Suchergebnisse

Disunited, the EU member states can only look on as the international situation deteriorates to their disadvantage because of the crisis in Iraq. The three pillars on which the old order rested -- the UN with its rules on collective security, the Atlantic Alliance & the EU -- have been seriously shaken. In particular, Europe has been notably absent from the restructuring of the international system, but not because it lacks the means: what is absent is Europe's will to regain its place in the world. To reach that goal the only solution is to pool its forces; that alone will allow Europe to play its role in a world that becomes more multipolar with each day that passes. Adapted from the source document.

This article approaches the challenges that face the establishment of European defense policy. It suggests that it is currently not even possible to speak of a notion of European defense because there is no general consensus on what the objectives of such a policy would entail. Throughout the Cold War era, European defense was conceived as an integrated part of transatlantic security. This model, long invalid, has not been superseded by a cohesive European defense strategy. Any attempts to form a European coalition or to improve European military technology will remain only partial advances without such an underlying policy. This article argues for the necessity to rapidly develop such a policy & the institutional structures required for its implementation. Adapted from the source document.

Europe's international position is examined in a broad context of the development of nations & of relations among them. In 1500, Europe was less rich & powerful than the other three civilizations that existed then. The evolution of European global influence & parallel development of the nation-state are sketched. During the 20th century, other powers increased at Europe's expense. US hegemony has threatened European unity since the end of the Cold War; the EU's size since its recent expansion could spoil the community project. E. Taylor

All of Europe is not united, despite semantic ambiguity of geographic & political references. A sketch of 1500 years' parallel histories demonstrates very distinct paths of nationhood in Eastern & Western Europe. Both regions are European, but the nations of each view their own identity & their international aspirations differently. Adapted from the source document.