Foreign Affairs

unhappycamper

(60,364 posts) Thu Jun 25, 2015, 06:23 AM Jun 2015

Germany's low opinion of the USA

http://www.dw.com/en/germanys-low-opinion-of-the-usa/a-18539628

The USA is losing face among the German citizenry. In an interview with DW, US expert Karsten Voigt talks about how this loss of respect came about, and what America has to do to improve its image.

Germany's low opinion of the USA
Interview: Sabrina Pabst
24.06.2015

Deutsche Welle: A recent study by the American Pew Research Center shows that global opinions of the USA as an economic leader are on the rise, however, that it is also seen in an increasingly negative light in Germany and other parts of Europe. How did this increasingly negative opinion of the USA come about?

Karsten Voigt: The slide toward a negative opinion began with former President George W. Bush's wars in the Middle East. Many people believe that the Americans contributed to the instability of many countries in the region, and that the war in Iraq and the conflict in Syria have only exacerbated the problem. The military intervention in Libya, though originally a European idea, is often blamed on the Americans as well. To that, add Edward Snowden's revelations, and the whole of the NSA affair.

Why couldn't President Barack Obama improve Germany's opinion of the USA?

As the German-North American coordinator for the German federal government at the time, I warned about placing unrealistically high expectations on an American president. Because of America's different political culture, and America's role as a super power there was simply no way that he would be able to fulfill them. Of course, the disappointment was all the greater. However, America remains our most important ally. Their values are much closer to ours than China's or Russia's. But there are still differences that many Germans do not understand. Even I have problems explaining American culture to Germans.

6 replies

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Germany's low opinion of the USA (Original Post) unhappycamper Jun 2015 OP

I remember Rumsfeld got a very cool reception in Germany during the Iraq war. The Joe Chi Minh Jun 2015 #1

Rummy and McNamara were both arrogant assholes unhappycamper Jun 2015 #2

If you are talking about the McNamara of the Vietnam war, Joe Chi Minh Jun 2015 #6

Well, I am german. DetlefK Jun 2015 #3

I'm American and I have no clue why we continue to destablize countries. unhappycamper Jun 2015 #4

No, it was because a former National Guard-pilot wanted to play war. DetlefK Jun 2015 #5

Joe Chi Minh

(15,229 posts)

1. I remember Rumsfeld got a very cool reception in Germany during the Iraq war. The

Reply to unhappycamper (Original post)

Thu Jun 25, 2015, 06:34 AM

Jun 2015

Last edited Fri Jun 26, 2015, 11:23 AM - Edit history (1)

German people have renounced fascism far more decisively than the US and UK have.

unhappycamper

(60,364 posts)

2. Rummy and McNamara were both arrogant assholes

Reply to Joe Chi Minh (Reply #1)

Thu Jun 25, 2015, 06:58 AM

Jun 2015

IMO.

Joe Chi Minh

(15,229 posts)

6. If you are talking about the McNamara of the Vietnam war,

Reply to unhappycamper (Reply #2)

Thu Jun 25, 2015, 04:16 PM

Jun 2015

and if you haven't read about it before, there is a very funny, true story you should be able to Google, about a 'mad' Martha's Vineyard artist, who actually tried to throw McNamara over the side of a ferry they were on. Well, here's the address for a whole swag of them:

https://www.google.co.uk/#q=mcnamara+artist+martha%27s+vineyard+ferry

Only in America...!

DetlefK

(16,423 posts)

3. Well, I am german.

Reply to unhappycamper (Original post)

Thu Jun 25, 2015, 07:20 AM

Jun 2015

- They bombed some country... again. They accidently killed some civilians... again.

- They are spying on each and everybody as if they are the world-police. Nobody is safe from them. Not even the german government itself.

- WTF? Gun-violence and racism over there are crazy!

- Want a quick laugh? Listen what US-politicians say about climate-change and religion.

- Want a quick outrage? Listen what US-politicians say about abortion and gay-marriage.

- Hey, remember when the US tortured people? Whatever happened to that? Have they ever rectified that?

unhappycamper

(60,364 posts)

4. I'm American and I have no clue why we continue to destablize countries.

Reply to DetlefK (Reply #3)

Thu Jun 25, 2015, 07:31 AM

Jun 2015

IMO, the CIA is the most worthless government agency ever conceived.

From 1947 to 2005, the CIA got EXACTLY one thing correct - they called the Six-Day War before it happened.

During the Vietnam era they got into drug/weapons/money running business. (Think Iran/Contra.)

Call me cynical, but I think a major reason we invaded and occupied Afghanistan was for their poppies and pot.

DetlefK

(16,423 posts)

5. No, it was because a former National Guard-pilot wanted to play war.

Reply to unhappycamper (Reply #4)

Thu Jun 25, 2015, 07:45 AM

Jun 2015

If I had been in GWB's position, I would have launched an offensive in terms of intelligence and sent out secret agents everywhere. I would have tried to find the bad guys themselves. And then I would have dropped some bunker-busters on their caves.

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