IS CHIRAC BUSH’S FAULT?

Tom Friedman seems to think so. I wish I thought that the visceral hostility of Chirac and Schroder were a function of George Bush’s bad diplomacy. But I fear their positions would be the same whatever president was in power, if he were trying to accomplish the magnitude of what Bush is aiming for in the war on terror. Bush’s rapport with Blair, an ideological opponent, and his relationship with Putin suggests no lack of diplomatic grace in the White House. And does Friedman think Colin Powell’s ceaseless efforts around the globe were window-dressing? In truth, the positions of France and Germany have as much to do with their own precarious positions within Europe as they do with the policies of the United States. For a while now, I have harped on the importance of EU politics for American foreign policy – and largely been ignored. It seemed so boring. It may seem less boring now. There is a huge struggle going on in Europe between those who want to forge an anti-American socialist super-state and those who want to unite Europe around principles of nation-states, a trans-Atlantic bond and free trade. Imagine in the current crisis if Britain’s foreign policy were subservient to Brussels and you get an idea of the stakes.

EUROPE’S CHANCE: Until now, Britain has been waging a lonely and largely reactive campaign against the centralizers and dirigistes. But as the EU has enlarged since the end of the Soviet bloc, and as the central euro-area continues to be bested by the more dynamic economies on the periphery, Britain stands a chance of reshaping Europe along far more pro-American and classically liberal lines. Chirac and Schroder must now realize that this war, if successful, could bolster Blair further in Europe and isolate them for a long time within their own pet institution. Hence Chirac’s loss of temper at the East Europeans. Hence Schroder’s accelerating political collapse at home. Great things are afoot. This war might not only change the Middle East in ways conducive to liberal democratic institutions. It might do the same for Europe.