Czech security policy capabilities and ambitions

Abstract

This article describes the development of Czech security policy since 1989, providing an analytical description and introducing the major institutions and authorities concerned as well as the various actors involved in security policy. At the beginning of the article a definition of security policy is provided and its various stages and major topics since 1989 are introduced. The chapter also describes the various political measures and their implementation, including selected Czech security strategies. It then examines selected security institutions, their evolution and responses to some crisis situations. Although political parties, interest groups, private security agencies, media and political experts have long been involved in shaping Czech security policy, the focus of this chapter is on security institutions (authorities and security forces). Security policy is presented in chronological, institutional and thematic terms. The development of the Czech security environment is investigated mainly since 2000.