Regional Theme 1: Europe
On Friday 20 February 2026, the auditors of the High Studies for Security and Defence (HSSD) attended a compelling session dedicated to Europe’s strategic challenges. The day began with an in-depth analysis by Prof. Dr David Criekemans (University of Antwerp), who explored the concept of hyperrealism and assessed how Europe is entering a new geopolitical era marked by intensified great power competition. His contribution highlighted the need for Europe to reassess its strategic posture in an increasingly complex international environment.
The programme continued with an insightful presentation by Annick Capelle (RTBF), who delivered a clear introduction to the functioning of the European institutions. Her explanation of the EU’s institutional architecture and decision-making mechanisms underlined their critical role in shaping contemporary security and defence policies.
A key highlight of the day was the intervention of Dr. Giulia Prelz Oltramonti (Royal Higher Institute for Defence), who offered a thoughtful examination of the Dayton Agreement, three decades after its signing. Her analysis shed light on the long-term implications of this agreement on stability in the Western Balkans and emphasised the importance of revisiting historical peace frameworks to better understand current and future challenges.
The session was concluded by one of our inhouse speakers, Prof. Dr. Sven Biscop (Egmont Institute/Ghent University), who examined the strategic implications of the second Trump administration for the European Union. His analysis addressed the challenges, uncertainties and opportunities that this situation entails for European security, transatlantic relations and Europe’s ambition to strengthen its strategic autonomy.
This HSSD session provided auditors with a rich and multidimensional perspective on the strategic issues facing Europe today, strengthened by the high calibre of the speakers and the active engagement throughout the day, that complemented the presentation of our two auditors.
On Saturday 21 February 2026, the auditors of the HSSD continued their programme with a new set of thought-provoking sessions focusing on Europe’s strategic trajectory and the evolution of the EU’s security and defence instruments.
The day opened with an engaging reflection delivered by Karel De Gucht (former European Commissioner for Trade) on the position of the European Union in an era increasingly defined by great power competition. His analysis addressed the question of whether the EU is on the verge of a strategic leap forwards or at risk of gradual decline, and highlighted the internal and external factors that will determine Europe’s role on the global stage in the coming years.
This was followed by an in-depth presentation by Brigadier General Bart Laurent (European External Action Service – EEAS) on the EU Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP). His intervention provided a clear and structured overview of the evolution, operational mechanisms and ambitions of the CSDP, as well as the challenges the EU faces in consolidating its ability to act as a credible security provider.
This second day of the programme enriched the auditors’ understanding of the strategic pressures shaping Europe’s future, by offering complementary perspectives on both the EU’s global posture and its operational defence instruments.
