SouthernWorldwide.com – Former advisor to Margaret Thatcher, Nile Gardiner, has stated that former President Donald Trump has “every right to be outraged” by the perceived betrayal from European allies regarding the conflict with Iran.
Gardiner, director of the Margaret Thatcher Center for Freedom at The Heritage Foundation, elaborated on Trump’s strong reactions to the lack of support from key European nations during and after the Iran war.
Trump has made it clear that this lack of cooperation comes with consequences, not just in words but through concrete actions against several European countries.
This sentiment was underscored when Trump announced a significant withdrawal of U.S. troops from Germany. The Pentagon initially stated that more than 5,000 troops would be removed.
This decision followed remarks by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who had reportedly denigrated the American effort to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.
Just a day prior to the troop withdrawal announcement, Trump had indicated a substantial reduction, stating, “We’re gonna cut way down. We’re cutting a lot further than 5,000.”
The Trump administration had previously announced a reduction of 5,000 troops in Germany. This move was a direct response to Chancellor Merz’s comments suggesting that Iran’s regime had “humiliated” Trump.
In what appeared to be a swift backtrack, Merz issued a statement on X on Sunday, emphasizing the crucial role of the United States. “The United States is and will remain Germany‘s most important partner in the North Atlantic Alliance. We share a common goal: Iran must not be allowed to acquire nuclear weapons.”
Trump’s decision to increase troop reductions in Germany came amidst his broader criticism of Spain and Italy for their failure to assist the U.S. in the war against Iran. His frustration with Western European countries has been mounting for weeks.
This growing anger from Trump could lead to significant shifts within the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).
Nile Gardiner described the lack of support from these allies as “nothing less than treacherous.” He firmly believes that Trump’s outrage is justified given the circumstances.
Gardiner pointed to a deeply ingrained “cultural appeasement” in Europe towards the Iranian regime, which he stated has persisted for many decades. He also noted a “flat-out refusal to accept the reality of the immense dangers of a nuclear-armed Iran.”
According to Gardiner, European leaders are “sleepwalking toward destruction with this perilous path they have taken.”
He further argued that Europe’s lack of support for the United States signifies a loss of its moral compass. Gardiner characterized Iran as a “genocidal regime that threatens to wipe Israel off the map,” highlighting its internal human rights abuses.
Gardiner, who served as an advisor to the late British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, observed that European leaders often portray the U.S. as the antagonist in this situation.
Chancellor Merz, speaking in Marsberg the previous week, had criticized the U.S. approach to Iran. He stated that Washington was being “humiliated by the Iranian leadership” and expressed a desire for the conflict to conclude swiftly.
Gardiner condemned Merz’s remarks, asserting that they bolster the propaganda of the Iranian dictatorship. He found it “astonishing” that a German chancellor would make such comments during a war, suggesting it provided “comfort to the Iranian regime” and calling it “disgusting.”
Attempts by Fox News Digital to obtain comments from Merz’s spokesman, Stefan Kornelius, were unsuccessful.
Prior to his announcement regarding German troop withdrawals, Trump addressed questions about reducing U.S. troops in Spain and Italy. He stated, “I mean, they haven’t been exactly on board. Yeah, probably. Yeah, I probably will… Italy has not been of any help to us. And Spain has been horrible. Absolutely horrible.”
Spain’s socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has adopted a confrontational stance towards the U.S. and Israeli military actions against the Iranian regime. He notably forbade the U.S. from utilizing its military bases in Spain for refueling aircraft or preparing for military operations.
Sánchez has characterized the campaign as illegal, while remaining silent on the Iranian regime’s actions, including the killing of protesters and its pursuit of ballistic missiles and nuclear weapons-grade enriched uranium.
Gardiner singled out Spain, calling their actions “the worst by a long way.” He contrasted this with Germany and Italy, which at least allowed the use of their own bases, while Spain refused any cooperation with the war effort.
Regarding Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Trump expressed his disappointment in an interview with the Italian daily Corriere della Sera last month. He stated, “I’m shocked at her. I thought she had courage, but I was wrong.”
The Europe expert, Gardiner, perceives a significant divergence in how Western European countries and the United States view fundamental principles such as the preservation of Western civilization, freedom, democracy, and liberty.
“Europe has lost both its ability and its will to fight,” Gardiner asserted. He believes that the United States is “clearly willing to fight to defend Western civilization and the free world.”
He contended that much of Europe, particularly Western Europe, has “given up on this.” This, he explained, is a result of an “appeasement mindset cojoined with weakness and pacifism and also a growing acceptance by European leaders of mass migration and Islamification.”
Gardiner further observed that Europe has “fundamentally changed over the last 20 years beyond recognition.” He noted that Europe’s ruling elites appear to accept these changes as inevitable, with only a few exceptions.
In March, Trump had also criticized the United Kingdom and France for their positions on the war against Iran.
On Truth Social, Trump wrote that “The Country of France wouldn’t let planes headed to Israel, loaded up with military supplies, fly over French territory.”
He added that “France has been VERY UNHELPFUL with respect to the ‘Butcher of Iran,’ who has been successfully eliminated! The U.S.A. will REMEMBER!!!”
Trump also addressed countries struggling to obtain jet fuel due to the Strait of Hormuz, including the United Kingdom, which he noted refused to participate in the operation against Iran.
He offered a suggestion: “Number 1, buy from the U.S., we have plenty, and Number 2, build up some delayed courage, go to the Strait, and just TAKE IT.”
Trump urged these nations to “start learning how to fight for yourself, the U.S.A. won’t be there to help you anymore, just like you weren’t there for us. Iran has been, essentially, decimated. The hard part is done. Go get your own oil!”
Gardiner concluded that the crisis surrounding the Iran war demonstrates Europe’s surrender. He stated that the major Western European nations have embraced “defeatism” and “they do not care.”
Read more : What Israel seeks in an Iran peace deal: No enrichment, missile curbs, and strict enforcement
He warned that “future generations will have to pay the price for the course Europe is taking now.”
