Coalition of the unWilling and unAble

European Realignment and the Future of American Geopolitics
John R. Deni


Why does the United States need European allies, and why is it getting more difficult for those allies to partner with Washington in standing up to China, pushing back against Russia, and pursuing other common interests around the world? This book addresses the economic, demographic, political, and military trends that are fundamentally upending the ability and willingness of European allies to work with Washington. Brexit and its impact on Britain’s economy and its military, Germany’s seemingly relentless economic and political rise, France’s continuing economic malaise, Italy’s aging population and its withdrawal from major overseas operations, and Poland’s demographic decline and single-minded obsession with Russia will combine to make partnership with Washington nearly impossible. In short, the constellation of allies and partners the United States has relied on since 9/11 will look very different a decade from now. How should Washington respond? It doesn’t hold all the cards, but this book offers an array of practical recommendations for American leaders. By leveraging these proposals, U.S. policy-makers can avoid the worst-case scenarios and make the most of limited opportunities.

John R. Deni is Research Professor of JIIM Security Studies at the Strategic Studies Institute.

Praise / Awards

  • “. . . solidly documented and grounded in a material, economic understanding of the roots of military power.”

    —Zachary Selden, University of Florida

  • “Deni takes a much broader look at how our major allies use their power–military, diplomatic, and economic–to advance their interests and American interests. In addition, he considers whether our allies’ individual economic strengths would allow them to do more.”

    —Ambassador (ret.) John A. Cloud

Product Details

  • 288 pages.
  • 2 tables, 12 figures.
Available for sale worldwide

  • Ebook
  • 2021
  • Forthcoming
  • 978-0-472-12879-2

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