Convergence without Coordination

Both the United States and Europe have adopted an overall cautious approach to the dramatic transformations in the Middle East and North Africa region since the 2011 uprisings. What is lamentable is the fact that neither the EU nor the United States seems to be particularly concerned about the overall lack of a long-term strategy, common or otherwise. This is especially worrisome at a moment when transitions will critically define the shape of new regimes and relations with new actors, with every vacuum of power or presence quickly occupied by regional or international actors having a completely different set of political and strategic priorities compared to those of the EU and the United States.