Europe Sick and Tired of Its ‘Toadying Role’ Vis-à-vis US: Analyst

TEHRAN (Tasnim) – An American political commentator said Europe is sick and tired of its “toadying role” in the face of Washington, noting that this is mainly because the US is “losing its hegemonic grip”.

“…It is becoming clear that the US is losing its hegemonic grip, and the countries that ignore its arrogant bleating might wind up better off. This is what is happening throughout Africa and Asia with respect to China, and I think Europe is getting sick of its toadying role vis a vis the US. They are losing too many opportunities,” Daniel Patrick Welch, from Boston, told Tasnim.

Daniel Patrick Welch is a writer of political commentary and analysis. An outspoken critic of US foreign policy, he lives in the city of Salem with his wife Julia. Together they run The Greenhouse School (http://www.greenhouseschool.org). He has traveled widely, speaks five languages and studied Russian History and Literature at Harvard University.

Following is the full text of the interview:

Tasnim: US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced recently that Washington would jointly host a global summit focused on Iran and the Middle East in Warsaw. However, US officials later backed off and said the summit will not focus on Iran. What is your take on the move by the US administration? 

Welch: I think the idea that the US floated, MESA--the so-called "Arab NATO"-- was something of a dud. Plus, the US and Poland are very keen on punishing Iran, but the rest of Europe is basically sick of the sanctions and looking more toward normalization of business relations with Iran. The sanctions are costing a lot of people money, not just the IRI.

Tasnim: The European parties to the 2015 nuclear deal have finalized a much-awaited transactions channel with Iran aimed at protecting trade ties with Tehran against American sanctions, German media say. Do you believe that European nations can continue resisting Washington’s pressure campaign?

Welch: I think they had better do if they know what is good for them. As we have seen with Venezuela, European former imperial powers are quick to close ranks with the US no matter how immoral or destructive its policy blunder. If they can't find the spine to push back against a clumsy and outright coup d'état, it's hard to see them following through with this. But there are powerful forces that need to restart trade with Iran, so it has a better than average chance.

Moreover, itis becoming clear that the US is losing its hegemonic grip, and the countries that ignore its arrogant bleating might wind up better off.This is what is happening throughout Africa and Asia with respect to China, and I think Europe is getting sick of its toadying role vis avis the US. They are losing too many opportunities.

Tasnim: What might the future hold for Iran-EU ties as well as the 2015 nuclear deal between Tehran and world powers?

Welch: Again, I think there is a disconnect between current bullying and the sweep of history in the longer run. The US still holds enormous power,not only with its invasive military penetration in virtually every country on the planet but also the size of its economy and solid (but slipping) control over the dollar as a reserve currency for trade. But the writing is on the wall, and the more astute can not only see but*act* on the reality of a declining empire.

US empire no longer commands as it once did; its demise, though not imminent, is much more likely to be precipitous than gradual. In this sense, Iran's increasing cooperation with China, Russia etc. is the future. It is to be hoped that the US doesn't take out too many people on its way down.