Mats Engman and Filip Borges Månsson participated in the Defence24 Days 2025 conference in Warsaw

May 12, 2025: On May 6–7, representatives from the Institute for Security and Development Policy (ISDP) participated in the Defence24 Days 2025 conference in Warsaw, one of the most prominent defense and security forums in Central and Eastern Europe. ISDP was represented by Major General (Ret.) Mats Engman and Filip Borges Månsson, from the Korea Center and the Center for Research and Innovation in Security (SCRIS), respectively. 

Over two intensive days of panel discussions, the conference brought together senior political and military leaders, industry experts, and academics to address key security challenges facing Poland, the broader region, and the global security environment. 

Major General (Ret.) Mats Engman took part in the closing panel of Day 2, titled “Indo-Pacific Challenges and International Security,” moderated by Dr. Oskar Pietrewicz. The session explored the shifting geopolitical landscape in the Indo-Pacific and its implications for global security, including the growing strategic competition and the role of transatlantic cooperation. Mats Engman’s main argument was that the balance of power has significantly shifted over the last 12-18 months, leaving DPRK (and to a degree China) in a more favorable position and weakening ROK and, to a degree, even the United States. If the main objective is to break or at least contain the current cycle of mistrust, provocations, unpredictability, and risks, the ROK and the U.S need to recalibrate current policies and not just fine-tune them.

ISDP is pleased to have contributed to the dialogue and looks forward to continued engagement with partners in Poland and across the region.