Blog

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

Trump’s second presidency raises concerns about EU security as US support becomes uncertain. His stance on NATO and protectionism weakens transatlantic trust, making EU strategic autonomy essential. The EU must invest in defence, enhance rapid response mechanisms, and strengthen multilateral ties. Preparing for hybrid threats and geopolitical shifts is crucial. Therefore, ensuring security without US backing is not just an option but a necessity for the EU’s stability and global credibility.

What do the evolving events in Syria mean for local and regional development? Bashar al-Assad’s downfall marks a critical juncture that must precede institutional change for economic, political and social progress to take root in Syria and the Middle East. While much remains uncertain, it is important that the existing institutions are dismantled to create a system that benefits Syrians but also potentially triggers a broader chain reaction of reform throughout the Arab World.

Should the EU ban TikTok without waiting for Trump? Romania's case proves the platform's danger to elections when a candidate with no party or funds rose to prominence via fake accounts and algorithm manipulation. By implementing an EU-wide ban, the Union would protect electoral integrity and demonstrate digital strategic autonomy.

How is Australia defending against Chinese economic diplomacy in the Pacific region? Australia is utilising soft power diplomacy through Rugby League to foster a shared identity in the region and facilitate trust. Australia's strategy is modest, but it's this modesty that offsets the raw transnationalism of Chinese economic diplomacy and makes it effective.

Has the 2025 Munich Security Conference changed the assessment of the US alliance in Australia? Yes, there has been a shift, but historical memory of the Fall of Singapore has shaped it. Australia still feels safer in ANZUS, but only because it is so insecure in its perception of its position