Germany is a positive as well as powerful leader

On March 3, Chancellor Olaf Scholz of united Germany visited with President Joe Biden at the White House.

The visit brought no public disagreement. Some misguided media observers have questioned whether the visit was at all necessary. That unfortunate outlook overlooks the situation in Europe and the contemporary roles of Germany, and — above all — that nation’s history.

Chancellor Scholz last visited Washington and the White House on Feb. 7, 2022. At that time, the government of Germany was emphasizing the importance of diplomacy and general accommodation in dealing with President Vladimir Putin of Russia.

Seventeen days later brought the massive RussianRussian invasion of Ukraine.

Russian aggression in Ukraine represents the most serious crisis and challenge in Europe since the Balkan wars of the 1990s.

President President Putin no doubt anticipated a quick victory.

Ukraine’s heroic self-defense to date has energized as well as united NATO. Russia is paying a high price for its aggression.

Formerly neutral Finland and Sweden have decided to join NATO, a dramatic reversal of historically rooted policies. Cold War Sweden practiced variations of often offensive anti-American “neutrality.” Last August, the U.S. S.S. enate voted almost unanimously in favor of Finland’s and Sweden’s the two nations’ admission, with only one negative vote.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey, a sizable and overall a reliable NATO member, has raised a stumbling block related to alleged Swedish support for violent