"Would you Brits please leave the room"…

Britain has been unstinting in sharing the practical results and benefits of its military and scientific research. This has not always been reciprocated by various U.S. Governments. In 1941/42 Britain’s nuclear energy program was far in advance of any other country. We lacked the money to fund the last stages of the development of a nuclear weapon. We asked America to take it on – they did, then refused to share with us the further results of their research which led to the final stage atomic bomb.

America and the Americans have an abundance of generosity and kindness – one couldn’t wish for a better ally but, American Govts. are something entirely different and by my interpretation of recent history, that is, history of the last one hundred years, have worked consistently to undermine and reduce British power and influence.

This is accurate, yes. Our special relationship with the US only extends to the fact that we share a common culture with the US.
I recall the love-ins between Reagan/Thatcher; Clinton/Major and Blair and GW Bush/Blair but, those apart, US presidents have viewed our relationship as based on just this fact.

Well put. And I endorse J Boyle’s last paragraph as well.
Some in the media just delight in talking down UK/US relations. We are allies and friends and fall out from time to time and disagree from time to time, as all friends do.

We have a special relationship with all countries of the Anglosphere. Nothing the politicians say or do changes our shared history, our similar values and our cultures.

with our recent refusal on Syria is just repayment for the disgraceful action of the U.S. Government over Suez.

Memories die hard.

I’d be willing to bet a good sum of money that neither Obama, Kerry or most Democratic senators have ever heard of the Suez Crisis.

BTW: From my military days, I do know that much intel data is classified as NOFORN…meaning no foreign dissemination…even to allies. I’ve been in briefings where exchange officers had to leave.
I’m sure the same would apply in the UK. In other words, don’t take it too personally.

The only special relationship was when president Blair was having his aris reamed by daub ya — ooh give me more georgie boy mmmmmmmmmmmmm

Percy

Oh well if we can’t be trusted with military secrets that would be a good reason to tell them to stick the F35 where the sun don’t shine and start looking in Europe East or West for a replacement. Better yet make one ourselves.

Probably not. It is good that at least one newspaper hound remembers. Yes indeed memories die hard and chickens occasionally come home to roost ! One just has to wait.

I doubt that any of those who went through the lobbies last week gave any thought whatsoever to Suez. For most of them it would mean nothing anyway.

The ‘special relationship’ hype is just that; it has always been media hype and a convenient sound bite and nothing more. The two nations share an almost identical language and have – now and again, foreign policies that share some mutual interest.

I share the conclusion of one newspaper commentator that our refusal to participate in Vietnam (the only decent decision of the Wilson Govt.) coupled with our recent refusal on Syria is just repayment for the disgraceful action of the U.S. Government over Suez.

Memories die hard.

I’m sure they will be friends again when they want something, or need to flog us something.
As for intel, just check out Wikileaks.

Death of the relationship is greatly exaggerated.
But the truth is, Obama doesn’t like many of the US’s traditional allies. He’d rather have lunch with the Muslim Brotherhood than the UK or Israeli ambassador. He probably views the UK as a colonial oppressor.

Somewhere I read a detailed report and as usual the headlines make the story which in reality is little more than normal procedure. Our military remain in Tampa involved and advising in many other areas of mutual interest.

But the “end of special relationship” always makes a good story. The reality is that the relationship has never been as special as it has been made out and is no less significant than it has been for 50 years or more.