Europe’s quest for greater autonomy in the area of defence and security has two closely interlinked but nevertheless distinct dimensions: one is the autonomous capacity to launch and sustain military operations, the other is defence-related technological and industrial sovereignty. Through the second half of the 20th century, the existential threat posed by the Soviet Union […]
EU defence: a turning point
The Russian aggression has turned Ukraine into the theatre of a new tragic conflict on European soil. This crisis adds to other emergency situations that have exposed the EU’s inadequacy or unpreparedness to respond to international security challenges.
Against this background, the EU and its member states need to address pressing questions concerning the future of the Strategic Compass – which the European Council should adopt on 24-25 March – and, in general, their approach and commitments in the field of security and defence.
The unprecedented measures presented by Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and the revision of Germany’s security and defence policy announced on Sunday by Chancellor Olaf Scholz as a reaction to the Russian invasion may represent a significant turning point for European defence. In this dossier, the Progressive Post looks at the instruments to enhance European security and deterrence.
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The EU has spent the best part of 20 months working on its ‘Strategic Compass’ for security and defence, yet the war in Ukraine and the threat environment around Europe pose serious questions. If the Compass is to move from just another EU document to credible action, EU member states need to step up their […]
Defence was not at the centre of the new German government’s progressive agenda. Yet, with the onset of the NATO-Russia crisis, Berlin has learned that capabilities matter. By evaluating and democratically controlling the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) operations and making feminism its leitmotif, the traffic light coalition can change EU defence policy for […]
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