War no longer feels as distant for many Europeans. Geopolitical tensions and a renewed arms race have pushed the issue high up the agenda. But does that mean we really need to prepare for war? We put the question to Michelle Haas, a doctoral researcher at Ghent University and defence specialist.
“Should we panic or can we keep a cool head?” With that question, defence experts Michelle Haas and Tim Haesebrouck from Ghent University open every episode of their podcast De Paniekzaaiers (“The Panicmongers”). In a world where global politics seems upside down, they add some much-needed nuance.
2024 was a turbulent year, with ongoing military conflicts and geopolitical tensions. And judging by the news reports, 2025 is also shaping up to be a tumultuous year. So what is the status of our security in Europe? Should we be preparing for war?
In 2024, will we find a solution to the world’s many conflicts or can we expect more wars? And what role should Europe play? We put these questions to international politics expert Sven Biscop.
