Publication

This brief examines the EU's Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) and its approach to controlling conflict in its neighborhood. The authors contend that in general, the EU has decided to leave the task of dealing with conflict to others, such as the UN and the African Union (AU), something which has not only undermined Europe's influence in the world but also increased the burdens carried by other organizations such as the UN and the AU. They then argue that unless the Union decides to bear the cost of military operations to control conflicts in its southern neighborhood, it should expect the refugee crisis along its southern border to continue.