Iran war: what is Europe's stance?
The EU has so far failed to reach a common position on the war in Iran. Differences are evident not only between the leaders of individual countries but also among top figures in Brussels. Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Monday that the "old world order" no longer existed, only to be contradicted on Tuesday by Council President António Costa, who said that Europe must ensure that we continue to live in a rules-based world.
Mend the rifts
El Mundo calls on the major parties in the European Parliament to work together:
“The war with Iran has exposed more clearly than ever the latent rift between the two political families that built Europe. ... The Social Democrats accuse Ursula von der Leyen of adopting Trump's agenda. ... Von der Leyen was right to argue that the EU must take a realistic approach, but she was wrong to claim that Europe could afford to relativise international law. ... The Social Democrats would be wrong to deny reality and invoke grand principles without taking steps to defend them. The EPP would be mistaken to view the rise of the populist right as nothing more than an election campaign issue and turn away from the liberal values that form the basis of our democracies.”
Focus on deterrence
Europe is focusing on the wrong issues, journalist Edward Lucas explains in Delfi:
“Instead of thumb-sucking about how, when and where “World War Three” may start, it would be far better to concentrate on defence and deterrence in the conflict that is already raging, under our noses. Not just the bombing of Iran, with all its unpredictable consequences for regional stability, alliance cohesion and American credibility; and not just the war in Ukraine, now out of the headlines but still the biggest determinant of Europe's security. Russia (and China) are playing divide-and-rule right across Europe, right now, and with alarming success.”
Europe should back Pahlavi
The Tages-Anzeiger has its own ideas about how Europe could help the people of Iran:
“It is precisely US President Donald Trump's lack of a plan that gives Europe the opportunity to work together to give Iran a chance for the future. At present, a successful change of regime seems possible only with one person: Reza Pahlavi has managed to give the Iranian opposition a face and unite large sections of the groups that have been divided for decades. ... Even people who have long been critical of Pahlavi now see him as the only chance for orderly change. But to achieve this, he needs backing. That is why Europe should now recognise him as the leader of the opposition.”