European Nations 'Expect a Lot' From an Obama Presidency
Officials have long list of issues to fix, from climate change to arms control, after rocky Bush years
Differences over how to reduce greenhouse gases and modify global finance may well also emerge.
The old complexity of dealing with both the individual powers of Europe and with an enlarging, now 27-member European Union persists, and the EU itself has not been able to take its own next step by finishing the ratifications of a treaty that would yield a more coherent voice on foreign policy. Still, the arrival of more strongly pro-U.S. leaders in France (Nikolas Sarkozy) and Germany (Angela Merkel) has smoothed matters, and it should help Obama as it has helped Bush late in his second term.
Standing close to where the Berlin Wall once loomed, Obama this summer declared, "America has no better partner than Europe" but warned that both "will be required to do more—not less." He and European leaders will now have a chance to do more, in Afghanistan and elsewhere.
- Read more about The world Obama Inherits
- Read about Obama's plans to withdraw troops from Iraq
- Read about why Russia could become a big problem for Obama
Reader Comments
THE WORLD OBAMA INHERITS
AS FOR THE EUROPEANS AND THEIR OPINIONS, WHO CARES. THEY HAVE
IN THE PAST KNOCKED US AND COMPLAINED THAT WE CAUSE ALL THE
PROBLEMS AND THEN WATCH THEM, IF THEY GET IN TROUBLE OR HAVE
PROBLEMS WHO DO THEY CALL? US AND OUR ALLIES. THEY DID IT IN
WORLD WAR I AND II. ESPECIALLY GERMANY, THINK ABOUT IT, THEY
STARTED BOTH WORLD WARS AND WHOSE SUPPOSED TO REBUILD THEIR ]
COUNTRY? THEY DO NOTHING BUT BAD MOUTH US. I HAVE SEVERAL
GERMAN RELATIVES AND THEY MAKE ME SICK. EUROPEANS ARE CHRONIC
COMPLAINERS AND I MEAN CHRONIC!! MY SUGGESTION IS IF YOU DON'T
LIKE OUR COUNTRY, GET OUT OF IT. GO BACK TO YOUR ARCHAIC WAY
OF LIFE, WE DON'T NEED YOU HERE ANYWAY!!
Europe why ????
The historical events after the Fall of the Wall , thanks to an American President who was considered a B rated actor ,instilled and moved to a stronger creation of a EU which had its origins in the early 1950's
Europe , as the historical facts point, enjoyed progress , peace and industrial growth with many thanks to USA. There was nothing that stood in the way between Western Europe and the USSR ..except the USA
When there is peace as the article pointed out the cold war went into "cold storage " or did it ??
On 9/11 for many Americans that were of age we knew where we were ..I do because I worked at World Trade . Do we recall the days after 9/11 ?? Who were our leaders for us in NYC it was Rudy but then came George .
Recall what President Bush said . He thanked many nations for their concern and well wishes ...but the war had started and it was going to be long and would last well AFTER the GW Bush Presidency .
Where was Europe when the issue of WMD and Iraq ??? Many intelligence agencies concured with the info . We took out the Taliban in Afganstan in short order ( Recall what took place with the USSR late 1970's 80's they were DEFEATED )
There was ONLY token assistance in Iraq and some in Afganstan . This is with the exception of UK and Canada that had sizable forces compared to their military .
So here we are American troops and industry save Europe after WW II and protect them . After the "end " of the Cold War EU grew to a power and relations were established with the USSR " Russia ."etc .
Europe may be upset but as an American the FIRST duty of the President of the United States is to protect and defend America . GW Bush was a war time president and only history maybe fifty years from now will be the judge him .
Maybe we are lucky since there were no attacks on the USA since 9/11 ..maybe its good military , intell and law enforcement work
As a son of an Italian immigrant who served this nation for over twenty five years in federal service I am upset with Italy and Europe ..WITH the exception of the UK . Where were you guys ..??? Maybe American should be upset with Europe.
What would have happened if we let Europe adrift when a German mad man came to power ????
I hope for better relations and there can be disagreements with long time friends ..but I will wait and see
Europe the Joke
Europe wants the United States to go back to 'Multilateralism'? You mean, like when we asked for their help in Iraq, and they told us to GO SCREW? You mean like that? You mean like,'When one NATO Country is attacked, they ALL are? Or is it; When EUROPE needs something, America bends over? If I were Europe, I wouldn't worry too much. With this mealy mouthed, Empty Suit in the White House, you WILL be getting 'a lot'. Just not, what you wanted. Mark My Words.
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