A bridge too far: the United Kingdom and the transatlantic relationship

Abstract

The Transatlantic Programme of the Robert Schuman Centre for Advanced Studies conducts policyoriented and basic research on the subjects of transatlantic relations and transatlantic governance. Our activities aim at improving public and scholarly understanding of transatlantic partnership, and the role of the transatlantic partners in issues of global governance. The Transatlantic Programme was established in Autumn 2000, thanks to a generous grant from BP.

Working with Allies: The United States, the United Kingdom, and the War on Terror

“…Sympathy and concern for London by the Bush team, however, did not always reveal itself in a positive and helpful form. On the eve of the 2003 invasion, Secretary Rumsfeld embarrassed Blair by declaring publicly that the United States was prepared to accept that Blair might find it politically impossible to send troops to Iraq (Wallace and Oliver 2005, 170). Rumsfeld’s attacks on Blair‐sponsored moves toward European defense integration were similarly unhelpful, as was the announcement at the height of the Iraq debate of the imposition of tariffs on British steel imports.…”

“…relations. Nevertheless, in the case of Iraq and along with important voices within the senior British military, the FCO was more cautious about committing Britain to unpredictable, long‐term commitments in the volatile and dangerous Middle East (Wallace and Oliver 2005). Blair’s decision for war stemmed from his genuine and profound apprehensions, which he certainly shared with Bush, about Saddam’s links with terrorism, and about the possibility of weapons of mass destruction falling into terrorist hands.…”