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THREAD on CSDP (jargon for EU defence):
As new member of @LawGovDCU team, I was kindly invited to give views on EU & international security, specifically defence/military aspects of that, after 22 years as a policy analyst.
(I think I was grimacing here due to a tough question) https://twitter.com/NielsKirst/status/1359505985803603970
As new member of @LawGovDCU team, I was kindly invited to give views on EU & international security, specifically defence/military aspects of that, after 22 years as a policy analyst.
(I think I was grimacing here due to a tough question) https://twitter.com/NielsKirst/status/1359505985803603970
2/ I have worked in 6 v different policy focused institutions in 6 countries, so I thought best way to approach this would be to list 6 lessons about EU defence from 6 different places.
To some degree "where you stand depends on where you sit", and I learned a lot in each place.
To some degree "where you stand depends on where you sit", and I learned a lot in each place.
3/ Lesson 1 from @INSSatNDU in Washington, DC
"There is a strategic case for EU defence policy"
Or, there is a case for a European "Plan B", if the US can't help. I worked in DC just after Kosovo war, but CSDP (born @ St. Malo) as much a reaction to European failure re Bosnia
"There is a strategic case for EU defence policy"
Or, there is a case for a European "Plan B", if the US can't help. I worked in DC just after Kosovo war, but CSDP (born @ St. Malo) as much a reaction to European failure re Bosnia
4/ Lesson 2 from @CER_EU in London
"EU defence policy is not a defence policy"
Backdrop of 9/11, Afghanistan, Iraq, €, and EU enlargement.
EU decided not to be a mini-NATO, more like UN on international security, mixing diplomacy and development with "defence" (peacekeeping).
"EU defence policy is not a defence policy"
Backdrop of 9/11, Afghanistan, Iraq, €, and EU enlargement.
EU decided not to be a mini-NATO, more like UN on international security, mixing diplomacy and development with "defence" (peacekeeping).
5/ Lesson 3 from @EU_ISS in Paris
"The EU should try to be a super-partner, not a super-power"
Backdrop: Econ crisis, Lisbon treaty, Libya intervention, Russo-Georgia war
EUISS part of @eu_eeas, CSDP is mostly inter-governmental, means EU can only play supporting/partner role.
"The EU should try to be a super-partner, not a super-power"
Backdrop: Econ crisis, Lisbon treaty, Libya intervention, Russo-Georgia war
EUISS part of @eu_eeas, CSDP is mostly inter-governmental, means EU can only play supporting/partner role.
6/ Lesson 4 from @FRIDE in Brussels
"Define the European Interest"
Backdrop: Libya, Ukraine, UK veto of fiscal treaty
Be v sure of why, shared interest, before the how of any foreign policy action - esp military intervention.
But EU sanctions on Russia have held since 2014
"Define the European Interest"
Backdrop: Libya, Ukraine, UK veto of fiscal treaty
Be v sure of why, shared interest, before the how of any foreign policy action - esp military intervention.
But EU sanctions on Russia have held since 2014
7/ Lesson 5 from @CSS_Zurich at ETH in Zurich
"European military cooperation is a giant spaghetti bowl"
Look beyond EU & NATO, so much military cooperation going on between European governments - bilaterally (FRA-UK), regionally (Baltic), ad hoc (A-400M) etc.
"Whatever works!"
"European military cooperation is a giant spaghetti bowl"
Look beyond EU & NATO, so much military cooperation going on between European governments - bilaterally (FRA-UK), regionally (Baltic), ad hoc (A-400M) etc.
"Whatever works!"
8/ Lesson 6 from @emireland in Dublin
"Brexit reduces the relevance of EU defence"
Counter-intuitive? Nothing stopping France & Germany moving ahead on CSDP now
Yet France launched exclusive E2I, focused on operations-with UK-but Germany focuses on inclusive PESCO: capability
"Brexit reduces the relevance of EU defence"
Counter-intuitive? Nothing stopping France & Germany moving ahead on CSDP now
Yet France launched exclusive E2I, focused on operations-with UK-but Germany focuses on inclusive PESCO: capability
9/ Those are my 6 basic lessons about CSDP (EU defence) from 6 different places and experiences.
This thread only a taster, but I'll finish with this:
The aim of CSDP is sound - to replace law of force with force of law.
The practice is poor, less and less peacekeeping.
ENDS
This thread only a taster, but I'll finish with this:
The aim of CSDP is sound - to replace law of force with force of law.
The practice is poor, less and less peacekeeping.
ENDS
