Following the Brexit vote in 2016 the defence relationship between the UK and the EU has since been relatively unfettered. This strength can largely be attributed to the increasing coordination through NATO institutions and the establishment of the Coalition of the Willing, creating functional cooperation without deepening policy integration between the UK and the EU. Yet this relationship has clear limits. As EU defence policy focuses inward on industry and procurement, the effects of Brexit now have immediate impacts on European capacity building.

To read the full policy brief, click the download button below.

The post SAFE is not so Safe: The Limits of UK–EU Defence Cooperation appeared first on Eastern European and Transatlantic Network.

“The Black Sea in 2026: Strategic Maneuvers and Economic Opportunity” examines how the Black Sea has become one of the world’s most consequential geopolitical and economic corridors following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The brief analyzes the competing strategies of Russia, TĂĽrkiye, the European Union, and China, alongside the security concerns of littoral states, highlighting how control of the region shapes Ukraine’s future and broader transatlantic stability. It also outlines Canada’s growing role as a NATO partner in supporting regional security, trade resilience, and postwar reconstruction. The paper concludes with targeted policy recommendations for strengthening Canada–Ukraine cooperation and enhancing Black Sea security in a rapidly evolving strategic landscape.

To read the full policy brief prepared by Dr. Jeff Sahadeo, click the download button below.

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Traditionally, strategic stability was commonly understood to be when no major power perceived an incentive to initiate a first nuclear strike. Historically, during the Cold War, this condition rested on mutual vulnerability and was achieved through arms control and measure. However, this framework is being reshaped by the advent of digital capabilities.

Unlike the relatively static assumptions of mutual vulnerability in Cold War–era stability models, the digital era introduces fluid and adaptive threat environments, compresses decision-making time, and reduces predictability.

To read the full policy brief and the implications for Canadian strategic stability, our national strategic autonomy, and potential contributions to our alliance partners, click the Download button below.

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The South Caucasus region has historically been regarded as one of the most complex regions in the world, where geopolitical rivalries, ethnic disputes, and energy security risks collide. One of the longest-lasting conflicts in the region is the dispute over Nagorno-Karabakh.

This paper aims to study the Washington Peace Declaration between Armenia and Azerbaijan and its potential impact on security and economic integration in the South Caucasus region. TRIPP and related transport initiatives could enable Armenia and Azerbaijan to serve as critical components of a strategic transit corridor linking Europe and Asia. US and EU engagement is highlighted as essential for maintaining stability and attracting investment in the region.

The post The Armenia-Azerbaijan Conflict: Geopolitical Significance of the Washington Peace Declaration for the South Caucasus appeared first on Eastern European and Transatlantic Network.

Drone warfare is one of the defining features of Russia’s war against Ukraine. The war has seen the constant introduction of new technology and tactics, and in turn, new countermeasures to respond to these developments.

The post Russian Drone Warfare: Destruction, Development, Defence, and Deterrence appeared first on Eastern European and Transatlantic Network.

Since 2022, Russia has intensified its hybrid warfare against Western states, exposing persistent vulnerabilities in NATO and EU responses. Despite new sanctions, evolving doctrines, and enhanced operational tools, key challenges remain — including legal uncertainty, attribution difficulties, fragmented coordination, and a continued imbalance between military spending and resilience investment. Rapidly evolving disinformation and systemic pressure on critical infrastructure further strain Europe’s adaptive capacity. This policy brief calls for a unified NATO-EU doctrine addressing all domains of hybrid warfare, a strategic shift toward strengthening societal and infrastructure resilience, and the implementation of clear emergency protocols to ensure a more coordinated and effective response to this growing threat.

The post Transatlantic Security Institutions and Hybrid Threats: Adaptation, Gaps, and Policy Imperatives appeared first on Eastern European and Transatlantic Network.

A Changing Landscape for Armenia–Russia Relations: A Colonial Legacy argues that Armenia’s long-standing reliance on Russia—rooted in imperial rule, Soviet governance, and post-1991 security dependency—has produced a deeply asymmetrical, quasi-colonial relationship that continues to shape contemporary politics. The piece highlights how Russia’s role in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, its use of “frozen conflicts” as leverage, and the economic and migratory ties binding Armenians to Russian structures have reinforced this dependency even as Armenia seeks greater sovereignty after the 2018 Velvet Revolution. Russia’s inconsistent support during crises, particularly the 2020 and 2023 conflicts, has accelerated an erosion of trust, prompting Armenia to reconsider its strategic orientation. Yet the legacy of Russian dominance—embedded in institutions, security arrangements, and political culture—complicates any attempt to reorient the country’s foreign policy, leaving Armenia caught between historical dependency and a desire for genuine autonomy.

The post A Changing Landscape for Armenia-Russia Relations: A Colonial Legacy? appeared first on Eastern European and Transatlantic Network.

Canada’s role in the Black Sea Mine Countermeasures Task Force supports regional security by helping clear naval mines and ordnance threatening vital shipping routes. Working alongside Romania, Türkiye, and Bulgaria, Canada enhances NATO interoperability and gains critical experience in multi-domain naval operations. The mission highlights Canada’s strategic interest in the Black Sea and its potential role in postwar recovery. Continued engagement could strengthen Canada’s regional presence, support allied capabilities, and advance readiness for future maritime challenges.

To view the whole report, download the report below.

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This policy memo examines the complex and evolving security threats posed by Foreign Terrorist Fighters (FTFs) in the Black Sea region, particularly in the context of the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war. This memo assesses the scale of the FTF threat across key Black Sea states, including TĂĽrkiye, Georgia, Russia, Ukraine, Bulgaria, Romania, and Moldova, and outlines the multifaceted risks posed by returning or transiting fighters, including future terrorist activity, regional destabilization, and violations of international humanitarian law. In response, the memo calls for a comprehensive and cooperative regional security strategy that includes Canadian support. Recommended actions include strengthening border surveillance, enhancing intelligence-sharing mechanisms, expanding legal frameworks aligned with international human rights standards, and implementing community-based deradicalization and reintegration programs. Canadian experience in counterterrorism and human rights advocacy is positioned to facilitate regional dialogue, contribute technical expertise, and promote long-term security in this geopolitically volatile region.

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The post Foreign Fighters and Regional Security in the Black Sea Region: Policy Imperatives Amid the Russia-Ukraine War appeared first on Eastern European and Transatlantic Network.

In August 2025, Armenia, Azerbaijan, and the United States signed a three-way agreement to end the long-standing conflict between the two nations, built upon the preliminary agreements established between Armenia and Azerbaijan in March 2025. The prospective peace deal further includes a clause for the creation of the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity (TRIPP), a transport corridor through the Zangezur region. The TRIPP establishes a 99-year partnership granting the U.S. exclusive rights to develop transportation and energy infrastructure within Armenia’s Zangezur corridor to create a new Asia-Europe transit route that bypasses Russia and Iran.

To view the whole report, download the report below.

The post An Overview of the Washington Agreement for Armenia-Azerbaijan Conflict Resolution appeared first on Eastern European and Transatlantic Network.