TEHRAN - A tense and deeply divided Europe, reminiscent of the 1930s, is a shocking reminder of the continent's fragility. Russia's invasion of Ukraine exposed the continent's military weaknesses and revealed its inability to defend its borders. This disintegration of Europe has raised concerns about its future stability and integrity.

What is this tornado that is sweeping the West? Where does the concern about the decline and disintegration of Europe come from? What makes Robert Tombs, British-French historian and former professor of Cambridge University, question the thinking of Europe and write an article in the Telegraph?!

Tombs' article in the Telegraph highlights the growing concern among many European elites about the continent's decline, especially after Russia attacked Ukraine, which exposed many facts to the eyes of the world.

The attack has been a sign of something reminiscent of tremendous transformation; something that looks more like an internal collapse, and a huge inability.

In this article, Tombs also blames Russia for chauvinism, Iran and its allies for religious millenarianism, and China for predatory state capitalism, saying that in the short term, we will see a connection between these three countries. 

According to Tombs, the cultural institutions within English-speaking democracies that advocate for "decolonization" are creating further divisions and undermining Western culture and history. These internal divisions, he argues, are contributing to Europe's decline. 

He also concluded that most of the disorders are caused by “ourselves!”

Tombs proposes a solution to Europe's problems, suggesting that European leaders should crack down on those who undermine the continent from within. He also implies that independent public institutions established by non-liberals should be dismantled, however, these measures could lead to authoritarian tendencies and suppression of democratic freedoms.

The writer's suggestions for dealing with decline are all signs of violation of democracy. 

But are these things the root causes of Europe’s current status? Can Europe prevent decline by restoring the armies and strengthening the information and cyber systems that the author proposed as a solution? 

Can Europe succeed in preventing the tendency of other countries and nations to get close to new centers of power in the Eastern Axis (Iran, Russia, China)?

Iran has expanded its soft and hard power, while China has emerged as a global economic powerhouse. Russia, despite facing numerous challenges, remains a formidable military power. These developments have contributed to Europe's decline. But the inherent egotism and arrogance embedded in the Western systems that see Europe and the West as a garden, and the rest of the world as a forest, have made nations loathe and distance themselves from the West.

Europe's overdependence on the United States has also undermined its autonomy and contributed to its instability. The war in Ukraine is a prime example of this dependence, as Europe blindly followed Washington's lead despite its own interests being at stake.

A clear example of this issue is the war in Ukraine; the White House drew its policies for its own interests, and in the meantime, Europe simply followed Washington's orders, and despite the multitude of problems that Europe is dealing with, it is unable to turn back from the path and oppose America. 

More interestingly, instead of encouraging Europe to return from this wrong path, Tombs is worried about the end of the war in Ukraine and even stopping Washington's support for Zelensky's government!
 
The United States has embroiled the European Union with Russia and abandoned backing Europe and rushed to the aid of Israel.

Given the U.S. policy toward the current happenings in the world, shouldn’t the war in Ukraine come to an end? 

America itself will soon face many problems that will make this country weaker against the eastern powers, especially in West Asia, where Iran will counter this oppressive country. Then, can America still be a good supporter of the Europeans?

The West has gradually planted the seeds of hatred in the hearts of the nations of the world with its extravagance, oppression, colonialism, and exploitation over many years, and today, when the nations are regaining their independence, the U.S. is getting more and more isolated and hated. Therefore, it is better for Europe to understand today's world.