The European Security Strategy: Programmatic and Practical Perspectives for CFSP and ESDP

Progress in creating an explicit EU 'Strategy', & in other aspects of European foreign, security & defense policy, from mid-2003 onwards has reflected a mixture of outward pressures & of new internal dynamics related to EU enlargement & Constitution-draf-ting. Early follow-up on the EU Security Strategy was quite impressive but limited itself to 'safe' areas of CFSP consensus. From 2005 onwards, most political conditions look favorable for the consolidation of an EU strategic identity, but its active expression will depend on more than just the perennial problem of capabilities. Before too long, EU members must face up to more testing issues of military integration, tri-pillar coordination for strategic ends, re-thinking ESDP's external geographical priorities, the possible shift of 'real' territorial defense from NATO to the Union, & the need for more direct democratic underpinning for EU strategy in general. Adapted from the source document.