Comments on: The Hour of Europe has Arrived http://www.poligazette.com/2008/07/29/the-hour-of-europe-has-arrived/ News and Analysis from Different Moderate Perspectives Tue, 02 Dec 2008 23:44:16 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.2 By: HobbesDFW http://www.poligazette.com/2008/07/29/the-hour-of-europe-has-arrived/#comment-62692 HobbesDFW Wed, 30 Jul 2008 16:22:56 +0000 http://poligazette.com/2008/07/29/the-hour-of-europe-has-arrived/#comment-62692 Europe will "miss" the opportunity because Eurpoeans have no interest in taking the opportunity.  Applebaum's <em>Slate </em>piece dances around this very point, like the elephant in the room, but it is unmistakable to those who have observed European inaction during the Balkan conflict in the 90's (I don't think Bush was in office then) and the last 3 years of Iran negotiations not directed by Washington. Ironically, Applebaum cites a <em>Guardian</em> article by Nick Cohen, which posits that Bush's unilateralism has provided Euros with an excuse for their own inactivity, which nearly hits the very nail on the head that Applebaum conscientiously avoids striking.  The only thing missing from Cohen's column is a conclusion regarding why the Euros would prefer eventual self-immolation to action, however allegedly misdirected, from Washington. Europe will "miss" the opportunity because Eurpoeans have no interest in taking the opportunity.  Applebaum’s Slate piece dances around this very point, like the elephant in the room, but it is unmistakable to those who have observed European inaction during the Balkan conflict in the 90’s (I don’t think Bush was in office then) and the last 3 years of Iran negotiations not directed by Washington.

Ironically, Applebaum cites a Guardian article by Nick Cohen, which posits that Bush’s unilateralism has provided Euros with an excuse for their own inactivity, which nearly hits the very nail on the head that Applebaum conscientiously avoids striking.  The only thing missing from Cohen’s column is a conclusion regarding why the Euros would prefer eventual self-immolation to action, however allegedly misdirected, from Washington.

]]> By: Interested http://www.poligazette.com/2008/07/29/the-hour-of-europe-has-arrived/#comment-62630 Interested Wed, 30 Jul 2008 00:17:55 +0000 http://poligazette.com/2008/07/29/the-hour-of-europe-has-arrived/#comment-62630 <blockquote>Or perhaps I should put it more strongly: Not only would the White House listen, the new administration, Democratic or Republican, would immediately offer the Europeans the “leadership” and “partnership” they so often say they desire. </blockquote> One would be hard pressed to make a case that opportunities for Europe to grab the reins were not very much present for Europe's taking. Reality is they didn't, and with the looks of the EU state of affairs - they won't. But they sure will cry about it.

Or perhaps I should put it more strongly: Not only would the White House listen, the new administration, Democratic or Republican, would immediately offer the Europeans the “leadership” and “partnership” they so often say they desire.

One would be hard pressed to make a case that opportunities for Europe to grab the reins were not very much present for Europe’s taking.

Reality is they didn’t, and with the looks of the EU state of affairs - they won’t.

But they sure will cry about it.

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