By their shameful, spineless stance on the U.S. and Israeli war against Iran, European leaders have doomed whatever remained of their global influence and their pretensions to promote a “rules-based international order.”

In acquiescing in a clearly illegal war of aggression (with only the faintest bleats of protest), continuing to express support for their U.S. and Israeli “partners,” and — incredibly — condemning Iran for retaliating, these governments doubtless believe that they are acting “realistically.”

What makes this so especially ironic is that if the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran drags on, it will divert U.S. and European anti-missile systems from Ukraine to the Middle East, greatly weakening Ukrainian defenses. It will also drive a sustained rise in global oil and gas prices that will greatly strengthen Russia both economically and diplomatically.