LONDON -- Since the end of World War II, Western Europe has usually sided with the United States in global conflicts. Except for a few national exceptions, such as France's criticism of the Vietnam War, trans-Atlantic solidarity has been the order of the day from the Cuban missile crisis through the Persian Gulf War.
Now, the prospect of a war with Iraq has -- with the exception of Britain -- fractured the foundation of mutual understanding on which the post-1945 system operated. With polls showing deep opposition to war, France is insisting that Washington give weapons inspectors more time and not act before getting a new U.N. resolution backing war, while Germany opposes any war at all.
It is possible, of course, that everything will be smoothed out in the end; that Washington will wait for a U.N. resolution that will satisfy Paris and that Berlin will keep quiet while London uses its influence to ensure that diplomatic channels are fully used before an offensive is launched.