Council on Foreign Relations
| Interviewee: | Charles A. Kupchan, Whitney Shepardson Senior Fellow |
|---|---|
| Interviewer: | Bernard Gwertzman, Consulting Editor |
May 20, 2011
President Barack Obama's six-day trip to Europe is intended to reinforce the transatlantic relationship and find common cause on how to address the changes convulsing the Mideast and North Africa, says CFR's European expert,Charles A. Kupchan. "It's really going to be an effort to repeatedly put out the message that the transatlantic relationship is alive and well," says Kupchan, "and then leveraging that broader message to address some of the specific issues on the table, including Libya and support for democracy in the Middle East." Obama will also deal with discontent in the European Union, manifested mainly in Germany, over the bailouts and the eurozone crisis, and he will meet with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev to discuss persuading the Russians to agree to joint missile defense with the United States.President Obama leaves Monday for a trip that will take him to Ireland; the UK for a state visit; to Deauville, France, for a G8 meeting; and then to Poland. What is the main purpose of this trip?
Notes:
Ok, folks ... He's gone on another junket trip and I'm sure he'll find ways to take in a little golf during his trip. Actually, if there were no announcements of his "trip" to save the world, no one in Washington would have known he left town. Sure hope the cloud hanging over the White House left with him, because after his half-truths (lies) spoken to the AIPAC members, if ever there was a good time to leave, now is the time!
And, while he's gone, perhaps America can find a real leader! Here's what I'm talking about, posted on American Thinker:
