Old Friends in Troubled Waters: Policy Principles, Elites, and U.S.-German Relations at the Citizen Level After the Cold War

At the beginning of the 21st century, German-American relations resemble a roller coaster ride: The terror attacks of 9/11 led to a wave of solidarity among German citizens. While America’s reputation dwindled due to the war in Iraq, the election of Barack Obama led to waves of enthusiasm. Against the backdrop of Germany’s new role in the world, this book analyzes American and German citizens’ responses to changes in the international system in the post-Cold War era and their repercussions on the transatlantic relationship at citizen level. The evidence reveals transatlantic disagreement over core foreign policy postures, particularly the use of military force. Whether such cultural differences can seriously undermine transatlantic relations is conditional upon elite behavior.