Navigating the storm:
We provide added value, analysis and advocacy on EU, NATO, democracy, and security matters.

Analysis, advocacy and networking for a resilient West, strong transatlantic ties, and global solidarity of democrats.

How to navigate the storm? How can freedom-loving people around the globe contain the jungle and build a civilized world? And how can NATO and the EU survive Russia’s shadow war, US estrangement, and China’s coercion? These are key issues the Brussels Freedom Hub is pursuing.

Do you have a question on current NATO and EU affairs? Do you need advice or analysis, smart debate moderation or concise writing? Can we help you network in Brussels? With the Brussels Freedom Hub as a platform, we’d love to assist you and help strengthen democracy and freedom in difficult times.

Gerlinde Niehus and Roland Freudenstein

Roland Freudenstein, from Bonn, Germany, has a lifelong addiction to politics – reflected by his career in global democracy support, the think tank world and public administration. He has lived and worked in Germany, the US and Poland before settling in Brussels more than 20 years ago. He never hesitates to provide concise commentary, speak up in defence of liberal democracy, and to support democrats around the world.

With her passion for peace, democracy, and freedom, Gerlinde Niehus has driven multilateral political and military reform processes in her different leadership roles in NATO and the EU. International cooperation and politics are part of her DNA. Staying true to her academic and journalistic backgrounds, Gerlinde excels in political analysis, and rejoices communications in all its forms.


UPDATES

Activities

Brussels Freedom Hub
We are active in the following fields:

Analysis, commentary, and publishing


We are regularly analysing, commenting and publishing about European integration, international security and defence, NATO and the Transatlantic Alliance, Central and Eastern Europe, Russia, Ukraine, relations with China and many more. We value clarity and frankness, and avoid the bureaucratic lingo of too many of the stakeholders in the Brussels institutions.

Speaking engagements and event moderation


With our wealth of expertise, we are regularly participating as speaker or moderator in a broad range of international events. In case you are interested in one of us as a speaker or moderator, please use the contact form below.

Advocacy and networking


Should you look for good advice on how NATO and the EU work, or need contacts in the Alliance, the European Parliament, the Commission, the Council Secretariat and the European External Action Service, we are available to help you. If interested, please be in touch.


The Brussels Freedom Hub is an analysis, advocacy and networking platform for a resilient West, strong Transatlantic ties, and the global solidarity of democrats. 

Topics

Brussels Freedom Hub
With our wealth of experience and insights, from NATO and EU, academia and politics, we are covering the following major topics:

European integration and EU institutions


How can Europe cope with D. Trump, and withstand the double onslaught of autocracies abroad and neo-nationalism, populism and democratic backsliding within?

NATO and transatlantic relations 


NATO between Trump, Putin and Xi, juggling an increasing range of external and internal challenges.

International security and defence 


From lack of leadership and courage in international politics, via Russia’s useful idiots to a crumbling global security order.

Central and Eastern Europe 


Corroborated by the Ukraine war, but plagued by  new autocracies

China


The biggest long term strategic challenge to the West, NATO and EU alike, – and leader of the new autocracies

Democracy 


An endangered system – but hopefully more resilient than it seems

Arts and Culture


The interplay between politics and culture, especially popular culture, is notoriously understimated. Movies, serials, to an extent even music, are hugely influential on political debates and our collective subconscious. They reflect societal vibes, but also influence them in subtle ways. Here is some food for thought!