The Future of the Transatlantic Security Relationship

Globalization, the financial crisis, and the U.S. pivot to Asia are profoundly changing the transatlantic security relationship. Some observers believe that these developments call for a new transatlantic bargain based on a Europe that would take greater responsibility for upholding security and stability in Europe and along its periphery. However, low European defense budgets and numerous political differences among European nations make such a bargain appear unlikely. At the same time, while the United States will reduce its military footprint in Europe in the years ahead, it will still want to remain a "European power.'' Hence, the most likely outcome of current developments will be a transatlantic security community with lower ambitions, yet with a continuously solid institutional relationship based on a reformed North Atlantic Treaty Organization.