Top E.U. Diplomat on Middle East Conflict: ‘This Is Not Europe’s War’

Breitbart ^

[Tench_Coxe]

The European Union’s top diplomat, Kaja Kallas, said during a Monday press conference the ongoing war in Iran is “not Europe’s war,” but noted Europe’s interests are “directly at stake” as the conflict widens.

“This is not Europe’s war, but Europe’s interests are directly at stake. As this war expands, the EU’s priority remains the protection of our citizens,” Kallas told reporters after a meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council (FAC) in Brussels.

(snip)

Asked by reporters on Monday on Trump’s remarks and if she thinks that the war in Iran is going to be more linked to Ukraine and NATO, Kallas said, “all these security theaters are very much interlinked when it comes to the capabilities that are needed in Ukraine or in the Middle East, when it comes to also our attention.”

“That is very, very clear,” she emphasized. “And the actors or our adversaries are also using this. So, this is very, very clear. Now, it is in our interest to keep the Strait of Hormuz open and that is why we are also discussing what we can do in this regard, from the European side.”

[AnotherUnixGeek]

“Not Europe’s war” - and Ukraine is not our war. When do we finally, at long last, withdraw from NATO?

[rktman]

Apparently not Joe Kent either.

[nathanbedford]

I suspect most Europeans are well aware that Russia remains a nuclear superpower that has made clear its readiness to use its bombs. Yes, Russia has been exposed as a corrupt and pathetic conventional armed force but the problem, in the absence of a serious nuclear deterrence now that the United States has virtually withdrawn our umbrella (I'm assuming that France and England are not sufficiently robust enough to deter Russia-or at least equipped enough to convince Europe that they can deter Russia), is that Russia is free to attack exposed small European states, for example the Baltic nations, knowing Russia is invulnerable because Russia possesses the power of nuclear intimidation. Russia can attack and divide Europe with impunity, even in a weakened conventional state.

We have managed to invert the geopolitical/nuclear balance in Europe and leave Russia free to do mischief either now when it is relatively weak or in a couple of years when it regains its strength. Meanwhile, Russia will divide vulnerable European nations who need cheap Russian oil and gas (see the program of AFD in Deutschland).

We have ignited nuclear proliferation among the nations of Europe, no doubt in the Middle East in its turn. We in effect invited the European nations to cut individual deals with China, which they are now attempting to do. Why should they not?

So we have squandered the goodwill, the alliances, the riches of 500 million Europeans for what? The most I can determine that we have gained from our hubris is a misplaced and unbecoming sense of superiority derived from bullying former allies.

We have only begun at the Straits of Hormuz to pay the price for this foolishness.

[G Larry]

Crushing Israel’s biggest enemy is upsetting many!

[wildcard_redneck]

I guess the Europeans need to start paying a toll at the Straight of Hormuz that goes directly to the US treasury.

[Tench_Coxe]

"Are we now to be surprised that the Europeans have reacted from a long-nurtured resentment inflicted upon them since our president broke ranks with them and gratuitously insulted them?"

He refused us dumping more money into a black hole where it is suspected millions have been siphoned off. And Europe was trying to get the US in the middle of that war to fight for whatever their aims are.

And one other thing: your posting history suggests that Trump is not 'your' president, and I get the distinct impression the USA is not 'your country' either.

[DownInFlames]

Close it to everyone. China will be screaming.

[DownInFlames]

Just checked the maritime tracker. Strait is still closed. Nothing is moving. No one trusts Iran.

[bigbob]

Not Europes oil either

[Cobra64]

Someone should tell these assholes that it sure as hell isn’t America’s war. We saved the European continent from speaking German and this is the thanks we get? Trump needs to turn off the $spigot to NATO.

[Cobra64]

Yup. Where is the 50s “What Me Worry?” cartoon?

[Opinionated Blowhard]

Just remember this line - to the victor goes the spoils. Once the war is over and the US has occupied Kharg Island and is determining where its oil goes, it ain’t gonna be going to Europe without a hefty fee tacked onto it.

[Parmy]

My thoughts exactly. They can buy the oil at a premium to pay for the expense of making sure they have oil. That would be a win as far as I am concerned.

[Verginius Rufus]

Yes, why should they care if Iran gets nukes? The Iranians will only use them against Israel or the US, not against European cities (because they are too full of Muslims).

[ETCM]

Syria, Iraq, and the middle east were your pipeline wars.

Europe didn't start any of those wars. It was the USA (Bush and Bush Jr) that led the both Iraq wars. It was the US (Obama/H. Clinton) that stirred the pot to encourage the Arab Spring in North Africa, bringing civil war to Libya, Egypt, Tunisia and Yemen, driving hordes of North African refugees into Europe. It was the US (Obama/Petraeus) that led Operation Timber Sycamore to destabilized Syria with the goal of building a pipeline from Qatar to Turkey, resulting in civil war, hundreds of thousands dead and millions of refugees into Europe. And now it's the US and Israel leading the war against Iran. And one of the effects of this war is the loss of oil and gas supplies to Europe. America's actions in the Middle East and North Africa over the past 3 decades have been a disaster for Europe.

I have argued here that Epic Fury is justified. In addition to their pursuit of nuclear weapons and core policy of "Death to America", Iran has had a hand in killing thousands of Americans and been a destabilizing force throughout the Middle East. Iran has for over 4 decades held key trade routes hostage by threatening the Strait of Hormuz and more recently the Strait of Mandab (via their Houthi proxy). Clearly, Europe needs these trade routes more than the USA, and Europe should play a major part in keeping them free. They chose to do that by maintaining a neutral posture toward Iran. As when they sat out Operation Prosperity Guardian and Operation Rough Rider to open the Strait of Mandab, Europe has calculated that one way or another, the strait will be open in a few weeks with no action by them. Though it may take a little longer, they are probably correct.

[Alberta's Child]

I suspect most Europeans are well aware that Russia remains a nuclear superpower that has made clear its readiness to use its bombs.

Really? That's news to me.

To this date, the United States of America is the only nation in the history of mankind to use nuclear arms in warfare.

For the life of me, I can't imagine what exactly Russia would need from Europe -- other than the right to be left alone, perhaps -- that would warrant any kind of military action on their part.

We have ignited nuclear proliferation among the nations of Europe, no doubt in the Middle East in its turn.

We might as well get used to it. Any national leader in the world today would have to be retarded if he isn't pursuing a nuclear arms program. It's really the only thing that will effectively keep adversaries -- now and in the future -- at bay.

[SaxxonWoods]

It’s hard to make war using a military that can’t even parade on some of its own streets.

[citizen]

OK, Europe must not need oil & gas.

So, let their windmills and solar panels suffice.

[jmaroneps37]

When your Muslim invaders feel they are ready to physically take control of Europe we can say: ‘This Is Not America’s War.’

[frank ballenger]

in their interests, but aren't willing to do anything

When asked if he thought our Civil War was worth it, Napoleon Hill replied: "For one thing only. If we weren't around to help Britain when threatened by Germany in WWII, it would have fallen."