Read more about the article European Union military engagement in the Western Balkans: peacekeeping or strategic containment? EU’s mission EUFOR Althea case study
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European Union military engagement in the Western Balkans: peacekeeping or strategic containment? EU’s mission EUFOR Althea case study

The European Union’s military involvement in the Western Balkans, particularly through European Union Force (EUFOR) Althea in Bosnia and Herzegovina, is grounded in a multilayered legal framework that draws on EU treaties, international law, and regional peace agreements. Established under the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) and authorized by UN Security Council Resolution 1575 (2004), Althea represents a rare example of EU-led military deployment with a UN mandate. It is the largest mission launched by the European Union to this day. While the mission plays an important role in supporting public security and implementing the Dayton Peace Agreement, it also reveals the EU’s limited legal and institutional capacity to address structural issues like constitutional dysfunction, ethno-nationalism, and secessionist threats. The reliance on soft power and minimal military presence reflects the EU’s constrained ability to enforce durable peace, while the continued necessity of EUFOR underscores both the fragility of the region’s stability and the limitations of existing legal instruments in securing long-term constitutional cohesion.

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20 May 2025
Read more about the article Defence Spending as Economic Policy? Military Keynesianism in Today’s European Context
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Defence Spending as Economic Policy? Military Keynesianism in Today’s European Context

This paper explores how recent European defence spending reflects a strategic application of military Keynesianism rather than a purely threat-driven response. While the term remains largely absent from official rhetoric, EU institutions and Member States have embraced its logic to confront a dual challenge: growing geopolitical insecurity and economic stagnation. By linking defence investment to industrial revival, regional cohesion, and political consensus-building, the EU uses military expenditure as a policy tool to stimulate growth and support rearmament. The paper identifies a secondary form of military Keynesianism, in which defence policy is deliberately bundled with broader economic objectives, showing a shift in the EU’s approach to both security and fiscal policy.

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19 May 2025
Read more about the article Bridging the Gap: The Role of EU Cybersecurity Regulations in Supporting Cyber Defence Strategy
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Bridging the Gap: The Role of EU Cybersecurity Regulations in Supporting Cyber Defence Strategy

Hybrid threats exploit the increasingly blurred line between civilian and military domains. By targeting critical civilian infrastructures (CCIs), whose cybersecurity remains the sole responsibility of civilian actors, adversaries weaken the defence sector, which heavily relies on these infrastructures. This strategy creates a blind spot in the defence community that only the EU Cyber Security Policy can address. The paper investigates the contribution of the EU Cyber Security Policy regulations to the EU Cyber Defence Policy, highlighting their synergistic relation. It bases its analysis on the NIS2 Directive as an illustrative case. By adopting a more defensive posture that integrates hybrid threats, NIS2 contributes to enhanced cyber defence that aligns with the objectives of the EU Cyber Defence Policy.

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15 May 2025
Read more about the article Opportunistic or Humanitarian Military Interventions? The Case of French Involvement in Africa
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Opportunistic or Humanitarian Military Interventions? The Case of French Involvement in Africa

In light of frequent discussion surrounding the motives of military interventions in conflict-affected areas, this paper examines the interaction between national interests and humanitarian and conflict-resolution. An analysis of French-led military operations in Mali, Chad and Côte d'Ivoire illustrates how national interests are major drivers of military operations, amongst other reasons. This paper also seeks to find if such findings could be justified by historical colonial ties, recommending a potential research question for further engagement with the topic.

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13 May 2025
Read more about the article Above the Battlefield, Below Expectations? The Diminishing Role of Attack Helicopters in Conventional Warfare
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Above the Battlefield, Below Expectations? The Diminishing Role of Attack Helicopters in Conventional Warfare

This paper argues that attack helicopters are losing relevance in conventional continental warfare. While not yet obsolete, their traditional roles—close combat attack, deep strikes, and anti-tank operations—are increasingly threatened by advanced air defence systems, evolving doctrines, and cheaper or more versatile alternatives like loitering munitions and artillery. Most NATO and like-minded nations are adopting partial measures toward their attack helicopter fleets to reduce risks. The analysis traces the historical evolution of attack helicopters and assesses their competitivity in contemporary near-peer continental conflicts. The study concludes that their future viability hinges on integration within broader multi-domain operational frameworks rather than on stand-alone capabilities exposing them to competition from other weapon systems.

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12 May 2025