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"Powers stopped acting on emotion since WWI (except the USA)- in fact- the study of Europeon diplomacy in the last 50 years is a study in self interest and realpolitik..."\

This is sophmoric. Why did the British revalue the Pound and Gold at pre-WW1 parity after WW1 (false pride)? Why didn't the British conclude a separate peace with Germany during WWII as was offered several times by Hitler (pride)? It certainly would have been in their short-term economic interest to do so. Why did Mussolini's Italy fancy itself as a recrudescence of the Roman Empire and conduct a reckless foreign policy as a result (false pride)? Recent European history is replete with other examples of nations acting out of a sense of pride or because of domestic political pressures rather than a discernible national interest. Do nations seek to protect vital national interests? Of course, but it is not the only factor that will motivate a nation to act.

If France was strictly concerned about its economic interests in Iraq it would made a secret deal with the US several months ago as a quid pro quo for non-interference as Germany should have done as well. I believe that Chirac and Schoeder have allowed their own domestic political problems to dominate their actions on the Iraq issue to the detriment of the interests of their countries. Talleyrand and Metternich must be turning over in their graves watching Chirac and Schroeder blunder their way throught this crisis.

British naval forces could have smashed any German attempted landing. That is sophmoric to presume otherwise. An Invasion of Great Britain never got beyond the general staff fantasy stage in the Werhacht and Great Britain knew it. If Hitler was to concentrate on Great Britain with all his might then Churchill would have caved like a girl (but Hitler had the Ostfront in mind always). Sure- emotion does play a role. All nations are made up of human rulers. But your judgement of France reads like a National Review hit job. The French are not ingrate weenies like the Neocon press makes them out to be. You are the one being simplistic. Do you make the slightest allowance that maybe France, Germany, and other continental powers are perhaps being at least prudent in suspecting American intentions in the Mideast? Place yourself in their shoes for a moment?