The political upheavals currently in train on the southern coast of the Mediterranean offer the opportunity to have a new look at the security strategy of the European Union and its member states, which are also experiencing long-term and fundamental crises. Globalisation is leading to increasing, but inconsistent interdependence between states and their social and economic structures across the globe. As a result, Europeans are becoming more and more exposed to events and changes occurring far from their own borders, which have an effect upon their military and economic security as well as their energy sources. If not brought under control, globalisation for Europeans will mean ever greater dependence on others and ever greater impotence.

Contrary to the widely held view that globalisation is an irreversible process to which states have to adapt by opening up even more and looking for far-flung opportunities, what we shall call geographical regrouping suggests that Europeans need to consider some form of strategic repositioning in those areas important for their security. Geographical regrouping could be defined as taking major account of the principle of geopolitics of proximity in order to reduce the dependency of overall security on processes that are uncontrollable because of their distance. It favours concentration of action and economy of assets: it is a principle to be assessed along with other priorities, and is not a goal in itself.

The Principles of Proximity and Territorial Control

Geographical regrouping is not just some cautious reaction to world events but a means to recover freedom of action through better control of a country’s own territory and approaches in order to be less exposed to uncontrollable forces, and to reduce the pressure exerted by other powers. Taking geographical proximity into account also minimises the over-extension that has proven fatal to every state and empire throughout history. Further, it reduces the risk from the sort of ideology that is blind to geographical and historical realities. The kind of democratic utopia in which a Western or European model is imposed throughout the world as the cornerstone of a security strategy is a dangerous illusion. Following Greek etymology, utopia indicates ‘without place’: an overall security strategy that does not have a defined territory as its focus is not viable. That said, good sense requires that space and time be categorised in some way.