Analysis On The Institutionalization Of Ic Relations After The Iraq War

With the transformation of international system since the end of the Cold War, disputes and contradictions raised between the major actors of transatlantic security relationship. Especially after the 9/11 terrorists attack, Bush administration which pursued the foreign policy of unilateralism, insisted on claiming the war in Iraq even Europeans were opposed to it. The main disputes between the US and European countries were from different respects on security and different ways to deal with global security threats, such as international terrorism and WMD. These strategic contradictions had caused split between the US and its European allies. It is widely believed that the crisis happened in 2003 is the biggest America-Europe security relationship crisis since the Second World War.Based on the knowledge of new institutionalism, this dissertation firstly attempts to describe the formation, development and institutionalization of the transatlantic relations. Secondly, analyzing disputes between the US and European countries, as well as negative impacts on the alliance relations from the Iraq War. Thirdly, trying to discover problems which were not fixed within the institutionalization, and point out potential influence on the future of transatlantic security relations.With the influence of various elements, Bush administration had to regain multilateralism and rebuild institutions in transatlantic security relations after the Iraq War. Meanwhile, the European Union cannot secure Europe and its surrounding region with current military capabilities. Some new features are reflected during the process of transatlantic security institutionalization, including increasing the number of communicating mechanisms, independent security role of European Union and bilateral equality within NATO.It should be pointed out that unresolved problems still exist in transatlantic security relations although there are achievements. These problems, the occurrence of which can be traced back at the end of the Cold War, still remain problematic after several institutional construction and renovation. The transatlantic security relations may break down in the future if the US and the EU keep ignoring these issues, which should be concerned by both sides of Atlantic Ocean.