Syrian conflict may be a new 30 Years' War in the making

London

THE assassination of Andrei Karlov, Russia's ambassador to Turkey, was a low point in a tragic week for Europe. Quite aside from the individual human consequences, Mr Karlov's death places greater strain on tense Russo-Turkish relations. Moscow and Ankara, uneasy partners at the best of times, had been in talks about reaching an agreement over the Syrian conflict. The opportunity for resolution seems in doubt. Circumstances in Syria and the region are strikingly similar to another bloody conflict that has haunted European memories over four centuries. Between 1618 and 1648, the 30 Years' War ravaged northern Europe. These days may be upon us again.

The 30 Years' War began as a religious conflict between Catholic and Protestant states, but evolved into a clash between the continent's great powers. Emperor Ferdinand II tried to impose Catholicism throughout his Holy Roman Empire, where formerly Protestantism had been allowed in parts. Bohemia (now a region of the Czech Republic) rebelled against Catholic Austria, then under the dominion of the House of Habsburg. Catholic France, ruled by the House of Bourbon, felt threatened by Catholic Spain and the Habsburg Empire. The Bourbons wanted France to be the dominant power, and intervened to protect the Protestant Dutch Republic from Spain. Militarily powerful Sweden joined the war on the…