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.

Autorentext
Prof. Ryszard Ziba 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. 

Inhalt
Introduction1. The Subject of the Euro-Atlantic Security System2. The Neorealist Research Perspective3. The Structure of the BookPart I: Background2 The Euro-Atlantic Security System in the 1990s1. The Genesis of a New System1.1. The Fall of Real Socialism and Political Transformation in East Bloc Countries1.2. Dismantling of the Eastern Bloc1.3. The Breakup of the USSR and the Emergence of the Commonwealth of Independent States1.4. The Unification of Germany1.5. Accelerating European Integration1.6. From Military Confrontation to Arms Control1.7. The Beginning of NATO's Transformation2. The Structure of the System2.1. Participating States2.2. International Institutions2.3. Intersystem Ties3. The System's Functioning and Evolution3 Changing Challenges and Threats for Euro-Atlantic Security in the 21st Century1. Understanding the Challenges and Threats for International Security1.1. Threats1.2. Challenges2. The Reconfiguration of the International Order3. Terrorism4. Military Threats4.1. Nuclear Weapons and the Threat of Proliferation4.2. Conventional Weapons4.3. Military Spending5. Other Threats and Challenges5.1. Cyber Threats5.2. Economic and Energy Threats5.3. Environmental Threats5.4. Migration Challenges4 The Security Concepts of Participants in the Euro-Atlantic Security System1. Identification of Threats and Challenges1.1. Terrorism as a Main Threat1.2. Changing Perceptions of Challenges and Threats2. Security Policy Aims, Means, and Methods3. Similarities and Differences between Security Concepts in the Light of International Relations TheoryPart II: The Functioning of the System: From Cooperation to Crisis5 The Failure to Eliminate Terrorism1. The American War on Terror2. The Actions of the European Union with Respect to Combating Terrorism3. Cooperation between the EU and the USA4. NATO's Cooperation with Russia6 The West's Dominance and Expansion and Russia's Response1. The Promotion of Democracy by the West1.1. The Western Balkans1.2. The Countries of the Former Soviet Union2. Further NATO Expansion3. Strengthening NATO's Eastern Flank7 The European Union in Crisis1. Problems with the Treaty Establishing a Constitution for Europe2. New Regulations in the Treaty of Lisbon3. Stagnation of the CSDP3.1. The United Kingdom's Growing Euro-skepticism3.2. The Impact of the 2008 Financial Crisis on the CSDP3.2.1. Cuts in Military Budgets3.2.2. Limitations on Crisis Reaction Operations4. Attempts to Revive the CSDP4.1. The Idea of Creating a European Army4.2. The Issue of the EU General Headquarters4.3. New Efforts to Strengthen the CSDP5. The Migration Crisis6. Threats to the EU as an Integration Project8 The Marginalization of the OSCE1. The Achievements of the CSCE in Previous Years2. The Declining Importance of the OSCE3. Attempts to Revive the OSCEPart III: Consequences and Prospects9 The Ukraine Crisis and Its Implications for the Euro-Atlantic Security System1. Two Aspects of the Ukraine Crisis1.1. The Internal Crisis1.2. The International Crisis2. The Outbreak of the Crisis3. The Motives of the Parties Involved3.1. The West's Motives3.2. Russia's Motives3.3. Third-Party Assessments4. The Consequences of the Crisis for the Eur...