Europe has found itself pulled into another war, scrambling to protect its eastern outpost at a moment of weakness.
Soon after the U.S. and Israel attacked Iran on the weekend, the continent’s leaders called for deescalation. But as the conflict widens and threatens Cyprus, it’s proving difficult to avoid staying out of it when Europe’s resources are already stretched because of Ukraine.
A British air base on the Mediterranean island was struck by a drone strike late Sunday, marking the first — and so far only — attack on European territory. While U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer stressed that bases in Cyprus were not being used by U.S. bombers, two more drones headed in their direction were intercepted, according to the Cypriot government.