Repairing the Rift: The United States and Europe After Iraq

The United Nations debate over Iraq revealed significant differences between the United States and its major European allies, particularly France and Germany. Their disagreements focused primarily on how best to disarm Iraq—diplomatically or militarily—and when force is justified. The Iraq debate, however, revealed even deeper divisions about the importance of power, the use of military force, the rule of law, and multilateral institutions.

When the conflict in Iraq is over, how can the United States and Europe work together to overcome their differences? A panel of experts convened by the Brookings Institution will address a number of questions on how the rift can be repaired:

• How deep is the split, particularly with France, Germany, and Russia?
• Has the nature of transatlantic relations fundamentally changed?
• What is the outlook for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization?
• What impact will the differences over Iraq both within Europe, as well as between Europe and the United States, have on Europe’s desire to develop a common foreign and security policy and become a counterweight to the United States?

Panelists will take questions from the audience following their presentations.