I agree that the term was massively hijacked under Bush/Blair. But even without Obama'S coldy calculated pragmatism, it would be relatively overloaded with meaning today. The Iraq wars 03 and 99 saw the US leading, and
making use of the UK, and the UK obediently following. In case of Blair, the willingess to use him (by Bush) met the willingness to be used (by Blair), which now really is an exceptionell display of home-grown folly. On the political level, that is no special relation on same eye level, but the relation between hegemon and vasall. But I strongly assume that in the intelligence and sub-political military level, ties remain to be close between indivual persons - the famous "private wires" people have to somebody in the other camp.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/8590767.stm
Quote:
Committee chairman Mike Gapes said: "We must be realistic and accept that globalisation, structural changes and shifts in geopolitical power will inevitably affect the UK-US relationship.
"Over the longer-term, the UK is unlikely to be able to influence the US to the extent it has in the past."
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