Organisation profile
Organisation profile
The research unit is conducting research in geopolitics and international relations.
Research interests further include:
- Security and Defence Policies.
- Theories of international relations.
- Political geography.
- International organizations for security and defence, but also development topics, operations and missions abroad, integrated approaches (UN, NATO, OSCE, AU, Arab League).
- Geopolitical analysis of conflicts and areas where political frictions happened or will probably happen.
- Negotiations before, during and after territorial or/and political disputes which could derive in open conflict or insurgency.
- Contemporary security issues; terrorism, water scarcity, demography, migration, climate change, transnational crimes and all kind of international trafficking (human, weapon, drug etc).
- Grand strategy, analysis of strategists’writings, counter-insurgency, cyber threat, conventional and unconventional warfare, nuclear deterrence, intelligence gathering, hybrid warfare.
- Military capacities development.
- International relations and geopolitics of the following regions or counties: Central Africa, Russian Federation, Balkans, North Africa, Sahel, Middle-East, Horn of Africa, South Africa, AFPAK, Caucasus, People Republic of China, India, Brazil.
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Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
Profiles
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NADYR: Understanding the Narrative Dynamics of Online Disinformation
Van Hoeymissen, S. (Promotor)
1/04/26 → 31/03/30
Project: Research › DFR
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MISTIC: Military Investment and Spending Trends in International Context
Joly, J. (Promotor), Joassin, V. (Researcher) & Castriotta, A. (Researcher)
1/10/25 → 30/09/29
Project: Research › DFR
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EMPORIA: Emerging powers’ maritime nationalism and its consequences for Belgium and the EU
Van Hoeymissen, S. (Promotor), Jacobs, M. (Researcher) & ter Haar, T. (Researcher)
1/10/24 → 30/09/28
Project: Research › DFR
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Who Owns the Gateways? A Geoeconomic Perspective on Diverse Ownership in Landlord Ports
Jacobs, M., ter Haar, T. & Van Hoeymissen, S., 22 Apr 2026, European Navies and Global Challenges: Proceedings of the Rotterdam Seapower Symposium 6-8 April 2025. De Ruiter, R. & Van Der Peet, A. (eds.). Netherlands Defence Academy, p. 49-67 19 p.Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution › peer-review
Open Access -
"It's A Balancing Act": Belgium's Position as An Open Economy in A World of Geoeconomic Competition
Du Bois, C., Houttekier, N. & Van Hoeymissen, S., 2025, Reflecting on Belgium's Strategic Orientations: Opportunities for a Niche-Based Approach in Defense and Foreign Policy. Xia, E., Jacques, M., Godfroid, J. & Struye de Swielande, T. (eds.). Louvain-la-Neuve: Presses universitaires de Louvain, p. 29-44Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter
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Kennisveiligheid: beleidsinzichten uit het onderzoek naar wetenschappelijke samenwerkingen met China
Houttekier, N., Van Hoeymissen, S. & Du Bois, C., 2025, In: Cahiers Inlichtingenstudies. 14Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
Open AccessFile
Activities
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Multilateralisme en Geopolitiek - Oorlog in Oekraïne
Philipsen, P. (Speaker) & Simoens, T. (Speaker)
24 Apr 2024Activity: Talk or presentation › Talk at and advisory panel to industry, government or non-government organisation
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Geopolitical challenges in the contemporary world
Philipsen, P. (Invited speaker)
8 Nov 2022Activity: Talk or presentation › Talk at a public lecture / debate
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Lezing over actuele geostrategische uitdagingen
Philipsen, P. (Keynote speaker)
27 Nov 2025Activity: Talk or presentation › Talk at a public lecture / debate
Press/Media
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De Morgen - Opinie - Het lijkt er steeds meer op dat in de oorlog tegen Iran het belang van geografie onderschat werd
18/03/26
1 Media contribution
Press/Media
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Vijf lessen voor wie in de voetsporen van China naar Afrika wil
17/02/26
1 Media contribution
Press/Media