Category: Security Policy & Defence
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Russia’s Use of Chemical Weapons: A Slippery Slope
Dutch and German intelligence confirm Russia’s use of chloropicrin in Ukraine. This brief examines international responses, including the OPCW’s role. A strong reaction is vital to prevent escalation and uphold the Chemical Weapons Convention. Beyond confirming use, the OPCW must identify the perpetrator.
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Stealthily stabbing the Red Dragon
Main Question: Can new US stealth aircraft like the F-47 and B-21 stop China’s rise as a dominant air power in the Pacific? Argument: The US is facing a shrinking and aging air fleet while China modernizes rapidly, but advanced technologies in the F-47 and B-21 could shift the balance. Conclusion: If deployed in time,…
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Ukraine and the Future of Black Sea Security
What does the future of Black Sea security look like? The Black Sea Security Forum showcased the many players shaping the region, with Ukraine playing a central role in both trade and defence. As a key security provider for Europe, Ukraine must be fully supported, but Europe must also learn from its ingenuity and innovation…
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Alliances, Ballots and Continuity
The 2025 presidential elections in Romania and Poland marked a pivotal moment for NATO’s eastern flank and also the start of a new chapter.Romania’s pro-European outcome contrasts with Poland’s conservative shift, raising questions about regional cohesion. Thus, the future of NATO’s unity and its support for Ukraine now hinges on how both allies align with…
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ICE-ing Out Immigration
– Trump’s second-term immigration policies reflect intensified enforcement, provoked legal challenges, and spurned debates over constitutional and civil rights – Increased deportations have had severe domestic consequences, provoking widespread protests, state defiance, and raising alarm in US immigrant communities – Regional impacts have been felt on neighbouring countries like Canada, Mexico, and El Salvador while…
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Recent developments in Sudan’s civil war
This brief examines how foreign intervention has affected the dynamics of Sudan’s civil war. External powers such as Russia, the UAE, and Egypt, have prolonged the conflict by fueling both sides for strategic and economic gain, particularly over gold, thereby undermining mediation efforts and peacebuilding. A sustainable ceasefire requires international actors to prioritise long-term stability…
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Operation Spiderweb and the Drone Revolution
Main Question: How are drones, particularly UAVs, redefining warfare in the Russia-Ukraine conflict? Argument: Affordable, small-scale drones (like FPVs) are now central to modern combat, offering low-cost, high-impact strategies that outmaneuver traditional defense systems. Conclusion: Operation Spiderweb showcased a revolutionary shift in warfare, proving drones are no longer support tools but central weapons capable of…
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Rearming at What Cost?
Main question: Should European governments cut social spending to increase military budgets in response to rising global threats? Argument: Policies that reduce support for the most vulnerable populations increase social inequality, fuel resentment, and create fertile ground for right-wing populism, ultimately weakening democratic stability and national unity. True national security depends not just on military…
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From Arms Race to Innovation Race
Main Question: Does the concept of an “AI arms race” accurately describe current global AI competition? Argument: While AI has military applications, framing it as an arms race oversimplifies its multidimensional, collaborative, and innovation-driven nature. Conclusion: The concept of an “AI innovation race” better captures the reality, urging global cooperation to ensure safe, beneficial, and…
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Algorithmic Deterrence: U.S.-China Arms Race
Main Question: How does the militarization of AI by the U.S. and China contribute to global instability? Argument: The AI arms race between the U.S. and China, especially in autonomous weapon systems (AWS), increases the risk of conflict escalation due to unpredictability, biased data, and reduced human oversight. Conclusion: International governance and responsible AI principles…