BERLIN

“IT MAY NEVER happen, but we should be prepared in case it does. And pray that it doesn’t.”

Dr Fergus Gloom, reader in American Aggression Studies, was addressing a conference on current European attitudes to the United States when he was asked if he could envisage a time in which Europe might find itself in conflict with the Americans.

“Those things that bound us together are loosening. Those things that come between us are tightening and pushing us towards conflict. A seismic shift is taking place. Where it will lead, I know not. But remember this, the United States has fought Britain twice, Germany twice, Russia and its various empires twice, Spain and its empire, Austria, Hungary, and their empire, Serbia, Romania, Bulgaria, Italy; even France for a couple of short periods, though the French made the United States. Fighting Europe is an American tradition. The Cold War with the old Soviet Union was something of an aberration. Terrified of Communism, the Americans allied with one half of Europe against the other half of Europe. But Communism is over. Except in California and New York City. Now Europe is just a burden and an irritating competitor. The bonds are broken, only sentiment remains. And that will run out eventually.”