Atlanticism without Orientation
The United States, Obama, and Europe
Deutsche Fassung
Abstract
Europe’s relevance in American foreign policy has declined. The foundation of legitimacy for the transatlantic relationship of the East-West conflict – the joint creation of liberty, security, democracy, and prosperity – has become brittle. In political circles and among the general public on both sides of the Atlantic, irritations about one another shape the picture. Even the East Central Europeans are unsettled by U.S. President Barak Obama’s new Russia policy and the lack of clarity as to whether the United States will remain at their side. A new vision is needed to revitalise transatlantic relations. But there is a lack of common ground in content and a shortage of politicians ready to involve themselves to this end.
(Osteuropa 1/2011, pp. 31–46)