War in Iran, war in Ukraine: Europe must act where it counts

Key Points:

• The Iranian-Russian Shahed drone, dubbed the "flying balalaika" or "death moped with wings," has been used extensively by Iran and Russia, causing significant casualties including the killing of six US soldiers in Kuwait and widespread attacks in Ukraine and the Middle East.
• Iran produces about 10,000 Shahed drones monthly, with Russia increasing production to an estimated 12,000 per month since licensing the technology, highlighting the scale and industrialization of these drone attacks.
• The conflict involving these drones links Iran to Russia's war in Ukraine, illustrating how unpunished aggression spreads and complicates European security, with Europe facing challenges in both the Middle East and Eastern Europe.
• European and US responses have been inconsistent, with ongoing debates over military support for Ukraine, sanctions on Russia, and handling of the Middle East crisis, while Ukrainian experts assist Gulf allies and the US eases sanctions on Russia to stabilize energy markets.
• The article argues that Europe must prioritize decisive support for Ukraine to prevent further Russian aggression, emphasizing that strength and effective action come from commitment rather than hesitation, and warns against spreading resources too thinly on less winnable conflicts like Iran.