The US Role in European Security

Abstract

At the heart of Europe’s security dilemma is the US itself. Successive US administrations have insisted that the security of the US is intimately linked to that of Europe, and therefore the US, almost by right, should continue its leadership role in the Alliance. The paranoia that the development of a strong European pillar will weaken the Atlantic pillar, and therefore the US’s position, is an ironical twist on the Cold War demands from Washington for the Allies to assume a fairer share of the defence burden. Although all of the European NATO allies have rejected the idea of a complete US military withdrawal from Europe, a reduced US military role will lead to pressure for a different kind of relationship between the US and its allies. This pressure calls for a new understanding between the US and its European allies; an understanding which should explicitly accept a stronger European identity in security affairs. As has been suggested already, adjustments will have to be made on the part of the Europeans, especially by the French, who will have to be open-minded to realignments in US defence policy.