Surprisingly, this is the first book to be dedicated to the study of the Western European Union, even though the WEU has, for so long, represented the defense identity of Western Europe. During the Cold War, the WEU was subordinate to NATO, but since 1990 it has been seen as a potential competitor to the Atlantic Alliance.

This book seeks to explain the development of the WEU, focusing in particular on its current role. Chapters investigate the institutional and operational development of the WEU and its proposed enlargement. G. Wyn Rees assesses the motivations of its leading members - France, Germany, and the United Kingdom - and the progress made toward enhancing the WEU's role in the 1996-97 Intergovernmental Conference.