In Search Of A New World Order: The Future Of U.S.-European Relations
Brandon's authors are just as distinguished as in the volume above; they are all Europeans save James Schlesinger (and Brandon himself, an Englishman long on this side of the Atlantic as Washington correspondent for the London Sunday Times). They paint their picture of Europe post-Maastricht in broad strokes. Their tone is optimistic, but Brandon cautions, presciently in light of subsequent events, that progress will be slower than Maastricht indicated and Michel Rocard predicts (and David Owen fears). Michel Stürmer reiterates the value of Europe's American connection, but Schlesinger, like Blackwill, foresees that connection becoming less intimate. He criticizes the Bush administration for resisting efforts by Europeans themselves to get together in foreign policy or defense.
Related
US public expectations of a 'peace dividend' from the collapse of the socialist bloc are unrealistic. Structural properties of US defence policy-making, and the non-existence of any strategic vision not predicated on the monolithic Soviet threat, mean that "for the next several years the 'peace dividend' will be much smaller than enthusiasts hope, and earning it will require departures from customary congressional habits". Offers advice on a strategy for reducing US defence expenditure (1) avoid a return to the 'hollow army' by shifting towards reserve or 'round-out' units (2) cut US forces in Europe in the light of CFE results, not in advance of them (3) defer various high-price equipment programmes, while preserving R&D budgets (4) using arms control to cut what the USA "can safely do without".
Assesses (1) progress in the evolution of a European security identity, with particular reference to the EC's handling of the Yugoslav crisis (2) how US foreign policy should adjust itself thereto. "The starting point for American policy should be an end to ambivalence over the Europeans building some defense co-operation of their own", and the USA should recognize that "NATO will not continue to serve as the cornerstone for an American political role in Europe".
President Johnson said recently of Europe: "The Europe of today is a new Europe. In place of uncertainty, there is confidence; in place of decay, progress; in place of isolation, partnership; in place of war, peace." Confidence, progress, partnership and peace-what better testimonial could there be to the health and vitality, both political and economic, of Europe today; and what better promise for Europe's future?
