Europe's Unity Is Smashed

The heart of the European project was a Franco-German alliance that has kept the peace in Europe since World War Two. But the reunification of Germany and the fall of the Iron Curtain changed all that. A grown-up, economically powerful Germany does not need Paris as its mentor. Nor does it need to feel inferior on the world stage. Above all, Berlin's economic future lies with China and Russia.

This crucial historic watershed was masked by the events following 9/11. It has been revealed in all its starkness by the 2008 recession and Germany's quick economic recovery - while the EU and America have languished economically. Hence Berlin's reluctance to bail out Greece or support France in overthrowing Gaddafi. Tea Party Washington is not around to pressure Berlin, and won't be ever again, given America's own economic problems and fixation with China.