French-American Relations after the Iraq War: How to Redefine the Relationship

Abstract

The years 2002-03 were a historical low point in the relationship between France and the United States of America (Friedman, 2003). After this nadir, the relationship could only improve. It would be mistaken, however, to be complacent since many of the root causes of the major disagreements over the last years have not yet been addressed. The dispute over the recourse to war in Iraq was only a symptom of deeper problems and divergences. The conflict was not just over Iraq, but over the international system. This means that relations will be harder to mend. The responses of France and the USA to terrorism likewise reveal how difficult it is to reconcile the positions of the two countries. When the Americans decided to launch a 'war' against terror-which in the French view could not be won-France wished to keep the target limited strictly to Al-Qaeda and its allies. Even though a sense of realism has led each partner to accept the need for the other's contribution, fundamental differences remain. To explore these differences, this chapter will start with an analysis of the underlying causes behind the tensions, particularly the distinct messages that each of the two nations has the pretensionindeed the audacity-to convey to the world. It will consider the evolution of Franco-American relations in the aftermath of the Iraq invasion and address the question of whether improved relations can be fostered by reform of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO). Finally, the scope for a redefinition of the relationship through improved cooperation between the USA and the European Union (EU) will be discussed. Two global visions France is the only large European country never to have fought a war against the USA, and each is the other's longest-standing ally. Over the 20 M. Maclean et al. (eds.