[hchutch]

A note on the Axis of Weasels. Michael Ledeen's earlier National Review piece seems to be on target. There is an effort by the Axis of Weasels to turn the EU into a counterweight. The best counter-move to this effort by France and Germany, IMHO, is to align with Tony Blair and Vladimir Putin and the rest of New Europe, and work to ensure regime change occurs in Germany, thereby isolating the French.

[Chancellor Palpatine]

I just started reading a new book by the title "Crush Depth". It is set about 10 years from now. According to the prologue, a military coup occurs in Germany and a Hohenzollern descendant is placed upon a restored throne as a figurehead (while the country is run by an aggressive military), and it links up withh an extremist Boer group which violently seizes control of South Africa. The new allince quickly makes its intention of world domination know.

Before any shots are even fired, France surrenders.

I was laughing so hard that I couldn't read much past that, and almost didn't want to - because it was such a perfect moment. I really hope the rest of it doesn't suck.

[colorado tanker]

work to ensure regime change occurs in Germany

Schroeder seems to be doing his darnedest to sink his own government by his uncanny skill of always making the wrong decision in both economic and foreign policy.

It's an open question how helpful a CDU government would be. Certainly the anti-American rhetoric would stop. At one time they seemed to want to challenge the French for European leadership rather than follow the French, their historical policy. Germany has always sought leadership in Eastern Europe, and so may reflect their support for "new" Europe. I doubt a new government would be as supportive as the British, in any case.

[SkyPilot]

There is an effort by the Axis of Weasels to turn the EU into a counterweight.

Ofcourse. The Euro currency is proof of this. The exchange rate with the USD still favors the EURO by about 10 cents--and the EURO was designed (and is propped up) to compete directly with the Dollar. It is also over-inflated (not just my opinion, but a belief held now by the many of the financially savvy in Frankfurt and Berlin).

This is a critical point in US history. I pray GW Bush does not melt--but stays firm. If Bush stands his ground, he will take the US to a new plane of strength. If he does not, Europe will sense fear and undermine America even more.

[Shermy]

Cicero you're right. This article sucks. It smacks of reading like a French talking points roadmap.

Iraq entered the picture several months later, in January 2002

BS. Bush Admin started talking about Saddam within the first week after 9/11.

IMO the article fails in three regards: one, it doesn't take into account France's monetary interests and power in Iraq, it's long relationship. Two, France opposed any deadline for enforcement ever. The issue of "inspectors" is really a non-starter. Threee, it fails to address the "counterbalance" argument, what did France and Germany intend to do with their strategy in Europe, and how they would position themselves as masters therein.