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| Europe |
| Nuanced European Diplomacy |
| 2005-05-27 |
Hadn't seen this here, hope it's not a duplicate. Belgravia Dispatch (link in title) reproduces a section of a New Yorker piece on John McCain (not online, apparently). This bit isn't about McCain, but includes the words of the German ambassador to the US, Wolfgang Ischinger: "As older societies, we [Europeans] tend to think of ourselves as more experienced in the way societies evolve, and we tend to be skeptical of Americans who seem to think that if you believe hard enough, and you muster enough resources, you can change the world...In the last year or so, as we've engaged in discussions about the transformation of the Middle East and democracy, I have told my American friends that the region in this world that has seen the most transformation and change is Central and Eastern Europe--without shedding a drop of blood. So don't preach to us. And don't think transformative change will work according to mechanistic rules. This is very complicated. Changing the way people think often has to do with religious and cultural issues--we tend to think of them as long-term, and Americans think, Let's solve the problem in the next four years!" See the photoessay on "without shedding a drop of blood" at Davids Medienkritik. Also at Medienkritik, an earlier example of Ischinger's nuance. Well, whoever TGA is, we know he's not the German ambassador. (NOTE: Preview button not working for me. Don't know what kind of mess this will turn out to be. |
| Posted by:Angie Schultz |
| #6 "...Americans think, Let's solve the problem in the next four years!" 1941-1945? |
| Posted by: Tom 2005-05-27 21:52 |
| #5 Ja, Fritz, you've done such a great job in the past.... and the present.... |
| Posted by: Thremp Shineque8446 2005-05-27 15:44 |
| #4 I'd be willing to buy this guy's argument, if the Europeans he's talking about had anything to do with bringing about that change. Otherwise, it's typical condescending Euro crap. Yawn. |
| Posted by: Desert Blondie 2005-05-27 14:01 |
| #3 we tend to be skeptical of Americans who seem to think that if you believe hard enough, and you muster enough resources, you can change the world You mean, Americans like Washington, Adams, Jefferson, Franklin and Madison? Those poor deluded fools? |
| Posted by: Matt 2005-05-27 13:36 |
| #2 "... and Americans think, Let's solve the problem in the next four years!" Four years? What's taking so long? |
| Posted by: Steve White 2005-05-27 12:24 |
| #1 I could say a lot about this extract. Firstly, note how the Bush agenda has framed the context of the debate. Secondly, you only have to go south and to a lesser further east to find a lot of blood shed. Thirdly, religious and cultural issues make some areas more conducive to peaceful change than others. So to cite one area where the cultural factors are conducive as an argument to not use other methods where cultural factors are less conducive is disengenous to say the least. Fourthly, In the long term we are all dead. Time is of the essence in solving any problem. |
| Posted by: phil_b 2005-05-27 11:45 |