Is Europe being lost to Russia?
John Vinocur wonders if the U.S. is "losing" Europe to Russia. The framing of the question is a bit odd, because it presupposes that Russia is strong enough to "win" Europe away from the United States. What's really at issue is Europe's willingness to chart a slightly more independent course:
Rather, Germany and France, meeting with Russia in Deauville, northern France, last week, signaled that they planned to make such three-cornered get-togethers on international foreign policy and security matters routine, and even extend them to inviting other â??partnersâ? â?? pointing, according to diplomats from two countries, to Turkey becoming a future participant....As for the Obama administration stamping its foot, what it came down to was a senior U.S. official saying: â??Since when, I wonder, is European security no longer an issue of American concern, but something for Europe and Russia to resolve? After being at the center of European security for 70 years, itâ??s strange to hear that itâ??s no longer a matter of U.S. concern.â?
Needless to say that Washington does not believe in "spheres of influence" or the ability of a great power to have a say in another country's foreign policy decisions. No sir.
(AP Photo)
