Friedrich Merz

Trump's war in Iran has many explanations, but few answers - opinion

From nuclear threats to regime change, Trump’s reasons for war keep shifting, leaving allies and voters confused.

US President Donald Trump talks to the media upon his arrival at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, US, March 11, 2026.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz makes a statement on the situation in the Middle East, at the chancellery in Berlin, Germany, March 1, 2026

Germany's Merz declares commitment to Israel after pro-Palestinian heckles him at political rally

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz makes a statement on the situation in the Middle East, after Israel and the US launched strikes on Iran, at the chancellery in Berlin, Germany, March 1, 2026.

Roaring Lion: From Berlin to London, Europe stands by Israel in war with Iran - opinion

IDF illustration of Iran's potential regional reach.

Hezbollah tensions rise, Trump meets with Merz


Merz invites Syrian president to Germany to discuss deportations

Merz's predecessor, Angela Merkel, oversaw an open-door policy welcoming around a million refugees to Germany, many of whom fled the Syrian civil war.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz attend a press conference with Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan at the Presidential Palace in Ankara, Turkey, October 30, 2025.

'Declaring war on antisemitism in Germany': Merz tearful at synagogue reopening ceremony

"We will not tolerate antisemitism even when it is disguised under the pretense of freedom, of art, of culture, or of science," Merz said.

German Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz speaks at the reopening of the Reichenbach Synagogue. September 15, 2025.

Germany's Merz: Israel's attack on Gaza hospital did not target journalists

Germany's chancellor defended Israeli strike on Khan Yunis hospital, supporting assertions that the IDF was not intentionally targeting innocents.

THE ANNOUNCEMENT by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz to suspend arms deliveries to Israel has unleashed quite a storm at home, says the writer.

Germany's shift: Moral commitment vs political reality - opinion

The the ongoing war in Gaza has reinvigorated Germany’s internal debate: Can abstract moral universality be reconciled with particular responsibility to the Jewish people?

GERMAN FOREIGN MINISTER Johann Wadephul speaks at a news conference at the King David Hotel in Jerusalem last month. Germany raises its voice not because it forgot its past but because it remembers it, says the writer.

UK, France Palestinian state recognition part of joint peace plan in works for months - report

Sources familiar with the details told the New York Times that France's Macron intended to recognize a Palestinian state due to immense internal pressure.

(L-R) Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney, Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and France's President Emmanuel Macron at the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) summit in The Hague on June 25, 2025

German halt to arms support to Israel is a blunder - opinion

The announcement by Chancellor Friedrich Merz was met with swift backlash from Jewish organizations.

THE ANNOUNCEMENT by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz to suspend arms deliveries to Israel has unleashed quite a storm at home, says the writer.

Germany prepares huge orders for jets, armored vehicles, sources say

The purchases are part of Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s push to build Europe’s most powerful conventional army, aiming to reduce reliance on an increasingly unpredictable ally, the United States.

 Norway's Air Force F-16 fighters (R) and Italy's Air Force Eurofighter Typhoon fighters patrol over the Baltics during a NATO air policing mission from Zokniai air base near Siauliai, Lithuania, May 20, 2015.

Germany's Merz spoke with Trump about buying Patriots for Ukraine

Merz initiated the call with Trump to promote arms deliveries to Ukraine, particularly Patriots, after the Pentagon paused some shipments.

 Soldiers stand during Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy's visit to a military training area to find out about the training of Ukrainian soldiers on the “Patriot” anti-aircraft missile system, at an undisclosed location, in Germany, June 11, 2024.

Germany is '100% behind Israel,' minister vows at site of Iranian strike on Bat Yam

Dobrindt visited the site with Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar, where he said there is no justification for attacks on civilian populations.

 German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt and Foreign Affairs Minister Gideon Sa'ar visit the scene where a ballistic missile fired from Iran hit and caused damage in Bat Yam, central Israel. June 29, 2025.

Israel does the dirty work – and Europe fires back with sanctions - opinion

While Israel is fighting a war for its survival, Europe is distracting it on two levels - on the leadership level and on the people's level.

 ON DAY ONE, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer labeled Israel’s operation in Iran ‘concerning,’ characterized it as an escalation, and urged ‘all parties to step back and reduce tensions,’ the writer notes.