Brussels Playbook Podcast Europe should back American strikes on Iran, says key Merz ally
13 snips
Mar 13, 2026 
Norbert Röttgen, veteran German politician and former foreign affairs chair, argues for a united European response and qualified backing for US strikes on Iran. He discusses coalition divisions in Berlin, the need for transatlantic alignment, risks from Russia and economic fallout. Short, direct takes on when military action could be justified and why Europe must speak with one voice.
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Weigh Consequences Over Legal Absolutism
- Europe must weigh consequences, not apply international law as a blunt cudgel in every case.
- Norbert Röttgen argues US/Israeli strikes risked enabling Iranian regime repression but also created a unique opportunity for Iranian self-determination.
Account For Regime Violence When Judging Strikes
- Consider the trade-off: opposing strikes can unintentionally secure safety for a brutal regime.
- Röttgen highlights 30,000 Iranians killed recently as a factor that must shape legal and moral calculations.
Four Factors That Make Iran A Special Case
- Röttgen lists four specific factors that make action against Iran distinct: internal brutality, broad public opposition, external threat, and a paralysed UN Security Council.
- He uses these to argue the case is legally and politically exceptional.