Europeans think that the 44th president of the USA will call a halt to the unilateral and bellicose decisions of the only superpower. They hope in particular that Barack Obama will adopt a foreign policy centered on the multilateralism. Actually they wish America to better take into account the European opinions about the management of the world affairs. And as much as possible without dividing Europe as Donald Rumsfeld did during the beginning of the current Iraq war.

Europeans think that the Obama administration will cooperate with the EU by trying to avoid stiring up European diplomatic cacophony. This way the USA would encourage the EU to play a greater political role in the world. What would reinforce and facilitate the construction of political Europe which seems a little incomplete. Only future will tell us if theses hopes will be carried out…

Nevertheless, I think that these hopes are completely disproportionate! The belief that Barack Obama incarnates a deep change appears obvious for the USA but it seems exaggerated when it is generalized to other countries. I think that the relations between the USA and the EU member states will not change radically.

In my opinion, Barack Obama will not let easily the EU (or even the UN) thwarting the American intentions. He defends the concept of a war against terrorism and he wants to increase the American military presence in the Middle-East to fight the Talibans. Thus I have the impression that he disapproves of the European foreign policy which is rather pacifist. Therefore I think that the co-operation of the EU and the USA as regards foreign policy will remain difficult. I believe Barack Obama will cause directly (or even indirectly) only very little change in Europe. So dear European friends, I wish you welcome in continuation!

Etienne

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