Read more about the article Enhancing European Crisis Response: From EU Battlegroups to the EU Rapid Deployment Capacity
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Enhancing European Crisis Response: From EU Battlegroups to the EU Rapid Deployment Capacity

The European Union's Strategic Compass, adopted in March 2022, envisioned the creation of a Rapid Deployment Capacity (RDC) intended to reach full operability by 2025. Despite its innovative capacity, this project is not the first attempt made by the European Union to develop a common rapid response force. Comparing the RDC initiative to the Battlegroups’ almost twenty-year experience, this article examines the obstacles that prevented the deployment of Battlegroups and explores what similar and new hurdles the RDC will have to overcome to enable Member States to react collectively to future security challenges. It finds that only by building upon lessons learned from the past could the EU Member States establish an effective operational tool to engage rapidly in autonomous military operations.

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27 November 2024
Read more about the article From PESCO to EU Battlegroups: Poland’s Role in Advancing EU Land Force Interoperability
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From PESCO to EU Battlegroups: Poland’s Role in Advancing EU Land Force Interoperability

This study investigates Poland’s role in enhancing EU land force interoperability through its participation in the Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) and the EU Battlegroups initiative. Drawing on Poland’s strategic geopolitical position and its leadership in PESCO projects, this paper highlights contributions to mobility, cybersecurity, and rapid response capabilities. Poland’s leadership in EU Battlegroups, including the Visegrád and Weimar groups, underscores its commitment to EU defence frameworks despite operational challenges, such as political discord among allies. Findings reveal Poland’s dual role in bridging EU and NATO defence efforts, emphasising military modernisation and shared standards. This study concludes that Poland’s proactive engagement is vital for advancing European defence capabilities and fostering strategic autonomy in an evolving security landscape.

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25 November 2024
Read more about the article Navigating European Naval Power: The Role of the European Patrol Corvette in EU Maritime Security
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Navigating European Naval Power: The Role of the European Patrol Corvette in EU Maritime Security

Amid rising geostrategic tensions, the maritime domain has emerged as a critical arena where Great Powers navigate their competing interests, emphasising the importance of a coordinated European naval defence policy. This article delves into the European Union’s (EU) dynamic approach to maritime security, beginning with an overview of the EU’s strategic goals for maritime defence and security. It also provides an overview of previous cooperation initiatives in the European naval defence sector, laying the groundwork for more recent advances, particularly the European Patrol Corvette (EPC) initiative. By providing a coordinated and flexible response to maritime threats, the EPC is anticipated to strengthen Europe’s strategic autonomy and improve interoperability. The article’s conclusion offers an evaluation of the EPC’s implications for EU defence policy and its potential to transform Europe’s naval capabilities, granting the EU an opportunity to redefine its role in maritime security.

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21 November 2024
Read more about the article Episode 4: European Deterrence and the Changing U.S. Strategy
Episodes

Episode 4: European Deterrence and the Changing U.S. Strategy

In this episode of StrategicALLY, hosts Bori Benedek and Zsigmond Tar sit down with Paul van Hooft, a defence and deterrence expert at RAND Europe, to explore the evolving dynamics of European security. The discussion covers critical topics such as NATO enlargement, European deterrence, and the shifting focus of American foreign policy from Europe to the Indo-Pacific. Mr. van Hooft provides context on the potential implications of a Trump administration on transatlantic relations, the war in Ukraine, and the strategic cohesion of European militaries. Drawing on his extensive research and publications, he discusses Europe’s reliance on the U.S. in key military sectors, the necessity for European fallback options, and the prospects for enhanced EU-NATO collaboration. Packed with expert insights, this episode offers a comprehensive analysis of the future of European defence in an increasingly multipolar world.

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21 November 2024
Read more about the article A Crumbling Anchor? The Collapse of the German Government and European Security
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A Crumbling Anchor? The Collapse of the German Government and European Security

The collapse of Germany’s ‘Traffic Light’ coalition marks the end of a government marred by in-fighting and continuous crises. This News Flash addresses the implications it has on the future of both German and European Security.

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20 November 2024