United States Interests And Western Europe

Based on new and existing research by a world-class scholar, this is the first book in twenty years to examine the dynamics of the entire American-West European relationship since 1945. The relationship between the United States and Western Europe has always been crucial and recent events dictate that it is becoming ever more so. In this important new work, Geir Lundestad analyses the balance between the cooperation and conflict which has characterized this relationship in the post-war period. He examines talk of transatlantic drift, and the strain now apparent between the USA and the nation states of Western Europe. In the concluding section, Lundestad offers a topical view of the future of transatlantic interaction. Throughout the work Lundestad's much cited 'empire by invitation' thesis is both put into practice and extended in time and scope. This book is essential reading for anyone interested in one of the most important and enduring international relationships of the last sixty years.

This book examines the response of the Western Alliance to the Polish Crisis (1980-83). The author analyses the different views of Europe and the United States regarding enforcement in East-West relations and the opposition in Western Europe to the American approach. This case exemplifies the lasting differences in attitude within the Western Alliance.

NATO is unnecessary because the West European nations now have the economic and military resources to protect their own security, according to Carpenter. He calls on the US to withdraw from the alliance, form a more limited and flexible security relationship with Western Europe, and encourage the European powers to take responsibility for the stability of their own region. Above all, he urges US policymakers to remain aloof from European conflicts that do not have direct, significant bearing on America's vital interests. Paper edition (17-5), $9.95. Annotation copyright by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR