Christian Ilcus’ Post

📢 TEASER: This afternoon, the European ministers in charge of competitiveness will meet at the Council of the European Union to discuss a Strategy for the #maritime sector. The European Commission will be there too. 🇪🇺 It is time for the EU to launch an impactful maritime industrial policy to strenghten Europe's industrial sovereignty and leadership in shipbuilding and maritime technology! This is essential for Europe's maritime economic security and for the resilience of its blue economy. 🚢⚓️ Follow the debate here 👇 https://lnkd.in/ee6CHJ_2

My latest piece for the Center for European Policy Analysis: “Norway Ends its Holiday from History”

Canada, U.S. reach important agreement-in-principle on Columbia River Treaty - Water Canada VICTORIA, BC – The Government of Canada and the United States have taken an important step in the modernization of the Columbia River Treaty by reaching an agreement-in-principle (AIP). https://lnkd.in/gtevmcBQ

Bipartisan Congressional Guidance for a National Maritime Strategy - analysis of the lack of a U.S. maritime strategy and lack of investments in maritime power.

The fact that maritime policy is effectively on hold until after the UK election is not going to come as shock to anyone in British shipping, but the apparent erosion of maritime expertise within the Department for Transport is more worrying. The UK commands an outsized influence within the IMO precisely because of the expert guidance and experience offered by the likes of Katy Ware. The fact that the UK government has ousted her as the UK permanent representative to the IMO, sends a worrying signal to both the industry and the international maritime policy community. The IMO is a technical body requiring specific expertise. It is not something that can be subsumed into an aviation model and handled by policy generalists. https://lnkd.in/ezKZyASK

After reading this article I'm still not sure whether this will help U.S. industries or allow our government to regulate resources that were already available. From a military perspective, it should make us safer by increasing the airspace maritime zones we can claim to protect I think. https://lnkd.in/es_35sKs

Explore the Polar Institute's comprehensive hub dedicated to the United States Extended Continental Shelf (ECS). Explore the background and impact of the US ECS Project through a variety of ECS-related publications and content, and dive into an informative journey through the depths of maritime boundaries and resources. https://bit.ly/3TTuhmS Want to learn more about ECS? Check out: Arctic Horizons: A Primer and Critical Questions on Extending US Territory in the Arctic Ocean https://bit.ly/3TXMv6N

“The Houthis’ activities in the Red Sea and China’s maneuvers near Second Thomas Shoal showcase the diverse ways gray-zone tactics are employed in the 21st century. While the actors and contexts differ, these cases highlight the need for a nuanced and coordinated response from the international community to counter these challenges and maintain a peaceful and stable global order. By fostering unified responses, investing in maritime security, strengthening international law, and addressing underlying issues, the international community can better navigate the murky waters of gray-zone tactics and chart a course toward brighter seas.” https://lnkd.in/ef4FmyXp

Happy to announce that I have published my op-ed article in the research think tank Global Defence Insight, titled "Navigating the South China Sea Dispute: Exploring the Complexities of Territorial Claims in the South China Sea." Attaching the link below for your kind perusal. Umair A., Global Defense Insight

My newest piece, for the Macdonald-Laurier Institute in Ottawa, on the regional and global geoeconomic effects of the Houthi aggression in the Red Sea. https://lnkd.in/euUgggME