The handbook on CSDP gives a comprehensive overview of the state of affairs of the Common Security and Defence Policy of the European Union in 2017. Nine chapters and 35 articles cover the full spectrum of our Common Security and Defence Policy. The handbook is designed for 'students' of the European Security and Defence College. 36 authors, half of them coming from the EU institutions, the other half from academia, described in an open and frank manner the current challenges and possible ways forward.