The Coming Trans-Atlantic Crisis
I do not agree America is necessarily a declining hegemon as this article asserts. It is extremely premature to be stating as unequivocally as this piece does such things.
That said, there can be no doubt that the days of trans-Atlantic unity (the purportedly halcyon days of the Cold War) are decidely in the past. Any convergence in the wake of Russia's recent actions is temporary as this article intimates. Our interests are much larger now than just Europe, this means that our need for Russia in other regions could trump our desire to keep them in check on the European eastern periphery.
This raises fundamental questions about our relations with the EU and the future of NATO. A true recalibration of power is happening, America need not fade away into a shell of itself, but realistic assements are more important now than ever. All relationships need to be reviewed. Nostalgia of bygone eras of supposed unity is dangerous and leaves America much less flexible than it should be when dealing with multiple geopolitical issues from multiple global regions.
That said, there can be no doubt that the days of trans-Atlantic unity (the purportedly halcyon days of the Cold War) are decidely in the past. Any convergence in the wake of Russia's recent actions is temporary as this article intimates. Our interests are much larger now than just Europe, this means that our need for Russia in other regions could trump our desire to keep them in check on the European eastern periphery.
This raises fundamental questions about our relations with the EU and the future of NATO. A true recalibration of power is happening, America need not fade away into a shell of itself, but realistic assements are more important now than ever. All relationships need to be reviewed. Nostalgia of bygone eras of supposed unity is dangerous and leaves America much less flexible than it should be when dealing with multiple geopolitical issues from multiple global regions.
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