"To put it in a terminology that harkens back to a more brutal age of ancient empires," he writes, "the three grand imperatives of imperial geostrategy are to prevent collusion and maintain security dependence among the vassals, to keep tributaries pliant and protected, and to keep the barbarians from coming together."

In the above, I more see the new Obama-era line of Lighter Empire (also see discussion in nanne's Power Void in Europe): vassals shouldn't expect much from the USA but should grow up, and help out doing America's White Man's Burdentake responsibility in solving Global Problems.

It would be nice if such talk would put off the political elites in my region to wake up from the 'Euroatlanticism' dream well nurtured by the diplomats of the Bush I, Clinton and Bush II admins, but my hopes aren't high. But a result might be, as maracatu suggests, more clearly partisan ties in the US.

_{*Lunatic*, n.
One whose delusions are out of fashion.}