I think we've pretty much established that the European Union is a funny place and the members who comprise it are a peculiar lot. Never more so than when something of the current nature - the United States instigates and is involved in kinetic action - goes down.
This time, that axiom is holding true in spectacular fashion, having seen one of the organization's leading lights flat-out tell the United States to chill out, and immediately cease and desist with all the badda-booming.
The outbreak of war between the United States, Israel, and Iran carries grave consequences for international peace and security.
— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) February 28, 2026
At this decisive moment, every measure is being taken to ensure the security of our national territory, our citizens,…
...The ongoing escalation is dangerous for all. It must stop. The Iranian regime must understand that it now has no other option but to engage in good faith in negotiations to end its nuclear and ballistic programs, as well as its regional destabilization activities. This is absolutely necessary for the security of all in the Middle East...
Basically, waving a surrender flag before the third bomb had dropped, and the French weren't even involved.
That's a preemptive strike if I've ever seen one. They have this down to a science.
The British weren't much better, from doing an MC Hammer 'Can't Touch This!' with pretty important strategic bases they let us use, like RAF Fairford, and the long-haul carrier at sea we share, Diego Garcia. Mewling milquetoast Prime Minister of England said, 'We'll have no part of any such peckish unpleasantness.'
The UK government's refusal under Prime Minister Keir Starmer to permit US access to RAF Fairford (and Diego Garcia) for strikes on Iran delivers a **severe blow** to USAF mission planners.
— Eyal Ofer אייל עופר (@Eyalo365) February 21, 2026
This forces B-1 Lancers (plus B-2 Spirits and B-52s) to rely solely on direct CONUS… pic.twitter.com/PUQm3ikmUi
Conversely, the looming skeletal creature posing as chancellor of Germany said, 'We're not worth a bucket of spit ourselves, but we'll do what we can.' I honestly did not have that on my bingo card, but that's pretty cool.
Good for German Chancellor Merz:
— AG (@AGHamilton29) March 1, 2026
“Now isn’t the moment to lecture our partners and allies.
Despite all doubts, we share many of their objectives, even if we ourselves aren’t capable of actually achieving them”
pic.twitter.com/umm2JzdJT6
Mark Rutte, Secretary General of NATO, laid it out baldly as ever. The man has no problem telling the Brussels Brahmins and wimpy Brit exactly what they don't want to hear but need to.
.@SecGenNATO Mark Rutte: "I really commend what is happening here. Taking out Khamenei... but also taking out the ballistic missile program in Iran... I spoke with all the key European leaders over the weekend. [There's] widespread support for the president's doing." pic.twitter.com/qHsNoSIpjK
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) March 2, 2026
It's kind of funny how the worms turn. First, when what they thought was going to be a disaster is a triumph, they'll rush to praise, as if they had secretly been for it...and a little part of it...all along.
They were just being coy about it. Sir Keir Starmer has that act down pat.
Human rights lawyer & part time Prime Minister Keir Starmer, talks about Iran.
— David Atherton (@DaveAtherton20) March 2, 2026
The snivelling coward refused permission to the Americans to take off from British bases. Got to think of the Muslim vote.
Now it appears America & Israel are winning he changes his tune. pic.twitter.com/HTKgSEhKxQ
His about-face on letting the US access Diego Garcia was a nice touch, and eventually, he caved on RAF Fairford, too.
Current events gave him a little nudge. The Iranian 'indiscriminate strikes' across the region that Starmer refers to included one that plopped itself down inside an RAF base on Cyprus.
Wasn't that a nasty surprise? Sadly, one for which the unprepared Starmer and miserably equipped British military had no answer.
Keir Starmer is a disgrace pic.twitter.com/IFddffFlDH
— Zia Yusuf (@ZiaYusufUK) March 3, 2026
Of all people, the French and the Greeks (!) rushed assets to protect the British base.
Greece is defending Cyprus, while @Keir_Starmer sits at home with his thumb up his ass. https://t.co/AtTzPcyFIj
— Harold__Finch (@HaroldWren22) March 3, 2026
Remember who used to rule the seas?
Greece to deploy multiple warships, fighters to Cyprus after Iranian attacks.
— OSINTtechnical (@Osinttechnical) March 2, 2026
Two Hellenic Navy frigates will be sent: one, the brand-new French-built FDI HN frigate HS Kimon (F-601). pic.twitter.com/aoiw7C57eG
It's not the days of Horatio Nelson anymore, that's for damn sure.
Keir Starmer humiliated as Macron rushes in French warships to defend BRITISH base
France will send anti-missile and anti-drone systems to Cyprus amid concerns about Britain's ability to defend its own bases from Iranian attacks. French President Emmanuel Macron ordered units including two frigates to the eastern Mediterranean after RAF Akrotiri was struck by a drone which pierced its air defences on Sunday night.
The Royal Navy has six Type 45 destroyers which are designed for air defence but Defence Minister Vernon Coaker confirmed in January that only three are operational. Reports suggest that currently only one of them, HMS Duncan, is at sea off the UK, with the other two tied up alongside in HMNB Portsmouth.
The other three are at various stages of lengthy engine upgrade work, with HMS Daring - the lead ship of the class - having been out of action for almost nine years.
President Trump was just in a press conference at the White House with Chancellor Merz, and he had a few choice words about PM Starmer.
WOOF
"It’s not Winston Churchill we are dealing with."
— Chris Rose (@ArchRose90) March 3, 2026
President Trump on Keir Starmer’s Chagos deal.
Brilliant line which sums up the spineless man in number 10 well. pic.twitter.com/dzfYyWVXSV
Merz looked as if he had a bad case of the squirmies. I don't know if it's because he's friends with Starmer or just so damn glad Trump's not after him.
Might be both.
The French are also stepping up elsewhere. Quelle surprise.
BREAKING:
— Visegrád 24 (@visegrad24) March 3, 2026
France announces its fighter jets have started flying combat missions over the UAE to shoot down Iranian drones
🇫🇷🇦🇪 pic.twitter.com/ZOFjzd4PQT
The Socialists in Spain, led by the eerie Newsom-clonish Pedro Sanchez, told the US to buzz off. They've let so many Muslims into the country in an attempt to stay in power that they don't dare let the US use bases for so much as a toilet break.
Besides. Socialists hate us anyway.
Spain’s Prime Minister, Pedro Sanchez, has barred the U.S. from using bases there to strike Iran. pic.twitter.com/VSWonYjl3a
— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) March 2, 2026
So we took our planes and left, proving Trump was right again.
Less than 40 days ago:
— St. James (@stjamestheright) March 3, 2026
Europe: “Why do you have to actually OWN Greenland when you know the Europeans are all on your side?”
Trump: “I’m not sure they will be there for us if we need them.”
Europe, including the UK and Spain: “Oh, that’s simply ridiculous.”
But what's been pretty cool is who's stepped up out of nowhere to volunteer. If you thought the Greeks pulling above their weight for the British was neat, the Portuguese telling the US, 'the door to the Azores is open' is just as cool.
Spaniards are wild with anger at Sanchez.
Portugal refuerza su alianza con Estados Unidos
— Acción y Comunicación sobre Oriente Medio - ACOM (@ACOM_es) March 3, 2026
Portugal acaba de autorizar oficialmente a EE. UU. a utilizar la base estratégica situada en las Azores para el conflicto con Irán.
Nos alegramos muchísimo por los portugueses, país hermano. Pero, como españoles, es imposible dejar… pic.twitter.com/X8spXmdcec
Portugal Strengthens Its Alliance with the United States Portugal has just officially authorized the United States to use the strategic base located in the Azores for the conflict with Iran. We are absolutely delighted for the Portuguese, our brother nation. But, as Spaniards, it is impossible not to point out the monumental strategic error of @sanchezcastejon, who, due to his ties to Islamism, has sacrificed a key ally. The countries in our region, logically, will seize every opportunity, every breach that the traitor makes in international diplomacy to advance their strategic positions.
I mean, ZOMG, BRUTAL.
🇪🇸 Santiago Abascal: "The Iranian regime and the Venezuelan one have been behind the financing of the far left in Spain over the last 15 years; that's why Pedro Sánchez is the ayatollahs' best friend in Europe and Maduro's best friend."pic.twitter.com/JL3Ahsdauk
— Azat (@AzatAlsalim) March 2, 2026
You know who else is mad about it? Trump. Ho, boy.
WHO NEEDS THEM?
BREAKING:
— Visegrád 24 (@visegrad24) March 3, 2026
Trump stated that the U.S. is cutting off trade with Spain over the decision by Sánchez’s far-left government to ban the use of Spanish military bases for strikes on Iran.
"So we're going to cut off all trade with Spain. We don't want anything to do with Spain."
🇪🇸🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/pEJTVQpkG8
Meanwhile, the Portuguese are happy as clams to rub their participation in Spanish snoots as the warplanes that flooded the island on their way to the Middle East are officially welcome visitors.
Buckle up..US flooding Portugal with warbirds
— Fahad Naim (@Fahadnaimb) February 21, 2026
Azores Lajes just got slammed with 11 KC-46s, 12 F-16s, C-17, C-5M, 400 troops on Feb 18-19..biggest ever. Middle East bound amid Iran buzz. Official line is logistics boost, but c'mon. History says otherwisepic.twitter.com/dd8fQpCsYd
WE ARE YOUR ATLANTIC PARTNER
Portugal tells Trump, we are your Atlantic partner. Use our bases. https://t.co/pb8Cs1ORen
— Lusi 🏴☠️ (@S1CT) March 3, 2026
The Government of Portugal has ratified its status as a strategic ally of President Donald Trump's administration by authorizing the use of the Lajes air base for defense and military response operations. The Portuguese Foreign Minister, Paulo Rangel, emphasized that
There's nothing like the rubber hitting the road to force an abrupt, unplanned realignment and then get to watch it in real-time.
It's pretty enlightening, as it also reveals fractures within Europe itself.
What's interesting is that Portugal elected a 'moderate' Socialist as president in February, BUT - and this must be a pretty big one - the far-right took a record share of the vote count. The presidency there is mostly a ceremonial position with a few designated powers, like dissolving the parliament, but this US-friendly move might also signal a very un-Socialist pragmatism when it comes to good relations and the benefits that accompany them. The folks in the Azores very much appreciate the US base there and the dollars that flow from it.
Why ruin a good thing?
If anyone looks the worst coming out of the first four days of combat operations across the continent, it would be Starmer. I don't think I'm the only one who believes the harm he's done to the UK-US relationship is irreparable as long as he is the Prime Minister.
'As long as' might not be that much longer.
How pathetic that Greece and Portugal were making the big moves when the big British guy couldn't or wouldn't move at all.
There's no putting lipstick back on this pig,
