diminish European fear of a resurgent Germany...
That was when half of Germany was under USSR.
But I would never trust them fully if I were other European nations.
As far as GHWB mentioned in the article, I will still wish for a recovery, even though most of my being is fighting against caring.
There's a neat movie called "Sailor of the King" where a British POW aboard a damaged German ship breaks free, and with the aid of a stolen rifle, snipes at the German repair party until help arrives. During a discussion with one of the other prisoners, the older guy says "They're not a bad lot - just don't let 'em get on top."