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 Seabed and hybrid warfare in Europe: the strategic importance of undersea cables in the Baltic region
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Seabed and hybrid warfare in Europe: the strategic importance of undersea cables in the Baltic region

The Russian full-scale invasion of Ukraine has greatly transformed the political and military landscape in Europe. Amidst a tense strategic environment, the Nordic-Baltic region has emerged as a potential point of friction between Russian and NATO allies. The undersea cables beneath the Baltic Sea, which hold a vital importance for military communications, internet, and financial traffic, are a focal point in the battlefield preparation according to the Russian hybrid war planning. This study looks at the importance of sub-sea telecommunications infrastructure in the wider Baltic region within the context of hybrid warfare.

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19 November 2024
Read more about the article From Duty to Dissent: the Legal Boundaries and Ethical Considerations of Conscientious Objection
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From Duty to Dissent: the Legal Boundaries and Ethical Considerations of Conscientious Objection

This article examines the right of conscientious objection, showcasing the legal limits of certain rights and obligations, existing in a complex intersection between human rights and the demands of state security, particularly in a precarious European landscape. Through the legal analysis of European case-law, the article showcases the evolving interpretation and changes in human right doctrines, that can nonetheless be suspended in times of conflict. Commonly known as a right ‘to be enjoyed in peace time’, the evolution of legal and societal considerations of this right reflects the fragile nature of individual rights in the face of collective security needs, inviting to a reflection of what this means for the future of a society that strives for the protection of human rights and peace.

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15 November 2024