EU Rising? Defence, Ukraine & Populism

🇪🇺 Is Europe finally rising as a defence power?
As the war in Ukraine grinds on and populist politics reshape Europe, the EU faces a historic test: defend the continent, support Kyiv, and hold the line against Moscow — while staying united.
In this episode, Dr John Bruni speaks with EU analyst Piotr Maciej Kaczyński on Europe's defence transformation, Poland’s upcoming EU Presidency, and the populist forces reshaping Europe's future. 🔍⚔️

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Clarifications

The Austrian Empire (1804-1867), ruled by the Habsburg dynasty, evolved from the Holy Roman Empire (800-1806), where the Habsburg family dominated politics, providing almost every emperor from 1438 to 1806. In 1867, the Austrian Empire evolved into the Austro-Hungarian Empire as a direct consequence of Hungarian nationalist agitation. The Austro-Hungarian Empire came to an end at the conclusion of World War I in 1918. Overall, the Austrian/Austro-Hungarian Empire lasted 114 years.

The USSR came into being in 1922 and lasted until 1991, that’s 69 years in total.

Yugoslavia, as with the Austrian Empire, had two phases. There was the Kingdom of Yugoslavia (1918-1941) that emerged out of the collapse of the Austrian Empire. It lasted 22 years. After a period of time under NAZI occupation (1941-1945), the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (modern Yugoslavia) was founded after World War II. Ruled by dictator Josip Broz Tito (Yugoslav leader from 1945 to 1980), Yugoslavia lasted till 1991. This phase of Yugoslavia lasted 46 years. In total, Yugoslavia, since its emergence, lasted 68 years.

In comparison, the European Economic Community (EEC) was founded through the Treaty of Rome in 1957, coming into existence the following year in 1958. It evolved into the European Union (EU) in 1993, after the Maastricht Treaty. The UK left the EU in 2016. At present, the European project for economic, currency and political integration has lasted 67 years.

Note: Josef Stalin, Soviet dictator during World War II, did not fight a two-front war because the bulk of the Soviet population lay west of the Ural mountain range, with much of it either threatened or occupied by NAZI forces. The vast expanse of Siberia was largely inhospitable and poorly serviced by transport routes stretching from the developed and most populous parts of the USSR. Therefore, there was no way the Soviets could conduct a sustained two-front war during World War II. For the Soviets, until the NAZI threat was defeated, they could not risk transporting large parts of the Soviet Army to confront the Japanese. This calculus changed upon Germany’s surrender in mid-1945.

SHOW NOTES:

Connect with Piotr

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pkaczyn/

OpEds

“What to expect from Poland’s EU Council presidency in 2025” — by Real Instituto Elcano, 27/01/2025

“Europe after the elections: the centre holds out, but for how long?” — by Real Instituto Elcano, 20/11/2024

“Poland’s shifting positions on the future of the European Union: deepening and widening?” — by Casimir Pulaski Foundation, 30/10/2024

Books

The Ever‑Changing Union: An Introduction to the History, Institutions and Decision‑Making Processes of the European Union (2nd fully revised edition, ~2011) — co-authored.

Upgrading the EU’s Role as Global Actor: Institutions, Law and the Restructuring of European Diplomacy (~2011) — contribution among multiple authors.

Polish Council Presidency 2011: Ambitions and Limitations (~2011) — listed as one of his major works.

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