EU, U.S. Host Penksa Book Launch in Sarajevo

Susan Penksa, Westmont political science professor, is discussing her book, “The European Union in Global Security: The Politics of Impact,” at several seminars and book launch events this June in Sarajevo and Brussels. The book, co-authored by Roy Ginsberg, Jean Monnet professor in European integration studies at Skidmore College, analyzes the EU’s security operations.

“It’s fitting that the first book launch event is in Sarajevo,” Penksa says. “The Balkan wars were the primary catalyst for the EU decision to develop military and civilian capabilities for crisis management. The first operation of the Common Security and Defense Policy was deployed in Bosnia and Herzegovina, a mission that is now ending after 10 years.”

Penksa is currently in Sarajevo and served as a keynote speaker at a seminar examining the impact of the EU Police Mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina from 2002-2012. On June 11, The EU Delegation and U.S. Embassy to Bosnia and Herzegovina will sponsor a book launch and reception for Penksa. She will then travel to Brussels to speak at additional events hosted by the EU, NATO and Institute for European Studies (IES).

Penksa was recently appointed as senior associate at the IES in Brussels, where she was a visiting research fellow in 2010. She serves as a member of the research team on European foreign and security policy, led by Eva Gross, senior IES research fellow. The U.S. Department of State also awarded Penksa a follow-on Fulbright grant in 2010, which allowed her to return to Bosnia and Herzegovina to build on the work of her 2007 fellowship.

“The EU in Global Security” includes a foreword by Javier Solana, first EU foreign policy chief from 1999-2009, secretary-general of NATO 1995-1999 and Spanish foreign minister 1992-1995. The book draws on Penksa’s research and consulting work from the last 15 years, utilizing hundreds of interviews conducted during field work in EU capitals and in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Pakistan and the Republic of Georgia.

“The authors’ template for assessing the impact of crisis management operations should be considered by policy-makers and practitioners who seek to understand and improve — the impact of civilian and military missions,” says Jamie Shea, NATO deputy assistant secretary general.

Penksa is currently consulting for the U.S. Army Combat Studies Institute on post-conflict military and police reform.