Iran and the Crisis in the European Mind

Originally published in the Spectator

The politics of the Iranian war feature an observable gap between interest and action for nearly all parties. The Americans possessed overwhelming casus belli versus Iran for nearly half a century, and did not act upon it until three weeks past. The Iranians possessed none against America for just as long, but exerted themselves with religious fanaticism to bring this war upon themselves. The Arab autocracies of the Persian-Gulf region find themselves under direct attack from the Iranians, but do not respond in kind. The Chinese observe a core strategic proxy and key commodities supplier taken off the chessboard – for the second time in under 90 days – and refrain from direct engagement. The Russians watch a literal ally come under attack from their own signal rival, and do nothing except, perhaps, share targeting data.

Only the Israelis, it seems, have a consistent record of perception and response to events, in the light of their own interests, throughout.

Then there are the Europeans. The European Union’s foreign-affairs chief, Estonia’s Kaja Kallas, pronounced that “this is not Europe’s war, but Europe’s interests are directly at stake.” She’s half right. Europe has an Iranian war on its hands by reason of those interests, whether Europe cares to see it or not.

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