Europe does not seem to have a role to play in the Asia-Pacific, both because it does not want to, and also because it does not have the capabilities to assist the United States. Meanwhile, the Americans hope that Europe will not spread itself thin and that it will be ready to take on responsibilities in the Middle East and North Africa region. If not, dark days are in the making for the transatlantic partners, who are now more preoccupied by continuing economic crises, rather than the new balance of power.
