Friday, January 23, 2009

A Loud and Clear Message From Across the Atlantic



Via Dan Drezner--on the day after the Inauguration, a statement from France: Defense Minister Herve Morin made it clear that they are not going to send any further forces to Afghanistan. Also Dan cites a Harris poll that shows that clear majorities in "the UK, France, Italy and Germany believe that their governments must not send more forces to Afghanistan, irrespective of demands that the new American head of state might make."

Dan wonders whether Obama can change minds. I also see it as a test of the claim made throughout the eight years of the Bush Administration by out-of-power Democrats now claiming their seats in the foreign policy and national security apparatus of the new administration that they could "do better" at getting Europeans to burden-share.

My guess is that in addition to France, Germany is a no--at least until after their elections--and depending on who wins, a no even after.

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