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Houda Barroug

Biography

Gulf Research Center Foundation, Brussels

Latest Papers

2025-11-19
Resolution 2797: Reframing Sovereignty and Reconfiguration of Regional Diplomacy

The UN’s endorsement of US-backed Resolution 2797 on Morocco’s autonomy plan on “Western Sahara” marks initial steps toward solving one of the long-standing territorial dispute ...

Writer: Houda Barroug
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2025-10-28
France’s Political Paralysis: A Stress Call for Europe’s Core Stability

France's ongoing political crisis is culminating into one of the most significant EU's core domestic crises in recent memory. Since early 2024, French administrations have face ...

Writer: Houda Barroug
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2025-09-30
Implications and Limitations of Western Recognition of Palestine

The international momentum recognizing Palestinian statehood reflects a growing acknowledgment of the dire situation in Gaza. With over 78 percent of UN member countries recogn ...

Writer: Houda Barroug
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2025-08-26
Values, Symbolism, or Strategy? Europe’s Fault Lines on Palestinian Statehood

European stances on the question of Palestinian statehood were never straightforward. For decades, the prospect of recognizing Palestinian statehood remained on the fringes of ...

Writer: Houda Barroug
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2025-07-29
Margins of Power: The EU's Crisis of Strategic Autonomy and Relevance

The past year has seen a major increase in tensions with a direct impact on European security. The Russia-Ukraine conflict continues to test the effectiveness of the bloc whil ...

Writer: Houda Barroug
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2025-07-15
The Danish Mandate: Navigating Complexity in a Shifting European Landscape

As the European Union enters the second half of 2025, Denmark now assumes the rotating chair of the Council at a time when the Union faces a complex set of internal and ex ...

Writer: Houda Barroug
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2025-06-22
Rethinking Korea-Africa Relations: Toward Strategic Partnership for Shared Growth

The importance of addressing Korea's engagement in Africa has never been more evident, as both regions are actively pursuing new opportunities for robust, mutually beneficial c ...

Writer: Houda Barroug
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2025-06-18
Rebuilding EU-UK Security Cooperation: A Case of Pragmatism Over Integration

In recent months, the shifting landscape of European security has undergone substantial recalibrations. The relationship between the United Kingdom and the European Union has e ...

Writer: Houda Barroug
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2025-05-28
De-Risking or Drifting: Why The EU Needs to Look East

The implementation of US tariffs has created a highly hostile and potentially destabilizing climate for the EU, jeopardizing critical sectors and revealing flaws in the bloc's ...

Writer: Houda Barroug
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2025-05-12
Unlocking Global Connectivity: The Strategic Imperative of IMEC and The Global Gateway

In an era marked by geopolitical realignments and the quest for sustainable development, connectivity has emerged as a critical component of global economic strategy. The India ...

Writer: Houda Barroug
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2025-04-24
Turning East: Redefining the EU-Central Asia Relationship

The first-ever EU-Central Asia summit that took place in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, on April 3-4, 2025, represents an important moment in the relationship between the two blocs. Th ...

Writer: Houda Barroug
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2025-04-14
Bridging Continents for Better Strategic Alliances at Sea

The convergence of global commerce networks and important waterways has brought the importance of maritime security in ensuring international stability to the forefront. Due to ...

Writer: Houda Barroug
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2025-04-14
Beyond the Stalemate: Rethinking EU-GCC Trade Engagement

For more than 20 years, the idea of a comprehensive FTA between the EU and the GCC has remained elusive. Despite occasional bursts of diplomatic initiatives and upbeat rhetoric ...

Writer: Houda Barroug
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2025-02-20
From Isolation to Engagement: Balancing Pragmatism and Principles in the EU’s Post-Assad Policy

Whether it be in Syria or Palestine, the political landscape of the Middle East has been witnessing dramatic changes over the past year. For the EU, this has meant a series of ...

Writer: Houda Barroug
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2025-02-13
Europe’s Moment of Truth in The Middle East

In a scenario when Palestine’s survival is at stake, US President Donald Trump's daring proposal to "take over" Gaza has sent shockwaves through the international community. Th ...

Writer: Houda Barroug
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2025-01-13
The Prospects and Implications of Poland’s “Security, Europe!” on EU-GCC Relationship

The Polish presidency of the EU Council in the first half of 2025 could prove to be a watershed moment for the European Union and its worldwide partners, including the GCC. The ...

Writer: Houda Barroug
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2025-01-13
Between Rhetoric and Reality: Redefining EU Leadership

The EU is at a critical junction, faced with a slew of crises that jeopardize its prosperity, continuity, unity, and global influence. For years, the notion that the EU needs t ...

Writer: Houda Barroug
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2024-12-27
A Diplomatic Tightrope: Borrell’s Legacy in Retrospect

Joseph Borrell's term as the European Union's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy ended on November 30, 2024. His tenure was characterized by major hurd ...

Writer: Houda Barroug
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2024-11-20
New Faces, Old Challenges: A Path Forward

European Parliament's hearings for the 26 nominated commissioners took place from the 4th until the 12th of November in Brussels. These hearings are a critical process in shapi ...

Writer: Houda Barroug
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2024-11-13
A Shift in Policy Towards Syria: How Far Should the EU Go?

The EU is at a turning point in its strategy towards Syria, especially as it considers a change to engagement with the Assad government. Discussions over the possible appointme ...

Writer: Houda Barroug
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2024-10-16
EU-GCC: Time Looks Ripe for Security and Defense Cooperation<br>Published in ISPI Dossier<br>On<br>Bridging Continents: The Future of EU-GCC Cooperation<br>By Aldo Liga and Chiara Lovotti

Original piece was published in ISPI’s dossier titled “Bridging Continents: The Future of EU GCC Cooperation” by Aldo Liga and Chiara Lovotti on October 15th, 2024.Increased te ...

Writer: Houda Barroug and Eleonora Ardemagni
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2024-10-03
The Changing Paradigm of the EU’s Institutional Foundations of Security

It has become evident that Europe is grappling with an unprecedented security crisis. On the one hand, the ongoing Russian war on Ukraine and the human rights violations in Gaz ...

Writer: Houda Barroug
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2024-07-18
China’s Empire in Africa: Key Takeaways for GCC Countries

As of 2022, China has successfully delivered an estimated US$261 billion in trade value, US$1.8 billion in FDI, and US$3.11 billion in foreign aid to various African countries. ...

Writer: Houda Barroug
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