Na de illegale Amerikaans-Israëlische aanval op Iran keken Europese landen massaal weg. In andere gevallen hameren die landen juist op het belang van ‘territoriale integriteit’ en ‘soevereiniteit’. Een dubbele standaard die het internationaal recht bedreigt.
Ik vind dit artikel spot-on. Het is al jaren gaande, maar met de escalerende acties van Trump des te duidelijker dat Europese landen debet hebben aan het ondermijnen van het internationaal recht. In plaats van toe te kijken en zeggen, tsja dat was het internationaal recht, zouden Europese landen het moeten verdedigen.
I’m not sure I agree. Let me explain.
One one hand, when I moved to Europe many years ago, I had one of the criteria for choosing a country as “a country that spends the least on military”. It resonated with my values, and it was important.
Things have changed since then. Many countries are now obstaining from full-on support of Ukraine, and why? Because they’re afraid to displease Putin with his nuclear arsenal.
So, as of now, do we want peace? Yes. And this is great. Sadly, we need to wake up from the pleasant days and grow some teeth if we want to continue living in peace. Russia is conducting information war, sabotage, spying and assassinations in Europe already. The war is here already. A switch of mindset is required where you want peace but you’re ready to defend it with weapons and even deaths of your own citizens such as you and me - if you want it to last. ~“A tolerant society should not tolerate the intolerant”.
This has nothing to do with military spending. I agree with your notion.
This has to do with the response of European countries towards different conflicts. Most European countries preach to respect international law when it favours them, while at other times they look away (Ukraine), often not to step on Trumps toes (Venezuela, Palestinian territories, Iran). You’re not a defender of inter’l law when you’re not consequent in applying/defending it.
All these conflicts are initiated illegally, however Europe (generally) has only responded with disgust when Russia attacked Ukraine (and, if you think about it, way too late (remember Georgia, Crimea, Eastern Ukraine)).
