EU's strategic compass
Channel: Norsk utenrikspolitisk institutt NUPI
Date: 2021-03-19

The EU is currently developing a ‘Strategic Compass’ for its security and defense policy. As the EU Global Strategy of 2016 is rather vague, the hope is that the Strategic Compass will help clarify the main purpose of the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP). 

The process has three stages: First, to formulate the first common threat analysis of the EU. Second, to agree on clear and achievable strategic objectives for the EU in order to strengthen the Union as an actor in security and defense. And third, to offer political guidance for both military and civilian crisis management planning. The process is divided into four baskets: crisis management, resilience, capability development, and partnerships.

See speakers Christian Mölling, Research Director, German Council on Foreign Relations (DGAP), and Florence Schimmel, Research Fellow, Security and Defence, German Council on Foreign Relations (DGAP) together with chair Senior Research Fellow, Head of Research Group on Security and Defense, Karsten Friis talk about the background, the progress, and the challenges the process is facing. They also look at the broader strategic picture, related to e.g. NATOs upcoming revision of its Strategic Concept.