Could EU-Endorsed ‘Coalitions of the Willing’ Strengthen EU Security Policy?

Summary:

In 2022, the EU finds itself surrounded by security challenges on almost every border. The member-states have widely differing strategic outlooks, depending on what they see as the main threats to their national security. That divergence will continue to make it hard for the 27 to reach consensus on foreign policy issues, and especially on launching military operations: the Union will not be a major military player. The Strategic Compass is likely to focus on incentivising joint research and development of military capabilities, and on tackling non-military threats such as cyber-attacks. But it would be a missed opportunity if the Compass did not consider how the EU could best support ad hoc groups of countries prepared to carry out operations in the interests of the Union, even when these may not be a priority for all the member-states.

• Primary Source

• Alternative Source

Official

EU External Action Service: A Strategic Compass for the EU https://eeas.europa.eu/headquarters/headquarters-homepage/106337/towards-strategic-compass_en

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ESO Records

EPRS At A Glance: Nov. 2021: Strategic Compass: Towards adoption https://www.europeansources.info/record/strategic-compass-towards-adoption/

OSW Commentary: 17 Sept. 2021: The EU’s security and defence policy: in search of a compass https://www.europeansources.info/record/the-eus-security-and-defence-policy-in-search-of-a-compass/

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