Sahel and Beyond: Training in a Hot War

Episode Narrative

In the shifting landscape of global geopolitics, the years following the Cold War marked a seismic transformation for Europe. The year was 1991, a year that heralded change, not just in the East but across the entire continent. The Warsaw Pact, the formidable military alliance that had been NATO’s adversary for decades, was dismantled. Its demise laid the groundwork for a new era, one where a unified Europe began to reimagine its role on the world stage. Against this backdrop, the European Union embarked on a significant journey — the development of its Common Foreign and Security Policy. This initiative was a solemn acknowledgment that Europe could no longer afford to remain solely a civilian power. It needed to cultivate military capabilities that would complement its diplomatic and economic might.

Between 1991 and 1999, the foundations of what would become the EU's military identity were laid. Rapid Reaction Forces were established, marking the initial steps toward a military role that was uncharted for the European Union. This was not merely a bureaucratic shift; it was a profound re-examination of what Europe represented in an increasingly chaotic world. As the dust settled from the Cold War, Europe found itself grappling with new conflicts and emerging threats.

By the early 2000s, these new realities compelled the EU to engage in military crisis management operations, particularly in Africa. The operations commenced with missions like EUFOR Althea in Bosnia-Herzegovina in 2004, signaling a marked shift toward out-of-area military engagement. The framework of the Common Security and Defence Policy took shape, even as European nations worked to harmonize their diverse military approaches. The world was now witnessing an EU that was no longer just a neighborly alliance but a budding military actor in conflict settings far from its borders.

The following years would test this newly crafted military identity. Between 2013 and 2022, the EU's enlargement policy highlighted the challenges of securing its eastern frontier. Efforts to expand the Union were largely met with inertia, a situation that drastically shifted following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The landscape altered almost overnight, pressing the European Union to reassess its security frameworks and engage more actively with Eastern European countries eager for protection. This watershed moment reignited discussions about NATO, prompting questions about the EU's role in collective defense.

Simultaneously, the Sahel region emerged as a focal point for European military training missions. In nations like Mali, Niger, and the Central African Republic, EU forces sought to bolster local armies battling against jihadist insurgencies. Yet these efforts have faced significant hurdles. Political instability rocked the region, with military coups becoming a troubling norm. French forces, once the backbone of security operations in the Sahel under Operation Barkhane, began to withdraw, leaving a vacuum that groups like the Russian military company Wagner were quick to exploit. The tumult in the Sahel was a stark reminder that military solutions, without a bedrock of political stability, often yield fragile results.

Further amplifying Europe’s military presence on the global stage, the European Union Military Assistance Mission in Ukraine, or EUMAM Ukraine, commenced its operations in late 2022. This initiative was crucial, aiming to provide training, military assistance, and coordination to Ukrainian forces amid the ongoing Russian invasion. From November 2022 until January 2025, the mission operated under a clear mandate, emphasizing military training and coordination structures. In a short time, the EU transformed its role from a diplomatic force to a tangible ally in conflict.

The magnitude of the EU’s financial commitment to Ukraine was staggering. Between 2023 and 2025, approximately €49.2 billion was allocated in military support, a significant signal of Europe's renewed focus on defense. The contributions from member states, led by Germany, Poland, and France, underscored a collective resolve to upgrade military capabilities and provide the necessary support to a nation fighting for its existence. As the war raged on, the EU prioritized enhancing military mobility and deployment capabilities, establishing an infrastructure designed for rapid response to threats emanating from Russia and beyond.

This evolution led the EU to assess its military capacity more critically, catalyzing discussions about a Rapid Deployment Capacity, or RDC. Lessons learned from operational shortcomings in earlier EU Battlegroups shaped this initiative, but the path to full operationalization remained fraught with political challenges. Article 42(7) of the Treaty on European Union, the mutual defense clause, garnered renewed interest post-2014, but skepticism lingered. Most member states still relied predominantly on NATO for collective security, often relegating the EU's autonomous military role to the background.

As military expenditures surged by nearly 50% from 2014 to 2023, the reality was unmistakable: heightened security concerns compelled EU nations to invest heavily in their armed forces. The European Defence Fund, launched in 2021, with a significant budget of around €8 billion, represented a dual effort to bolster the European defense industry and spur innovation in military capabilities. It indicated recognition — both politically and practically — that Europe had to reshape its defense strategy to be more self-reliant and responsive to the tensions brewing on its borders.

Gender inclusion also emerged as a focal point in military operations. The EU made strides to ensure women were at the forefront of leadership and personnel roles within its military missions, setting a target for significant representation by 2025. This aligned with the UN Security Council’s resolution on women, peace, and security, making it clear that the EU was crafting a security narrative that was not only operationally effective but also socially inclusive.

However, the EU's military operations in Africa and the Sahel presented a sobering lesson. The limitations of military implements were starkly apparent. The failure to integrate political solutions with military interventions meant that the cycle of violence and instability continued unabated. The challenges faced by training missions in regions fraught with coups and jihadist violence underscored a crucial fact: military measures alone are often insufficient to establish lasting peace and security.

As the geopolitical landscape transformed, the EU’s response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine galvanized reforms in its security and defense policies. Institutional changes aimed at strengthening military capabilities and enhancing cyber defense began to take root, shaping a new paradigm for the EU’s international engagements. Yet balancing its historic role as a civilian peacebuilder with the increasing needs for military fortitude proved to be a delicate act.

Internal political dynamics and external threats, particularly from Russia, shaped the evolving perceptions of the EU’s security and defense identity. The entangled relationships with NATO and the United States have added layers of complexity that the EU must navigate thoughtfully. The strategic discussions surrounding the EU’s military operations increasingly emphasized local ownership and civil-military cooperation, especially in critical missions across Africa.

Looking ahead, the EU’s strategic documents are focusing on the need for defining battlefield tactics and operational concepts that prepare for future conflicts. As the United States gradually shifts its military commitments, the necessity for European military autonomy has never been more pronounced. The dawn of this new era marks a pivotal moment — one in which Europe must reconcile its diverse identities, transitioning from a primarily civilian power to one capable of taking decisive action in security matters.

As we reflect on this evolving narrative, questions surface. Can the European Union maintain its core identity while embracing a more militarized approach? What lessons can be drawn from the complex tapestry of its operations in the Sahel and beyond? A new chapter is being written — a chapter that intertwines military capability with the enduring hope for peace. The storm of conflict may persist, but within it lies the potential for a Europe that stands resolute, ready to face the trials of an uncertain future.