ABSTRACT
German opposition to the decision of the Bush administration to go to war in Iraq, disarm the country with military force and remove Saddam Hussein from power was a fundamental departure from the usually warm and close cooperation practised over the years in both countries. New for Germany and the United States was the bitterness accompanying the political disagreement. The quality of leadership on both sides made it possible to overcome difficult moments in the relationship. Alliance cohesion prevailed over political differences. The SPD and Greens had been in power for more than two years when George W. Bush became president of the United States. Gerhard Schroder had already hosted European summits and a G-7 meeting and had demonstrated courage when faced with difficult decisions and opposition at home. Schroder and Fischer were convinced that Germany had to be part of the fight against international terrorism in spite of the public’s uneasiness about an additional military commitment.
