Chapter 1 outlines the EU rationale for conflict intervention and the notion of the integrated approach of EU actors within intervention, It considers the absolutely fundamental and decisive role of conflict analysis as the primary enabler of effective intervention, and explores elements of horizontal working of intervention missions observed in the EU Common Security and Defence Policy tools and instruments. The chapter considers the nature of conflict analysis, the different approaches involved and the challenges with applying conflict analysis as the primary platform for a meaningful intervention, and the application of peacebuilding instruments by the EU where there are concurrent civilian and military missions and operations with differing mandates, and pressing strategic challenges of ‘coordination, local ownership and urgent activity’ required. There is a short introduction of the methodological approach used for this study.