Poland’s Foreign and Security Policy: Problems of Compatibility with the Changing International Order

This book addresses the issue of Poland's foreign and security policy, a Central-European state of middle rank, in terms of the reconfiguration of world order, during which the weakening of the West to which Poland belongs. The author claims that Poland's foreign and security policy in the 21st century is determined by historical factors and political instability and neglects the profound changes in the international order that are based on differentiation in the Western system and the appearance of new emerging powers. Poland strives to promote its own national interests with traditional methods, putting in the first place cooperation with the USA and NATO in order to ensure national security towards Russia, which it perceives as a source of threats and does not appreciate the importance of integration within the European Union and cooperation with other countries, including with Russia which relations, especially since 2010 are very bad. Warsaw also undertakes attempts to coordinate, under its leadership, the activities of the Central European countries lying in the area between the three seas, the Baltic, the Adriatic and the Black Sea. The author proves that an important factor motivating Poland to act is nationalism and the conviction of its uniqueness, and especially about the mission towards Russia and other countries of Eastern Europe. This determines the ineffectiveness of Poland's actions in the international arena, hinders cooperation with allies and partners and causes difficulties in adapting Poland to the changing international order.