Rasmussen Global

From peace deals to defence spending, yesterday was a busy day for the RG Brussels team. We hosted a full-day conference on Europe’s role in peace and connectivity in Armenia and the South Caucasus, where we welcomed speakers including DG ENEST Director General Gert Jan Koopman, Armenian national security advisor Armen Grigoryan, and EU Special Representative for the South Caucasus Magdalena Grono. In the afternoon, we welcomed France’s Haut-commissaire à la Stratégie et au Plan Clément BEAUNE, former EU Council president Charles Michel, MEP Wouter Beke, and senior leaders from the public and private sectors to our office for a discussion on the future of European defence and how we can ensure citizens see the benefits of defence spending. Thank you to everyone who joined us!

Weekend reading: To Deter Russia, Europe Needs Ukraine Writing in Foreign Policy, our Senior Advisor Fredrik Wesslau outlines that Europe’s security architecture is being remade in real time. Russia’s war against Ukraine and U.S. President Donald Trump’s return to office has challenged the basic premises on which European security rests. https://lnkd.in/ek3jxTTi

Our growing Brussels office is recruiting Junior Consultants for internships beginning in Spring 2026! If you are a student in the fields of business, politics, economics, European affairs, or international relations looking for hands-on experience at the cross-section of politics and business, we want to hear from you! The deadline to apply is Friday November 7. For further details 👇

Launching Dronetex – The Drone Defence Coalition As drone activity escalates across European and NATO airspace, Rasmussen Global has launched Dronetex – the Drone Defence Coalition: an industry-led initiative to accelerate Europe’s readiness against unmanned aerial threats. Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Founder of Rasmussen Global, stated: “Building on our early support for the drone wall, I have decided to launch Dronetex – the Drone Defence Coalition: an industry-led platform bringing together leading and innovative European and Ukrainian defence tech companies. Our aim is to build a modular, cost-effective, and multi-layered interoperable network — not a static wall — drawing on Ukrainian battlefield experience, European innovation, and cooperation with the European Commission and other partners. We expect to field an operational prototype in early 2026, with further capabilities to follow. A live demonstration will be organised to showcase its performance. Europe needs readiness, speed, and the operationalisation of drone defence as soon as possible. The threat is already real.” The Dronetex Coalition currently includes: DefSecIntel Solutions, Quantum Systems, Weibel Scientific, and УМО УКРАЇНА | UMO UKRAINE — with further members expected to join as the initiative expands. Dronetex represents a decisive step toward a European-led, operational drone defence architecture: scalable, connected, and built for the realities of modern warfare. For further information, please contact: Daniel Puglisi, Senior Director of Communications: [email protected] Arthur de Liedekerke, Senior Director of European Affairs: [email protected]

Rasmussen Global has released a new policy paper, “Sanctions Enforcement Recommendations: Closing Loopholes and Building European Resilience.” The paper sets out actionable, technical steps for EU Member States to reinforce the effectiveness of sanctions against Russia, following the adoption of the 19th EU sanctions package. On 23 October, these recommendations were presented to the RELEX counsellors: sanctions coordinators representing all 27 EU Member States. The proposals focus on: 1. Building a common EU sanctions infrastructure 2. Closing circumvention pathways exploited by Russian procurement networks 3. Disrupting Russia’s access to high-tech military inputs and post-sale support These measures are designed to help Ukraine today and strengthen Europe’s security for years to come. We invite policymakers, practitioners, and stakeholders to read the full paper and join the conversation on turning sanctions into real strategic pressure. To read the full report, please visit our website at the link below 👇 https://lnkd.in/ddiqwfKM

Europe’s industry must speak the language of geopolitics when it comes to critical raw materials. This was how we addressed the CSR Europe 's European Sustainable Industry Summit today - as Vice President Dara Murphy delivered a keynote on Europe’s drive for strategic autonomy.   Dara underlined that Europe’s industry must emphasise resilience, competitiveness, and innovation over more traditional sustainability narratives. With global leadership in clean technology in its reach, Europe has a unique opportunity to define the future by aligning industrial strategy with security needs and the continent’s aspiration for greater sovereignty.   Alongside Dara, Rasmussen Global’s senior advisor Gilles Vanden Burre and policy advisor Gustaw Szelka are attending - available for conversations.

Ground Russia’s Drones Before They Ground Us “The continent must swiftly design and adopt an anti-drone system, focusing on effectiveness and putting aside irrelevant discussions on nomenclature.” Article by Rasmussen Global’s Arthur de Liedekerke and Nico Lange https://lnkd.in/eWD8x9NC

Our CEO Fabrice Pothier speaks about the need for a stronger European response to Russia’s growing drone incursions. These attacks are testing our air defences and our political will. Deutsche Welle #dronewall

A Dronetex for European defence? Defending Europe’s skies and critical infrastructure is becoming the test of our times. Ahead of tomorrow’s Commission’s 2030 Defence Readiness Roadmap, Rasmussen Global CEO Fabrice Pothier said: “Europe needs its own Frontex for drone defence — a kind of Dronetex: modular, coordinated, and Europe-wide. Our skies won’t be defended by physical walls, but by high tech networks of radars, sensors and anti drone systems. Critical infrastructure also needs to be protected Europe wide from drone or cyber threats – this can be a crucial way for the Commission to make the case to Southern European states.” Key recommendations 1. From “wall” to network – a European “Dronetex” for drone defence Shift from the notion of “drone wall” to a multi-layered European network of interoperable sensors, interceptors, and command systems. Defence must mean integration, not isolation. 2. Modular deployment. Adopt a modular approach — different settings (urban, border, frontline) demand distinct layers and tools. 3. Industry coordination Bring European defence companies and startups into the design phase now. Off-the-shelf systems can deliver rapid technical operability. 4. Integrate Ukraine Institutionalise Ukrainian battlefield expertise and data into EU planning and training. Ukraine is Europe’s live testing ground — its lessons save time and money. 5. Fast-track governance and pilots Set up a light European coordination structure and fund three pilot deployments within 12 months to turn words into capability. https://lnkd.in/eiuTgSwh

A Dronetex for European defence? Defending Europe’s skies and critical infrastructure is becoming the test of our times. Ahead of tomorrow’s Commission’s 2030 Defence Readiness Roadmap, Rasmussen Global CEO Fabrice Pothier said: “Europe needs its own Frontex for drone defence — a kind of Dronetex: modular, coordinated, and Europe-wide. Our skies won’t be defended by physical walls, but by high tech networks of radars, sensors and anti drone systems. Critical infrastructure also needs to be protected Europe wide from drone or cyber threats – this can be a crucial way for the Commission to make the case to Southern European states.” Key recommendations 1. From “wall” to network – a European “Dronetex” for drone defence Shift from the notion of “drone wall” to a multi-layered European network of interoperable sensors, interceptors, and command systems. Defence must mean integration, not isolation. 2. Modular deployment. Adopt a modular approach — different settings (urban, border, frontline) demand distinct layers and tools. 3. Industry coordination Bring European defence companies and startups into the design phase now. Off-the-shelf systems can deliver rapid technical operability. 4. Integrate Ukraine Institutionalise Ukrainian battlefield expertise and data into EU planning and training. Ukraine is Europe’s live testing ground — its lessons save time and money. 5. Fast-track governance and pilots Set up a light European coordination structure and fund three pilot deployments within 12 months to turn words into capability. https://lnkd.in/eiuTgSwh