I vividly recall the political pyrotechnics in the Security Council especially the infamous 2003 Valentines Day massacre meeting when French Foreign Minister Dominique de Villepan played political villain to Secretary of State Colin Powell. Later, U.S. Administration officials scathingly remarked, “Punish the French, ignore the Germans, and forgive the Russians.”

While few American media outlets reported the return of both the French President and the German Foreign Minister to Iraq, some European sources glibly said that the visits are only now possible given effusive European reactions to the Obama Administration.

Yes, but six years after the Iraq operation, most of the political players have changed. French President Jacques Chirac who viewed himself as the “Anointed One” opposing the USA and the British is gone from the scene. So too is his haughty Foreign Minister de Villepin who relished the chance to use his rhetorical rapier to challenge the Americans. Now in France there’s the openly pro-American government of Nicolas Sarkozy and Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner. Already two years ago, Kouchner visited Baghdad and said it was time to turn the page in relations with America.

In Germany too the Social/Democratic government of Gerhard Schroeder who vigorously opposed U.S. efforts, was happily swept from office four years ago and replaced by Chancellor Angela Merkel, a Christian Democrat who was unashamedly close with the Bush Administration as was Sarkozy. Schroeder in the meantime is making millions representing Russian energy interests. And of course George W. Bush, the icon of so much political polarization and irrational hatred has retired back to Texas.

Let’s face it, the good news from Iraq is that the security situation has dramatically improved in the past year. The country has held another election without major violence, and slowly has begun to rebuild the economic underpinnings of a post-conflict society. Stability is due in large part to the success of the Bush Administration’s military troop surge, the brilliant Gen. David Petraeus, and the extraordinary tactical flexibility, personal heroism, and bloody sacrifice of the American troops in Iraq.

There’s a “told you so“ moment to be certain. But it’s only logical that the French and the Germans who had big business ties with Saddam’s Iraq (along with China and Russia) are anxious to be back. Sarkozy characteristically did not mince his words. He vowed France would help Iraq's economic revival and restore historically close commercial ties. He stated “My coming here is to tell French companies: the time is at hand, come and invest.” French business delegations will soon visit Baghdad. Do oil contracts come to mind?

Not to be outdone Frank-Walter Steinmeier made a two-day visit, the first by a German political figure since 1987; that’s before German reunification. Now the aftermath of the Iraq war and especially in the continuing thaw in relations between Berlin and Washington, Germany has joined France in getting its commercial ducks in a row in Iraq.

Iraqi officials pledged they would “greet increased German economic involvement.” Prime Minister Al-Maliki stated, “German companies won't have to undertake any special efforts in order to establish themselves here…They used to be very active here and enjoy a fine reputation.” According to the German Economic Ministry, the new commercial office “will contribute to reviving the once-intensive economic relationship between Germany and Iraq.” As one who has reviewed the UN’s infamous Oil for Food business ledger with Saddam’s Iraq, this is a considerable understatement, but nonetheless largely beneficial.

Beyond the whiff of cynicism over the return of the Europeans now that the dust has largely settled in Iraq, Americans should be happy that Iraq is getting serious economic attention and proud that American political and military perseverance made it possible.