Transatlantic Relations after Iraq
Abstract
For a short time after the tragic events of 11 September 2001, the United States and its allies in Europe experienced a period of solidarity and oneness unlike any other time since the Second World War. However, it was as powerful as it was short-lived. In 2002, as individual nations and international institutions grappled with the nature of the terrorist threat and how to deal with it, a serious rift developed in the transatlantic relationship. As the U.S. prepared for, and then prosecuted the war against Iraq, it alienated many of its European allies, principally led by France and Germany. Their leaders and populations adamantly disagreed with either the use of military force, or the timing and preventive nature of the war. Though the United States was staunchly supported by the British Government, transatlantic relations plummeted from an all-time high to an all-time low. While some debate continues as to the contributing factors, and certainly there is enough "blame" to ascribe to both sides of the Atlantic, many experts generally agree that the immediate strategic reasons for the rift involve the following aspects of the U.S. strategy for the global war on terrorism (GWOT): the U.S. doctrine of "preventative missions" in the National Security Strategy (NSS), unilateralism (acting without the legitimacy of a United Nations resolution or other multilateral institution such as NATO), and the decision to attack Iraq with the goal of regime change. This strategy has thrown the strategic ends-ways-means out of balance. The purpose of this study is to analyze the viability of this strategy, especially with respect to the implications for future transatlantic cooperation in the war on terrorism. It will review the reasons for European disagreement with U.S. policy, discuss several options offered by experts for improving transatlantic relations, and, finally, recommend specific actions to reengage Europe.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 18, 2005
- Accession Number
- ADA431715
Entities
People
- Dean Stodter
Organizations
- United States Army War College