Why Merkel Is Not Enough

Germany's relations with the U.S. suffered a cold snap after the Iraq war. The last time a German Chancellor came to Washington, George W. Bush only managed to free up 20 frigid minutes for his visitor. But when Angela Merkel dropped by earlier this month, the President spent more than twice that time locked in private conversation with her. He later revealed they'd discussed her upbringing in communist East Germany. It's "uplifting to talk to somebody who knows the difference between just talking about tyranny and living in freedom," he said. But Merkel's birthplace is not the only biographical detail drawing...