Nothing Special

It is truly comforting to know that the current administration has such a nuanced attitude toward foreign relations. After eight years of "cowboy diplomacy" characterized by improved relations with our most important allies things could only get better, right?

The real views of many in Obama administration were laid bare by a State Department official involved in planning the Brown visit, who reacted with fury when questioned by The Sunday Telegraph about why the event was so low-key.

The official dismissed any notion of the special relationship, saying: "There's nothing special about Britain. You're just the same as the other 190 countries in the world. You shouldn't expect special treatment." The apparent lack of attention to detail by the Obama administration is indicative of what many believe to be Mr Obama's determination to do too much too quickly.

Nothing special. Just two world wars as allies, treaty commitments to mutual defense, seats on the UN Security Council, G7 membership, and that whole "mother country" thing. And GWB was stupid. Right.