European crisis management and defence: the search for capabilities

Abstract:

The European Union is a net exporter of security, eager to play its part in the crisis management and conflict prevention theatres of international security. How far do the capabilities of the EU meet the aspirations of its political leaders and to what extent can they become a counterweight to the super power position of the US?

This work looks at these problems and related issues, and is organised over five chapters which explore both the civil and military aspects. The first chapter addresses efforts to strengthen Europe's capabilities up to and including NATO's Prague Summit in November 2002. Chapter two examines in detail the EU's crisis management tools and discusses likely short-term developments. The third chapter addresses the EU-US relationship and US reaction to the European Security and Defence Policy (ESDP) and transatlantic burden sharing post 9/11. Chapter four is concerned with the longer term operational and strategic limitations that Europe faces. The final chapter offers five areas where European capabilities could be significantly increased.

Hans-Christian Hagman is a Senior Adviser at the Swedish Ministry of Defence.

International Institute for Strategic Studies http://www.iiss.org

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