, Columnist
America Still Leads the World, But Its Allies Are Uneasy
In the global struggle between the Eurasian “Heartland” and the US-led "Rimland," there's trouble ahead.
Goodbye to all that?
Photographer: Stefan Rousseau/Getty Images
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On recent visits to Lisbon and Paris, I heard much discussion of American leadership. I was reminded of what Mahatma Gandhi supposedly said when he was asked for his view of Western civilization — that it would be a very good idea. I feel the same way about American leadership: It would be a very good idea.
It’s a view that seems to be quite widely shared within the European elite, though few of the continent’s leaders dare to say so out loud.