Contingency, Conflict, and Consolidation: European Security Postures in An Era of War

The domain of European security is currently undergoing a profound transformation in light of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. This invasion has undermined longstanding notions of stability on the continent, instigating renewed discussions on deterrence, defense, and the strategic outlook of the European Union, NATO, and individual states. Beyond the direct military engagement, the conflict has instigated significant global consequences, reshaping energy markets and intensifying debates around enlargement, strategic autonomy, and the resilience of liberal democracies amid rising geopolitical tensions. There’s an urgent need to scrutinize these unfolding dynamics to understand the broader shifts in the political order of Europe.

This Research Topic aims to explore European security during times of war, treating these periods both as complex realities and as catalysts for transformation within the continent's political structures. The objective is to convene pre-eminent thinkers from diverse disciplines—international relations, security studies, comparative politics, and political theory—to scrutinize how Europe is maneuvering through one of its most critical crises since the end of World War II. By focusing on "times of war" as a critical analytical framework, the research will delve into immediate wartime repercussions and the potential long-term changes stemming from this conflict.

To expand our understanding of European security in the current wartime context, we invite scholarly articles addressing topics within this realm. The scope encompasses redefined boundaries of the investigation concerning, but not limited to, the following themes:
- The transformative role of war in reshaping European security dynamics.
- Strategic shifts and transformations marking the conclusion of the post-Cold War security framework.
- Re-examining NATO's significance in light of recent geopolitical events.
- Balancing transatlantic dependence with the European Union's pursuit of strategic autonomy.
- The intersection of hybrid threats like disinformation and cyberwarfare with broader issues of democratic resilience.

We welcome contributions that are both theoretically innovative and policy-relevant and encourage comparative analyses of European states' security strategies. The research invites a critical examination of institutional adaptations within NATO and the EU, as well as reflections on normative and ethical issues raised by ongoing conflict, including humanitarian efforts and the prospects of international law. This Research Topic is geared towards fostering interdisciplinary scholarship and will captivate scholars, policymakers, and practitioners devoted to understanding the implications of war on European security and its future trajectory in the global order. Potential article types include empirical studies, theoretical analyses, and policy reviews

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Conceptual Analysis
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Conceptual Analysis
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Policy and Practice Reviews
• Policy Brief
• Registered Report
• Review
• Study Protocol
• Systematic Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: European security, NATO, EU strategic autonomy, Russia-Ukraine war, hybrid threats, geopolitical transformation

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.