Hand it to European leaders. They are akin to diplomatic poker players who have mastered the art of demanding a cut of the pot without ever offering up their ante in advance. In both Afghanistan and Iraq, many European states waited in the wings to see which way the war would go, but then demanded equal say in its political and economic aftermath.

President Donald Trump should not tolerate this. When the Islamic Republic of Iran falls, shaping a provisional government and reconstructing the country will be among the first orders of business. European states that have stood on the sidelines should have no role in either. European leaders might complain, but to cave into their diplomatic whining would be wrong. It would be wholly unfair to those countries that put their forces in harm’s way. It would also reinforce to European leaders that they will suffer no consequence for their strategic laziness in the face of tyranny. Germany, especially, should have no role in Iran’s future........

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