The NATO Stability Policing Centre of Excellence is proud to highlight the academic achievements of two young, brilliant and promising collaborators, whose recent theses provide valuable insights into some of the most pressing security challenges faced by the international community today.

Berfin Çaglar’s research explores the evolving role of Stability Policing within the context of migration governance, offering a comparative analysis of the EU–Türkiye Statement and the Italy–Albania Protocol. Her work demonstrates how Stability Policing is increasingly employed beyond traditional post-conflict environments, emerging as a tool of governance in complex, non-war settings such as migration management. By examining the interaction between legal frameworks and operational practices, the study highlights a critical tension between security imperatives and human rights protection, warning against the risk of “stability without accountability” and advocating for a “rights-by-design” approach in future policies.

Complementing this perspective, Alessandro Tamburrini’s thesis focuses on counterterrorism strategies adopted by international and regional organizations in Somalia, with particular attention to the fight against al-Shabaab. Through a comparative analysis of the United Nations, the European Union, and the African Union, the research reveals significant differences in institutional approaches, operational tools, and strategic priorities. The findings underline how effective counterterrorism requires a combination of clear legal frameworks, capacity-building efforts, and operational engagement, highlighting the importance of coordination and complementarity among international actors.

Together, these contributions reflect the growing complexity of contemporary security environments, where Stability Policing plays an increasingly central role at the intersection of security, governance, and human rights.

They also reaffirm the importance of fostering young talent and supporting research that bridges academic analysis and operational practice.

The NSPCoE remains committed to promoting innovative thinking and supporting the next generation of experts in Stability Policing and related fields.