Richard ROSE, European Security: From Ukraine to Washington
Rose, Richard. European Security: From Ukraine to Washington. New York: Bloomsbury Publishing, 2025. ISBN 9781350471320
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1Richard Rose’s European Security: From Ukraine to Washington offers a concise and accessible account of the evolution of European security—and insecurity—from the aftermath of the Second World War to the present-day war in Ukraine. As Professor of Public Policy at the University of Strathclyde and with a distinguished career in political science, Rose draws on decades of research into British foreign policy, the European Union, Russia, and the American presidency. His expertise lends weight to this timely analysis of how past decisions continue to shape Europe’s security landscape—and what may lie ahead once the fighting in Ukraine ends.
2Although written prior to the 2024 US presidential election and Donald Trump’s second inauguration, the book remains relevant. Central to Rose’s argumentation is the institutional architecture of European security and its enduring legacies, focusing on how the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and the European Union (EU) came about and how they evolved to safeguard military security and economic security accordingly. While this architecture has contributed to prosperity on the continent, Rose argues that key decisions on European security are today taken in Moscow, Kyiv and Washington, rather than Brussels.
3The book is structured into three parts. The first, Building a Cold Peace, outlines the post-1945 division of Europe and efforts to prevent a third world war. A focal point is how the end of Second World War left the two superpowers with military dominance over Europe, setting the stage for the Cold War and the institutional responses that followed. Rose focuses on the formation of NATO, and the early institutional roots of what would become the European Union, outlining the goals of the Americans—focused on deterrence—and Europeans, who sought military security and to move beyond nationalist economic policies. Notably, he revisits the ambition and eventual failure of the European Defence Community, arguing that its collapse left Europe reliant on US military leadership—a dependency that persists today.
4The second part, Security Boundaries Change, explores the post-Cold War transformation of Europe, beginning with Gorbachev’s reforms and the collapse of the Soviet Union. Rose points to how this upheaval allowed Eastern European countries to rejoin a redefined Europe, while also highlighting the growing economic, cultural, and political diversity within the enlarged EU. He describes how the EU has strengthened its institutions but also exposed persistent challenges, such as the democratic deficit and the lack of a unified military force. The discussion of the U.S. pivot to Asia is particularly timely, illustrating how shifting global priorities and demographics, and the rise of new powers like China shape American commitment to European security.
5In the final part, Security Heats Up, Rose turns to the present, focusing on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. One chapter is devoted to Vladimir Putin’s backward-looking worldview, while another frames the war as a proxy conflict for the future of European security. Rose underscores the varied responses among European governments and their persistent reliance on US leadership. The final chapters look ahead, raising questions about the future of European security and the role of the United States, including the path ahead for Britain, which—now outside the EU—struggles to maintain its less special relationship with Washington and to find its role in an insecure world.
6A key strength of Rose’s analysis is his outline of credible challenges Europe will face once the war in Ukraine ends. Regardless of the outcome of the war, Rose argues that Russia will remain a long-term threat to European security, and that the reconstruction of Ukraine will impose financial and political burdens far beyond its own capacity. Europe, he suggests, will be left to foot the bill, given that substantial US contributions are highly unlikely. Rose also highlights the EU’s institutional fragility in absorbing new members like Ukraine and Moldova, noting that enlargement will require significant reform and consensus among 27 governments—a historically slow and contentious process.
7Moreover, Rose underscores the erosion of bipartisan US commitment to NATO, especially under unilateralist leadership, and the growing urgency for Europe to develop a credible security framework independent of American guarantees. Yet, as he points out, many European governments have only just begun to increase their military capabilities, and some remain reluctant, leaving NATO’s Article 5 as the only viable deterrent against Russian aggression—a deterrent that can no longer be taken for granted. Through this layered and sober assessment, Rose makes clear that the end of the war will not mark the end of Europe’s security dilemma, but rather the beginning of a new and uncertain chapter.
8Rose’s ability to synthesize complex developments without overwhelming the reader is a central strength. His clear prose and structured approach make the book especially suitable for undergraduates, policymakers, and practitioners seeking a broad overview of European security dynamics. This aligns with the author’s stated aim: to write for a wider audience than academic specialists, prioritizing clarity over technical jargon and citations.
9At the time of writing, Russia continues to exert military pressure on Ukraine, including drone and aircraft incursions into NATO airspace in Estonia and Poland. These developments underscore the urgency of the questions Rose raises—particularly regarding EU reform, the strategic posture of European allies, and their willingness to substantiate collective security commitments. Many appear to be biding their time while attempting to placate a second Trump administration, further complicating the transatlantic security equation.
10While the book succeeds in providing a lucid and timely synthesis of European security developments, its contribution to the academic discipline is primarily summative rather than innovative. The absence of a defined theoretical framework or engagement with current scholarly debates limits the analytical depth and originality that more advanced readers might expect. Rose largely relies on established narratives and sources, offering few new empirical insights. That said, this is a deliberate choice: the book is designed to inform a broad readership, not to intervene in academic discourse. Its value lies in its ability to contextualize and communicate complex developments in a digestible format, making it a useful resource for orientation within the field, particularly for those new to the subject.
11Moreover, while the book focuses on military and economic security, it pays limited attention to pressing challenges such as cyber vulnerabilities, climate change, and hybrid threats below the threshold of war—areas increasingly emphasized by NATO and the EU through a whole-of-society approach. The book is richer in its treatment of European integration than in its analysis of NATO’s internal dynamics, which remain largely aligned with U.S. interests. A deeper exploration of Europe’s future role within the alliance would have strengthened its relevance to current strategic debates.
12In sum, European Security: From Ukraine to Washington succeeds as a lucid and timely primer on the dynamics of European security. While it may not offer groundbreaking analysis or theoretical innovation, it raises important questions that will remain relevant long after the war in Ukraine ends—whether that conclusion comes through stalemate, Russian victory, or Ukrainian reclamation of lost territory. Its clarity and structure make it a valuable entry point for readers seeking to understand the shifting landscape of European security in an increasingly uncertain world.
References
Electronic reference
Jannicke Thinn Fiskvik, “Richard ROSE, European Security: From Ukraine to Washington”, International Review of Public Policy [Online], 8:1 | 2026, Online since 01 February 2026, connection on 11 April 2026. URL: http://journals.openedition.org/irpp/5923; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4000/15t8r
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