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


Donald Trump, Germany's Merz to meet in Washington as Iran war ramps up

Merz will be the first European leader to meet Trump since the start of the operation, which has blocked one of the world's key oil shipping lanes and thrown global air transport into chaos.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz makes a statement on the situation in the Middle East, at the chancellery in Berlin, Germany, March 1, 2026

Merz's CDU party unanimously adopts motion to end UNRWA funding, create rules for payments to PA

At the CDU congress, Merz's party approved a motion to freeze aid to the Palestinian Authority until reforms are made, end EU/German subsidies to UNRWA, and ensure antisemitism compliance.

Chancellor Merz greets Merkel at CDU federal congress in Stuttgart, Feb 20, 2026.

Currently no plans to buy additional F-35 jets, Berlin says

"There are no plans, and there is no decision," the government spokesperson said.

Unveiling of the new F-35 during a rollout ceremony of F-35 fighter jets ordered by Finland at the Lockheed Martin Aeronautics facility in Fort Worth, Texas, US December 16, 2025.

Iran rejects call to halt uranium enrichment after second round of indirect US negotiations in Oman

An Iranian official told Reuters the direct talks had not officially started, and that Iran’s demands had been conveyed to the US via Oman.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi (L) meets with Omani Foreign Minister Badr bin Hamad al-Busaidi for indirect nuclear talks with the US in Muscat, Oman, February 6, 2026.

Erdogan, Sharaa discuss Syria as SDF confirms withdrawal following ceasefire

Turkey’s President Erdogan spoke with Syrian President Sharaa after a deal with Kurdish forces, as SDF leader Mazloum Abdi confirmed a military withdrawal, and plans to visit Damascus.

Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan arrive for a joint press conference at the Presidential Palace in Ankara, Turkey, February 4, 2025.

Germany’s Merz: I believe we are witnessing final days, weeks of Iran’s regime

“If a regime can only cling to power through violence, then it's effectively over anyway,” Merz said.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz visits Bosch's facility in Bengaluru, India January 13, 2026.

Israel and Germany's rekindled alliance presents a strategic opportunity - opinion

Over the decades, guilt, the driving force behind Germany’s attitude toward Israel, has been replaced by mutual interests and strategic partnership.

 Eyal Zamir is seen signing a many-billion-euro deal with Germany to provide Israel’s Arrow 3 missile defense system, 2023 (as Defense Ministry director-general).

EU leaders agree on joint borrowing to fund Ukraine, set aside plan to use Russian frozen assets

The leaders also gave the European Commission a mandate to continue work on a so-called reparations loan based on Russian immobilized assets, but that option proved unworkable for now.

UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT Volodymyr Zelenskiy speaks with European Council President Antonio Costa as they attend a European Union leaders' summit in Brussels, Belgium, December 18, 2025.

Germany sees reality: Why a Palestinian state is no longer realistic - opinion

After the October 7 massacre, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz now rejects the idea of a two-state solution.

 German Chancellor Friedrich Merz speaks during an industrial sector association BDI event in Berlin, Germany, June 23, 2025.

'A just and lasting peace': Pope Leo calls for dialogue after meeting Ukraine's Zelensky

The pope's comments echo Zelensky's frequent demands for a "just" peace as the Ukrainian leader tries to ensure that any agreement to end Russia's war in Ukraine is balanced.

Pope Leo XIV addresses the crowd during a meeting with bishpops, priests consacrated persons and personal workers at the shrine of Our Lady of Lebanon in Harissa, northeast of the capital Beirut, on December 1, 2025.