A change in tone won't do the trick.

(From Gulf News)

Byline: Luc Debieuvre, Special to Gulf News

When United States President George W. Bush arrived in Europe last week, some observers believed that the flag-waving crowds would welcome a repentant leader of the Free World.

Bush would apologise for the disputes over Iraq with former allies. Europe and America would team up again and promote democracy in the Greater Middle East. "What unites us [is] stronger than what divides us".

Before Bush could soften his tone, US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice had paved the way with slogans such as "Let's work together" or "The time is now for diplomacy".

Even Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld had to take back his comments about "old Europe".

But the world has changed drastically in the past four years, and America's approach requires more than a mere change in style.

First, softened speeches are not enough to revive the …