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Email this citationCIAO DATE: 02/05
Why German-US Relations Still Matter to the Transatlantic Alliance—One Year after War in Iraq
Michaela C. Hertkorn
December 2004
Abstract
Dr. Michaela C. Hertkorn
Assistant Professor, The John C. Whitehead School of Diplomacy and International Relations, Seton Hall University, South Orange, NJ 07079 & Adjunct Professor, M. S. Global Studies Program, New York University, Woolworth Campus, NY
Why German-US Relations still Matter—One Year after War in Iraq
The paper in question is based on research about transatlantic tensions with a focus on German-US relations. Three phases were identified: the pre-Bush, the Bush and the post-9/11-Bush phase.
1. The so-called pre-Bush phase dealt with the long-term stabilization in the Balkans and a common European security and defense policy. The following question was addressed: Does the US want Germany to play a stronger role in the European Union and/or NATO?
2. The so-called Bush-phase lasted from Presidential Elections of George Bush in November 2000 to September 11, 2001, including the first two visits of Bush to Europe in Summer 2001. Main case studies were missile defense and NATO enlargement.
3. The so-called post-9/11-Bush phase started on September 11, 2001, which arguably changed parameters defining transatlantic relations. By autumn 200I, "NATO for-ever-transformed" became the major focus and case study of this research project. More than one year after the Iraq war, one unfortunate impact of troubled German- US relations seems to have concerned the European theatre itself. What does this mean? Strong German-US relations contribute to intra-European stability. Without them, France started complaining about the too strong British influence in the transatlantic theatre, suggesting, the European Union could formulate its own common policy on Iraq, which would then isolate Great Britain. On the other side, after German Chancellor Schröder did not succeed in London by the end of September 2002, to get Tony Blair to help him restore US-German relations, Schröder' s focus shifted across the Rhine, as to get France to join ranks to counter US-UK policy on Iraq.
So, where do transatlantic and intra-European relations stand in late 2004? Where do they stand three years after September 11, 2001? Where are we—the Atlantic community—now, given the recent re-election of President Bush in 2004?
