A Critical Analysis of the EU’s Response to the Arab Spring and its Implications for EU Security

Abstract

This paper aims at critically analyzing the European Union (EU)’s response to the so-called Arab Spring, focusing on the security dimension. The tumultuous events that have been taken place in the Southern Mediterranean since late 2010 were perceived in the EU as a serious security challenge to its foreign and neighbourhood policies. Recognizing the shortcomings of both the European Neighbouring Policy and the Union for the Mediterranean in contributing to peace and security in the region, the EU has adopted several measures –including a review of the European Neighbourhood Policy –acknowledging the need to offer more benefits tothe EU’s southern neighbours, and support the processes of political, economic and social transformation in the region. However, the EU’s response to the events is often portraitin a seemingly erratic fashion, suggesting that the Union has to adopt a more coherent and pragmatic approach towards the region in order to assure peace and stability at its borders: the ultimate goal of its foreign and neighbourhood policies. In order to tackle these issues the paper uses a critical constructivist framework of analysis, focusing on discourses and practices, that enables a broader mapping and understanding of the EU’s response to the Arab Spring. To do so, the paper starts by presenting the critical constructivist approach that frames the research. Secondly, it provides an overview of the EU’s frameworks for relations with countries in the region prior to the Arab Spring. Thirdly, it explores the (perceived) impact of these events on EU security and critically analyses the EU’s overall response to the events and itscontribution to assure peace and stability at its borders. The paper finishes with some conclusions regarding the discussed topic.