Mümin Ahmedoğlu

Mümin Ahmedoğlu

Mümin Ahmedoğlu is a master's student at the Technical University of Munich (TUM), specializing in Management and Technology. His research is at the intersection of defense innovation, arms control, and disarmament, with a strong commitment to advancing global security. Mümin is passionate about contributing to the field through cutting-edge research and fostering international collaboration, aiming to address the complex challenges in defense and security policy.

Why PESCO Should Focus More on Including Small Countries?

3 minute read

Published:

The Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) framework has been an essential part of Europe’s strategy for collective defense and provides a platform where collaborative work by the EU member states for the development and enhancement of military capabilities is facilitated. Long-term efficacy will depend on full involvement by every country in PESCO, and actually I see that sentence is even more meaningful when we talk particularly about the smaller countries. Projects such as the European Patrol Corvette EPC with Greece and Portugal showcase the integration of these smaller countries within complex projects in defense. These nations provide distinctive geographic and operational advantages, including Portugal’s presence in the Atlantic and Greece’s expertise in naval operations, which are crucial for fortifying Europe’s maritime defense. Emphasizing their participation not only improves the projects under PESCO but also guarantees an equitable distribution of the benefits of innovation throughout the European Union.

Ireland’s involvement in PESCO is noticeable at a noteworthy moment of strategic significance for small countries vis-à-vis the assumption of collective security challenges; the protection of critical infrastructure, such as undersea cables, upon which global communications and trade depend, rises capably to certain high-consequence challenges. The participation shapes closer unity and solidarity within the EU and proves that the size of a country is not an indicator of the contribution one can make to collective security. Moreover, Ireland’s involvement points out the capability of smaller countries in providing added strength to Europe’s security framework.

The structure of PESCO offers a platform for collaboration, but actively prioritizing smaller nations ensures their unique strengths are fully utilized. Smaller states often have more specialized capabilities than their larger ones. Take for example Malta’s contribution to strategic oversight in the Mediterranean: this helps with the monitoring of migration and maritime security. Estonia’s excellence in cybersecurity reinforces the digital defenses of Europe. Emphasizing these contributions will make PESCO even more capable, hence further balancing out the resilience and agility of the defense ecosystem in response to all kinds of security challenges.

It is necessary to include small nations with the aim of balancing possible over-centralization in defense projects. Every time bigger states lead the projects, PESCO may be perceived by the small countries as an excluding force, weakening its cohesiveness. This may cause fragmented support and destroys the credibility of PESCO as a unifying force. Equitable participation gives smaller states a stake in the success of this framework and reinforces shared responsibility and trust between the member states. This is particularly important since Europe is exposed externally to challenges that can only be met completely through such a response.

Eventually, PESCO’s focus on including smaller countries strengthens the EU’s collective defense and showcases Europe’s ability to innovate through collaboration. The EU can design a defense that is inclusive and forward-looking by capitalizing on the geographical advantages, specialized skills, and perspectives of smaller nations. This approach not only grows Europe’s capacity to deal with emerging threats but also fosters a sense of unity and a common purpose for all member states. In reality, if PESCO is to really work, it must go beyond token inclusion and empower smaller nations to lead and shape its defense initiatives, ensuring that Europe remains secure and cohesive in an increasingly volatile global landscape.

You May Also Enjoy

When Data Replaces Dignity: A Critique of Rationalism in Politics and War

7 minute read

Published:

As human beings, we like to make sense of the world around us. We connect this thing to that thing, we draw a map in our minds that helps us navigate life and make decisions. But often, that map starts with a simple metaphor — and slowly, over time, that metaphor turns into a “truth” in our minds. Take, for example: “The brain is like a computer.” That was originally just a scientific analogy, meant to help explain a complex idea. But over time, we started treating the brain as if it literally were a computer. And we forgot that, at the end of the day, we are human — not machines.

Game Theory in Action: Coalition Bargaining in Germany’s 2025 Bundestag Election

9 minute read

Published:

The ultimate outcome of the 2025 Bundestag election has yielded a coalition environment that is dominated bilaterally by CDU/CSU and SPD. Looking at the results of the elections, CDU/CSU is in the forefront with 208 seats (28.52%), followed by AfD with 152 seats (20.8%), SPD with 120 seats (16.41%), and the Greens with 85 seats (11.61%). Die Linke garnered 64 seats (8.77%), and SSW has only one seat (0.15%). Notably, BSW (4.97%) and FDP (4.33%) failed to gain representation in the Bundestag. This means that CDU/CSU and SPD are the sole potential coalition partners under these results, with a total of 328 seats, enough to form a government. By this, it is a two-player coalition bargaining game, and bargaining strength must be based on interdependency, not simply the count of seats.

The Impact of Industrial Decline and Economic Marginalization on Communities and Strategies for Mitigating Regional Disadvantages

9 minute read

Published:

The decline of industrial activities and related economic marginalization have radically changed communities by undermining social cohesion, collective memory, and economic sustainability. Drawing on studies by Alice Mah, Andrés Rodríguez-Pose, and Stuart W. Leslie, this article endeavors to examine the varied influences of industrial decline on community identity, memory, and socio-political dynamics. It also looks at how innovation policies contribute to regional disparities by pointing to the trend of copying models completely in disregard for the specific needs of less-developed regions. Finally, it synthesizes actionable strategies in overcoming such regional deficiencies by focusing on context-sensitive policies, infrastructure development, community involvement, and a sustainable system of policies for balanced development.

The Illusion of Universality in Innovation Policy and the Advocacy for Radical Localism.

3 minute read

Published:

I engage with the dominant view on limited need for modification when models are transmitted across regions in global innovation policy. Although the authors criticize the “one-size-fits-all” methodology and promote the idea of localized adaptation, I contend that a more profound shift is necessary — advocating for a model of radical localism, whereby regions should completely forsake standardized frameworks in preference for policies developed exclusively based on local needs, historical backgrounds, and socio-political contexts.