Britain is no longer America’s bridge to Europe

Comentary feature. The United Kingdom's defence establishment is simply not big enough to sustain its allure in Washington, writes Charles Kupchan.

The UK will enjoy far greater sway over transatlantic and global affairs by becoming a leading voice within the EU than by investing in an Anglo-American coupling that has lost much of its raison d’être.

Only if EU member states aggregate their hard power and enhance their readiness to make joint decisions about its use will Europe emerge as the more capable partner that Washington is seeking.

The writer is professor of international affairs at Georgetown University and senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations, and is the author of How Enemies Become Friends: The Sources of Stable Peace

ESO: Background information: Some home truths about Britain’s special relationship http://www.europeansources.info/record/some-home-truths-about-britains-special-relationship/

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