Biden snubs Britain

Today Joe Biden made a serious diplomatic gaffe trying to atone for an earlier diplomatic gaffe.

Biden appears to be trying to calm a diplomatic row that erupted during his visit over Israeli settlement plans for disputed east Jerusalem.

The vice president told the audience at Tel Aviv University on Thursday the U.S. has "no better friend" than Israel. He also spoke about his long connection to Israel.

Biden had previously suggested that Israel should halt the construction of settlements in East Jerusalem, which were impeding the peace process. But in calling Israel America's best friend, Biden has made a more devastating diplomatic error. Traditionally, America has always referred to Great Britain as its greatest ally. In his address following the September 11 attacks, President George W. Bush declared, "America has no truer friend than Great Britain." At a subsequent meeting with the British prime minister, Bush said, "We've got no better friend in the world than Great Britain. We've got no better person that I like to talk to than Tony Blair."

That was then. Lately, many British commentators have speculated that their "special relationship" with America is over.