Implications For European Security Research Articles

The Ukraine War and Its Implications for European Security

The Ukraine War and Its Implications for European Security

Richard Sokolsky: The New Nato-Russia Military Balance: Implications for European Security. 2017.

<b>Richard Sokolsky:</b> The New Nato-Russia Military Balance: Implications for European Security. 2017.

Power Shifts and Tensions in East Asia: Implications for European Security

This article seeks to answer two questions: What are the security implications of the conflicts and shifting balance of power in East Asia for European security? Is Brussels prepared for these developments or the escalation of individual conflicts? To this end, I discuss the rise of China and its growing global ambitions, the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, Sino-Russian cooperation, and cyber warfare. Further, I outline possible consequences of military clashes in East Asia for Europe. The results are frustrating: European Union (EU) members are both mentally and materially unprepared for the changes afoot in the Far East and the possible outbreak of war. To change this, the EU would have to take a narrow conception of security (i.e. traditional security issues) more seriously. This includes the insight that the European experience does not apply to the current security dilemma in East Asia. If the EU wants to be taken seriously as a strategic actor in the Far East, it will have to reconsider its self-conception as a civilian power. The article ends with suggestions for a better EU security policy in East Asia.

Russia's role in the war in Donbass, and the threat to European security

ABSTRACTThe Russian annexation of Crimea, and the subsequent war in Donbass, have led to a great deal of speculation about Russia's objectives and their implications for European security. This article examines Russian intentions by means of an analysis both of official rhetoric and of Russia's actions in Donbass. It concludes that far from instigating the rebellion in Donbass and using it to destabilise Ukraine, revise the international order, or seize additional territory, Moscow has largely been reacting to events and trying to gain some control of a process which was originally almost entirely outside of its control. Its primary aim has been to get the Ukrainian government to negotiate directly with the rebels, in order to produce a permanent peace settlement based upon some form of special status for Donbass within Ukraine. It has also used its influence over the rebels in order to persuade them to cooperate with the peace process set up at Minsk. Russia's objectives are very limited, and do not pose a serious threat to European security as a whole.

The Renewed Significance of Borders

The crisis in Ukraine and its implications for European security have revived the significance of borders as a key element in conflicts between ussia and its neighbors.

The Material Roots of European Strategy: Beyond Culture and Values

This article undertakes a critical examination of the analytical leverage provided by the literature on strategic culture in explaining the development of the European Union's Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP). It posits that patterns of progress and stasis in CSDP cannot be fully explained by processes of normative convergence and the resilience of national strategic cultures. Instead, the article argues that a focus on material power sheds greater light on the dynamics driving and hindering Europe's quest for military autonomy. It highlights how the ‘balance of threat’ is fostering both convergence and differentiation in the defence policies of Britain, France, and Germany. Through case studies of the development of British, French, and German policy towards CSDP and NATO, the article demonstrates the important roles played by energy dependency and geographical position in determining the willingness of European states to embed their defence policies in NATO/CSDP or pursue national strategic autonomy. The article argues that strategic culture can provide valuable insights into European defence cooperation; however, this contribution is best framed within the theoretical insights of neoclassical realism. By highlighting the nature of the variables determining the scope and depth of European defence cooperation, the article raises a number of policy implications for European security.

Global Trends and the Implications for European Security

Global Trends and the Implications for European Security

Constructive Transatlantic Strategic Dissonance: Making a Virtue out of Vice?

In 2002–2003, the US pressed for and then used coercive force against Iraq and was ultimately supported by 16 of the 26 NATO member states, though not by NATO itself. While the US and Europe shared similar strategic threat perceptions — weapons of mass destruction proliferation, failed states and terrorism — but difference were apparent on the conceptual level. Here diverging political outlooks, differing comparative advantages, and capability bottlenecks all help account for different policy responses and priorities, particularly with regards to Iraq. The consequences and implications for European security and transatlantic relations of the Iraq war were more palpable than its causes: the rift fractured pre-existing transatlantic fault lines and consolidated realignments around concepts of ‘Atlantic Europe’, ‘Core Europe’, ‘New Europe’ and ‘Non-aligned Europe’. The dynamic events before and after the US-led Iraq war of 2003 and the policy and identity, ideational, institutional and power shifts that underpinned them appear to lack the constructive potential to generate a push for ‘strategic renewal’ or the destructive power to enforce a total ‘strategic divorce’. Strategic dissonance and continued turbulence has become the default transatlantic condition. The dynamics that generate its power still have the potential to resurface and further fragment and paralyse the unity of purpose and action of the transatlantic security community, as well as a constructive potential that can be harnessed.

'New' and 'Old Europe' in the Context of the Iraq War and its Implications for European Security

Abstract American secretary of defence Donald Rumsfeld's characterisation in early 2003 of an ‘Old Europe’ and a ‘New Europe’, provides particular challenges when applied to the exploration of European security.The ‘New Europe’ is a very elusive concept. As far as the Iraq war is concerned, the ‘New European’ states have less in common than the US secretary of defence might have thoughtThis is indicated by an exploration of specific factors that have affected the attitudes of supposed ‘New European’ states towards the Iraq war in general, and towards their own security in particular. Slovenia is particularly interesting in this regard, as a country that found it especially hard to address the ‘New‐Old’ Europe dilemma. A theoretical framework for the analysis of this aspect of contemporary European diplomacy can be constructed on the basis of the two main positivist (rational) theories of International Relations: realism and liberalism, although neither offers any conclusive explanation of the post‐cold war division in Europe as constructed by Rumsfeld.

‘New’ and ‘old Europe’ in the context of the Iraq war and its implications for European security

American secretary of defence Donald Rumsfeld's characterisation in early 2003 of an ‘Old Europe’ and a ‘New Europe’, provides particular challenges when applied to the exploration of European security.The ‘New Europe’ is a very elusive concept. As far as the Iraq war is concerned, the ‘New European’ states have less in common than the US secretary of defence might have thoughtThis is indicated by an exploration of specific factors that have affected the attitudes of supposed ‘New European’ states towards the Iraq war in general, and towards their own security in particular. Slovenia is particularly interesting in this regard, as a country that found it especially hard to address the ‘New‐Old’ Europe dilemma. A theoretical framework for the analysis of this aspect of contemporary European diplomacy can be constructed on the basis of the two main positivist (rational) theories of International Relations: realism and liberalism, although neither offers any conclusive explanation of the post‐cold war division in Europe as constructed by Rumsfeld.

The Polish contribution to a new European security structure

The Madrid summit taking place this summer will mark a watershed in the development of European security, with the expected invitation to some Central European countries to join NATO Poland is one of the foremost of these and there is wide support both inside and out‐’ side the country for its membership. But there are also still anxieties on the part of some for the very idea of NATO enlargement and its implications for European security in general and relations with Russia in particular. Here Poland's Foreign Minister, Dariousz Rosati, sets out the Polish view of changing European security structures, NATO's external adaptation and Poland's potential contribution to an enlarged Alliance. He points to the need to develop a special partnership with Russia and Ukraine based on fundamental principles of regional security. Poland's commitment to serving national and inter‐ national security interests will, Minister Rosati believes, be greatly enhanced as a full member of NATO.

Russo-Ukrainian Tensions—Implications for European Security

Russo-Ukrainian Tensions—Implications for European Security

III. The implications for European security

III. The implications for European security