Iran and the crisis in the European mind
Joshua Treviño
The politics of the Iranian war feature an observable gap between interest and action for nearly all parties. The Americans possessed overwhelming casus belli versus Iran for nearly half a century, and did not act upon it until three weeks past. The Iranians possessed none against America for just as long, but exerted themselves with religious fanaticism to bring this war upon themselves. The Arab autocracies of the Persian-Gulf region find themselves under direct attack from the Iranians, but do not respond in kind. The Chinese observe a core strategic proxy and key commodities supplier taken off the chessboard – for the second time in under 90 days – and refrain from direct engagement. The Russians watch a literal ally come under attack from their own signal rival, and do nothing except, perhaps, share targeting data.
Only the Israelis, it seems, have a consistent record of perception and response to events, in the light of their own interests, throughout.
_
Zohran struggles with the Irish question
By Cockburn
_
Decapitating Iran’s leadership might not topple the mullahs
By Jawad Iqbal
_
Cockburn’s Diary is now on Substack
Your favorite twice-weekly gossip column has a new home
By Cockburn
_
View this message in a
web browser
To stop receiving this newsletter, you can
The Spectator, 137 Montague St #300 Brooklyn, NY 11201 USA
Copyright © 2026 The Spectator (1828) Ltd. All rights reserved.
