As Trump blows up the Mideast, regional leaders look to Europe — SkimNews
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- E4+R4 held talks in Istanbul on October 23rd to preserve a two-state solution, end the U.S.-Iran conflict, reopen the Strait of Hormuz, and defend Saudi Arabia from Houthi attacks.
- Iran hosted security chiefs from Pakistan, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia in Tehran to avert renewed fighting, gaining diplomatic leverage as the U.S. enforces a full blockade.
- Trump said 'anything’s possible' regarding a new Iran attack after the midterms, fueling regional fears and prompting diplomatic efforts to contain escalation.
- Houthis have damaged Saudi infrastructure and Red Sea shipping, demonstrating their reach and raising stakes for a broader conflict involving Iran and two critical waterways.
- E4 and R4 aim to use combined economic influence to pressure China into securing the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and slowing Iran’s military supply chains from China and Russia.
- Regional powers activated the Mecca Defence Alliance in response to Houthi offensives, signaling a shift toward self-reliance in Middle Eastern security amid eroding trust in U.S. protection.
Why it matters: Middle Eastern and European states are acting without the U.S. because Trump’s unpredictability has undermined confidence in American security guarantees, making regional diplomacy both urgent and fragile. The E4+R4’s combined economic and military weight offers a rare counterbalance to superpower-driven escalation, but success depends on aligning interests across diverse actors.
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