"Denmark and other allies had come to the aid of the United States after the September 11 attacks, sending soldiers to fight in the American-led war in Afghanistan; these same countries, officials and experts hypothesized, might be less inclined to help in the future. But the possibility that the United States would actually require European assistance, especially in the Middle East, appeared faint."
"Despite his earlier claims that the American military had already vanquished Iran and didn't need partners to join the fight, Trump is now actively soliciting the help of other countries to reopen shipping lanes. And, sure enough, allies that once might have been eager to assist the United States in an area of mutual concern are reacting with, at best, a shrug-and in some cases with outright contempt."
"As oil prices spike, Trump has called on a wide range of countries to assist in reopening the Strait of Hormuz, normally the passageway for a fifth of global oil output. Among the objects of his entreaties are China, Japan, South Korea, and Australia. 'I'm demanding that these countries come in and protect their own territory, because it is their territory,' Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One."
President Trump's decision to wage war against Iran has damaged U.S. relationships with traditional allies, particularly NATO members. Two months prior, Trump threatened to annex Greenland, prompting European officials to warn of lasting harm to post-World War II alliances. Despite earlier promises to curtail military involvement and focus on Western Hemisphere interests, Trump now actively seeks international assistance to reopen shipping lanes through the Strait of Hormuz following Iranian actions. European allies, previously willing to support American military efforts after 9/11, now respond with indifference or contempt. Trump is demanding that countries including China, Japan, South Korea, Australia, France, and Britain protect their own interests in the region, creating friction with traditional partners.
Read at The Atlantic
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