Perceptions and Policy in Transatlantic Relations: Prospective Visions from the US and Europe

In this book, experts from both sides of the Atlantic, examine the recent tensions between Western Europe and the United States over such issues as transatlantic security, policies towards terrorism and relations with Russia and the former Soviet Union, against the broader background of perceptions and misperceptions in transatlantic relations.

Drawing on Professor Robert Jervis’ work, Perceptions and Misperceptions in International Politics, this book examines whether Jervis’ thesis has a new relevance given the current challenges in transatlantic relations. Some of the issues examined include:



perceptions and misperceptions in general focusing on US foreign policy, issues of decision-making and implementation and issues of alliance management
the capacity of the United States and the European Union to cooperate effectively within the broader transatlantic framework
studies focusing on the ‘alliance security dilemma’ and the transatlantic security community
case studies of transatlantic relations in the ‘war on terror’ and relations with Russia
the present and future of the ‘western alliance’.


Providing a global and multilateral analysis from American and European perspectives and exploring fields of cooperation and competition, Perceptions and Policy in Transatlantic Relations will be of strong interest to students of International Relations, American politics and European politics.

Natividad Fernández Sola is Professor of Public International Law and International Relations and Jean Monnet Professor at the University of Zaragoza, Spain.
Michael Smith is Professor of European Politics and Jean Monnet Chair at Loughborough University, UK.

1. Introduction 2. Aliances, Perceptions and Current Friction Robert Jervis 3. Foreign Policy and Transatlantic Relations Rubén Herrero de Castro 4. An American View of Transatlantic Relations Robert J. Lieber 5. Trends on European Foreign and Security Policy since September 2001 Michael Smith 6. How Transatlantic Relations Can Reinforce the EU Role as an International Actor Natividad Fernández Sola 7. Perceptions on US Policy, Transatlantic Relations and Alliance Security Dilemma David García Cantalapiedra 8. The End of the Euro-Atlantic Pluralistic Security Community? The New Agenda of Transatlantic Security Relations in the Global Political System Carla Monteleone 9. Terrorism and Homeland Security Carlos Echeverría Jesús 10. Putin’s Energy Policy in European and Transatlantic Perspective Alex Marshall