Just recently it looked like Britain might be able to move closer to “Europe” again.
In London, criticism of the American withdrawal from Afghanistan was particularly fierce.
British politicians also expressed doubts as to whether the world power could still be relied on.
They fell silent after the security pact with America and Australia was signed;
the question, should it ever really have been asked, where the kingdom is better off in terms of security policy, has been clarified: “Global Britain” is also America's junior partner, no more, no less.
On his trip to the United States, Prime Minister Johnson will feel little of the excitement over the new security pact, which is so enraging France and where those involved could have been more diplomatic. It is difficult to see why France was not included in the strategic deliberations. So it should be a while before the French anger subsides and politics no longer thirst for retaliation.
In America, however, Johnson will be confronted with an issue that affects France indirectly: the consequences of Brexit for Northern Ireland. Many American politicians, including President Biden, would not find it funny if Johnson did not seek an agreement in the current dispute with the EU. He could then write off a trade agreement with Washington. Speaking of which: the prospects for an agreement between the EU and Australia have not improved either.