This article does not question whether the EU has a strategic culture, but rather asks how one can investigate its nature. It creates and utilizes an analytical framework to demonstrate that the European Union's strategic culture is based on an extended concept of security and on a comprehensive, multilateral and internationally legitimated approach to threats, implying the use of military and civilian instruments in an integrated manner on over 20 common security and defence policy (CSDP) operations. It suggests that the analytical framework can also act as a stable reference point to compare and contrast the strategic cultures of a range of actors.

The new Global Strategy should provide the overall direction for the European Union's foreign and security policy in a world of multiple and complex challenges and threats. A stronger Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) is indispensable for a secure Europe and necessary to underpin the EU's role as a security provider. However, without credible armed forces the EU will remain a paper tiger. A European Defence White Book has to translate the Global Strategy into CSDP ambition levels, military objectives and capability needs. It should also define a new process as to how to deliver these. Voluntarism and free riding has to be replaced by political peer pressure, assessment and the accountability of the member states' efforts to improve required capabilities for solving Europe's shortfalls. All financial incentives should be used, including those offered by the Union budget to support the development of dual-use capacities in areas like communications, intelligence, reconnaissance and protection.

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