The debate over Iraq has made painfully clear the growing rift between the United States and Europe. Typically, the image pits the Bush administration against its German and French counterparts, while Britain remains the loyal American ally. This simple characterization does not tell the whole story. While there are strains within the Atlantic alliance, the most important divide is within Europe itself. The old European model, driven by the Franco-German axis, no longer works. Enlargement has changed the European dynamic.
The Atlantic alliance has come under strain. Since the end of the Cold War, the U.S. and its European allies have clashed over everything from Afghanistan to trade issues. Tensions have notably increased in recent weeks, however, as U.S. officials voice growing exasperation over European foreign policy. U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld has been one of the most vocal critics. Earlier this year, he dismissed French and German caution about an attack on Iraq as reflecting the thinking of "old Europe." According to Mr. Rumsfeld, "the center of gravity is shifting to the east."
More scathing criticism followed. Last week, he accused France, Germany and Belgium of "inexcusable" stalling after NATO failed to agree on defense measures for Turkey, which Mr. Rumsfeld said would undermine the alliance's credibility. He said France is a country that always seems to disagree with everyone else, and he grouped Germany with Libya and Cuba as countries that neither want to participate in military action against Iraq nor help rebuild the country after a war.