Course Objectives

By the end of this course, students will be able to:

1. Understand the foundational concepts and frameworks of the EU's Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) and their relevance in addressing contemporary security challenges.
2. Analyze the EU's strategic assets, interests, and vulnerabilities in the context of regional and global dynamics.
3. Evaluate the asymmetrical risks and threats facing the EU, including the roles of Russia, China, and the USA, and their impact on the EU's security policy.
4. Explore the limits and potential of EU-NATO partnerships and enlargement processes in strengthening regional and global stability.
5. Critically analyze how external actors and events, such as the war in Ukraine, the Arab Spring, and US-China competition, shape EU security strategies.
6. Develop a nuanced understanding of EU’s position in global affairs as a potential "third way" between major powers.