"The Western Balkans, and in particular Kosovo, constitute an interesting area of study in the field political science and international relations in that, it not only brings into focus the development and evolution of the European Union (EU) since its inception, but also offers to define the transatlantic relationship between the European Union and the United States of America (USA). The Kosovo Conflict and the surrounding events throughout the Balkans have repeatedly demonstrated that the European Union still lacks the political, judicial and military competencies in its collective approaches to security and foreign policy. Since its inception, the EU had been, and continues to be greatly dependent on its partner and ally, the United States. Hence, the EU was characterized with the Capability-Expectations Gap (CEP), stating that the international environment and the EU itself expect higher outcomes than it is actually capable of delivering. Consequently, the incidents within mainland Europe were accompanied by continuous efforts to improve their Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP). During the course of this paper I would like bring into view an objective assessment, in the application of the European Union’s collective approach to regional and international security, and the outreach of its common foreign policy objectives. (...)
I would (also) like to find out whether the presence and involvement of the EU and the US in Kosovo, is simply a method to impose stability and increase security in the region, whether a larger picture is emerging regarding the geopolitical positioning of both entities in Kosovo, or if their interventions are based on a well-functioning and genuine transatlantic cooperation which results in a successful outcome. Furthermore, the questions arise as to whether or not the EU will manage to close the Capability-Expectations Gap through its interventions in Kosovo and if it will finally establish itself as a coordinated institution that is capable of acting independently. And, if this would be the case, what notable developments would occur in EU-US relations? Would the perceptions of the developing world change significantly towards a friendlier and cooperative EU, and would the US’s view on the future interoperability with the EU come under more scrutiny? (...)"
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Capability-Expectations Gap: The Hill-Ginsberg Approach
3. History of the Kosovo Conflict
4. Foreign and Security Policy of the EU in Kosovo
4.1. EU’s Interest in Kosovo
4.2. EU’s Interventions in Kosovo
4.3. Evaluation of EU Actions
5. Needing the Help of a Friend – The US engages in Kosovo
5.1. Transatlantic Relationship
5.1.1. The EU’s Assessment of the Transatlantic Relations
5.1.2. The US’ Assessment of the Transatlantic Relations
5.1.3. Iraq War as Crisis and Catalyst
5.2. US Interest for Intervention in Kosovo
5.3. Interventions of the Transatlantic Community
5.4. Evaluation of the Transatlantic Interventions
6. Conclusion
Research Objectives and Core Themes
This bachelor thesis examines the involvement of the European Union and the United States in the Kosovo conflict to evaluate the development of the EU's Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) and the state of the transatlantic partnership. The research focuses on whether these interventions reflect a functional, coordinated cooperation or reveal structural limitations in EU capabilities and geopolitical divergence.
- The evolution of the EU's Common Foreign and Security Policy in the Western Balkans.
- Application of the "Capability-Expectations Gap" theory to assess the EU's international role.
- The impact of the transatlantic relationship, specifically regarding the 2003 Iraq War, on EU-US security cooperation.
- Evaluation of post-conflict reconstruction and the geopolitical motivations for EU and US intervention in Kosovo.
Excerpt from the Book
1. Introduction
The Western Balkans, and in particular Kosovo, constitute an interesting area of study in the field political science and international relations in that, it not only brings into focus the development and evolution of the European Union (EU) since its inception, but also offers to define the transatlantic relationship between the European Union and the United States of America (USA). The Kosovo Conflict and the surrounding events throughout the Balkans have repeatedly demonstrated that the European Union still lacks the political, judicial and military competencies in its collective approaches to security and foreign policy. Since its inception, the EU had been, and continues to be greatly dependent on its partner and ally, the United States. Hence, the EU was characterized with the Capability-Expectations Gap (CEP), stating that the international environment and the EU itself expect higher outcomes than it is actually capable of delivering. Consequently, the incidents within mainland Europe were accompanied by continuous efforts to improve their Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP).
The European Union and the United States are significant international actors that in principle represent similar Western values and norms, and their relationship “is arguably the most important geopolitical relationship in the world.” However, their diverging views on the social justice, political ideology, wider conduct of society towards the rest of the world and on responses towards threats and crises as well as the competition on the global financial markets arises the suspicion if “the EU and US are actually friends or rivals.“
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: This chapter outlines the scope of the study, defining the importance of the Kosovo conflict as a test case for the EU's CFSP and the transatlantic relationship.
2. Capability-Expectations Gap: The Hill-Ginsberg Approach: This section introduces the theoretical framework used to analyze the EU's international performance, focusing on the gap between expectations and actual delivery.
3. History of the Kosovo Conflict: An overview of the historical roots of the conflict and the transition towards the international administration under UNMIK.
4. Foreign and Security Policy of the EU in Kosovo: Detailed examination of the EU's specific motives, intervention programs, and the challenges faced in stabilizing Kosovo.
5. Needing the Help of a Friend – The US engages in Kosovo: Analysis of the US role, the transatlantic relationship, and the impact of the Iraq war on security cooperation.
6. Conclusion: A final assessment of how the Kosovo experience has pushed the EU towards greater autonomy and how the Capability-Expectations Gap has begun to narrow.
Keywords
Kosovo, European Union, United States of America, Common Foreign and Security Policy, CFSP, Transatlantic Relationship, Capability-Expectations Gap, Security Policy, International Relations, Intervention, Stability, UNMIK, Reconstruction, Geopolitics, NATO.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the fundamental objective of this thesis?
The work aims to analyze the EU's collective foreign policy approach in Kosovo and assess whether it reflects a genuine, coordinated transatlantic cooperation or if the EU still suffers from a "Capability-Expectations Gap."
Which theoretical framework is applied?
The thesis utilizes Christopher Hill's "Capability-Expectations Gap" approach, further developed by Roy H. Ginsberg, to examine why the EU often fails to meet the international expectations placed upon it.
What are the primary geopolitical themes discussed?
Key themes include the institutional evolution of the EU's CFSP, the dynamics of the transatlantic partnership, the impact of the 2003 Iraq War on European security consensus, and the strategic importance of the Balkans.
How is the EU's performance in Kosovo evaluated?
The author evaluates the EU's performance as a mix of progressive institutional development (like the EUSR and EULEX) and persistent struggles with internal fragmentation and lack of military cohesion.
What role does the United States play in this study?
The US is analyzed as a strategic partner and guarantor of security, whose influence often shapes the conditions of intervention in Kosovo, while also highlighting the divergent strategic priorities between Washington and Brussels.
Why are certain keywords central to the research?
Keywords like "Capability-Expectations Gap" and "CFSP" are central because they define the analytical problem and the institutional policy domain under investigation.
How did the Iraq War specifically impact the Kosovo intervention?
The Iraq War acted as a catalyst that deeply divided the EU, highlighting its lack of a unified voice in security matters and temporarily straining its relationship with the US, which then influenced the later debate on an independent European military capability.
What does the thesis conclude about the current status of EU-US relations in Kosovo?
The author concludes that the EU has matured into a more capable actor, and that the US has begun to recognize the value of the EU’s specific competence in post-conflict management and state-building, leading to a steady improvement in transatlantic relations.
- Quote paper
- Sonja Blum (Author), 2008, With A Little Help From My Friend - Foreign and Security Policy of the EU and the USA in Kosovo, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/131507
