LONDON -- Comparisons are often made between Japan's relations with the United States and Europe's trans-Atlantic relationship. In practice, though, the two links are quite different and seem to be getting more so.
The blunt truth is that, for most Americans, Europe is no longer on the front line in the battle for global freedom and stability. The threat from Russia has evaporated, and while ethnic and tribal troubles continue to bubble in the Balkans, these are not matters for which Americans are prepared to put their lives on the line.
A change of U.S. president in the near future, should that happen, will not alter this basic perception about Europe. John Kerry might be more tactful than George W. Bush and his team -- who go out of their way to insist that America can "go it alone" and that Europe is of little interest -- but the heyday of U.S. commitment to Europe is over.