Palgrave Studies in European Union Politics: Lead Groups and EU Foreign Policy-Making

Alcaro, Riccardo

This book investigates the European involvement in managing the nuclear dispute with Iran, shedding new light on EU foreign policy-making. The author focuses on the peculiar format through which the EU managed Iran’s nuclear issue: a ‘lead group’ consisting of France, Germany and the UK and the High Representative for EU foreign policy (E3/EU). The experience of the E3/EU lends credibility to the claim that lead groups give EU foreign policy direction and substance. The E3/EU set up a negotiating framework that worked as a de-escalating tool, a catalyst for Security Council unity and a forum for crisis management. They inflicted pain on Iran by adopting a comprehensive sanctions regime, but did so only having secured US commitment to a diplomatic solution. Once the deal was reached, they defended it vigorously. The E3/EU may have been supporting actors, but their achievements were real.

Details

Published by: Palgrave Macmillan

Publication Date: 2018-12-22

Format: Paperback

ISBN-13: 9783030089580

DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-74298-4

Dimensions: 210cm x148cm

Pages: 293