NATO may have gotten the last laugh.
Despite heavy campaigning by Barack Obama, NATO has ruled out of adding additioal troops to an American “surge” in Afghanistan to defeat the Taliban and Al Queda.
Only Great Britain, Belgium and Spain offered additional troops, but what they offered was far from what Obama wanted. Britain promised extra troop security during Afghanistan’s August elections, Bulgaria offered 35 military trainers and Spain offered 12.
Germany, Italy, Poland, Canada and Denmark said that they were considering their positions.
Obama has already committed 21,000 more US troops to Afghanistan and is under pressure from generals to add 10,000 more. It was Obama’s goal to get Europe to shoulder some of the responsibly. “Europe should not simply expect the United States to shoulder that burden alone,” he said. “This is a joint problem it requires a joint effort.”
To that end, Obama gave a speech on Friday that bashed American arrogance and European anti-Americanism. Obama also tried to re-ignite feelings of unity that flamed in the days after 9/11. Obama also tried to warn Europe that they are more open to the threat of a terrorist attack from Al Queda than the America is.
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