In the post-bipolar order the US emerged as a‘lonely superpower’ in an unprecedented unipolar system. Unipolarity, however, has brought about a contradictory relationship between a renewed process of globalization and the rising importance of regional dynamics.In the new context, the US plays a decisive role, since it is the only actual global actor in the international arena and, at the same time, it is forced to manage multifaceted strategic competitions in different regions. The paper explores how the conflicting forces of globalization and regionalization are affecting the US foreign policy and, as a consequence, transatlantic relations. It suggests that the unipolar condition makes alliances more sensible to regional dynamics. The lack of a global threat gives the US more freedom in picking and choosing among different partners, which in turn makes the US commitment towards minor allies more unpredictable. As a result, alliances under unipolarity are torn by opposing systemic pressures. The paper appraises those expected effects of unipolarity upon alliances examining two crucial issues concerning NATO European allies: military missions and the asymmetrical military capabilities. More precisely, the paper analyses on the one hand NATO intervention in Afghanistan grasping the regional calculations affecting European participations. On the other, it discusses the defense policies of major European NATO members.
Together We Stand, Divided We Fall? : Exploring the Consequences of Unipolarity upon Transatlantic Relations / A. Carati, A. Locatelli. ((Intervento presentato al 16. convegno The Transatlantic Studies Association (TSA) Annual Conference tenutosi a Cork nel 2017.
Together We Stand, Divided We Fall? : Exploring the Consequences of Unipolarity upon Transatlantic Relations
A. Carati;
2017
Abstract
In the post-bipolar order the US emerged as a‘lonely superpower’ in an unprecedented unipolar system. Unipolarity, however, has brought about a contradictory relationship between a renewed process of globalization and the rising importance of regional dynamics.In the new context, the US plays a decisive role, since it is the only actual global actor in the international arena and, at the same time, it is forced to manage multifaceted strategic competitions in different regions. The paper explores how the conflicting forces of globalization and regionalization are affecting the US foreign policy and, as a consequence, transatlantic relations. It suggests that the unipolar condition makes alliances more sensible to regional dynamics. The lack of a global threat gives the US more freedom in picking and choosing among different partners, which in turn makes the US commitment towards minor allies more unpredictable. As a result, alliances under unipolarity are torn by opposing systemic pressures. The paper appraises those expected effects of unipolarity upon alliances examining two crucial issues concerning NATO European allies: military missions and the asymmetrical military capabilities. More precisely, the paper analyses on the one hand NATO intervention in Afghanistan grasping the regional calculations affecting European participations. On the other, it discusses the defense policies of major European NATO members.File | Dimensione | Formato | |
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