Great Britain is viewed unquestionably by Washington as its mostimportant ally, politically, strategically and militarily and isseen as the keystone of the coalition of the willing formed tounseat Saddam Hussein. In the weeks ahead the Bush Administrationmust rebuff UN plans for a central role in a post-war government.
A Europe in which national sovereignty remains paramount regardingforeign and security policy, and states act flexibly rather thancollectively wherever possible, will enable America to engage thecontinent most successfully. This flexibility, in internationalinstitutions or ad hoc coalitions of the willing, is the future ofthe transatlantic relationship because it fits the objectiverealities of the continent.
Few policy makers in recent American history have been as controversial on the world stage as Paul Wolfowitz, the newly elected President of the World Bank.