A Strategic Compass for security and defence

Marc Abensour and Iwona Piórko

WE ARE facing one of the most dramatic times in decades: War is back in the European continent. Russia’s aggression against Ukraine is costing innocent lives and grossly violating international law and the principles of the UN Charter. It undermines European and global security and stability. Faced with this crisis, the European Union (EU) responded quickly and in a united manner with a series of measures. Under the European Peace Facility, for instance, the EU is supporting the capabilities and resilience of the Ukrainian Armed Forces to defend the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the country, and to protect the civilian population. 

As we see the return of war in Europe, Asia is also facing a deteriorating security environment, with a more diverse and unpredictable spectrum of threats. We see conflicts, military buildups and aggressions, and sources of instability. Hybrid threats, disinformation campaigns and cyber-attacks grow both in frequency and impact. Interdependence is increasingly conflictual and soft power weaponised: vaccines, data and technology standards are all instruments of political competition. Access to the high seas, outer space and the digital sphere is becoming increasingly contested. We are facing growing attempts at economic and energy coercion. Moreover, conflicts and instability are often compounded by the threat-multiplier effect of climate change.