Why do European states facing the same security challenges think and act so differently? The European Manual on Strategic Culture, by Tommi Koivula and Antti Seppo (Finnish National Defence University), offers a concise, practical guide to understanding the patterns of thought that shape how nations approach war, peace, and the use of military force. Drawing on real examples from Finland's NATO decision to Germany's post-war strategic identity, the manual shows how strategic culture shapes policy planning, defence-industrial cooperation, operations, and military education across Europe. Designed for military officers and civilian officials working in European security cooperation, and requiring no prior knowledge, it turns an abstract concept into practical dos, don'ts, and analytical tools for everyday strategic work. Strategic culture is a window: it reveals how others think, and reflects your own assumptions back at you. Read the manual and become a better strategist.
The manual was developed in the context of the research project STRAX (Transforming Strategic Cultures in Contemporary Europe: Towards an Understanding of Reasons, Intermediaries and Processes of Change), funded by the Research Council of Finland, to which the ESDC also contributed.