The Friday Edition

Our Friday News Analysis | What the World Reads Now!

March 12, 2026

Helping to Heal a Broken Humanity (Part 75)

The Hague, 13 March 2026 | If you know of a decisive story, tell the world! We're still searching.

(L) Russian President Vladimir Putin; (R) U.S. President Donald Trump. © Sputnik/Alexey Nikolskiy; Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

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Editor’s Note | Tel Aviv and Washington started the war with Iran, but Moscow may help end it.

The joint efforts of the United States and Israel in targeting Iran are generating strategic impacts that can only be effectively managed through a collaborative international approach.

US credibility and regional security structures in the Gulf are deteriorating, the risks of energy-market disruptions are lasting longer, and the conflict is moving toward sabotage and terrorism, putting US assets and citizens at greater risk.

Trump’s conversation with Vladimir Putin suggests an acknowledgment that Russia’s role—especially in restraining Tehran and affecting energy markets—could be key to reducing tensions, even though any political fallout within the U.S. would be a concern for Washington.

Major Concerns

Washington’s stance is portrayed as deteriorating: the conflict is said to be causing an uncomfortable strategic deadlock and diplomatic resistance, even among close regional allies.
Perceptions of US security guarantees are less credible, and the damage to regional military infrastructure, along with reduced confidence among Gulf states, could lead to long-lasting effects.
Energy disruption remains a key risk: escalating tensions in the Strait of Hormuz threaten global supply chains and could have political repercussions for the US.
Russia is depicted as an indispensable intermediary: Moscow is presented as necessary to help “loosen” the confrontation, including by influencing Tehran and shaping energy outcomes.
The conflict’s character is described as shifting: beyond conventional fighting, expecting more sabotage/terrorism, with American targets becoming more vulnerable.
Domestic US politics remains a constraint: a prolonged conflict could worsen political and humanitarian consequences at home, which Russia cannot mitigate for Trump.

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Editorial | Will the Collective West, Including Israel, Reap What It Sows?

By Abraham A. van Kempen
13 March 2026

Has it occurred to you that the EU-US/NATO Axis and their Coalition of the Willing – comprising Canada, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, the Philippines, and approximately thirty to forty other UN Member States – constitute an indomitable geopolitical block exerting influence over all of humanity? They focus on empire-building but are rapidly losing ground. Nonetheless, the EU-US/NATO Axis and their Coalition of the Willing remain fixated on core neo-colonial principles:

What is ours is ours.
What is yours is ours also.
You’re either for us or against us.
It’s either our way or the highway.
If you don’t do it our way, you’re dead meat.

I know what I’m talking about. Though I was born a Jew on the outskirts of Israel-Palestine, I am more European than most, holding both British and Dutch nationalities, a product and beneficiary of British and Dutch colonialism. Plus, I am a permanent resident of the United States, where, once, I worshipped the false religion of American Exceptionalism.

As I mentioned last week, now more than ever, global leaders must unite to improve our world, guided by honor, respect, and dignity. The era of the White Man’s Burden, Divine Right, Colonialism, and Neo-colonialism has ended. Nevertheless, imperialism remains strong among the European and American elite, despite the loss of territories and lives.

Where are we, the Collective West, losing ground?

Iran has begun efforts to free the Middle East from Western control. I expect the Gulf States may join them, as Russia and China are already influencing events behind the scenes. Yes, the enemy of my enemy is my friend. I believe that once the siege of Iran ends, the mullahs will cease their interference and leave the Iranian people in peace. During the siege, due to the Cuban-like sanctions, the Iranians were dependent on the mullahs.
About 130 million out of 150 million Russians support the Kremlin’s efforts to free Ukrainians from a totalitarian regime that, together with EU-US/NATO forces, overthrew its democratically elected government in 2014.
Furthermore, most Russian people back the Kremlin's efforts to liberate Europe from itself, echoing World War II, when Russia sacrificed 27 million lives to free Europe from Nazi Germany.
I am unaware of any Asian who desires intra-Asian conflicts. However, it is predictable that the EU-US/NATO alliance and its Coalition of the Willing aim to divide and conquer Asia by pitting neighboring Asian countries against one another.
Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, and the Philippines will soon need to choose whether to join the Asian community or remain under the dominion of the EU-US/NATO Axis.

The ongoing events in the Middle East—my birthplace—as well as in Central Europe, the Americas, Africa, and Asia, will reshape the world map. You reap what you sow.

And, I still have one final train journey on my bucket list:

Take the train from Amsterdam to Istanbul.

Continue by rail to Teheran.

Hitchhike to Lahore.

Continue by bus and rail to Mumbai.

Rail to Calcutta

Fly to Bangkok, Hong Kong, Seoul, Tokyo, Honolulu, with a final stop in Los Angeles

Someday, it will be safe once more to travel freely around the world. Who knows, I might even think about exploring the South Pacific as well.

Have a wonderful weekend.

Abraham A. van Kempen
Senior Editor

Building the Bridge Foundation, The Hague
A Way to Get to Know One Another and the Other

Remember! Diplomacy is catalytic—transformative —while military action is cataclysmic—destructive and catastrophic.

When faced with the options to be good, bad, or ugly, let’s build bridges, not burn them. After all, mutual deterrence reigns.

FROM TEHERAN | SEYED M. MARANDI: THREAT OF SEIZING KHARG ISLAND & THE USE OF NUCLEAR WEAPONS

Seyed Mohammad Marandi, a professor at Tehran University and former advisor to Iran's Nuclear Negotiation Team, states that it would be very difficult for the US to take control of Kharg Island.

He adds that Iran would respond by destroying all energy facilities in the region.

Watch the Video Here (43 minutes, 58 seconds)

Host Prof. Glenn Diesen
Substack.com
12 March 2026

JOHN MEARSHEIMER: U.S. ALREADY LOST IRAN WAR - NO OFF-RAMP IN SIGHT

Prof. John Mearsheimer explains why the war against Iran has already been lost, and why there is no off-ramp. John J. Mearsheimer is the R. Wendell Harrison Distinguished Service Professor of Political Science at the University of Chicago, where he has taught since 1982.

“On 10 March 2026, I joined Glenn Diesen’s podcast to discuss the Iran conflict's future.

We highlighted that the US and Israel lack a clear strategy. President Trump erred by letting Netanyahu steer him into this war; he should have listened to warnings from General Caine and the NIC, not Netanyahu and the Zionist lobby.”

Watch the Video Here (62 minutes, 8 seconds)

Host Prof. Glenn Diesen
Substack.com
11 March 2026

The War Against Iran: Strategic Miscalculations and Global Implications – An In-Depth Conversation with Prof. Glenn Diesen and Prof. John Mersheimer

The Iran conflict, which isn't unfolding as expected. The war isn't progressing as Trump anticipated, but it aligns with many experts' predictions.

Strategic Warnings and Uncertain Direction

Trump received warnings before the conflict. US media say even Israel doubts Iran will collapse or surrender. The Wall Street Journal reports that Trump's advisors want a quick resolution.

The Absence of an Exit Strategy

The war harms the U.S., and Trump aims to end it, but without a clear exit strategy or a decisive victory like WWII against Nazi Germany and Japan, forcing Iran to accept terms isn't practical.

Iran's Incentives and the Dynamics of Attrition

Iran might extend the conflict into a war of attrition, while the US and Israel have chosen a war of destruction. President Trump needs a strategy for negotiations. The administration is overconfident that the U.S. and Israel can control the timeline and conditions, ignoring Iran's resources and firepower.

Escalation and the Limits of Punishment

Some believe harsh punishment will push Iran to surrender, but it's unlikely. Iran is prepared to endure U.S. and Israeli strikes and may retaliate by targeting Gulf states and Israel with its large stockpile of missiles and drones, exploiting their vulnerabilities.

Strategic Leverage and Prolonged Conflict

Iran can target key assets to boost leverage. They have little incentive to accept US terms, likely seeking sanctions relief or reparations. As the conflict drags on, the U.S. may become desperate for a settlement, enhancing Iran’s bargaining power.

The Lack of a Plausible Endgame

Currently, there is no feasible exit plan for President Trump. While there's hope for a quick end to the conflict, no credible solution exists. If the global economy collapses, the U.S. might halt the conflict, but this wouldn't be a victory. It would look like surrendering to Iran.

20 MILLION VIEWERS WORLDWIDE | THE US HAS BURNED THROUGH YEARS’ WORTH OF CRUISE MISSILE PRODUCTION IN JUST TEN DAYS OF WAR – THEODORE POSTOL, AMERICAN PHYSICIST

‘The US has burned through years’ worth of cruise missile production in just ten days of war.

Watch the Video Here (50 minutes, 58 seconds)

Rick Sanchez
HomeShowsSanchez Effect
12 March 2026

‘The US has burned through years’ worth of cruise missile production in just ten days of war. It’s total nonsense, this kind of military output can’t be sustained for long, while Iran can go on indefinitely,’ – Theodore Postol, American physicist.

In the latest episode of the Sanchez Effect, we proudly host one of the world’s leading ballistic missile experts. With viral videos circulating online showing Iranian drones and rockets bypassing US defenses, Rick questions: We were told about Iron Domes and nearly impenetrable anti-ballistic systems like THAAD and Patriot.

What’s happening here?

Our guest explains that although Patriot batteries are extremely expensive, costing around $1 billion each, their radar systems are inadequate at detecting fast-moving incoming missiles. They perform well against aircraft but are ineffective against missiles and drones. Professor Postol points out that these drones don’t need to be highly advanced—just enough to bypass defenses. He also notes that the current interception success rate for Patriot missiles is only 4-5%, indicating a significant failure rate. Historically, the Patriots have been ineffective since the 1990s and have shown no improvement.

Professor Postol states that Iran has the necessary production facilities to sustain its firing capacity. Unlike American private companies, which produce only in response to contractual demands, Iran’s infrastructure is capable of maintaining continuous operations. The US arms industry is not designed to keep pace with this pace in a prolonged conflict. Discover more!

What is the Side of the Story that is Not Yet Decisive? Edited and annotated by Abraham A. van Kempen

SCOTT RITTER: TRUMP CALLS PUTIN FOR IRAN WAR OFF-RAMP

Scott Ritter is a former Major, Intelligence Officer, US Marine, and UN Weapons Inspector. Ritter discusses the Trump-Putin phone call as the US needs an off-ramp in its war against Iran.

Watch the Video Here (39 minutes, 54 seconds)

Host Prof. Glenn Diesen
Substack.com
11 March 2026

ANALYSIS | THE IRANIAN KNOT: WHY TRUMP TURNED TO PUTIN

Washington started the war with Iran, but only Moscow may help end it

(L) Russian President Vladimir Putin; (R) U.S. President Donald Trump. © Sputnik/Alexey Nikolskiy; Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

By Dmitry Evstafiev, Professor at the Institute of Media, HSE University, PhD in Political Science

Annotated by Abraham A. van Kempen

US President Donald Trump’s Monday call to Vladimir Putin aimed to resolve the strategic deadlock in the US and Israel's conflict with Iran.

Washington makes bold assertions. Trump reaffirms his influence over Iran and considers appointing its spiritual leader. He also urges tanker captains to navigate what he calls the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps' blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.

The momentum of a major war started by Washington and Tel Aviv is escalating, and the political environment is shifting, making it more uncomfortable for the U.S.

Some of Washington’s allies are distancing themselves. Kuwait, a top Gulf ally after Jordan, denies allowing its territory for attacks on Iran, despite evidence to the contrary. Syrian Kurdish groups warn Iraqis and Iranians about trusting the US.

Reports of covert contacts between Riyadh, Tehran, and other Arab capitals are emerging almost daily, risking Washington's diplomatic isolation.

Read more
Why Zelensky should fear Trump’s war with Iran

Certainly, Trump’s alliance with Israel remains strategic, but the current conflict's direction likely differs from his initial expectations when he approved strikes on Iran.

It is time to call Moscow.

Trump tried to untangle the “Iranian knot” with force, appealing in Washington as he believed military action could end Iran's forty-year standoff. However, the knot has only become more entangled.

Many main components need Russia's involvement to understand fully. While evident from the start, for Trump and his team, it was mostly theoretical. They now begin to gain practical insight.

1. The main factor is the decline of American influence in the Middle East, especially the Persian Gulf.

The US military infrastructure in the region has sustained significant damage, and parts of the broader security framework supporting Israel’s defense—including its early warning system—have also been compromised.

The conflict revealed regional states that U.S. security guarantees are less reliable and hard to restore, especially to Gulf monarchies, whose trust is fragile.

Does Trump fully understand this? It is difficult to say.

Read more
The Iran war risks sucking in more countries – who benefits?

Trump’s attempt to include Turkish President Erdogan suggests he might not grasp the full strategic shift. Still, reaching out to Moscow shows he understands stabilizing Arab relations requires more than just Washington.

The US needs partners, but Western Europe doesn't seem to be one. It's uncertain whether Trump will pursue collective efforts to stabilize the region or make significant compromises.

2. The second factor concerns the global hydrocarbon market.

What Trump called a temporary "spasm" in energy markets, suggesting a shift towards the US, now risks becoming a prolonged disruption of global supply chains.

Such an outcome would hardly benefit Washington.

If the crisis worsens, the global public and American voters will identify who is responsible, highlighting weaknesses in maritime energy transport, a sector Washington aimed to strengthen.

Another attempt to reorganize the global hydrocarbon market at Russia’s expense, without involving or against Russia, has failed.

It's optimistic to think this will be the final attempt, but unlike Washington and others, Moscow has spent years preparing for this kind of market upheaval.

Read more
Who will invade Iran for the US?

Putin’s proposal to the EU to restart hydrocarbon supplies via pipelines warrants consideration.

Initially, this initiative might seem unrelated to the Persian Gulf war, but it shows a broader understanding of how Gulf conflict could affect the global energy system.

As maritime oil and gas deliveries face increasing risks, pipeline routes become more strategically important.

Putin’s proposal challenges Western Europe, offering these countries a chance to demonstrate political independence amid a rising global energy crisis.

3. The third factor is the changing nature of the conflict itself.

Ten days after the war started, the conflict with the US has started to change. In addition to traditional military actions, sabotage and terrorism are becoming more common.

This change directly results from the White House administration’s effort to portray the confrontation as a larger religious conflict with Iran.

Read more
America’s Gulf war machine: What we know about the US military network in the Middle East

Unlike past Middle East conflicts, sabotage now targets American infrastructure and citizens more than Israeli facilities.

Both Iran and numerous radical Islamist groups view the US as the main adversary in this conflict, not Israel.

Moscow’s moderating role in Tehran could be beneficial if Trump is ready to de-escalate.

Finally, there is the domestic political dimension.

The war, initially thought to last five days, is now expected to go on for months, potentially causing a political crisis in the US.

Trump’s support in Washington was waning before the war, and as the conflict persists, the political effects will grow clearer.

Eventually, American politicians will need to address the post-war situation, which includes the humanitarian impacts on Iran and the destabilization of Washington’s regional allies.

Moscow can't do much for Trump here. Russia might assist with issues involving Iran, but US internal political challenges are Washington’s court.

TURNING POINT OR WORLD WAR?

Iran’s war and the end of the old order

By Karl Richter on the Gulf War that could end the unipolar age.

Multipolar Press
12 March 2026

After nearly two weeks of conflict in the Persian Gulf, Iran appears to have achieved a points-based victory. This could reshape the international landscape more profoundly than the coronavirus pandemic and the war in Ukraine.

This can only be described as a striking sensation, both militarily and politically: few war plans have failed so spectacularly as the U.S.–Israeli effort to quickly subdue Iran. Despite intense terrorist attacks, the Islamic Republic has not fallen but maintained its capacity for retaliation, causing escalating losses for the aggressors. Casualties are likely much higher than reports indicate. Additionally, the U.S. military presence—radar stations and bases—has suffered significant damage.

The U.S. military hospital in Landstuhl, Germany, serves about 40,000 service members and families in Kaiserslautern but recently closed its maternity ward. Pregnant women are directed elsewhere, and scheduled C-sections have been moved. A memo, cited by Stars and Stripes, states the hospital’s main role is to serve as a vital evacuation center for injured U.S. troops across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. The injury numbers seem high, though official counts are likely understated. An upcoming blood drive was accelerated to highlight the situation.

Regarding Israel, the situation may be bleaker. Russian intelligence reports Israel suffered devastating losses in the first 72 hours of the war from Iranian strikes. The leaked report claims Israel lost access to the Dimona nuclear reactor and that eleven top nuclear scientists, six senior IDF generals, 198 Air Force officers, and an entire command staff were killed. An additional 462 soldiers reportedly died at military sites. These claims lack independent verification.

Israel's nuclear and military power—once seen as invincible—has not faced such losses in recent operations. This is a significant, unprecedented sign.

Please continue reading ...

IS THE IRAN WAR THE BIBLICAL END TIMES?

From Jewish street-corner preachers to Christian high-ranking officials, many believe the conflict has been prophesied

FILE PHOTO. © Getty Images / coldsnowstorm

By Charlotte Dubenskij, an award-nominated journalist who has covered Yellow Vest protests in France, conflicts in Syria and the Philippines, and is now based in Israel for RT

HomeWorld News
11 March 2026

Annotated by Abraham A. van Kempen

The conflict involving Israel, the US, and Iran is intense. I wake up to emergency alerts, hear air raid sirens, or see intercepted missiles. Meanwhile, REM's song—"It’s the end of the world as we know it and I feel fine"—keeps playing in my mind. A classic.

As the scene replaying in my mind, a man on Jaffa Street in Jerusalem approaches me. He invites me to his gallery but quickly claims the war was foretold. His wide eyes emphasize he “has to tell me the truth,” and his confidence surprises me. Curious, I go home, turn on my laptop, and realize... it’s a rabbit hole.

Type 'Iran war Israel prophecy’ and see results. Many believe the conflict between Israel, the US, and Iran fulfills Biblical prophecy, especially in the Book of Revelation. Get your popcorn ready.

Let's recall February 28, when Israel and the US launched what they called ‘pre-emptive strikes on Iran.’ Israel’s prime minister explained his reasoning on TV, subtly referencing the upcoming Purim festival on March 2-3. Benjamin Netanyahu stated:

“Two and a half thousand years ago, in ancient Persia, a tyrant rose against us with the very same goal: to destroy our people completely. But Mordechai the Jew and Queen Esther, through their courage and resourcefulness, saved our people. In those days of Purim, the lot fell, and the wicked Haman fell with it….Today as well, on Purim, the lot has fallen, and the evil regime’s end will also come.”

Esther, who hides her Jewish identity, marries the Persian king. Haman, a court official, urges the king to destroy a ‘rebellious people'—the Jews. Esther risks her life by revealing her identity and Haman’s plan, leading to Haman's execution and the Jews' right to defend themselves.

Read more
Streets aflame and acid rain: Israeli strikes on Iranian fuel depots compared to chemical warfare

Purim, commemorating this event, is often seen as the Jewish Halloween, with children in costumes. The current conflict with Iran is sometimes called a modern Purim, but without fun. An opinion piece in the Jerusalem Post describes Donald Trump as a modern Achashverosh, the Persian king, and states:

“They are lovers of power – and beautiful women – and both ultimately granted the Jews a free hand in attacking the enemy with devastating force.”

The author continues:

“With God’s continuing helping hand, we will triumph in this latest, most consequential battle, and we shall bring to our people and to the world at large Purim’s prophetic promise: light and gladness, hope and joy.”

Light, gladness, hope, and joy are also believed by Christians to be brought to the world during the Second Coming of the Messiah. In contrast, Jews are still awaiting the First Coming.

Dr. Erez Soref, a Messianic Jew, has a video explaining that Yeshua (Jesus) and his return are the only paths to lasting peace on earth, emphasizing this with conviction.

“I believe that God has positioned us for such a time as this.”

He also mentions the Book of Esther, noting,

"Another drama unfolds with the same actors – the Jewish people and the violent leaders of the Persian/Iranian regime. It is significant that this occurs around Purim," he states. He adds, "Just as in Esther's time, we might be living through a pivotal moment in history.”

That defining moment is when I understood that Jesus was about to arrive and save us all.

Well, perhaps not all.

Rabbi Lawrence Hajioff seeks to view the conflict through the Prophets' perspective and discusses how the Jewish people find themselves in Paras (Persia or Iran). He states:

“We’re seeing the fall of Paras… and this is the final pull-down of that regime, which now represents all of the evil of Gog and Magog in the world today.”

Rabbi Lawrence Hajioff also states:

‘[T]hen we are going to see a nine-month period, where there is going to be great success in the Roman world [The West] and finally their power is going to reduce, and the Jewish people are going to celebrate at the coming of the Messiah.’

The rabbi links this to the ongoing war, predicting Doomsday in nine months—the time for the Messiah's birth. He cites Ezekiel, a key prophetic text in the Tanakh and Bible.

He discusses Gog and Magog from Ezekiel 38-39, where a restored Israel faces invasion but wins. Currently, Iran seems more likely to be invaded, but let’s set aside this detail.

Pastor Greg Laurie discusses eschatology, which deals with the end of history, on his YouTube channel.

Pastor Laurie explains that there is also a Muslim Messiah. He describes an image where the Muslim Messiah is seen:

'entering a burning gate'—possibly Jerusalem, though he's unsure. He notes that the figure is surrounded by modern soldiers, and comments that the fire raining from above could symbolize divine wrath from Allah or missiles fired from Iran toward Israel.

He then explores a passage from Ezekiel, explaining that Gog represents Iran and suggesting that Magog is, as you might have guessed, Russia!

“So when we see Russia stepping into a conflict with Iran and Israel, we have to pay attention… Persia or Iran marches with Magog, and if Magog is Russia, that’s something to pay attention to.

We are seeing things play out today that the Bible predicted thousands of years ago.”

Although you might think these individuals are crazy or unmedicated, it’s clear that the idea that we are nearing the end of times is more common than you might believe. One US soldier mentioned that his commander told the troops that the war with Iran was,

"[A]ll part of God’s divine plan." The soldier also mentions that the commander referenced the Book of Revelation, which predicts Armageddon and the Second Coming, claiming that President Donald Trump "has been anointed by Jesus to light the signal fire in Iran to cause Armageddon and mark his return to Earth.”

This is pretty heavy stuff. If true, the commander is basically saying,

“Go die, boys, as your sacrifice will be rewarded, and soon you’ll be resurrected.

Read more
A new Crusade? Christian Zionism and the ‘Holy War’ gripping the Middle East – RT reports (VIDEO)

In Christian Eschatology, many evangelicals and Christian Zionists see building the Third Temple on Jerusalem's Temple Mount as essential for Armageddon, since Daniel and Jesus mention an anti-messiah defiling it before the rapture.

There is currently no Third Temple, but Pete Hegseth, then US secretary of war and Fox News contributor, strongly supports building it. During his 2018 Jerusalem visit, he discussed miracles.

“It got me thinking about another miracle that I hope all of you don’t see too far away. Because 1917 was a miracle. 1948 was a miracle. 1967 was a miracle. In 2017, the declaration of Jerusalem as the capital was a miracle, and there’s no reason why the miracle of the re-establishment of the Temple on the Temple Mount is not possible.”

These dates are all pivotal:

1917 marks the Balfour Declaration, when the British Government publicly pledged support for a Jewish homeland in Palestine.
1948 signifies the founding of Israel.
1967 refers to the Six-Day War, during which Israel expanded its territories, and,
In 2017, the first Trump administration moved the US Embassy to Jerusalem, acknowledging it as Israel's capital.

Will 2026 witness the rebuilding of the Third Temple?

Hegseth was almost predicting it when he went on to say,

“Buy the ticket. Take your action. Do what needs to be done here in Israel because I truly believe this is a moment where America will have your back.”

Eight years later, and America does have Israel’s back, as the countries fight side-by-side against Iran.

Some saw Huckabee's appointment as US ambassador to Israel as potentially speeding up construction. The Israel Heritage Foundation (IHF), which supports Israeli sovereignty over the West Bank (Judea and Samaria), admires Huckabee. While awaiting confirmation in 2025, Huckabee was accompanied by the IHF when he prayed at the Ohel.

Read more
A church under siege in the heart of Europe: How Ukraine’s religious war has spilled into another country

This site is important because Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson is buried there. He transformed the Hasidic community—Eastern European Orthodox Jews—into a significant movement in Judaism. They believe in rebuilding the Third Temple on the Temple Mount, the Al-Aqsa compound, which they expect to happen with the Messiah's coming.

Amid online content, many believe the world might end soon and welcome it. Some say World War Three will start in 2026, as predicted by Baba Vanga, Bulgaria’s blind psychic, known as the Balkan Nostradamus. She also hinted at alien contact. But who can be certain?

Doomsday forecasts are not an exact science. Many predictions have been made: Columbus predicted the world would end in 1656, a Michigan cult believed a flood would occur in 1954, and a South African pastor claimed the world would end on September 24, 2025. We have likely narrowly avoided these predictions.

Armageddon, Rapture, the End of Days—whatever you call it, it’s probably not worth betting on when it will occur. If you're correct, the downside is that you won't be able to claim your winnings.

ESSAY | THE NEW OLD BERLIN

Legal Nihilism and Cynical Opportunism

Germany, Post War Years Fuel in Berlin 1945-49 A man standing on a stump is chopping wood| in the background the Reichstag (Parliament building) - about 1946 (Photo by ullstein bild/ullstein bild via Getty Images)

By Tarik Cyril Amar
March 7, 2026

Annotated by Abraham A. van Kempen

In politics and the mainstream media, Germany's elites are still addicted to obeying the US and sticking to Israel come-what-may, genocide and wars of aggression included.

German postwar history is over. [And] it has all been in vain.” A German historian in Switzerland responded to Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s recent statement. Merz supported international law, but only if it didn't hinder his view of a legitimate war against Iran, which, in reality, is a textbook case of warfare, though not in Merz’s idealized view.

The display of desperation was justified. Germany’s leader misled his audience with facts and suggested attacking Iran as a justified preventative measure. He implied Iran violated international law—perhaps knowing preventive war is usually forbidden—and argued that law "limits itself" when an opponent does not follow it. Essentially, if they ignore the rules, we're not bound to follow them either.

Merz’s claim about Iran is factually wrong. Iran’s main enemies, the US and Israel, have a history of violating ethics and international law—such as massacring children, waging wars, conducting assassinations, kidnappings, and the Gaza Genocide. Merz might also recall sabotage and eco-terrorism when the US, Ukraine, and allies destroyed Nord Stream during peace, but he may not usually consider these events.

Ultimately, the US, not Iran, violated the JCPOA agreement, which offered a diplomatic solution to Iran’s nuclear disputes and set a precedent for peaceful resolutions. Washington’s NATO-EU allies passively accepted and enabled this violation by insisting Iran still comply.

Even within its dishonest framework, Merz’s argument is flawed. It relies on a distorted appeal to 'common sense,' which is in scare quotes, making it either a misrepresentation or due to ignorance. The German chancellor, also a trained jurist, seems unaware of a key principle in law: non-reciprocity. This simple principle states you must follow the rules even if others don't.

This principle is vital because it assigns rights and duties to persons based on identity, not actions. For instance, executing a torturer after legal process might be acceptable due to inalienable rights, but torturing them is never justified because of those same rights.

The point that if other governments' law breaches justify retaliatory actions, all might falsely accuse enemies to justify their acts. This escalation could lead to a Hobbesian nightmare, marked by atrocities and hysterical rhetoric.

This is a common occurrence. Merz’s claims are troubling because German history shows a clear example of mixing propaganda with barbarism, especially when Nazi Germany removed legal restrictions while fighting the Soviet Union from 1941 to 1945.

In the Nazi case—exemplified by the "Commissar Order"—while Soviet leadership promised to follow warfare rules, Berlin’s approach was threefold: falsely claiming the German attack was defensive; accusing Soviets of ignoring rules; and asserting Germany’s right to break all rules. This caused many atrocities, including the mass murder of Soviet prisoners of war.

Merz admires his grandfather, a small-town mayor and a Nazi convert after 1933. However, Germany’s current leader may lack the insight to see his actions' seriousness. It’s shocking but true: by declaring Iran—under intense attack, akin to the Nazi invasion of the Soviet Union—and saying it’s beyond international law, Merz is the first German leader since Hitler to exempt a war of aggression and its victims from laws and protections that should apply universally.

Germany has previously acted inconsistently with international law regarding Palestine, “Israel,” NATO's Kosovo intervention, and its independence. However, Merz’s call to "outlaw" Iran is a new low.

Merz's long history includes provincial cynicism, mistaken for realism, and legal nihilism, especially when Muslims or darker-skinned people suffer Western violence. During last summer’s “Twelve-Day War,” Israel-US conflict against Iran, Germany’s chancellor urged citizens to thank their American allies and Israeli friends for their "Drecksarbeit."

MINAB, IRAN - MARCH 3: An aerial view of a graveyard as funerals are held for students and staff from a girls' school, who authorities said were killed in a US-Israeli strike on February 28, on March 3, 2026 in Minab, Iran. Iranian authorities said that over 160 people were killed in the blast, which occurred on the first day of the joint US-Israeli attack on sites across Iran. US officials say they were looking into reports of the incident at the school, which was adjacent to an Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) base. (Photo by Handout/Getty Images)

This ancient logic is rooted in human wickedness and dishonesty. It suggests that turning it into heroism—by demonstrating the courage to do what is necessary—implies breaking rules, challenging morality, and enduring conscience pangs.

Merz is not Heinrich Himmler and should not be equated with him. However, despite cognitive dissonance, this rhetorical device also featured in Himmler’s first Posen Speech on October 4, 1943. There, Himmler praised his SS men for managing “a very difficult chapter'—the extermination of the Jewish people. He noted how hard it was—to see or produce a pile of corpses—suggesting human conscience would rebel. Yet, his conclusion was to portray this atrocity as a strength and a source of “glory.”

Last summer, Merz proudly showed no remorse for his offensive “Drecksarbeit” comment. Recently, he has subtly started to change his position but has not admitted or apologized for his previous remarks. After a submissive visit to Washington, where he pledged support to Trump against Iran and betrayed NATO and Spain, Merz’s obedience has drawn criticism even from German media.

The German chancellor’s cautious support for Trump’s theatrics has prompted Israel and the US to escalate actions. Friedrich Merz feels uncomfortable aligning with figures like US Secretary of War Crimes Pete Hegseth, who enjoys violence. Many German right-wingers fear that survivors of Western violence might flee to Europe. Merz, eager to join the victorious, recognizes that supporting America may not be the best option. He now believes Israel and the US should continue their controversial actions but avoid provoking a regional catastrophe that could harm even Germany and himself.

Most Germans now see Israel’s actions in Gaza as unjustified and oppose the Iran war, but political and media elites still support the US and Israel, even supporting violence. Terms like “transatlanticism” and “Staatsräson” mask unethical obedience. Blame is placed on “anti-Americanism” and “antisemitism,” with figures like Merz exemplifying this mindset. Despite public distancing, change seems unlikely, as Germans are historically slow to rebel.

Alas!

Tarik Cyril Amar, PhD, is a German historian and expert on international politics.

He has a BA in Modern History from Oxford University, an MSc in International History from the London School of Economics, and a PhD in History from Princeton University.

Dr. Amar has held scholarships at the Holocaust Memorial Museum and the Harvard Ukrainian Research Institute and directed the Center for Urban History in Lviv, Ukraine. Originally from Germany, he has lived in the UK, Ukraine, Poland, the USA, and Turkey.

His book 'The Paradox of Ukrainian Lviv: A Borderland City between Stalinists, Nazis, and Nationalists' was published by Cornell University Press in 2015. A study of the political and cultural history of Cold War television spy stories is forthcoming, and he is currently working on a new book on the global response to the war in Ukraine. He has given interviews on various programs, including several on Rania Khalek Dispatches and Breakthrough News.

Dr. Tarik Cyril Amar’s website is https://www.tarikcyrilamar.com/; he is on Substack at https://tarikcyrilamar.substack.comand tweets at @TarikCyrilAmar.

BUILDING THE BRIDGE! | A WAY TO GET TO KNOW THE OTHER AND ONE ANOTHER

Making a Difference – The Means, Methods, and Mechanisms for Many to Move Mountains

Photo Credit: Abraham A. van Kempen, our home away from home on the Dead Sea

By Abraham A. van Kempen
Senior Editor
Updated 19 January 2024

Those who commit to 'healing our broken humanity' build intercultural bridges to learn to know and understand one another and others. Readers who thumb through the Building the Bridge (BTB) pages are not mindless sheep following other mindless sheep. They THINK. They want to be at the forefront of making a difference. They're seeking the bigger picture to expand their horizons. They don't need BTB or anyone else to confirm their biases.

Making a Difference – The Means, Methods, and Mechanisms for Many to Move Mountains

Accurate knowledge fosters understanding, dispels prejudice, and sparks a desire to learn more about the subject. Words have an extraordinary power to bring people together, divide them, forge bonds of friendship, or provoke hostility. Modern technology offers unprecedented possibilities for good, fostering harmony and reconciliation. Yet, its misuse can cause untold harm, leading to misunderstandings, prejudices, and conflicts.

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