Malwina Ewa Kołodziejczak
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Kołodziejczak M.E., Dyplomacja obronna w procesie kształtowania bezpieczeństwa RP [Defence Diplomacy in the Process of Shaping the Security of the Republic of Poland] by Lech DRAB, Wydawnictwo Difin SA, Warszawa 2018, ISBN 978-83-8085-608-0, pp. 244, “Polish Journal of Political Science”, 2024, Vol. 10, Issue 3, pp. 90–95, DOI: 10.58183/pjps.05032024.
Book review
The reviewed scientific monograph addresses the issue of defense diplomacy.[1] At the outset, the author points to the origin of this term and, importantly, proposes his own definition based on contemporary realities. Defense diplomacy is defined as a concept that is broader in meaning than military diplomacy, taking into account issues related to building trust, defense dialogue, and developing bilateral and multilateral cooperation. As a foundation for further scientific discussion, the author considers defense diplomacy as activities carried out in peacetime, based on dialogue and cooperation, with the goal of supporting the implementation and achievement of Polish foreign and security policy objectives. Although the definition focuses on Poland’s activities, it can be considered universal and applicable to other countries as well.
In order to properly implement defense diplomacy, the author defines twelve key components that influence the effective realization of defense tasks. The first of these is the establishment and maintenance of high-level bilateral and multilateral relations. As part of these tasks, the author proposes the implementation of systematic meetings – so-called defense and strategic dialogues – aimed at searching for and mutually agreeing on the most advantageous positions in the area of international security. The next factor identified by the author is the maintenance of military contacts. In this context, the author refers to defense attachés as playing a critical role in carrying out defense tasks. According to Dr. Lech Drab, these attachés are the first military personnel to establish formal cooperation between countries. They guarantee long-term cooperation by performing their statutory duties and maintaining daily communication with both civilian and military representatives of the host country. Another defined area of activity within the ministry is military education and training. This type of activity aims to provide better understanding for participants regarding the operations of military units, familiarization with military technology, procedures, and structures, as well as with decision-making processes, and the exchange of operational experiences. The next area identified by Dr. Lech Drab is military exercises, which play an important role in defense diplomacy. Particularly valuable are international military exercises conducted, for example, within the framework of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) or the European Union (EU). These exercises offer an opportunity to establish good cooperation, build trust and credibility, as well as gain knowledge about the functioning of military units and their operational capabilities. The author also emphasizes the importance of participation in military missions and operations. In his view, the main objective of such activities is the maintenance of peace, stability, and a high level of security. As the sixth factor necessary for the implementation of defense diplomacy, the author mentions intelligence cooperation and exchange of information on military and political situations or other events related to security issues, and the status of armed forces in other countries. This information is crucial for assessing the security situation of the state; moreover, it constitutes an important factor in conducting bilateral negotiations. Another significant element is cooperation within alliances, aimed at collectively enhancing global security. The next, eighth area defined by the author of the monograph is activities related to arms control, disarmament, and confidence-building measures. According to the author, while this is an important factor, it currently requires greater engagement to function effectively. Another important aspect of defense diplomacy is legal and legislative cooperation. This is an extremely difficult area of activity that requires compromise between state actors, and it is characterized by long and challenging negotiations. However, the solutions developed provide the foundation for interstate military activities, particularly: the presence of foreign troops on another country’s territory, arms limitation, and the conduct of joint operations. As the tenth factor, the author mentions cooperation in the defense industry. He highlights the increasing importance of this activity, which involves transfer of military equipment, technology transfer, and execution of some military production on the territory of other countries. Such a pool of tasks contributes to building trust between states, unifies joint training, and enables the conduct of coalition military operations. Another area of state activity is military assistance and support for the armed forces of other countries. This includes the provision of military equipment and weapons, as well as conducting training, exercises, or courses—activities that are currently widespread due to events like the war between the Russian Federation and Ukraine. Military diplomacy in this context serves as an intermediary tool for achieving objectives. The final element of defense diplomacy as identified by Dr. Lech Drab is historical military cooperation and historical policy. While this element is often underestimated, practices such as preserving traditions, honoring veterans, participation of government representatives in anniversary ceremonies, and exhibition of museum artifacts reflect national values and state identity.
From a cognitive perspective, the section of the monograph that discusses the armed forces as a specific instrument of defense diplomacy deserves a valuable assessment. In addressing this issue, the author refers to legal acts and high-level government documents – primarily the Constitution of the Republic of Poland, the Act on universal duty of defense of the Republic of Poland, and the National Security Strategy – while decomposing the external and internal functions of the armed forces. Interestingly, the author compares and contrasts these elements with those of other state actors, such as the United Kingdom and the United States of America, seeking commonalities and drawing upon best practices. The next section of the monograph deals with historical experiences. The author describes the beginnings of military diplomacy in Poland, dating the start of this process to 1918. He then discusses military diplomacy of the Second Polish Republic, followed by that of the Polish People’s Republic, and finally, military diplomacy after 1989. Dr. Lech Drab rightly points out that the origins of military diplomacy in Poland should be identified with the year 1918, when the network of military attachés was established. This process took place under difficult circumstances, marked by a lack of experience and external assistance. Political factors, as determinants of the development of military diplomacy, played a crucial role in its further expansion. The era of the Warsaw Pact increased engagement in military education, joint exercises, and the promotion of common political positions. A turning point occurred with the withdrawal of Soviet forces from Poland and the country’s aspirations to join international organizations such as NATO, the EU, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), and the United Nations (UN). These changes led to a shift in how both civilian and military personnel at the Ministry of Defense viewed the role of the armed forces: as an instrument for implementing defense diplomacy objectives. Finally, Poland’s membership in NATO became a key element in supporting security, as well as a factor in shaping NATO’s international environment. The author also observes that subsequent changes included the creation of other structures, besides the traditional role of defense attachés, to perform similar tasks. These include permanent representations to NATO and the EU, whose members actively participate in the decision-making processes of these organizations. Such measures enhance the level of the country’s defense diplomacy.
The next section of the scientific monograph by Dr. Lech Drab discusses case studies of defense diplomacy in selected countries. The author seeks a universal model of defense diplomacy by drawing on the experiences of other state actors. He rightly points out that the development of defense diplomacy by the United States is positively influenced by the structures established to support this process. An example of this is the Office of Defense Cooperation (ODC) located within the U.S. embassy, which focuses on supporting international arms cooperation and managing selected defense programs between allies. Unfortunately, such structures are absent in Poland’s diplomatic framework. An interesting aspect raised by the author is the role of defense diplomacy in Germany. One of the tasks outlined in Germany’s White Paper[2] is deepening European integration and strengthening the transatlantic partnership. Specifically, Germany’s efforts to enhance international security are focused on: the establishment of an early warning system and monitoring of crisis situations, the expansion of military capabilities within NATO and the EU, and the development of partnerships and cooperation through joint exercises, training, and education. In analyzing French defense diplomacy, Dr. Lech Drab observes that the country’s actions are focused on crisis prevention and cooperation, employing a wide range of diplomatic means, including military ones. Interestingly, the author emphasizes that French military diplomats have primarily adopted a preventive approach—reducing the sources of potential crises by early monitoring and warning of emerging threats, as well as promoting and building trust-building measures between countries. Summarizing this part of the monograph, the author aptly argues that the United States, Germany, and France regard the implementation of defense diplomacy as one of the most important instruments of their foreign and security policy. Furthermore, the author expresses his belief that it is difficult to find a universal model for implementing defense diplomacy due to the various conditions specific to each state. However, it remains indisputable that defense diplomacy in these countries is one of the most important tools used in their foreign and security policies, and areas related to this cooperation are subject to constant development in sectors such as: defense industry, intelligence, legislation, and military assistance and support for armed forces.
The final section of the scientific monograph addresses the directions of change in Poland’s defense diplomacy in the 21st century. The main part of the section is preceded by a definition of the status quo of Polish defense diplomacy followed by identification of the limitations of this process. Among the most important limitations, the author lists conceptual disorganization, particularly a lack of integration into normative documents. As part of the proposed changes, the author suggests considering the establishment of dedicated structures, such as a Chair of Defense Diplomacy at one of the military academies,[3] which would closely cooperate with their structural counterparts at other NATO military institutions. Another interesting proposal is the creation of an analytical and expert institution whose task would be to deepen and disseminate knowledge on regional security. Additionally, the author recommends establishment of structures similar to those in the United States, France, or Germany, such as defense cooperation offices, or creation of defense attaché positions dedicated to cooperation with the defense industry. From a scientific perspective, the author also proposes a legal definition of defense diplomacy and its inclusion in normative documents, which in his opinion would streamline the planning and implementation of initiatives related to this field. According to Dr. Lech Drab, the organizational model of Poland’s defense diplomacy should enable the use of all available instruments without unnecessary limitations. Achieving the intended goals requires: improving the process of planning and executing tasks within international cooperation, unifying legal and administrative regulations, enhancing the organizational structure, as well as improving the distribution and exchange of information. The author also stresses the importance of creating an appropriate personnel policy, under which the preparation of officers and civilian staff within the Ministry of Defense for tasks related to defense diplomacy would be effective. Furthermore, the improvement of the mechanisms for delegating tasks, exchanging information, and ensuring accountability in reporting is also essential. Of particular note is the inclusion of military education in the tasks of Polish defense diplomacy, as well as the promotion of and support for the Polish defense industry.
The proposed literary work is dedicated to a broad audience interested in international security issues, those who wish to deepen their knowledge and try to understand the processes that condition the use of defense diplomacy as a tool. Given the current geopolitical situation—such as the long-term, high-intensity armed conflict between the Russian Federation and Ukraine—defense diplomacy has become a highly relevant and important topic, as well as an effective instrument not only for shaping international security but also for mitigating the occurrence of crises and wars. From a scientific perspective, there is a lack of literature dealing with defense diplomacy as it is a relatively newly defined subject of study within the field of security sciences. For this reason, the author is encouraged to develop further iterations of the monograph. Extremely valuable content could include issues related to the instabilities involved in conducting modern conflicts and wars. Insights from the practical use of defense diplomacy mechanisms could provide valuable contributions and serve as a foundation for the effective implementation of defense tasks in the future.
References
[1] L. Drab, Dyplomacja obronna w procesie kształtowania bezpieczeństwa RP, Wydawnictwo Difin SA 2018.
[2] The document adopted on July 13, 2016.
[3] The Chair was established within the structure of the Faculty of National Security at the War Studies University.