Does Europe still have a partner, a big brother across the water? One which can be a scold, a nag, an annoyance, a puzzle — but which has always been there for it? A partner that is also a protector, with a military and security network of unrivaled power and reach? Is the United States still that partner?
That's been the question of anxious, angry commentators all over Europe since U.S. President Donald Trump announced last week that he would cease to support the nuclear agreement with Iran signed by China, the European Union, France, Germany, Russia and the United Kingdom as well as the U.S.
Edward Luce in the Financial Times put it bluntly: "History may recall it as the day the U.S. abandoned its belief in allies. ... For the first time in decades, the U.S. is acting without a European partner." France's Le Monde says that Trump is obsessed with undoing everything achieved by his predecessor and that Trump's "absurd" decision will have a "devastating effect" on the Middle East.
With your current subscription plan you can comment on stories. However, before writing your first comment, please create a display name in the Profile section of your subscriber account page.