Twenty-five years ago, Germany and Europe were on the threshold of an appointment with history. In May 1989 President George HW Bush told a reporter that he “would love to see Germany reunified”. The country, he said, was a “solid democracy” that had “done penance for its sins, and that at some point you should let a guy up”.

I was reminded of those comments – and the logic that guided US strategy in 1989 – when the German president Joachim Gauck spoke to the Munich Security Conference earlier this year. He pointed to the great success of German policies in the second half of the 20th century: “This is a good Germany, the best we’ve ever had?.?.?.?a reliable partner in Europe and the world.”

Shortly after Mr Bush endorsed German unification, he gave a speech in Mainz titled “Partners in Leadership” in which he set forth his vision of “a Europe whole and free”. His strategy relied on strengthening a partnership with Germany in a unified Europe.