This paper studies public opinion of advancing EU integration with a specific focus on the EU’s Common Security and Defence Policy between 2017 and 2022. Based in an analysis of all web-based news on security-related matters published during that timeframe, the paper finds that the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022 has accelerated trends in acceptability among the public of the EU’s increased role in security and defence.

This paper maps and analyses the evolution of global governance in key areas related to security, defence and intelligence through case studies over the past five to ten years. Its conclusions and observations are designed to help inform the EU’s engagement with key global and regional actors in the governance of the studied areas and global governance in general.