Defence and strategy

Miroslav MAREŠ

This article deals with the threat of irredentism for the Czech Republic, mostly from the comparative historical perspective. It analyses contemporary situation and possible future development of territorial claims in relation to the Czech Republic. It defines the term irredentism and its dimensions. The irredentist threats for the Czech Republic in the first half of the 20 century are described. Contemporary threats are conceptualized (new dimension of traditional threats with direct connection to the Czech territory, new dimension of traditional threats in regional security environment and new forms of irredentist threats). Author comes to conclusion that the substance of irredentist threat has been changed – from “hard security” threat to “weak security” threat, however, in the future can be the risk potential of some forms of irredentism again higher than today.