US European Command Area of Responsibility

Area of Responsibility Art Economic Systems Political Systems US InterestsOverview

Geography – 1/5th of the planet – 51 countries on two continents (includes Israel for political, not geographic, reasons – Total population of over 1 billion Area of Responsibility

Languages – European Union has 23 official languages – European Union has goal of citizen fluency in two other languages other than native language Area of Responsibility

Fine Arts – Sculpture – Pottery – Painting – DrawingArt

Performing Arts – Music – Drama – DanceArt La Scala Opera House Beethoven

Evolution of European Fine Art – Dates to BCE – Revival of fine art, including architecture during the Italian Renaissance Re-established art based on classical Greek principles Modern art era began in early nineteenth century – Art Nouveau – Cubism – Expressionism – Surrealism – Pop-ArtArt

Types – Market economy True capitalism – Planned or command economy Socialism – Mixed economy Most “capitalist” countries are actually mixed Economic Systems

European Union (EU) – 27 current members – 9 candidate countries Common currency—The Euro – 16 member nations have adopted – Not condition of membership – Allows for coordinated economic reaction – Eliminates cost of monetary exchange – Over 60% of EU citizens use the euro daily Economic Systems

Unification – United Nations (UN) 3 of 5 permanent security council members: France, UK, and Russia – North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Began in response to communism but now has many former Soviet Bloc nations as members – The EU Initially economic in focus but has taken on a significant political role Unlike UN & NATO, is a Europe-only organization Political Systems

National Security and International Relations – Impact of OIF on US/European relations – Bush unpopular in Europe but Obama well received – Close relationship of USEUCOM with European nations supporting OEF – EU cooperation with UN sanctions against Iran’s nuclear ambitions – US/Russian relations growing tense Weapons treaties Human rights Gas and oil supplies US Interests

Economic Relations – EU and US economies Highly interdependent Account for about half of global economy – Transatlantic Economic Council (TEC) Only high-level forum for discussion of economic issues – Impact of global financial crisis US Interests

Area of Responsibility Art Economic Systems Political Systems US InterestsSummary