Reflections on America as a world power: A European view

With the collapse of the Soviet Union restraints on U.S. power have been greatly diminished allowing free rein for the unilateralism the author sees as rooted in the U.S. perception of its moral authority and the legacy of Manifest Destiny. Using examples from the Middle East, the author highlights differences in approach between the Europeans and the Americans-the European preference for dialogue with adversaries versus the U.S. tendency toward punishment and sanction. More generally, this essay argues, the difference is between Europe's increased multilateralism and acceptance of the constraints of international law, and America's turning away from international institutions and growing disdain for legality Such a development can only have adverse consequences for long-term security.