Written by a Brussels insider, this book examines the origins, workings
and priorities of the European Union's foreign policy and its role in
world politics, arguing that the EU has become a new and increasingly
influential superpower. This concise introduction reviews the evolution
of the EU's international role over the past two decades and
illustrates the growing influence of the EU in traditional areas such
as trade and development, as well as new areas such as the environment
and global governance. The development of the EU's military
capabilities is also assessed as is its wide range of relationships
with key actors (US, China, Russia) and regions (Mediterranean, Middle
East, Africa) around the globe. With clearly illustrated up-to-date
case studies, covering major issues such as Iraq and Iran, each chapter
includes key questions and suggestions for further reading. "An
Introduction to the European Foreign Policy" will be of great interest
to students of European and international politics and for the general
reader.