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Obama Must Be Told: Europe is No Less Important than Asia (Rzeczpospolita, Poland)

"One might even suggest that the president profit from the program of his electoral rival, Mitt Romney. Someone should put it to him that the Old Continent is no less important than Asia. Obama should learn the lesson of the failure of the 'reset' in U.S.-Russian relations, as well as understanding - finally - the security needs of Central Europe. ... But is there anyone who can do it? Will politicians of the European Union muster the courage? Unfortunately, this is unlikely."

By Piotr Kościński

Translated By Agnieszka Gosiewska

January 27, 2013

Poland – Rzeczpospolita – Original Article (Polish)

If Europeans could vote in American elections, they would of course have voted for Barack Obama. This is the result of a study. But I wonder if those who so enthusiastically support the American president realize that Europe is becoming less important to him.

Optimists argue that during the second term, American presidents don't care as much about the next election, and therefore they often turn their attention to matters in which the American public are hardly interested, such as international politics. If so, you can expect greater U.S. involvement in global affairs.

But realists argue that for Europe, this is not necessarily positive. Mr. Obama has announced that he would redirect American foreign policy from Europe to Asia - and why shouldn’t he? There is no reason to suddenly be more interested in the Old Continent.

Posted By Worldmeets.US

But there's one other thing. One of America’s well-known political scientists, Michael Mandelbaum, says that perhaps the U.S. is gradually transforming into a "frugal superpower." It would prefer to be "lead from behind"- as was the case in Libya - and save a bit on military spending.  

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Given this situation, it is very hard to say what Europe can expect from Barack Obama during his second term. In fact, one might even suggest that the president profit from the program of his electoral rival, Mitt Romney. Someone should put it to him that the Old Continent is no less important than Asia. Obama should learn the lesson of the failure of the "reset" in U.S.-Russian relations, as well as understanding - finally - the security needs of Central Europe, including Poland.

But is there anyone who can do it? Will politicians of the European Union muster the courage? Unfortunately, this is unlikely.