Abstract

Will the difficulties of post-war Iraq impact on the foreign policy of the Bush administration? Do they signal the existence of limitations to American power and if so, which are these? Will China and Russia become tomorrow’s great powers? Are the United Nations in crisis and should the organisation be reformed? Has France truly decided to make the construction of Europe the axis of its foreign policy? Comparing short term data with long term trends, Thierry de Montbrial replaces the year 2003 within the context of the general evolution of the international system.

Thierry de Montbrial is the President of Ifri.