Glenn Diesen - Greater Eurasia Podcast Michael von der Schulenburg: Europe's Self-Defeating Iran War Policy
Mar 12, 2026
Michael von der Schulenburg, a former UN diplomat who spent nine years in Iran and now serves in the European Parliament, critiques Europe’s stance on the Iran war. He discusses how European support risks abandoning international law, the dangers of decapitation strikes and escalation, the impact on proliferation and Gulf security, and the need for realistic Europe-Russia dialogue.
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Nine Years Living Inside Iran
- Michael von der Schulenburg recounts living nine years in Iran and meeting Ayatollah Khomeini twice, giving him rare inside perspective.
- He emphasises living outside diplomatic compounds, traveling widely, and being invited into private homes and Khomeini's compound.
Iran War Undermines The UN Legal Order
- Michael von der Schulenburg argues the Iran war threatens the whole international legal order rooted in the UN Charter.
- He warns abandoning rules of law restores the rule of the strongest and risks global annihilation given modern weapons.
Europe Backing Force Is Self-Defeating
- He says Europe's support for the US/Israeli action is hypocritical and self-damaging because Europe will never be the strongest power.
- Europe exports a system that favors the strongest while losing influence, economy, and security.