Abstract

Crisis simulations and exercises are an effective way of broadening the minds of decision-makers, forecasting the future, identifying capability gaps, pin-pointing the weaknesses and strengths in the crisis response architecture and developing crisis response networks.

The EU increasingly makes use of crisis scenarios. However, simulations and exercises can only add value to preparedness efforts when they are but one element of a wider crisis response architecture. Greater efforts are required in terms of information gathering and sharing and linking the EU and national crisis response mechanisms and networks.

The results of crisis simulations and exercises can be neglected by political authorities, but usually the costs of not planning in advance are high. Instead of supporting simulations and exercises in the wake of a crisis, it is better to engrain a culture of foresighting and scenario testing in crisis response architectures before a crisis emerges.

EUISS Policy Brief, 2019, No. 9

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