Among the illusions that European governments find hard to shake off, we identify four which are particularly damaging - the beliefs that: European security still depends on American protection; American and European interests are at bottom the same - and apparent evidence to the contrary only evidences the need for the US to pay greater heed to European advice; the need to keep the relationship close and harmonious therefore trumps any more specific objective that Europeans might want to secure through it; and "ganging up" on the US would be improper - indeed, counterproductive - given the "special relationship" that most European states believe they enjoy with Washington. In this report we aim to show how these illusions induce in European governments and elites an unhealthy mix of complacency and excessive deference towards the United States - attitudes which give rise to a set of strategies of ingratiation that do not work. Such attitudes and strategies fail to secure European interests; fail to provide the US with the sort of transatlantic partner that it is now seeking; and are in consequence undermining the very relationship for which Europeans are so solicitously concerned.
In this report we aim to show how these illusions induce in European governments and elites an unhealthy mix of complacency and excessive deference towards the United States - attitudes which give rise to a set of strategies of ingratiation that do not work. Such attitudes and strategies fail to secure European interests; fail to provide the US with the sort of transatlantic partner that it is now seeking; and are in consequence undermining the very relationship for which Europeans are so solicitously concerned.
That this European infantility and submission is one seen from Washington, becomes explicit on pages 12 and 13:
Thus far, the Obama administration has seen European governments broadly living down to their expectations. It has found them weak 10 and divided - ready 11 to talk a good game but reluctant to get muddy. Seen from Washington, there is something almost infantile about how European governments behave towards them - a combination of attention seeking and responsibility shirking. ... Europe's confused but essentially submissive approach to transatlantic relations frustrates Americans, but also sells their own interests short... Afghanistan provides an ongoing demonstration of the consequences of European governments' failure to take real responsibility for a conflict that they claim is vital to their national security interests.
...
Europe's confused but essentially submissive approach to transatlantic relations frustrates Americans, but also sells their own interests short...
Afghanistan provides an ongoing demonstration of the consequences of European governments' failure to take real responsibility for a conflict that they claim is vital to their national security interests.
Frivolous translation: "I hoped you'll fight my war in Afghanistan, but you're such pussies!"
The way thery put the Obama-era re-invention of Empire, BTW:
President Obama ... Europeans miss the implications of the self-avowed pragmatism of his administration. ... it believes that the creation of a web of international partnerships is the best way to ensure that, even in a globalised world, America remains the "indispensable nation".
As for Afghanistan, the report says this:
Develop a European strategy for Afghanistan. This might mean getting out, or getting further in, or just changing tack. But what it most directly means is starting to substitute European interests for Washington's smiles and frowns as the star to navigate by. This means a proper debate within the EU or among those most closely involved to determine just what Europe wants and needs from Afghanistan. The recent call by the European Big Three for an international conference may - may - imply a belated recognition.
You're cherry-picking.
You too :-) There are endless passages both before and after the above detailing American frustrations with Europe not acting in its own declared interests/not taking responsibility in Afghanistan. [In addition, I confused page numbers and pdf page numbers -- I was only one-sixth the way in and haven't read the above when writing my previous comment.] *Lunatic*, n. One whose delusions are out of fashion.
