Live from Delphi: Europe breaks with the US over the war in Iran

This special episode of The Foreign Desk, recorded live at the Delphi Economic Forum in Greece, examines the geopolitical fallout of the United States' military campaign in the Persian Gulf—Operation Epic Fury—amid escalating tensions between the U.S., Israel, and Iran. Through interviews with key figures including Khubad Talabani, Deputy Prime Minister of the Kurdish Regional Government in Iraq, Leslie Vindjamouri of the Chicago Council on Global Affairs, and Estonian President Alarcaris, the episode reveals a deepening rift between Washington and its European allies. Talabani recounts how the U.S. launched the operation without consulting Kurdish leaders, despite their long-standing alliance, and describes the Kurds’ efforts to remain neutral amid crossfire. Vindjamouri and James M. Lindsay critique the U.S. strategy as lacking moral authority and coherent grand design, arguing that President Trump’s worldview—centered on power over law and alliances—has eroded trust among allies. Meanwhile, Estonia’s president warns of growing complacency in Western Europe, emphasizing that the Baltic states remain on high alert despite the shifting global focus to the Middle East. The episode underscores a broader crisis in the post–Cold War international order, as America’s unilateralism pushes allies to reconsider their commitments and seek strategic hedging. The central takeaway is that the U.S. is increasingly isolated in its approach to global security, with Europe retreating from military involvement until hostilities end—effectively rendering its promises of support conditional. The Kurds, caught between superpowers, are advocating for a diplomatic role as a bridge between East and West. The episode concludes with a sobering reflection on the fragility of alliances and the long-term consequences of abandoning the rules-based international system. As one guest notes, the world may be entering an era of 'hedging' rather than solidarity, where nations must prepare for unpredictability even as they seek stability.