The Common Security and Defence Policy maps out how the EU – established primarily to be an economic organisation – can purposefully prepare for and apply the use of military force. In this insightful work, Per M. Norheim-Martinsen argues that, since the EU is not a state but nevertheless does embody some non-intergovernmental characteristics, neither EU studies nor strategic studies is sufficient for fully understanding the Policy itself. Combining the two fields, the author utilises the instrumentality and clarity of the strategic approach, while retaining an understanding of the unique character of the EU as a strategic actor. In so doing, he provides a fruitful conceptual framework for analysing the development of the CSDP, how it functions in practice and how it will continue to evolve in the face of the challenges which lie ahead. This book will appeal to scholars and advanced students of European studies, international relations and strategic studies.

‘An innovative approach that establishes what the EU really amounts to as a strategic actor. Refreshing, insightful - and provoking many more questions for academics and practitioners, as a good book should.’

Professor Sven Biscop - Director, Europe in the World Programme, Egmont Royal Institute for International Relations

‘Per Norheim-Martinsen’s long-awaited volume offers a sophisticated and rigorously researched conceptual framework within which to embark on a fresh understanding of the EU’s true potential as a military actor. Eschewing both short-term pessimism and long-term idealism, Norheim-Martinsen proposes a new understanding of strategic actorness, transcending the limitations of both ‘soft’ European integration studies and ‘hard’ US-based strategic studies. He also suggests an innovative interpretation of security governance and generates a new interpretation of the ‘comprehensive approach’ which increasingly characterizes the EU as an international actor. This book will become an important reference work for scholars and students of both European studies and strategic studies.’

Jolyon Howorth - Yale University

‘As global power flows away from the West to the South and East, can Europe compensate by becoming a more coherent strategic actor? Tracing the development of the EU's Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP), this scholarly and well-structured analysis gives little ground for optimism. [Norheim-Martinsen's] examination of the vaunted 'Comprehensive Approach' to integrating civilian and military power brings out the European capacity to refine theory whilst neglecting to implement it in practice - and to focus on style rather than the 'ends, means and resolve' of effective strategy. ‘The window of opportunity for CSDP to consolidate itself … is already closing’; practitioners who share with the author the sense that this would be ‘a unique opportunity lost’ would do well to read this thoughtful dissection of a policy fast losing credibility.’

Nick Witney - Senior Policy Fellow, European Council on Foreign Relations