A Message From Obama for Those Infuriating Europeans

As Barack Obama travels to Europe, he suggests that he will invigorate relations between the US and the continent, which have almost come to a standstill during the Bush administration. Europeans are less pleased, however, about Obama’s suggestions that Europe needs to contribute more to the alliance that’s essential for global security. Some critics contend that Europeans prefer talk to action, while others admit that European support lends international legitimacy to US power. Columnist Philip Stephens outlines a plan of action that Obama can reasonably ask from Europe: First, he can ask that they be prepared to act, and in return, he will be prepared to talk and listen. This strategy would be especially useful for talks with Iran. Second, Obama can also ask Europe to contribute more, in terms of both defense budgets and troops, to Western security. It’s advantageous to both sides to strengthen the alliance, which in turn may rejuvenate a peaceful global order. – YaleGlobal

A Message From Obama for Those Infuriating Europeans

Philip Stephens
Monday, July 21, 2008

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