Western Europe

Violence against women and girls in the UK represents a widespread structural problem rooted in gender inequality and power imbalances. Affecting millions of women each year, its scale and persistence justify its recognition as a national emergency rather than a collection of individual crimes.

WEF 2026 in Davos is due see a heightened security presence to counter protests and mitigate against chances of lone-actor and small-cell attack trends, with explicit concern for low-tech attacks, drones and cyber threats.

The January 2026 US military intervention in Venezuela has rasiedconcerns over Trump’s ambition to take over Greenland were renewed. The Trump administration reportedly does not exclude using military or economic force to take over Greenland, leading many European leaders to signal the end of NATO if the US were to intervene in the nation. The critical minerals found in Greenland are significant to US and private company interests in terms of defence and green technologies.

The Fitburg ship was seized by Finnish authorities on 31 December 2025, after dragging its anchor on the seafloor, damaging an undersea telecoms cable. The incident is the first to take place a year after extensive securitising measures were taken by NATO, the EU, and coastal states to protect the Baltic undersea installations. Baltic maritime affairs impact various business practices, including shipping, communications, and energy, and all could be affected by changes to th

Electricity demand from AI data centres in the West is projected to increase 31-fold by 2035, potentially absorbing up to 20–25% of total annual electricity generation in the United States. Structural increases in electricity prices have already driven U.S. power costs up by around 50% since 2021, undermining competitiveness and the viability of new data-centre investments. The construction timelines for new power plants—up to ten years for combined-cycle facilities—are misal

The UK is unlikely to face direct war with Russia in 2026, but will remain under sustained pressure below the threshold of armed conflict. ·         Russian activity against the UK and NATO is most likely to manifest through hybrid threats such as cyber attacks, sabotage, espionage and disinformation. ·         Escalation risks are more likely to arise from incidents or miscalculation than from deliberate invasion or overt military action.

Organised crime is highly complex and transnational: UK criminal networks range from small, local groups to large international organisations, exploiting vulnerabilities abroad and leveraging technology to commit fraud, cybercrime, and money laundering. Financial systems are a major target: Criminals use cash-intensive businesses and complex financial arrangements to launder illicit funds, making London and the UK’s open economy attractive for organised crime.

Digital forensics is essential for modern investigations, but its expanding reach creates significant privacy and ethical challenges. UK legislation seeks to balance investigative needs with civil liberties, yet rapid technological change continues to test these frameworks. Operational pressures – like evidence backlogs, encryption barriers, and skills shortages – complicate the responsible use of digital evidence.

Wrongful releases have risen sharply in the UK, driven by a combination of overcrowded prisons, staff shortages and outdated administrative practices that together weaken the accuracy of sentence management. Structural pressures across prisons in the UK, including the growing number of people held on remand, high turnover in busy establishments and the continued use of paper-based processes, create conditions in which administrative mistakes are likely.

The month of November marked a significant shift in Western European states’ defensive strategies. The UK encountered several Russian threats (a spy ship in British waters, cyberattacks, and satellite spying), while Germany and France increased their defence budgets and introduced voluntary conscription plans. The private sector is heavily implicated in European defence projects, especially as Russian threats manifest in hybrid forms; skills include AI, cyberspace, ammunition

Online extremism is rising across multiple ideologies, driven by social grievances, digital echo chambers, and global conflicts. Early online behaviours – including fixation, extremist memes, hate rhetoric, and network engagement – often precede real-world criminal or terror activity. OSINT tools and analytics can detect precursor signals at scale, enabling proactive policing and threat mitigation. Youths are increasingly vulnerable to radicalisation, making education and ear

On 20 November 2025, Spanish Republicans are flooding social media outlets with #ElBorbónEsFranquista focusing on King Felipe VI who inherited the throne from his father, accused of holding the Spanish crown thanks to Francisco Franco. The Republican activism in Spain is nowhere as active or considered as pressing as issues such as corruption or ongoing international conflicts. However, these demonstrations are still reported in Spain and intertwined with current affairs.

Crime-as-a-Service (CaaS) has transformed cybercrime into a commercial ecosystem, lowering the barrier for anyone to commit complex attacks. Ransomware-as-a-Service (RaaS) remains the most profitable and damaging CaaS model, driving record global and UK cybercrime losses. CaaS markets thrive on anonymity, cryptocurrency, and specialisation, mirroring legitimate tech-industry dynamics. UK law enforcement and policymakers are responding with proposed bans on ransom payments and

UK prisons are facing a growing drone threat, as criminal networks increasingly use unmanned aerial vehicles to smuggle drugs, weapons, and contraband into secure facilities. Drone-facilitated smuggling fuels organised crime, disrupts daily prison life, and hinders rehabilitation by maintaining a pervasive drug culture. Counter-drone technology is evolving, with systems such as Sky Fence and advanced detection methods, but current measures remain inconsistent across pri

China and Russia have signed an agreement to jointly commercialise and develop the Northern Sea Route, focusing on technological exchange and infrastructure development. ●      As a strategically located maritime route containing vast resources, countries are expressing a growing appetite for investment. ●      Tourism, shipping, mining, development, and various other industries interested in expanding into the Arctic need to account for the significant insurance costs, unp

According to the latest UK Home Office crime statistics, data for the year ending March 2024 demonstrates a 25% increase in the number of religious hate crimes compared to the previous year. Spikes in hate crime can be partially attributed to the Israel-Hamas conflict, which began in October 2023. National Hate Crime Awareness week will take place from 11 to 18 October 2025. The UK government has implemented the Hate Crime Strategy 2025-2028 to reduce the impact of h

State-sponsored sabotage is assessed as the most likely explanation for the incursions, which have been described by Danish government officials as a "hybrid attack" and "systematic operation." The tactics, locations, and timing of the incursions suggest deliberate efforts to test the responses of NATO air defences and undermine political unity ahead of the European Political Community meeting, which is due to take place in Copenhagen on 02 October 2025.

Supporters see the digital ID as a practical tool to curb illegal working, reduce fraud, and streamline access to public and private services, drawing on international examples such as Estonia and Denmark. Critics, including civil liberties groups, warn of risks to privacy, potential “mission creep,” and the emergence of a surveillance culture, with more than 2.4 million people signing petitions against the policy. Political and public reaction has been deeply divided, with p

The event highlights the growing visibility and scale of far-right mobilisation in the UK, linking domestic movements with international networks, and demonstrates the operational challenges for authorities in managing large-scale demonstrations. Online amplification of attendance claims and messaging suggests continued efforts to build momentum for future rallies, while counter-protests remain a focal point of opposition.

On 13 September 2025, central London will host two large, opposing demonstrations: Tommy Robinson’s “Free Speech Festival” and a counter-protest led by Stand Up To Racism (SUTR) and allied anti-fascist groups. Based on previous demonstrations organised and promoted by Tommy Robinson, attendance is likely to be in high tens of thousands. Organisers are claiming it could attract at least 150,000 'patriots' but quoting interest from at least 500,000 people and mark the biggest r