"Is it really this bad?"
Event with Franz-Stefan Gady in Pressbaum
Feb 24, 2026 / Pressbaum
On 24 February, the AIES, in collaboration with Franz-Stefan Gady, hosted an event entitled “Is it really this bad? Reflections on the current security situation in Europe, with a particular focus on Austria”.
The event took place on the fourth anniversary of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine on 24 February 2022 and was organised at the Gasthaus Steinerhof in Pressbaum. The aim of the discussion was to provide a well-founded assessment of the current security situation in Europe and, in particular, to highlight the challenges and risks this poses for Austria.
The discussions centred primarily on the growing significance of hybrid threats, such as disinformation, cyberattacks or political influence, as well as their impact on democratic societies and state institutions. In addition, issues of energy security were discussed, particularly against the backdrop of Europe’s dependence on external energy sources and the geopolitical consequences of the war. Alongside Mr Gady, Klaus Jenschik and AIES Director Michael Zinkanell-Süss also enriched the discussion with their expertise.
Another key focus was on the potential security and foreign policy implications for Austria, including the role of neutrality, cooperation with European partners, and the need to strengthen the country’s own resilience in the face of new threats.