A Special Relationship Anglo American Relations from the Cold War to Iraq

In this comprehensively revised and updated new edition of this highly acclaimed text, John Dumbrell assesses the relationship between the United States and the United Kingdom including full coverage of the debates surrounding the support given by the government of Tony Blair to President George W. Bush's War on Terror and of Britain's decision to participate in the 2003 invasion of Iraq. In contrast to many accounts of Anglo-American relations the author argues that, while shared interests have been of crucial importance, closeness has been sustained as much by shared culture. The book focuses particularly on the period since 1960, by which time the radical asymmetry of power between Britain and the United States had clearly emerged. Despite this, he concludes, the relationship has been marked by a considerable amount of mutuality rather than simply American dominance. While the relationship has always been more 'special' for Britain-the United States had and has 'special relationships' with many countries - and has been marked by tensions, for example over Vietnam and Ireland, it has been far deeper than most alliances for a very considerable period. Book jacket.

JOHN DUMBRELL is Professor of Politics and Director, Centre for Diplomatic and International Studies, University of Leicester.