The degree to which Washington's global relationships have been transformed by last September's terrorist attacks was made amply clear with this week's visit here by Dr Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad.

Treated virtually as an outcast by the administration of President Bill Clinton for his attacks on Jews, his refusal to follow the advice of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), and the suppression of domestic opponents including his one-time heir apparent, Mahathir was greeted warmly as a comrade-in-arms in the war against terrorism by President George W Bush Tuesday.