The French Connection

[struggle4progress]

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The election of President Bush and the events of 9/11 intensified the pace of change in America. America's immediate focus became a global war on terrorism: absolute military domination was combined with the concept of pre-emptive war. Americans became more patriotic, and struggled with the reality that we were both invincible and vulnerable.

This was in stark opposition to what was going on in Europe. Just as we were becoming more warlike and unilateral, France and Europe were working toward European integration while trying to minimize conflict wherever possible. (It's worth remembering that France left the military command of NATO in 1966. Though it briefly considered rejoining in 1997, the idea was quickly dropped.) What's more, as American politics became increasingly influenced by religion, France, with six million Muslims within its borders, was desperately trying to get religion out of politics.
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When Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld talked about "old Europe" versus new Europe, he was comparing what he saw as obsolescence and fatigue in France and Germany with the dynamism he perceived in our Central European allies. But it will be decades before Central Europe is on a par with France and Germany. There is no such thing as old and new Europe; they are both the European Union, which has been evolving for 50 years. There is, however, a "new America," and it looks at Europe with a certain disdain because we believe that our main interests are elsewhere.
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While America's interests have changed more drastically, it is beginning to realize that solitude, even for a global superpower, may not be the best policy. The Bush administration's request for United Nations assistance in Iraq and the recent cooperation with France in Haiti may be belated recognition of the reality that America needs the legitimacy conferred by the international community when it exercises its power.
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http://www.nytimes.com/2004/06/04/opinion/04ROHA.html?ex=1086926400&en=e7473d9229418545&ei=5062&partner=GOOGLE

Generalities from a former US ambassador to France