Posted on 02/23/2005 10:45:03 PM PST by Norman Bates
Two years ago, as the United States prepared to invade Iraq, much of the opposition in Europe focused on the need to restrain the American "hyperpower" from running roughshod over international norms.
But as President Bush nears the end of his goodwill tour of Europe this week, it is increasingly clear the attitude has shifted. With the United States pinned down in Iraq, where the continued deployment of nearly 150,000 troops has severely strained the U.S. military, European leaders no longer expect further military expeditions in Bush's second term. And so they have been gracious -- but assertive, thus reflecting how far the United States has fallen from "hyperpower" status -- a term coined about America by French Foreign Minister Hubert Vedrine.
Indeed, analysts said, European leaders are increasingly united against U.S. positions and feel emboldened to go their own way on such issues as Iran and China.
Francois Heisbourg, director of the International Foundation for Strategic Studies in Paris, said there is no longer an Atlantic partnership so much as what he called an "a la carte partnership" between Europe and the United States. On some issues, the two sides agree and try to work together, and on others there is disagreement and discord. There are also issues on which they disagree but are willing to find common ground, he said.
(Excerpt) Read more at msnbc.msn.com ...
Their silly paper-rattling about Bush keeping "all options on the table" undermines in so many ways the the outcome of the Iranian nuclear diplomacy they are so eager to mediate.
They might first worry about their sinking economy and their up-and-coming Muslim populations who don't share their harsh secularized outlook and (unsavory) global designs (which continue to sink year by year).
So go off arrogantly, Europe, but don't come back crying to Uncle Sam for help because we aren't interested in back stabbers. Who needs enemies when one has friends like this?
[This is my first article posting.]
Welcome. You done good.
"The West" is dead. We can only give that old corpse CPR for so long before even we give up.
first post BUMP!
Thank you.
Their arrogance is revolting. W has too much class to treat anyone badly, but I think he clearly sees the way Europe is going. Let them fall in the mud. If they want to sever over Iraq (because they would've lost their lucrative business with the mass murderer Saddam), then let them. They are like useless baggage.
I'm a little puzzled by the author's conclusion that America's ability to indefinitely deploy 150,000 soldiers to the other side of the world demonstrates that its power has diminished.
Chirac and Schroeder are tryin' to put lipstick on that corpse!
Yes, that was clearly a misnomer. I forgot to point that out.
I dont see how a military numbering in the millions is "pinned down" by 150,000 troops deployed overseas.
Is this really new? Where was Europe on the issue of Economic sanctions against Cuba?
Where was Europe on the issue of developing Iran's energy industry during the 1990's?
Where was Europe on the issue of selling military arms to Taiwan?
If Europe really does feel "bolder" to oppose the United States, it might have more to do with
1. Europe no longer feeling the threat of attack
2. Europe no longer fearing economic retaliation since trade disputes are no longer handled bilaterally, but by a foreign WTO court.
Man, this idiot is gonna be pissed after we take care of Iran. Maybe when he said 150,000 troops he was thinking of the EU army....pffttt! Do those tards even HAVE a EU army?
The Europeans completely misunderstand American intentions and power:
"And so they have been gracious -- but assertive, thus reflecting how far the United States has fallen from "hyperpower" status..."
Gracious? I don't think so. 'Patronizing' comes immediately to mind. They think the President comes to them with hat in hand, begging for help. I tend to agree with some conservative pundits I've read recently. President Bush felt he had to make the effort because most of these western countries have been our allies, more or less, for decades, and he believes history demands that he at least try to regain some of that sense of shared purpose. Power--real power--has shifted away from the Euro sphere, and no cute doubletalk about 'soft power' is going to change things. 'Soft power' is what one says when bringing a knife to a gunfight and hoping no one notices. We notice. Others, less kindly than we, notice too.
"Europe more willing to go own way"
Just go Europe, just go away, away and leave US be.
"Isn't that just like a wop. Bringing a knife to a gunfight." Great movie.
Yes and Europe should go down on their knees and hail. IF not they are not good friends. Maybe somebody should just relax a little bit and respect other countries decisions. Mutual respect its better, respecting that other nations dont always share the same views. There are more agreements than disagreements between the EU and the US. By the way think of the scenario if suddenly somebody went to Hawaii and formed a new state. I wonder if the US would reacted different than the Chinese with regards to Taiwan.
I never said they need to hail America. I never said any such thing.
I think it would be different. First, Taiwan wants to be seperate from COMMUNIST China. Second, the notion that Hawaii would want to seperate from the U.S. is laughable.
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