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It's a changing 'special relationship' as the US shifts its focus away from the UK It's a changing 'special relationship' as the US shifts its focus away from the UK
(5 months later)
In 1998, I predicted that within 15 years Ireland and Northern Ireland would largely be off the political agenda in the United States. It turns out that the UK is off the agenda as well.In 1998, I predicted that within 15 years Ireland and Northern Ireland would largely be off the political agenda in the United States. It turns out that the UK is off the agenda as well.
In the 1990s, while serving as Senator Edward Kennedy's foreign policy adviser, I was heavily involved in the Northern Ireland peace process. While Whitehall was not happy about our efforts to persuade President Clinton to grant Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams a visa to visit the US in 1994, we believed that an opportunity existed to bring peace to Northern Ireland. It all worked out in the end, but at the time, there was a row. The British Embassy in Washington lobbied against granting Adams a visa and our Justice and State Departments did not want to jeopardize relations with their UK colleagues to take a chance on resolving what some viewed as an acceptable level of violence in Northern Ireland. Fifteen years after the Belfast Agreement was achieved, the constant attention London, Dublin and Washington paid to Northern Ireland has diminished, as was to be expected.In the 1990s, while serving as Senator Edward Kennedy's foreign policy adviser, I was heavily involved in the Northern Ireland peace process. While Whitehall was not happy about our efforts to persuade President Clinton to grant Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams a visa to visit the US in 1994, we believed that an opportunity existed to bring peace to Northern Ireland. It all worked out in the end, but at the time, there was a row. The British Embassy in Washington lobbied against granting Adams a visa and our Justice and State Departments did not want to jeopardize relations with their UK colleagues to take a chance on resolving what some viewed as an acceptable level of violence in Northern Ireland. Fifteen years after the Belfast Agreement was achieved, the constant attention London, Dublin and Washington paid to Northern Ireland has diminished, as was to be expected.
The Obama Administration is also paying less attention to Britain. A recent report on Anglo-American relations by Congress' research arm acknowledged the perception that President Obama, "the first post-war US president with no sentimental attachments to Europe," has a "lukewarm attitude toward the British," and that "as US foreign policy priorities focus increasingly on the Middle East and Asia, some argue that Europe, including the UK, faces a growing struggle to remain relevant in US eyes."The Obama Administration is also paying less attention to Britain. A recent report on Anglo-American relations by Congress' research arm acknowledged the perception that President Obama, "the first post-war US president with no sentimental attachments to Europe," has a "lukewarm attitude toward the British," and that "as US foreign policy priorities focus increasingly on the Middle East and Asia, some argue that Europe, including the UK, faces a growing struggle to remain relevant in US eyes."
Last year, the US Census Bureau reported that non-whites now account for more than 50% of births in the US. A country with a white European history has become multi-ethnic and multi-racial. And by 2051, ethnic minorities are set to make up 20% of the UK population. For both countries, domestic demographics and international priorities are changing. While this is not itself a cause for concern, if US relations with the UK and the rest of Europe are to remain strong, personal relationships formed by scholarship programs become more important than ever.Last year, the US Census Bureau reported that non-whites now account for more than 50% of births in the US. A country with a white European history has become multi-ethnic and multi-racial. And by 2051, ethnic minorities are set to make up 20% of the UK population. For both countries, domestic demographics and international priorities are changing. While this is not itself a cause for concern, if US relations with the UK and the rest of Europe are to remain strong, personal relationships formed by scholarship programs become more important than ever.
The Obama Administration's "pivot" to Asia is being mirrored in the private sector with the recent announcement of a $300m scholarship fund to send students to China. According to the New York Times, financier Stephen A. Schwarzman, the largest contributor to the new China fund, hopes that it "will rival the Rhodes scholarship in prestige and influence".The Obama Administration's "pivot" to Asia is being mirrored in the private sector with the recent announcement of a $300m scholarship fund to send students to China. According to the New York Times, financier Stephen A. Schwarzman, the largest contributor to the new China fund, hopes that it "will rival the Rhodes scholarship in prestige and influence".
In 1998, I created the US-Ireland Alliance, a non-profit organization with the aim of building relationships based on contemporary realities and possibilities rather than a constant obsession with the past. As part of that mission, the George J. Mitchell Scholarship program sends future American leaders to Ireland and Northern Ireland for a year of post-graduate study. In addition to the Mitchell Scholars who study on the island, many spend time in England, working or continuing their studies. These future leaders are part of the future of a positive US-UK-Irish relationship.In 1998, I created the US-Ireland Alliance, a non-profit organization with the aim of building relationships based on contemporary realities and possibilities rather than a constant obsession with the past. As part of that mission, the George J. Mitchell Scholarship program sends future American leaders to Ireland and Northern Ireland for a year of post-graduate study. In addition to the Mitchell Scholars who study on the island, many spend time in England, working or continuing their studies. These future leaders are part of the future of a positive US-UK-Irish relationship.
Despite the program's success, the Obama Administration has, for the last two years, sought to eliminate funding for the Mitchell because, as State Department officials have repeatedly informed us, Europe is no longer a priority.Despite the program's success, the Obama Administration has, for the last two years, sought to eliminate funding for the Mitchell because, as State Department officials have repeatedly informed us, Europe is no longer a priority.
While it is true that both the US and the UK have larger concerns in the world than each other, we should not fail to provide future generations with opportunities to build relationships that increase understanding and an enhanced, cooperative approach to global problems.While it is true that both the US and the UK have larger concerns in the world than each other, we should not fail to provide future generations with opportunities to build relationships that increase understanding and an enhanced, cooperative approach to global problems.
Following the Adams visa disagreement, the personal relationships formed through scholarships helped more quickly repair any damage done. This is hardly the time to be eliminating such programs. A major problem for the US is that too few of us – only 1% – study abroad. Although the UK remains the most popular destination for American students, they are increasingly choosing to study outside of Europe. This trend is expected to continue.Following the Adams visa disagreement, the personal relationships formed through scholarships helped more quickly repair any damage done. This is hardly the time to be eliminating such programs. A major problem for the US is that too few of us – only 1% – study abroad. Although the UK remains the most popular destination for American students, they are increasingly choosing to study outside of Europe. This trend is expected to continue.
As with any relationship, a strong one requires care and attention, and neglect can lead to irreversible damage. Hopefully the State Department under Secretary John Kerry who, as a Senator supported the Mitchell Scholarship and strong US-Europe ties, will jettison the zero-sum approach. Many have argued over the years that Northern Ireland politics needn't be a zero-sum game. Equally, increased attention to other parts of the world needn't result in a diminution of US-UK ties. The Mitchell Scholarship is part of that equation that allows young Americans to build strong relationships with historic allies.As with any relationship, a strong one requires care and attention, and neglect can lead to irreversible damage. Hopefully the State Department under Secretary John Kerry who, as a Senator supported the Mitchell Scholarship and strong US-Europe ties, will jettison the zero-sum approach. Many have argued over the years that Northern Ireland politics needn't be a zero-sum game. Equally, increased attention to other parts of the world needn't result in a diminution of US-UK ties. The Mitchell Scholarship is part of that equation that allows young Americans to build strong relationships with historic allies.
As W.B. Yeats admonished, we should "think about old friends the most".As W.B. Yeats admonished, we should "think about old friends the most".
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