AMERICAN FOREIGN POLICY PRIORITIES TOWARDS GERMANY

The article addresses the priorities of US relations with Germany. The victory of Joseph Biden and Democratic Party on the elections of 2020 signified quite radical twist in US foreign policy. The election slogan «America is back» which won the White House for the Democratic Party and Congress, means restoration of transatlantic relationship, damaged by the previous administration. Germany has a special place in this process. Elections in Germany in 2021 resulted in a victory of a Social Democratic Party. Decision making in Washington on Relations with Germany are influenced by many factors, including those related to domestic policies and international relations. Domestically there have appeared contradictions between Democratic and Republican parties on a number of priority issues on the bilateral agenda. In particular, the main differences were related to the Nord Stream 2 project. The situation in Afghanistan remains an urgent problem for both sides. It is noteworthy that following the results of the last elections in the United States, the German Caucus again became active in Congress, including both democratic and republican politicians. It is clear that Biden’s administration pursues the developing of economic ties with Germany.

The technology challenge in the transatlantic relationship

Technological innovation has become a critical element of international cooperation and geopolitical rivalry. This has impacted key areas of the transatlantic partnership, presenting both opportunities and challenges for EU–US relations, either rejuvenating a relationship mired in rifts or deepening those rifts. Instead of examining how these structural cracks have emerged and are growing, this article zooms in on the challenge to transatlantic relations posed by technological innovation, both as a driver of cooperation and a cause for further rivalry. In doing so, the article explores three interrelated elements: the transatlantic technology gap and the EU’s quest for technological sovereignty, approaches to technological innovation and the role of emerging and disruptive technologies, and the values-based governance of digital and technology issues. As fast-paced technological transformation continues to disrupt societies and economies on both sides of the Atlantic, technology should be at the heart of a revived phase in EU–US cooperation and trust.

Brexit and the Crisis of the Transatlantic Relationship

This chapter maps the changing transatlantic relations and underlines how this impacts Brexit and EU-UK relations. It points out that the view of the US government remains influential in European affairs, despite claims about transatlantic divergence. It also mentions the endorsement and encouragement of the Trump Administration of the Brexit project, while the new Biden Administration remain unwavering in its commitment in favour of the Belfast Good Friday Agreement and the Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland. The chapter suggests that Brexit should not just be regarded as a UK-European affair but one of the biggest geopolitical shifts since the Second World War. It discusses the Trump phenomenon and why it represented a threat to both the transatlantic relationship and the European project.

TRANSATLANTIC RELATIONS AND GEOPOLITICAL FRAGILITY IN THE EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN REGION

The landmasses of the USA and EU which are on the opposing sides of the Atlantic Ocean have come into focus once again, socially and culturally linked ideals, such asdemocracy and human rights were always the backbone in the transatlantic relationship along with the joint commitments for free-market capitalism which were entrenched within theinterests of the two major partners. The transatlantic relationship is reportedly plagued by difficulties. Since the establishment of NATO in 1949, transatlantic relationship has been at thecentre of discussions for the United States and Europe. It keeps the two regions working together to combat the challenges in the world where there are conflicts. Common Institutionsand Shared Identity are the core principles which unites the two regions. From relations with Russia and China to the policies on Iran and Syria's weapons control and climate change,transatlantic relations have arisen on world affairs today. On the other hand the geopolitical dynamics with the recent discoveries of significant natural gas deposits in the EastMediterranean region in the offshores of Cyprus, Egypt, Greece, Israel has become a hot spot for energy extraction. With the discovery of Eastern Mediterranean's natural gas fields likeTamar, Leviathan, Zohr and Aphrodite, and it has made transformative effect on the region. Energy is going to be crucial for future economic development in the Eastern Mediterraneanregion. The recent gas discoveries have been anticipated as offering an impetus for new levels of energy cooperation, as well as generating space for a larger power base and solidifyingstability in the region.Keywords: EU, USA, NATO, East-Mediterranean Sea, Russia, China, Energy, Security

Epilogue

This chapter provides a brief overview of the aftermath of the 2020 US elections and how the Biden presidency is likely help reshape the discourse and substance of the transatlantic relationship. The chapter, however, also asserts that the end of the Trump presidency will not mean a sudden return to normality because there will continue to be tensions between the United States and Europe on a number of issues from trade to policy vis-à-vis China. Instead the paradoxical coexistence between cooperation and conflict––between substantial common interests and recurrent disagreements––that has characterized the transatlantic relationship since the end of the Cold War is likely to continue for the foreseeable future. Pax transatlantica is likely to thrive for years to come.

Pax Transatlantica

Pax Transatlantica asserts that the recurrent transatlantic crises that have dominated headlines since the end of the Cold War, while not irrelevant, pale when set against the realities of shared interests and goals. It emphasizes three key factors. First, despite inflammatory and dismissive rhetoric, NATO continues to provide a solid security structure for its member states: an institutional framework of a Pax Transatlantica that has stood the test of time by expanding its remit and scope. Second, in a world concerned with the potential effects of trade wars (especially between the United States and China) and the rise of economic nationalism, the transatlantic economic relationship stands apart as the richest, most closely integrated transcontinental economic space on the globe. Third, the book traces the parallel evolution of domestic politics on both sides of the Atlantic with specific focus on the rise of populism. Rather than a sign of transatlantic “drift,” the rise of populism—much like the emergence of so-called Third Way politics on both sides of the Atlantic in the 1990s—is evidence of a closely integrated transatlantic political space. In the end, while it is obvious that the history of the transatlantic relationship—even during the Cold War—was littered with crises, the relationship has endured. Conflicts have illustrated, time and again, the strength of the transatlantic community. The “West,” the book concludes, not only continues to exist. It is likely to thrive in the future.

Introduction

The Introduction outlines the basic paradox addressed in this book. On the one hand, transatlantic relations appear to be in a constant state of crisis; the “death” of the transatlantic partnership has been declared with confidence many times over. On the other hand, the links that bind the United States and Europe together—institutional, cultural, political, military—have so far prevailed. In short, the Introduction asks whether the transatlantic partnership of liberal democracies has become more fragile in the three decades since 1990? The Introduction foreshadows the major argument of the book: that the transatlantic relationship draws its long-term strength from the constant disagreements. Last, the Introduction outlines the book’s structure and defines the conceptual framework used.