The Globalist: Toward a More Independent Europe?- by Michael J. Brenner

For the complete report in The Globalist click on this link

Toward a More Independent Europe?- by Michael J. Brenner

"Popular opinion not just across the Middle East, but also in Europe overwhelmingly rejects the U.S. policies on Iraq, Iran, Lebanon and in the Holy Land — not to speak of continued outrage at the practice of torture and rendition. Sadly, but unavoidably, visceral anti-Bushism has given way to a conviction that the United States of America is now as much the problem as the solution. Yet, the voice of Europe's government leaders is meek in its criticisms — and they are too ready to accede to the US administration’s terms for a return to the conciliatory exchanges the Europeans apparently so deeply crave."

Europe is rich, stable, at peace — and unnaturally dependent on the United States. That dependency is not just structural and military. It is above all psychological. It has all the earmarks of a classic dominant-subordinate relationship. America acts — and Europe reacts.

One need only monitor the discourse within the American foreign policy community to appreciate how natural it is for Americans to place themselves in the position of command — figuratively and literally. The dialogue is punctuated with ‘we musts,’ and ’they shoulds.’ The ‘they’ is everyone from allies to enemies to all those implicated in the matter at hand. Editorial note EU-Digest: Excellent report by Michael J.Brenner - EU should be a friend of the US, not a lapdog.