Power Without Command: The Iran War and the Limits of American Primacy |
Power Without Command: The Iran War and the Limits of American Primacy
For decades, American dominance rested on a simple reality: when Washington moved, others followed. That era is ending.
A Coalition That Never Came
The clearest sign of shifting global power is not what the United States is doing, but who is not joining it. From the outset of the Iran crisis, Washington has struggled to assemble even a minimal coalition among its European allies. Germany’s response was blunt. Officials emphasized that the conflict was “not our war,” signaling a refusal to participate in military operations. This sentiment was echoed across Europe, where governments have shown little appetite for escalation. Spain went even further, reportedly rejecting U.S. requests to use its military bases and publicly opposing the war, calling it a “serious mistake.”
The reluctance is not isolated. According to reports, multiple NATO allies declined to join US-led operations, prompting President Donald Trump to criticize them as “cowards.” Such language is extraordinary—not because of its tone, but because of what it reveals: the United States is no longer able to command automatic, or committed, alignment from its closest partners. Even traditionally reliable allies have hedged. The United Kingdom has avoided full military commitment, emphasizing restraint and limiting its involvement. European governments more broadly have insisted on de-escalation and diplomacy, resisting calls for direct participation in the conflict.
This is not a temporary disagreement. It........