The Unifying Factor: The Polish Embassador and the Political Conception of Love

On Monday December 7th the Polish Ambassador to the United States, Kupiecki, held-forth on Poland's state of affairs. Among the routine issues addressed where Poland-EU relations, how Poland is weathering the current global recession, and that Poland, as the 20th largest economy in the world (GDP) should be part of the G-20.

At the end the ambassador made some, rather, ambiguous comments regarding missile defense in Eastern Europe and the Obama administrations decision to renege on the agreement to station missile-bases in Poland. The ambassador simultaneously brushed off the American decision as a strategic swap of NATO resources (he wasn't specific, but instead of missile bases NATO would place something else in ), and at the same time reminded the audience that it was America who approached Poland in the first place. As such, the ambassadors argument went, it was not a rejection of Poland's interests, but a reversal of a request for a "favor".

Interestingly, the ambassador, reiterated how Poland continues to see America as a key strategic ally and friend. As evidence of that relationship, the ambassador reminded the audeince that Poland has provided military support in every conflict America has been in since the first Gulf-war. Moreover, he argued, Poland has sent another 1000 military personal to Afghanistan in addition to the 2000 already stationed there.

To the question, of whether the Polish-public viewed the American missile pull-back as the norm or the exception in American-Polish relations the ambassador vacillated, essentially arguing that either way this scenario was different from the past. This because it was America who requested military installations and it was America that "reoriented' its position.

While the ambassador didn't indicate that there was any link between the additional soldiers and missile defense restructuring in Poland, it seems that there may be a connection. The real question, is whether Poland sees it as a positive or negative development .

On one hand, Poland may appreciate the fact that America needs to get along with the Russians, a relationship strained by missile defense, and sees the value in an America that can influence Russia, in Poland's favor.
Alternatively, it may be that Poland sent a message to Washington that "we love you whatever you do, look, here are more soldiers"!

Which goes back to the notion of loving one "like" one loves themselves, this time ,on the national level. "Like", because that other is separate in perception but not in reality.
If Poland understands its love of America as contributing to Poland's welfare than this may be another small indication of a globe moving towards a more sustainable unity. A unity premised on the acknowledgment that to love the other is to really love the self.