MSNBC: Trump admin wonders why Europe hasn’t been ‘helpful’ on Iran
The Trump administration clearly rattled the international landscape with its latest offensive against Iran, and as the Wall Street Journal reported, it’s not altogether pleased with the response from some of the leading U.S. allies.
* Secretary of State Mike Pompeo expressed disappointment with European allies after they voiced concern that the killing of Iranian Maj. Gen. Qassem Soleimani could trigger further violence.
* Following the drone strike that killed Gen. Soleimani and an Iraqi paramilitary leader this week, Mr. Pompeo held phone calls with European allies, major powers China and Russia and regional partners such as Pakistan. According to State Department officials and official readouts of the calls, he told his counterparts that the strike was conducted to head off further violence and de-escalate tensions.
Note the use of the word “following” – as in, Donald Trump and his team launched the airstrike, which was followed by White House outreach to our European allies. Given the nature of the mission and threat, U.S. officials could’ve alerted our allies to the gambit before it was launched, but chose not to.
Read more ....
Update #1: US allies distance themselves from Trump decision to assassinate Suleimani -- The Guardian
Update #2: 'There is still a place for diplomacy', says France's Le Drian in wake of Soleimani killing -- France 24
WNU Editor: The EU are publicly distancing themselves from the White House when it comes to Iran, but they are also preparing for more sanctions .... Europeans set to toughen Iran response over nuclear violations: diplomats (Reuters). More here .... European powers to decide in coming days on Iran dispute mechanism: French minister (Reuters).
Update #3: Has Europe's Iran policy failed? (see video below). My answer is yes.
4 comments:
Europe believes that they can bring Iran into the group of "normal" states. I am not sure they can.
But. .considering America's track record when it comes to wars - particularly in the middle east - it is understandable to be hesitant to help the US.
Just a decade ago the US tried to convince Europe to go to war with Iraq over weapons of mass destruction. Tirns out Iraq never had WMDs and hundreds of thousands (!!!!) of civilians lost their lives. We must not forget this and it puzzles me that there is no learning or self reflection in the US. How can you expect us (I'm European) to go along with you after such a nightmarish mistake for which you haven't atoned? There's no memorial in the US for your war crimes. No person has gone to jail. No one got punished. How can we follow you now?
Update #3: Has Europe's Iran policy failed? (see video below). My answer is yes.
You could say the same for the US policy; any policy which needs to escalate to a military matter, is a failure.
And this is coming from someone who agrees with the strike Trump did.
Sadly; if he continues threatening cultural heritage sites, he's only going to create further resistance.
Films as Social and Cultural History - History Matters
http://historymatters.gmu.edu/mse/film/socialhist.html
We no longer sit around campfires and tell stories. Now we have writers and film makers. Every time I see a movie set in NYC, I am reminded of the crime committed by Leftists/Isamicists.
"... sit around campfires and tell stories..." ..."adults in the room...".
Stodgy boomer conservatives who just discovered the web are a silly lot.
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