Strange thing is, while Spiegel and other transatlantics are quick to bash "antiamericanism", their image of the US is almost as distorted.
The "antiamericans" often see the US as the root of all evil.
The transatlantic faction sees the US as some kind of benevolent spirit, you only have to be nice to it and you will be showered with care packages, marshall plans and nice weapons...:rotfl:
The US is just a nation like everyone else (ok, a tad bit larger
), guided by self-interest and internal politics. If it is seen to be in the interest of the US government to be helpful, they will, if it is not, they won't. There is no benevolency here, otherwise the US wouldnt have become so powerful...