European Leaders Grudgingly Accept Appointment

On the tail of his diplomatic tour through Europe, US President George W. Bush has announced two appointments that may strain transatlantic relations. Paul Wolfowitz's nomination to the top seat at the World Bank followed quickly after John Bolton's assignment as UN ambassador. Both Wolfowitz and Bolton – unpopular in Europe for their hawkishness – are prime exemplars of US unilateral foreign policy attitudes. Yet despite extreme misgivings about placing a neoconservative at the helm of the world's largest development agency, European leaders are unlikely to challenge the nomination: At a time when both sides are working to warm up relations, nay-saying Wolfowitz would bring back an undesired chilliness. Some, however, remain optimistic about Wolfowitz, noting that the world was once skeptical of his predecessor, as well. "Wolfensohn was one example of someone whose nomination was deeply unpopular but whose record proved the doubters wrong," said one German commentator. – YaleGlobal