Posts About Europe
Exposing NATO's Weaknesses in Afghanistan
The Afghan war is exposing NATO (which supplies a large majority of the forces) to be the "two-tiered" organization Defense Secretary Gates had warned about,
Europe's Democracy Legend
Do democratic reforms in Central Europe stand a chance of being reproduced further east?
Obama and Europe's Old-World Walls: David Ignatius, April 4th 7:10pm
Obama's call for 'partnership' transcended the medieval walls and once-closed communities of the ancient cities in the Old World where he was speaking, particularly here in a little town in Alsace.
G-20 Stretching U.S.-Europe Bonds
American and European leaders face down the financial crisis, the war in Afghanistan... and each other.
Transatlantic Leadership: Restart International Trade
Improving international trade should become the new rallying cry of the West.
EU Takes Realist Tone With Colombia
A free trade agreement moves forward despite human rights concerns.
Europe's Lame Duck Leadership Problem
Europe's leadership stumbles just as the world needs it to step up.
What Europe and America Each Teach
America teaches pragmatism at the expense of equilibrium. Europe teaches contemplation at the expense of purposeful action.
China Manipulates, Europe Wins
Europe might benefit from leaving China alone to "manipulate" its currency.
Will the Euro Survive?
The euro looks strong on its 10th anniversary, even in recession - but congratulations are premature.
Artwork, Toilets, and EU Identity
A controversy over EU artwork is highlighting a skeptical view of the EU and providing an unwelcome distraction from Europe's pressing problems.
For New EU President, A Baffling Array of Challenges
Gaza, Gazprom, the economic downturn and Sarkozy's ego all pose their own problems early on for the Czech Republic's EU presidency.
Europe's American Obstacle: Republicans in Decline
The biggest obstacle standing in the way of the greatest reversal in modern U.S.-European relations is a Republican Party on the decline.
Obama's Wish List for Europe
European leaders have embraced Barack Obama's victory in the 2008 U.S. presidential elections, but NATO's 60th anniversary summit in France and Germany in April, 2009 may well offer Europeans their first reality check on the 44th president.
Europe's Winner in Financial Crisis: Politicians
European leaders jockey for political gain as they navigate the global financial crisis.
Let Americans Celebrate Transformation
Like many fellow expats, I've felt especially European in the past eight years. And like many, I've felt especially American in the past two weeks. In 2008--for the first time in ten leap years--I returned to the U.S. to celebrate an election on U Street in Washington, DC. And from this vantage point, I beg to differ from my German (and British) friends. Yes, they caught the excitement. And yes, the Germans personally backed Obama by a greater margin than Massachusetts. But the sophisticated Brits arched their eyebrows, wondering if No Drama Obama could ever be tough enough. (After he beat the Clintons at their own game?) And chattering-class Germans first reached a consensus half a year ago that it didn't make much difference who won this election; either way, they would be asked to send more troops to Afghanistan. (No difference on Guantanamo? On the torture that McCain endured as a hero, opposed as a maverick, and finally tolerated as a candidate?) Then on Nov. 5 the German commentators concluded that after ratcheting our expectations so high, we're all bound to be disappointed. I suppose I should chalk this up to the difference between Americans' instrumental "yes we can" optimism and Germans' instrumental "the sky is falling" pessimism. Americans plunge into crises to cope by trial and error. See, for example, the Republicans' embrace of not only big, but humongous government in the financial meltdown. Germans, by contrast, worry about looming crises for years in advance and then chip away at cumulative remedies in the interim before the thereby diminished doomsday hits. See, sort of, their enthusiasm for fighting climate change. Well, OK. We need both approaches. That's what our transatlantic alliance is for. It's supposed to avoid both deadlock and the lowest common denominator and find a synergy of contrary wisdoms that is more than the sum of the alliance's parts. But don't expect the New World to be disillusioned quite as fast as the Old. After an election campaign that for once needed to last this long to test John McCain's steadiness, Barack Obama's learning curve, and voters' racial maturity, we need a little more time to find our new equilibrium. Grant us at least until January 20 to dance on the tables of the U Street bars, savor this closure of our civil war, and name a fresh crop of babies Barack. After all, transformation doesn't come every leapyear. Elizabeth Pond is a Berlin-based author, journalist, and non-resident Senior Fellow at the SAIS Center for Transatlantic Relations....
Europe's China Problem
China's deceleration could bring serious consequences for the Old World's economy.
The Change the Old World Doesn't Believe In -- Yet
Europeans believe that minority candidates are good for America, but not good for Europe.
Who Will Lead the 'Next Europe', and To Where?
Obama's election highlights Europe's struggle to define the 'European Dream.'
In Search of Europe's Obama
Would Europe have the strength to elect its own Obama? Probably not yet.
