Mistrust Means Uncertain Future

Mistrust between the United States and Europe isn't new, but it's more evident as the states push for war with Iraq to combat terrorism. "Both believe the war on terrorism is important," says UAB political scientist Nikolaos Zahariadis, Ph.D., "but Europe is more focused on dismantling its domestic terrorist groups. It also fears a war would destabilize the Middle East, exacerbate the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, make the region less democratic and hurt European interests. Conversely, the United States is playing to Americans' fear of terrorism. In the short term, European opposition won't inhibit the United States from launching an attack against Iraq. But long-term, this signals divergent paths of policy regarding the Middle East and a renewed interest in a more independent European foreign policy."