Europe’s Gray Zone of Non-Peace:

Europe's defense strategy is evolving beyond just weapons, soldiers, and shelters, with a shift toward comprehensive defense models. These models involve civilian institutions, local governments, and ordinary citizens playing crucial roles in national resilience. Dr. Weronika Grzebalska, a sociologist at the Institute of Political Studies of the Polish Academy of Sciences and editor of a Batory Foundation report on women in Poland’s comprehensive defense, discusses resilience, preparedness, and the evolving role of society during times of crisis.

For many, NATO's eastern flank is the focal point of defense concerns, particularly regarding weapons and shelters. However, this is not the complete picture. Since 2014, Poland has focused on modernizing its military arm, increasing defense spending, establishing the Territorial Defense Forces (WOT), and modernizing weapons. The public perceives military equipment investments as indicative of a professional army, which in turn creates the belief that their defense is secure.

Yet, the society must bear the responsibility of defense, not just the military. After decades of relative peace following NATO membership, people grew detached from security concerns. This detachment is evident in countries like Sweden, which suspended conscription, and Italy, which also reduced its focus on societal resilience in defense.

However, the war in Ukraine has challenged the notion that war is confined to a kinetic military conflict. Images from Bucha, the influx of refugees, and the front line have reinforced the perception of war as a violent, occupying force. This perception is deeply rooted in Europe's collective memory of World War II, which often portrays war as a literal occupation of entire nations.

Despite increased resilience in institutions, societies sometimes struggle to grasp the reality of war. As resilience becomes more abstract, the seriousness of the threat may be overlooked. The paradox of resilience suggests that the more resilient our institutions become, the more detached society may feel from the actual threat.

In Poland, which sits in a gray zone state of non-peace, this paradox is particularly pronounced. The country is working to integrate resilience into various aspects of life, from economic functioning to resisting disinformation and even participating in military service. While there is no fully integrated system yet, initiatives such as the Territorial Defense Forces have helped bridge the gap between society and the military, particularly during crises like natural disasters, pandemics, and the war in Ukraine.