I recall a while back, with regard to the PNR data agreement between the US and the EU, a MEP said, "would we have this same agreement with Russia as we have with US?"
I think not!
The problem could be a kind psychological bondage to the US fear of the "anti-American" label. At the same time, to be outraged by CIA abductions is shouted down as "anti-American." The effect is that the US is excused for its conduct, and let us not forget that some Europeans went along with the "renditions." How many Europeans would fear the "anti-Russian" or "anti-Chinese" labels as much as the "anti-American" label?
AND - unless and until Europeans start choosing leaders that actually do care more about an independent Europe than pampering the Americans - I'm afraid that this excusing of American bad conduct will continue and the US will continue to have free reign both Europe and in the larger world.
Russia or China are almost never critiziced, and if they are it's for far greater transgression than the Americans commit.
Everything the Americans do is intensely scrutinised and held to far higher levels of conduct than other countries are. Anti-americanism is trendy in the media.
The slightest worry about Russia results in accusations of "paranoia" and "rysskräck".
Paradoxically, the reason why America is held to such high standards is that Swedes are incredibly pro-American (they just hate Bush), and the reason that all Russian transgressions are ignored is because everyone knows that Russians are, well, Russians.
The people who wrecked our empire, invaded Finland, occupied half of Europe for half a century, vaporized Groznyj and burnt our entire Baltic coast 200 years ago. That's just what they do and you can't expect better from them, right? Rysskräck does permeate society, but everytime you mention any risks you are hollered at. But the media has no problem wipping up rysskräck even when it's unwarranted (for example the Baltic gas pipeline which is a big foreign policy issue here) while at the same time condemning the wipping up of rysskräck.
A fascinating paradox, or several really. Peak oil is not an energy crisis. It is a liquid fuel crisis.
