Lexington Books Issues in EU and US Foreign Policy

Issues in E.U. and U.S. Foreign Policy, edited by Münevver Cebeci, aims at analyzing the perceptions, interests, and policies of the EU and the US on various international issues. It portrays their convergences and divergences, and reflects on their interplay. The book has a geographical focus rather than a thematic one; however, some themes such as weapons of mass destruction, dual use technology transfer, energy security, and democratization, are unavoidable within their respective geographical contexts. For example, the authors inquire into the case of Iran with a special focus on nuclear proliferation; they investigate Russia with a significant emphasis on energy security; Iraq is examined with a discussion on the withdrawal of occupation troops; and, finally, the authors address the case of China with a debate on dual use technology transfer. Issues in European Union and U.S. Foreign Policy is composed of two parts: The first involves an inventive theoretical framework for understanding EU and US foreign policy. The analysis extends beyond traditional approaches that seek to explain US and EU foreign policy through various dichotomies such as soft power versus hard power without overlooking the significance of such dichotomies. This section further discusses how European and American scholars approach transatlantic relations in different ways. The second section covers an intensive comparative analysis of EU and US foreign policy on specific issue areas. Some chapters also deal with the impact of their policy divergences and convergences on transatlantic relations and NATO. Nevertheless, the book aims to go beyond the parochial debates of burden-sharing or division of labor in transatlantic relations. It focuses on-and actually proposes-a broader framework of cooperation and coordination for the EU and the US. Review Rarely are the fundamental differences between US and European foreign policies brought properly into comparative focus. This volume succeeds superbly well in bringing out the underlying fault-lines between the allies' respective approaches to the great issues of contemporary international relations. It dispenses with the facile stereotypes of Venus/Mars or hard/soft power and brings out, with nuance and sophistication, the deeper elements of convergence and divergence.--Jolyon Howorth, Jean Monnet Professor of European Politics at Yale University This volume will be essential reading for all those interested in European and US foreign policy, and transatlantic relations. It provides a sound theoretical framework plus cutting-edge analysis of the most important areas for cooperation between the EU and US. The chapters on Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, Russia, China, and terrorism reveal the continuity as well as the differences between Obama's approach and that of George W. Bush.--Fraser Cameron, former foreign policy advisor for the European Commission and current Director of the EU Russia Centre About the Author Münevver Cebeci is assistant professor at the European Union Institute at Marmara University in Istanbul.