In recent years, migration has increasingly moved beyond the realm of humanitarian and socio-economic debate, emerging as a strategic tool in international politics. The concept of the “weaponisation of migration” highlights how states may deliberately manipulate migratory flows to exert political pressure, challenge rivals, or gain geopolitical leverage.
This event brings together leading experts to explore how and why migration has become embedded in hybrid conflict strategies. Drawing on real-world cases – from Belarus and Russia to Morocco – the discussion will examine how states use migration as a coercive instrument, and how targeted countries respond under pressure.
What makes this phenomenon particularly complex is the intersection of security, politics, and values. Liberal democracies often face difficult trade-offs between border protection and humanitarian commitments, while responses at the EU level remain fragmented and reactive.
The panel will also introduce a realist perspective on migration, combining structural and domestic-level analysis to better understand state behaviour in an increasingly competitive and unstable international system.
Programme:
14:00–14:20: Opening remarks and keynote:
Weaponisation of Migration – A Realist Account
14:00–14:20: Opening remarks and keynote:
Weaponisation of Migration – A Realist Account
14:20–15:30: Panel discussion: Migration as a tool of coercion
• What does it mean to “weaponise” migration?
• Why has this tactic become more frequent since 2015?
• Case studies: Belarus-Poland, Russia-Finland, Morocco-Spain
• How effective is migration coercion in practice?
• Are European responses strategic or reactive?
• The role of domestic politics and public opinion in shaping responses
• What does it mean to “weaponise” migration?
• Why has this tactic become more frequent since 2015?
• Case studies: Belarus-Poland, Russia-Finland, Morocco-Spain
• How effective is migration coercion in practice?
• Are European responses strategic or reactive?
• The role of domestic politics and public opinion in shaping responses
Speakers and participants:
José Miguel Bravo Louwerens
(Head of Strategy, Knowledge Management, Innovation and Research, Ministry of Justice and Security of the Netherlands)
José Miguel Bravo Louwerens
(Head of Strategy, Knowledge Management, Innovation and Research, Ministry of Justice and Security of the Netherlands)
Róbert Gönczi
(Analyst, Migration Research Institute)
(Analyst, Migration Research Institute)
Moderator:
Andrés de Castro García
(Associate Professor of International Relations, UNED University)
Andrés de Castro García
(Associate Professor of International Relations, UNED University)
Date: 21 May 2026
Time: 14:00
The event offers a timely opportunity to understand better one of the most pressing and controversial dynamics in contemporary geopolitics.
Time: 14:00
The event offers a timely opportunity to understand better one of the most pressing and controversial dynamics in contemporary geopolitics.
