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Briefs

Raising awareness of both existing and emerging foreign and security policy challenges facing the European Union, EUISS Briefs provide key information in a concise, focused format.

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    19November 2018
    Putin’s fourth term – The twilight begins?
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    Russia’s political system appears strong and durable at first glance. However, on closer inspection, several factors are gradually undercutting Putin's standing, a process which, in turn, is likely to have future knock-on effects for Russia’s entire political edifice. What vulnerabilities does President Putin face in his fourth term in office? What are the drivers behind them? And how might these play out in the future? 

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    08November 2018
    Artificial Intelligence – What implications for EU security and defence?

    This Brief seeks to advance the discussion about AI and security and defence within an EU context, and also to offer policymakers a few analytical pointers that may be useful when dealing with defence and AI.

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    02October 2018
    The Civilian CSDP Compact – A success story for the EU’s crisis management Cinderella?

    The civilian dimension of the EU’s CSDP has traditionally played a Cinderella-like role in the EU crisis management system. And like the original fairy tale, it seems that civilian CSDP will need three essential elements to succeed: (1) a renewed and credible strategic framework – the ‘ball gown’; (2) adequate operational capabilities – the ‘pumpkin carriage’; and (3) a solid commitment by relevant stakeholders – the ‘Prince Charming’.

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    12September 2018
    Paper beats rock: GCC geo-economics

    Few international actors blur the lines between politics and business to the point of making them indistinguishable as some Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states do. This Brief looks at their distinct political and economic models, which allow the GCC states to deploy economic levers in support of their geopolitical aims in unparalleled ways.

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    31July 2018
    Along the road – Gwadar and China’s power projection
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    Gwadar port is a flagship project of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). The construction of the port near the Gulf of Hormuz gives China access to the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean. This Brief argues that the geostrategic dimension of the project far outweighs its economic potential, and that this will likely affect the regional balance of power. 

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    25June 2018
    EU defence capability development – Plans, priorities, projects

    This Brief looks at the EU’s Capability Development Plan (CDP) and argues that it might be seen as the glue that can enhance coherence between other defence initiatives. What defence capabilities could the EU collectively prioritise now and in the future in a context of finite financial resources and rapidly evolving strategic and technology trends?

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    20April 2018
    Belgrade and Pristina: lost in normalisation?
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    During the seven years of the EU-facilitated dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina, known as the Brussels Dialogue, relations between the two sides have oscillated between normalisation and a state of strained peace and conflict prevention. What are the key obstacles to more constructive relations between both parties?

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    18April 2018
    Along the road – Sri Lanka’s tale of two ports
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    The first in the EUISS series ‘Along the road’, which will examine the security implications of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), this Brief looks at how the debt trap Sri Lanka found itself in may provide some useful lessons learned. What are the domestic and regional impacts of Beijing’s large-scale investments in the island nation?

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    15March 2018
    The Indo-Pacific – A passage to Europe?

    This Brief sets the stage for an upcoming EUISS series entitled 'Along the road', which will examine the security implications of China’s Belt and Road (BRI) connectivity project. Through a collection of case studies from infrastructure projects and countries situated ‘Along the road’, this series will seek to gather concrete evidence of the success or failure of Beijing’s new geopolitical project. 

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    28February 2018
    The real and hidden costs of Russia’s foreign policy
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    In recent years, Russia has resorted more and more frequently to military force to advance its foreign policy objectives. This overreliance on force, however, came with a price tag attached. Will Moscow continue with its combative stance?

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