In the aftermath of the Iraq war, the US diplomatic mantra was to forgive Russia, ignore Germany and punish France. After President George W. Bush's trip to Europe this week, it is safe to conclude that Washington has reconfigured its priorities. Mr Bush extended a wary hand of friendship over dinner with Jacques Chirac of France. He paid tribute to Germany during talks with Gerhard Schröder, the chancellor. President Vladimir Putin was honoured with a summit in Bratislava, but one accompanied by carefully crafted criticism of democracy in Russia. Tony Blair, the prime minister, and America's most steadfast ally, had to make do with breakfast in Brussels.

On virtually every contentious issue, Mr Bush struck a conciliatory note. He signalled a willingness to "think about" the European Union diplomatic initiative on Iran. He called for a viable Palestinian state with contiguous territory. He played down criticism of the EU decision to lift the 15-year-old arms embargo to China. And he agreed to share environmental technology to curb global warming.