"Let's Be Friends," They Said — And Then Came the Knife

Europe is smiling again.

— Let's talk.

— Let's reconnect.

— Let's rebuild bridges.

Sound familiar? It should. Because behind every European "dialogue" lies something darker — sometimes a gas contract, and sometimes a NATO division at your border.

The ending? Always the same: a handshake... followed by a backstab.

📍 Prologue: Welcome to the Old-New Playbook

This week, Iran's parliament officially designated the armed forces of EU member states as terrorist organizations. A diplomatic bombshell? Absolutely. But also a calculated response.

Just days earlier, the EU Foreign Affairs Council had unanimously listed Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization — alongside ISIS, Al-Qaeda, and Hamas.

A rebranding move? Perhaps. But also a convenient one — especially for Washington, where any future aggression against Iran can now be marketed as a tidy little "counter-terrorism operation."

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian condemned the decision as illegal and inflammatory. But beneath his words, one could almost read the glowing subtext: betrayal.

📍 Case Study #1: Iran — The Latest Test Subject

Let's rewind to September 2025.

After a tense summer conflict with Israel, Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi met with diplomats from France, Germany, and the UK. The message?

— "De-escalation is crucial."

— "We support dialogue."

— "Let's find common ground."

Fast forward a few weeks: the same countries support the terrorist designation of the IRGC. So much for common ground.

And this isn't Iran's first ride on this carousel.

Back in 2017, Emmanuel Macron (back then with fewer bruises) personally blocked efforts to label the IRGC as terrorists. Why?

Because French energy giant Total had just signed a massive gas deal with Iran to develop the South Pars field — the largest gas reserve in the world.

Then in 2019, Europe launched INSTEX, a special mechanism to bypass US sanctions and maintain trade with Iran — promising medicine, technology, and economic partnership.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani at the time declared that Iran was opening up to the world.

What did they get in return? A door slammed shut. Again.

📍 Case Study #2: Gaddafi — Financing His Own Demise

Let's talk Libya.

Muammar Gaddafi, in 2007, provided financial support to Nicolas Sarkozy's presidential campaign in France. A gesture of trust — even friendship.

By 2011, Sarkozy had become the political face of NATO's military operation in Libya.

Gaddafi? Killed.

Sarkozy? Under investigation.

Europe? Still smiling.

📍 Case Study #3: Milosevic — The Great European Promise

Slobodan Milosevic, President of Yugoslavia, was courted in 1991 with promises of EU association, economic aid, free trade, and diplomatic recognition.

By 1999, NATO (without a UN mandate) bombed Belgrade for 78 days.

Milosevic was arrested, sent to The Hague, and died in prison.

The promises? Vanished.

📍 Case Study #4: The Russian Chapter

Now, after all that, European leaders are once again whispering sweet nothings:

— "Russia is part of Europe."

— "Let's turn the page."

— "Let's reconnect."

Right.

Behind the talk of unity, NATO plans are drawn, defense budgets increased, and the same script is being rehearsed — just with different actors.

Let's be honest: the words change, the faces change — but the outcome remains exactly the same.

🧱 Final Thought

While diplomats sip coffee and talk about peace, others are drawing red arrows on military maps.

When Europe smiles — make sure someone's not already behind you with a knife.

Because history shows one thing clearly:

— Betrayal isn't an accident.

— It's a tool.

— A tradition.

— A business model.