In The News

The Atlantic Divide over Fighting Terrorism

Jonathan Schell March 16, 2005
Spain recently commemorated the first anniversary of the March 11 terrorist train bombings. With an international conference on terrorism and five minutes of nation-wide silence, Spain's conduct one year after the tragedy is markedly different from the US declaration of war in response to 9/11, writes Jonathan Schell. As the world grapples with the terrorist challenge, Spain demonstrates an...

"We Don't Need Any Partners in Germany"

Carsten Knop March 4, 2005

Bush to Europe: Let's Move On

Shada Islam February 23, 2005
Speaking of transatlantic relations during his recent European tour, President Bush emphatically claimed that "no temporary debate, no passing disagreement of governments, no power on earth will ever divide us." As journalist Shada Islam explains, there is some basis for the President's optimism. The United States and Europe have agreed to disagree on a number of issues, favoring...

The Pull of the West

Stefan Wagstyl February 22, 2005
When the governments of several Eastern European countries succeeded in joining the EU last year, the voice of protest was loud among the citizenry. Yet recently, opinion polls show a significant growth in approval rates for EU membership, reflecting the growing visibility of economic and political membership benefit. On the economic end, new member countries in Eastern Europe have seen...

Despite Rhetoric Trans-Atlantic Alliance is Alive and Well

Mohammed Ayoob February 14, 2005
US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice last week delivered a speech urging reconciliation among allies ostensibly torn asunder by the US invasion of Iraq. According to international affairs scholar Mohammed Ayoob, however, the US-EU alliance was never in danger. Whatever differences might arise over specific foreign policy issues, Ayoob maintains, the overriding objective of the Concert is to...

US Resolution Reveals Distrust of China, EU

February 4, 2005
As Brussels decides to suspend the 15-year-long arms embargo against China, European and Chinese politicians continue to nurture their flourishing relationship. Meanwhile, Washington remains anxious about the possible implications for regional geopolitics in the Asia-Pacific region – especially across the Taiwan Strait. According to this People's Daily commentary, a new US legislative...

Where Trade Trumps Politics

Quentin Peel February 3, 2005
In an effort to further ties with China, the European Union appears poised to lift an arms embargo imposed on the country for the past 15 years. From a military standpoint, the practical consequences may not be severe: China already buys sophisticated arms from Russia and Israel. However, any arms repeal would only further strain US relations with Europe; at this point, US officials are left...