Posted by
Bert Chapman on Monday, July 30, 2007 7:40:28 PM
U.S. relations with many countries are often described as "the most important bilateral relationship." During the Cold War's most intense period U.S.-Soviet relations fit this category. China's increasing importance in world affairs is often described as the U.S. most important bilateral relationship. The U.S. also has important bilateral relationships with countries such as Israel and Pakistan and our relationship with India is becoming increasingly important as demonstrated by the controversy over the nuclear agreement we have reached with that country.
However, I think our relationship with Britain remains our most important bilateral relationship. Since World War and the crucial Roosevelt-Churchill cooperation engendered during that conflict, the relationship between the U.S. and Britain, and the President and Prime Minister of these countries, has been absolutely critical in presenting to the world how the most important democracies respond to global events including security crises threatening our freedoms. This has proven true in Republican, Democratic, Labour, and Conservative governments. A sad instance of this relationship not working was when the Eisenhower Administration, in a fit of anti-colonialist pique, decided to not support, but actively oppose the valiant efforts of British Prime Minister Antony Eden's government, to stop up to the terrorist extortion of gasbag Egyptian dictator Gamal Nasser during the 1956 Suez Crisis.
More positive instances of Anglo-American cooperation include the close cooperation during the 1980s between President Reagan and British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and the just ended relationship between President Bush and Tony Blair. A new chapter in Anglo-American relations began today with Prime Minister Gordon Brown meeting Bush at Camp David. Brown may not have the deeply warm relationship and chemistry that existed between Blair and Bush. I think he's enough of a pragmatist to realize that both of our countries need each other and have comparable vital interests. I also believe Brown is a strong and secure enough person to ignore the leftist isolationist ninnies which still remain influential in the British Labour Party. His assertive and reassuring response to the recent bombing attempts in London and Glasgow demonstrate a man who's sure of himself.
It is vitally important that British and American foreign and security policies speak from the same general page of the hymnbook. As the principal exemplars of political and moral freedom in the world, both of our countries must serve as unflinching bastions against individuals and forces threatening democratic governance. These forces have included Nazism, Communism, and now Islamist terror. As friends we can pursue different, though hopefully compatible visions on how to fight the threats we face, but we must remain united in our desire to advance political freedom and promote greater religious pluralism in the Middle East.
It is correct to say that the Anglo-Saxon reconciliation that occurred in the late 1800s and the 20th century is of providential derivation. I believe God wants our countries to stand up for what is right in world affairs and fighting Islamist terror is the right course for us to pursue our national destinies. May God grant President Bush and Prime Minister Brown and their foreign and national security advisors, the wisdom to continue pursuing our vitally important relationship lest we bring comfort to porcine Islamist terrorist swine who believe they can separate us.