IIEA Talks

In his address to the IIEA, Ambassador Javier Niño Pérez discusses the evolving partnership between the European Union (EU) and the African Union (AU). This discussion highlights the partnership’s commitment to multilateralism to reduce global inequalities, strengthen solidarity, promote international cooperation, and fight and mitigate climate change. Ambassador Niño Pérez also looks towards the...

'Does Ireland have a Europe strategy?' Europe is in flux. Countries are re-arming in response to growing security threats. Economic security risks are leading to a rethinking of EU state aid rules, competition and trade policies. With public opinion shifting against immigration across the continent, how the EU and its members handle asylum applications from outside the bloc is rising up the agenda...

Human impacts on the global ocean are increasing in scale and scope. As we learn more about climate change, plastic pollution, deep sea mining, and overfishing we see more clearly that these impacts alter our relationship with the ocean. Around the world, communities of people are working together to observe, understand, and act to sustain ocean habitats. In her address to IIEA, Tessa Hill, author...

In his remarks to the IIEA, Frank Elderson, Member of the Executive Board and Vice President of the Supervisory Board of the European Central Bank, provides an overview of major trends of relevance for the macro financial outlook in Europe. He discusses how these trends are reflected in the ECB’s monetary policy and banking supervision priorities. Mr Elderson also reflects upon the specific action...

Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT), Intelligence gathered using publicly available data from sources such as social media, has changed how we think about intelligence gathering and secrecy. Though OSINT has been used for years by researchers, Russia's war in Ukraine has illustrated the effectiveness of OSINT tools for both researchers, and governments around the world. In his address to the IIEA, Ge...

As the pace of technological change continues to accelerate, driven by advancements in generative AI, machine learning, and quantum computing, organisations and enterprise have been faced with increasing uncertainty. Amongst this uncertainty, climate change, geopolitical competition and demographic changes continue to pose challenges to society and businesses across Europe. In this panel discussio...

'Britain’s relations with its neighbours and the EU: what has changed and what can change?' Britain’s Labour Party came to power in early July. It was the UK’s first change of government since Brexit and since the upheaval Britain’s departure from the EU caused in relations with its European neighbours. In the coming edition of IIEA Insights, Daithí Ó Ceallaigh and John Peet will assess how Irelan...

According to Dr Šedivý, Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine has highlighted the necessity for the EU to strengthen Europe’s Defence Technological and Industrial Base (EDTIB). A resilient and competitive EDTIB is a precondition for being able to develop and produce the capabilities that Member States and the EU’s partners require for their defence and security. Since February 2022, the EU ha...

Until the early 2000s, the Netherlands stood out as an exception in the success of far-right challengers: while populist radical right contenders were gaining significant electoral traction in neighboring countries, they long struggled to achieve similar success in the Netherlands. However, according to Dr Léonie de Jonge, since the turn of the 21st century, the Netherlands appears to have turned...

'Trump’s tariffs: the implications for transatlantic trade' America has soured on free trade and globalisation. Disruption to transatlantic trade is a major near-term risk for the Irish economy, as the biggest per capita goods exporter to the US among EU members. One of the candidates in November’s US presidential election has promised across-the-board tariffs of at least 10% on all imported goods...

In his address to the IIEA, Dr Vindman examines the Russia-Ukraine War: Past, Present, and Future. He discusses the roots of the war and its conduct to date, highlighting the conflict’s effects on European security, the trans-Atlantic alliance, and broader geopolitics. Dr Vindman also provides analysis on how the war is likely to unfold and conclude. His assessment of the war will be contextualise...

In this address to the IIEA, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Moldova, Mihai Popșoi, discusses the membership aspirations of Moldova and ongoing negotiations with the European Union, particularly about the necessary structural reforms underway within the country, and the feasibility of the 2030 target date for EU Accession. Another theme of his address cover...

In this panel, Dr Elodie Fabre and Mathieu Gallard dissect the recent French legislative elections. These two experts discuss voting trends, electoral issues, the results and possible new government, and what that may mean for France’s domestic and international policy. About the Speakers: Dr Elodie Fabre is a Lecturer in Politics and International Studies at Queen’s University Belfast. Her resear...

In his remarks to the IIEA, Édouard Philippe analyses the role of France and the EU in adapting to global upheavals. In his address, he underscores France's pivotal role in Europe, especially in promoting peace and economic cooperation, while addressing current challenges such as shifting global power dynamics, waning multilateralism, and defense policy alignment. He also highlights the necessity...

This panel discusses what the next steps might be for the EU following the European Parliament elections, which took place in June. The panellists will look at where we are in the various post-election processes, as regards to appointments to the top EU jobs, the formation of the parliamentary groups, and the formation of the new Commission. About the Speakers: John O’ Brennan is a professor in th...

At a time when migration is one of the most pressing issues on the international agenda – and one of the most polarising – Amy Pope, Director General of the International Organization for Migration (IOM), reflects on why it is important to change the global narrative – from one that is highly politicised to one that captures the potential and rich benefits of this global phenomenon. About the Spea...

Since the Second Nagorno-Karabakh War in 2020, reports of crimes against Armenian cultural heritage in the territory have emerged. After Azerbaijan assumed control over Nagorno-Karabakh following a military offensive in October 2023 and the mass expulsion of the region’s ethnic Armenian population, concerns of heritage abuse have intensified. Crimes against cultural heritage gained infamy in recen...

In this IIEA webinar, Dr Tim Oliver, Director of Studies, and Senior Lecturer for the Institute for Diplomacy and International Governance, Loughborough University and Dr Lisa Claire Whitten, Research Fellow at Queen's University Belfast, discuss the implications and outcomes of the UK general election that took place on Thursday, 4 July. About the Speakers: Dr Tim Oliver is a leading expert on Br...

Prof. Tobias Lock gives a detailed examination of the constitutional and legal processes behind German reunification to highlight the substantial legal challenges that Irish unification would entail. Similar to German reunification, achieving Irish unity would necessitate negotiations at multiple levels: domestic, bilateral, and international, including with the EU. This process would involve inte...

France is on the cusp of unprecedented political change. If opinion polls prove correct, Europe’s second largest economy and founding member of the European Union is set to elect a lower house of parliament dominated by the hard right and hard left. This edition of IIEA Insights examines the political, economic, diplomatic, and security implications of the coming sea change in French politics. Hél...

Full event title 'Global Gateway Strategy: EU’s Values-Based Strategy for Enhanced International Partnerships and Sustainable Investments' In her remarks, European Commissioner for International Partnerships, Jutta Urpilainen, presents the Global Gateway investment strategy. In a time of geopolitical turmoil and subsequent global crises, which have hit the most vulnerable the hardest, Global Gatew...

In his talk, Michael Kenny discusses the main themes of his new book, Fractured Union, which provides a comprehensive analysis of how and why the UK’s Union has, in his opinion, come near to breaking apart in recent years. He explores the policy options and cultural changes required in British politics and government to put the Union on a more stable footing. He also considers the implications of...

In his presentation, Gerald Knaus argues that migration fears drive populist leaders like Viktor Orban and Donald Trump to undermine post-war liberal democracies. Using examples from Austria, France, Italy, and Germany, Dr Knaus will demonstrate how these fears have enabled the far-right to achieve their strongest results in recent European elections. He offers suggestions on how to improve migrat...

In recent years digital technologies have led to rapid economic and social change. For Ireland and Europe to adapt, grow, and prosper in the digital age it is vital that their populations are equipped with the right skills to navigate this digital transition. In this event an expert panel examines the current state of play with regards to digital skills in Ireland and Europe. The panel also discus...

How effective has America’s new industrial policy been to date? How seriously should western countries take the threat of a wave of cheap Chinese goods flooding the global marketplace? Is the end of the US dollar as the world's reserve currency in sight? What lessons can be drawn from Japan's 20-year history of unconventional monetary policy? And how is American public opinion shifting on issues r...