the french desire to act as a counterweight to the united states on the international stage is a perennial feature of international affairs. germany, however, has been among the most pro-u.s. countries in europe, and so its emergent opposition to the u.s. stand on iraq was more surprising. it may be seen as an aspect of berlin's increasing desire to play an independent, assertive role in international affairs in line with its own public opinion, as well as very deep skepticism in europe regarding the reasons for war with iraq.