European Naval Power: From Cold War to Hybrid Wars

506 pages

Dr James WE Smith, King’s College London

 

European Naval Power: From Cold War to Hybrid Wars by Jeremy Stöhs is the latest edition in Palgrave’s ‘Studies in Maritime Politics and Security’ series. ‘Maritime politics’ is an interesting term to use, although perhaps a reinvention of things known yesterday; that aside, Stöhs latest instalment goes far beyond a mere study of maritime politics and security. It is worth pointing out the growing price tag attached to such publications, which sadly only serves to limit their audience, which is an unfair discredit to the authors’ hard work of which you are about to read about.

To set the scene, the author is well-versed in the European sea power mindset and has the skill to reflect on European naval power, with a well-established record of outputs. For various reasons, European navies and sea power (two words in this context) have been somewhat left behind in often UK/US dominated maritime and naval discussions and Europeans’ own broader defence debate and policy choices. Many of these the author explores as he communicates with great ease and accessibility through the long-winding path of naval power and its somewhat distinct path and relationship it has with the continental powers that make up the European mainland. The book primarily focuses on recent decades while providing some background from the first Cold War period. It is not a history book per se, nor is it heavily focused on that style, but it resonates as a textbook to point out both facts and to educate Europeans about what naval power can do for them and how it works. It is interesting to think that the once proud heritages of many European nations, such as the Dutch, the adventures of the Spanish and Portuguese, and somewhat all of this arguably trace back to the Roman and Greek fleets. The proud roots of those naval powers have become slightly lost in the term ‘European’––of which the Royal Navy as a bespoke navy is not one of––, ‘NATO’ and the turmoil of the 20th century. With that in mind, Stöhs seeks to shed new light on the evolution of European naval forces, and advance thought on sea power and naval force as an intellectual field in continental Europe. He asks questions worth asking, such as how European sea power can address the grim, hybrid, and multi-faceted defence and security problems faced by the continent and the broader world. This kind of text forms the basis of a long overdue reboot that Europeans desperately need on sea power as it has been somewhat drifting intellectually for some time. It is a text that many senior military and political leaders can turn to for advice and whom can go little wrong with.

The book is structured in six major essays that feature a logical format, working through the past three decades’ history, theory, and experience at sea, with policy and more. Such an approach makes it easy to pick up and read a section to grasp a wholesome understanding of naval forces. For example, Stöhs rightfully states: “1991–2001: Enemy, Where Art Though?” Such titles and the following contents show the breadth and depth of the author’s research and thought while serving as a good reminder of the difference between Islands and continents regarding how they use their navies. There are not many diagrams or photos, which may be of interest to some but makes little difference to the quality of scholarship contained within. The book succeeds in explaining some of the more nuanced and what might be to some, ‘complex’, concepts of naval doctrine, maritime strategy and sea power. This is no easy task, a task the author has risen to with a sense of relish with sound analysis thrown in to provide ‘icing on the cake’.

I’d like to have seen a little more of the cultural aspect which underpins how many European nations view the sea and navies, along with how that has changed. It would have been helpful to understand why land forces––army and air force––dominate the defence institutions and how their Prussian ways of war underpin those mentioned earlier along with their strategic, doctrinal and tactical deliberations. However, this does not distract from the quality of the publication or its arguments, particularly when this book could be used to challenge that status quo by providing the essential education that so many in the European mainland lack when it comes to sea power––a natural mindset for countries with vast land spaces and borders. Rightfully, the author finds a balance between constructive criticism, valuable suggestions and positivity when viewing how sea power has worked (or not) in many European nations over the past three decades. He points out some direction for the future based on sound analysis rather than guesswork––an increasingly rare skill to possess nowadays. I have no doubt this will further develop the author’s reputation as a leading mind on European naval affairs.

In all, you can go little wrong with this title, but it may appeal to a niche audience. It is an excellent resource for history students and those asking questions of defence to delve into. That aside, it’s a welcome contribution to the debate on sea power after 1945 and the urgent need to discuss sea power amongst continental European nations.