Michael Winiarski: Säkerhetsmötet reveals a deeper divide between the united states and Europe

The annual security conference is usually an opportunity to measure the temperature of international relations. If in the past it was all about frost or thaw between the East and the West, it has for the two years that have passed since Donald Trump moved into the White house has been the relations between the longstanding allies that are at stake.

in what degree – and how quickly – the relations between the united states and Europe deteriorates. There is no shortage of topics where opinions differ: the agreement with Iran on nuclear energy, climate, disarmament, free trade, the view of Russia and the importance of preserving the north atlantic treaties.

In Munich seemed tensions were cemented. The mutual accusations that the response was amazing between the european and american representatives does not bode well for a good relationship in the future.

The main kombattanterna was German chancellor Angela Merkel and US vice-president Mike Pence. They put forward completely opposite views on how the situation in the world should be managed.

against the Trumps foreign policy, without mentioning the president by name, which she said has contributed to the chaos that the world has fallen in. She warned of the risks of breaking the established security architecture - which Trump tries to shoot in time - and spoke warmly of both a strengthening of Nato as a Iranavtalet. She also questioned whether it is the right time for the U.S. to withdraw its military forces from Syria.

Pence, who spoke after Merkel, assured that ”under our management,” the world becomes a better place. His speech was cool of the international security policy elite. When he read out a greeting from the president Trump was the reaction icy silence. Then demanded Pence in aggressive terms that the countries of Europe should follow the united states and break Iranavtalet to further isolate the ”mördarregimen” in Tehran.

Since neither the EU, Russia or China wants to tear up the Iranavtalet it was as soon as the united states which emerged as isolated at the munich conference.

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