The EEAS C risis R esponse S ystem

In recent years, the E uropean U nion ( EU ) has become more prominent and effective as a crisis manager. This paper argues that the idea of the Comprehensive Approach and the E uropean E xternal A ction S ervice ( EEAS ) institutional project have been substantially shaped by H igh R epresentative A shton. A focus on the newly created C risis R esponse and O perational C oordination D epartment within the EEAS is employed for analysing the recent post‐ L isbon changes in the EU crisis management architecture. Based on a series of in‐depth interviews with EU and national officials, the paper contemplates the role for the EU in complex crises, in particular the potential contribution of the EU 's C risis R esponse S ystem.