Donald Trump’s decision to pull back from the brink with Iran has triggered a collective sigh of relief.
Oil prices plunged and markets rallied after the announcement of a two-week ceasefire and talks to resolve the war’s many outstanding issues. The critical Strait of Hormuz is to reopen to energy supplies — albeit via coordination with Iran.
Amid all the uncertainty, one tangible reality stands out: For most American allies, the events of the past six weeks have severely strained their relationship with Washington.
Shut out from whatever war planning there was, not one country — let alone NATO as a bloc — directly joined the US-Israeli military campaign. Even those with the most justification to get involved — namely the Persian Gulf countries under daily attack by Iranian missiles — resisted.
Many, like Japan, instead looked to pursue a separate diplomatic track, particularly on opening Hormuz.
The UK chaired a meeting of some 35 nations to discuss ways to persuade Iran to allow access for at least some ships. The US was conspicuous by its absence.
The United Arab Emirates appealed to the UN to authorize measures to open the strait by any means necessary. Again, the US was not involved.
French President Emmanuel Macron said the quiet part out loud by calling on medium-sized powers to stand up to Trump, citing US “unpredictability.”
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer is now touting his defiance of Trump as a domestic strength.
NATO chief Mark Rutte is under fire from alliance members for shrugging off Trump’s insults and backing the Iran war.
More than 5,000 people have died in this conflict, mostly in Iran and in Lebanon, where Israel’s parallel war against Tehran-backed Hezbollah is ongoing.
For now, the US president’s apocalyptic threats to wipe out Iranian civilization appear to be on hold.
The damage to America’s international standing is likely to be more lasting. — John Bowker