Iran War Splits U.S. and Europe

The war against Iran has revealed that the United States and Europe no longer share the same idea of alliance. Washington believes Europe behaves like a security client: it demands protection but refuses to bear the costs. Europe believes the United States uses NATO to drag the continent into wars that do not serve European interests.

Both diagnoses are in fact correct. Europe wants to veto wars it considers illegal, but without paying the price of genuine strategic autonomy. The United States wants stronger allies, but still treats them as subordinates when they disagree.

If this crisis ends with a weaker NATO, a Europe that is just as dependent and a more divided West, Russia, China and Iran will have achieved a strategic victory without firing another shot.