Our arrogance is even beginning to make our best friends uncomfortable.

Independent News America's determination to foist "regime change" on both Iraqis and Palestinians, its visceral hostility to the ICC and its controversial protectionist measures on agriculture and steel, are making the Prime Minister's balancing act harder by the day as he attempts to be a "bridge" between Europe and the US.

Mr Blair's discomfort with Washington's stance on trade and the ICC in particular is palpable. But in every case, Britain soft-pedals its criticism, faithful to the time-honoured "special relationship" argument that Britain has more chance of being listened to by the administration if it keeps disagreements private and does not get involved in a public slanging match.