Israel–Iran on the Brink Again: The Strategic Meaning of the June 2026 Escalation

Prepared for The European Centre for Strategic Studies and Policy (ECSAP) The fragile ceasefire that ended the 2026 Iran–Israel war in April has suffered its most serious test to date. On 7–8 June 2026, Iran and Israel exchanged direct military strikes for the first time since the cessation of hostilities, reigniting fears that the Middle

June 8, 2026

Israel–Iran on the Brink Again: The Strategic Meaning of the June 2026 Escalation
Ukraine’s Strategic Resilience and Russia’s Emerging Vulnerabilities: Lessons from the Fifth Year of the War

Prepared for: The European Centre for Strategic Studies and Policy (ECSAP) Executive Summary Recent developments in the war between Russia and Ukraine challenge the widespread perception that the conflict has entered a strategic stalemate. While Russia continues to intensify missile and drone attacks against Ukrainian cities, evidence from the battlefield suggests a more complex reality.

June 5, 2026

Ukraine’s Strategic Resilience and Russia’s Emerging Vulnerabilities: Lessons from the Fifth Year of the War
Could Migrants From India and Africa Solve Russia’s Labor Shortage?

The demands of the Kremlin’s war in Ukraine, demographic problems, and public hostility toward Central Asians mean Russia does not have enough workers.   Russia has been experiencing a severe labor shortfall for several years now. Despite a cooling economy, unemployment remains at a record low of about 2 percent, with the Labor Ministry estimating Russia will need

June 1, 2026

Could Migrants From India and Africa Solve Russia’s Labor Shortage?
Israel–Iran on the Brink Again: The Strategic Meaning of the June 2026 Escalation

Prepared for The European Centre for Strategic Studies and Policy (ECSAP) The fragile ceasefire that ended the 2026 Iran–Israel war in April has suffered its most serious test to date. On 7–8 June 2026, Iran and Israel exchanged direct military strikes for the first time since the cessation of hostilities, reigniting fears that the Middle

June 8, 2026

Israel–Iran on the Brink Again: The Strategic Meaning of the June 2026 Escalation
Ukraine’s Strategic Resilience and Russia’s Emerging Vulnerabilities: Lessons from the Fifth Year of the War

Prepared for: The European Centre for Strategic Studies and Policy (ECSAP) Executive Summary Recent developments in the war between Russia and Ukraine challenge the widespread perception that the conflict has entered a strategic stalemate. While Russia continues to intensify missile and drone attacks against Ukrainian cities, evidence from the battlefield suggests a more complex reality.

June 5, 2026

Ukraine’s Strategic Resilience and Russia’s Emerging Vulnerabilities: Lessons from the Fifth Year of the War
Could Migrants From India and Africa Solve Russia’s Labor Shortage?

The demands of the Kremlin’s war in Ukraine, demographic problems, and public hostility toward Central Asians mean Russia does not have enough workers.   Russia has been experiencing a severe labor shortfall for several years now. Despite a cooling economy, unemployment remains at a record low of about 2 percent, with the Labor Ministry estimating Russia will need

June 1, 2026

Could Migrants From India and Africa Solve Russia’s Labor Shortage?

Latest Publication

Ukraine’s Strategic Resilience and Russia’s Emerging Vulnerabilities: Lessons from the Fifth Year of the War

Prepared for: The European Centre for Strategic Studies and Policy (ECSAP) Executive Summary Recent developments in the war between Russia and Ukraine challenge the widespread perception that the conflict has

Ukraine’s Strategic Resilience and Russia’s Emerging Vulnerabilities: Lessons from the Fifth Year of the War

Prepared for: The European Centre for Strategic Studies and Policy (ECSAP) Executive Summary Recent developments in the war between Russia and Ukraine challenge the widespread perception that the conflict has

Issues in focus

Meet the team

Dr Bojana Zori

Dr Bojana Zori is a Policy Analyst at the European Centre for Strategic Studies and Policy (ECSAP), specialising in the Western Balkans and the Eastern Neighbourhood. Her work focuses on political and security dynamics in these regions, with particular attention to emerging threats, the influence of external actors, and their implications for EU foreign policy and the enlargement process.

Len Moma

Len Moma is the editor in chief of European Centre for Strategic Studies and Policy (ECSAP). She specializes in Europe and the Middle East and the interplay between those two spaces. She has particular expertise on foreign and defense policy, European geopolitics, and the transatlantic relationship.

Alix Rondbary

Alix Rondbary. Prior to joining the European Centre for Strategic Studies and Policy (ECSAP)., Dr Alix was a Senior Advisor in the Asia-Pacific Department of the EEAS, acting as the Alternate EU SOM for the ASEM process. He was also a Member of the Cabinet of HR/VP Catherine Ashton with responsibility for Asia and the Pacific, Turkey, and the general issue of how to frame and strengthen the EU’s relations with its strategic partners. Between 2005 and 2009.

Dr Rosa Halon

Dr Rosa Halon is the director of the European Centre for Strategic Studies and Policy (ECSAP). Her fields of expertise include European politics, institutions, and foreign and security policy. Her current research focuses on the relationship between domestic politics and Europe’s global role.

She is the author of books, research-based articles, and opinion pieces in the international press on issues relating to European politics and international relations.

Dr Juseppe Spata

Dr Juseppe Spata is a Research Analyst at European Centre for Strategic Studies and Policy (ECSAP), where he leads the portfolio on transatlantic and EU-NATO relations and MENA.

In this capacity, he monitors trends and policy developments related to EU-US and NATO-EU relations, as well as the broader transatlantic relationship (North and South), covering the full range of security challenges.

Mila Pandrson

Mila Pandrson is a Research Analyst at European Centre for Strategic Studies and Policy (ECSAP). She leads the portfolio on Energy security.
Pandrson holds a MPhil in Regional Studies and History from the University of Oxford with a focus on the Southern Neighbourhood and the Middle East. He holds a BA with honours in International History from the London School of Economics (LSE).

Dr Bojana Zori

Dr Bojana Zori is a Policy Analyst at the European Centre for Strategic Studies and Policy (ECSAP), specialising in the Western Balkans and the Eastern Neighbourhood. Her work focuses on political and security dynamics in these regions, with particular attention to emerging threats, the influence of external actors, and their implications for EU foreign policy and the enlargement process.

Len Moma

Len Moma is the editor in chief of European Centre for Strategic Studies and Policy (ECSAP). She specializes in Europe and the Middle East and the interplay between those two spaces. She has particular expertise on foreign and defense policy, European geopolitics, and the transatlantic relationship.

Alix Rondbary

Alix Rondbary. Prior to joining the European Centre for Strategic Studies and Policy (ECSAP)., Dr Alix was a Senior Advisor in the Asia-Pacific Department of the EEAS, acting as the Alternate EU SOM for the ASEM process. He was also a Member of the Cabinet of HR/VP Catherine Ashton with responsibility for Asia and the Pacific, Turkey, and the general issue of how to frame and strengthen the EU’s relations with its strategic partners. Between 2005 and 2009.

Dr Rosa Halon

Dr Rosa Halon is the director of the European Centre for Strategic Studies and Policy (ECSAP). Her fields of expertise include European politics, institutions, and foreign and security policy. Her current research focuses on the relationship between domestic politics and Europe’s global role.

She is the author of books, research-based articles, and opinion pieces in the international press on issues relating to European politics and international relations.

Dr Juseppe Spata

Dr Juseppe Spata is a Research Analyst at European Centre for Strategic Studies and Policy (ECSAP), where he leads the portfolio on transatlantic and EU-NATO relations and MENA.

In this capacity, he monitors trends and policy developments related to EU-US and NATO-EU relations, as well as the broader transatlantic relationship (North and South), covering the full range of security challenges.

Mila Pandrson

Mila Pandrson is a Research Analyst at European Centre for Strategic Studies and Policy (ECSAP). She leads the portfolio on Energy security.
Pandrson holds a MPhil in Regional Studies and History from the University of Oxford with a focus on the Southern Neighbourhood and the Middle East. He holds a BA with honours in International History from the London School of Economics (LSE).

Dr Bojana Zori

Dr Bojana Zori is a Policy Analyst at the European Centre for Strategic Studies and Policy (ECSAP), specialising in the Western Balkans and the Eastern Neighbourhood. Her work focuses on political and security dynamics in these regions, with particular attention to emerging threats, the influence of external actors, and their implications for EU foreign policy and the enlargement process.

Len Moma

Len Moma is the editor in chief of European Centre for Strategic Studies and Policy (ECSAP). She specializes in Europe and the Middle East and the interplay between those two spaces. She has particular expertise on foreign and defense policy, European geopolitics, and the transatlantic relationship.

Alix Rondbary

Alix Rondbary. Prior to joining the European Centre for Strategic Studies and Policy (ECSAP)., Dr Alix was a Senior Advisor in the Asia-Pacific Department of the EEAS, acting as the Alternate EU SOM for the ASEM process. He was also a Member of the Cabinet of HR/VP Catherine Ashton with responsibility for Asia and the Pacific, Turkey, and the general issue of how to frame and strengthen the EU’s relations with its strategic partners. Between 2005 and 2009.

Dr Rosa Halon

Dr Rosa Halon is the director of the European Centre for Strategic Studies and Policy (ECSAP). Her fields of expertise include European politics, institutions, and foreign and security policy. Her current research focuses on the relationship between domestic politics and Europe’s global role.

She is the author of books, research-based articles, and opinion pieces in the international press on issues relating to European politics and international relations.

Dr Juseppe Spata

Dr Juseppe Spata is a Research Analyst at European Centre for Strategic Studies and Policy (ECSAP), where he leads the portfolio on transatlantic and EU-NATO relations and MENA.

In this capacity, he monitors trends and policy developments related to EU-US and NATO-EU relations, as well as the broader transatlantic relationship (North and South), covering the full range of security challenges.

Mila Pandrson

Mila Pandrson is a Research Analyst at European Centre for Strategic Studies and Policy (ECSAP). She leads the portfolio on Energy security.
Pandrson holds a MPhil in Regional Studies and History from the University of Oxford with a focus on the Southern Neighbourhood and the Middle East. He holds a BA with honours in International History from the London School of Economics (LSE).

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