Starmer’s position on Iran pleases no one, but that is because there are no good options | Rafael Behr

None of the prime minister's critics engages with the hard strategic dilemmas arising from Britain's perilous dependency on US power

It is not easy being a friend of Donald Trump, but it is a lot less dangerous than being his enemy. There isn't a huge range of options in between. War in the Middle East is exposing how limited the choices are for a British prime minister.

The US president doesn't see alliances as long-term relationships based on mutual advantage, but as rolling transactions on a mafia model. The boss offers protection in exchange for tribute and loyalty.

Rafael Behr is a Guardian columnist

Guardian Newsroom: Can Labour come back from the brink?
On Thursday 30 April, ahead of the May elections, join Gaby Hinsliff, Zoe Williams, Polly Toynbee and Rafael Behr as they discuss how much of a threat Labour is under from both the Green party and Reform and whether Keir Starmer can survive as leader of the party. Book tickets here