Friedrich Merz

Can Syria Be Friends with Both Europe and Russia?

Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa has sought to open up relations with Europe while retaining the country’s longstanding ties with Moscow.

Canceled Poland Deployment Further Weakens American Deterrence in Europe

In a move that will likely send shockwaves across Europe, the Pentagon reportedly halted the scheduled deployment of a roughly 4,000-strong U.S. Army armored brigade to Poland on Wednesday. The news...

Trump Could End the War Tomorrow. I Don’t Think He Will.

Energy markets breathed a sigh of relief on Monday after President Donald Trump suggested he could declare victory over Iran at any time. “I think the war is very complete, pretty much,” he told...

Previewing Talks with Iran

‘Security Must Be Guaranteed’: Ukrainian President Zelenskyy Meets With Top European Leaders in London

Leaders Meet To Discuss Sticking Points: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, and German Chancellor...

‘Liberate These Territories by Force’: Putin Reasserts Russian Claim on Entire Donbas Region of Ukraine

Putin Warns Ukrainian Troops To Withdraw: Russian President Vladimir Putin signaled on December 4 that he would not compromise on his demands for Ukrainian territory, warning Ukraine’s...

Germany Resumes Arms Sales to Israel Following Gaza Ceasefire

Returning to a Case-by-Case Basis: Germany announced on November 17 that it would resume weapons sales to Israel that were suspended in August in response to Israel’s planned...

Erhurman’s election a step towards peace, but beware of Ankara’s appetite

The election of the new Turkish-Cypriot leader Tufan Erhurman in the recent presidential election is a blow to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s ambitions on the island, but his cadre is far from...

Israel sends delegation to Egypt for ceasefire talks

Israel sent a delegation to Egypt on October 6 to take part in talks aimed at ending the war in Gaza. The Israeli delegation headed to Egypt in the wake of President Donald Trump announcing that...

‘Morally and Politically Distorted’: EU Commission Formally Proposes Sanctions, Partial Trade Suspension Against Israel

Tariffs, Partial Trade Suspension, and Sanctions: European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen formally proposed punitive economic measures against Israel as the IDF continued...

Zelenskyy and European Leaders Meet With Trump at White House in Bid to End Russian War on Ukraine

“Very Substantial Progress”: Joined by several European leaders, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with President Donald Trump at the White House to discuss a possible...

America’s fair-weather friends

France, Britain, and Germany make it harder for Trump to get a ceasefire in Gaza

Germany Suspends Arms Exports to Israel Following Gaza City Takeover Announcement

Merz Confirms Military Exports Halt: The German government has announced a suspension of certain military exports to Israel following Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s...

Israeli security cabinet approves plan to capture and control Gaza City

Israel’s key decision-making security cabinet approved a controversial plan on August 8 to occupy Gaza City militarily. The decision balks at both international and domestic pressure for Israel...

Israel targets IRGC general and disrupts Iranian banks (June 17 updates)

A sweeping Israeli campaign on June 17 delivered a series of coordinated military strikes and cyber operations that placed the Islamic Republic of Iran under mounting pressure. Israel eliminated the most...

‘Before There Is Nothing Left’: Trump Warns of Devastation in Iran if Nuclear Deal Not Reached as World Leaders Caution Against Escalation

Trump Calls for Deal: President Donald Trump urged Iran to reach a deal with the United States “before there is nothing left,” as Israel continued with its devastating strikes...

Stalin in the subway

What a statue tells us – and should tell President Trump – about Vladimir Putin

German support for Israel is fading

Thomas Paine dismissed the “summer soldiers” and “sunshine patriots” who wavered on the American struggle for independence during “the times that try men’s souls.” Germany should avoid adopting a similar mindset.

‘Don’t Lecture Us on Morality’: Israel Responds to Macron’s ‘Shameful’ Barb Over Gaza Aid Flow

Latest Developments Macron Calls for Review of EU-Israel Cooperation: French President Emmanuel Macron called on the European Union to review its cooperation agreements with Israel, citing the restrictions...

‘Before Negotiations…Come To See’: Zelensky Urges Trump to Visit Ukraine

Latest Developments Civilians Celebrating Palm Sunday Killed: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky invited President Donald Trump to visit Ukraine to see Russia’s atrocities for himself during...