New book focuses on Mediterranean security

A publication that assesses the main security factors influencing Euro-Mediterranean relations at the start of the 21st century was recently released by Prof. Stephen Calleya, director of the Mediterranean Academy of Diplomatic Studies at the University of Malta.

The book, titled Security Challenges in the Euro-Mediterranean Area in the 21st Century: Mare Nostrum, is published by Routledge and provides an empirical analysis of security challenges in the Euro-Mediterranean area.

Distinguishing between short-, medium-, and long-term threats, it highlights the political, military, economic, societal and environmental issues that are already serving as a source of instability in the region.

An analysis of the 2011 Arab Spring, where the author examines the consequences and looks to the future of security in the Euro-Mediterranean region, is included.

This study also focuses on the main strategic visions and political undertakings that have been proposed to foster closer co-operative relationships within and across the Euro-Mediterranean area.

This includes examining the trans-Mediterranean security initiatives that dominate Euro-Mediterranean relations, including the West Mediterranean Forum (5 + 5 grouping), the Mediterranean Forum, the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership, the EU Neighbourhood Policy and the initiative of French President Nicolas Sarkozy launched in July 2008, namely the Union for the Mediterranean.

Acknowledging the strategic significance of this region between Europe and the Middle East, the book identifies the main stakeholders within toady’s debate on the future of Euro-Mediterranean relations and focuses on their main security interests in this region.

It features a policy analysis of the main actors in the Mediterranean, including the US, and the EU and addresses issues including illegal migration, terrorism, energy security, religious intolerance and the lack of human rights.