With a bit more attention, and a bit less arrogance, the trans-Atlantic alliance might now be reinvigorated instead of angry and resentful. When, if ever, we get around to assessing Bush's foreign policy, the damage done on the old continent may loom almost as large as the damage done in Iraq.
Basically, she thinks we've blown Europe's friendship.
Of course, in complaining about this so-called problem she needs to mention that leaders in Spain, Italy, and Blair are all victims of our Iraq policy. Blair lasted ten years, Berlusconi led Italy longer (for five years) than any post-World War II Italian leader, and Aznar was felled by a population fearful of jihadi terrorism that does not need Iraq as a reason to attack Spain (Spain was once Moslem and so in a jihadi version of the Brezhnev Doctrine can never go back). Not terribly persuasive examples if you ask me.
Ignore the change for the better in Germany and France.
Oh, and though NATO is fighting out-of-area in Afghanistan with us, that doesn't count, I guess. And setting up a reaction force to fight outside of Europe means nothing good for our relations.
And I might remind you that these European states are actually official NATO allies. Nobody's pulled out yet. More Europeans want in, in fact. So saying we've blown their friendship is a little odd. Indeed, with Putin rattling sabres, our protection doesn't seem so obsolete right now.
Whatever. "Bushies" have to be at fault for something.
I won't even bother with her comment on Iraq. You've heard me before.
