Strategy & Defense
Strategy, military security, and classic defense threats are still at the heart of current international relations. In this program, we will focus on military technology, trends in armaments and technology, modern strategic thinking, geopolitics, and armed conflicts.
Military Affairs Strategic Thinking
Billion-dollar question: how to get enough drones that we need today – and tomorrow?
Drone technology introduced multiple new challenges in regard to security, warfare as well as industry. Policy-makers, military strategists and industrialists...
Military Affairs
Ground Drones in the conflict in Ukraine and the EU: another revolution in warfare?
The skies over Ukraine have, for years, been characterised by the buzzing of drones. However, lately, increased use of a...
Military Affairs
Dragoons of Ukraine – Motorcycle units in the war in Ukraine
In 2024, a new trend emerged on the battlefield involving the use of motorcycles for various purposes, including offensive operations....
Military Affairs
Ukraine striking Russian oil infrastructure – a significant problem for Russia?
Since the beginning of 2026, Ukraine has been pursuing a strategy of frequent attacks using long-range drones targeting the heart...
Military Affairs
The Ukrainian counteroffensive is proving successful – does this indicate a new dynamic on the front?
On the Ukrainian front, constant monitoring of the battlefield, most often using reconnaissance drones, leaves little room for surprise actions...
Military Affairs
Future of the Russian tank forces
Since the end of the Cold War, Russia’s military has undergone several reforms, altering how tanks are employed and funding...
Military Affairs
War in Ukraine: What will define the year 2026?
As the world looks to the battlefields of Ukraine in early 2026, it is clear that the conflict has entered...
Military Affairs
Adapting to Drone Warfare: Challenges of Integrated Defence on Europe’s Eastern Borders
The systemic vulnerabilities exposed by repeated drone incursions across European airspace have triggered a fundamental reassessment of European security thinking....
Military Affairs Strategic Thinking Technology and Innovations
The Future of Drones: Strategic interregnum
Drones are rapidly reshaping the global security environment, altering the character of warfare, defence planning, and strategic competition. As technological...
Military Affairs
Implementation of Swarm Tactics in the People’s Liberation Army
Technologically advanced countries had already been engaged in the development and application of drone technology for a longer period. This...
Military Affairs
The Drone Threat Outside Open War
Drones have become one of the most widely used tools in contemporary armed conflicts. While they are often associated with...
Military Affairs Strategic Thinking Technology and Innovations
Drone Futures: Road to 2040. Foresight from Central Europe
Drones are reshaping global industries, security, and public services— and Central Europe is no exception. This foresight study looks ahead...
Military Affairs
From Tehran to Alabuga: The Evolution of Shahed Drones into Russia’s Strategic Asset
Iranian drones were developed within the framework of Tehran’s asymmetric strategy, aiming to counter regional adversaries and mitigate Western military...
Military Affairs
Drone Centre Rubikon – The proof of the Russian army’s adaptability
Since the start of the war in Ukraine in 2022, we have witnessed many innovations in the usage of drones...
Military Affairs Technology and Innovations
Slovakia’s Helicopter Dilemma: What Should the Slovak Armed Forces Do in the Future?
Author: Róbert BednárPublished by Adapt Institute as part of the Security Academy Program, supported by NATO and the British Embassy...
Geopolitics Military Affairs Strategy & Defence
Can Ukraine end the war in 2025?
In 2025, Ukraine reflects on nearly three years of enduring Russian aggression, with increasing concerns among the public and experts...
Geopolitics Military Affairs Strategic Thinking Strategy & Defence
Sudan Ravaged by Famine: Is an End to Civil War Possible?
Sudan, Africa’s third-largest country, is enduring a second year of brutal conflict that has spiralled into a humanitarian disaster. Fierce...
Geopolitics Military Affairs Strategy & Defence
Zelensky presented the “Victory Plan” for Ukraine
On October 16, 2024, Volodymyr Zelensky, the president of Ukraine, presented a “Victory Plan ” to Ukraine’s parliament (Verkhovna rada)....
Geopolitics Military Affairs Strategy & Defence
Horn of Africa on the Brink of Another Conflict? Egypt, Somalia and Eritrea Join Forces Against Ethiopia’s Geopolitical Ambitions
Tensions in the Horn of Africa are escalating as Egypt, Somalia, and Eritrea join forces to counter Ethiopia’s rising ambitions....
Geopolitics Military Affairs
Iran and Hezbollah: Key Players in the Rise of Houthi Power
According to a report by the United Nations, Yemen Houthi rebels have raised their capabilities from a local armed group...
Complex Challenges & Resilience Military Affairs Strategic Thinking Strategy & Defence
REAIM 2024: New guidelines for the military use of artificial intelligence
In early September 2024, the second summit of the REAIM (Responsible Artificial Intelligence in the Military Domain) project, co-organised by...
Geopolitics Military Affairs Strategy & Defence
Germany halves the 2025 budget for Ukraine
Germany’s proposed budget for 2025 shows a 50% reduction in military aid to Ukraine compared to the current year. The...
Complex Challenges & Resilience Global Agenda Military Affairs Strategy & Defence Technology and Innovations
Colombian youth recruited by rebels via TikTok
In Colombia, where the differences between social classes are palpable, the vision of money and wealth is tempting. As a...
Complex Challenges & Resilience Geopolitics Military Affairs Strategy & Defence Technology and Innovations
The development of China’s nuclear ambitions
China’s recent demands for the United States to adopt a “no-first-use” policy and to stop protecting allies from nuclear threats...
Geopolitics Military Affairs
Israel is a leader in the use of artificial intelligence. It helped them prevent a missile strike from Iran but also killed thousands of Palestinians
Many countries are increasingly experimenting with the use of AI in military technologies and for ensuring national security. Among the...
Complex Challenges & Resilience Geopolitics Global Agenda Military Affairs Non-Military Security Strategic Thinking Strategy & Defence
Cybersecurity and the Defense Industry Should Become Priorities After NATO’s 2024 Summit
NATO’s 2024 summit is over; as always, it has brought forward multiple topics. Especially given the current turbulent geopolitical and...
Geopolitics Military Affairs Strategy & Defence
Usage of Drones in the War in Ukraine
Drones, or UAVs, were often considered weapons of the future. Before the two world wars in the 20th century, the...
Global Agenda Military Affairs
NATO is looking for ways to use the space for security and defence on Earth
At the end of April this year, the first-ever NATO Space Symposium on “Deterrence, Defence, and Resilience in and through...
Global Agenda Military Affairs
Is Moscow preparing to deploy weapons of mass destruction in space?
Russia vetoed a resolution in the UN Security Council to ban weapons of mass destruction (WMD) in outer space despite...
Geopolitics Military Affairs
Escalation between Israel and Iran in the context of the Gaza conflict: Regional war on the horizon?
On April 1, 2024, Israel destroyed one of the buildings of the Iranian embassy in Damascus. The attack left 16...
Military Affairs
A phoenix or a lame crow. What is the future of the European defence industry?
Russia’s aggression against Ukraine has served as a stark reminder to Europe that security cannot be taken for granted. More...
Geopolitics Military Affairs
On how Ukraine desperately needs help from the West and why its victory in the war is in our best interest
In February 2024, two years have passed since the beginning of Russian aggression against Ukraine. From the beginning, the total...
Geopolitics Military Affairs
Life in Gaza is about the choice between displacement and death. Only a fraction of Palestinians manage to escape
The Gaza Strip is currently the most isolated piece of land. Its inhabitants have been taken hostage by the radical...
Military Affairs
The US decided to redeploy its nuclear weapons in the UK. Is the world facing a new arms race between NATO and Russia?
The recent decision by the United States to deploy nuclear weapons in the United Kingdom for the first time in...
Geopolitics Military Affairs
Turkey agreed to the entry of Sweden into NATO
On Tuesday, 23 January 2024, the Turkish Parliament approved Sweden’s candidacy for NATO membership. Thus, after long months of waiting,...
Geopolitics Military Affairs
Iran opens another front against Israel: Yemen’s Houthi attacks threaten global shipping
In response to Israel’s operation in Gaza, Yemen’s Houthi rebel movement has stepped up attacks against shipping in the Red...
Military Affairs Technology and Innovations
Slovak Defence Industry Up To 2030: Navigating Through New Reality Towards Rebirth
Over the past months, Adapt Institute analysts have been working on the preparation of a research study aimed at identifying...
Military Affairs
Forging a New Path: The EU’s first live military exercise and the future of European defence
The European Union (EU) conducted its first live military exercise in October. Spearheaded by the Spanish amphibious assault ship Juan...
Military Affairs Strategic Thinking
War in Ukraine: how Ukraine could keep the momentum and not be halted by winter
As Ukraine braces itself for another winter amidst a conflict that has lasted nearly two years, the war’s tactics must...
Military Affairs
A nuclear bomb for the Ayatollah: recent developments in Iran’s nuclear programme
Since Washington’s withdrawal from the nuclear deal with Tehran in 2018, Iran has been steadily expanding its uranium enrichment infrastructure....
Geopolitics Military Affairs
Army officers occupied government buildings, dissolved parliament and imprisoned the president in Gabon. What is behind the latest of the coups in Africa?
On 30 August, a military coup took place in Gabon. The coup took place shortly after the announcement of the...
Military Affairs Non-Military Security Technology and Innovations
The number of operations by Chinese hackers against NATO countries has been increasing. Slovakia is one of the victims
Numerous Chinese hacking campaigns aimed at member states of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) have been unveiled in recent...
Geopolitics Military Affairs
Navigating XXI Century Geopolitical Shifts: Challenges and Opportunities in the Defence Sectors of Germany and Poland
Read the Long Read via the link: NAVIGATING XXI CENTURY GEOPOLITICAL SHIFTS: CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES IN THE DEFENCE SECTORS OF...
Geopolitics Military Affairs
Controversial defense bill authorizing the largest military budget in US history
On July 14, the Republican-led House of Representatives approved the defense bill authorizing the largest military budget in US history,...
Geopolitics Military Affairs
The Attack on Jenin. The Largest Israeli Military Operation in The West Bank In 20 Years
On July 3rd, Israel staged one of the largest military operations in the occupied West Bank region since 2002. The...
Geopolitics Military Affairs
The EU militarily support Ukraine through two European defence funds. We explain their functioning and why the EU massively increases their budgets
The European Union (EU) institutions have announced the allocation of additional funding to their defence funds – the European Defence...
Global Agenda Military Affairs Strategic Thinking
NATO Public Forum 2023
On 11-12 July 2023, NATO’s Heads of State and Government will meet in Vilnius Lithuania, at the NATO Summit, to...
Geopolitics Military Affairs
Andreas Umland: Four Challenges Facing a Ukrainian-Russian Truce. Part III: The Crimean Conundrum
Executive Summary There is currently an intense debate about scenarios for ending, or at least freezing, Russia’s aggression against Ukraine....
Geopolitics Military Affairs
Mali has called on the United Nations to withdraw its peacekeeping mission from the country “without delay “. Wagner Group is the likely replacement
On June 16, Mali called on the UN to withdraw its peacekeeping mission – UN Stabilisation Mission in Mali (MINUSMA)...
Military Affairs Strategic Thinking
Ukraine’s counteroffensive: operational opportunity or political choice?
For weeks, many people following the conflict in Ukraine have been waiting for a counteroffensive that would shift the initiative...
Geopolitics Military Affairs
The power struggle between generals in Sudan has the potential to destabilise the entire sub-Saharan region
Just days before Sudan descended into deadly conflict, its two most powerful generals were very close to a deal. The...
Military Affairs Strategy & Defence
Ukrainian spring offensive – Ukrainian special vol.2
Several indications show that Ukraine is likely preparing to launch a new military offensive to liberate another part of its...
Military Affairs Technology and Innovations
Defence Procurement: When Political Will Needs Pairing With Legislative Changes
Download the Long read via link: Defence Procurement: When Political Will Needs Pairing With Legislative Changes – Viliam Ostatník Don't...
Military Affairs Strategic Thinking Technology and Innovations
Non-nuclear Strategic Deterrence and pre-emptive approaches of Strategy. Poland and the Future of Deterrence by Denial. New A2/AD?
Download the Long read via link: Non-nuclear Strategic Deterrence and pre-emptive approaches of Strategy. Poland and the Future of Deterrence...
Military Affairs Technology and Innovations
Iran Capable of Producing Nuclear Weapon Within Months if Deemed Necessary
The recent detection by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) of uranium enrichment to nearly 84 per cent at an...
Geopolitics Military Affairs
The International Court of Justice ordered Azerbaijan to end the blockade of the only corridor between Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh
On 22 February, the Hague-based International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled that Azerbaijan must guarantee freedom of movement along the...
Geopolitics Military Affairs
Zelensky at a summit of European leaders and visits London and Paris. Is the request for fighter jets and a European future for Ukraine realistic?
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky attended the European Union leaders meeting at the European Council summit on 9-10 February 2023. Just...
Geopolitics Military Affairs
Russia’s diplomatic offensive in Africa. Lavrov offers weapons and mercenaries
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Viktorovich Lavrov has visited Mali, Mauritania and Sudan as part of his second trip to Africa...
Geopolitics Military Affairs
Andreas Umland: Four Challenges Facing a Ukrainian-Russian Truce. Part I: The Constitutional Impasse
Executive Summary The already heated discussion among policymakers and policy shapers in the West on how the Russian-Ukrainian war could...
Geopolitics Military Affairs
NATO denied the request to deploy Serbian forces in Kosovo: upcoming months can decide the future of Kosovo and Serbia
The relationship between Serbia and Kosovo has been strained since February 2008 when Kosovo unilaterally declared independence. Throughout the years...
Military Affairs Non-Military Security
Report: StratCom for Supporting NATO Multinational Battlegroup in Slovakia
The NATO Multinational Battlegroup (NATO MN BG) has been present in Slovakia since April 2022 in response to the unprecedented...
Military Affairs Technology and Innovations
New package of US military aid to Ukraine and M2/M3 Bradley IFV
The US will supply M2/M3 Bradley heavy infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs) to Ukraine. Air Force Brigadier General Pat Ryder, US...
Military Affairs Technology and Innovations
The new US strategic bomber B-21 Raider unveiled
The US Air Force (USAF) and Northrop Grumman unveiled the Northrop Grumman B-21 Raider stealth bomber on December 2 at...
Geopolitics Military Affairs
Poland missile explosion: analysis of actors’ reactions with regards to the possibility of accidental escalation between NATO and Russia
On November 15, 2022, fragments of a (presumably two) missiles hit the territory of Poland. They struck the abandoned buildings...
Geopolitics Military Affairs Strategic Thinking
The new US National security strategy shows that America will focus on competing with China and containing Russia
On October 12, the White House published the National Security Strategy (NSS) of the USA for the upcoming years. The...
Military Affairs Strategic Thinking
Russian anti-population campaign in Ukraine. Why has Russia taken this step, what is it pursuing and what are its possible consequences?
The current situation in Ukraine is beginning to deteriorate following the launch of Russia’s counter-population campaign. Ukrainian President Zelensky announced...
Military Affairs Strategic Thinking
Transatlantic peace comes from within
Russia’s blatant and excessive use of force to achieve its foreign policy goals marked the crossing of the Rubicon. Russia’s...
Geopolitics Global Agenda Military Affairs
The second coup in Burkina Faso within a year creates the possibility of a rise in Russian influence in Africa
On Friday, September 30, 2022, army units in the capital of Burkina Faso, Ouagadougou, began to occupy key positions and...
Geopolitics Global Agenda Military Affairs Non-Military Security Strategic Thinking Technology and Innovations
Nord Stream pipelines could be damaged as a consequence of a sabotage
Nord Stream 1 and Nord Stream 2 gas pipelines were damaged by three explosions on Monday, September 26. Nord Stream...
Military Affairs Strategic Thinking
Analysis of the offensive near Kharkiv. What factors were behind Ukrainian success?
Ukrainian forces gained the initiative and successfully carried out a counter-offensive in eastern Kharkiv. Its implementation is important in terms...
Geopolitics Military Affairs Strategic Thinking
Azerbaijan attacked Armenia. Why now and what does it mean for the Caucuses, Middle East, and Europe?
On Monday, September 12, 2022, Azerbaijani troops began intensively bombing Armenian military targets on the internationally recognized territory of Armenia....
Military Affairs Strategic Thinking
The NATO 2022 Strategic Concept Implications for the Baltics: Correcting the course, but still missing the point
The text discusses the most significant impacts of the NATO 2022 Madrid Summit from the perspective of expectations, ambitions and...
Geopolitics Military Affairs
Deadly clashes in Tripoli. Will the worst fighting in two years reignite the civil war in Libya?
On Saturday, 27 August, the Libyan capital Tripoli was rocked by the heaviest fighting in two years. Clashes between rival...
Military Affairs Strategic Thinking
Russian military exercise Vostok 2022 is taking place. China and India are also participating
On Thursday, September 1, military exercise Vostok 2022 started in the eastern part of Russia. Approximately 50 thousand soldiers and...
Military Affairs Non-Military Security
Is Europe’s largest nuclear power plant in danger of an accident? Moscow abuses control of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant to pressure Kyiv
The Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in Ukraine came under the control of Russian troops less than a week after the...
Military Affairs Strategic Thinking
NATO, the EU and the Growing Instability in Bosnia and Herzegovina: Challenges and Risks
Ethnic and political tensions within Bosnia and Herzegovina represent potential roots for a more serious conflict in the Western Balkans....
Geopolitics Military Affairs
Bagdad accuses Turkey of an artillery attack that killed nine civilians in Iraqi Kurdistan
Iraq accused neighbouring Turkey of a deadly attack on the Barakh tourist resort in the Governorate of Dohuk in Iraq´s...
Global Agenda Military Affairs
Turkey has lifted its veto over Finland and Sweden’s bid to join NATO
Turkey has agreed to lift its veto on Sweden and Finland joining NATO, thus removing a key obstacle to the...
Geopolitics Military Affairs
Visegrad Insight – What Will Come from This Year’s NATO Summit?
Original source Visegrad Insight: The Madrid NATO summit will set NATO’s strategic direction for the next decade and beyond, while...
Military Affairs Technology and Innovations
Modernisation of the armies of the NATO’s Eastern Wing as a result of the war in Ukraine
Russia’s aggression against Ukraine has, indirectly, led to a significant strengthening of NATO’s eastern wing defences. In addition to increasing...
Geopolitics Military Affairs Non-Military Security
Denmark joins the EU’s common defence policy 30 years after opting out
Denmark agreed to join the EU’s common security and defence policy in a referendum triggered by Russia’s war in Ukraine....
Geopolitics Military Affairs
Ankara threatens to launch a new military operation in northern Syria
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced on Monday, May 23, that Ankara would soon launch a new military incursion in...
Geopolitics Military Affairs
What Would Finland’s Membership Bring to NATO?
The war in Ukraine has significantly changed the security policy of Scandinavia’s two hitherto neutral states – Sweden and especially...
Military Affairs Non-Military Security
Bringing CIMIC Back Home
In recent years CIMIC became almost a synonym for participation in missions abroad. Most of NATO and EU member countries...
Geopolitics Military Affairs Strategic Thinking
Transnistria may become a new front in Russia’s aggression against Ukraine
In recent weeks, there have been discussions about the possible involvement of the separatist republic of Transnistria (located between Ukraine...