Michel Don Michaloliákos is co-founder of The Hague Institute for Geopolitics (HIG). As a geopolitical and geo-economic analyst (Europe, the Middle East, and the Mediterranean and Red Sea region), he shares his analyses in the GeopolitiekNu-podcast, in articles, and in lectures. Through masterclasses and consultancy, he helps policymakers and businesses. He can be booked as a speaker and conference chair via HIG and Sprekershuys. He is a regular guest in the media, including Nieuwsuur, Eva Jinek, Nieuwsweekend, RTL, and NRC.

Mission: anchoring the Netherlands and Europe more firmly
‘Anchoring the Netherlands and Europe more firmly in the new world order is what drives me most deeply. That is why HIG was founded. Countries are too often portrayed as unitary actors, which causes analyses to fall short. We seek to link in-depth geopolitical analyses to concrete courses of action for the Netherlands and Europe. We recognise the layered nature of countries, governments, and developments, and the great importance of in-depth economic and regional knowledge.’

Distinctive strength: commensurability through four pillars
‘HIG sets itself apart through enthusiasm, dedication, and entrepreneurship. While our mission forms our foundation, our activities centre on four pillars. The first is research, to give our analyses depth and fresh insights. The second consists of our media activities, such as articles on our website, the GeopolitiekNu and Breuklijn podcasts, and our contributions to mainstream media. The third is consultancy, through which we help companies and governments translate geopolitical developments into the day-to-day practice of their organisation. The fourth comprises our diplomatic services to embassies, which we help find their way in the Netherlands. In this way, we bring together worlds that do not speak each other’s language – in other words, we provide commensurability.’

His central argument? The Third Way of the middle powers
Early on, Michel Don Michaloliákos called on Europe to take the Third Way. ‘There is a clear way forward for the Netherlands and Europe: the Third Way of the multilateral democratic middle powers. We must forge strategic partnerships with (democratic) middle powers and, in doing so, save multilateralism. That way, we can offer the world a better alternative to the aggressive unilateralism of the US and China.’

Abroad: India, South Korea, and Armenia
Michel Don Michaloliákos is also active abroad.

• Yerevan Dialogues, Armenia (May 2026). Participant in the Yerevan Dialogues, which, under the motto ‘Riding through the storm’, examined the country’s geopolitical metamorphosis since 2023.
• Kautilya Fellow Program (KFP), India Foundation (2025). A one-year programme on India’s geopolitical strategy, foreign policy, and economy, including a working visit to Delhi in May 2025. Capped by his election as Distinguished Kautilya Fellow 2025.
• Emerging Leaders Fellowship (ELF), South Korea (July 2025). An in-depth programme on the complex geopolitical situation of the Korean peninsula, featuring lectures, visits to the demilitarised zone (DMZ), and conversations with North Korean refugees.