The U.S. war on Iran could make Europe even more dependent on Washington

During a meeting with Germany’s Chancellor, Friedrich Merz, at the White House on March 3, President Trump publicly announced he had ordered to “cut off all dealings” with Spain after Madrid denied Washington access to joint local facilities to strike Iran. A similar decision by the UK led Trump to declare, in reference to Prime Minister Keir Starmer, that “it [was] not Winston Churchill that [Washington was] dealing with.”

Those tensions are not unprecedented. For example, the Bush Jr. administration strongly criticized France, Germany, and other European states for rejecting its Iraq war in 2003. Additionally, Trump has clearly shown his disdain for European allies since returning to power.

However, America’s war on Iran and push for greater European involvement are misguided.

Read at Modern Diplomacy

Author

Thomas P.
Cavanna

Non-Resident Fellow

Defense Priorities