Home Alone? The US Pivot to Asia and Its Implications for the EU’s Common Security and Defence Policy

Abstract

With the signing of the Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement in 2015 and President Obama’s visits to Asian states in 2014 the long-proclaimed US pivot to the Asia-Pacific has gained momentum. The US move is of strategic significance and poses new challenges to Europe while also opening new opportunities: Though the transatlantic ties will probably remain strong, the Europeans cannot rule out further significant reductions in the US engagement on the ‘old continent’ as a consequence of a possible deterioration of the situation in Asia. Europe will therefore have to make stronger efforts with respect to its own security. A European Union that takes the necessary measures to overcome its foreign policy divisions would become better situated to maintain peace and stability in its area of influence. To achieve this, Europe needs to effect a paradigm shift that renders its Common Foreign and Security Policy more concise and coherent and thus enhances its actorness in International Relations. This might even include the establishment of common European armed forces. Without deeper defence integration European countries might well end up as an assembly of marginalized political dwarfs.