Europe's weakness on Iran, Gaza has radicalized politics at home

By their shameful, spineless stance on the U.S. and Israeli war against Iran, European leaders have doomed whatever remained of their global influence and their pretensions to promote a “rules-based international order.”

In acquiescing in a clearly illegal war of aggression (with only the faintest bleats of protest), continuing to express support for their U.S. and Israeli “partners,” and — incredibly — condemning Iran for retaliating, these governments doubtless believe that they are acting “realistically.”

What makes this so especially ironic is that if the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran drags on, it will divert U.S. and European anti-missile systems from Ukraine to the Middle East, greatly weakening Ukrainian defenses. It will also drive a sustained rise in global oil and gas prices that will greatly strengthen Russia both economically and diplomatically.