A reader named Irene (not my wife Irene) wrote to tell me that Sweden is boycotting Israeli foodstuffs. All I have to say is that if you were thinking of buying an Ericsson cellphone, get a Nokia (they're said to be more reliable); if you were considering a Snaab or a Volvo, buy an Acura; and don't go to Ikea -- the lines are way too long anyway.

Nile Gardiner of the Heritage Foundation released a report about the growing divide between the U.S. and the EU over Middle East policy. And he has some recommendations for the Bush Administration. Namely, stay the course and remain firm in dealing with the EU, isolate Arafat, defund the PA until there is real reform, don't let the war against Iraq be derailed by the EU's misguided Palestine fetish (not his exact words).