Germany and France are not our friends...they have never been staunch allies. France fell to Nazi Germany in a matter of days. From WWII to now, I have not seen France do one meaningful thing in support of the US, other than say they are the US's ally. If you have examples, I'd really like to know. There probably is an example, I just haven't heard it. Germany is still as insane as ever. All of the Jewish schools in Germany have fences around them with armed guards with machine guns. Racial fanaticism in Germany has not died. Guess when I saw this? Back in 1998 in Berlin, so I sincerely doubt this has changed from 1998 to 2003. Now is the perfect time for Germany to start rebuilding their military despite restrictions placed on them at the end of WWII. Germany is trying to act as a sovereign, independent nation. They've started two world wars. I don't think they've changed too much from 1945.