America After 9/11 and Iraq: The Great Divide
By: Sarwar A. Kashmeri

Editorial Reviews

Choice Reviews Online, an ALA/ACRL publication

Kashmeri, a fellow at the bipartisan Foreign Policy Association, strongly argues for the necessity of revitalizing the US-European Union political and strategic relationship to match their continuing economic relationship. His central argument is that the actions of neoconservatives, and in particular the George W. Bush administration, have through both hubris and ineptitude done great harm--though at this point not irreparable damage--to this relationship. His evidence for this assertion is, however, somewhat narrow in terms of its ideological orientation. In supporting these contentions, he relies heavily on his interviews with a variety of former senior government and military officials from Europe and the US, drawn almost exclusively from the ranks of Republicans and European conservatives with the exception of General Wesley Clark. Consequently, one could be led to believe that neither Democrats nor more liberal elements in Europe have much to contribute to this analysis. This somewhat inexplicable imbalance of sources diminishes the impact of Kashmeri's cogent critique of US policy. Nevertheless, his critique does demonstrate the extent to which many reasoned conservatives as well as liberals condemn the negative impact of Bush's policies.

Summing Up: Recommended. All readership levels. -- C. W. Herrick, Muhlenberg College   © American Library Association.

Reviewed by
John B. Richardson

Sarwar Kashmeri wears his erudition lightly. This slim volume punches well above its weight. Sarwar Kashmeri is steeped in the history of the last half-century of both European Union and transatlantic affairs, has reflected deeply on both, and has come up with an analysis that more resembles the elegant use of the stiletto than the crude swings of a pugilist.

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Ambassador John Richardson
Chairman, EU Maritime Policy Task Force
From: Foreign Policy Association Annual Review of Books 2007

From: Booklist
Kashmeri, an Internet journalist who covers transatlantic business, discusses recent political relations between the U.S and Europe. Blaming the U.S. for their poor condition, especially for charging into Iraq in 2003, Kashmeri does acknowledge that revamping institutions such as NATO has generated friction independent of controversies surrounding Iraq. The U.S. posture toward the European Union is another source of strain; the government and business leaders of this country, according to Kashmeri, being unable to decide if the EU is a rival or a partner. Throughout the work, he includes observations on these points obtained from interviews with about a dozen prominent ex-officeholders of the stature of Brent Scowcroft and John Major. Intermittently, Kashmeri describes friction that plainly emanates from the European side, such as France's reach for the paramount role within the EU, but the author's perspective explicitly requires the U.S. to change its ways. Readers keeping current on transatlantic affairs will benefit from, if not universally subscribe to, this informed analysis.

-Gilbert Taylor
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

                       
More than ever, the transatlantic alliance is key to the prosperity and security of the world, yet its health is being undermined by misguided voices of political division. The Great Divide warns against further disengagement and makes a compelling case for rebuilding the relationship based on new global rules that are tailored to the challenges of the 21st century.

- James F. Hoge, Jr., Editor , Foreign Affairs magazine

Francis Bacon famously observed, “some books are to be tasted, others to be swallowed, and some few to be chewed and digested.” Sarwar Kashmeri’s excellent treatment of current transatlantic relations is must reading. Kashmeri takes head on the difficult issues that challenge the foundations of the transatlantic relationship. Consulting the best minds, he offers policy recommendations that should be weighed by policy makers and the general public alike. This is truly a book to be chewed and digested.

- Noel V. Lateef, President and CEO, Foreign Policy

Shocked by European anger at the United States in the wake of the invasion of Iraq, Mr. Kashmeri takes a hard, fresh look at the state of our troubled alliance with Europe. More important, he has cogent proposals for how to get us out of our current mess. This is a must read.

- Tom Twetten, retired Deputy Director for Operations, CIA

Opinion research data only reinforces what Sarwar Kashmeri meticulously documents in this important book: the Euro-American rift is real, deep, and will take years to heal. What is the proper role of the United States, Europe, and an alliance between the two in an era of global terrorism and a global economy? The stakes are very high and the author offers a credible and necessary roadmap for building a new spirit of cooperation. This is a must read for both the policy wonk and the average concerned citizen.

- John Zogby, President/CEO, Zogby International