European Security Defense Policy - Why the U.S. Needs to Support
Abstract
In December 1999, the leaders of the 15-nation European Union (EU) endorsed a plan to develop an independent military force within three years. This plan is part of a bid by Europe's most stable and affluent democracies to assume a greater role in security responsibilities on the continent. Referred to initially as the European Security Defense Initiative (ESDI), this plan, now called the European Security Defense Policy (ESDP), includes an initiative to build a European crisis-response force of up to 60,000 troops by no later than 2003. Initially, this program was hailed as a long-overdue program for the more affluent and stable European nations to assume more responsibility for their own security. However, this initiative is now a more controversial proposition than it seemed when first proposed. Some U.S. and other NATO leaders have voiced concerns that this initiative could erode the U.S.'s guaranteed presence and leadership on the European continent leading to potential instability in Europe. This paper will argue, that for both political and military reasons, the European Security Defense Policy should be fully embraced by the U.S. and the U.S. should continue to support the "separable but not separate" European defense entity remaining under the NATO umbrella. 1 Given the changing character of conflict on the European continent, this initiative will help ensure continued U.S. involvement in Europe stability, continue the viability of NATO in a changing security environment, and begin to develop a European defense capability needed for the changing environment in Europe.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 01, 2000
- Accession Number
- ADA432642
Entities
People
- C. J. Fiala Jr
Organizations
- National Defense University