Steven Everts interviewed by France 24

Discussing the war in the Middle East on France 24, our Director Steven Everts remarked that the conflict is overwhelmingly detrimental to regional stability and energy security, while also serving as a diversion and a "giant gift" to Putin. "Some US sanctions on Russian oil have been temporarily lifted, and air defence assets are being redirected from Ukraine, where they are most needed," he said, stressing Europe's strong interest in helping bring the war to an end as soon as possible.

What could draw Europe further into this war? Steven noted that there is a potential risk when individual European countries move military assets closer to the region, perhaps in efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and ensure freedom of navigation, which is a European interest. Such actions could become entangled with the conduct of war, and be perceived as participation in a kind of subcontracting role in the offensive set of operations. According to Steven, however, European leaders appear alert to this risk and aware of the need to avoid it very carefully.