To follow the US or not into conflict — that is the question.
by Eldar Mamedov, Responsible Statecraft
As the United States plunges ever deeper into a fresh Middle East conflagration — this time fighting Iran-backed non-state actors, including Yemen’s Houthis and Shiite resistance groups in Syria and Iraq — its closest allies from the EU and NATO stand divided.
These divisions reflect a long-standing failure of the EU member states and institutions to speak with “one voice” on the Middle East.
When the U.S. called for an international coalition to stop the Yemen-based Houthi militias attacks on the international shipping in the Red Sea, only a few European nations signed the joint statement: the UK, Germany, Netherlands, Belgium, Denmark and Italy. Of that initial group, only Britain, Denmark, Netherlands, plus Greece joined as the European contingent of “Operation Prosperity Guardian.”
Others like France, while condemning the Houthi attacks, expressed preference for an autonomous, European-led operation. Still others, like Spain, were skeptical of any involvement in any anti-Houthi action whatsoever.
Recent Posts
Abolish the Board of Peace. Try the Table of Peace.
Take Action Now I asked people to pretend to be the United States Congress for 10 seconds. (Many of them were disgusted at the thought but I assured…
Black Power, White Heat, and the Work of Solidarity
Take Action Now What a history of the 1960s can teach us about organizing in an authoritarian ageBy Alexandria Shaner, Z Network There is a…
ICE Bans Hugging Inside California’s Largest Detention Center. Families Are Fighting Back
Take Action Now In the California City facility, ‘contact visits’ are strictly forbidden – but detained residents aren’t staying quiet. Are officials…
Tyrant Trump Is Lucky in the Cowardice of His Enemies
Take Action Now Democratic leadership’s refusal to pursue impeachment signals to Trump that he has two-plus unchallenged years to ravage the lives…