The perennial Obama snub story is back and it includes all the elements of farce that we have come to love. Did they really think the fifth call would make the difference? Was there anywhere for them to sit down in the kitchen? Or was the pow-wow too short to bother?
It is understandably being seen in the context of the Lockerbie furore and a prime minister who looks like his days are numbered. To be fair to Gordon Brown, most of the economic policymaking is probably settled, or can be finalised at the G20. And Obama isn’t seeing any European leaders. But there is one very good reason for a serious meeting to take place: Afghanistan.
There has arguably been no more important a time for Britain’s views on the future of the Afghan conflict to be heard in Washington. The president is going through a root and branch strategy review, which has arguably left Britain’s mission in limbo. And yet, even at this critical time, the president is unwilling to set aside an hour for the British prime minister — his main partner in war — when they are in the same city together.
Jim Pickard
Kiran Stacey
