Iran conflict: will Europe remain a bystander?
Europe is casting about for an appropriate response to the US and Israeli attacks on Iran. Germany, France and the UK have criticised Tehran's counter-strikes on countries in the region, while the EU has called on all sides to show restraint. "The developments in Iran are extremely worrying," EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said. Commentators are more vocal.
Only appeals from the sidelines
Europe has let itself be relegated to a minor role again, the Salzburger Nachrichten criticises:
“What are the Europeans doing? As usual, they're struggling to decide how to best respond to the conflict. They weren't involved in the planning or even the execution. So their role was limited to appeals from the sidelines. This wasn't always the case. The United States relied on solidarity from Europe in its wars in Iraq and Afghanistan in the early 2000s. Respect for those who were once its closest allies has given way to contempt. The Europeans had become 'pathetic' and 'soft', said a senator close to US President Donald Trump after European leaders failed to applaud the bombing of Iran.”
EU gagged on foreign policy
La Stampa also laments the EU's inability to agree on a common position:
“The tidal waves from the Gulf immediately hit Europe. Directly in Cyprus, an EU outpost in the Mediterranean [where a drone hit a British Air Force base]. And indirectly on the markets, in oil and gas prices, in the plight of tens of thousands of citizens stranded in holiday resorts that have become war zones, in air and sea traffic. And in the need to take a position that is not empty rhetoric but foreign policy. ... The first sign of a position came from the only format capable of providing it: the E3 states of France, Germany and the UK. It's just a pity that Italy - not because it was excluded but out of its own conviction - was not part of it.”
Selling off Portugal's sovereignty
In its preparations for the attack, the US used the Lajes Air Base on the Portuguese Azores island of Terceira without first informing the Portuguese government. Público is outraged:
“The idea of national sovereignty being sold off for an illegal war that once again tramples on the last remaining vestiges of international law turns Portugal into a nation enslaved by Trump. Trump can do whatever he wants with the agreement [on the use of the base]. ... The idea of permanent subjugation to the leader with the baseball cap, whatever his intentions may be, is an attack on national sovereignty. If, after Greenland, Donald Trump decides he wants to occupy the island of Terceira, someone from the government will no doubt be there to reverently hand over the keys.”
Indirectly involved because of US military bases
Romania is already participating in the war, the Romanian service of Deutsche Welle observes:
“Romania is indirectly involved in what's happening in the Middle East through its logistical hub at the Mihail Kogălniceanu military base. Some of the military aircraft used in the conflict take off and land there, and there's also a missile shield [in Deveselu] specifically built to deter Iran. This is not just a matter of our geographical location on the edge of Europe, not far from the Middle East, but above all Romania's long-standing military loyalty to the Americans. ... The US has also used other European military bases for the attack on Iran.”
A historic opportunity
Der Tagesspiegel would like to see Europe play a more active role in Iran's future:
“We may justifiably find Trump's narcissism repulsive, doubt the sincerity of his motives and question his unconditional love for American democracy. But it can hardly be denied that for many Iranians the new situation opens up an opportunity that has not existed for decades. Together with the US, Israel and the neighbouring Arab allies, Europe should now do everything in its power to turn this opportunity into a new reality. Iran may not become a democratic country by European standards. But it will be freer and more open than it is now. That would be a true historical success.”
On the wrong track with fossil fuels
In view of the increasing geopolitical risks, Expressen calls for greater independence from gas and oil:
“Europe must recognise that being massively dependent on fossil fuels for heating and power generation is unsustainable. The phase-out needs to be accelerated. Nuclear power and renewables are the way forward, as are alternative heat sources such as heat pumps and district heating and, last but not least, energy efficiency. The use of fossil fuels is not only harmful to the climate and the environment. This dependence places the future of the bloc in the hands of American presidents and despotic leaders in the Middle East. The sooner Europe realises this, the better.”
Keep the focus on Ukraine
Europe must not neglect its aid to Ukraine as a result of the war in Iran, warns Denník Postoj:
“Europe's current military and economic situation is such that intensive involvement in a protracted conflict in the Middle East would inevitably lead to a significant weakening of its support for Ukraine. Although no one can legitimately sympathise with the theocratic regime in Iran, European states should avoid becoming too deeply involved in this conflict or being dragged into it, simply because supporting Ukraine against the Russian invasion is much more 'our' war.”