Brendan O'Connor Leo Varadkar: ‘I think the European-Atlantic relationship is changed forever’
Mar 7, 2026
Leo Varadkar, former Taoiseach and seasoned international policymaker. He assesses the Middle East war, questions US aims toward Iran, and warns of regional collapse risks like terrorism and migration. He shares views from Iranian students in the US and argues the European-Atlantic relationship has been permanently altered, urging stronger EU foreign and military capacity.
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War Lacks Clear Objectives
- Leo Varadkar argues the US-led strikes lack clear reasons or coherent war aims, citing contradictory public justifications from US figures.
- He notes explanations ranged from preempting an Iranian attack to degrading missile/nuclear threats and even vague talk of regime change, which he finds unconvincing.
Risk Of Regional Breakdown And Migration
- Varadkar thinks Iran's regime is unlikely to surrender and compares its resilience to Hamas after prolonged bombardment.
- He warns the worst outcome would be state collapse like Syria, causing civil war, terrorism and large migrant flows to Europe.
Iranian Students Describe Distrust And Hopes
- Varadkar recounts speaking with Iranian graduate students in the US who want the regime gone and basic freedoms.
- They told him strikes so far avoided residential areas and that domestic repression has killed more than the recent attacks, but they distrust US intentions.