Not surprisingly, the main subject of commentary in German newspapers on Wednesday is United States President George W. Bush's comment that he can't rule out the possibility of military action against Iran due to the country's nuclear weapons aspirations. And this just one day after investigative reporter Seymour Hersh's article in the New Yorker magazine, accusing the United States of scouting possible targets in Iran, sent European dailies into a tizzy. Surprising, however, is that while German politicians rush to score political points by criticizing Bush, the reaction from German commentators is much less unanimous.

The center-left Sueddeutsche Zeitung presents what almost amounts to a defense of Bush's hawk-like utterances. The paper does admit that the noises coming out of Washington, especially considering the similarities with the pre-Iraq war propaganda, sound like war. But, the paper argues, there is no way Bush would consider an invasion of Iran at the moment. The US military is stretched thin, Iran would be even more difficult to control than Iraq, and the opposition to the Americans in the region would only become more intense. But, the paper writes, "When Bush doesn't 'rule out' a military operation against Iran, that is a far cry from declaring war. On the contrary: If he were to exclude the possibility of an attack, he would rob himself immediately of all political options." The Europeans, the paper concludes, need to realize that they are on the same side as the Americans and need to work together.

The conservative -- and often America-friendly -- daily Die Welt also thinks it recognizes realpolitik when it sees it and argues that Bush's comments merely serve to underline the importance the United States attaches to this issue. In looking at Germany's Iran policies, the paper notes that there is "incredible unanimity" between the government and the opposition; both support the diplomatic efforts being made by the Germany-France-England trio to convince Iran to give up its nuclear ambitions. But, it says, "not even (German Foreign Minister) Joschka Fischer believes that the negotiations would have progressed so far without the (American) stick in the background."

The financial daily Handelsblatt, on the other hand, runs a piece called "From Baghdad to Teheran," which blasts both Europeans -- for being naïve enough to believe that Bush's second term might be different from his first -- and the US president. "The comments from George W. Bush demonstrate once more how his worldview works -- and what Europeans need to prepare themselves for in the coming four years: A totally undiplomatic language and a quick division (of the world) into good and evil. It is exactly for this reason that Americans re-elected him: they find attractive exactly those things that drive Europeans crazy. Bush pursues policies that Americans support and will do so for the next four years as well."

Germany's other business daily, Financial Times Deutschland, takes a step back from the wrangling over Iran and focuses instead on Bush's upcoming visit to Europe and Germany. The paper argues that this visit represents a chance for Europe and the United States to breathe new life into what for both is an important friendship. But, the paper argues, conciliation depends on the Europeans' accepting a few basic realities. First, Europe should not be expecting Bush to change his political course in his second term. Second, style in foreign relations is important. It is important for both sides to cease firing insults back and forth across the pond. Bush's visit is a sign that he is ready to change his style. Third, Europe needs to present an undivided front to the Americans. Fourth, instead of always complaining about America's stubbornness, Europeans need to recognize that they, too, are guilty. Proposing solutions that are based on compromise might help. Fifth, Europeans need to recognize that many of the current trans-Atlantic problems are not solely the result of Bush -- many of them started long before he was in the Oval Office. And, finally, Europe should not expect Bush to apologize for anything or to admit any mistakes.

German dailies also spilled ink commenting on Tuesday's introduction of the Airbus A380 -- now the world's largest passenger jet -- in Toulouse, France. The event was attended by German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder, French President Jacques Chirac, Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Zapatero and British Prime Minister Tony Blair and was an opportunity for a self-congratulatory moment for all of Europe.

It was this mood that the Berlin daily Berliner Zeitung chose to follow in a commentary entitled "A European Triumph." While admitting that it isn't yet clear that the super jumbo will really be a technological and economic success, the paper writes, "The A380 shows that the old continent, under leadership of France and Germany, is capable of extraordinary achievements and can even stand up to the Americans."

Other dailies aren't quite as convinced. The conservative daily Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung does use the first half of its editorial listing all of the superlatives associated with the new plane -- and praises Airbus for risking the expensive development of the project. But the paper warns against the example the project set -- namely that of using government funds to finance research and development. "With the re-awakened belief in the blessings of a state-steered economy, it is fitting that the remains of the European Union stability and growth pact were being buried during the Toulouse ceremony. When the last barriers to state debt are dismantled, references to (such) European champions (as the A380) could be used to support subsidies to banks or car manufacturers -- to the detriment of free trade."