Merz’s realpolitik approach to Iran and what it means for Germany

Merz says a "rules-based international" order should apply...but not when it comes to toppling some authoritarian regimes.

Dear Reader,

In the hours before the joint American-Israeli strikes on Iran early Saturday morning, only one European country was informed in advance: Germany.

Notably, Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) has also been the only European leader to meet Donald Trump since the targeted blows on Tehran — attacks that have since escalated into a broader Middle Ea…