Drones Over Europe | Current Affairs Lecture with political scientists Gustav Meibauer and Reinout van der Veer

Announcement

Fighter jets in action over Poland and airports in Hamburg. Airports in Copenhagen and Oslo needed to close for hours: incidents involving suspected Russian drones are occurring in more and more places in Europe the past few weeks. What are the chances that these drones are indeed Russian? To what extent do they pose a threat? Is this a new chapter in the hybrid war between East and West? Come and listen to political scientists Reinout van der Veer and Gustav Meibauer and find out more about the implications of all these drone-sightings.

Hybride war

After what appear to be Russian drones violated Polish airspace in early September, Europe is on high alert. According to researchers at the Clingendael Institute, it is very likely that Russia is also behind these recent drone incidents. There is said to be a hybrid war in which Russia is testing Europe and wants to create unrest and chaos in Europe. And it does not stop at drones; Russia is actively spreading disinformation, influencing elections and hacking European systems. Why is Europe responding so nonchalantly, and is that wise? Is Europe at war with Russia?

Bring your lunch and ask your own questions. 

This programme is English spoken. 

About the speakers

Gustav Meibauer is a political scientist at Radboud University and specialises in International Relations. He conducts research into foreign policy and the role of political ideas, rhetoric and communication in decision-making processes.

Reinout van der Veer is a political scientist at Radboud University in the Department of International Relations. His research focuses on the functioning and legitimacy of international organisations such as the EU and the UN.