Bush's new wall

By Hussein Abdel-Wahed

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Bush's election victory occurred days before the 15th anniversary of the collapse of the Berlin Wall. It seems ironic, given that in his first term Bush managed to create a new wall dividing the Western camp. The new Bush wall pits the US and its allies (i.e. the UK) against other European states, including France and Germany. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld admitted as much when he referred to the new and old Europe.

Bush's new wall is not made of cement and stones but of sentiments, ideas and controversial policies. Eventually the rift may prove as serious as that which earlier divided the Eastern and Western blocs. Bush's one-sided policies on Iraq and the Middle East alienated the majority of Europeans. Europe has its own mind and has challenged the arrogant policies of the neo-cons on more than one occasion.

Following the Republicans' victory in the presidential elections, and their control of both houses of Congress, some people became convinced that Europe's only option would be to cooperate with the Bush administration despite the continued difference in views. This acceptance of the status quo may be something the Europeans have to endure but it seems unlikely that Europe will be able to humour Bush's policies for long. A great many economic and political interests are at stake.

In a recent interview, published in the British newspaper The Financial Times, outgoing Secretary of State Colin Powell predicted little change in US foreign policy in Bush's second term. If this turns out to be true the US-European rift can only deepen over the next four years.

This week's Soapbox speaker is head of Akhbar Al-Youm's foreign desk.