by

What was the Western Union (1948-1954)?

Introduction The Western Union (WU), also referred to as the Brussels Treaty Organisation (BTO), was the European military alliance established between France, the United Kingdom (UK) and the three Benelux countries in September 1948 in order to implement the Treaty of Brussels signed in March the same year. Under this treaty the signatories, referred to… Read More

by

Outlining the EU’s Common Security and Defence Policy

Introduction The Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) is the European Union’s (EU) course of action in the fields of defence and crisis management, and a main component of the EU’s Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP). The CSDP involves the deployment of military or civilian missions to preserve peace, prevent conflict and strengthen international… Read More

by

What was the European Rapid Operational Force?

Introduction The European Rapid Operational Force (EUROFOR) was a multinational rapid reaction force composed of forces from four states of the European Union: Italy, France, Portugal, and Spain. It had a permanent staff capable of commanding operations, involving commitments of up to a Light Division in size. Eurofor was formed in May 1995 in Lisbon,… Read More

by

What was the Western European Union?

Introduction The Western European Union (WEU; French: Union de l’Europe occidentale, UEO; German: Westeuropäische Union, WEU) was the international organisation and military alliance that succeeded the Western Union (WU) after the 1954 amendment of the 1948 Treaty of Brussels. The WEU implemented the Modified Brussels Treaty. During the Cold War, the Western Bloc included the… Read More