LeonardoDaVinci
12th February 2003, 01:58
Well, following France, Germany and Belgium's blocking of the NATO initiative to protect Turkey, the already deteriorating relatioship between the two European countries and the US has hit a new low.
In my opinion, this marks a new chapter of interntional politics. Back in the cold war days, the Americans and the French (who were always deeply distrustful of each other) dealt with each other to counter the perceived threat from the East. Nevertheless, since the collapse of the USSR the balance of power has evidently shifted towards an America which has become increasingly unilatral and self-centred.
I believe that the reasons behind the franco-german intransigence stems not only from the blatant fact that US has yet to come up with a conclusive evidence incriminating Iraq. But there is an underlying motive behind their insubordinate behaviour, and that is a genuine fear that the US is inexorably getting out of control without the counter threat of a rival super power.
Germany and France have always formed the backbone of the European Union, and it is they who have made the most positive steps towards making that dream a reality. Germany and France have also pressed for the creation of a pan-European rapid-reaction military force which can respond to crises outside its borders without direct American involvement.
France proposed the creation of a rapid reaction force around the embryo European military unit, Eurocorps, which was created in 1993. The Eurocorps was originally a Franco-German brigade but has been widened to include units from Belgium, Luxembourg and Spain. The unit is based in the French city of Strasbourg with a Belgian general as commander and can call on 60,000 troops for its operations.
Furthermore, since the inauguration of the EU Germany has been and continues to be its leading financial contributor, vastly outspending other European members.
The Franco-German vision of a single federal EU superstate stems not from an ideallic vision to create a a harmonious post-modern state which perpetuates the ideals of Locke an Hume, but rather a pragmatic realisation that only a single Europe with a common market, and a common defence strategy can possibly stand a chance to counterbalance the US's global hegenomy. And I believe that although the French, Germans and Russians for that matter are more concerned with their long term strategic interests rather than any altruistic desire to help third world countries, it is nevertheless paramount that a united and committed Europe does evolve and develop the necessary means to challenge an increasingly power-mad America.
(Edited by LeonardoDaVinci at 12:28 pm on Feb. 12, 2003)
In my opinion, this marks a new chapter of interntional politics. Back in the cold war days, the Americans and the French (who were always deeply distrustful of each other) dealt with each other to counter the perceived threat from the East. Nevertheless, since the collapse of the USSR the balance of power has evidently shifted towards an America which has become increasingly unilatral and self-centred.
I believe that the reasons behind the franco-german intransigence stems not only from the blatant fact that US has yet to come up with a conclusive evidence incriminating Iraq. But there is an underlying motive behind their insubordinate behaviour, and that is a genuine fear that the US is inexorably getting out of control without the counter threat of a rival super power.
Germany and France have always formed the backbone of the European Union, and it is they who have made the most positive steps towards making that dream a reality. Germany and France have also pressed for the creation of a pan-European rapid-reaction military force which can respond to crises outside its borders without direct American involvement.
France proposed the creation of a rapid reaction force around the embryo European military unit, Eurocorps, which was created in 1993. The Eurocorps was originally a Franco-German brigade but has been widened to include units from Belgium, Luxembourg and Spain. The unit is based in the French city of Strasbourg with a Belgian general as commander and can call on 60,000 troops for its operations.
Furthermore, since the inauguration of the EU Germany has been and continues to be its leading financial contributor, vastly outspending other European members.
The Franco-German vision of a single federal EU superstate stems not from an ideallic vision to create a a harmonious post-modern state which perpetuates the ideals of Locke an Hume, but rather a pragmatic realisation that only a single Europe with a common market, and a common defence strategy can possibly stand a chance to counterbalance the US's global hegenomy. And I believe that although the French, Germans and Russians for that matter are more concerned with their long term strategic interests rather than any altruistic desire to help third world countries, it is nevertheless paramount that a united and committed Europe does evolve and develop the necessary means to challenge an increasingly power-mad America.
(Edited by LeonardoDaVinci at 12:28 pm on Feb. 12, 2003)