Euro-Atlantic and Eurasian Security in a Multipolar World

Abstract

ABSTRACT This article argues that the reorientation of United States foreign policy from Europe to Asia opens up new opportunities for a pan-European security community. Under President Obama's leadership, the United States is no longer looking at the world through a predominantly European prism. Washington is shifting focus from Europe to the Asian-Pacific “rimland” where America is competing with China for transregional hegemony. This shift in emphasis marks an unprecedented disengagement from Europe and European security since 1917. That puts the onus on Europe's key powers, including the European Union, Russia, and Turkey. The main options are either a European takeover of NATO or the creation of a Euro-Atlantic or even pan-Eurasian security community from Vancouver to Vladivostok. In turn, the three options for U.S. foreign policy are (1) to reassert total control over European security and undercut any independent initiatives; (2) to disengage from Europe; or (3) to facilitate European autonomy in s...