It seems ironic that the quality of EU leadership appears to be going down just as the Lisbon Treaty was passed.  Merkel does a solo run on Financial regulation just as the US is debating an extensive bill on the subject and where a joint approach might have strengthened both Merkel's and Obama's hands.  Sarkozy appears to be imploding.  Berlusconi was always a joke.  Zapatero is destroying his own base.  Eastern/central Europe has yet to produce a leader of substance.  Europe moves right as the US moves left and both pass each other out without so much as a wave by way of constructive engagement on global financial recovery, regulation, stimulus, or mid-east peace.

Were Blair/Brown, Chirac, Schroder, Aznar et al any better?

We've had it easy laughing at the US during the Bush years.  Now perhaps we have to start crying about ourselves?  What evidence is there that there is a more capable or less antlanticist wave of European leaders on the way up? (Ireland used to pride itself as punching above its weigh in world/EU affairs.  Now we can't even punch at our much diminished weight).

Index of Frank's Diaries

Other EU states also have strong bilateral ties with the US because they have strong ethnic ties to significant sections of the US electorate - e.g. Italy, Spain, Greece, Ireland etc. - but that has almost as much to do with the President's domestic US agenda rather than foreign policy per se.

The competence of the EU as a strong foreign policy actor in its own right is only emerging - witness strong divergences over Iraq etc. as recently as 5 years ago - and the Lisbon Treaty has only marginally increased EU competence and institutional focus on this.

There really is no equivalence - for the foreseeable future - between the EU and the US as a military or foreign policy actor even if there is gradually a more cohesive economic, fiscal and monetary policy determination at EU level.

US foreign policy analysts who bemoan the fact that Kissenger didn't know who to call when he wanted to talk to Europe are simply demonstrating their ignorance and arrogant distain of what Europe is about.  When Kissenger or his successors called, it was usually to demand more troops to support US imperial adventures and I'm quite glad they often didn't know how to achieve instant fealty and compliance from Europe.

Americans make great play of the checks and balances within their own Constitution and expect everyone else to accept the "reality" that the President doesn't have 60 senate votes for Climate change etc. Fair enough.  But then don't expect the EU to ride roughshod over the separation of powers between the EU Council, Parliament, and Commission and come up with instant responses to US imperatives.

Index of Frank's Diaries

Obama and crew will be over here a few months before the invasion of Iran, working the room, letting everyone know what will happen (unilaterally) as soon as everyone agrees (or doesn't. It doesn't matter.)

How soon until before the big election does this need to happen? I suppose there are other things that could push it forward, but not by too far. Don't want the Mission Accomplished luster to fall off. I'd say it is an April thing, or May...yeah, May of 2012.

So, expect them over here late in 2011. Is that good enough for ya?

Never underestimate their intelligence, always underestimate their knowledge.

Frank Delaney ~ Ireland

They could have written a serious article critiquing the apparent about face of European Governments from being much more Keynesian that the US - to now being much less so. (But that wouldn't have suited the neo-con agenda).

Instead we get the hack tittle tattle I have read a hundred times before and which didn't require any new research or even interviews to compile.

Like you, I'm on Obama's side on this one.  At least he's trying to get stuff done on the domestic side.  Hopefully he will see the light on Afghanistan soon - hell - even the tea partiers are starting to get that one.

And as for Israel-Palestine, what the hell have the Clintons been doing - trying to make trouble for Obama domestically while doing nothing to rein in Likud?

Index of Frank's Diaries

Check... 11 July 2008

BROWN: Joe, Joe Madison, do you think it's arrogant for him to do this?
JOE MADISON, RADIO TALK SHOW HOST: First of all, he's not worried about people like Joe. Secondly...
PAGLIARULO: Oh, yes, he is. I'm an American. And I have a vote. Oh, yes, he is. Oh, yes, he is.
BROWN: Go ahead, Joe.
MADISON: I didn't interrupt you.
Secondly, he was invited by the mayor of Berlin. He didn't beg or ask to come. He was invited. Thirdly, I would agree with Joe that if the German people don't want him, the German government doesn't want him to speak there, he shouldn't.

But, you know, I think Barack Obama is far more clever than you even give him for, because had this controversy never arrived, I think he would have flown to Germany, gave a speech, maybe a one-day hit on the news. Now we're going to be talking about it before he goes, while he's there, and when he comes back.

And let me add one more thing. A German newspaper had a front- page photograph of the White House with Obama's name on it, and referred to it as "Uncle Tom's Cabin." That should be insulting to all of us. But I'm saying, if in fact he goes, then he should do what German officials allow him to do, because he will be a guest.

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Check... 23 July 2008

This is the moment when every nation in Europe must have the chance to choose its own tomorrow free from the shadows of yesterday. In this century, we need a strong European Union that deepens the security and prosperity of this continent, while extending a hand abroad. In this century - in this city of all cities - we must reject the Cold War mind-set of the past, and resolve to work with Russia when we can, to stand up for our values when we must, and to seek a partnership that extends across this entire continent.

This is the moment when we must build on the wealth that open markets have created, and share its benefits more equitably. Trade has been a cornerstone of our growth and global development. But we will not be able to sustain this growth if it favors the few, and not the many. Together, we must forge trade that truly rewards the work that creates wealth, with meaningful protections for our people and our planet. This is the moment for trade that is free and fair for all.

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Check. 27 July 2008

MR. BROKAW:  ...so everyone will know what you've been doing.  A week ago on Saturday you were in Kuwait visiting troops.  On Sunday you moved to Afghanistan, where you visited troops and met with President Karzai.  Monday, the epicenter of the trip, Baghdad, meeting with Prime Minister Maliki and American commanders.  Tuesday you were in Amman, Jordan, with the king of that country, King Abdullah.  And Wednesday meeting a variety of Israeli leaders and a prominent Palestinian.  Thursday you were in Berlin meeting with the German Chancellor Merkel, and you gave a speech to a huge throng at Brandenburg Gate.  Friday, in Paris, meeting with President Sarkozy of France. Saturday, in London, meeting with Tony Blair, the former prime minister, then with Gordon Brown, the current prime minister, and with David Cameron as well, who is the opposition leader in this country where there's a fair amount of political turmoil here as well.

SEN. OBAMA:  It makes me, makes me tired just listening to you read it.

MR. BROKAW:  When you get home and Michelle says to you, "Barack, what did you learn that surprised you?  And did you change your mind about anything based on this entire trip?"
SEN. OBAMA:  Well, I, I, I didn't see a huge shift in the strategic policies that I've laid out throughout this campaign.  It was clear to me that Afghanistan is the central front on terror, that the Taliban and al-Qaeda have reconstituted themselves.  They are--they have safe havens along the Afghan-Pakistan border.  Our troops are doing an outstanding job, and many coalition troops are doing an outstanding job.  But frankly, we need a, a, a more serious effort on the part of the Afghan government and President Karzai to get out of Kabul, to start the development process.  We're going to need two additional brigades in Afghanistan and we've got to work with Pakistan to get serious about these terrorist safe havens.  So that's got to be a priority.  I was pleased to see the reductions in violence in Iraq.  And there's no doubt that we have seen violence lessen, our troops are performing in an extraordinary fashion.  The Sunni awakening has helped to eliminate, if not eliminate, then greatly lessen the possibilities of al-Qaeda reconstituting itself as a big and effective force.  And the fact that Prime Minister Maliki is ready to take on more responsibility for the security of their country, I think is a positive development.

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Check. 5 April 2009

None of these challenges can be solved quickly or easily. But all of them demand that we listen to one another and work together; that we focus on our common interests, not our occasional differences; and that we reaffirm our shared values, which are stronger than any force that could drive us apart. That is the work that we must carry on. That is the work that I have come to Europe to begin.

To renew our prosperity, we need action coordinated across borders. That means investments to create new jobs. That means resisting the walls of protectionism that stand in the way of growth. That means a change in our financial system, with new rules to prevent abuse and future crisis. And we have an obligation to our common prosperity and our common humanity to extend a hand to those emerging markets and impoverished people who are suffering the most, which is why we set aside over a trillion dollars for the International Monetary Fund earlier this week.

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Check. 6 June 2009

The situation in Afghanistan demonstrates America's goals, and our need to work together.  Over seven years ago, the United States pursued al Qaeda and the Taliban with broad international support.  We did not go by choice; we went because of necessity. I'm aware that there's still some who would question or even justify the events of 9/11.  But let us be clear:  Al Qaeda killed nearly 3,000 people on that day.  The victims were innocent men, women and children from America and many other nations who had done nothing to harm anybody.  And yet al Qaeda chose to ruthlessly murder these people, claimed credit for the attack, and even now states their determination to kill on a massive scale.  They have affiliates in many countries and are trying to expand their reach.  These are not opinions to be debated; these are facts to be dealt with.

Now, make no mistake:  We do not want to keep our troops in Afghanistan.  We see no military -- we seek no military bases there.  It is agonizing for America to lose our young men and women.  It is costly and politically difficult to continue this conflict.  We would gladly bring every single one of our troops home if we could be confident that there were not violent extremists in Afghanistan and now Pakistan determined to kill as many Americans as they possibly can.  But that is not yet the case.

And that's why we're partnering with a coalition of 46 countries.  And despite the costs involved, America's commitment will not weaken.  Indeed, none of us should tolerate these extremists.  They have killed in many countries.  They have killed people of different faiths -- but more than any other, they have killed Muslims.  Their actions are irreconcilable with the rights of human beings, the progress of nations, and with Islam.  The Holy Koran teaches that whoever kills an innocent is as -- it is as if he has killed all mankind.  (Applause.)  And the Holy Koran also says whoever saves a person, it is as if he has saved all mankind.  (Applause.)  The enduring faith of over a billion people is so much bigger than the narrow hatred of a few. Islam is not part of the problem in combating violent extremism -- it is an important part of promoting peace.

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Check. 11 July 2009

Some you know my grandfather was a cook for the British in Kenya, and though he was a respected elder in his village, his employers called him "boy" for much of his life. He was on the periphery of Kenya's liberation struggles, but he was still imprisoned briefly during repressive times. In his life, colonialism wasn't simply the creation of unnatural borders or unfair terms of trade -- it was something experienced personally, day after day, year after year.

My father grew up herding goats in a tiny village, an impossible distance away from the American universities where he would come to get an education. He came of age at a moment of extraordinary promise for Africa. The struggles of his own father's generation were giving birth to new nations, beginning right here in Ghana. (Applause.) Africans were educating and asserting themselves in new ways, and history was on the move.

But despite the progress that has been made -- and there has been considerable progress in many parts of Africa -- we also know that much of that promise has yet to be fulfilled. Countries like Kenya had a per capita economy larger than South Korea's when I was born. They have badly been outpaced. Disease and conflict have ravaged parts of the African continent.

In many places, the hope of my father's generation gave way to cynicism, even despair. Now, it's easy to point fingers and to pin the blame of these problems on others. Yes, a colonial map that made little sense helped to breed conflict. The West has often approached Africa as a patron or a source of resources rather than a partner.

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und so weiter


Diversity is the key to economic and political evolution.

Since the biggest obstacle to progress on those fronts is the rampant deficit errorism in Europe.


Utsukushikereba sore de ii

it reinforces my belief that europe's lack of enthusiasm for american wars, and its slowness to respond to america's taunts that it can't defend itself are positive traits the usa is behind on, and the latter is bait to be not bit into.

let them taunt, it just makes them look like overadrenalised bullies.


"Resonance is the reply from the unknown... Unleash the opera of phenomena." W.A. Mathieu

It looks pathetic from afar.  Imagine what it looks like to the actual guy.

Be nice to America. Or we'll bring democracy to your country.