The U.S. role in the Middle East has never been more controversial than it is today. In part, at least, this controversy is fueled by the sense that only the United States can play an effective role in that part of the world. Although touted as a superpower, at least in economic terms, the European Union has not yet emerged as a decisive actor in the region. The question to consider: is Europe capable of assuming a more important position, and indeed is it likely to do so?
