Read more about the article Energy Security in the EU: How Energy Affects the Union’s Military Operations
Food For Thought

Energy Security in the EU: How Energy Affects the Union’s Military Operations

From a geopolitical perspective, the major actor crowding EU policymakers’ minds is Russia, as the EU imports around 30% of its oil and 40% of its gas from there. This de- pendence, however, is not distributed evenly. Certain member states (MS) import almost all their energy from Russia, especially in Eastern Europe, while others are exporters themselves.

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23 September 2021
Read more about the article Refusing Vaccines: A Possible Motive of Denial for Participation in Military Activities
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Refusing Vaccines: A Possible Motive of Denial for Participation in Military Activities

One of the main practices undertaken by various states in the ongoing fight against the spread of Covid-19 is massive vaccination campaigns targeting workers and professionals, such as teaching and medical personnel. In some instances, this course of action has been coupled with negative repercussions for workers who refuse to get vaccinated. For example, in March 2021, the Italian government imposed a vaccination obligation on all healthcare personnel, with a suspension of pay for any worker refusing to be vaccinated (Amante, 2021). Similarly, in July 2021, French President Emmanuel Macron announced a measure setting 15 September as the date after which unvaccinated healthcare workers in France could be suspended without receiving their salary (Ficek & de Comarmond, 2021).

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23 September 2021
Read more about the article The EU and its Maritime Security Strategy in the Indo-Pacific
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The EU and its Maritime Security Strategy in the Indo-Pacific

During its meeting on 24th June 2014, the Council of the European Union (EU) adopted the document, proposed by the Greek Presidency, concerning the European Union Maritime Security Strategy (EUMSS), which lays out the framework for operations aimed at effectively facing the challenges related to maritime transport security. The EUMSS Action Plan was adopted on 16th December 2017 to safeguard the EU's interests and protect its member states (MS) and citizens. This plan addresses risks and threats in the global maritime domain, including organised and cross-border crime, threats to freedom of navigation, threats to biodiversity, unregulated fishing, or environmental degradation due to illegal or accidental discharges.

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21 September 2021
Read more about the article Europe’s Role in the Very High Readiness Joint Task Force
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Europe’s Role in the Very High Readiness Joint Task Force

Targeted interoperability may be understood through the ongoing development of NATO's Very High Readiness Joint Task Force. This brigade-size rapid response force is designed to deploy its lead elements within 48 hours, ensuring prompt response to conflict. This multinational unit is unique in its very tight deployment timeline, which implies functional interoperability between several alliance members to a degree so far unseen within NATO.

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15 September 2021
Read more about the article The Situation in Afghanistan Brings New Impetus for European Strategic Autonomy
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The Situation in Afghanistan Brings New Impetus for European Strategic Autonomy

In August 2021, President Biden ended the long chapter of Western intervention in Afghanistan with his immediate withdrawal of troops from the Afghan territory. Following the subsequent seizure of Kabul by Taliban militants, the country’s unfolding political, security, and humanitarian crisis has captured the attention of the world. In Europe, the fallout of the ‘chaotic’ evacuation has sparked dialogue on the broader significance of President Biden’s unilateral decision. The concept of strategic autonomy, a term already ubiquitous in EU security discourse, comes to the fore with a renewed sense of urgency. Calls by scholars, experts, and both EU and national-level officials for a more serious commitment to Europe’s empowerment as an independent actor are reverberating through the media. This article examines some of the dialogue emerging from Europe and discusses the potential for turning rhetoric into action.

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14 September 2021