From Enemies to Friends? A Story of the US Military Presence in West Berlin and Transatlantic Relations. In the post-war years, a master narrative emerged that still shapes the history of relations between West Berlin and the USA today: the Soviet blockade of 1948/49 made the USA the most important protective power of the threatened outpost of freedom in the midst of East Germany. Former enemies became friends at that time, only withdrawing when their mission was fulfilled in 1989/90. This linear success story stands in stark contrast to images of protests against the Vietnam War or the visits of US President Ronald Reagan. Stefanie Eisenhuth weaves these contradictory elements into a new narrative that discusses both the highs and lows of transatlantic relations. She questions the perception.