No John Jay in Europe as Russia to Syria Sow Divisions
What the European Union needs is someone like John Jay.
Appealing in 1787 for the ratification of the U.S. constitution, the American founding father said a cordial Union, under an efficient national government would provide the best security that can be devised against hostilities from abroad.
From Ukraines upheaval and the renewed Russian menace to Syrias civil war and chaotic post-revolutionary Libya, todays EU confronts no shortage of external dangers. But instead of knitting the blocs 28 countries together, the threats have exposed what is keeping them apart.
The EU is internally divided about the right answer, said Jan Marinus Wiersma, a former Dutch member of the European Parliament who is now with the Clingendael Institute in The Hague. As long as there is no common direction in how to react to Russias ambitions, we will keep a divided Europe.
Throughout history, perils from abroad have been spurs to unity. Continued British animosity after the American revolution led to the setup of the U.S. federal government; the consolidation of federal power after the U.S. Civil War was one of the factors that led Britain to turn its Canadian colonies into a confederation. Switzerland evolved out of a medieval alliance to defend Alpine trade routes.
A European Union (EU) flag, left, and a Ukraine national flag hang from the windscreen of a taxi on the outskirts of Kiev. The EU confronts no shortage of external dangers, including Ukraines upheaval, but instead of knitting the blocs 28 countries together, the threats have exposed what is keeping them apart. Close
A European Union (EU) flag, left, and a Ukraine national flag hang from the windscreen... Read More
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A European Union (EU) flag, left, and a Ukraine national flag hang from the windscreen of a taxi on the outskirts of Kiev. The EU confronts no shortage of external dangers, including Ukraines upheaval, but instead of knitting the blocs 28 countries together, the threats have exposed what is keeping them apart.
The modern-day EU has taken a different path, and hasnt gotten as far. Post-World War II western Europe relied on the U.S. for defense, allowing it to stitch together a market that culminated with the creation of the euro currency in 1999. The result is a loose federation with limited authority in Brussels and most power residing in national capitals such as Berlin, Paris and London.
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No John Jay in Europe as Russia to Syria Sow Divisions