Navigating the storm:
We provide added value, analysis and advocacy on EU, NATO, democracy, and security matters.
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.
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
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„Welt in Unordnung -Gerechter Friede im Blick“
Die Evangelische Kirche in Deutschland stellt sich mit ihrer neuen Friedensdenkschrift den geopolitischen Realitäten unserer Zeit. Im Fadenkreuz der Schurken in Moskau, Peking und ja, auch Washington ist der Weg zu einem gerechten Frieden insbesondere in der Ukraine und in Europa steiniger denn je. In einer Welt in Unordnung mit zunehmender Gewalt und Bedrohungen unserer
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Germany’s new Ukraine doctrine: more money, harder questions
My latest interview for TVP World, 14 Nov 2025 – Germany under Chancellor Friedrich Merz is putting its money where its mouth is when it comes to helping Ukraine defending itself: On top of the planned 8,5 bn Euros, in 2026 Germany has pledged 3 bn additionally.– The EU will use the frozen Russian assets
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Die Zukunft – eine neue Welt(un)ordnung
Mark Twain wird das Bonmot zugeschrieben „Prognosen sind schwierig, vor allem wenn sie die Zukunft betreffen“. Wie Mark Twain habe ich natürlich auch keine Kristallkugel, aus der ich die Zukunft lesen kann. Grundsätzlich halte ich es mit Perikles: „Es kommt nicht darauf an, die Zukunft vorauszusagen, sondern darauf, auf die Zukunft vorbereitet zu sein.“ Um
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Making NATO HQ „Daddy’s home“
Those believing that NATO’s recent 2025 Summit of characterized by European submission and strategic hollowness would have been enough demonstration of Trump appeasement, stand to be corrected. NATO Secretary General Marc Rutte also seeks to appease Donald Trump via sweeping reforms of NATO Headquarters. How? In an avidly opportunistic anticipation of “Daddy’s demands”, NATO Headquarters
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To protect Europe, promote democracy
Europe’s swing from soft to hard power projection is necessary but risks going too far. Promoting democratic values is part of our strategic interest, not a nice-to-have. Russian aggression, American self-interest and a return to great-power conflict are the defining features of 2025. With liberal democracy under assault from several directions, the EU is finally
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The Future of NATO – Demise, Reform or Rebirth?
1 Introduction An ostrich policy will not help to navigate the storms. Instead, we need to face the hard reality: US President Donald Trump and his MAGA movement have caused a new existential crisis for NATO. What are the main reasons for this crisis? With all this, Pax Americana is vanishing. Donald Trump has handed
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!