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Security and defence

The Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) is an integral part of EU foreign policy. Through its military operations and civilian missions, the EU has contributed to regional and global stability. Since it's inception, the CSDP has responded to a shifting regional security context. It has played a vital role in crisis management in the EU's near and wider neighbourhood but it is also an essential part of the EU's broader approach to the protection of Europe and capacity building.

Although the Lisbon Treaty consolidated the EU's crisis management apparatus, the EU Global Strategy has set a new level of ambition for EU defence. In addition to the CSDP playing an operational role in the EU's integrated approach to crises, the EU Global Strategy has stressed the need for the EU to become a more capable and effective defence actor. Initiatives such as the European Defence Fund, the coordinated annual defence review (CARD) and more coherent financing for EU operations and capacity building efforts are all aimed at supporting the EU's strategic autonomy and the European Defence Technological and Industrial Base. The EUISS continues to support the development of CSDP through outreach activities and expert publications.

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    18November 2016
    EU defence research in development
    By

    Europe’s shifting security landscape demands concrete action if the EU is to play a role in protecting the continent. This Alert takes a look at some of the pilot projects being launched to deliver tangible results on security and defence.

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    10November 2016
    Managing migration abroad – Why, where, what and how?
    By

    Because of the intertwining of internal and external security matters, the EU’s model of dealing with crisis is being challenged. This Brief looks at how integrating different approaches and distinct practises across the EU may come to represent the key change for policymakers.

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    10November 2016
    Civilian CSDP: what next?
    By

    Civilian CSDP missions were downsized in 2016, paradoxically at a time when security needs are growing – with threats largely of a non-military nature. This Brief shows how these changes call for renewed investment in civilian CSDP so that it can find its place in the evolving global crisis management architecture.

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    09November 2016
    Japan’s policy shift: arms and transfers
    By

    Since lifting its historic ban on arms exports in April 2014, Japan has faced an obstacle-ridden path in becoming an arms exporter. This Alert explores the track record of transfers of Japanese military equipment in the past 18 months, and how the transfers contribute to Tokyo’s strategic ambition of becoming a fully-fledged security actor in the region, even at the expense of economic benefits.

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    28October 2016
    After the EU Global Strategy – Consulting the experts – Security and defence
    Edited by

    This volume presents a compilation of memos following the EUISS workshop on the Security and Defence Implementation Plan (SDIP), in which leading experts and analysts outline their preferred level of ambition and priority areas for EU security and defence.

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    26October 2016
    Making Europe and Europeans safer
    By

    In this Alert, the EUISS Director looks at how the EU Global Strategy offers a new perspective for the EU Security and Defence Implementation Plan (SDIP). How can the Union best achieve its goal of making Europe and Europeans feel safer – Secure, Able, Forward-looking, Engaged and Responsive.

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    29July 2016
    Military coups: a very short introduction
    By

    This Brief seeks to explain why (and when) coups happen. What conditions are needed to persuade the military to attempt to topple a government? And what elements increase the likelihood of success or failure?

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    29July 2016
    Strategic communications – East and South
    With contributions from

    Both Russia and ISIL/Daesh have engaged in aggressive messaging and deceptive media campaigns, albeit with distinct narratives, targets and audiences. This Report analyses the ‘what’ and the ‘how’; and also draws attention to strategic communications efforts undertaken by the EU.

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    22July 2016
    Fellow submarines
    By

    Given the recent increase in Russian underwater activity in the Baltic Sea and North Atlantic, how can Europe to collectively manage, deter, and counter any undersea provocations? This Alert explains how the best underwater defences are submarines themselves.

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    22July 2016
    After the EUGS: connecting the dots
    By

    The forthcoming publication of the European Commission’s Defence Action Plan (EDAP) and the likely creation of a European Defence Research Programme (ERDP) make institutional streamlining and creative thinking in the field of defence vital. How can the EU best rationalise its defence policy?

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    26May 2021
    A Strategic Compass for Mediterranean maritime security

    On 26 May 2021, Daniel Fiott - Security and Defence Editor at the EUISS - spoke at a webinar organised by EUNAVFOR Med Operation IRINI in collaboration with La Sapienza University of Rome and the NATO Defence College Foundation.

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    18May 2021
    A Strategic Compass for EU defence: what implications for the European defence industry?

    On 18 May 2021, the EU Institute for Security Studies, the Real Elcano Institute and the Spanish Ministry of Defence organised a webinar on the implications of and needs for the Strategic Compass from the perspective of Europe’s defence industry.

  • 18May 2021
    Hybrid threats in the context of European security

    On 18 May 2021, Giovanni Faleg participated to the international conference “Hybrid threats in the context of European security" organised by the Portuguese Presidency of the Council of the EU, the National Defence Institute and the Portuguese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

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    12May 2021
    Daniel Fiott speaks at European Parliament event on peace, resilience and the Mediterranean

    On 12 May 2021 Daniel Fiott, Security and Defence Editor at the EUISS, spoke at an event organised by the European Parliamentary Research Service (EPRS).

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    12May 2021
    EUISS joins workshop on geospatial intelligence and the Strategic Compass

    On 12 May 2021 Daniel Fiott, Security and Defence Editor at the EUISS, spoke at an event organised by the Spanish Ministry of Defence entitled “Geospatial Intelligence to Support the European Union Decision-Making Process”.

  • 10May 2021
    EUISS contributes to 4th edition of the CSDP Handbook

    The EU Institute for Security Studies (EUISS) is pleased to have contributed to the 4th edition of the Handbook on CSDP, which was produced by the Federal Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Austria in cooperation with the European Security and Defence College.

  • 28April 2021
    Marching to where? The operational dimension of the EU Strategic Compass

    On 28 April 2021, the EU Institute for Security Studies and the Clingendael Institute organised a conference on the military and operational dimensions of EU security and defence. The event fed into the dialogue phase of the EU Strategic Compass process and it was supported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Defence of the Netherlands.

  • 26April 2021
    Making the Strategic Compass work: how to embed EU ambitions in national defence planning?

    On 26 April 2021, the EU Institute for Security Studies and the Croatian Ministry of Defence organised a conference on how best to embed EU defence initiatives into national defence planning processes. The conference attracted approximately 90 high-level participants and it took place in the context of the EU Strategic Compass dialogue phase.

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    22April 2021
    International conference on maritime security

    On 22 April 2021, Daniel Fiott represented the EU Institute for Security Studies at an international conference organised by the Portuguese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Portuguese Presidency of the Council of the EU, in partnership with the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA).

  • Background image of online conference on emerging disruptive technologies on defence
    20April 2021
    The impact of disruptive technologies on defence

    On 20 April 2021, Daniel Fiott represented the EU Institute for Security Studies at a major R&T conference organised by the European Defence Agency (EDA) and the Portuguese Ministry of Defence.

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