A Reinvigoration of International Cooperation

“The relationship between the United States and the United Kingdom has always been the linchpin of transatlantic security,” said The Right Honorable Des Browne MP, Former UK Secretary of State for Defense, at an event last week at the Center for American Progress. Browne outlined an ambitious agenda for the United States and its European partners in facing growing threats around the world. Reuben Brigety, director of the Sustainable Security Program at CAP, moderated the discussion.

Browne noted the immense challenge of focusing on just a few key areas for the United States in the coming years. “With globalization diffusing power among world leaders,” he said, “global cooperation has become increasingly important.” Indeed, the United States can no longer shrink when confronted by international organizations it supports, such as NATO, or ones it often breaks rank with, such as the United Nations. As the United States engages in repairing its global image, it can also take the helm in global leadership—uniting its traditional partners, such as the United Kingdom—with other European nations.

Vice President Joseph Biden’s speech in Munich, Germany, earlier this month suggested that America was at a unique moment to take control in transatlantic leadership. During the speech, Biden promised, “America will do more…but she will also ask more from her partners.” Acknowledging this progress, Browne remarked that “we ought to get to the point where we can say ‘do what we do, not what we say.’” In the past eight years, he added, the “U.S. has said one thing and done another.” Maintaining a positive, cohesive image is important if the United States wishes to remain a global leader.

The imminent closure of the Guantanamo Bay Detention Center is one area in which the United States has already exhibited leadership. However, Browne cautioned, “America was on the right track, but there is much discussion to be had.” While the United Kingdom has so far been cooperative with the Obama administration’s request to hold prisoners released from Guantanamo Bay, Browne pointed out that “few other traditional European allies—including France, Spain, and Germany—have come to the plate.” In recent years, many countries have followed the example of the United States and disengaged from international relationships. Rebuilding these relationships—by holding terror suspects and sharing critical intelligence data—will be key to building a strong international community.

Browne also spoke of the need for cooperation with international organizations, such as the United Nations. While not many foreign partners are comfortable placing trust in international organizations, such as the International Criminal Court at The Hague, he contended that it is necessary to sustain international cooperation. The United States, he argued, should lead the movement for international justice. Overall, Browne argued that “reinvigoration of multinational institutions needs to be at the core of the Obama administration’s push for international cooperation.”
 

For more details on this event, please visit the event page.