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This book examines how the changing post-Cold War order affected Poland´s security policy and particularly how the West´s weakening position and Russia´s revisionist policy reinforced the traditional view of security in Poland. It addresses the reasons why Poland, a middle power in Central Europe, adopted a bridging strategy in the early 1990s; how this strategy changed along with the redistribution of power in the international system; why, after the 2008 Georgian-Russian War, Poland took steps to support NATO consolidation, strengthen relations with the USA, and expand its own military capabilities; and how the Ukraine crisis affected Poland´s security. This overview is an invaluable resource for students of international and European studies, security studies, political science, as well as for decision-makers, politicians, EU staff, and anyone interested in international politics in Central Europe.

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Acknowledgments

Introduction

Chapter 1

Post-Cold War Determinants of Poland´s Security Policy

1. Geopolitical Location: Advantage or Curse?

2. Demographic, Social and Economic Potential

3. History and Identity in Poland´s Security Policy

4. Strategies and Concepts of Polish Security Policy

Chapter 2

´Go West´: Poland´s Security Policy in Transition

1. The Emergence of Western Dominance

2. Poland´s Role in Dismantling the Eastern Bloc

3. Poland´s Reorientation Toward the West

4. From Favoring the CSCE to NATO Membership and Rapprochement with the WEU

5. Poland´s Eastern Policy: Bridge or Bulwark?

Chapter 3

US Global Hegemony: Poland´s Security Policy in a Unipolar World Order

1. US Global Hegemony, Shoring up the EU, Russian Weakness

2. NATO as the Main Pillar of Poland´s Security

3. Strategic Partnership with the USA <

4. Poland´s Caution with Regard to the ESDI and the ESDP

5. The Diminishing Importance of the OSCE in Poland´s Security Policy

6. Growing Tensions between Poland and Russia

Chapter 4
Poland ´s Security Policy in the Emerging Multipolar World Order

1. America´s Turns to Asia, the EU Stumbles, Russia Resurges

2. Poland´s Growing Fear of Russia

3. The Quest for NATO Consolidation and Closer Polish-US Ties

4. Poland´s Growing Defense Capabilities

5. Poland and the CSDP

6. Support for Pro-Western Currents in Post-Soviet States

Chapter 5

The Ukraine Crisis: Implications for Poland´s Security

1. The Ukraine Crisis as a Clash between the West and Russia

2. Polish-Ukrainian Strategic Partnership

3. Poland´s Engagement in the Ukraine Crisis
4. The Impact of the Ukraine Crisis on Poland´s Security
4.1. Deterioration of Polish-Russian Relations

4.2. Strengthening Polish Defense Capabilities

4.3. Reinforcing NATO´s Eastern Flank

4.4. Increasing Polish-American Cooperation

Poland and Other EU Member States with Regard to the Ukraine Crisis

Conclusions

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"Justyna Zajac´s book delivers an in-depth analysis of all those determinants along with factual explanations. ... The author also highlights certain advantages for Poland arising from the Ukrainian conflict, such as the strengthening of cooperation with the US ... Zajac´s book provides a very interesting insight into Poland´s security policy from the period of post-communist transition until the present day." (Anna Antczak, Europe-Asia Studies, Vol. 70 (2), March, 2018)

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Professor Justyna Zajac teaches International Relations at the University of Warsaw. She served on the presidential commission charged with drawing up the National Security Strategic Review, which formed the basis for the White Book of National Security of the Republic of Poland (2013). She has written several books and articles on Poland´s foreign and security policy.

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