Why Obama And Merkel Make An Oddly Interesting Couple

When German Chancellor Angela Merkel was asked Sunday to recall a few of her fondest moments with President Obama in the last seven years, she shot back a curt and unsentimental answer. Grimacing, she replied: "I am not in a position to take stock now," she snapped, as she felt that there was too much important work to catch up with.

Merkel has become his closest ally as well as his "political and ideological soul mate" on a few issues such as Syria, terrorism and containing Russian aggression in Ukraine.

It is said that Obama disdains "what he regards as needy, showboating allies." Chancellor Merkel is neither of these.

"She has a really good sense of humor that she doesn't show all the time at press conferences," Obama said. "She's a little more - she's much more serious in front of all of you."

This did bring a brief flash of a smile on Merkel's face, which had all the reporters in the room flashing their cameras quickly.

Having dropped into Germany for the Hanover Messe, a major trade and technology show that is marketing American companies and products, President Obama and Chancellor Merkel presided over its opening ceremony.

Right now Europe is facing tough issues related to terrorism, an ailing economy and a migrant crisis. German chancellor's strong advocacy for migrants entering Europe has got her into hot waters.

"Perhaps because she once lived behind a wall herself, Angela understands the aspirations of those who've been denied their freedom and who seek a better life," Obama said of Merkel, who grew up in the communist east.

Obama said that he was sympathetic for Syrians caught in their country's civil war. "We all care deeply about the tragic humanitarian crisis inside of Syria. I live with this every day," he said. But he said he opposes a safe zone administered by the United States that might lead to fewer migrants, because securing such an area would require thousands of troops and come with too many difficult questions.

"How do you do it? And who is going to put a bunch of ground troops inside of Syria?" Obama asked. "How do you let people in? And who do you let in and who do you let out? And how is it monitored?"

Merkel added that the western nations had to talk about working through the peace negotiations with Russia, Iran and Assad's regime so that they could help Syria. "We have to send a message to them," she said.

After talking about a number of economic and political issues, Obama closed with a strong defense of Merkel's wisdom, especially on the refugees.

"She is on the right side of history on this," Obama said, his voice rising. "I am very proud of her for that, and I am proud of the German people for that."

This time, Merkel flashed her "poker face", and again the cameras flashed it all over the world