From drones and AI-enabled systems to satellite capabilities, technological advances are reshaping warfare in Ukraine and the Middle East. Europe must keep pace. Read our new brief in the EU Defence series 👇https://icds.ee/en/eu-defence-series-europes-tech-challenge/

EU Defence Series: Europe's Tech Challenge - International Centre for Defence and Security

In Ukraine and the Middle East, rapid advances in, for example, drones, AI‑enabled systems, and satellite capabilities are reshaping modern warfare. Europe must keep pace with this rapid technological...

icds.ee

My latest paper for the @icds-tallinn.bsky.social explores the growing cooperation in the armaments sector between France and the Baltic Sea states. Read it here 👇

ICDS Tallinn@icds-tallinn.bsky.social · 4w ago

Europe’s defence autonomy will not be built on declarations alone. France and the Baltic Sea states have complementary strengths and the foundations of a European armament bloc are already emerging. Commentary by @marpaire.bsky.social 👇 icds.ee/en/franco-ba...

Great article of @shaunwalker7.bsky.social (w/ insights from discuss. at the #LennartMeriConference 😏).”The key Q is whether the very public tensions around collective def. have eroded the perception in the Kremlin that an incursion into NATO would provoke an overwhelming military response”

The Guardian@theguardian.com · 2mo ago

All quiet on the eastern flank? Nato leaders fear they can no longer rely on US help if Russia attacks

« Whatever path France chooses to take, it will be difficult, if not impossible, to abandon the European dimension, which is essential in economic, financial, technological and operational terms. » www.lemonde.fr/idees/articl...

SCAF : « Sans sursaut technologique, les forces aériennes françaises risquent d’être reléguées à un rôle secondaire dans un potentiel conflit européen »

TRIBUNE. Dans une tribune au « Monde », un collectif de spécialistes des questions de défense réagit à l’abandon du projet d’avion de combat franco-allemand. La France ne doit, selon eux, céder ni à l...

lemonde.fr

Our #EU Briefs series continues with a paper by Béatrice Hainaut (@irsem.bsky.social) on space-related issues🛰️ : read “European Autonomy in Orbit” here ⬇️

ICDS Tallinn@icds-tallinn.bsky.social · 3mo ago

Genuine strategic autonomy cannot rely on a limited number of countries or a space coalition of the willing. Space is necessarily an area of close cooperation between the EU and NATO, writes Béatrice Hainaut. @irsem.bsky.social

Timely discussion at #LennartMeriConference about deterrence in Europe considering the direct threat of Russia and emerging uncertainty of US engagement : good opportunity for @hfayet.bsky.social @ifri.bsky.social to explain the French concept of forward deterrence

The change required from Europe is not only to rearm and reduce dependencies, but also to reshape our narratives and mental maps. The decisions we make today are existential for our future, writes Kristi Raik ahead of the #LennartMeriConference. @kristiraik.bsky.social

The (In)dispensable Ally: How to Recraft the Pillars of Estonia's and Europe's Security - International Centre for Defence and Security

The world order is undergoing an upheaval at least as radical as the end of the Cold War. Back then, Estonia made crucial choices regarding the restoration of independence and return to the western wo...

icds.ee

Just a few days to go until the Lennart Meri Conference! For those lucky enough to attend, see you on 15 May in #Tallinn. Good news for everyone else: you’ll be able to follow the discussions via livestream

ICDS Tallinn@icds-tallinn.bsky.social · 4mo ago

At times, you need to demolish something to find the treasure, says #LennartMeriConference director Eda Ahi. Good things come to those who act, and fortune favours the brave. See you on 15–17 May in Tallinn!

When it comes to regional cooperation in the North, the glass is clearly half full. Yet one can also have too much of a good thing. @haukkala.bsky.social and @kristiraik.bsky.social on the benefits and constraints of deeper Northern European security cooperation. @fiia.fi #NB8briefs

NB8 Series. The Circles of Security: The Role of the NB8 in (Northern) European Security - International Centre for Defence and Security

Russia’s war against Ukraine has profoundly worsened Europe’s security environment, but it has also spurred deeper regional cooperation. The challenge now is to ensure that this growing number of init...

icds.ee

📄 INTEGRATION OF THE EUROPEAN CAPABILITY PROCESS IN MEMBER STATES’ ADMINISTRATION: THE ESTONIAN CASE By Tony Lawrence, Head of the Defence Policy and Strategy Programme, @icds-tallinn.bsky.social 📍READ THE COMMENT: www.iris-france.org/integration-... #ARESGroup #IndustrialPolicy #Europe

France is currently conducting its 12th deployment as part of #NATO Baltic Air Policing mission, operating from Šiauliai in Lithuania. Rafale aircrafts made a stopover at Lielvārde Air Base in Latvia, and I was lucky enough to see them up close! #StrongerTogether @armee-air-espace.bsky.social

I am very happy to celebrate #ICDS’s 20th anniversary this year, an 🇪🇪 think tank whose fantastic team I had the honour to join a few months ago. Palju õnne - bon anniversaire, @icds-tallinn.bsky.social !! 🎉

ICDS Tallinn@icds-tallinn.bsky.social · 4mo ago

Estonia’s security 20 years ago, 20 years ahead: What brought us here? What will bring us forward? This spring, we celebrate our 20th birthday. Thank you for being part of our journey and for the interesting discussions today. @kristiraik.bsky.social @ilvestoomas.bsky.social @kadriliik.bsky.social

Last week, ICDS hosted a discussion on strengthening Europe’s deterrence. The conversation focused on recent developments in nuclear cooperation and French nuclear doctrine. H.E. Mr @emmanuelmignot.bsky.social, Jyri Lavikainen, Dr Ian Anthony. Moderator: @marpaire.bsky.social

Strengthening Europe’s Nuclear Deterrence - International Centre for Defence and Security

On 1 April, the International Centre for Defence and Security held a public discussion on the recent developments in European nuclear cooperation and French nuclear doctrine.

icds.ee

Read the paper we wrote with July Decarpentrie for @icds-tallinn.bsky.social on the key points of the French president’s speech on nuclear deterrence ⤵️

ICDS Tallinn@icds-tallinn.bsky.social · 6mo ago

On the basis that growing threats and uncertainty require a more autonomous European defence, Macron has offered partners a small step towards European-based nuclear deterrence, write Marianne Paire and July Decarpentrie. @marpaire.bsky.social

Particularly interesting discussions on cyber issues and Russia by geographers from @ifgeopolitique.bsky.social& @geode, and researchers from @coruscant-eu.bsky.social at the @icds-tallinn.bsky.social last week. Delighted to have welcome @kevinlimonier.bsky.social& @mlallouet.bsky.social !

ICDS Tallinn@icds-tallinn.bsky.social · 8mo ago

🌐 Roundtable on Russia’s Cyber and Disinformation Activities Last week, ICDS hosted a discussion on Russian cyber issues with Prof Kévin Limonier, Morvan Lallouet, and PhD student Olivier Royer. More: icds.ee/en/roundtabl... @marpaire.bsky.social @kevinlimonier.bsky.social @mlallouet.bsky.social

Lisaks RKK uudiskirjas: - Hosaka: Ukraina pärast Jermakki - Fedosiuk: Valimised Ukrainas - Gasper & Surendran: Saksamaa uus ajateenistus - Paire: Prantsusmaa ajateenistus ja toetus Ukrainale - Kohv & Klyszcz: Võitlus Vene hüdraga @sanshiro.bsky.social @marpaire.bsky.social @ivanklyszcz.com

Nädal välis- ja julgeolekupoliitikas: Otsustav nädal ja jõupingutused Euroopas, Jermaki lahkumine ja valimisdebatt Ukrainas, võitlus Vene hübriidhüdraga – Diplomaatia

Euroopa saatust kujundav nädal Kristi Raik, RKK direktor Ukraina on enneolematult tugeva surve all, et nõustuda paljuski Venemaa poolt ette kirjutatud

diplomaatia.ee

NATO figures show Europe and Canada are catching up with the US: their share of #NATO defence spending rose from 28% in 2015 to 36% in 2024, and is expected to reach 38% this year. ⬇️ Felix Gasper reviews current defence spending by each NATO ally: icds.ee/en/defence-s...

Defence Spending: Who Is Doing What? September 2025 - ICDS

According to NATO's latest figures, most Allies have increased their defence spending compared to July 2024, when we last examined the data. But most also have a long way to go if they are to meet the...

icds.ee

📧 RKK UUDISKIRI: - Prantsusmaa valitsuse kukkumine @marpaire.bsky.social - Felix Gasper: Kes teeb mida? NATO riikide kaitsekulude ülevaade - Marek Kohv: Nädalavahetuse rünnak Kiievile - Sahaidatšnõi keskus: Droonisõja õppetunnid Ukrainast - Finn-Niklar Brünner: Euroopa vajab paremat tuumaheidutust

Nädal välis- ja julgeolekupoliitikas: Prantsusmaa ja Euroopa kaitsevõime, Ukraina – Diplomaatia

Rahvusvahelise Kaitseuuringute Keskuse (RKK) 2025. aasta 37. nädala uudiskiri. RKK teadurid kommenteerivad olulisi sündmusi ja suundumusi välispoliitikas ja julgeolekuvaldkonnas.

diplomaatia.ee

📩 UUDISKIRI: - Ukraina rinne - Gaza lõks @meriliarjakas.bsky.social - Tollimaksud muutsid India suhtumist - Külma sõja õpitunnid - Prantsusmaa kaitse- ja julgeolekustrateegia uuendamine @marpaire.bsky.social - Armeeniast Aserbaidžaani läbi Washingtoni @koen-claessen.bsky.social

Nädal välis- ja julgeolekupoliitikas: Ukraina, Iisrael, SCO, Armeenia-Aserbaidžaan, külma sõja õppetunnid NATOle – Diplomaatia

Rahvusvahelise Kaitseuuringute Keskuse (RKK) 2025. aasta 36. nädala uudiskiri. RKK teadurid kommenteerivad olulisi sündmusi ja suundumusi välispoliitikas ja julgeolekuvaldkonnas.

diplomaatia.ee

🤝 We are delighted to welcome Helga Kalm as the International Centre for Defence and Security Deputy Director and Head of the Foreign Policy Programme, and Eda Ahi as the new Director of the #LennartMeriConference. More: icds.ee/en/icds-welc...

ICDS Welcomes New Deputy Director and LMC Director - ICDS

We are excited to welcome Helga Kalm in her new role as the Deputy Director of ICDS and the Head of the Foreign Policy Programme from August 2025. It is also our pleasure to announce that Eda Ahi has ...

icds.ee

📢 Ma tribune dans @lemonde.fr à propos de l'Ukraine et du débat sur les garanties de sécurité: j’y défends une idée simple mais exigeante : ne pas attendre le cessez-le-feu pour agir 👉 : www.lemonde.fr/idees/articl... Petit 🧵à dérouler ⤵️

Face à Poutine, il faut « retourner le facteur temps à l’avantage de l’Ukraine »

TRIBUNE. Les forces de garanties de sécurité que les Européens proposent d’engager sur le front ukrainien doivent être déployées avant et non après un cessez-le-feu pour forcer le Kremlin à signer un ...

lemonde.fr

The key takeaways from the French National Strategic Review ? Read my latest commentary for the @icds-tallinn.bsky.social 👇

ICDS Tallinn@icds-tallinn.bsky.social · 12mo ago

The new defence and security strategy of France notes that risk of high-intensity conflict and hybrid destabilisation is rising. Russia is more clearly identified as a threat than ever before, writes Marianne Paire. How does France plan to deal with the threat? @marpaire.bsky.social

Read my commentary for @icds-tallinn.bsky.social on the latest developments on European defence issues 👇

ICDS Tallinn@icds-tallinn.bsky.social · last yr.

While the Russian threat is urgent, uncertainty over the US commitment to European security and Ukraine highlights the need for Europeans to speed up development of their own defence, writes Marianne Paire. @marpaire.bsky.social

On the Bastille Day, I'd like to go back over the key points from the President's speech to the armed forces he made yesterday🧶👇: m.youtube.com/watch?v=eLwM...

Discours aux armées du Président Emmanuel Macron depuis l'Hôtel de Brienne.

YouTube video by Élysée

m.youtube.com

French CHOD’s press conference this morning was the first in a series of defence events in France over the next few days. The President will deliver a speech on 13 July, a day before the traditional military parade for Bastille Day 🧶👇

Great news: after Denmark signed an agreement with Ukraine that allows for Ukrainian companies to move parts of their production to Denmark, Sweden is also open for a similar agreement. There’s a very productive competition among the Nordics and Denmark holds the bar really high

Försvarsministern öppnar för ukrainska vapenfabriker på svensk mark

Danmark och Ukraina har ingått i ett avtal som låter ukrainska försvarsföretag att öppna fabriker på dansk mark, skriver Kyiv Independent.

dn.se

Laulupidu pluvieux, Laulupidu heureux! Feel very lucky to have the chance to attend the Estonian song festival. Even with the rain, such a great atmosphere! Elagu Eesti 🇪🇪

European Allies must find the confidence to pursue their own interests more assertively, writes Tony Lawrence. That confidence will stem, in part, from delivering on the summit’s key commitments. #NATOsummit

The Hague Summit: Mission Accomplished - ICDS

NATO's summit in The Hague succeeded in producing a substantial and important deliverable—a new defence investment pledge. But in dealing with the underlying strains in the transatlantic relationship,...

icds.ee

Read my last brief for @icds-tallinn.bsky.social on the EU-NATO relation. It is part of a series of briefs focusing on NATO ahead of next week's summit in The Hague: icds.ee/en/the-hague...

The Hague Summit Series - ICDS

When NATO heads of state and government meet in The Hague on 24 and 25 June, there will be much to talk about. Building consensus around NATO’s new capability targets has sometimes been difficult, eve...

icds.ee

ICDS Tallinn@icds-tallinn.bsky.social · last yr.

While the agendas of the two organisations have undoubtedly converged, there are still a number of challenges to their relationship. Marianne Paire writes about the need for greater synergy between NATO and the EU. @marpaire.bsky.social

@marie-doha.bsky.social at #RigaStratComDialogue : “need to understand Stratcom as an element of NATO deterrence also” ; “it needs planning to trigger right”