‘From European to Atlantic Visions: British Foreign Policy, 1997-2010’

Finn Laursen (ed.) The EU, Security and Transatlantic Relations (PIE Peter Lang), 2011

19 Pages Posted: 17 Jun 2012

Date Written: December 2011

Abstract

Britain’s decision to send armed forces to Afghanistan in 2002 and Iraq in 2003 has provoked a considerable discussion about the legitimacy, rationale and impact of this course of action. Not least, it has exposed questions over the extent to which British interests in Europe, the Muslim world and beyond have been impacted on by the desire by the then Labour government of Prime Minister Tony Blair to stand shoulder to shoulder with the United States of America (US). At the time, the view in London was that Britain could take on a position of a bridge between Europe and America. But some ten years on a question mark hangs over the extent to which such a strategy brought Britain greater influence in Europe and the US. In undertaking this analysis, the chapter is divided into four sections. First, the chapter explores the key determinants that shaped British foreign policy from 1997-2007, noting in particular the significance of Tony Blair’s Doctrine of the International Community. Second, the chapter looks at the manner by which New Labour sought to position itself as a bridge between the EU and the US, with particular regard to the Iraq conflict. Third, the chapter debates the extent to which the traditional British position of trying to balance its relationship with Europe and America has brought an increase in British influence. Fourth, the chapter examines key trends and patterns in the relationship as well as identifying future challenges.

Suggested Citation

Blair, Alasdair, ‘From European to Atlantic Visions: British Foreign Policy, 1997-2010’ (December 2011). Finn Laursen (ed.) The EU, Security and Transatlantic Relations (PIE Peter Lang), 2011, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2085596

Alasdair Blair (Contact Author)

De Montfort University ( email )

United Kingdom
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0116 257 7186 (Fax)

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