B&K Explains: Portugal’s Presidential Run-Off
Executive Summary The Portuguese Republic has entered a period of unprecedented institutional tension following the first round of the 2026 presidential election. For only the second time in the five decades since the restoration of democracy, the country will proceed to a second-round run-off on 8 February. The results from 18 January have crystallised a fragmented political landscape. Moderate […]
The Commission Unveils the New Cybersecurity Act
On 20 January, the European Commission unveiled a proposal for the new Cybersecurity Act, signaling a switch in how the Union views the digital component of its economy. While the original 2019 Cybersecurity Act was characterised by a focus on softer measures, including voluntary certification schemes and the institutional strengthening of European Agency for Cybersecurity, this revised version is a far more assertive legislative instrument. […]
Iran’s Black Swan Moment. Strategic Assessment
Executive Summary Iran is currently navigating its most profound period of domestic instability since the 1979 revolution. This wave of unrest was precipitated by a catastrophic systemic economic failure and the geopolitical repercussions of the “12-Day War” with Israel in mid-2025. What began as localised demonstrations on 28 December 2025 has rapidly transitioned into a comprehensive nationwide […]
Breaking the Read Sea Taboo: Israel’s Recognition of Somaliland. Strategic Assessment
Executive Summary On December 26, 2025, the State of Israel executed a diplomatic maneuver that fundamentally reordered the geopolitical architecture of the Horn of Africa. By officially recognizing the Republic of Somaliland as a sovereign, independent nation, Israel became the first UN member state to break a 34-year diplomatic embargo that had kept the breakaway […]