Despite comparatively limited credentials in foreign affairs, U.S. President George W. Bush's "get to know you" summits with his European counterparts over the past week, including Russian President Vladimir Putin, greatly helped to build personal trust between the leaders. At the same time, they confirmed differences on major issues.
Since last year's presidential election ended with a controversial victory for Mr. Bush, who was believed to be a hardline conservative with a different view of the world, European leaders have apparently sensed the beginning of a new post-Cold War era -- an era in which Europe and the United States do not necessarily see eye to eye on major issues likely to affect global security and welfare.
This time around, European leaders were talking with a U.S. president different from his predecessor, Mr. Bill Clinton, who agreed with European governments on a broad range of global issues. Unflinchingly, Mr. Bush advocated the establishment of a controversial national missile defense, which is the core of a strategic framework promoted by his administration.