Times are tough in the transatlantic alliance. But Europe and America still have plenty in common.
Comment: The analysis by Mr. Ash and comments posted are all antagonistic in nature. Why? Not only that, there is also a sense of dominance over the lesser. But the fact remains that whatever relationships between the US, Europe and the rest of the world are determined by the lobbyists and not the voters.
Comment: "The transatlantic relationship needs to be fundamentally redesigned for the 21st century. This will mean going back to basics, asking, what are the real global challenges of our time?"
OK, let's look at those. #1 is managing the rise of China and integrating it into the international state system as a responsible player. #2 is ensuringa stable international trade and finance regime, the anchor of which is the US-CHina relationship. #3 is reducing carbon emissions by China, which will soon overtake the US in this department, and by the US. #4 is creating a new collective security framework to manage the nuclear powers of Northeast Asia, South Asia and (soon, in Iran) Southwest Asia. #5 is preventing meltdown in Pakistan and a reversion to anarchy in neighboring Afghanistan.
Hmmm... I don't see any area here where the transatlantic alliance is crucial. in the only areas where there has been close collaboration between the US and Europe-- on Iran diplomacy and the Afghan war-- the record is dismal. The EU-3's carrots-and-more-carrots approach to Iran has failed. Witha few noble exceptions, the NATO allies aren't even pulling their weight in Afghanistan, the "good war."
I do indeed see a world that ceased to be Euro-centric at least a decade ago, one in which almost all of the major threats and opportunities arise within the arc that stretches from Moscow to Tehran to New Delhi, Beijing and Tokyo.
ASIAN CENTURY NOW. Look East, Americans. And quit wasting so much bandwidth on the last century's allies, who can neither help nor hinder us much in those Asian theatres that really matter for us in this century.
Comment: Heartland America hates the people of Europe because they don't share their values. To the typical Texan or Kansan, Europeans are atheist Islamophiles who worship at the altar of Charles Darwin. And, socialism--Americans believe that Europe is wallowing in socialism.
Comment: Oh, and the Balkans are going to hell (again).
Comment: Nonsense. Half of Europe doesn't want the EU. It's being rammed down their throats - remember the 'Non' votes?. The continent is being colonized by radical Muslims. Moderate muslims and the leftist elites have their heads in the sand. The collective militaries of European countries couldn't do what Britain alone did in 1981 - retake the Falklands. The native populations are not reproducing, aging rapidly and dependent on an unsustainable welfare-state. I see economic collapse and potential civil war in the new European Caliphate.
American, on the other hand, is becoming less Euro-centered. New immigrants are from Asia and South America. The generation that traced its roots to European countries is aging. The bonds of affection are strained, and may well break.
Maybe Europeans should apologize to America.
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