Blog

Will the conflict between Japan and Russia over the Kurils resolved? The historic context, the presence of resources and the confrontation between Putin and Japanese ambitions halted the possible resolution. The ongoing conflict is very unlikely to be resolved as the situation stays the same.

How do foreign powers shape Lebanon's security landscape? From Iran's military entrenchment to Western and Gulf states' strategic maneuvers, foreign actors have long influenced the country's fragile equilibrium. As regional dynamics shift, Lebanon’s trajectory remains uncertain. Without a unified international strategy and a commitment to long-term stability, Lebanon risks remaining a proxy battleground for geopolitical competition rather than advancing toward genuine sovereignty and security.

Can a spiritual leader influence global politics without traditional power? Pope Francis used moral authority and symbolic gestures to impact diplomacy, placing peace and the vulnerable at the centre of global discourse. His papacy proved that ethical leadership can challenge realpolitik and leave a lasting legacy on the international order.

The chaos generated by the Trump administration brings challenges, but also the opportunity for Europe to build its strategic autonomy, improving its position in security, trade, and technology.

How can governments uphold democracy in a fragmented, multipolar world while avoiding authoritarianism? The greatest threat to Western democracies is internal—censorship and suppression of dissenting opinions erode trust and weaken democratic values. To safeguard democracy, leaders must either eliminate censorship or admit that democracy no longer exists in its purest form. The choice is between civil liberties and authoritarian control.

Should the EU treat Taiwan as a strategic partner despite China’s threats? Taiwan offers the EU critical economic and democratic alignment, but deepening ties risks economic retaliation and geopolitical friction with Beijing. The EU must cautiously strengthen ties with Taiwan to support democracy and resilience, while avoiding escalation with China.

Ukraine has become a fast, self-reliant defence innovator, urging frozen Russian assets to fund its tech sector. With U.S. security guarantees less certain, Europe must back Ukraine directly - not just in solidarity, but because it now serves as the continent’s key bulwark against aggression. A “Reverse Kissinger” approach to Russia won’t work; lasting security depends on strong democratic alliances, not deals with autocrats.

Could South Korea’s 2025 election reshape the security landscape of Northeast Asia? A victory for Lee Jae-myung would likely shift South Korea’s foreign policy away from its U.S.-Japan alliance toward closer ties with China and North Korea. Such a pivot could fracture existing alliances and accelerate instability across the region.

Can Europeans take on the defence of Europe?

With the grey silhouette of the new Chinese J-36 stealth fighter appearing in the sky, analysts wonder if the West has fallen behind in the race for the 6th Generation of fighter aviation. But with CCP military projects shrouded in secrecy and propaganda, what do we know so far? The J-36 seems to be more than a paper tiger but rather a capable fighter, which might, however, not be the great leap forward it is presented as.

Adapting to the rapid technological development pace, enforcing our Western identity and principles, and ensuring the security of Critical Infrastructure projects.

The joint mission achieved overwhelming success, demonstrating effective operational capabilities. The Tu-95, Russia's most numerous strategic bomber, played a crucial role in the mission. The operation highlighted the importance and effectiveness of international military collaboration.

How can Germany and France strengthen their collaboration in space and defence? How can they ensure European sovereignty and competitiveness, especially in times of geopolitical crisis? Franco-German cooperation is vital for strengthening Europe's independence and competitiveness in space and defence, especially amid global tensions

Can Germany continue avoiding clear foreign policy stances in a volatile global context? The “German Vote” reflects structural indecision rooted in domestic politics, harming Berlin’s leadership role. Germany must break from strategic ambiguity and lead with responsibility to retain influence and ally trust.

Artificial intelligence, in conjunction with OSINT, is supercharging policework. Drones, once primarily used by hobbyists and military personnel, are increasingly finding a role in police forces across the world. Other more traditional technological advances (vehicles, armour, weaponry) remain important, and new innovations are being made.

How can the Baltic region build up credible deterrence? Fragmented procurement and lack of interoperability undermine deterrence; only unified strategies, technological integration, and mass production can build real defence. The Baltic region must urgently coordinate procurement, deploy interoperable systems, and scale production to form a credible defensive wall.

China is building a new type of landing ship, unarmed but the opposite of harmless. Constructing these ships seems to have only one explanation: concrete Chinese plans for an invasion of Taiwan. Or are these ships just part of a faint to divert resources into the defence of an attack that never comes? EPIS Senior Fellow Ferdinand Wegener argues that there is no faint and a Chinese invasion is coming, even if pinpointing when it will start is near impossible.

How to enhance global security amidst evolving geopolitical challenges? The discussion focused on the need for strengthened alliances, particularly within Europe and the Atlantic, and the necessity to invest in defence capabilities and technological innovation. This is vital for Europe to consolidate its defence industry to ensure long-term security and stability.

This piece will argue that, despite the positive notion associated with the reformist image of the Iranian President, domestic and international factors will result in the prevalence of the status quo on the nuclear question and that Iran, which is very close to developing nuclear weapons, will enhance its presence in the region.

Personal experience from visiting Lebanon & Syria post Iran-Israel war: daily life goes on under missiles in the sky. People care more about bread, power cuts, and safety than geopolitics. War is watched, not fought. Hezbollah’s restraint and Syria’s fragile transition revealed more profound shifts: weakened proxies, fear among minorities, and widespread fatigue from ongoing crises