German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier don come out strong to talk about di ongoing war wey US and Israel dey fight against Iran. For speech wey im give for foreign ministry office for Berlin, Steinmeier yarn say di war na “disastrous mistake” wey dey break international law. Dis na strong talk wey dey show say Germany no dey fully support di foreign policy of US President Donald Trump.
Steinmeier wey be former foreign minister for Germany talk say im no dey believe di reason wey US give for di war. US talk say dem attack Iran because Iran want attack US targets soon, but German President say dat reason no hold water. Im yarn say: “We must address this with regard to the war in Iran. For, in my view, this war is contrary to international law.”
Di German President talk say di war no necessary at all. Im describe am as “politically disastrous mistake” wey don cause big problem for relationship between Germany and America. Steinmeier compare di current situation to wetin happen when Russia invade Ukraine for 2022. Im talk say just as relationship with Russia no go return to how e be before February 24, 2022, relationship with America no go return to how e be before January 20, 2025.
For di speech, Steinmeier talk say Germany don learn lesson from how dem depend too much on Russia before. Now dem must apply dat lesson to dia relationship with America, especially for defense and technology matters. Im yarn say technology translate to power, and Germany need to create alternatives to US-dominated technology.
Meanwhile, for Middle East, di war dey spread to Lebanon. Israel Defense Minister Israel Katz talk say Israeli military go take control of south Lebanon up to Litani River wey dey about 30km from Lebanon-Israel border. Katz talk say all five bridges over Litani River wey Hezbollah dey use don blow up, and Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) go control di remaining bridges and security zone.
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun talk say Israel attack on Qasmiyeh Bridge over di weekend na “prelude to ground invasion.” Many Lebanese people fear say Israel want separate southern Lebanon from di rest of di country before dem invade large-scale. Dis mean say many people wey don run from dia houses no go fit return.
Human Rights Watch talk say Israel displacement of civilians for Lebanon fit be war crime. Since Israel renew war for Lebanon on 2 March, over one million people don run from dia houses. Lebanese health ministry talk say at least 1,039 people don die for Israeli attacks since di latest war begin, including 79 women and 118 children.
International Rescue Committee talk say thousands of people no get proper shelter – some dey sleep for open, for streets, for tents, or for dia cars. Others dey pack for overcrowded shelters wey no get enough clean water, toilet facilities, and privacy. Local services dey struggle to meet di rising demand.
Steinmeier talk say Germany need to build on Europe‘s strength as technology hub with talent, markets, opportunities and ethical standards. Im mention recent problem between Pentagon and Anthropic over safety guardrails for artificial intelligence as wake-up call for Europe. China don return to become Germany top trading partner for first eight months of 2025, overtake America as higher tariffs affect German exports.
Trade between America and Germany reach more than 163 billion euros ($190 billion) for dat period. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz wey get more political power don avoid questions about di war legality, but Steinmeier wey role na largely ceremonial fit talk freely. Im yarn say: “Our foreign policy does not become more convincing just because we do not call a breach of international law a breach of international law.”
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