Europe Must Defend the Gulf

Europe should consider directly aiding Gulf states to protect shipping and deter Iranian escalation, because relying on a fractious U.S. (and a presidency that may use success for political revenge) risks European marginalization and exposure to attack. Acting would be a costly but strategic choice to preserve Europe’s security interests, energy flows, and alliance credibility. — If Europe takes on a forward security role in the Gulf, it would reshape NATO burden‑sharing, energy diplomacy, and European domestic politics.