The European Strategy for the Middle East

Abstract

The Iraq crisis has not only highlighted the absence of a cohesive European foreign policy, but has also revealed that European countries are unable to agree on what issues should be given priority by EU action. The establishment of a coherent Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) is one of the biggest challenges currently faced by the EU. A common EU strategy for the Middle East is pivotal to the CFSP, given the fact that numerous international conflicts stem from this area: the upsurge of Islamic terrorism, instability in Iraq, or the failure of the peace process. European countries agree with the United States on the need to maintain stability in the region, to foster political and economic change, and to grant oil supply at reasonable prices. However, the EU and the United States are split in their position towards how to reach their goals. A growing unilateralism has been the trademark of the US administration’s foreign policy since President George W. Bush came to power. This policy has had a negative impact on the US transatlantic partnership. Even though the EU and the United States have made a similar analysis of the current situation in the Middle East, they argue over what measures to take in the coming years: While Washington advocates a merciless war on terrorism based on American military supremacy, Brussels calls for the need to consider the social, political and economic side to the problem as well.