Slovakia

Abstract

Operationalizing the concept of strategic culture in Slovakia is a challenging task, particularly in view of its turbulent past, which on many occasions challenged the very essence of strategic thought: intended to ensure the survival, autonomy and independence of a nation. Slovak strategic culture is largely determined by several historical factors: a recent and still brief experience with independent statehood; historical dominance by other powers; four decades of Soviet communist dictatorship; as well as a recently achieved membership in NATO and the European Union, which provides a fundamentally new framework for pursuing national interests.