Tension and cooperation in transatlantic relations with regard to Iraq

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Tezin Türü: Yüksek Lisans

Tezin Yürütüldüğü Kurum: Orta Doğu Teknik Üniversitesi, İktisadi ve İdari Bilimler Fakültesi, Uluslararası İlişkiler Bölümü, Türkiye

Tezin Onay Tarihi: 2005

Öğrenci: ERDAL ONAT

Danışman: MUSTAFA TÜRKEŞ

Özet:

This thesis analyzes the wavering characteristic of the relations between the United States and the European powers by taking the Iraqi war of 2003 as a case in point. The tension in transatlantic relations that emerged with the US̕ Iraqi invasion in March 2003 is analyzed within the framework of the structural analysis. The broader context of the causes of tension in transatlantic relations is further explored. The US̕ Iraqi invasion has demonstrated us that she wants to reproduce her Middle Eastern policy by having a direct possession over the power structures. This fact led to the opposition of two main European powers, namely France and Germany. Those countries, which might be regarded as constituting the Franco-German axis, have been trying to involve into the US̕ policy of reproducing the power structures. Whether the US is willing to give the Franco-German axis this role is also a key point, which is explored. Furthermore, in the thesis, attempts of the US and the Franco-German axis towards mending the fences in transatlantic relations that have been deteriorated with the Iraqi crisis are analyzed. The thesis seeks to show that the prospects for cooperation in transatlantic relations are an open-ended process due to the fact that there are both existing problems and opportunities for cooperation in transatlantic relations.