US-Europe Relations Still Need Work

A series of discordant columns over the weekend makes it clear that a new American president has not been a magic fix for the transatlantic relationship. Indeed, the global financial crisis has exacerbated differences, not just between America and Europe but within Europe as well.

I round up and synthesize these columns in my New Atlanticist piece “Obama Has Not Yet Fixed US-Europe Relations.”  The conclusion:

None of these sour sentiments should derail the Obama administration’s efforts to repair and strengthen America’s relations with Europe, of course.  There has arguably not been a time in the postwar period when transatlantic cooperation has been more vital.

But it’s useful to be reminded from time to time that George W. Bush’s demeanor was not the sole obstacle to an effective working relationship.  Indeed, “Europe” is far from a monolith and its leaders, too, have some responsibility for the partnership.

Follow the link for the rest.

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James Joyner
About James Joyner
James Joyner is Professor and Department Head of Security Studies at Marine Corps University's Command and Staff College. He's a former Army officer and Desert Storm veteran. Views expressed here are his own. Follow James on Twitter @DrJJoyner.

Comments

  1. Triumph says:

    I find it interesting in a post about US-Europe relations that you make no mention of climate change and the upcoming Copenhagen negotiations.

  2. James Joyner says:

    I find it interesting in a post about US-Europe relations that you make no mention of climate change and the upcoming Copenhagen negotiations.

    I don’t think that was mentioned in any of the op-eds. There are plenty of issues, including climate change, NATO and EU expansion, and others where wide variance exists.

  3. Christopher says:

    Of course, James, you have to first buy into the notion that any problems with European relations are the fault of George Bush, which is a liberal media biased notion that they invented.

    The fact that B.O. surrendered to all nations the USA’s honor, yet there appears to be no “thaw” points out just how wrong headed B.O. was in the first place and the the media’s invention was a lie.

    And so far, B.O. has proved to be George Bush II.

  4. tom p says:

    Christopher:

    The fact that B.O. surrendered to all nations the USA’s honor,

    and

    And so far, B.O. has proved to be George Bush II.

    in conjunction with:

    you have to first buy into the notion that any problems with European relations are the fault of George Bush, which is a liberal media biased notion that they invented.

    SAY WHAT???? Let me get this straight… BO sold out the US… Just like Bush II did… and it is all the fault of the liberal media?

    Christopher, do your self a favor, stop, think, than speak.

  5. Christopher says:

    tom,

    Lets see, major events in BO presidency:

    BO is still fighting two wars, the same wars during the Bush years. If “Bush lied, people died” then why hasn’t his holiness started to remove troops? Good Q! Bush II.

    BO has proposed a huge stimulus/govt. bailout (that now has passed a dem congress). Bush also proposed a huge stimulus/govt. bailout (that passed a dem congress). What grand strategy on BO’s part! Bush II.

    Any questions?

  6. DL says:

    When we capitulate to ardent socialism and reduce ourselves to their level, we will find ourselves adored by dying Europe. The problem really is that we can’t tell the difference between popularity and envy!

    Perhaps, since that is the case, we need to elect only teenage girls to understand international politics better. They’re experts on the subject.

  7. anjin-san says:

    Any questions?

    Are you really as stupid as you sound?

  8. Christopher says:

    Typical lib: ignore substance, start attacking to deflect the fact that liberals have no ideas at all. And now the libs head cheese is just like George! How does it feel, libs? My God you can’t even get Europe to like you!