International
Security
In the 21st century, the nature of security is changing. This transformation has developed from traditional understandings of hard power politics and physical security to new ways of defining the term to include human, energy and digital security. With such dramatic shifts, and new threats to security, policymakers need to stay updated, all whilst maintaining international relations and diplomatic links with other countries and regions. IDRN hopes to aid understanding by evaluating Europe’s relations with its neighbours, new and evolving threats to citizens, and the impacts of technology on international security and individual privacy.
The Policy of Appeasement: Western Mismanagement of Kosovo-Serbia Tensions
Tensions are once again brewing between Serbia and Kosovo over the recent municipal elections in the North of Kosovo, and the EU’s inability to handle the situation is undermining the Union’s ability to conduct broader operations and garner influence further afield.
The Internal and External Cyber Security Dimensions of the EU
Cyber security has recently emerged as a growing need in the EU. Since 2016, the EU has started developing an external, more proper ‘cyber defence’ policy, as well as the regulatory dimension of cyber security as an internal market matter.
The State of the Russian Oil Price Caps
While the price cap appears to be working, it is imperative not to grow overconfident. The smooth rollout is no guarantee against volatility ahead, and a miscalculated escalation could still backfire and worsen the cost-of-living crisis.
Mindful of the MENA: Europe and China in the Middle East and North Africa
China’s increasing influence in the MENA region has important implications for the EU. While the EU has long recognised the MENA’s strategic importance, it is at risk of overlooking the region amid increasing focus on other areas of geopolitical competition.
Italian Political Financing: How Meloni paid her way
Politics is expensive, and whose money a party will accept has consequences. Italy is only one of two European Union Member States in which no public funding is available to any party. In consequence, this forces Italian parties to scrap for funds wherever they can.
The EU and Global Britain
After Brexit, there appears to be a more deliberate attempt from the British Government to sidestep the EU and work directly with European partners, including EU member states, through other diplomatic arrangements.
Changing Alliances in Mali: The Future of European Interventions in the Sahel
The future of European interventions in the Sahel is uncertain, but the French withdrawal offers a gateway to restructure current efforts in the region, especially with new opportunities to redefine the EU as a security actor through stronger commitment for Task Force Takuba.
The Detriments of Disinformation: In the context of the Russia-Ukraine War
International political elites in the last decade have investigated and recognised that disinformation can have serious negative consequences for democracies and democratic processes and should therefore be combatted.
The Kremlin, ‘Kernenergie’, and the Invasion of Kyiv
An update on the Gazprom, Eastern Europe and the Energy Security Crisis research paper written in November 2020 analysing the political uncertainty and warning of a potential security crisis, seen today in light of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, due to the progression of Nord Stream Pipeline 2 and the involvement of Russian state-owned company, Gazprom.
What is the European Union trying to achieve with Strategic Autonomy and is it feasible?
With tensions and risk of armed conflict growing day by day between Russia and the West, it’s well time for the European Union to establish how it would defend its territory and citizens in an eventual armed conflict.
The EU’s ‘Systemic Rivalry’ China doctrine is being tested – and appears to be faltering
The EU needs to move away from the ‘systemic rivalry’ outlook and towards a more strategic, comprehensive approach. While the technocratic nature of the Commission may suggest that it is possible to deal with China on separated and isolated fronts, reality means this cannot happen when facing Beijing.
The State of Cooperation in the Black Sea Region
With many Black Sea countries desiring more EU involvement in the region, it will likely remain a strategic frontier for Europe, Russia and the US in energy security, festering conflicts, trade links, migration and economic developments.
Introduction to the European Union’s Projects in the Horn of Africa
Evaluating the success of the EU’s projects in the region suggests that while the European Union contributes broad efforts to provide aid in the Horn of Africa in a vast number of sectors such as education, employment and infrastructure, making progress in this region of instability and conflict is difficult.
Security and Stability in the Sahel: The EU’s 2021 Integrated Strategy
The EU’s latest strategy for the Sahel demonstrates Brussels has recognised some of its failures in recent approaches to the region, and the emphasis on accountability is an important development.
The Integrated Review and what it means for EU-UK foreign policy
Both the EU and UK share a common vision of a rules-based international order, effective multilateralism, open societies, and an open and resilient global economy. This shared worldview should be a good enough objective to work alongside each other and set the space for constructive cooperation.
Security Cooperation, Coca Cultivation and Citizen Security
The EU and LAC share threats of common interests and must prioritise their 2015 Security Cooperation Action Plan. Peace-building and conflict resolution in the LAC region is essential to ensuring the security of citizens in Europe and Latin America.
US – EU Relations: Let’s Look Forward, Not Back
The US and EU must acknowledge their interdependence and demonstrate support for strong multilateral institutions and treaties, all the while maintaining a respectful dialogue and leaving the past behind.
North Africa: Opportunities and challenges on Europe’s doorstep
North Africa provides as many challenges as opportunities to the EU, mainly regarding migration, energy and security. However, the absence of an effective North African regional organisation makes building a partnership a complicated task.
France’s Article 24: Civilian journalists and the fight against police brutality
France’s Loi à la Sécurité Globale, Global Security law is seeking to ban the filming and photographing of police officers and their dissemination online to avoid confrontation in their private lives. What does this mean for the press and private citizens and the fight against police brutality?
ASEAN-EU Relations: Global recovery through interregional cooperation
In light of increasing nationalism and a shift away from multilateralism in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, increased inter-regional cooperation between the EU and ASEAN is one way of changing the discussion on global recovery.
Sino-European Relations: A Three Point Action Plan
To address Chinese abuse of human rights and level the playing field with Beijing for European business the EU must focus on three key objectives: improving the EU-US relationship; introducing a meaningful Indo-Pacific strategy, and overcoming obstacles preventing a tougher EU approach to Beijing.
Gazprom, Eastern Europe and the Energy Security Crisis
Eastern European states are facing political uncertainty and a potential security crisis due to the progression of Nord Stream Pipeline 2, especially because of the involvement of the Russian state-owned company, Gazprom.
What does a Biden Presidency mean for Europe?
The new President-elect of the United States, Joe Biden, has the potential to significantly impact relations with Europe and beyond, but overall this should be met with cautious optimism.
To Coerce, Co-opt or Combine: European Power in the 2020s
To increase its international influence, the EU should strive to improve its military capabilities and its cultural instruments of soft power, but above all should focus on retaining and wielding economic power.
Prospects of ‘Business to Government’ data sharing in Europe: Insights from Covid-19 and political philosophy
The Covid-19 has made evident the existence of gaps and barriers to establish a sustainable and systematic B2G data sharing policy in the current data governance environment.
Drawdowns and Diplomacy: The rationale behind US troop withdrawals from Germany
The US President’s latest proposal has been ill-communicated to German government officials and has left senior US military personnel scratching their heads. For such an important diplomatic decision, there appears to be little clarity or consensus on the real motives.
Sino-European Relations: The EU’s China Strategy
There is increasing pressure within the international community for the European Union to adopt a more robust approach towards China in response to the proposed security law in Hong Kong that represents a violation of human rights and contradicts the founding values of the EU.
Does France’s ‘Stop Covid’ phone application infringe on our Right to Privacy?
What impact does Covid-19 have on privacy laws? IDRN explores if France’s ‘Stop Covid’ phone application infringes on our right to privacy.