The Liberal Agenda For The New Mandate: No Security Without Democracy
We are publishing this issue of the Future Europe Journal in the first days of the new legislative term. With the world changing at the speed of light and new challenges and threats emerging daily, only time will tell what issues and projects will mark these upcoming five years of the EU’s history. However, one […]
Treaties Wanted: For the Defence of Europe and European Defence
Abstract The invasion of Ukraine by Russia in February 2022 opened a new era in European foreign and security policy. Three key debates are happening at the same time: one is about the immediate security and operational emergency of the war in Ukraine. The second debate is about what optimal conditions to set in the […]
Unpacking the European Pillar in NATO
Abstract Academic and policy debates pertaining to the respective roles of the European Union (EU) and NATO in global security governance recurrently refer to the notion of the European pillar within NATO. Yet the meaning and scope of a European pillar in NATO have remained largely undefined. Whether the European pillar refers to European states […]
Back to the Future of a European Defence Union and European Federalism
Introduction Its time has come, at last, albeit overdue. Advocates of the European Union becoming a military power have been fully aware of the strength of political commitments to retain pre-eminent national competences for defence – under a NATO umbrella. Only some almighty, unforeseeable geo-political shock could possible change this. Putin and Trump have together […]
Reinvent Yourself! 75 Years of NATO’s Strategic Evolution
Introduction NATO often claims to be the most successful alliance in history. Whether this is so or not is for historians to assess. But undoubtedly, NATO is the most adaptable alliance in history. After 75 years in existence, 2024 is a good occasion to review how NATO has reinvented itself over these decades. NATO is […]
How Much Is the Security of Ukraine Worth to the West?
Op-ed / Make Russia Pay: How the Frozen Russian Assets Will Help Bring Victory over the Aggressor Closer War is very expensive. A prolonged war against an aggressor who outnumbers you in terms of resources and people is even more expensive. This is well known not only by Ukrainians but also by our partners. Since […]
Capability Coalitions: From Addressing Ukraine’s Immediate Needs to a Long-Term Vision of Regional Cooperation
Abstract In April 2024, the Ukraine Defence Contact Group (UDCG), widely known as the ‘Ramstein Coalition’, will celebrate its second year of existence. Firstly, the already operational and future capability coalitions can provide valuable experience and insight into the type and scale of military equipment needed to win modern conventional wars. Secondly, Ukraine’s capability coalitions […]
Strategic Domains: Developing the EU’s Capabilities and Enablers for a Free and Secure Global Order
Abstract The deteriorating global security order is calling into question old certainties about how freely and securely Europe can access and use global commons such as the seas, air and space. The rise of authoritarian and revisionist powers will only make it more challenging for the European Union (EU) to play a global security role […]
Towards a European Single Defence Market?
Abstract Integration in the field of the European Defence Technological and Industrial Base (EDTIB) faces a dilemma. On the one hand, increased cooperation between European defence firms would undeniably reduce costs of research and production. On the other hand, due to the sensitivity of defence matters, states have traditionally protected their sovereign control of their […]
‘Hand in Glove’! Industry and the EU shall work together towards Europe’s defence
Note from the Industry Abstract Russia’s war in Ukraine has demonstrated two key things. First, Europe’s collective security is not guaranteed forever. Europe was underprepared for the war when it started. Secondly, the EU has emerged as an increasingly viable player in global defence. It has mobilised its existing tools and it has developed new […]
Bye Buy European? A Liberal Take on European Preferences in EU Defence Instruments
Abstract ‘Buy European’ – in any European capital or across the pond, these two words evoke contrasting though similarly strong reactions from security and defence experts. Following a string of policy initiatives to strengthen the EU’s industrial base over the past two years, the issue of a European preference for European defence equipment has been […]
Connectivity at the Heart of Security and Resilience
Note from the Industry The last five years have firmly cemented connectivity as a critical resource for citizens, societies, and economies. Large swathes of Europe’s population adopted home working during the coronavirus pandemic. This spotlighted the importance of reliable digital connectivity in everyday life, as well as for our economies to function properly. Today, Europe’s […]
Striking the Balance between Privacy and Security: The Case of Spyware
Abstract In the digital age, privacy is crucial, yet national security often necessitates data access, creating tension. Policymakers must balance these needs, avoiding the false dichotomy of sacrificing privacy for security. Effective cybersecurity incorporates privacy protection. Spyware, client-side scanning, and similar technologies undermine system security and encryption, posing severe risks to democratic freedoms, including free […]
The Russian Invasion of Ukraine and the Possibility of a European Army
Experts Comment on the Possibility of an EU Army and the EU’s Response to a Changing Security Environment Abstract In the wake of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the EU is facing a war in its ‘neighbourhood’. EU countries are increasing defence spending and overhauling their militaries, while questions on European defence and strategic autonomy […]
Security in Peril: Disinformation Challenges to Democratic Stability in the Western Balkans and Kosovo
Abstract In recent years, a concerning trend has emerged across the Western Balkans: a decline in citizens’ valuation of democracy. Despite strong majorities expressing a preference for democracy, growing scepticism about its actual effectiveness is pervasive. This article delves into the factors contributing to this growing threat to democracy, such as the erosion of confidence […]
Alarming Populist Threats in Europe
The Rise of Far-Right and Far-left Parties and Lessons from Their Competing Positions Towards Russia’s Aggression War against Ukraine Introduction Recent election results (see Politico n.y.a) across Europe make it clear: populist parties, both right- and left-wing populist, are currently appealing to more voters with simplified, polarising, and even polemical answers to complex problems.i Just […]
The Romanian Illusion: Supporting Ukraine while Fuelling Domestic Autocracy
From the day that Vladimir Putin’s Russia invaded Ukraine, Europe has been reshaping its geopolitical agenda day by day. The Black Sea region is no exception, and, among its countries, Romania has some lessons to share: while all the Western allies have been focusing their attention on the conflict in neighbouring Ukraine, they have overlooked […]
Strategic Corruption: Why Democratic Decline Is a Security Threat
Abstract Globalisation has opened Western economies to influence and investment by authoritarian states like Russia and China. States with strong legal and democratic institutions are able to defend against them by applying the rule of law, investigating corruption, and limiting the extent to which elected and appointed officials can work for authoritarian governments after they […]
Europe’s Fateful 2024 Elections Under the Sign of War, Populism and Digital Disruption: What to Do?
Europe is at a crossroads. Due to the global threat to democracy and the current geopolitical shifts, fundamental decisions must be taken in the next legislative period of the future European Parliament and Commission to strengthen democracy and European integration and to fend off attacks from outside and within. The Russian war of aggression against […]
Violent Co-destruction or Peaceful Coexistence? The Future of the South Caucasus in the EU Security Architecture
Historically, the South Caucasus has been a battleground for influence among major powers due to its strategic location at the crossroads of Europe and Asia. For decades, Russia has maintained a significant presence in the region, wielding considerable political and military influence. As the war in Ukraine is entering its third year, the significance of […]