Editor's note: Timothy Stanley is a historian at Oxford University and blogs for The Daily Telegraph. He is the author of the new book"The Crusader: The Life and Times of Pat Buchanan."
As a Brit living in America, I remember the Blair/Bush "special relationship" of the early 2000s with great fondness. It seemed that our two countries might remake the world. With Britain providing the vision and America the military muscle, a liberal axis would flex its way through the War on Terror. The U.K. hadn't had such a sense of purpose since the Second World War.
This week, Prime Minister David Cameron arrived in the United States with the express ambition of reviving what he and President Barack Obama now call "an essential relationship." So far the meeting has been cordial. Aside from agreeing to the need to draw down Western forces in Afghanistan, Cameron did his best to look interested in a basketball game in Ohio. He admitted afterward that he didn't have a clue what was going on and promised to explain cricket to Obama. Actually, cricket is very simple: Whoever doesn't fall asleep wins.
Nonetheless, there is an air of anxiety about the visit. While Britain is still broadly committed to the neoconservative vision of George Bush and Tony Blair, Obama is not. The tensions between the two countries have been exacerbated by a British suspicion that Obama simply doesn't like us, that his coolness betrays a mild contempt for us and our utopian visions.
Before Cameron's plane landed, his views on the special relationship were laid out in an interview he gave to the historian Niall Ferguson in Newsweek.
"The only clue that Cameron is to the manner born," Ferguson writes, "is the seemingly effortless way he shoulders the burdens of power. He must be the first prime minister in history to look younger after nearly two years in office." Although the comparisons to Winston Churchill are absurdly overblown, Ferguson is right that Cameron certainly shares some of Winnie's worldview.
"Like Tony Blair, (Cameron) is drawn to the idea of military intervention where human rights as well as national interest are at stake. It was he, not President Obama, who pressed for military intervention in Libya last year." Cameron tells his admiring interviewer that he is on his way to America to push the case for action in Syria. "'My impulse is that I want us to do more,' he says emphatically." That's probably the moment in the interview when Niall swooned.
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Somehow this reminds me very much of Hitler and Mussolini back in the 1930's. How some things never change!!!
Clearly you're not talking about our own history, so in which alternate reality are you talking about? Oh, and the real George Patton would curb stomp you for using his name.
Agreed Erik! What people like the guy above forget is that Patton proudly served one of our most progressive presidents in American history. Comparing Obama to Adolf? Really? Say what you will about conservatives vs. liberals but that's just silly... not to mention a serious insult to millions of people who were killed for their religious beliefs. Last time I checked our president wasn't trying to wipe out an entire race of people. But then again... logical and thoughtful political discourse isn't as fun for people like the original poster. It can never be about economic and social disagreements... we have to compare our presidents (both conservative and liberal) to histories worst butchers to feel like we have an opinion. What a sad state of affairs.
Curb stomp ??????
No way, it would be an Ivory Handled Pistol Whipping, followed by shooting off the nads.
Patton did say there was not a dime's worth of difference between Republicans and Democrats.
Wow, eight words into the first comment and some half-wit has already brought up Hitler. I wouldn't think an article like this would provoke the imbeciles so.
Somehow you remind me of a Chinese peace of crap.
@George Patton; must be looking your OWN WHITE RACE in the mirror that have SCREWED up this peaceful World with mass massacres and destructions. What skin color was Hitler, Jeffrey Man-eater Dahmer etc.
The one on the right in pix a Black Brother by birth by your own RACIST definition and the on the left is your likeness image of the devil in suit.
Get that?
Fareed Zakaria for President 2016.
These two bozoes above need to be indicted and charged with war crimes and taken to the I.C.C. for prosecution. Tragically enough, that won't happen! This is wrong, wrong and wrong!
Good posting, Travis. I fully agree about those two thugs above needing to be incarcerated but will whoever replaces them be any better?
Dumb a/ss!
A trial at the ICC? And what would be the charge? Bogus WMD's in Iraq! Moron!
...And Bush & Blair shouldn't be??!
I think you meant to post this 10 years ago.
Does Obama see his relationship with Cameron as mirror image of Blair-Bush? No doubt the latter two embarked on the foray in Iraq which had cost the U.S. nearly $1 trillion. As for the mission in Libya Obama adopted the "leading behind strategy" and let Cameron be the frontman. In the Syrian crisis and the Iranian nuclear issue, would Obama be smitten by Cameron's ideals of a better, freer and more democratic world?
The author seems to resent Cameron for not pushing the U.S. hard enough for safeguarding British interests in the Falklands. He also rebukes Obama's reluctance to side unquestioningly with old allies and resents him for not being tough on Argentina. Does Cameron have to fear that the U.K. cannot rely on Obama's support in the future?
It's like the Fuel story, why BP and AMOCO emerged.
BP got great Management and AMOCO has Quality Fuel.
Now here is an idiotic comment if I ever saw one! I assume that this bozo's trying to flatter both Cameron and Obama!
If Cameron was anything like Larry Sinclair, the tyrant would have him over for a sleep-over at least once a week.
Obama doesn't like Great Britain or Israel.
Facts Undisputed: Israel is a terrorist state of assassins of the innocent Palestinians.
Not only that; ask yourself this basic question. Why is that, the World at large hate Israel and jews so much?
Get this through your jewish corrupt head, the voice of the masses, is the voice of GOD.
Hey jewish settlers, leave Palastinians Lands.
Fact: The Muslim world is full of terrorists and terrorist regimes. Those who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones.
And a terrorist too!
Natenyahu is a TERRORIST.
Natenyahu is the modern day living Hitler.
When was the last time an Israeli Jew blew up a airplane full of innocent civilians?
When was the last time a Israeli blew up a building full of innocent civilians?
When was the last time a Israeli blew up a train full of innocent civilians?
When was the last time a Israeli blew up a night club full of innocent civilians?
When was the last time a Israeli killed innocent Olympic athletes?
When was the last time a Israeli cut off an innocent civilians head for all to see?
Chin up. The American people still love Britian. That is kind of strange considering we had to fight a war against each other in order for the US to exist. But, water under the bridge and all that. Our current president does not really reflect the people. But, no worries, we have a way to correct that. At worst he will be around 4 1/2 more years. At best, he will be gone before that.
I miss the good old days of Bush and Blair too. If we had those two in charge again, we wouldn't be messing around with diplomacy over Syria right now. Bush and Blair would have "found" evidence of Assad's secret WMD stockpile by now, and we'd have American troops on the ground there (along with a symbolic Brit or two, of course).
Also, I'm totally with you when you say that President Obama "doesn't really reflect" Americans. I mean, it's not like we held an election and voted for him or anything.
nice!
;D
I have lived in England twice, once while in the Forces and the second time as a Counter-Terrorism Analyst. I love the UK and the British people. I would move back in a heart beat if I could find a job. I was appalled when I learned that one of the first things the Obama did after moving into the White House was having a bust of Winston Churchill sent back to London basically saying that he did not want it in the WH and did not respect the UK and the he held the British people in low regard. Obama slaps our closest allies in the face while bowing to our enemies....and people talk about re-electing him...I just don't get it!
That is an outrageous and blatant lie! Now go drink some Kool-Aid you lying rightwing trailer trash!
How many images of American Presidents do you suppose their are at 10 Downing Street? Is there a bust of FDR at Buckingham Palace that I haven't heard about? Why would you think it appropriate to keep a bust of Churchill in the White House?
Also, after you said that you loved the U.K. and would move back there if you could, why would you think any real Americans would value your opinions of our politics?
Excellent!
Pssst...it was only on loan anyway...
Get help, dimwit. There is no reason a bust of Churchill should be a permanent fixture in the Oval Office. Obama preferred one of Lincoln, which is certainly his right.
@Sailor101; your RACIST trailer park 3rd. Grade teacher taught you well in making or creating falsehood and lies where there's none. You trailer park RACIST idiots are a real disgrace to basic American intelligence. No wonder 2-yr.olds in Kabul including the World at large constantly laughs at Americans.
FACTS for the Record: Just look at the basic intelligence of the imbecilic GOP clowns seeking the presidency of United States? Looks like to be a GOP presidential candidate; you have to have an IQ the shoe size of a midget pig as prerequisites.
FACTS UNDISPUTED:
1. The last one; a.k.a GWB was a "F" grade student from Yale University.
2. John McCain finished 3rd. from the very bottom of his cadet class.
3. Your pig with a lipstick a.k.a Sarah "pea brain size" Palin you worship attended 6-different Universities.
Holla if you need more evidence.
Well said!
Being smart does not make you have good common sense or a good president. Do you remember Jimmy Carter (Nuclear Engineer) and how bad his decisions were? His failed rescue attemp of the Iranian hostages was patheic.
Agreed. It was a disgrace and Obama should have rebuked by Congress for this stupid action. Obama cannot stand the British because of his fathers hatred of the British African Coloinist actions.
Cameron = Murdoch. James Murdoch is going to jail for hacking a dead teenagers phone and lying about it and trying to bribe officials to look the other way. Say goodbye, James.
"...to the manner born" ?????
please go away.
"With Britain providing the vision and America the military muscle..."
I'm pretty sure Mr. Stanley just called us mindless thugs fit only to follow the lead of our betters.
This from a Brit whose claim to fame is a book on Pat Buchanan.
...isn't that "to the MANOR born"?
You're both right. Google it.
Why were they wasting time watching a basketball game?
Glad you asked!
Question; why are you wasting your time on CNN blog? Aren't you supposed to be delivering trailer park pizzas in white pillow sheet in the backwoods?
Or did white pillow sheet meeting end too early today?
Hey juvenile, get to work. Will ya?
LOL!
This snarky article avoids mentioning the fact that Barack Obama is highly popular in Britain while George W. Bush is loathed. One BBC journalist said that Cameron got some of the reflected glow from being with Obama. The two men seem to get on quite well, despite Timothy Stanley's wish it were otherwise.
As for Tony Blair, he was considered "Bush's Poodle" by the British for the "special relationship" that led to the bloody fiasco that Stanley seems to think was so great.
BTW: Judging by the snarky closing comment about the French, it sounds like Stanley is one of the idiots who still eats "freedom fries."
good one!
Stanley = Snark fail.
If the Brits want war in Syria they can go right ahead without us. They can pay for it while they're at it.
Whoever came up with the term "bromance" should be shot.
they seriously make a cute couple
People, remember that the writer is speaking for himself. I was in the UK during that era he is so nostalgic for and I can tell you, nobody in the UK was feeling the love back then. Like Len says, Blair was "Bush's Poodle" and the whole country felt like they were being pulled into Iraq & Afghanistan against their will because Blair had stars in his eyes to make his mark with the "special relationship". Anti-war demonstrations and "Not in my name" stickers were everywhere. Even Labourites felt that he had sold the country downriver. Blair was much more popular with US conservatives – ironically! – than he ever was with the average Briton.
@George Patton; you must be looking your OWN WHITE RACE in the mirror that have SCREWED up this peaceful World with mass massacres and destructions.
The one on the right in pix a Black Brother by birth by your own RACIST definition and the on the left is your likeness image of the devil in suit.
Get that?
Is this article some sort of joke?
No bromance perhaps ? ...but this pic clearly shows that their ties like each other...look closely !
..I mean their neck ties ....look close !
I bet Obama is going down on that like a chicken after corn. LMAO
Another CNN/Obama campaign ad.
What is CNN going to do when Obama gets the boot in November.
Just in case CNN sends this to their moderator, ph u cc k you and your moderator.
As far as "bromances" go, I don't think Obama has one with any foreign leader. He seems completely disinterested in foreign affairs, and always seems ill at ease in any news conferences I've seen
Four more years for the most articulate and progressive President in US history!
Just because your articulate or progressive does not make you a good president. Many of the worlds dictators our CULT leaders have had the very same thing said about them. Being a good president means making good decisions. Obama has not done this. Obama has tripled the US debt. Obama has added additional unsustainable debt loads in the future. Obama has been devisive both to the American people and to our American allies.
16 vacations in 3 years (Aspen, Vail, Martha's Vinyard, Maine, Italy, Spain, South Africa, Yellowstone, Grand Canyon). $10 million US tax dollars spent on vacations in 2010. Played more golf and basketball than any president. $600 tennis shoes a Food Bank. WHO IS THE REAL 1%er?
The British should not be put off by the fact that President Obama is a little aloof in his personality. After all, that quality is stereotypically British, and I doubt exuberant back-slapping is what Prime Minister Cameron is looking for in a collaborator. The trip to a basketball game in the heartland is President Obama's way of taking Prime Minister Cameron out for a pint. it is all for public consumption, and they probably had more fun on Airforce One than they did at the game. (It is typical in American business culture to try to curry favor with someone by offering tickets to a sporting event.) My guess is that President Obama and Prime Minister Cameron are getting along just fine and that it simply doesn't show up on camera.
As far as the importance of the special relationship, it seems to be as important today as it has been since WW2. It's just that there are a lot of problem areas to deal with (Afghanistan, Iran, China in the Pacific, and the euro mess). The things that make the special relationship valuable are things that are very stressful; otherwise, the special relationship wouldn't be special.
Britain has a vision for the world ? You mean the tiny island on the Atlantic has a vision for the world? Its so laughable the Brits even fancy that a country ten times bigger than themselves on every possible scale : economy, military, industry has to treat them as an equal partner. Now this is not the 18th or 19th century when you had a vision and robbed the world by illegally colonizing the world.
America is not your muscle man to do your bidding leave alone sucking up to you. If anything it ought to be the other way like it is right now and will always be. Your glory days are over and the UK will forever remain the tiny island that has to say Yes to America on everything.
The only thing you got somewhat right was "The U.K. hadn't had such a sense of purpose since the Second World War." Make that – The U.K. hasn't had a sense of purpose since the Second World War.
I cannot say enough good things about our British Brothers. They have our back and we should always have theirs. They are tried and true friends and allies.
Obama's contempt of the British can be understood if you read "Dreams of my Father". Obama's fathers hatred of the British because of the power that the British had in African Colonies has warped Obama and undermined our most relationship with our Brirish allies.
Obama should have never been elected because of his hatred of the British. Obama's fondness of the Reverend Wright should have been a major clue to all Americans. Obama should not be allowed to continue to damage this very important relationship with our British Brothers and the same things can also be said for our relationship with Israel.
So you're probably one of the red neck living in the Midwest who thinks its cool to have colonized Africa and Asia in the past with no sense of regret or shame whatsoever.
Being articulate or progressive does not make you a good president. Many of the worlds dictators our CULT leaders have had the very same thing said about them. Being a good president means making good decisions. Obama has not done this. Obama has tripled the US debt. Obama has added additional unsustainable debt loads in the future. Obama has been devisive both to the American people and to our American allies.
16 vacations in 3 years (Aspen, Vail, Martha's Vinyard, Maine, Italy, Spain, South Africa, Yellowstone, Grand Canyon). $10 million US tax dollars spent on vacations in 2010. Played more golf and basketball than any president. $600 tennis shoes a Food Bank. WHO IS THE REAL 1%er?
Tony Blair was the most talented and therefore the most disappointing politician in modern European history.
David Cameron is less disappointing because no one expected much of him, in the first place.
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