Germany’s Merkel Makes Up with Bush
Looking to maintain friendships in Europe as many of the continent’s leaders are leaving office, President Bush meets again with Chancellor Merkel to help U.S.–German relations.
The U.S. and Germany are pals again, said Martin Kilian in Zurich's Tages-Anzeiger. The relationship had been 'œturbulent' for several years, 'œpoisoned' by former Chancellor Gerhard Schröder's shrill opposition to the Iraq war. But last week's 'œthoroughly successful' state visit by the new chancellor, Angela Merkel, signaled a fresh start. After an 'œuncommonly long,' three-hour tête-à-tête, President George W. Bush pronounced the new German leader 'œsmart and capable' and said their encounter was 'œunbelievably positive.' That's not to say that Merkel was simply sucking up. She did criticize Bush for continuing to warehouse terror detainees in the lawless enclave of Guantánamo Bay, Cuba. But coming from a woman who, nearly alone among her compatriots, supported the Iraq war, such criticism was tolerated as a respectable difference of opinion. 'œAt the White House, Berlin is once again back in good favor.'
It could hardly have gone otherwise, said Knut Pries in the Frankfurt Frankfurter Rundschau. To botch the meeting, Merkel would have had to 'œdump freshly brewed coffee all over the president's shirt while shrieking 'Revenge for Guantánamo!'' The U.S. administration was 'œdetermined' to embrace Merkel—and so was the entire Washington establishment. A reception for her at the German Embassy was the hottest ticket in town, attracting the likes of Alan Greenspan and Colin Powell. Only a broken shoulder kept Henry Kissinger, Merkel's 'œregularly consulted advisor' on U.S. affairs, away. They all believe in Merkel as the 'œmagical medicine woman who could heal the sick U.S.-German relationship.'
That's because the U.S. really needs Germany now, said Gerd Kolbe in Switzerland's Neue Zürcher Zeitung. The other strong European countries all have lame-duck leaders. The terms of office for Tony Blair in Britain, Jacques Chirac in France, and Silvio Berlusconi in Italy are all nearing their ends. No wonder Bush was so 'œpatient' in listening to Merkel's Gitmo complaints and so ready to agree to her request for regular contact: He wants a new friend on the old continent.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
![https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516.jpg](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516-320-80.jpg)
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Stefan Kornelius
Süddeutsche Zeitung
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
-
Big Tech's answer for AI-driven job loss: universal basic income
In The Spotlight A new study reveals the strengths and limitations
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published
-
'I will not be silent' on Gaza, says Kamala Harris
Speed Read In a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Harris supported Israel's right to defend itself while expressing a desire to end Palestinian suffering
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published
-
'How long can TikTok dominate as a social network?'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
How could J.D. Vance impact the special relationship?
Today's Big Question Trump's hawkish pick for VP said UK is the first 'truly Islamist country' with a nuclear weapon
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Biden, Trump urge calm after assassination attempt
Speed Reads A 20-year-old gunman grazed Trump's ear and fatally shot a rally attendee on Saturday
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Supreme Court rejects challenge to CFPB
Speed Read The court rejected a conservative-backed challenge to the way the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is funded
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Arizona court reinstates 1864 abortion ban
Speed Read The law makes all abortions illegal in the state except to save the mother's life
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Trump, billions richer, is selling Bibles
Speed Read The former president is hawking a $60 "God Bless the USA Bible"
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
The debate about Biden's age and mental fitness
In Depth Some critics argue Biden is too old to run again. Does the argument have merit?
By Grayson Quay Published
-
How would a second Trump presidency affect Britain?
Today's Big Question Re-election of Republican frontrunner could threaten UK security, warns former head of secret service
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
'Rwanda plan is less a deterrent and more a bluff'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By The Week UK Published