Balance of Power

Trump Flatterers Privately Fuming at Iran War

America’s allies are increasingly anxious about the US president’s escalating campaign in the Middle East.

Buildings and vehicles destroyed following airstrikes in Tehran, on March 12.Photographer: Majid Saeedi/Getty Images

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By Alberto Nardelli and Alex Wickham

March 13, 2026 at 10:59 AM UTC

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From Asia to the Gulf and most of the European Union, the strategy adopted by America’s allies for dealing with Donald Trump has been to praise and flatter him in the hope that he eventually plays nice.