In the face of increasing international risks and challenges, EU policies will need to rely more than ever on adequate and timely situational awareness. In view of Article 4(2) Treaty on European Union (TEU), voluntary contributions of Member States’ intelligence and security services channelled via the EU Intelligence Analysis and Situation Centre (EU INTCEN) and the Intelligence Directorate of the European Military Staff (EUMS.INT) will remain essential for the viability of EU decision-making. Furthermore, inputs from the EU satellite programmes, open source and social media exploitation, EU delegation reporting and Commission expertise will have to be added to that process in a more efficient, structured and timely way. Situational awareness has to be supported and protected by a resilient, secure and performant Information Technology (IT) – and command, control and communication (C3)-infrastructure connecting EU institutions, bodies and Member States, and keeping information safe. These are key components in increasingly embedding strategic foresight in EU policy-making and strengthening Europe’s autonomy.
European Foreign Affairs Review