Dan Simon, on Michael J. Totten:

Many people accuse the U.S. of being the world’s “bully,” but that analogy only demonstrates a basic lack of understanding of bullies. A real bully is painfully insecure and ashamed of his weakness. He eagerly seeks out even weaker, less secure victims and ruthlessly torments them, while fawning on anyone strong and resolute enough not to be intimidated.

Having descended from world-dominating imperialism to embarrassing global irrelevance, Europe has chosen to embrace the classic bully strategy: Monstrous regimes and organizations–such as Hezbollah–can earn Europe’s respect and friendship simply by declaring their lack of interest in Europe’s approval, and unwillingness to bend an inch to win it. On the other hand, countries that show the slightest sign of discomfort at European hostility–such as Israel and even America–are incessantly pilloried over minor nits, in the hope that the targets will give in, and Europeans will thereby be able to claim to have salvaged some tiny crumbs of international influence.