Wallerstein on the Atlantic Alliance

Immanuel Wallerstein looks at George Bush’s visit to Europe in the latest of his bi-monthly commentaries.

George W. Bush, having failed to intimidate Europe in his first term of office, has decided to try another tactic. First, Condoleeza Rice, then Donald Rumsfeld, then Bush himself traveled to Europe on a charm offensive. They all said essentially the same three things. Let’s forget our quarrels over Iraq; the U.S. considers Europe its allies; and let’s discuss what the U.S. wants now and what we can do together. But they all added a fourth thing: The U.S. will still do what it wants, if the Europeans won’t go along. In a press conference in Europe, Bush said about the debate with Europeans concerning Iran: "The notion that the United States is getting ready to attack Iran is simply ridiculous. Having said that, all options are on the table."