HERMES I.I.A.S.GE

“HERMES” Institute of International Affairs, Security & Geoeconomy’s Research Associate, Georgios KOUKAKIS amid the ongoing war in Ukraine and the new geopolitical and geoeocnomic landscape shaping around the world under the Trump administration, analyzes in the first Briefing Note of 2025 the security and defense strategic goals and priorities of the European Union (EU). While the EU leaders demonstrate their commitment in strengthening the defense and security capabilities of Europe, Koukakis presents a comprehensive analysis on the EU defense and security strategy evolution. In his assessment, Koukakis identifies the long-standing pathogenies of the organization prevent it from becoming a credible and capable security provider. You may read the Briefing Note here: https://lnkd.in/ds-pdguU

Happy New Year!!! "HERMES" Institute of International Affairs, Security & Geoeconomy welcomes 2025 with an Occasional Paper analyzing the EU space strategy seeking to protect its space assets, defend its interests deter hostile activities in space and strengthen its strategic posture and autonomy. HERMES Research Associate, Georgios KOUKAKIS provides a deep and comprehensive analysis on the EU institutional document within the context of the wider EU strategic approach and more specifically in the defense & secuirty domain. Koukakis, presents the EU priorities in the space domain, highlighting that Europe considers itself as a global space power and consequently space is a critical sector for the EU and its memeber states strategic autonomy. In fact, space would be a critical domain for the future EU defense & security strategy.  You may read the paper here: https://lnkd.in/dCxgeC6B

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!! Welcome back to "HERMES" with a comprehensive and deep briefing analysis by the National Security Lawyer and Geopolitical Analyst, Irina Tsukerman on current developments in Syria which affect the entire Middle East and beyond. According to Tsukerman situation in Syria remains uncertain and unstable, while several actors fight for influence and power in the country. The author is presenting the role and the dynamics of each state actor, claiming that Qatar and Turkey are the big winners of the change in Syria, while Russia and Iran are the clear loosers of the new reality. However, the new U.S. administration under Donald Trump will be crucial for the configuration of the future political and security situation not only in Syria, but also in the Middle East. You may read the comment here: https://lnkd.in/ds-pdguU

Welcome again to "HERMES" SNAPSHOT. Read this week about the elections marathon in Moldova and the Russian interference through hybrid actions, disinformation campaign and electoral bribe: "On October 20th, 2024 the first round of presidential election was held in Moldova... " You may go through the full text here: https://lnkd.in/dPm7MkAw

The National Day of Thailand is celebrated on December 5th every year in commemoration of the birthday of the late King of Thailand, Bhumibol Adulyadej... You may read the full text here: https://lnkd.in/dPm7MkAw

Our Research Associate, Georgios KOUKAKIS comments the dynamics and the prospects of BRICS under the prism of its enlargement process, the ambition to establish a new currency - as a counterweight to the U.S. dollar - and the promotion of alternative economic, trade, and transport mechanisms. According to Koukakis, the U.S. and the West consider BRICS as an initiative challenging the established world order, in a harsh rivalry for global economic power. You may go through the Short Comment here: https://lnkd.in/dStxfQZ

Welcome back to Briefing Notes, where we are looking the Greek - Turkish relations under the prism of the “Athens Declaration on Friendly Relations and Good-Neighbourliness” signed by the two parts and the Turkish insistence on its “Blue Homeland” doctrine. Our Research Associate, Ioannis Chouliaras analyzes "in cold blood" the prospects of the Greek - Turkish rapprochement following the devastating earthquakes of 2023 in Turkey. In his view, it is rather unlikely a permanent resolution to be achieved to their bilateral disputes in the Aegean, Eastern Mediterranean, and Cyprus. "Despite the notable improvement in Greek - Turkish relations since early 2023, the two countries are unlikely to reach a permanent resolution to their bilateral disputes in the Aegean, Eastern Mediterranean, and Cyprus. Neither Athens nor Ankara has so far demonstrated any willingness to compromise on long-held positions. Turkey’s insistence on its “Blue Homeland” doctrine, intense domestic nationalist sentiment, and the perception of the global and regional balance of power shifting in its favor will likely discourage the Turkish government from making politically painful compromises to its rival and instead bid for time to establish its dominance in the region. On its part, Athens is also unlikely to concede to Turkish demands as they would have an adverse impact on its sovereignty. Relations will remain stable as long as the US and its allies prioritize NATO cohesion amid ongoing conflicts, although Ankara will likely make a renewed push to assert its territorial claims once it perceives an opening to do so... " writes Ioannis Chouliaras. You may read the full text here: https://lnkd.in/ds-pdguU

Welcome back with a Briefing Note by our Research Associate, Ioannis Chouliaras who provides us with a comprehensive analysis of the complex and fragile relationship between Greece, North Macedonia, and Turkiye, under the new political reality in Skopje namely the dominance of the nationalist party of VMRO-DPMNE. Ioannis Chouliaras claims that while Skopje escalates tension with Athens, by openly questioning the "Prespa" agreement, it strengthens its partnership with Ankara, as a measure of counterbalancing the Greek reactions towards North Macedonia. "By strengthening cooperation with Ankara, the North Macedonian government will seek to counterbalance Greek pressure, utilizing Turkish influence over Bulgaria and the Albanian population of the Balkans to soften Sofia’s demands and preserve domestic interethnic peace, and secure a powerful advocate within the Western Alliance, while at the same time benefiting from Turkish economic and military might and links with major non-Western powers. A stronger Skopje - Ankara axis could present significant challenges for Greek policy in the Balkans" writes Ioannis Chouliaras You may read the Briefing Note (13 min. read) by clicking here: https://lnkd.in/ds-pdguU

The National Security Lawyer and Geopolitical Analyst, Irina Tsukerman presents a comprehensive comment on the recent assassination attempt on the US presidential candidate, Donald Trump and its impact on internal political situation. Tsukerman, approaches the issue with a dispassionate and objective glance, seeking not only to explain the motives of the assassination attempt, but also to bring up the political and psycological dimension of political violence in the internal US politics. Moreover, Tsukerman comments the political impact of the assassination attempt regarding the coming presidential elections. "The attempt on Donald Trump’s life by the 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks in Butler, Pennsylvania is just the latest in the string of past successful and attempted assassinations of US presidents and presidential candidates. Trump allegedly survived another attempt in 2016, and since then there were other incidents of political violence that briefly caught and held the national attention before the country and the media quickly moved to the next controversy, including the attempted killing of the Republican representative Steve Scalise..." writes Irina Tsukerman.   You may read the comment (5 min. read) by clicking in our website here: https://lnkd.in/dStxfQZ