2
2
“[The special relationship] reflected the common language and culture of two sister peoples.... It
was an extraordinary relationship because it rested on no legal claim; it was formalized by no
document; it was carried forward by succeeding British governments as if no alternative were
conceivable…. The special relationship demonstrated the value of intangibles.”
1
- Henry
Kissinger
“The dependency syndrome born through the Lend-Lease Agreement was the basis of a
‘special relationship’ that nobody admitted was as special as that between a crack dealer
and junkie.
2
- The Times of London
Introduction
Much has been said and written about the war in Iraq and its effects on not only
U.S. domestic politics but also transatlantic relations. A particularly striking
phenomenon is the continued closeness of the U.S.-British relationship in light of all the
turmoil that has surrounded not only the war but the actions of these two key players.
Indeed, each seems steadfastly, defiantly supportive of the actions of the other, at least
when regarding the words and actions of the two leaders, U.S. President George W. Bush
and Prime Minister Tony Blair. This is curious for several reasons: first, it runs so
strikingly counter to U.S. relations with other allies in Europe and elsewhere; second,
Blair was particularly close with Clinton, making his alliance with Bush (with whom he
seemingly had little in common at their awkward first meeting) that much more
compelling; and third, Blair stood by Bush and Washington’s policy in Iraq in spite of the
erosion of his support at home in Britain.
How, then, can one account for this intriguingly steadfast alliance? What explains
the closeness of the two leaders, particularly given Blair’s struggles at home with his
support for Bush? Is this support anomalous—in either international relations or even
1
Alistair Horne, “The Macmillan Years and After,” in The Special Relationship: Anglo-American
Relations Since 1945, Eds. William Roger Louis and Hedley Bull (New York: Oxford University Press,
1986), p. 87.
2
Peter Millar, "Continental Drift," The Times, December 6, 1992, Features.
Convention