Russia and Israel have given Europe a lesson it cannot ignore

Both Vladimir Putin and Benjamin Netanyahu have proven adept at manipulating Trump, and this is the latest sign they know he will not act, writes Edward Burke

British defence secretary John Healey speaks during the meeting of the defence ministers from the E5 group of nations — France, Germany, Italy, Poland, and Britain — at the Royal Artillery Barracks in Woolwich, London. The problem for Europe is a lack of preparedness.

It has been another difficult week for America’s friends and allies. On Monday, the Israeli Air Force violated Qatar’s airspace, bombing targets in a residential area of the Qatari capital Doha.

The aim was to kill Khalil al-Hayya and other senior Hamas representatives who were meeting to discuss Gaza ceasefire proposals mediated by the Trump administration.