Where loyalty drives political survival, why do women praise autocrats more than men? Extensive research demonstrates the centrality of loyalty for women's political advancement, yet how women rhetorically signal this loyalty remains underexplored. I argue that sycophantic appeals offer a gendered pathway to power in conservative authoritarian contexts. Excessive praise enables women to exhibit loyalty while conforming to feminine ideals of social warmth and deference, mitigating backlash where their political presence challenges prevailing gender expectations.

Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine has triggered what German leaders call a Zeitenwende, a historic turning point in European security and politics. Yet beyond rhetoric, what does this transformation mean for Europe’s long-term survival as a geopolitical actor? In this talk, Johannes Volkmann, a Member of the German Bundestag (CDU) and former chief of staff in the European Parliament, examines the implications of the Zeitenwende.

As global powers compete for influence across Africa, Europe faces a complex challenge: how to safeguard its southern neighbourhood while supporting African-led peace, security, and development. In this talk, Charlie Stuart, Senior Diplomat and Chief Peace & Security Advisor on Africa at the European External Action Service (EEAS), will examine the evolving dynamics of Europe-Africa relations, from security partnerships and migration management to strategic competition with China and Russia.