The European Union’s security and defence policy: A policy without substance?

Article abstract:

The European Union has declared its European Security and Defence Policy (ESDP) operational. It has put the institutional structures in place to manage the political aspects of security and defence policy and the Member States have pledged a range of military capabilities, which the EU may call upon. However, there are significant issues that need to be resolved for the ESDP to be a truly effective and credible policy. Without investing in critical military capabilities and without a clear direction, ESDP will become a policy without substance.

• Primary Source