America and Europe After 9/11 and Iraq: The Great Divide

This title argues that the rift between Europe and the United States cannot be repaired. It proposes a new approach to U.S.-European relations; and places the rift between the U.S. and Europe in the context of the emergence of the E.U. as a major power. It is highly critical of Tony Blair's pro-U.S. stance on the Iraq War. Author's research included interviews with former U.S. President George Bush, and John Major. U.S. foreign policy has proceeded in the belief that there is nothing really amiss with the European-American relationship that multilateralism will not fix. In truth, argues the author of this provocative book, the alliance is dead, cannot be fixed, and must be renegotiated. It has not grown to accommodate Europe's emergence as a major power; a 'United States of Europe', with foreign priorities different from those of the United States, has arrived at America's doorstep. But America is still forging European foreign policy using Cold War realities; both Democrats and Republicans expect the European Union to fall into step, and report for service as needed - under American leadership. However, competing visions of European leadership have emerged and the Iraq War has brought them into stark relief. The author argues that the divide over Iraq was more about French-British competition for leadership of Europe than it was about a division between American goals and European goals. He portrays British policy as out of touch with reality, based on the Blair government's exaggerated and self-serving view of the British-American "special relationship." The book concludes with prescriptions for forging a new alliance based on a "special relationship" with the European Union. This agenda is inspired by the thoughts of the leaders who spoke to the author specifically for this book, among them former president, George H. W. Bush, and former British prime minister, John Major.