbolic reconciliation over deterrence, progressive admini…
Perpetual Conflict and European Security
Russia presents a challenge to European security with no clear answer. Baltic states viewed Russia as an immediate threat, whilst western states appeared more cautious and strategically uncertain. Concerns over weakening US commitment exposed growing divisions within the NATO alliance. The confer…
Rethinking Contemporary Peacebuilding
Main question: How can peacebuilding move beyond rigid approaches to create an inclusive and sustainable peace? Contemporary peacebuilding is framed by concepts which exclude local communities and organizations, thus, we need to ensure their inclusion in peace process on all stages and with full …
The Empathy Deficit
Stefan Noël Hageman asks whether military power can succeed without understanding how adversaries and civilians perceive violence. He argues that recent US and Israeli campaigns failed because they disregarded empathy as a strategic skill, strengthening resistance instead of weakening it. He conc…
What is Nihilistic Violent Extremism?
-What is NVE? How is it linked to terrorism, and how can it be countered? NVE is a form of violence driven not by ideology but by hatred toward society and misanthropic worldviews. Often targeting minors, some groups or subgroups may engage in terrorism. Responses to NVE include youth education a…
Patriotism and Policy-Making in China
How does patriotism influence China’s policy-making in a fragmented global order? Patriotism acts as a source of national cohesion that supports long-term policies, especially in technological self-reliance. While effective for coordination, this model raises questions about debate, flexibility, …