Routledge The Transatlantic Era (1989–2020) in Documents and Speeches

This accessible textbook uses key documents embedded in a clear narrative to chart the post-Cold War rise and decline of transatlantic relations. It provides a novel interpretive framework by proposing that the three decades between 1989 and 2020 represent a distinct ‘transatlantic era’. Providing a unique new look at the recent history and politics of transatlantic relations, the book argues that three key phases can be identified: 1989–1999: victory? 2000–2010: divergence? 2011–2020: disarray? Each period defines a particular set of political, economic, and security dynamics, with the trend being a gradual undermining of the strengths on which transatlantic unity once relied. These three decades therefore represent both the high point of the transatlantic region’s power and potential, and its gradual decline in a global context. Presenting students with a critical perspective of US and European transatlantic policies through annotated key documents covering central aspects of security, political, economic, and cultural affairs, it will be essential reading on all International Relations courses as well as of great interest to scholars and students of US and European Studies, Foreign Policy, and Security Studies. Review "A fascinating look at three decades’ worth of transatlantic security cooperation. Boxhoorn and Scott-Smith offer insights and thought provoking questions for everyone interested in the changing political fortunes of the West and the prospect of a global power shift." Sten Rynning, University of Southern Denmark. "The editors provide useful insights into the changing surroundings and mechanisms that have characterised the transatlantic relationship over the last three decades. One of its major strengths is that it offers a comprehensive base of documents – political, economic and security documents as well as cultural commentary – that makes it a highly valuable contributions to transatlantic understanding and future debate." Kate Hansen Bundt, the Norwegian Atlantic Committee, Norway. "The book has been published at the right time. Anxious "disarray"- as the editors define the current period of transatlantic relations - seems to have reached its lowest ebb, which has been recently confirmed by the Afghanistan debacle. This solicitous and up-to-date collection of documents on the last 30 years allows us to look at its developments from a distance. The editors’ scrupulous work enables us not only not to judge the Alliance under the influence of current events, but most of all to better reflect on its future, embracing its immutable goal - caring for world peace and security in front of Russia’s and China’s expected belligerent actions. " Lukasz Jurczyszyn, Polish Institute of International Affairs (PISM) Brussels Office, Belgium. "Bram Boxhoorn and Giles Scott-Smith have done scholars and students of transatlantic relations the world over an incredible favor. The documents they have compiled capture the optimism inherent in the early days of the post-Cold War era and convey the, perhaps inevitable, tragedy in the subsequent decisions that have prompted talk of the end of the transatlantic partnership. The Transatlantic Era is an both an invaluable tool for research and the classroom, and an invitation to ask whether we could have chosen differently." James M. Lindsay, Council on Foreign Relations, USA. About the Author Bram Boxhoorn is director of the Netherlands Atlantic Association (The Hague), a non-partisan organization that focuses on transatlantic security issues, such as the role of NATO in the Euro-Atlantic security framework, EU-US relations, and NATO-Russian relations. Giles Scott-Smith holds the Roosevelt Chair in New Diplomatic History at Leiden University, The Netherlands.