As the Anglo-French anti-embargo alliance manages to bring down EU's arms embargo on Syria, one cannot help but muse on this rather unusual axis and its future prospects.
David Cameron visited D.C a few days ago in an attempts to gain American support for the anti-embargo campaign. Most reports, however, indicate that Obama was not that enthusiastic about the idea. Cameron, therefore, had to rely solely on Hollande.
This Anglo-French alliance eventually managed to push EU Foreign Affairs Council to lift the embargo. With Germany confused over whether to support UK or keep on seeking compromise, it seems that the real alliance here is the Anglo-French one.
On the other hand, Obama's position looks vague. American talks with Russia seem to be moving forward but with no concrete results so far apart from the Geneva II conference. Nevertheless, D.C seems to be trying to avoid any sort of proxy warfare where Russia arms Asad forces while EU and possibly USA arming opposition, a scenario that may lead to a 21st century cold war.
With this situation at hand, it seems as if UK has despaired in its traditional American ally and found itself a new alonely in a rather rare and unusual alliance. Cameron and Hollande seem to be more than eager to arm Syrian opposition. According to William Hague, british foreign minister, arming the opposition will force Asad into more serious peace negotiations. It is worth noting here that, unlike US, UK's range of action is not limited by talks with Russia. As Cameron shows disinterest, to say the least, in a peaceful process that includes Iran, Russia's main condition for Geneva II.
Briefly then, the situation seems as follows: while US takes a soft approach that relies mainly on talks with Russia, it may be compromising its alliance with UK, at least on the Syrian matter. Meanwhile, Cameron has found himself a new ally, France, in an ad hoc alliance that may develop into a more sustainable one. The Syrian crisis may very well cause significant changes in the whole structure of western foreign policy and alliances.
David Cameron visited D.C a few days ago in an attempts to gain American support for the anti-embargo campaign. Most reports, however, indicate that Obama was not that enthusiastic about the idea. Cameron, therefore, had to rely solely on Hollande.
This Anglo-French alliance eventually managed to push EU Foreign Affairs Council to lift the embargo. With Germany confused over whether to support UK or keep on seeking compromise, it seems that the real alliance here is the Anglo-French one.
On the other hand, Obama's position looks vague. American talks with Russia seem to be moving forward but with no concrete results so far apart from the Geneva II conference. Nevertheless, D.C seems to be trying to avoid any sort of proxy warfare where Russia arms Asad forces while EU and possibly USA arming opposition, a scenario that may lead to a 21st century cold war.
With this situation at hand, it seems as if UK has despaired in its traditional American ally and found itself a new alonely in a rather rare and unusual alliance. Cameron and Hollande seem to be more than eager to arm Syrian opposition. According to William Hague, british foreign minister, arming the opposition will force Asad into more serious peace negotiations. It is worth noting here that, unlike US, UK's range of action is not limited by talks with Russia. As Cameron shows disinterest, to say the least, in a peaceful process that includes Iran, Russia's main condition for Geneva II.
Briefly then, the situation seems as follows: while US takes a soft approach that relies mainly on talks with Russia, it may be compromising its alliance with UK, at least on the Syrian matter. Meanwhile, Cameron has found himself a new ally, France, in an ad hoc alliance that may develop into a more sustainable one. The Syrian crisis may very well cause significant changes in the whole structure of western foreign policy and alliances.
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