Austrian Security Strategy: Need For Reformulation Due To Security Developments
Abstract
In this professional studies paper (PSP), I briefly describe the Austrian Security Strategy (ASS) - including an excursus on the European Security Strategy 2015-2020 - the current security situation in Austria and the European Union (EU), and the parliamentary debate in 2011 and 2013. I have also analyzed the opinions of various security institutes and articles in renowned Austrian magazines with respect to this debate. The PSP concludes with twelve recommendations and a summary. In 2011, the federal government approved the ASS and forwarded it to the Parliament. A reformulation was necessary due to the changed security environment in the past decade. It took two years from submission to decision-making before approval in Parliament in 2013. During this period a referendum on the military system (conscripts versus volunteer armed forces) in Austria was conducted. Austrian voters decided by a majority in favor of maintaining compulsory military service. The decision of the ASS was controversial and was hotly debated in Parliament before adoption. However, the implementation of the ASS and the realignment of the Austrian armed forces cannot go on due to budgetary restraints. Early warning systems failed to register the wave of migration from Africa and the Middle East, and reality has overtaken the security strategy. The terrorist attacks in Paris and the sexual assaults on women throughout the continent have demonstrated the vulnerability of European society. The Paris-attacks were just the beginning.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 14, 2016
- Accession Number
- AD1037257
Entities
People
- Gerfried R Promberger
Organizations
- Air War College