The Euro-Atlantic Security System in the 21st Century

1. Front Matter

   Pages i-x

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2. Introduction

   • Ryszard Zięba

   Pages 1-14

3. Background

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 15-15

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   2. The Euro-Atlantic Security System in the 1990s

      • Ryszard Zięba

      Pages 17-53

   3. Changing Challenges and Threats for Euro-Atlantic Security in the 21st Century

      • Ryszard Zięba

      Pages 55-85

   4. The Security Concepts of Participants in the Euro-Atlantic Security System

      • Ryszard Zięba

      Pages 87-129

4. The Functioning of the System: From Cooperation to Crisis

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 131-131

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   2. The Failure to Eliminate Terrorism

      • Ryszard Zięba

      Pages 133-151

   3. The West’s Dominance and Expansion and Russia’s Response

      • Ryszard Zięba

      Pages 153-182

   4. The European Union in Crisis

      • Ryszard Zięba

      Pages 183-212

   5. The Marginalization of the OSCE

      • Ryszard Zięba

      Pages 213-224

5. Consequences and Prospects

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 225-225

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   2. The Ukraine Crisis and Its Implications for the Euro-Atlantic Security System

      • Ryszard Zięba

      Pages 227-266

   3. Conclusions: Consequences of the Crisis of the Euro-Atlantic Security System and Prospects for Its Evolution

      • Ryszard Zięba

      Pages 267-288

This book examines the evolution of the Euro-Atlantic security system, from cooperation to rivalry and crisis, since the beginning of the 21st century. By highlighting the causes, manifestations and international consequences of this evolution, the author describes a stage of crisis in the security system, characterized by increasing rivalry for spheres of influence, militarization of policies and the suspension of cooperation due to the growing divergence between the interests of the West – now including the Central European states – and Russia, leading to a subsequent reconfiguration of the world order.


Adopting a neo-realistic approach, the author demonstrates that members of the Euro-Atlantic security system, irrespective of the values they claim to hold, are guided in their actions on the international stage by clearly defined interests. The first part of the book analyses the nature of the Euro-Atlantic security system, while the second part illustrates the limited success of Euro-Atlantic collaboration, for example in combating terrorism. Lastly, the third part discusses the consequences of the crisis, such as the conflict in Ukraine, and prospects for the future evolution of the Euro-Atlantic security system. 

• International security
• Euro-Atlantic security system
• Challenges and threats to international security
• Power rivalry
• Global international order
• Global redistribution of power

• Faculty of Political Science and International Studies, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland

  Ryszard Zięba

Prof. Ryszard Zięba is a Full Professor at the Institute of International Relations, Faculty of Political Science and International Studies, University of Warsaw, Poland. He served in the National Security Strategic Review Commission appointed by the President of the Republic of Poland and prepared expertise for the Polish Parliament, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Regional Development, National Security Bureau and for the European Commission as Jean Monnet Chair. He published 22 books and about 400 papers and articles on international security, Poland’s and other Central European states and the European Union’s foreign and security policy as well as on theory of security studies and international relations. At the University of Warsaw, he teaches the courses “International politics,” “European security,” “EU’s security and defence policy,” “Poland’s foreign policy,” “Theory of international relations,” and “Foreign Policy Analysis”. 

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