In the early twenty-first century, Europe=s security is under threat from countless factors; some of the more striking examples include Russia=s military expansion, uncontrolled streams of refugees, the dangers of international terrorism, and not least the unclear policy of the USA towards NATO and the EU. Despite these tremendous challenges, the EU=s common foreign and security policy often remains indistinct. However, the EU has received the Nobel Peace Prize for its work and serves as a model throughout the world.This volume presents the ambivalent positioning and implementation of Europe=s foreign and security policy in a concise and easily understandable way, giving the reader a rapid introduction to this highly charged topic. It is thus intended both for students and also for interested laypersons.

Dr. Annegret Bendiek has been a scientist at the Science and Policy Foundation (SWP) since 2005 and works on issues in European foreign and security policy. She teaches on the postgraduate course at Humboldt University, at the Free University, and at the Technical University of Berlin.