THE EU STRATEGIC COMPASS: CHARTING THE COURSE FOR EUROPEAN SECURITY AND DEFENSE AUTONOMY
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.12775/TIS.2025.010Keywords
European Union, Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP), Strategic Compass, Ukrainian-Russian war, defense capabilities, strategic autonomyAbstract
The article focuses on the development and implications of the European Union’s Common Security and Defense Policy (CSDP), with a specific emphasis on the EU Strategic Compass adopted in 2022. The Lisbon Treaty in 2009 initiated the formal framework for the CSDP, which was further advanced by the EU Global Strategy in 2016. This strategy emerged in response to various geopolitical challenges, including the Russo-Georgian war, the economic crisis of 2007-2009, the Arab Spring, and Russia’s annexation of Crimea. The Strategic Compass aims to address these threats through a structured plan centered around four pillars: Act, Secure, Invest, and Partner.
The article employs a comprehensive review methodology, examining formal documents, strategic frameworks, and scholarly analyses. The primary focus is on understanding the goals, proposed actions, and potential impacts of the Strategic Compass on EU security and defense policy.
The results indicate that the Strategic Compass is a significant step towards achieving EU strategic autonomy in defense, though its success hinges on effective implementation and the political will of member states. The document provides a detailed action plan but reveals gaps in addressing economic conditions, geographical focuses, and the synchronization of initiatives. The Ukrainian-Russian war has validated many initiatives of the Strategic Compass, highlighting the importance of swift troop deployment, effective cyber defense, and comprehensive intelligence. The conflict also revealed areas needing improvement, such as better coordination and financial mechanisms. The analysis also underscores the necessity for continuous adaptation Although the Strategic Compass is a significant step towards the EU's strategic autonomy in defense, its success depends on the commitment of individual member states to actions supporting the EU's security and defense autonomy.
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