Washington has not discouraged London's divisive posture regarding Europe's integration, though Washington has also shown a clear preference for German-rather than French-leadership in Europe. That is understandable, given the traditional thrust of French policy, but the preference has also had the effect
of encouraging the occasional appearance of a tactical Franco-British entente in order to thwart Germany, as well as periodic French flirtation with Moscow in order to offset the American-German coalition.
