End of Vacation from History?: Europe Confronts a More Dangerous World and the Prospect of a Post-American Era

• In Event: Liberation from Uncertainty and Instability in Eastern Europe

Abstract

The paper will examine how Europe is dealing with the dual challenges of a more aggressive, neo-imperialist Russia and the growing uncertainty about the US commitment to NATO and European security. It will examine what Europe has done to this point or is planning to do to enhance its security self-sufficiency, as well as the various barriers or hurdles to European cooperation on this front. It will also consider several theoretical propositions about Europe’s response to a more threatening security environment and what they predict is likely to happen going forward.

Author

• Michael Baun, Valdosta State U