Reference News Network, March 18 report: The U.S. "New York Times" website published an article on March 15 with the title "Middle East Conflict Tests European Military Strength, How Will It Go?," authored by Lara Jakes and Catherine Porter. The translation is as follows:

Although they refused to participate in the attack on Iran, European leaders still responded to the expanding conflict in the Middle East, dispatching warships, fighter jets, and air defense systems to protect their bases and allies in the region.

However, officials and analysts say that this display of military power - one of the most extensive military mobilizations on the European continent in recent years - also exposed shortcomings in Europe's military capabilities.

This mobilization can be seen as the first major test of Europe's military capacity since President Donald Trump pressured European leaders to take more responsibility for their own defense. Experts say so far, the performance of European countries in this military operation shows that after relying on American military power for 80 years, Europe's military modernization and recruitment efforts are still in their early stages.

United Kingdom

At the beginning of March, after an Iranian drone attacked a British airbase in Cyprus, Prime Minister Keir Starmer promised to deploy a destroyer to the eastern Mediterranean to reassure its ally Cyprus. He also sent four missile-carrying fighter jets, four helicopters, and anti-drone systems to protect the bases of Gulf states from Iranian attacks, and allowed U.S. bombers to take off from British bases to conduct defensive strikes against Iran.

Although this move was intended to demonstrate strength, it also highlighted the reduction in Britain's military resources. The destroyer set sail for Cyprus more than a week after the attack, raising doubts about Britain's readiness. A recent analysis by the Royal United Services Institute found that compared to the overall effort by the U.S. and Israel to dismantle Iran's counterattack, Britain's contribution to the Middle Eastern air defense system was merely "a drop in the bucket."

The analysis pointed out that Britain's armed forces have been so weakened that "the actual situation of the military will limit Britain's practical means of dealing with war."

France

France has deployed about 12 warships to the Mediterranean and the Persian Gulf, including its only nuclear-powered aircraft carrier. According to Vincent Grouazel, editor of the French trade magazine "Marine et Maritime," this fleet accounts for about 60% of France's active combat ships. The aim of this deployment is: to protect French citizens in the region, defend allies including Cyprus, and ensure that ships can safely pass through the Strait of Hormuz - a critical passage for about one-fifth of global oil supplies.

Some analysts point out that this deployment forced France to withdraw from a NATO official's described military demonstration in the Baltic Sea to deter Russia.

Others said that France's deployment showed its Arab allies, Europe, and the U.S. that the country is a reliable ally, and the speed of the military deployment left Britain in the shade.

Grouazel said in an interview that this deployment sent a signal to Russia and the U.S.: Europe "is not weak."

Eliyahu Tannenbaum, a security expert at the Institute of International Relations in France, said that the benefits of deploying to the Gulf outweighed the cost of temporarily leaving the Russian waters.

Italy

Italy joined the ranks of European navies including the UK, France, Spain, and the Netherlands, deploying a missile frigate to protect Cyprus. It also agreed to provide various air defense weapon systems to help defend Gulf allies.

However, when trying to prove its value to Arab partners, Italy may expose Europe to threats from Russia. This also puts great pressure on the already struggling defense industry.

Roberto Cingolani, CEO of Italian defense contractor Leonardo, said that major defense contractors are doing their best to keep up with demand. He said, "To be honest, the frequency of conflicts is even faster than our ability to increase production capacity."

Several officials said over the past week that European officials are increasingly concerned that the Middle East conflict has caused serious shortages in the supply of air defense systems capable of intercepting drones and other munitions globally. They worry that Europe's allies in the Gulf are rapidly consuming such interception missiles, and measures to increase the shipment of interception missiles to the region may further reduce the missile supply for Ukraine to defend against Russian attacks.

Poland's Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski said his country would not contribute to the military buildup in the Middle East by Europe because "there is already a war at our border." (Translated by Wang Qun)

Original: toutiao.com/article/7618471551071011328/

Statement: The article represents the views of the author.