Suchergebnisse

Thomas Risse's (2003) focus on the important impact of the Iraq War conflict on the transatlantic relationship & internal European differences is not initially controversial, but on further examination, it is seen to be problematic & inconsistent. While Risse credits the conservative Americans for raising the problem of democracy in the Middle East to the agenda of international politics, there is no empirical evidence for this point. In addition, the deterrent function of military force will be lost, in Iraq & throughout the Middle East, if the question of weapons of mass destruction is not successfully resolved. Iraq is not significant for the transatlantic relationship, as evidenced by Canada, who did not participate & did not suffer any adverse economic effects. Given the inner European commerce & finance, the transatlantic interdependence should not be overdramatized. Finally, Risse's analysis seems to be based on the assumption that the US seeks an improvement in the transatlantic relationship, for which there is no evidence with the current US administration; any improvement will be temporary until a new administration takes power. L. Kehl