From Conflict Management to Shielding EU Stability: How Syria’s Fragmentation Diverted the EU(FSP) from Action to Reaction

Abstract

ABSTRACT Analysing the role of the European Union (EU) in dealing with the Syrian crisis and the Assad regime exposes limitations in the development of a coherent and effective European foreign and security policy. The EU found itself reacting to external and internal pressures rather than acting on its own impetus. This was related to multiple factors: the fragmentation on the ground, associated with the challenges of a gradually increasing lack of consensus among member states and the proactive and competitive presence of external players, contributed to the failure of the EU’s strategies. Ultimately, the combination of these elements has led the EU to reduce its involvement in conflict resolution in favour of a greater focus on its own internal disputes.