How Merkel Took Over Europe

German Chancellor Angela Merkel managed to convince the rest of the euro zone to back her concept for a Greek bailout. But the political price may be high: Miss Europe's stubbornness left many on the Continent shaking their heads.

In the end, it was like dominoes. French President Nicolas Sarkozy indicated his agreement early in the week; the rest of the euro zone leaders followed just prior to the beginning of the European Union summit in Brussels on Thursday evening. Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, Luxembourg's leader Jean-Claude Juncker, European Central Bank boss Jean-Claude Trichet -- one European torch-bearer after the next gave up their opposition to German Chancellor Angela Merkel.