On the heels of a Bloomberg story about how certain European countries fear losing security initiatives secured under the Bush administration, Der Spiegel reprints an engaging article on EU/Russia relations by Russia scholar Alexander Rahr, originally published in the journal of the German Council on Foreign Relations. It explains why the choices facing America and the EU concerning Russian integration are markedly different, and why a fractured EU has much more at stake, and a much tougher road to hoe.

Rahr writes:

“But if the United States continues to shun Russia as a potential international partner, the European Union will have no choice but to pursue its own independent policy of rapprochement. After all, while Russia may not be indispensable for world order, it is essential for European peace.”

Rahr recommends these “ten points for cooperation“:

• Conceptual development of a joint missile defense system to provide equal protection for America, Europe, and Russia against potential attacks by rogue states. Also: joint space research to prevent an arms buildup in space;

• Renewal of the Western energy alliance with Russia with the dual goal of ensuring long-term security for Russian energy deliveries to the West and providing Russia with Western technologies for the long overdue modernization of its energy complex; there should be an establishment of gas consortia between Western and Russian energy groups to prevent pipeline wars in Eurasia;