EU Crisis Management After Lisbon

This book analyzes the approach of the European Union (EU) to crisis management after the entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty and assesses its suitability for addressing current and future security threats. It primarily provides a framework of analysis with which to interpret current EU crisis management as both a product of the innovations of the Lisbon Treaty and its interaction with the international security environment. It also offers a comprehensive and in-depth examination of the post-Lisbon crisis management system in terms of concepts, structures, process and capabilities.

A reality check of this system is conducted by analysing a number of case studies in which the EU recently carried out a crisis management role: the civilian missions EUCAP Sahel Niger, EUCAP Nestor and EUAVSEC South Sudan, and the military operation EUTM Mali. This analysis sheds light on the modalities selected by the EU for intervening in crisis situations, the impact that its interventions have produced and the lessons that the EU has learnt from these experiences.

The author points out the structural strengths and weaknesses in the EU’s approach to and implementation of crisis management, and shows how they impact on the EU’s ability to cope with future crises. This book fills a gap in the existing literature and at the same time provides decision-makers with policy recommendations for improving the EU’s performance in this field.


‘As crisis upon crisis breaks out on Europe's doorstep and the United States show ever more restraint in dealing with Europe's security problems, Nicoletta Pirozzi explains how the Lisbon Treaty equips the EU itself to become better at crisis management. This book could hardly be more timely’
Prof. Dr. Sven Biscop, Egmont – Royal Institute for International Relations and Ghent University

‘This is an important piece of research on the theory and practice of ‘crisis management’ as carried out by the European Union. The book constitutes a significant contribution to understanding the doctrine, the institutions and the actual policies that underpin the Union’s external action. Its comprehensive and forward-looking approach ensures that both scholars and practitioners will find it an indispensable tool to rely upon in the future.’
Dr. Antonio Missiroli, Director of the European Union Institute for Security Studies

‘This insightful book gives a full account of what has changed in the EU structures and operations devoted to crisis management since the entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty. The excellent overview and analysis of current challenges and dynamics will be useful for setting the pattern for future EU engagements, in that they point out the key policy and institutional implications for national and European decision-makers.’
Maciej Popowski, Deputy Secretary General of the European External Action Service

'This volume by Nicoletta Pirozzi offers an accurate and interesting overview of the broad range of military and civilian instruments available to the EU to address the security challenges of the 21st century. The author explores, in an innovative way and with several references to recent operations, what kind of approaches the EU has elaborated through the Lisbon Treaty in the field of crisis management. This book is an essential tool for those interested in getting more acquainted with the complexity of the EU as a major actor in the international arena.'
Prof. Andrea de Guttry, Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna (Pisa)

‘Pirozzi’s contribution [to the discussion] represents a valuable blueprint for learning from past experience and addressing Europe’s enduring weaknesses. Hopefully the forthcoming strategic revision of the ESS will take the guidelines set forth in this book into serious account.’
Andrea Locatelli in 51 The International Spectator (2016), 128