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Papers by Giorgos Triantafyllou

Research paper thumbnail of Statehood without an army: the question of the Kosovo Armed Force

Southeast European and Black Sea Studies, 2018

Almost a decade after its declaration of independence, Kosovo continues to depend on NATO's Kosov... more Almost a decade after its declaration of independence, Kosovo continues to depend on NATO's Kosovo Force (KFOR) for its protection. This article explores why Kosovo has not developed its own armed forces and how it could complete the process of security institution building through the establishment of a Kosovo Armed Force (KAF) in the future. Conceptually, the article highlights the role of different agents with diverging positions on the development of a KAF and the unfolding politicization of the issue, under conditions of legal uncertainty. The empirical analysis traces the stalemate regarding the creation of a KAF to legal restraints and the diverging positions of different parties on the issue. More specifically, the government's inability to balance between the high expectations of Kosovo Albanians and the adamant objections of Kosovo Serbs has exacerbated the politicization of the debate.

Research paper thumbnail of Greece and EU enlargement to the Western Balkans: understanding an ambivalent relationship

Southeast European and Black Sea Studies, 2017

Greece's position towards the EU's enlargement to the Western Balkans remains ambivalent: on the ... more Greece's position towards the EU's enlargement to the Western Balkans remains ambivalent: on the one hand, Greece remains declaratively one of the most ardent supporters of integrating the whole Balkan region into the EU; on the other hand, Greece is also a persistent obstructing factor whenever its multiple interests in the Balkans produce friction. We investigate this ambivalent position to understand its origins. We argue that Greece's position can be understood with reference to three key factors: (a) the particularities of Greece's foreign policy-making and its persistent traits, (b) the background of Greece's relationship with the region and the legacy of multiple disputes that were created or exacerbated in the early post-Communist period and (c) the legacy of turning EU enlargement policy into a Greek foreign policy tool during the 1990s. These factors not only explicate the existence and persistence of Greece's ambivalent policies, but also are likely to continue to shape Greece's enlargement policy in the future. In that context, we expect that Greece will engage in a delicate balance of, on the one hand, strategically placing conditionality to ensure favourable compromises with neighbours, and, on the other, not jeopardizing the continuation of the enlargement process per se.

Research paper thumbnail of EU member states and enlargement towards the Balkans. EPC ISSUE PAPER No. 79, July 2015

From the Executive Summary. The European Union’s enlargement to the Balkans seems to be running o... more From the Executive Summary. The European Union’s enlargement to the Balkans seems to be running on autopilot since Croatia’s accession in 2013 and amidst the on-going crisis. While the region still has a clear European perspective, progress on the dossier has been marred not just by outstanding challenges in individual Balkan countries but often also by hurdles which develop within the Union – more specifically in the member states. While the EU’s internal procedures for handling enlargement have always been intergovernmental in nature, the frequency of incursions and opportunities for the member states to interfere and derail the process has increased over the past years, suggesting a so-called ‘nationalisation’ of enlargement. In 17 case studies and two theoretical chapters, this Issue Paper investigates whether the dossier has shifted more under the control of the member states, and looks at the kind of considerations and potential ‘roadblocks’ that influence the positions of key...

Research paper thumbnail of Course Syllabus. Strategic Communication to Counter Security Threats in the Disinformation Era

This document is the O2 deliverable of the CRESCENT, Strategic Communication to Counter Security ... more This document is the O2 deliverable of the CRESCENT, Strategic Communication to Counter Security Threats in the Disinformation Era. It contains the syllabus of the course with the detail of Student Learning Outcomes, Topic Outline, Grading Policy - Certification and Course Policies. The course is developed in collaboration between: "Mihai Viteazul" National Intelligence Academy (MVNIA) – Romania, Ciberimaginario Research Group of the University Rey Juan Carlos– Spain, Kentro Meleton Asfaleias (KEMEA), Center For Security Studies – Greece and Ministry of Internal Affairs, Directorate for Information and Public Relations (MAI-DIRP) – Romania. The course is a result of the project CRESCEnt Project. Mind the gap in media CoveRagE and Strategic communication in CasE of security Threats – the development of critical thinking and responsible reaction, adn Strategic partnership project within ERASMUS+ Program AGREEMENT NO. - 2018-1-RO01-KA202-049449.Z

Research paper thumbnail of Statehood without an army: the question of the Kosovo Armed Force

Southeast European and Black Sea Studies, 2018

Almost a decade after its declaration of independence, Kosovo continues to depend on NATO's Kosov... more Almost a decade after its declaration of independence, Kosovo continues to depend on NATO's Kosovo Force (KFOR) for its protection. This article explores why Kosovo has not developed its own armed forces and how it could complete the process of security institution building through the establishment of a Kosovo Armed Force (KAF) in the future. Conceptually, the article highlights the role of different agents with diverging positions on the development of a KAF and the unfolding politicization of the issue, under conditions of legal uncertainty. The empirical analysis traces the stalemate regarding the creation of a KAF to legal restraints and the diverging positions of different parties on the issue. More specifically, the government's inability to balance between the high expectations of Kosovo Albanians and the adamant objections of Kosovo Serbs has exacerbated the politicization of the debate.

Research paper thumbnail of Greece and EU enlargement to the Western Balkans: understanding an ambivalent relationship

Southeast European and Black Sea Studies, 2017

Greece's position towards the EU's enlargement to the Western Balkans remains ambivalent: on the ... more Greece's position towards the EU's enlargement to the Western Balkans remains ambivalent: on the one hand, Greece remains declaratively one of the most ardent supporters of integrating the whole Balkan region into the EU; on the other hand, Greece is also a persistent obstructing factor whenever its multiple interests in the Balkans produce friction. We investigate this ambivalent position to understand its origins. We argue that Greece's position can be understood with reference to three key factors: (a) the particularities of Greece's foreign policy-making and its persistent traits, (b) the background of Greece's relationship with the region and the legacy of multiple disputes that were created or exacerbated in the early post-Communist period and (c) the legacy of turning EU enlargement policy into a Greek foreign policy tool during the 1990s. These factors not only explicate the existence and persistence of Greece's ambivalent policies, but also are likely to continue to shape Greece's enlargement policy in the future. In that context, we expect that Greece will engage in a delicate balance of, on the one hand, strategically placing conditionality to ensure favourable compromises with neighbours, and, on the other, not jeopardizing the continuation of the enlargement process per se.

Research paper thumbnail of EU member states and enlargement towards the Balkans. EPC ISSUE PAPER No. 79, July 2015

From the Executive Summary. The European Union’s enlargement to the Balkans seems to be running o... more From the Executive Summary. The European Union’s enlargement to the Balkans seems to be running on autopilot since Croatia’s accession in 2013 and amidst the on-going crisis. While the region still has a clear European perspective, progress on the dossier has been marred not just by outstanding challenges in individual Balkan countries but often also by hurdles which develop within the Union – more specifically in the member states. While the EU’s internal procedures for handling enlargement have always been intergovernmental in nature, the frequency of incursions and opportunities for the member states to interfere and derail the process has increased over the past years, suggesting a so-called ‘nationalisation’ of enlargement. In 17 case studies and two theoretical chapters, this Issue Paper investigates whether the dossier has shifted more under the control of the member states, and looks at the kind of considerations and potential ‘roadblocks’ that influence the positions of key...

Research paper thumbnail of Course Syllabus. Strategic Communication to Counter Security Threats in the Disinformation Era

This document is the O2 deliverable of the CRESCENT, Strategic Communication to Counter Security ... more This document is the O2 deliverable of the CRESCENT, Strategic Communication to Counter Security Threats in the Disinformation Era. It contains the syllabus of the course with the detail of Student Learning Outcomes, Topic Outline, Grading Policy - Certification and Course Policies. The course is developed in collaboration between: "Mihai Viteazul" National Intelligence Academy (MVNIA) – Romania, Ciberimaginario Research Group of the University Rey Juan Carlos– Spain, Kentro Meleton Asfaleias (KEMEA), Center For Security Studies – Greece and Ministry of Internal Affairs, Directorate for Information and Public Relations (MAI-DIRP) – Romania. The course is a result of the project CRESCEnt Project. Mind the gap in media CoveRagE and Strategic communication in CasE of security Threats – the development of critical thinking and responsible reaction, adn Strategic partnership project within ERASMUS+ Program AGREEMENT NO. - 2018-1-RO01-KA202-049449.Z