As part of a new series in a joint ISIS Europe and DCAF project, "Communicate, Coordinate and Cooperate: the A-Z of Cohering EU Crisis Management in the post-Lisbon Era", this first paper highlights some major operational challenges that hinder Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) mission planners and field personnel from effectively implementing security sector reform (SSR) missions. Member States have launched thirteen [1] SSR missions without mustering the political will to supply sufficient adequately-trained personnel, money and equipment.

Member States must decide on whether or not they want the EU to become a viable international actor in the field of SSR. If so, they must clearly prioritise future CSDP missions in order not to waste scarce resources through mere flag raising exercises. Therefore, and in addition to addressing the operational needs mentioned above, the EU needs to agree on an SSR strategy in the EAS which would clarify the concrete criteria for intervention as well as objectives to be achieved in the framework of SSR-related CSDP missions.

 [1]  EUPM Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), EUPOL Proxima (succeeded by EUPAT fYR Macedonia), EUJUST Themis, EUPOL Kinshasa, EUSEC DRC, EUJUST LEX Iraq, EUBAM Rafah, EUPOL COPPS (Palestine), EUPOL DRC, EUPOL Afghanistan, EUSSR Guinea-Bissau, EULEX Kosovo and EUTM Somalia. More information, see www.csdpmap.eu  EULEX Kosovo will, however, not be dealt with in the paper, as it not representative of CSDP SSR missions due to its size and mandate � it has executive powers whereas all the other missions have non-executive mandates.

This article assesses the state of play of internationally-led police reform efforts in Afghanistan, with a focus on the European Union Police Mission (EUPOL). Multiple interviews with researchers and officials have been conducted to get an up-to-date 'snapshot' of the EU's and NATO's respective roles in the police reform process. Based on these interviews and recent analysis of EUPOL, the author takes the line that in order for police reform efforts in Afghanistan to be sustainable, they must be focused on the civilian aspects of the police and on creating a functioning interface between the police and the judiciary. The article highlights the major challenges for establishing effective and sustainable civilian policing arrangements in Afghanistan and concludes with direction for further action for the EU with a view towards increasing the sustainability of EUPOL.

Our updated CSDP and EU mission chart for April 2011.

Our regular update of CSDP and EU missions. We compile much of our research from first-hand sources, giving a unique perspective and update on the EU's CSDP activities. There are currently 13 active CSDP and EU missions in operation (giving a total of five in the Balkans, Caucasus and Eastern Europe; three in the Middle East; one in Central Asia; four in Africa). The last page contains a visual chart of the missions. For previous commentary on missions, see http://www.isis-europe.org/index.php?page=responding. A compilation of the chronological updates of each mission is available from the interactive chart at http://csdpmap.eu/mission-chart

Our updated CSDP and EU mission chart for April 2011.

Our regular update of CSDP and EU missions. We compile much of our research from first-hand sources, giving a unique perspective and update on the EU's CSDP activities. There are currently 13 active CSDP and EU missions in operation (giving a total of five in the Balkans, Caucasus and Eastern Europe; three in the Middle East; one in Central Asia; four in Africa). The last page contains a visual chart of the missions. For previous commentary on missions, see http://www.isis-europe.org/index.php?page=responding. A compilation of the chronological updates of each mission is available from the interactive chart at http://csdpmap.eu/mission-chart.

Our series of Briefing Notes aim to summarise and bring attention to important issues in Common Security Defence Policy (CSDP) and associated dimensions that often escape the mainstream analysis in Brussels. They are a quicker 2-page supplement to our usual article analysis under the European Security Review. This briefing is linked to the CSDP Mission Analysis Partnership www.csdpmap.eu which provides the comprehensive location for all analysis on CSDP.

A compilation of statements and actions taken to date (in reverse chronological order) by the EU and NATO, in keeping with our mandate to increase transparency of EU and NATO policy-making. Originally posted 3 March 2011, updated 25 March 2011.

Interview with Giji Gya, Executive Director of the International Security Information Service Europe (ISIS Europe), Brussels and Associate Fellow at the Fundación para las Relaciones Internacionales y el Diálogo Exterior (FRIDE), Madrid, for www.euroxpress.es. 

Our updated CSDP and EU mission chart for February 2011.

Our regular update of CSDP and EU missions. We compile much of our research from first-hand sources, giving a unique perspective and update on the EU’s CSDP activities. There are currently 14 active CSDP and EU missions in operation (giving a total of six in the Balkans, Caucasus and Eastern Europe; three in the Middle East; one in Central Asia; four in Africa). The last page contains a visual chart of the missions. For previous commentary on missions, see http://www.isis-europe.org/index.php?page=responding. A compilation of the chronological updates of each mission is available from the interactive chart at http://csdpmap.eu/mission-chart.

Taking into account the state of play of the European External Action Service (EAS), this article presents an overview of crises where action by the EU in the framework of its crisis management policies (CSDP and IfS) is conceivable. The aim is to present the ‘hotspots’ where the reconfiguration of an existing CSDP mission or the initiation of a new one is: a) likely from a political decision making point of view – taking into account that action under CSDP demands a unanimous decision by EU Member States in the Council of the EU – and b) likely to contribute to conflict resolution and/or peacebuilding. In addition, the Sahel region, Egypt and Tunisia are included, as they might become test beds for EU crisis response under the new EAS.

Our updated CSDP and EU mission chart for November 2010.

Our regular update of CSDP and EU missions. We compile much of our research from first-hand sources, giving a unique perspective and update on the EU’s CSDP activities. There are currently 14 active CSDP and EU missions in operation (giving a total of six in the Balkans, Caucasus and Eastern Europe; three in the Middle East; one in Central Asia; four in Africa). The last page contains a visual chart of the missions. 

Our updated CSDP and EU mission chart of November 2010.

This article assesses the EU’s role in security sector reform (SSR) in Guinea-Bissau with a special focus on its CSDP mission ‘EU SSR Guinea-Bissau’ which was terminated on 30 September 2010. The decision by Member States not to extend the mission beyond this date will be evaluated in light of a number of political challenges both in Brussels and Guinea-Bissau. Based on this analysis, lessons will be identified as to how and under what conditions the EU might successfully deploy and operate a CSDP mission to support SSR in a partner country – and under which conditions it should abstain from doing so. Finally, recommendation for future EU engagement in the field of SSR in the Guinea-Bissau will be presented.

On 20 September 2010, ISIS Europe and DCAF organised a roundtable with the aim of discussing EU’s policies and action in the CSDP and crisis management framework, with a particular focus on the role of the EU External Action Service (EAS) in the post-Lisbon Treaty institutional equation. The Roundtable brought together some 60 participants from the EU and UN structures, NATO staff, national representations and think-tanks. The event served as a platform for assessing the appropriate EU crisis response in a transformational environment where factors such as the European External Action Service (EAS), the Political and Security Committee (PSC), Security Sector Reform (SSR) and humanitarian aid  make a difference.

Our regular update of CSDP and EU missions. We compile much of our research from first-hand sources, giving a unique perspective and update on the EU’s CSDP activities. There are currently 14 active CSDP and EU missions in operation after the termination of EUSSR Guinea-Bissau at the end of September (giving a total of six in the Balkans, Caucasus and Eastern Europe; three in the Middle East; one in Central Asia; four in 

Africa). The last page contains a visual chart of the missions. For previous commentary on missions, see http://www.isis-europe.org/index.php?page=responding. A compilation of the chronological updates of each mission is available from the interactive chart at http://www.csdpmap.eu/mission-chart.

Our updated CSDP and EU mission chart of September 2010.

The Security and Defence Agenda (SDA)’s recent Security Jam drew interest internationally and generated a number of useful and practical recommendations. This author contributed to two of the debates, both of which highlight the overdue attention to the issue of civilian contributions to crisis management. The EU has a well-developed experience and conceptualisation of the role of civilians in crisis management. NATO, the transatlantic alliance more noted for its military might, is considering how to effect the comprehensive approach given the civilian lacuna in its structure. This short article will bring these two strands together to examine and further develop the recommendations for a European Security Academy and civilian structures for NATO.

Final Thematic and Case-Study Report of Multipart Work Package 4a on Multi-stakeholder Security Partnerships in Post-conflict Reconstruction.

Our regular update of CSDP and EU missions. We compile much of our research from first-hand sources, giving a unique perspective and update on the EU’s CSDP activities. There are currently 15 active CSDP and EU missions in operation (giving a total of six in the Balkans, Caucasus and Eastern Europe; three in the Middle East; one in Central Asia; five in Africa). ISIS updates its CSDP and EU mission chart regularly as part of the CSDP Mission Analysis Partnership which has been translated to a webportal, collating research on CSDP from 21 partner organisations located throughout Europe.