Michel co-founded The Hague Institute for Geopolitics (HIG). As an analyst, he focuses on geopolitics and geo-economics, with an emphasis on Europe, the Mediterranean, and the Red Sea. He is a regular analyst and host on the GeopolitiekNu podcast, writes articles, gives lectures and masterclasses, and frequently appears in the media. Through HIG and Sprekershuys, he can be booked as a speaker and moderator. He also advises policymakers and companies.

Anchoring the Netherlands and Europe
“The deeper drive for me and for us is to anchor the Netherlands and Europe more firmly in the new world order. That is why The Hague Institute for Geopolitics was created. The future well-being of the Dutch and Europeans is what motivates me. Geopolitics increasingly influences this. In my view, geopolitical analyses often lack depth and concrete perspectives for action for the Netherlands and Europe. Countries are too often portrayed as unitary actors. The geopolitical debate also often lacks in-depth regional knowledge. A recipe for analytical and policy errors. Under such circumstances, it is almost impossible for our public administration, companies, and citizens to properly prepare for the consequences of a fragmenting world order. We wanted to change that. This began as the GeopolitiekNu podcast and has now grown into The Hague Institute for Geopolitics.”

Action perspective for the Netherlands and Europe
“There is a clear way forward for the Netherlands and Europe: The Third Way of multilateral middle powers. Form strategic partnerships with (democratic) middle powers and try to use these to save multilateralism. In this way, we can offer the world an appealing perspective – alongside the unilaterally oriented superpowers, the U.S. and China. With my analyses and insights – for example, in podcasts, articles, lectures, masterclasses, and media appearances – I try to help policymakers, companies, and citizens face our geopolitical challenges. I also try to help foreign diplomats navigate Dutch public administration.”

Media appearances

EVA
📅24 march 2026
Current events, legal issues, and culture at the table

NOS Radio 1 Journaal
📅18 march 2026
France, Italy, and “Med9” send an urgent letter to the European Commission regarding “Artic Metagaz”

Radio 1 – Dit is de Dag
📅16 march 2026
Help the US in the Strait of Hormuz

Nu.nl
📅13 march 2026
War with Iran is looming ever closer for a hesitant Europe

EVA
📅10 march 2026
A closer look at this week’s news

NOS
📅10 march 2026
The global oil crisis has its winners and losers

Nieuwsuur
📅9 march 2026
Gas and oil prices are rising rapidly

Nieuwsuur
📅2 march 2026
Iran’s Power and Influence

NOS
📅2 march 2026
Fire near the U.S. Consulate in Dubai following a drone attack

Brusselse Nieuwe
📅18 february 2026
EU Unveils 20th Round of Sanctions Against Russia; Strict Enforcement Is Essential

Nu.nl
📅30 january 2026
New coalition sees Europe as an antidote to Trump’s America

NPO Radio 1 – De Nacht van…
📅26 january 2026
France intercepts suspected Russian oil tanker: what does the interception of ships mean?

NPO Radio 1 – Nieuwsweekend
📅13 december 2025
Europe finally wakes up to U.S. security strategy

Nu.nl
📅 7 december 2025
U.S. Security Strategy Strains Relations with Europe: ‘An Attack on Society’

Nu.nl
📅 22 november 2025
Does Trump really call all the shots when it comes to Ukraine? ‘Europe needs to show some backbone’

BNR Nieuwsradio – Make Europe Great Again
📅 18 november 2025
About Amazon mud and a little Greek gas man

NPO Radio 1 – De Nacht van…
📅 17 november 2025
156 Years of the Suez Canal: “Still a Hotspot”

NRC
📅 27 october 2025
After the geopolitical debate, the conversation inevitably turns to the housing market

Nu.nl
📅 30 september 2025
Shipping companies face a choice: danger in the Red Sea or a 6,500-kilometer detour

Nu.nl
📅 18 september 2025
Europe’s pro-Israel stance under pressure: EU makes a fool of itself

Nu.nl
📅 19 august 2025
Zelensky survives the White House, but Putin is the winner of the weekend

Nu.nl
📅 13 august 2025
Unity at Ukraine summit: “Trump will always discuss border issues with Zelensky”

De Volkskrant
📅 5 august 2025
Trump punishes India for import of Russian oil after failed negotiations

Nu.nl
📅 30 july 2025
More and more sanctions against Israel, but Brussels remains silent: this is why

Nu.nl
📅 25 july 2025
Division in Ukraine: protests are a warning sign for Zelensky

De Volkskrant
📅 15 july 2025
Houthi attacks hinder the return of trade through the Suez Canal

Nieuwsweekend, NPO Radio 1
📅 5 july 2025
Middle East temporarily loses direction due to weakened Iran

Buitenland met Boswijk (Podcast)
📅 21 april 2025
🎧 Title: What role should the Netherlands seize in Europe’s geopolitical coming-of-age?
Listen to episode

De Atlantische Blik (Podcast)
📅 18 april 2025
🎧 Title: A strategy for Europe in the post-transatlantic era
Listen to episode

Nieuwsweekend, NPO Radio 1
📅 12 april 2025
U.S. calls Iran and its nuclear program to account in Oman

Atlantisch Perspectief (Atlantische Commissie)
📅 27 march 2025
The post-transatlantic era offers opportunities for Europe’s Third Way

Trouw
📅 20 march 2025
Open: an elegant hunt for top American scientists

Den Haag Centraal
📅 27 february 2025
Costs and benefits of the NATO summit: international gains, local burdens?

De Africast (Podcast)
📅 3 december 2024
🎧 Title: Fortress Europe begins in Africa: a look into European migration deals
Listen to episode

Mare (Universiteit Leiden)
📅 1 february 2024
Geopolitics is like Game of Thrones