PARIS -- Officially, we were discussing Russia's place in Asia. It was hard to tell whether the French senator/historian on the panel was warning of Moscow's return to great-power status or urging it on. He was no crypto-communist, however: For him, Russia's resurgence would signal the return of multipolarity and the emergence of a "golden quadrangle" of world powers consisting of the United States, Europe, China and Russia.
It was unlikely that the forum, sponsored by the French-American Foundation, would indulge in U.S.-bashing. (I heard little such criticism during my four days of talks and meetings throughout the country.) But by focusing on Russia, critics had a chance to make the same point, albeit indirectly.
Several weeks in Europe have yielded a different perspective on the source of "old world" unease about international affairs. While most commentary focuses on the unparalleled power of the U.S., there is an equally -- if not more -- powerful thread that laments the decline of Europe.