Europe and Spanish Security and Defence Policy from Within

This research aims to show the key features of the Spanish security and defence policy through the analysis of its institutions and bodies, decision-making process, and strategic documents. In this process, we will discuss the scope of Europeanisation in this public policy and point out some recommendations to reinforce Spain’s security and defence policy in the changing and uncertain international system context. The first section explains the main milestones of the security and defence policy during the political transition that had an enormous impact on the military and the approach towards this policy. The second section deals with the primary strategic documents, even before the first national security strategy, to the present. The third section focuses on the institutional framework that allows the development of national security policy in its strategic planning facet and the application of its principles. Finally, after assessing the national system and its achievements, the conclusions contain some reflections and recommendations.