Beyond the Horizon

We provide insight and bring together rigorous research and extensive field experience to influence and promote global peace and security.

[Beyond the Horizon @BehorizonOrg]

📃 New Commentary: Meloni’s SAFE Retreat and Poland’s First Payment

Europe’s rearmament challenge is no longer just about finding money—it is increasingly about securing political support and effectively converting funding into military capability. Italy and Poland highlight two very different obstacles facing Europe’s defence ambitions.

🎯 Key Takeaways

🔹 Italy’s potential reduction in SAFE funding requests highlights how weak public backing for higher defence spending can become a major obstacle to rearmament efforts.

🔹 Poland’s first SAFE payment demonstrates strong commitment, but success will depend on turning financial resources into effective, interoperable military capabilities.

🔹 The initiative should be viewed as a strategic allocation mechanism that rewards countries capable of delivering credible defence outcomes efficiently and responsibly.

🔹 Frontline states may accelerate defence investments while others lag behind, creating capability gaps and increasing reliance on a small group of highly committed allies.

🔗 Read more: https://t.co/E1stZscX6J

#Europe #NATO #Defence #Security #SAFE #EuropeanUnion #Italy #Poland #Rearmament #MilitaryStrategy #Geopolitics #DefenseSpending #Ukraine #StrategicAffairs #InternationalRelations

[Beyond the Horizon @BehorizonOrg]

🚨 Mapping the Crisis: W.A.R. on the Horizon

Europe faces mounting pressure from Russian aggression, Chinese influence, and growing defence-industrial demands. This week highlights the challenge of turning defence spending, alliances, and political will into credible deterrence.

🎯 Key Takeaways

🔹 While defence funding is growing, Europe still faces major hurdles in procurement, production capacity, and political support needed to deliver real military capability.

🔹 The Galați drone strike, ongoing attacks on Ukraine, and Kaliningrad tensions underline the need for stronger air and missile defence across Europe.

🔹 From the South China Sea to Japan–NATO cooperation, Europe’s security is increasingly tied to developments in the Indo-Pacific.

🔹 Faster production, counter-drone innovation, and industrial coordination are becoming as important as defence spending itself.

🔗 Read more: https://t.co/Dt5XBnVOWg

#Europe #NATO #Defence #Security #Ukraine #Russia #Geopolitics #Military #DefenceIndustry #StrategicAutonomy #EuropeanUnion #IndoPacific #Deterrence #HybridThreats #WAROnTheHorizon

[European Hub for Contemporary China @EuroHub4Sino]

🎥 Watch Key Takeaways from "Governing Relational AI: China's Regulation of Anthropomorphic AI and the European Governance Challenge" ✍️ by @Lukas_Gacek

From interaction design risks to regulatory gaps in the AI Act — this paper maps what Europe needs to do as AI becomes a social and emotional interface.

📖 https://t.co/ZoJophVjEn

#eh4s #HorizonEurope #AIGovernance #ChinaEU #AIAct #RelationalIntelligence #euaipolicy

[European Hub for Contemporary China @EuroHub4Sino]

🇨🇳🤝🇷🇺 Putin-Xi Meeting Signals a Deeper Strategic Alignment

 Russian President Vladimir Putin met Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing days after Donald Trump’s visit to China, placing Beijing once again at the center of major-power diplomacy.

The meeting focused on trade, energy cooperation, global governance, the Ukraine war, and wider geopolitical tensions. Xi framed China-Russia relations around “mutual political trust” and a push for a “more just and equitable” global order. Putin, meanwhile, called relations with China “unprecedented” and emphasized Russia’s role as a reliable energy supplier.

The key takeaway: this is not a formal alliance, but it is a relationship with growing strategic weight. Russia’s dependence on China is deepening, while China continues to balance closeness with Moscow against the diplomatic risks of the Ukraine war.

#China #Russia #XiJinping #VladimirPutin #Geopolitics #InternationalRelations #GlobalPolitics #EnergySecurity #UkraineWar #Diplomacy #ChinaRussia #ForeignPolicy #HorizonEU #ResearchImpactEU #EUInnovation

[European Hub for Contemporary China @EuroHub4Sino]

🇨🇳🤝🇨🇦 Canada–China Reset: A Cautious Return to High-Level Dialogue

Canada and China appear to be entering a new phase of engagement after Prime Minister Mark Carney met Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Ottawa on May 29. 

The meeting, part of Wang’s first visit to Canada in a decade, focused on rebuilding diplomatic channels, expanding trade, and exploring cooperation in energy, finance, agriculture, and fisheries. 

Carney framed the relationship as moving toward a more stable and constructive partnership, while Wang said there are “no clashes of fundamental interests” between the two countries. Canada, however, also kept sensitive issues on the table, including foreign interference, consular matters, forced labour, and human rights. 

The key takeaway: this is not a full normalization of Canada–China relations. It is a cautious reset — driven by economic opportunity, geopolitical uncertainty, and the need for structured dialogue. 

#CanadaChina #MarkCarney #WangYi #CanadaPolitics #ChinaPolitics #ForeignPolicy #Diplomacy #Geopolitics #TradePolicy #EnergySecurity #AsiaPacific #APEC2026 #InternationalRelations #GlobalAffairs #HorizonEU #ResearchImpactEU #EUInnovation

[European Hub for Contemporary China @EuroHub4Sino]

UK-China Relations: A Cautious Thaw, Not a Full Reset 

The UK and China are reopening high-level dialogue after years of strained relations.

Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper’s visit to Beijing signals a pragmatic shift: London wants engagement with the world’s second-largest economy, while Beijing is pushing for deeper cooperation and a fairer business environment for Chinese firms. 

But this is not a clean diplomatic breakthrough. 

Security concerns, human rights, Ukraine, Chinese investment scrutiny and the Jimmy Lai case remain major sources of tension. 

The real takeaway: both sides are choosing controlled engagement — not because trust has returned, but because global instability makes dialogue harder to avoid.

#UKChina #Cooper #Wang #Geopolitics #ForeignPolicy #China #UnitedKingdom #Diplomacy #InternationalRelations #GlobalAffairs #Trade #Security #AI #AsiaPacific #IndoPacific #HorizonEU #ResearchImpactEU #EUInnovation

[Beyond the Horizon @BehorizonOrg]

How do we build societal immunity against disinformation? 🛡️🇪🇺

Algorithmic feeds, AI-enhanced deepfakes, and climate misinformation... As the information landscape becomes increasingly complex, the EU-funded IMMUNE 2 INFODEMIC (I2I) project has released critical insights from its latest survey conducted across 11 EU countries! Here is what you need to know: 👇

🔍 Key Survey Findings:

🧠 The Confidence Gap: While 75.5% of respondents feel confident in their ability to recognize misinformation, only 38.6% have actually completed media literacy training. Overconfidence is a vulnerability we must address!

🤖 The Algorithm Trap: 85.5% of people acknowledge that algorithms play a massive role in spreading misinformation. Yet, more than a third still get their news passively through algorithmic social media feeds.

💔 Emotional Impact: Online content triggers strong emotional reactions in more than half of the respondents. Furthermore, 78.7% are deeply concerned about AI's role in amplifying disinformation, and 71.4% worry about climate disinformation.

💡 POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS:

🟡 Add "Prebunking" to EU Teacher Guidelines: Inoculating citizens with concrete examples before they encounter fake news builds long-term resilience.

🟡 Tailor Methods for Vulnerable Groups: We need simple, multilingual, and diverse formats to effectively reach youth, seniors, and rural communities.

🟡 Include Reflection on Motives in Training: Training must teach media consumers to question the financial or malicious intent behind viral content to prevent manipulation.

🟡 Leverage Existing Community Settings: Partnering with libraries, social workers, and local cultural centers is the most cost-effective way to scale media literacy and reach diverse audiences.

🟡 Develop a Unified Strategy on AI & Emotion: Cognitive skills aren't enough. EU and national strategies must tackle both the algorithmic threat and the emotional harm caused by disinformation.

It is time to equip ourselves with digital literacy, media literacy, and critical thinking to build a safer digital future. 🌐✨
👉 Read the full policy brief here: https://t.co/rblTKDnDhC

#Immune2Infodemic #Disinformation #MediaLiteracy #ArtificialIntelligence #DigitalLiteracy #EUProjects #CriticalThinking #FIMI

[Beyond the Horizon @BehorizonOrg]

Are you keeping up with current political events?

Beyond the Horizon regularly publishes short, accessible posts on the topics shaping our world today: major diplomatic summits, evolving security dynamics, shifting alliances and more. Quick to read, but always grounded in analysis.

If you are not following us yet, you might be missing out.

Follow us and stay informed!

#BeyondTheHorizon #Geopolitics #CurrentEvents #ThinkTank #Brussels #Security #Democracy #StayInformed #Analysis #GlobalPolitics

[Beyond the Horizon @BehorizonOrg]

🌏 Asia’s Strategic Outlook: The Week in Review

This week’s Indo-Pacific developments highlighted growing geopolitical competition, stronger regional security cooperation, and continued efforts by states to balance economic interests with strategic concerns.

🎯 Key Takeaways

🔹 China’s Huawei unveiled a new chip-design strategy aimed at reducing reliance on advanced manufacturing technologies and strengthening technological resilience.

🔹 The Shangri-La Dialogue showcased deeper defense cooperation among Indo-Pacific partners as countries seek greater security flexibility amid uncertainty.

🔹 Potential U.S.-Taiwan engagement and pending arms decisions continue to place Taiwan at the center of regional strategic competition.

🔹 Maritime disputes, increased naval activity, and closer coordination among regional claimants underline ongoing security challenges in contested waters.

🔗 Read more: https://t.co/gg5xD4z0OJ

#AsiaOnTheHorizon #IndoPacific #Geopolitics #China #Taiwan #SouthChinaSea #Security #Defense #APEC #Technology #AUKUS #InternationalRelations #AsiaPacific #Strategy #RegionalSecurity

[Beyond the Horizon @BehorizonOrg]

Ever wondered what we actually do? 👀

Beyond the Horizon ISSG is a Brussels-based think & do tank working at the intersection of peace, security, democracy and digitalisation. From EU-funded research projects to publications and events, we turn knowledge into action.

And yes, we have an amazing content team helping us tell that story. 🎬

Follow us to stay informed, check the link below to learn more!
https://t.co/5bPYIsyMNq

#BeyondTheHorizon #ThinkTank #Brussels #Peace #Security #Democracy #Digitalisation #EUProjects

[Beyond the Horizon @BehorizonOrg]

💥 Europe’s Defence Pulse: The W.A.R. Update

Europe is under growing pressure to turn defence spending into real military capability as the U.S. pushes allies to take greater responsibility for NATO security. This week highlighted rising concerns over capability gaps, industrial readiness, Arctic and Baltic security, and Europe’s dependence on U.S. support.

🎯 Key Takeaways

🔹 Planned reductions in U.S. military capabilities are forcing Europe to prepare for greater defence responsibility inside NATO.

🔹 Europe’s challenge is no longer awareness or funding, but turning budgets into factories, stockpiles, and operational capability quickly enough.

🔹 Drone incidents, Russian signalling, and Arctic militarisation continue to expand Europe’s frontline security concerns.

🔹 Burden sharing, procurement, and political bargaining are increasingly shaping alliance cohesion and transatlantic relations.

🔗 Read more: https://t.co/ax8ANCh0rh

#Europe #NATO #Defence #Security #Ukraine #Russia #Military #Geopolitics #Arctic #Baltic #StrategicAutonomy #DefenceIndustry #EuropeanUnion #WAROnTheHorizon #GlobalSecurity

[Beyond the Horizon @BehorizonOrg]

🌏 Asia’s Strategic Outlook: The Week in Review

This week across the Indo-Pacific, regional powers balanced diplomacy, security, energy resilience, and strategic competition as tensions around Taiwan, China–Russia ties, and Indo-Pacific cooperation continued to shape Asia’s geopolitical landscape.

🎯 Key Takeaways

🔹 South Korea and Japan expanded LNG, crude oil, and stockpiling cooperation, showing how energy security is becoming central to regional diplomacy and resilience.

🔹 China increased military activity around Taiwan while uncertainty over future U.S. support and arms sales added new pressure on Taipei’s strategic position.

🔹 The Quad foreign ministers’ meeting in New Delhi highlighted stronger coordination on supply chains, maritime security, critical minerals, and Indo-Pacific stability.

🔹 Putin’s Beijing visit reinforced strategic coordination between China and Russia, while also exposing the economic and political limits of their “no-limits partnership.

🔗 Read More: https://t.co/2VrGyuJL7u

#AsiaOnTheHorizon #IndoPacific #Geopolitics #China #Taiwan #Quad #SouthKorea #Japan #India #Russia #EnergySecurity #SupplyChains #MaritimeSecurity #InternationalRelations #GlobalPolitics

[Beyond the Horizon @BehorizonOrg]

🇯🇵🤝🇰🇷 Seoul and Tokyo Move Closer on Energy and Security Cooperation

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi met in Andong, South Korea, where both leaders agreed to expand cooperation on LNG, crude oil supplies, stockpiling, and energy swap arrangements.

The meeting comes amid growing concern over energy-market instability and supply-chain disruption linked to conflict in the Middle East. Lee framed the cooperation as a practical necessity, saying recent instability has “underscored the need for close cooperation” between the two countries.

Takaichi emphasized regional resilience, stating that Japan and South Korea must work together to strengthen autonomy, resilience, and regional supply chains.

Beyond energy, the summit also reaffirmed stronger security coordination between Seoul, Tokyo, and Washington, particularly in response to North Korea and broader Indo-Pacific tensions.

The key takeaway: South Korea–Japan relations are moving further into a pragmatic phase, driven by shared energy risks, economic security concerns, and regional instability — though unresolved historical disputes remain a long-term vulnerability.

#SouthKorea #Japan #Takaichi #Lee #EnergySecurity #IndoPacific #Geopolitics #SupplyChains #LNG #CrudeOil #RegionalSecurity #Diplomacy #EastAsia #Seoul #Tokyo #InternationalRelations

[Beyond the Horizon @BehorizonOrg]

📚 New Publication: China’s Economic Leverage and Political Alignment in the Gulf

China is reshaping Gulf geopolitics through economic statecraft rather than military power. By expanding trade, infrastructure investment, and institutional partnerships with Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Iran, Beijing is building long-term influence across the Middle East while Gulf states balance between China and the West.

🎯 Key Takeaways

🔹 China relies on trade, FDI, infrastructure financing, and Belt and Road investments instead of military deployments to expand its influence in the Gulf.

🔹 Riyadh is deepening ties with China through Vision 2030, BRICS engagement, and energy cooperation while still preserving security relations with the United States.

🔹 Despite having the highest economic integration with China, the UAE maintains strong Western partnerships and demonstrates strategic flexibility through diversified diplomacy.

🔹 Iran shows the strongest political alignment with China, not because of economic dependency alone, but due to sanctions and limited alternatives in the international system.

🔗 Read More: https://t.co/K1Zts630ul

#China #MiddleEast #GulfRegion #SaudiArabia #UAE #Iran #Geopolitics #BRICS #BeltAndRoad #EconomicStatecraft #InternationalRelations #EnergySecurity #GlobalTrade #ForeignPolicy #Geoeconomics

[Beyond the Horizon @BehorizonOrg]

📃 New Commentary: Europe’s Defence Union Will Be Built in Factories, Not Summits

Europe’s defence future will be shaped less by political summits and more by industrial production, procurement speed, and strategic coordination. The challenge is no longer recognizing threats, but building the capability to respond effectively.

🎯 Key Takeaways

⚙️ Europe can raise defence funds quickly, but still struggles to produce weapons, drones, and air defence systems at the scale required.

🛡️ Joint defence spending will only succeed if European states align on common standards, shared procurement, and faster delivery systems.

🌍 Ukraine offers valuable battlefield experience in drone warfare, air defence, and rapid military innovation that Europe can learn from.

📉 European defence cooperation is still vulnerable to national vetoes, political disagreements, and differing threat perceptions across the EU.

🔗 Read More: https://t.co/m5sfPbpUHt

#Europe #Defence #EU #NATO #Ukraine #Security #Geopolitics #Military #DefenceIndustry #EuropeanUnion #StrategicAutonomy #Russia #Procurement #Rearmament #InternationalRelations

[Beyond the Horizon @BehorizonOrg]

🔥 Europe’s Defence Pulse: The W.A.R. Update

This week’s W.A.R. on the Horizon highlights a Europe confronting mounting pressure across defence, sovereignty, industrial readiness, and alliance cohesion. From Arctic basing tensions and NATO uncertainty to drone threats and rearmament bottlenecks, Europe’s challenge is no longer recognizing danger — but converting urgency into credible capability.

🎯 Key Takeaways

🔹 Greenland base negotiations revealed growing tension between Europe’s dependence on U.S. Arctic security and concerns over sovereignty, strategic control, and NATO trust.

🔹 EU defence funding is accelerating faster than Europe’s production capacity, exposing weaknesses in procurement, manufacturing speed, and delivery timelines for Ukraine and NATO deterrence.

🔹 Latvia’s government collapse after repeated drone incidents showed how low-cost aerial threats and air-defence gaps can destabilize NATO members internally.

🔹 U.S. troop deployment cancellations, burden-sharing disputes, and uncertainty around NATO commitments are forcing Europe to reconsider long-term strategic autonomy and defence reliability.

🔗 Read More: https://t.co/4bK0VaoJW5

#Europe #NATO #Ukraine #Defence #Security #Geopolitics #EuropeanUnion #Russia #Arctic #Military #DroneWarfare #StrategicAutonomy #DefenceIndustry #WarOnTheHorizon #TransatlanticRelations

[Beyond the Horizon @BehorizonOrg]

Missed our final webinar? The recording is now live. 🎥

Liubov Velychko and Laura Bucher took us through how climate disinformation actually works — who's behind it, how it spreads, and what you can do about it.

Worth a watch if you care about climate action, media literacy, or the future of democratic discourse.

@EU_Commission @JanuamMentoring

🔗 https://t.co/TCY93rkpLo

#IMMUNE2INFODEMIC #ClimateDisinformation #Disinformation #MediaLiteracy #EUPolicy #ClimateChange

[European Defence Agency @EUDefenceAgency]

How Europe is getting organised on defence, innovation and cooperation? Check out our Annual report 2025. Not just for defence insiders.

✍️We write about drones, cyber defence, operational experiments and much more.

📖 Read here: https://t.co/1Bya5Kos5J

[Beyond the Horizon @BehorizonOrg]

🔥 Europe’s Defence Pulse: The W.A.R. Update

This week’s W.A.R. on the Horizon highlights a Europe confronting mounting pressure across defence, sovereignty, industrial readiness, and alliance cohesion. From Arctic basing tensions and NATO uncertainty to drone threats and rearmament bottlenecks, Europe’s challenge is no longer recognizing danger — but converting urgency into credible capability.

🎯 Key Takeaways

🔹 Greenland base negotiations revealed growing tension between Europe’s dependence on U.S. Arctic security and concerns over sovereignty, strategic control, and NATO trust.

🔹 EU defence funding is accelerating faster than Europe’s production capacity, exposing weaknesses in procurement, manufacturing speed, and delivery timelines for Ukraine and NATO deterrence.

🔹 Latvia’s government collapse after repeated drone incidents showed how low-cost aerial threats and air-defence gaps can destabilize NATO members internally.

🔹 U.S. troop deployment cancellations, burden-sharing disputes, and uncertainty around NATO commitments are forcing Europe to reconsider long-term strategic autonomy and defence reliability.

🔗 Read More: https://t.co/4bK0VaoJW5

#Europe #NATO #Ukraine #Defence #Security #Geopolitics #EuropeanUnion #Russia #Arctic #Military #DroneWarfare #StrategicAutonomy #DefenceIndustry #WarOnTheHorizon #TransatlanticRelations