The Aspen Institute’s Post

In The Hague on May 13th? Then let me know if you want to join a lunch seminar at the Institute of Security and Global Affairs, where I will give a talk on the seemingly emerging hybridization processes of radicalization, and present (selected) ways to examine them 

Catch the highlights from our recent conference on 'Central Asia - European Union: A New Agenda for Security Cooperation.' Insightful discussions, impactful initiatives, and a look towards a stronger partnership.

"The shifting landscape in international security presents multifaceted challenges, from the resurgence of great power competition to violence inflicted by both state and non-state actors. Join ISA and EISA to discuss some of the most pressuring security challenges facing the world today. Neil Oculi will cover climate change, with a focus on small developing islands. Regionally, Olena Lennon will examine the ways in which the Russian invasion of Ukraine has upended the international system, including the catastrophic levels of human loss and physical destruction; deepening humanitarian crises and instability caused by war-induced population displacement in and outside Ukraine; risk of nuclear escalation; surges in global military spending; shifting alliances; growing food and energy insecurity around the world; weakening of international law; and other shifts. In relation to the Middle East Thomas Juneau will address the causes and consequences of the Houthis growing regional role, and the options for the United States and its allies in the face of this new regional challenge. Finally, Christian Kaunert will discuss the role of terrorist groups as non-state actors in the new geopolitical conflicts, notably their role as proxies within the conflict."

Most important conference of the year. Without exaggeration. If we don’t sort out security and world order we won’t be able to tackle any of the global crises. I recommend to listen to this panel with the Foreign Ministers of Germany, India, and the U.S. it is great to understand the complexity of the world and the problems that diplomats have to deal with. All three ministers gave a master class in diplomacy masterfully covering the cleavages among key blocks. However, IMHO: 1. IMO Indian Minister lost his credibility when answering the first question about ruZZian discounted oil imports trying to make the point that India is not transactional and is pursuing a multi-vector foreign policy aimed at creating multi-polar world order. Sorry, I don’t believe you. You cannot talk about rules-based world order if you are buying discounted oil and weaponry from the terrorist state that ruZZia is. The rest is at attempt to cover with complexity a lack of principles. 2. Secretary Blinken said all the right things about the need for the U.S. to play an important role in the international order and made an important point about the risk of dehumanization and, as a result, the risk of getting lost in the complexity of everything that is going on where everything might become possible and nothing would matter all at once. The main problem with his credibility IMO is the U.S. flip-flopping between multilateralism and isolationism with a change administration every second time. 3. The real star at this panel for me was the German Minister. I think her secret of diplomacy is to call things by their own names. Something that is missing in public diplomacy these days but is greatly needed. It is worth listening to this whole panel just to hear her thoughts on solutions for Ukraine, Gaza, and Iran. It is a shame that Europe doesn’t have more weight in the international arena because of the war in its backyard and decades of neglect of security issues. Tune in and listen to as many panels as you can. MSC is broadcasting live! https://lnkd.in/gTnch_gv

Today marks the beginning of the annual Munich Security Conference, where leaders from around the world gather to discuss global security challenges. This year's report highlights four key takeaways, including the disappearance of the post-Cold War era optimism, fragile international relations, the risk of global cooperation weakening, and the need for transatlantic partners to strike a balance between relative gains and inclusive absolute benefits. The report emphasizes the importance of mutually beneficial cooperation with competitors and building new global partnerships. Check out the full report in the link below: https://lnkd.in/dZXt7sSH #MunichSecurityConference #GlobalSecurity #InternationalRelations #TransatlanticPartnerships #GlobalHealth

"In the grey zone and veneer of peace, we’ve allowed politics to descend into theatrics and short-term gains. We’ve failed to distill the reality that Australia faces an existential threat, and the world is on the threshold of broad-scale conflict. It’s time to change the narrative." Check out my Opinion Piece on the National Security Strategy 👇

Read John Kampfner's latest insights in Internationale Politik Quarterly. His latest article explores the evolving dynamics within the Weimar Triangle of France, Germany, and Poland, and the imperative need for the UK's inclusion in shaping Europe's security landscape. Link to read in the comment section. #EuropeanSecurity #ForeignPolicy #KeynoteSpeaker 

TRENDS has published a new insight entitled "Enhancing the US-Japan Security Alliance to Address Regional and International Challenges" by TRENDS' researchers Dr. Mohammad Abu Ghazleh and Rahaf Al Khazraji. https://bit.ly/3Unjml5 #TRENDS #USJapanSecurity #InternationalRelations #SecurityAlliance #GlobalSecurity #PoliticalAnalysis #ForeignPolicy #ResearchInsights

Has anyone been wondering why there have been so many strategic partnerships signed in the Asia-Pacific/Indo-Pacific region over the last few years? My recently published journal article in the Australian Journal of International Affairs #AJIA provides some answers. I argue that strategic partnerships are a new security practice that allows states and multilateral actors to flexibly manage threats, strategic challenges and interests through cooperation and common norm building. To fully explain this argument, I adopt an eclectic approach that aims to draw our attention to a wide range of causes. #strategic partnerships #Asia-Pacific #Indo-Pacific #Japan #China #ASEAN #US #Australia.

#TransatlanticTrends 🇪🇺 The perception of the EU as a reliable partner increased 61% among non-EU respondents. In the EU, respondents want the Union to do more on security & defense and see it as important for national security. Read more of GMF's findings: https://bit.ly/3sHWRvY