Journal UNISCI/Revista UNISCI Nº 40 (January/Enero 2016) POLAND´S FOREIGN AND SECURITY POLICIES

Antonio Marquina: Editor´s Note/Nota Editorial

POLAND´S FOREIGN AND SECURITY POLICIES

Poland in the European Union.Ten Years of Membership

Katarzyna Kolodziejczyk
Abstract: Twelve years have passed since the Polish entry into the European Union. For Poland the date of 1 May 2004 is the culmination of a transformation process launched at the end of the Cold War in 1989. One of the priorities of Polish foreign policy, the expansion of the political, economic and cultural relations with Western Europe and the United States has been met. This approach has been described as ‘the return to Europe’. Membership in the European Union changed the Polish economy and the new politics opened up new opportunities for businesses and citizens. The aim of the article is to analyze the balance of the Polish membership in the European Union in the economic, financial, political and social dimensions.
Keywords: Poland, European Union, economic adjustments, exports and imports, financial flows, Polish presidency of the EU, Eastern Partnership, economic and social benefits.

European Neighbourhood Policy. A Polish Perspective

Paula Marcinkowska
Abstract: Before the bing-bang enlargement of the EU in 2004, the Union needed to define a coherent policy towards its new neighbours. The European Neighbourhood Policy was formulated when Poland became a member of the EU. Due to its close ties with the Eastern European countries, Poland tried to shape the EU foreign policy towards its neighbouring countries and became their advocate in Brussels. In 2009 it succeeded in establishing the Eastern Partnership as one of the dimensions of the European Neighbourhood Policy.
Keywords: European Union, Poland, foreign policy, European Neighbourhood Policy, Eastern Partnership, neighbouring countries, EU membership, regional player.

German-Polish Relations. Political and Economic Aspects

Rafał Ulatowski
Abstract: The aim of this article is to analyze the Polish-German relations in the last 25 years. The article will concentrate on the expectations declared in the early 1990s as well as on the results that were achieved. I argue that economic strength was successfully used by the German government to give German-Polish relations a new quality. Polish-German relations are an example of successful implementation of geo-economics strategy by the German government.
Keywords: Poland, Germany, geo-economy, European Union, NATO

Poland- Ukraine Relations

Andrzej Szeptycki
Abstract: Poland and Ukraine are the two biggest and most populated countries of Central and Eastern Europe. Because of their size, neighbourhood and position in the region the two countries have often been compared to France and Germany. Both countries are deeply interested in their mutual cooperation. Such situation steams from five factors: direct neighbourhood, common (albeit difficult) history, attractiveness of the Polish labour market for the Ukrainians, membership of Poland in the Western structures, and last but not least, the Russian threat. Despite complimentary interests, both countries have difficulty to effectively develop their mutual relations and turn them into a real “strategic partnership”. These problems are due to the internal political and economic situation in Ukraine, limits imposed by the membership of Poland in the EU, Russian policy aiming at keeping Ukraine within its zone of influence and, finally, the EU reluctance to effectively engage in Ukraine.
Keywords: Poland, Ukraine, political relations, economic relations, social relations, NATO, European Union.

Poland and Russia at the turn of XXI century. Between a Liberal Illusion and...

Adriana Dudek
Abstract: In this article the author examines how Poland and Russia perceive international relations and the objectives of foreign policy using specific research approaches. Later, the article tries to illustrate the incompatibility of the ways these two countries perceive the world. In order to achieve this goal, it was necessary to refer to concepts explaining these two approaches. In this regard, the author takes advantage of selected currents of structural and offensive realism, the concept of interdependence, institutionalism and liberal theory, which in the context of identification of preferences and perceptions were complemented by research reflections originating in constructivism.
Keywords: Poland, Russia, realism, liberal theory, interdependence, institutionalism, perceptions, constructivism,.

Poland´s Foreign and Security Policy. Main Directions

Agnieszka Bieńczyk-Missala
Abstract:This article tries to present the main areas of Polish foreign and security policy. Poland’s membership in the EU and in NATO was the strongest determinant of its position in international relations and the guiding light of its foreign policy. Poland’s work in the EU was focused in particular on EU policy towards its eastern neighbours, common energy policy and security issues, while in NATO, Poland has always been a proponent of the open doors policy and has maintained close relationship with the US, supporting many of its policies and initiatives.
Keywords: Poland, European Union Security & Defence, NATO, Poland´s bilateral relations.

Polish International Relations Studies and Post-Historiography, Disciplinary Development after the Cold War.

Edward Haliżak
Abstract: The purpose of this article is to present the methodological and institutional development of international studies in Poland, which were formed under the influence of the unique historical experience resulting from Poland’s geographical location between Germany and Russia. This unfavourable geopolitical location was overcome after the Cold War, when Poland joined Western institutions: NATO and the European Union. The integration with the West provided a qualitatively new impetus for the development of international studies and especially the issues of security and European integration; moreover, entirely new possibilities of academic cooperation opened up in the field of international relations studies.
The article focus on the following issues: first, the historical tradition of international relations studies in Poland until the end of the Cold War; and second, the process of autonomisation of international studies in Poland as a discipline of social sciences after the fall of communism.
Keywords:Poland, international studies, transformation of international studies, Polish authors.

TERRORISM

Global Terrorism in 2016

Rohan Gunaratna
Abstract: With the emergence and the growing clout of Islamic State of Iraq and Greater Syria (ISIS), the terrorist threat confronting the international community has undergone a profound and dangerous transformation. At the same time Al Qaeda is still in the game – a bit diminished but lethal. Unfortunately however, governments – individually and collectively - continue to be ambivalent about the threat, leading to lacklustre responses highlighted by lack of understanding of the threat, political will and coordination of operations against these groups.
Keywords: ISIS, Al Qaida, terrorism, threats, political coordination, response.