‘United in its diversity’ (or disunited in adversary): That is the question for the European Union and the European security and defence policy

Abstract

The years 2002–2004 showed that political integration in the European Union for the foreseeable future has gone as far as it can go. The Iraqi war demonstrated that, whilst able to agree on low politics, the member states are clearly divided about the finalité politique of the EU, the strategic culture they should adopt and their attitude to the United States. Kagan was partly right on the philosophical divide between the Americans and some in Europe, but that division also stretches among the European Union of twenty‐five. They are faced with having to resolve whether to go down the Franco‐German European integrationist route or the more intergovernmental and Atlantic road of the British. 2002–2004 also showed that on issues of high politics, member states rely on their perception of their national interest rather than on neo‐realism or neo‐liberal institutionalism.