Mihai Sebastian Chihaia

Policy Analyst

Mihai Sebastian Chihaia is a Policy Analyst in the Europe in the World Programme. He works mainly on Middle East political and security issues, EU-Middle East relations, as well as EU foreign policy aspects and European defence integration.

Before joining EPC, Mihai worked for the European Business Summit and prior to that, he was part of the Security and Defense Program of the German Marshall Fund of the United States where he focused on transatlantic relations, US foreign policy, cybersecurity and NATO policies.

He previously gained experience in the Secretariat General of the European Commission on political and security issues and in the Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Middle East affairs.

Mihai Chihaia holds a BA in International Relations and European Studies and a MA in Security Studies and European Integration from the Alexandru Ioan Cuza University of Iasi, Romania combined with different scholarships at the University of Beira Interior and Tel Aviv University where he gained firsthand insights on European politics and the Middle East. He has recently completed a PhD focused on global power competition in the Middle East.

PROGRAMME

Europe in the World

PROJECTS

Subsea Cables: Navigating Europe’s Competitiveness and Resilience in Critical Infrastructure

Advancing military mobility in Europe: A multisectoral approach

Strategic Compass Initiative

EU as a crisis manager: Lessons from the evacuation of Kabul

The road to the NATO Vilnius Summit and beyond

EUropean Defence and Security Project (DefSecEU)

The Road to the NATO Washington Summit and beyond

AREAS OF EXPERTISE

European security and defence policies, Middle East political and security issues, EU-Middle East relations, Black Sea security developments, hybrid threats

EDUCATION

BA in International Relations and European Studies
MA in Security Studies and European Integration from the Alexandru Ioan Cuza University of Iasi
PhD in Political Science from the Alexandru Ioan Cuza University of Iasi

Publications

Projects

Podcasts

Media Mentions

Contributions

Après les menaces de Donald Trump, l'Europe de la défense se fait toujours attendre

Mihai Sebastian Chihaia was interviewed by Euronews on Europe's defence and its continuing dependency on the United States.

Read it here. (In French)

Feb 13, 2024

Euronews

SECURITY & DEFENCE

INTERVIEW

Gaza war exposes dissent on EU Israel policy

Mihai Chihaia was interviewed by Deutsche Welle on the war in the Middle East and the EU's position and potential role in the region.

Read the article here.

Feb 07, 2024

Deutsche Welle

MIDDLE EAST

INTERVIEW

NATO looks to strengthen its capability in Europe

Mihai Sebastian Chihaia was interviewed by Deutsche Welle on NATO's ability to advance military mobility in Europe.

Watch the full report here.

Jul 07, 2023

Deutsche Welle

SECURITY & DEFENCE

INTERVIEW

War on Ukraine: Its impact on Europe and the Mediterranean

Mihai Chihaia took part in a panel discussion focused on the implications of the war in Ukraine on the Mediterranean.

The programme of the event can be found here.
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Jun 05, 2022

Festival of Mediterranean Citizens

UKRAINE

PANEL DISCUSSION

The Russian threat gives NATO new purpose

Mihai Chihaia took part in a panel discussion focused on the implications of the war in Ukraine on the Mediterranean.

The programme of the event can be found here.

Apr 23, 2022

Politics Today

SECURITY & DEFENCE

INTERVIEW

UE, de comunidad de paz a una coercitiva

Mihai Chihaia was interviewed by El Universal on the EU's reaction to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The article can be found here (in Spanish).

Mar 05, 2022

El Universal

UKRAINE

INTERVIEW

My Europe Talk show

Mihai Chihaia took part in the TVR 1 talk show "My Europe" and discussed about EU's security and defence initiatives. The recording can be found here.

Dec 11, 2021

TVR 1

SECURITY & DEFENCE

INTERVIEW

MEPEI International Conference “Middle East and North Africa: the Changes for a New Beginning”

Mihai Chihaia joined a panel discussion during the conference and spoke about EU-Middle East relations. The recording can be found here.

Dec 02, 2021

Middle East Political and Economic Institute (MEPEI)

MIDDLE EAST

PANEL DISCUSSION

New Government in Israel. New opportunity for renewed dialogue with the EU?

Mihai Chihaia participated as a speaker in the EIPA press briefing focused on the new Israeli government and EU-Israel relations. The recording can be found here.

Jul 07, 2021

Europe Israel Press Association (EIPA)

ISRAEL

CONTRIBUTION

NATO Summit wrap-up: The road to 2030

Mihai Sebastian Chihaia participated in the EPC podcast discussing the outcome of the NATO Summit and the NATO 2030 agenda. The podcast can be listened to here.

Jun 17, 2021

European Policy Centre

SECURITY & DEFENCE

PODCAST

The end of the Netanyahu era

Mihai Chihaia was interviewed by TVNET on the changes in the Israeli domestic politics and the future of the new governing coalition. The article can be found here(in Latvian).

Jun 06, 2021

TVNET

FOREIGN POLICY

INTERVIEW

Nahost-Konflikt: Die EU zahlt ohne Einfluss

Mihai Sebastian Chihaia was interviewed by Deutsche Welle regarding the EU's role in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The article is available here (in German).

May 18, 2021

Deutsche Welle

FOREIGN POLICY

INTERVIEW

Euronews Tonight Show on the escalations in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict

Mihai Sebastian Chihaia discussed at the Euronews Tonight Show the recent escalations in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the implications for the EU. The intervention can be watched here.

May 12, 2021

Euronews

FOREIGN POLICY

INTERVIEW

Marib Escalation in Yemen is Final Houthi Push Against Government

Mihai Sebastian Chihaia was interviewed by The Media Line on the military escalation in Yemen. The article is available here.

Mar 04, 2021

The Media Line

MIDDLE EAST

INTERVIEW