Security & Defence
The IIEA’s Security and Defence Group monitors developments in the EU’s Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP), UN peacekeeping efforts and EU-NATO cooperation. The programme also focuses on the conceptual evolution of security and defence as threats increase and become more complex.
Publications
Finding the Words: The IIEA Handbook of Irish Security and Defence Terminology
This glossary aims to provide an entry point into Irish security and defence terminology for the general reader.
Learn MoreOne Year on from the Russian Invasion of Ukraine: Priorities for European Security and Defence
On Thursday, 9 March 2023, the IIEA and the Konrad Adenauer-Stiftung co-hosted a half-day symposium reflecting on One Year on from the Russian Invasion of Ukraine: Priorities for European Security and Defence.
Learn MoreBlack Swans in the Grey Zone: Defending Ireland’s Energy System Against Cyber Threats
This paper examines the threat posed to critical energy infrastructure and Irish society by hostile Russian cyber activities.
Learn MoreEuropean Neutrals Then and Now
Patrick Keatinge discusses the responses of European neutral countries to the present geopolitical environment.
Learn MoreSecuring Europe After Trump: Navigating Troubled Waters
In this paper for the IIEA, Patrick Keatinge, Co-Chair of the IIEA’s Security and Defence Group and Professor Emeritus at Trinity College Dublin, reviews the response of European states to the dangers of political conflict in an unstable international environment at the beginning of 2021.
Learn MoreMilitary Cooperation in a time of COVID-19
An analysis of how the coronavirus pandemic will impact the security and defence policies of European states.
Learn MoreThe “Specific Character” of Ireland’s Security and Defence Policy: Reflections on Neutrality
In this paper for the IIEA, Patrick Keatinge, Co-Chair of the IIEA’s Security and Defence Group and Professor Emeritus at Trinity College Dublin, examines how Ireland’s Security and Defence Policy has evolved; how it is reflected in Ireland’s response to the main security challenges; and how it is understood in public debate today.
Learn MoreEU Strategic Autonomy: Filling the Gaps: A New Momentum for Common Security and Defence Policy
This policy brief examines the accelerated development of Common Security and Defence policy in the two years following the publication of the ‘EU Global Strategy’.
Learn MoreThe Good, the Bad and the Ugly: European Security – Autumn 2015
In this paper, Patrick Keatinge reflects on the developments in the Ukraine crisis and the Arab winter, and examines the European Union’s response to both of these situations.
Learn MoreNational Survey Analysis
Under the Auspices of the IIEA/RDS Leadership Forum on Climate Smart Agriculture, we conducted a survey of over 1,500 national experts and stakeholders exploring attitudes to Irish Leadership on climate-smart agriculture
Learn MoreReflections on Defending an Independent Scotland: a View from Ireland
The object of this paper, written by Colonel Dorcha Lee, is to explore how the SDF (Scottish Defence Forces) could be established, with particular reference to lessons learned from the Irish experience.
Learn MoreEuropean Security in the 21st Century: The EU’s Comprehensive Approach
This paper considers how the EU institutions have been adapted by the Lisbon Treaty to facilitate the implementation of the comprehensive approach.
Learn MoreEvents
Achieving Compatibility of Pacifism and Self-Protection: Japan’s National Defence Strategy
A presentation by Dr Declan Downey, Assistant Professor at University College Dublin
Learn MoreNATO in a New Era of Collective Defence
A Presentation by Admiral Rob Bauer, Chair of the NATO Military Committee
Learn MoreChallenges in European Integrated Border Management
A webinar presentation by Hans Leijtens, Executive Director of Frontex
Learn MoreA Colombian Foreign Policy on Life and Peace
A keynote address by Vice-Minister Francisco Coy, Vice-Minister of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Colombia on Colombia’s plan for Total Peace.
Learn MoreUN Peacekeeping: A Conversation with the Military Advisor to the UN Department of Peace Operations
Learn MoreChina’s Whole-of-Society Approach to Espionage
A Webinar presentation by Nicholas Eftimiades, Professor at Penn State University on China’s Whole-of-Society Approach to Espionage.
Learn MoreEnsuring Accountability and Justice for International crimes committed by Russia in Ukraine
This event will reflect on the legal options and challenges for justice and accountability mechanisms in the context of the ongoing war in Ukraine, including the prospects for the establishment of a special international tribunal.
Learn MoreStrategic foresight capabilities in a changing security context
A panel event on Developing strategic foresight capabilities to navigate a changing security context.
Learn MoreSudan - from Promise to Peril: Origins and Prospects for a Failed Political Transition
A webinar presentation by Professor Sharath Srinivasan, David and Elaine Potter Associate Professor at the University of Cambridge’s Department of Politics and International Studies and Co-Director of the University’s Centre of Governance & Human Rights.
Learn MoreThe Ukraine War and Critical Energy Infrastructure: The Growing Hybrid Threats to Europe?
A webinar presentation by Dr Sarah Lohmann, Acting Assistant Professor in the Henry M. Jackson School for International Studies at the University of Washington.
Learn MoreSecurity in Europe in a Time of War – the Polish perspective
Adam Bugajski will discuss the impact of Russia’s war on European security from the perspective of Poland.
Learn MoreA Conversation with Mircea Geoană, Deputy Secretary General, NATO
In this questions and answers session at the IIEA, NATO Deputy Secretary General Mircea Geoană discusses how the Alliance has responded to Russia's unprovoked invasion of Ukraine, what the conflict means for NATO and how the war has fundamentally affected the international order.
Learn MoreWhat is the Wagner Group and What is it For?
A webinar presentation by Candace Rondeaux, Director of Future Frontlines at New America and Professor of Practice at Arizona State University
Learn MoreMiddle East Axes and Poles: The Geopolitics of MENA in 2022 and Beyond
A Webinar presentation by Dr Hisham Hellyer, Fellow at The University of Cambridge and Senior Associate Fellow at the Royal United Services Institute.
Learn MoreThe Evolution of Hybrid Threats and Possibilities to Counter Them
A webinar presentation by Teija Tiilikainen, Director of the European Centre of Excellence for Countering Hybrid Threats.
Learn MoreDefending Europe: American Perspectives on the Madrid Summit and NATO’s New Strategic Concept
A Webinar Presentation by David F. Helvey, US Secretary of Defense Deputy Representative in Europe and the Deputy Defense Advisor for the US Mission to NATO.
Learn MoreBuilding-up Irish Defence: The Commission on the Defence Forces
Renata Dwan and Ben Tonra discuss the report of the Commission on the Defence Forces.
Learn MoreThe Future of EU and NATO Defence Cooperation
Managing Director CSDP and Crisis Response at the European External Action Service Pawel Herczynski discusses the future of cooperation between the EU and NATO
Learn MoreThe Gray Zone: Cooperation and Collective Defence for the 21st Century Security Environment
Learn MoreSecurity shocks for EU Member States outside NATO: Finnish and Irish Perspectives on defence transformation
A panel of expert speakers will examine the similarities and differences between the Irish and Finnish defence perspectives.
Learn MoreWar in Ukraine: Is this the end of the long peace in Europe?
In this webinar, our panelists discusses the implications of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Learn MoreThe Return of Geopolitics
Vice Admiral Mark Mellett (ret.) along with Dr Ulrike Franke and Dr Thomas Wright will address the return of geopolitics to the world stage, and its effects on small neutral nations like Ireland.
Learn MoreChanging Dynamics in European Foreign Policy
Pierre Vimont, formerly the first executive-Secretary-General of the EEAS, is a Senior Fellow at Carnegie Europe. His research focuses on French foreign policy, transatlantic relations and European Neighbourhood Policy.
Learn MoreDynamics in the Indo-Pacific: EU and National Perspectives
This expert panel will explore Europe’s deepening engagement with the Indo-Pacific, and will encompass the perspective of the EU, Member States, and regional actors.
Learn MoreBuilding Peace in Complex Environments: Strategic and Operational Perspectives
The IIEA, in cooperation with the Royal Norwegian Embassy, the Irish Department of Defence, and the Irish Defence Forces, hosts this joint seminar on peace building in complex environments, providing both strategic and operational perspectives.
Learn MoreTransatlantic Relations Post 9/11: A Review of the Deep Trends
In her address to the IIEA, Dr. Alexandra de Hoop Scheffer will discuss the asymmetric expectations of the transatlantic relationship and the transition to responsibility-sharing.
Learn MoreThe Future of Defence: 2030 and Beyond
This second defence seminar is jointly organised by the IIEA, the RIA Standing Committee and the Commission on the Defence Forces to advance expert and public debate.
Learn MoreConfronting the long crisis of the Multilateral Order
A webinar with Susana Malcorra on the crisis facing the multilateral order.
Learn MoreBuilding Resilience and Prosperity with Cybersecurity
In this address, Lindy Cameron, CEO of the UK NCSC will discuss the role of cybersecurity in building resilience and prosperity both at a domestic and international level.
Learn MoreWEBINAR: Ireland and the Arctic Council
The Department of Foreign Affairs and the IIEA will jointly host this public webinar on “Ireland and the Arctic Council” to discuss some of the issues and opportunities arising from Ireland’s application for observer status to the Council.
Learn MoreNathalie Loiseau, MEP, Chair of the Security and Defence Sub-Committee
Learn MoreWEBINAR: Reconfiguring Security and Defence post-Trump and post-Brexit
Learn MoreBriefings
Strategy Building for Small States in European Security and Defence
This briefing paper is the product of the last of three research-based, half-day seminars organised by the IIEA with the support of the ERASMUS+ and the Nortia academic network. The paper focuses on strategy building for small states in European security and defence.
Learn MoreEuropean Security and Defence
This briefing paper is published as part of a series of three research-based half-day seminars organised by the IIEA with the support of the ERASMUS+ and the Nortia academic network. The paper focuses on the contribution of small states, including Ireland, to the EU’s Common Security and Defence Policy.
Learn MoreEuropean Security Threats
The series aims to further debate in Ireland on defence policy with the input of leading scholars, experts and practitioners on i) threats to small states in Europe ii) the contribution of small states to European security and defence iii) strategy building for small states in European security and defence.
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