European Security and Defense Policy: Between»Offensive Defense« and»Human Security« STEFANIE FLECHTNER O n July 30 the European Union started its second largest military op­eration so far. In the Democratic Republic of Congo( drc ) 2,000 eu troops are to help the United Nations to maintain order and security dur­ing and after the first democratic elections in Congo since the country’s independence. The drc mission is another strong signal demonstrating the eu ’s growing commitment to matters of international security. The European Security and Defense Policy( esdp ) is already being imple­mented on three continents and there are a total of 11 esdp operations currently under way, involving around 9,000 soldiers and approximately 1,000 policemen and civilian experts. 1 Compared to the large-scale operations of nato and the un , these numbers may not seem all that impressive. 2 However, considering that the creation of a common European defense and security policy started only with the creation of the esdp in 1999, and that its first mission dates from merely three years ago, the extent and scope of the eu ’s commitment are remarkable. Furthermore esdp is one of the few areas of the European integration project that continues to grow. The creation of European Battlegroups and a European Gendarmerie force, the founding of the European Defense Agency and the creation of a civilian-military cell op­erating under the auspices of the eu Council are just some of the projects being currently implemented in connection with esdp . Even in the face of failed referenda and a general sentiment of crisis concerning the future of the eu , in terms of security policy Europe continues to advance. 1. Data based on the official information of the European Council at http:// www.consilium.europa.eu/uedocs/cmsUpload/ esd Poperations.jpg(last accessed: 25.08.2006). 2. The nato missions in Afghanistan( isaf ) and Kosovo( kfor ) alone – with 9,000 and 17,500 soldiers respectively – involve more forces than all eu operations put to­gether(http://www.nato.int). The un ’s 15 current peace missions involve almost 90,000 persons, including over 72,000 soldiers(http://www.un.org/depts/dpko/ dpko/bnote.htm). ipg 4/2006 Flechtner, European Security and Defense Policy 157