European security after World War II was provided by the foundation of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in 1949. This transatlantic military alliance was framed on the global structure of the Cold War. After the demise of the Soviet Union, an ongoing process of redefining NATO ‘s environment and tasks began. Threats have changed, as have strategy perceptions. Also NATO is no longer the only supplier of security cooperatioon, as the EU seeks a bigger role in the field and even the private sector seems to have discovered this market. The first set of links listed below are for the EU and NATO web sites, undoubtedly the best places to start any research regarding security cooperation in the post-Cold War world. Next to that, you will find links to several former and current missions of both NATO as well as the EU. Under the denominator ‘other links' you will find links to the authors webpages, to relevant research institutes, databases, and to some private companies in the field.

Homepage of the author: Jeffrey Simon

Homepage of the author: Sean Kay


NATO AND THE EU

The official NATO website
The official site of NATO

NURC
One of three research and technology organisations in NATO, NURC conducts world class maritime research in support of NATO's operational and transformation requirements

ESDP
European Defence and Security Policy news

European Security Strategy
Official document pointing out Europe´s strategy for security

European Battlegroups
Battlegroup factsheet february 2007

European Defence Agency
EU organization dealing with defence


MISSIONS

Operation Delberate Force
NATO mission Bosnia

Stabilisation Force (SFOR)
NATO mission Bosnia and Herzegovina

EUFOR - ALTHEA
EU mission Bosnia and Herzegovina

EU missions
All EU missions

ISAF
NATO mission Afghanistan

NATO and Iraq
NATO's role in the Iraq War

NATO and Sudan
NATO's role in Sudan (Darfur)


RESEARCH CENTERS

The international relations and security nework
The site aims at an exchange of information among international relations and security professionals worldwide. The popularity of the website has made it into a comprehensive overview of what is going on in the field of defense and security. Check out the

EU Institute for Security Studies (EUISS)
This organisation was created by the European Council in 2001, but is an autonomous agency. It deals with the EU Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP). As stated on their website, their aim is to help create a common European security culture, to enri

The terrorism research center
This is an independent institute providing information on issues of low-intensity political violence and gray-area phenomena. It states to represents a new generation of terrorism and security analysis, combining expertise with technology. Next to factual

The Terrorism Knowledge base
The TKB is by many scholars viewed as one of the leading databases on terrorist groups and attacks. It is very useful, but be cautious with the categorization, which does not always seem to be accurate

The British American Security Information Council
This is an independent analysis and advocacy organization doing research in the field of defense, (dis)armament, military strategy and nuclear policies. Its website focuses mainly on proliferation of WMD and the transatlantic security relation

Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS)
This center aims at the provision of strategic insights and practical policy solutions to decisionmakers. Its research reports focus on defence and security policy, global challenges and regional transformation


OTHER LINKS

NATO news
Database that compiles information regarding NATO from news sources around the world

Partnership for Peace (PfP) Consortium of Defense Academies and Security Studies Institutes
This is a voluntary association of institutes of higher learning in defense and security affairs. The mission of PfPC is to strengthen defense and military education through enhanced national and institutional cooperation

The official OSCE website
The OSCE is the world's largest regional security organization whose 56 participating States span the geographical area from Vancouver to Vladivostok

The Parallel History Project on Cooperative Security
This site provides new scholarly perspectives on contemporary international history by collecting, publishing, and interpreting formerly secret governmental documents. In response to the declassification of NATO records and the growing availability of doc


PRIVATE MILITARY COMPANY

MPRI
MPRI is a training, simulation and government services company of highly skilled and experienced military, law enforcement, diplomatic and private sector leaders with uncompromising professionalism who apply integrity, innovative ideas and integrated solu

Sandline
Sandline International is a Private Military Company (PMC) which specialises in problem resolution and the provision of associated consulting services