Security, Defence, and the Future of Europe

Security, Defence, and the Future of Europe

Views from the Capitals

This book provides a panoramic and comparative view of how Europe is currently redefining its security and defence in an age of renewed geopolitical tension and uncertainty. After Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Europe finds itself at a crossroads, caught between a fading reliance on the United States, growing hybrid threats, and the urgent need to strengthen its own resilience and defence capabilities. The book explores how this moment is reshaping Europe’s identity, priorities, and strategic posture. Drawing on insights from authors across EU Member States and neighbouring countries, the book offers a guide to the continent’s diverse perceptions of threats, definitions of security, and positioning within a broader European security architecture. Written in a concise and accessible style, it offers invaluable insights for policymakers, scholars, and all readers interested in understanding how Europe is now preparing for peace in a time of war.

This book provides a panoramic and comparative view of how Europe is currently redefining its security and defence in an age of renewed geopolitical tension and uncertainty. After Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Europe finds itself at a crossroads, caught between a fading reliance on the United States, growing hybrid threats, and the urgent need to strengthen its own resilience and defence capabilities. The book explores how this moment is reshaping Europe’s identity, priorities, and strategic posture. Drawing on insights from authors across EU Member States and neighbouring countries, the book offers a guide to the continent’s diverse perceptions of threats, definitions of security, and positioning within a broader European security architecture. Written in a concise and accessible style, it offers invaluable insights for policymakers, scholars, and all readers interested in understanding how Europe is now preparing for peace in a time of war.

Highlights

• Provides a comparative view on security and defence policies across Europe Combines academic depth with a clear, readable style Offers an essential guide to Europe’s shifting threat perceptions, security definitions, and strategic priorities

Über den Autor

Dr. Michael Kaeding i s a Professor for European Integration and European Union Politics at the Institute of Political Science, University of Duisburg-Essen (Germany). He is also Director of Studies at the Department of European Political and Governance Studies, part of the College of Europe in Bruges (Belgium), a Visiting Fellow of the European Institute of Public Administration in Maastricht (the Netherlands), and a Senior Research Fellow at the University of Ljubljana (Slovenia).

Dr. Johannes Pollak is a Professor of International Relations and Rector of Sigmund Freud Private University in Vienna (Austria). He has previously served as Rector of Webster Vienna Private University. In summer 2019, he was elected Chair of the Board at the Institute of European Politics in Berlin (Germany).

Paul Schmidt is Secretary General of the Austrian Society for European Politics in Vienna (Austria), which promotes and supports the analysis of and communications on European affairs. He has previously worked at the Oesterreichische Nationalbank, both in Vienna and at their Representative Office in Brussels at the Permanent Representation of Austria to the European Union.