Atlantic Community, ein neues Online Magazin für transatlantische Themen, hat 14 Think Tanker aus zehn europäischen Staaten zu den amerikanischen Plänen für den Irak interviewt.
Die Ergebnisse:
1. European Analysts Want America to Stay in Iraq
While the American public and policy debate revolves largely around exit strategies and “redeployment,” European policy analysts believe that American troops should remain in Iraq for the foreseeable future. A sudden withdrawal or public announce-ment of a timetable was considered dangerous by a majority of those questioned. This means European expert opinions are very different from popular sentiment in Europe. Besides, I find it newsworthy, because it indicates that Europeans still believe that the US is able to stabilize Iraq, while more and more Americans doubt whether the US can end the civil war and the insurgency…

http://www.atlantic-community.org/index.php/articles/view/Europeans_Want_America_to_Stay_in_Iraq

2. Europe Should Help, But Not Follow US Lead
While the European public does not support a greater involvement in Iraq, the European analysts interviewed by the Atlantic Community see the need to help Iraq. They suggest either pursuing policies in Iraq independent of prevailing US wisdom, or hinging the level of involvement on America’s willingness to cede control; in such a case some are even in favor of sending troops.Several respondents recommend that France mediate discussions among internal factions in Iraq. Efforts could focus on dialogue with powerful stakeholders to reinvigorate Iraqi nationalism and reduce sectarian violence. European diplomatic offensive involving Iran and Syria is seen as essential, but experts are also focused on Turkey. Maintaining peace in Kurdistan could be encouraged through EU membership negotiations.

http://www.atlantic-community.org/index.php/articles/view/Europe_Should_Help_Iraq%2C_But_Not_Follow_US_Lead

3. Premature US Withdrawal Would Threaten Europe
European analysts believe that American withdrawal from Iraq would spell disaster. Increased refugee flows, regional instability, cross-border violence, higher oil prices, terrorism within Europe, and increased American isolationism were the main predictions noted by our respondents. “With a weakened United States, geopolitical vacations for Europe should be over.” What I found very interesting was that one analyst from IFRI in Paris suggested that the regional conflagration could benefit the West: “low-level protracted warfare between the Saudis (also Al Qaida) and the Iranians through local proxies would tie them and wear them down, perhaps to the point where most of their respective energies would be focused on Iraq.”

http://www.atlantic-community.org/index.php/articles/view/Premature_US_Withdrawal_Could_Threaten_Europe