European foreign policy is truly paradoxical: on the one hand, Europeans are able to disagree on fundamental issues such as the relationship with the US and the necessity –or not– of a military action in Iraq; on the other hand, they equip themselves with more and more sophisticated instruments so that they can speak with one voice and act together. Europe as an economic power is an equal to the US, but it is weakened by the lack of growth, the inadequacy of military capabilities, and political divisions. In order to play a major role on the international stage, it must better define its values and interests, and include them into a geopolitical vision. The EU might not become a political and military power like the US, which would emerge as a separate or even rival pole. But it must answer three key questions: How far should it go on the way of enlargement? How far should it support the US in its crusade against 'rogue states'? How far should it develop its own military power?.

Maxime Lefebvre is a Research Fellow at Ifri and a Professor of International Relations at the Institut d'Etudes Politiques (IEP) of Paris.

This content is published in French : Un programme géopolitique pour l'Europe élargie