A vengeful United States is snubbing its German allies for opposing
the war against Iraq. Prickly France has become a porcupine sitting
on America's lap; Moscow and Beijing have followed Paris' lead since
the United States and Britain subdued Ba'athi Iraq. Some opine, and
others worry, that a belligerent United States or a reactive European
Union will throw NATO into the dust bin of fast-moving history. The
United States may think it does not need Europe, and Europe may
reject association with the American hyperpower. Some Continentals
now call more openly for European balancing against a "rogue United
States."
This, however, will not happen. The EU will not seek to become
another military superpower to contend with or threaten America. The
defeat of Iraq will not lead to the end of the American era, with
Europe as America's residuary legatee. Nor is the altercation between
Europe and America properly cast as a spat between different visions
of the social order--with Brussels and the European Commission
representing the "paradise" of social democracy and Washington the
"power" of the preponderant state. Europe, in fact, does not play
Venus to America's Mars.
Amid much bluster on both sides, the paramount truth is that the two
major centers are both powerful, but act in different spheres--and
they desperately need each other. Neither can, or at any rate should,
talk cavalierly of going it alone. Most specifically, America needs
Europe's financial power, and Europe requires America's military
protection.
America Needs Europe
