THE POLISH INTELLIGENCE SERVICES AND SECURITY DILEMMAS OF A FRONTLINE STATE
THE POLISH INTELLIGENCE SERVICES AND SECURITY DILEMMAS OF A FRONTLINE STATE

Summary/Abstract: This paper seeks to analyze the dynamics of Poland’s intelligence sector reform following the 2015 general elections and present tasks and challenges facing the Polish intelligence services. In the aftermath of presidential and parliamentary elections in 2015, the long period of liberal dominance was ended with the triumph of nationalist conservative Law and Justice Party. Illiberal elements incorporated into democratic governance have raised numerous concerns and official warnings from the European Commission. In parallel, strong support for NATO reinforcement, growing military spending and important changes in the national defence system (establishment of territorial defence forces) have appeased the critical voices and rescued Poland from isolation in the transatlantic security system. The new government has constantly highlighted Poland’s position as a frontline state vis a vis Russia and its close ally – Belarus. Moreover, neighbourhood with war-torn Ukraine has added more risks to geostrategic location. In this complex environment, Poland’s intelligence services have also undergone important changes: personnel reshuffling, politicization and partial reorganization. The paper aims at examining the capacity of Poland as a middle European state to cope effectively with security problems and challenges emerging from both internal political dynamics and external strategic shifts.

• Details
• Contents