The edited volume Security, Defense, and the Future of Europe: Views from the Capitals will soon be published by Springer. The work is edited by Prof. Dr. Michael Kaeding (Institute of Political Science, University of Duisburg-Essen) together with Prof. Dr. Johannes Pollak (Webster Vienna Private University, Sigmund Freud Private University Berlin) and Dr. Paul Schmidt (Austrian Society for European Politics).
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.