Author: Peter Rough
Affiliation: Hudson Institute Washington D.C.
Organization/Publisher: Foreign Policy Corner
Date/Place: February 26, 2020/USA
Type of Literature: Article
Word Count: 1514
Keywords: Munich Security Conference 2019, Multilateral Diplomacy, International Order
Brief:
The 2020 Munich Security Conference revealed an increase in clashing points between the United States and Europe. Major disagreements regarding the management of the international system occurred, one example being the statement of French President Emmanuel Macron who made his position clear for “a European way,” that is multilateral diplomacy. To highlight American skepticism about this kind of diplomacy, the author cites Brookings Institution’s Thomas Wright, who states that even the American left’s preference is “a values-based approach of the likeminded to uphold a certain idea of international order” and not merely working together with everyone. The frustration of Germany by the US, which is explained briefly by the author, became an opportunity for France to empower the EU by “limiting” NATO. This attitude produced tensions between Washington and Paris. But despite the disagreement between the US and Europe, the author adds that Europe cannot easily depart from the US and he presents three reasons for his statement: first, the European countries mostly remain divided among themselves; second, Europe is weakening as can be seen in its economy and demography, it isn’t able to take economic risks right now and its militaries are small; third, the US and its power is still more attractive than Europe is to third parties who choose to maintain closer relations to the US than to a European country. Results of Russia and China, who work hard in persuading the EU to depart from the US by offering low-priced alternatives, can be seen in China pushing away Germany from the US and Germany becoming neutral in security related issues. Concluding, the author justifies a US-led international system by reminding how the world looked prior to Pax Americana and adds that the US has a “balanced” way of acting in the international field by emphasizing the US’ genuine and enduring affections for Europe.
By: Dilek Yücel-Kamadan, CIGA Research Associate
