Trans-Atlantic Divide: The USA/Euroland Rift?

The trans-Atlantic gap between America and Europe widened in the countdown to and in the aftermath of the 2003 Iraq War. A vitriolic political standoff concerning Iraq brought severe stress to relations between the Bush Administration and many key Western European allies, especially France and Germany, creating a chasm of misperceptions deepened by incessant media hype. Sadly, stereotypes still abound. In an atmosphere where trans-Atlantic ties are viewed not through the prism of policy, but rather through that of emotion - where shrill polemical accounts of the USA vs. Euroland create a self-fulfilling prophecy, this book brings back a needed balance to the debate: are the USA and Europe really at odds? Trans-Atlantic Divide: The USA/Euroland Rift? presents a historical view woven with context, infused with informed commentary, and presented with clarity. The book outlines a contrarian and realistic view that offers a clear common ground for both sides, as illustrated in booming business, trade, and tourism relations between the USA and the EU. In spite of the unavoidable diplomatic residue following the Iraq war, American relations with Europe remain unquestionably vital for commercial, cultural, and geo-political reasons.

Table of Contents:
Chapter 1 Illustrations Chapter 2 Introduction Chapter 3 1. The World's Sole Superpower Chapter 4 2. Historie — General de Gaulle, Neo-Gaullists, and America Chapter 5 3. McWorld vs. France? Chapter 6 4. Pipelines, Pershings, and Protests Chapter 7 5. War on Terror — Hands Across the Seas? Chapter 8 6. The Iraq War and the United Nations Chapter 9 7. European Union Uber Alles? The Old Versus the New Europe Chapter 10 8. Why Can't We Be Friends? Chapter 11 9. What is to Be Done? The Road Ahead Chapter 12 Select Bibliography

About the Author :
John J. Metzler is an analyst of diplomatic, defense, and developmental issues, which he teaches at St. John's University in New York. As a United Nations correspondent covering Security Council and General Assembly affairs, Metzler covered the countdown to and aftermath of the Iraq War and how it impacted European-American relations. He regularly visits Europe for research and interviews, and is a longtime observer of trans-Atlantic relations.

Review :
The topic of this book—the trans-Atlantic divide between the US and Europe—is very important, although little new is added to the existing literature about why such a gap has developed and how can it be narrowed. Metzler (St. John's Univ.) identities multiple causes for the gap, emphasizing in particular the divide caused by the 2003 Iraq War. Separate chapters deal with the emergence of the US as the sole superpower after the end of the Cold War, adverse French and German reactions to enhanced US primacy, the War on Terror, The Iraq War, and the old versus the new Europe. These chapters do cover major events that have strained US-European relations over the past several decades. However, the importance of the topic being studied cries out for the discussion to be grounded in theory, so that rapidly evolving events can be more readily assessed. The final chapter ("What Is to Be Done? The Road Ahead") does provide some helpful suggestions for strengthening US-European relations. The book can provide a quick overview for undergraduates of problems and opportunities for US-European relations, but specialists will find little here that adds to the existing literature. Summing Up: Recommended. Undergraduate collections.