National Security: an International Law Perspective

The European Commission has issued a Recommendation urging EU Member States to review outbound investments by their companies in non-EU countries, particularly in semiconductors, artificial intelligence, and quantum technologies—three strategic sectors posing the highest risks to economic security. The objective is to assess potential threats arising from such investments and determine whether further regulatory action at the EU or
Continue reading Recommendation calling on EU Member States to review outbound investments 

Judgment of the General Court in Case T-526/19 RENV | Nord Stream 2 v Parliament and Council

A quite interesting paper by RAND: Blinders, Blunders and Wars The document points out that strategic blunders — serious missteps with unintended negative consequences — often stem from leaders relying on oversimplified or flawed mental models to navigate complex decisions. These distorted models, far removed from objective reality, lead decision-makers to dismiss or misconstrue critical
Continue reading A quite interesting paper by RAND: Strategic blunders — serious missteps with unintended negative consequences — often stem from leaders relying on oversimplified or flawed mental models to navigate complex decisions

Strengthening Europe’s preparedness is urgent as it faces heightened risks and uncertainty, marked by a severe pandemic, major war, and record heat. Sauli Niinistö, former Finnish President and Special Adviser to the European Commission President, was tasked by President von der Leyen and the HR/VP to assess these challenges and propose ways to boost the
Continue reading Security, Intelligence and the EU in the Report by Sauli Niinistö

https://aiindex.stanford.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/HAI_AI-Index-Report-2024.pdf

https://ad-aspi.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/2024-08/ASPIs%20two-decade%20Critical%20Technology%20Tracker_1.pdf?VersionId=1p.Rx9MIuZyK5A5w1SDKIpE2EGNB_H8r

The threat quantum computing poses to cryptocurrency is likely overstated for the present but demands attention for the future. A report by Chinese researchers using a D-Wave quantum computer has suggested potential risks to encryption algorithms, such as RSA, commonly used in banking and security systems. However, this device is a quantum annealer rather than
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The Fourth Annual Report on the Screening of Foreign Direct Investments into the Union (COM(2024) 464 final), released by the European Commission on October 17, 2024, provides a comprehensive analysis of the FDI screening mechanism within the European Union during the year 2023. The report reflects on the application of the EU Foreign Direct Investment
Continue reading The Fourth Annual Report on the Screening of Foreign Direct Investments into the Union

THE TELEGRAM CASE BEFORE THE EUROPEAN COURT OF HUMAN RIGHTS I just published an article on La Comunità Internazionale, 2024, n. 3, examining the landmark decision of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) in the case of Podchasov v Russia, which centred on the Russian government’s attempts to force the messaging app Telegram to
Continue reading ENCRYPTION BACKDOORS ON TRIAL

Correlation vs. Causation Understanding the difference between correlation and causation is fundamental for sound data analysis and decision-making. Establishing true causal relationships requires careful research design and appropriate methodologies. Understanding the difference between correlation and causation is fundamental for sound data analysis and decision-making. Establishing true causal relationships requires careful research design and appropriate methodologies.

The Council has introduced a new framework for restrictive measures in response to Russia’s destabilizing activities abroad. This framework allows the EU to impose sanctions on individuals and entities involved in actions or policies by the Russian government that threaten the security, independence, and integrity of the EU, its member states, international organizations, and third
Continue reading New Framework for Restrictive Measures on Hybrid Threats

https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/jy2335 https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2024/05/13/order-regarding-the-acquisition-of-certain-real-property-of-cheyenne-leads-by-mineone-cloud-computing-investment-i-l-p The Biden administration has issued its first veto under the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) powers. This marks the eighth presidential veto in nearly half a century of CFIUS history, with seven of these related to national security concerns involving Chinese investors. This decision reflects heightened vigilance by Western
Continue reading Biden Administration issues first CFIUS Veto prohibiting the acquisition by a Chinese owned cryptocurrency company of a real estate, and the operation of a cryptocurrency mining facility, in close proximity to ICBM base

Versailles Declaration (March 2022): Marked a major turning point in EU policy, emphasizing the need for greater European sovereignty and resilience in the face of global challenges.Granada Declaration (October 2023): Builds on the foundations laid by the Versailles Declaration and further outlines strategic directions, particularly in areas such as trade, critical raw materials, semiconductors, and
Continue reading EU’s Strategic Response to Geopolitical Challenges Affecting the Single Market

an interesting analysis by Bruegel https://www.bruegel.org/analysis/european-union-russia-energy-divorce-state-play

On 21 March 2024, the UN General Assembly passed its resolution on Artificial Intelligence (AI), marking a significant, albeit subtle, move in the global discourse on AI regulation. This action follows a series of resolutions from late 2023 addressing technological advancements within the UN’s sustainability objectives, yet none had singularly focused on AI. Despite the
Continue reading The First United Nations General Assembly Resolution on Artificial Intelligence

Judgment of the General Court in Case T-743/22 | Mazepin v Council In March 2022, the European Union imposed restrictive measures on Mr. Nikita Mazepin as part of their response to the Russian aggression against Ukraine. These measures included freezing his funds and banning him from entering EU Member States, based on his association with
Continue reading Annulment of EU Sanctions Against Nikita Mazepin: The Limits of Associative Criteria

https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_24_1321 https://defence-industry-space.ec.europa.eu/eu-defence-industry/edis-our-common-defence-strategy_en

The Recommendation on the security and resilience of submarine cable infrastructures presents a set of actions at national and EU level aimed at improving submarine cable security and resilience, through a better coordination across the EU, both in terms of governance and funding. https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/library/recommendation-security-and-resilience-submarine-cable-infrastructures

February 5, 2024 https://www.dni.gov/files/ODNI/documents/assessments/ATA-2024-Unclassified-Report.pdf

The European Union and the United States have jointly advanced efforts to enhance their shared cyber resilience and promote a secure global digital environment. https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/news/eu-and-united-states-enhance-cooperation-cybersecurity https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/news/eu-and-united-states-hold-cyber-dialogue-brussels

The UN Secretary-General’s Advisory Panel on Artificial Intelligence has released a preliminary report entitled “Managing AI for Humanity”. The report recommends better coordination between global standards and the development and implementation of artificial intelligence. At the heart of the report is a plan to improve global governance of AI. This includes seven key tasks, such
Continue reading The UN Secretary-General’s AI Advisory Body has launched its Interim Report: Governing AI for Humanity