Defence union?

Abstract

This paper addresses the policy issues facing the European Parliament and incoming Commission in the field of security and defence. It first assesses the rapidly evolving (and threatening) security environment before looking at some very specific challenges, notably Brexit and US policy. It goes on to review significant developments in the EU’s Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP), most notably those in the areas of institutional and proposed budgetary changes – where the Parliament has a specific role. The paper then proceeds to assess four substantive policy options for the Union and the implications and challenges of each, before concluding with remarks on the nature and prospects for further development in this critical policy realm.