The war in Gaza has starkly exposed deep EU divisions – and impotence – when it comes to influencing the worst conflicts in the Middle East.
Yet, the US and the Arab states will expect Europe to help pay for the mess left by the war. “We are payers, not players,” mused one EU diplomat.
The initial response from Brussels has been one of cautious welcome to the news of the ceasefire.
However, if it holds, member states will undoubtedly grasp the chance to put an extremely painful episode behind them, and – when it comes to a longer-term peace – to try to somehow shape outcomes.
Describing the past 15 months as an “unjustifiable ordeal”, French president…