EDITORIAL - EUROPEAN UNION SECURITY GOVERNANCE: FROM INTEGRATION TO STRATEGIC AUTONOMY

Authors

  • TIAGO LUÍS CARVALHO
  • PEDRO COSTA

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.26619/1647-7251.DT03226.ED

Abstract

All traditional concepts are being rendered obsolete by a rapidly changing reality, one that is sufficiently complex to preclude any confident discernment of emerging trends (Moreira, 2014). The European Union (EU) is an intricate project: each step forward has depended on a delicate equilibrium. Its success has often been portrayed as a “miracle” (Jones, 2003)—one underpinned by an international security architecture that now hangs in the balance. As confidence in the American security umbrella wavers, EU leaders are pressing for more tangible and autonomous capabilities, particularly in the security domain. “This must be Europe’s Independence Moment,” declared von der Leyen in 2025. Achieving greater resilience will require European countries to set aside differences and take bold steps towards a unified front, as shown possible by the collective support for Ukraine’s defence.

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Author Biographies

TIAGO LUÍS CARVALHO

is a Professor of International Relations and Common Security and Defence Policy at the Portuguese Air Force Academy (Portugal). He holds a PhD in International Relations and a postgraduate diploma in European Union (EU) Law. He is a researcher at the Orient Institute, School of Social and Political Sciences, University of Lisbon (Portugal). He is also a researcher at the Portuguese Air Force Academy Research Centre, Military University Institute (Portugal). His work focuses on the intersection of geopolitics and political economy, with particular emphasis on the geoeconomic dimension of EU-China relations. His publications address themes ranging from China’s internationalisation strategies to the EU’s struggle to balance liberalism with economic security. Tiago published the only Portuguese-language book dedicated to the concept of economic security: Portuguese Economic Security: The Case of Chinese Investment in the Power Sector (2024, translated title). ORCID: 0000-0003-3486-9794

PEDRO COSTA

is a Professor at the Portuguese Air Force Academy and at ISCTE–IUL, University Institute of Lisbon, Portugal. He holds a PhD in Information Science and Technology and a postgraduate diploma in Applied Informatics in Organizations. He is also a researcher at the Portuguese Air Force Academy Research Centre, Military University Institute (Portugal). His academic and professional work focuses on information science technologies, with several publications. ORCID: 0000-0001-5105-3143

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Published

2026-03-31

Issue

Vol. 16 No. N2, TD4 (2026): Thematic Dossier - European Union Security Governance: from Integration to Strategic Autonomy

Section

EDITORIAL