A European security and defense identity— what role for the United States?

Abstract

All practical steps toward a European security and defense identity (ESDI) must not preclude the possibility of a common defense, while assuming that intergovernmental cooperation remains the modus procedendi for the present. Germany still requires an active U.S. role in Europe to strategically counterbalance Russia. The Western European Union (WEU) must continue to play its double role vis a vis both NATO (the European pillar) and the European Union (its military arm). To this end, U.S. liaison or observer status should be established at the WEU.