The relations between two important countries, such as the United Kingdom and the United States, have always been interesting to watch for people strongly interested in foreign politics and international interaction. But since September 11th 2001 this has changed completely; with the assaults of the al-Qaeda terrorists on the Pentagon and the World Trade Center, it has been proven that terrorist attacks can happen any where in the world. Hence everybody should be interested in what the leaders of the international alliance against terrorism are doing or planning to do. The leader of the alliance are of course the USA, simply because the attacks happened in their country and it is undoubted that they are still the only world power. But Great Britain is also heavily involved in the "war against terrorism"1, not only because of the death of many Britons in the WTC or because NATO invoked Article 5 ("an attack on one member state is an attack on all"2), but because of a strong multitude of cultural and historical bonds with the United States.
Great Britain and the USA are often said to have a ′special relationship′, so to analyze this relationship in its current form, I am going to first describe Tony Blair′s personal role in the partnership with the USA and thus with George W. Bush. This includes why he and G. W. Bush are working together so well although their characters and social backgrounds are very different, and an overview of the different ways Tony Blair′s role in the alliance against terror is seen in the world. Afterwards I am going to illustrate Great Britain′s role as a bridge between the United States and continental Europe. Obviously this will not be possible without describing Great Britain′s general role in the EU and again mentioning Premier Minister Tony Blair, but in this section his actions represent Great Britain as a nation and himself.
Nearly every European country and many countries all over the world are supporting the war on terror, partly because of NATO Article 5, but primarily because they think it is the only way to stop terrorism. But most of the European leaders do not share Bush′s view of the ′axis of evil′ consisting of Iran, Iraq and North Korea, expressed in his state-of-the-union address in January 2002. In the next section I will show that this causes problems for Great Britain and Tony Blair because there will probably be no world alliance for military action against Iraq. [...]
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Current Relations between the USA and the UK
2.1. The Partnership
2.1.1. Tony Blair’s Personal Role
2.1.2. The UK’s Role
2.2. The ‘Iraq Question’
2.3. The Steel Tariffs
3. Disadvantages and Advantages for the USA and the UK
4. Conclusion
Research Objectives and Key Topics
This work examines the evolution and current status of the "special relationship" between the United States and the United Kingdom in the aftermath of the September 11 terrorist attacks, specifically focusing on the diplomatic, economic, and military tensions that have emerged.
- Analysis of the personal political partnership between Tony Blair and George W. Bush.
- Evaluation of the United Kingdom's role as a bridge between American policy and continental Europe.
- Investigation into the diplomatic and economic consequences of the U.S. "axis of evil" theory and the impending Iraq conflict.
- Assessment of the impact of American steel tariffs on transatlantic trade relations.
- Examination of the perceived advantages and disadvantages of this bilateral alliance for both nations.
Excerpt from the Book
2.1.1. Tony Blair’s Personal Role
Tony Blair may be not the leading man of the global alliance against terrorism, but he surely plays an important role in this coalition. Even if he is not an equitable partner to Bush, he is much more than just the shadow of Bush or the ‘little brother’. For many people it is quite surprising how well Bush and Blair work together although their personalities are very different: On one side Tony Blair, a liberal politician with an intellectual background who has a very good reputation everywhere in the world and on the other side George W. Bush, a conservative politician without much knowledge of foreign politics and diplomacy, who often appears to be a ‘normal guy’ from Texas. But as both are pragmatists these differences do not seem to matter. Bush and Blair complement one another very well; while Bush is more involved in the military conduct of the ‘war on terror’, Blair ensures that the global alliance stays together.
Especially at the beginning of the ‘war on terror’ Blair was the only head of state with any chance of exerting an appeasing influence on the administration in Washington because of the British-American friendship. Thus he became the ‘ambassador’ of Europe’s leaders and their idea of cool-headed acting, but the United States also benefit from Tony Blair because, with his diplomatic skills, he has managed to integrate countries from the Middle East and Asia into the anti-terror-alliance, which would have been an even harder job for Bush, Vice President Cheney or Secretary of State Colin Powell.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: This chapter introduces the context of the US-UK relationship following the September 11 attacks and establishes the analytical focus on the "special relationship" amidst emerging international crises.
2. Current Relations between the USA and the UK: This section explores the structural dynamics of the partnership, focusing on Blair's personal role, the UK's position regarding the EU, the Iraq conflict, and the economic dispute over steel tariffs.
3. Disadvantages and Advantages for the USA and the UK: This chapter conducts a comparative analysis of the benefits and risks inherent in the alliance, highlighting military cooperation, diplomatic credibility, and the potential security threats faced by the UK.
4. Conclusion: The concluding chapter synthesizes the findings, arguing that while the alliance remains strong, future developments such as the UK’s potential adoption of the Euro may necessitate a shift in how the relationship functions.
Keywords
Special relationship, USA, United Kingdom, Tony Blair, George W. Bush, War on terror, Iraq, Steel tariffs, Diplomacy, European Union, NATO, Transatlantic relations, Foreign policy, Military coalition, Geopolitics.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this research paper?
The paper focuses on the dynamics of the "special relationship" between the United States and the United Kingdom in the early 2000s, specifically how international events like the war on terror and the push for conflict with Iraq have tested this alliance.
What are the central themes discussed in the work?
The central themes include bilateral diplomacy, the intersection of domestic and foreign policy, the influence of personal political leadership, and the economic friction caused by trade disputes.
What is the primary objective of the study?
The primary objective is to evaluate whether the close political alignment between Tony Blair and George W. Bush remains sustainable given the contrasting interests of the UK, the United States, and the European Union.
Which scientific approach is utilized in this work?
The work utilizes a qualitative analytical approach, examining current events and political developments through the lens of international relations and relying on contemporary journalistic and political commentary.
What topics are covered in the main body of the paper?
The main body covers the personal diplomatic role of Tony Blair, the challenges regarding the "Iraq Question," the impact of U.S. steel tariffs on trade, and a cost-benefit analysis of the alliance for both countries.
Which keywords characterize this work?
The work is characterized by terms such as special relationship, transatlantic relations, war on terror, Iraq, and diplomatic integration.
Why does the author argue that Tony Blair risks his domestic credibility?
The author suggests that Blair’s intense focus on global diplomacy and the war on terror diverts his attention from critical domestic issues in Britain, such as the crises within the National Health Service and the railway system.
How does the author characterize the role of the UK in international politics?
The author notes that while the UK is no longer a superpower, it acts as a "pivotal power," bridging the gap between American military objectives and European diplomatic sensibilities.
- Quote paper
- Philipp Knorr (Author), 2002, Current Relations between the USA and the UK, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/6366
