Foreign & Security Policy

A potential U.S. force posture reduction in Europe will leave the continent vulnerable to further Russian aggression. Europe needs a bold action plan to mitigate capability gaps and ensure deterrence of Russia with limited U.S. involvement.

The 2025 European Forum Alpbach featured a discussion hosted by the Global Unit for Human Security (hbs) on Europe’s relationship with the question of Palestine. This article offers an overview of the key themes and points discussed.  

Populist authoritarians have recast themselves as champions of peace. Donald Trump, Viktor Orbán, Robert Fico, and others argue that standing up to aggressors only prolongs conflict – they’re wrong. 

The fall of Assad opened a new chapter in Syria, but rushed dialogue, stalled talks, and elite-led politics risk keeping peace out of reach. Lasting stability depends on a national dialogue that gives Syrians real ownership of their future.

Is Europe ready for the era of hybrid warfare? To defend against hybrid attacks, we must urgently build civil preparedness and societal resilience. When updating security assets, we must not only invest in hardware and software but also in 'wetware'.

Hybrid threats, rooted in authoritarian uses of technology, cause everyday harm. Collective resilience requires dismantling their ecosystems through reconceptualising these threats, comprehensive countermeasures, and cross-regional cooperation.

Today's preference for ceasefires over settlements reflects a loss of confidence in achieving lasting peace. However, inclusive mediation, backed by political will, can transform even intractable conflicts. The Horn of Africa is a key front in this struggle.

As Syria enters a fragile post-conflict phase, Europe must embrace a human-security-driven strategy that centers inclusive governance, economic recovery, and the rights of refugees. The stakes, for Syrians and for Europe, are too high to remain reactive. 

The externalisation of migration and asylum management raises numerous ethical, legal and operational questions. With the goal to promote human security, this in-progress dossier looks into the intersection between human rights and foreign & security policy and its expression in terms of migration policies globally.

The ICC arrest warrant against Netanyahu, Galant, and Al-Masri are a stark reminder to us all that addressing past and present injustices is crucial for the future of peace and human security between and amongst Palestinians and Israelis.