Europe's response to the US-Israeli strikes on Iran exposes a continent locked in dependency and struggling to find its voice.

The rules-based order was always partly a legitimation device for American hegemony, but it was a device that required European buy-in — and that buy-in gave Europe real leverage. Trump has abandoned the legitimation mechanism entirely. He does not need Europe’s moral endorsement because he has dispensed with the need for legitimacy altogether. Power is its own justification. That is precisely what makes the European establishment’s eager compliance so self-defeating.

Sánchez is dragging Europe’s centre-left toward articulating a foreign policy grounded in international law, genuine multilateralism, and the understanding that the international order is rebuilt through principles consistently applied, not selectively invoked. What makes the S&D shift notable is that arguments long dismissed as too radical — when made by voices like Yanis Varoufakis — are now coming from governing parties.

  • chasteinsect@programming.devEnglish
    5·
    11 hours ago

    The EU’s Single Market is still large and wealthy enough that it routinely forces the US and China to adapt to its rules. That is a massive form of global influence.

    Also, multilateralism isn’t the EU trying to unilaterally enforce rules against the USA, China, Russia and so on. It’s the EU teaming up with other like-minded middle powers (like Japan, Canada, Australia, Brazil, etc.), and international institutions to create diplomatic and economic costs for rule-breakers. But if EU is inconsistent in this regard (like it was with US Iran situation) no one will take it seriously. Rules cannot apply only when it’s convenient to you. That is what the author was pointing out.

    But you’re not wrong. He’s approaching the issue from a Liberal Institutionalist perspective, while you’re viewing it through the lens of Structural Realism. Both valid perspectives. One point that both of you will agree on is that EU needs to get independent from the US ASAP.