This is something I have been wondering about since September of 2001, and it is something which I have asked several Americans before, and had a mixed response to.

As Americans do you feel any fear or sense of unease about the rest of the world?

Or, do you feel America is threatened by more than just the threat of a terrorist attack?

The reason I ask this is because an apparent difference of opinions between Europe and America has arisen since the cold war, and I don't understand why.

I get the sense that Americans are generally unafraid of the countries of the world. We do not take Europe for granted but we do not see European countries as potential threats.

I think the differences are only natural, but if we keep pursuing unilateral and controversial policies we risk having the EU become a rival power that would seek to balance our military advantage. This is one of the concerns I have about our new tone in foreign policy.

Thinking that taking on Iraq willl bring more terrorist attacks is a possibility

Osama saw the first strike on Iraq (Gulf War) as a reason for his bogus "Holy War"

Hi Moif. Not sure I fully understand your question.

What are you asking us if we fear? Are you asking if we fear other countries going to war with us? Economic fear? arachnophobia?

I don't fear the world militarily. Well, there is one country though. China. They are actually the worlds most powerful country militarily.

I do however, fear that one day, America will need help. Either because we're at war, or our economy colapses, etc etc, and that no one will aid us in our time of need. I fear the rest of the stuck up world will laugh at us, call it poetic justice, and move on with their lives.

Sound crazy? You asked....

--cheers

Are you sure?

Asian Nations Army Database

American Nations Army Database

(editted to add that this reply was in answer to Digital Patriots post)

Actually, that is exactly what I was thinking about. Perhaps you might call it a lack of faith rather than a fear, or maybe the difference depends on the individual. It just strikes me though that there are an awful lot of Americans talking about Europe as if it were the enemy, or pointing to England and Israel as the only allies America can trust, and although the tone is more easy going on this site, I can still sense the general air of what seems to me to be fear. Whilst in my daily life, I hear a lot of people now complaining about the American stance on the Iraq issue as if America had suddenly become the enemy.

And it confuses me. Its almost as if they don't want to remember what went before the current situation, and when I question people closer on it, the reason always seems to be the same. That Europeans feel that America has turned its back on the principles to which we once both aspired. That George Bush's finger pointing and threats to bypass the UN are an acute betrayal of what we once held in common.

In fact I think George Bush has done more to divide America from Europe than Saddam Hussein could ever hope to achieve. EVERY ONE I know over here hates him with a passion. I don't like him either, but when speaking to some of my friends I find myself defending him!

I'm asking because here I won't get dragged into a flame war, and I'd really like to know if the Americans have become so hostile as we Europeans seem to believe. And if so, then why? Why is America becoming so 'arrogant'

Are Americans REALLY arrogant? Or is your country judgeing the whole continent based on the actions of our gov't?

I can't tell you how many times, I have heard people say how poorly they were treated when they travelled overseas. Especially in France Just say your an American...you get turned away, asked to leave restaurants, laughed at, harassed, etc etc. My sister was asked to leave a restaurant in France, soon after the waiter discovered she was an American. She was simply ordering lunch. Big deal. Whatever your issues are with Bush, does that give anyone the right to lump us all together like that? Personally, poor attitudes tword Amercians simply because their Americans, is childesh, immature...and ARROGANT

Americans are almost always on the defense. We can do nothing right. We go into Afg to rout out Osama Bin Laden, we're war mongers. We rebuild AFG after the war, we're imperialistic and empire-building. Someone is ALWAYS going to be ticked. But on the other side of those that are upset, are those that are thankful. It's funny how the news media never covers the protest in South Korea, begging the US military to stay, and help protect them. They only seem to cover the anti-US protests instead. :/

America is a friendly and great place to live. Anyone and everyone can come here to live, or visit, without worrying about not being served in a restaurant because your ...say...from Denmark.

Again, PEOPLE are arrogant, NATIONS are not. I personally resent being called an "arrogant american" unless you know me well enough to make that decision. (I'm not saying you did)

There is more to America than what you read in the paper, or see on TV. I challenge you to find it

Respectfully,

--cheers

I fear he shrub more then "international terrorists" (it's from here on) there is a long history of governments using manufactured terror to get their populations to completly submit, voluntairlyI might add. moif, please don't judge the american people by the actions of this madman. most people I know are more scared of bush then bin laden or hussien!he should never have been elected prez, he should be sitting out a prison sentence for desertion, and lately, treason.

Digital Patriot,



Really? How many non American military bases do you have on American territory?

How many oversea's military bases does America currently maintain?

In all fairness, I know that the vast bulk of these bases can be accounted for with even minded, sensible arguments, but as a whole they build up to a rather unpleasant image of one powerful nation (America) occupying by means of a military presence, a large portion of the rest of the world.

Perhaps you are right though when you say it is equally arrogant for non Americans to accuse Americans of arrogance, but I see a difference. To me, its a question of perception. Yes an American may be treated badly in France, but so is every one else. I know plenty of Brits and Danes who were equally mistreated by French waiters. Its one of the reasons why we love to hate the French but the difference for most people is that they're nation is not imposing itself (for what ever reason) on America.

Look at an average European nation and you will find, every where you look, signs of American culture, American military facilities and you will hear the children swearing horribly as they imitate American films and rap music.

Go to any American state, and you will not find any EU military bases or European fast food corporations selling you junk food. And you will certainly not hear your children saying kys mig blidt!

Its this difference which leads me to ask why? I know the how of it all. How the second world war lead to the cold war which lead to the war on terrorism. What I don't know is why?
Why was America fighting all these wars when the world was supposed to have been at peace since VJ day, and the cold war ended with the fall of the Berlin wall in 1989?

The only motive that I can think of which does not include an American desire to dominate and control the world is fear. Hence my original question.

When you read what I write, what do you think?



Thank you. I personally do not think Americans are any more arrogant than any one else. I just think your nations culture, and its position in the 'international entertainment ' is such that your arrogance is far more visible than every one else's

PS- Kys mig blidt is Danish, it means 'kiss me softly'.