Europe doesn’t matter much to Obama

Published on 22 January 2013

“What can you give Europe, Mr Obama?” asks Rzeczpospolita the day after the US president’s swearing-in ceremony in Washington. The daily hastens to answer: not much.

For the American leader, Europe has been “less and less important”, Rzeczpospolita points out. The president has already announced a “pivot” towards Asia and the Pacific region and “there are no reasons for him to suddenly become interested in the Old Continent”. The United States is becoming a “superpower on a budget”, prone to influencing global affairs “from the back seat”, as was recently demonstrated in Libya. By not intervening directly, the US was able to avoid large military spending. “In this situation,” adds Rzeczpospolita

It is really hard to say what Europe can expect from Mr Obama in his second term. It should be suggested to him that Europe is no less important than Asia. That he should draw conclusions from the failure of the “reset” with Russia and to finally understand the security needs of Central Europe and Poland. But will he ever do that? Will European leaders manage to send such a message? This, unfortunately, is rather unlikely.

Receive the best of European journalism straight to your inbox every Thursday

Interesting article?

It was made possible by Voxeurop’s community. High-quality reporting and translation comes at a cost. To continue producing independent journalism, we need your support.

Subscribe or Donate

Are you a news organisation, a business, an association or a foundation? Check out our bespoke editorial and translation services.

Support border-free European journalism

See our subscription offers, or donate to bolster our independence

On the same topic