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IOL News
6 days ago
- Politics
- IOL News
'Dangerous escalation': World reacts to US strikes on Iran
A man holds a sign near US Marines from 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, standing guard at a protest condemning the US and Israeli strikes on Iran Image: Bing Guan / AFP The United States struck three nuclear sites in Iran on Sunday, joining Israel's bombing campaign after days of speculation over Washington's involvement in the conflict. "Iran's key nuclear enrichment facilities have been completely and totally obliterated. Iran, the bully of the Middle East, must now make peace," US President Donald Trump said after the strikes. Here is a roundup of the key reactions: Iran: 'Everlasting consequences' Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi condemned the US attacks as "outrageous" and said his country had a right to defend its sovereignty. "The events this morning are outrageous and will have everlasting consequences," he posted on social media, calling the attacks "lawless and criminal" behaviour. Araghchi later said the United States and Israel crossed "a very big red line" with the attacks, and said he would head to Moscow later Sunday for talks with President Vladimir Putin. Israel: 'Change history' Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu congratulated Trump, saying the attacks would "help lead the Middle East and beyond to a future of prosperity and peace". "Your bold decision to target Iran's nuclear facilities with the awesome and righteous might of the United States will change history," Netanyahu said in a video message, adding that the attacks demonstrated "America has been truly unsurpassed". He also told Israelis that his promise to destroy Iran's nuclear facilities had been "fulfilled". Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading EU: 'Step back' The European Union's top diplomat Kaja Kallas called for de-escalation and a return to negotiations. "I urge all sides to step back, return to the negotiating table and prevent further escalation," Kallas wrote on X, adding that Iran must not be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon and that EU foreign ministers would discuss the situation on Monday. Russia: 'Irresponsible' strikes Russia "strongly condemned" the bombings, calling them "irresponsible" and a "gross violation of international law". "A dangerous escalation has begun, fraught with further undermining of regional and global security," the Russian foreign ministry added. Ukraine: 'Clear signal' Ukraine's foreign ministry said the strikes were justified to prevent Tehran from developing nuclear weapons, praising them as a "clear signal". "Ukraine is convinced that Iran's nuclear programme must be stopped so that it never again poses a threat to the countries of the Middle East or any other state," it said. UN: 'Dangerous escalation' UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called the strikes a "dangerous escalation in a region already on the edge". "There is no military solution. The only path forward is diplomacy. The only hope is peace," Guterres said in a statement. OIC: Dialogue and 'peaceful means' The Organization of Islamic Cooperation warned that the strikes could lead to "heightened tensions and threaten regional security, peace, and stability". It called for "de-escalation and self-restraint, and for resorting to dialogue and returning to negotiations and peaceful means." Britain: 'Stability is priority' UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer called on Iran to "return to the negotiating table and reach a diplomatic solution to end this crisis". "Iran can never be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon and the US has taken action to alleviate that threat," Starmer said on X, adding that "stability in the region is a priority". France: 'Exercise restraint' French President Emmanuel Macron called a meeting of the country's defence council, with his office saying he had spoken with the leaders of Saudi Arabia and Oman. France is urging "all parties to exercise restraint to avoid any escalation that could lead to an extension of the conflict", Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot posted on X. China: 'Cease fire' China's foreign ministry said it "strongly condemns" the US strikes, warning that they "escalate tensions in the Middle East". "China calls on all parties to the conflict, especially Israel, to cease fire as soon as possible," the ministry said. North Korea: 'Violated UN charter' North Korea also condemned the US strikes, calling it a violation of the United Nations charter and blaming the tension in the Middle East on the "reckless valor of Israel". "The Democratic People's Republic of Korea strongly denounces the attack on Iran by the US, which severely violated the UN Charter with respect for sovereignty," said a spokesperson of the North's foreign ministry, according to a statement carried by the state news agency. Pope Leo XIV: 'Crying out for peace' Pope Leo XIV said that "humanity is crying out for peace" and called for an end to all wars. "Each member of the international community has the moral responsibility to end the tragedy of war before it becomes an irreparable chasm," Leo said during his weekly Angelus prayer at the Vatican. Saudi Arabia: 'Exercise restraint' Saudi Arabia expressed "great concern" after the strikes on its neighbour, the "sisterly Islamic Republic of Iran". "The Kingdom underscores the need to exert all possible efforts to exercise restraint, de-escalate tensions and avoid further escalation," the foreign ministry posted on X. Pakistan: 'Violate international law' Pakistan, the only nuclear-armed Muslim country and a longtime Washington ally, said the US attacks "violate all norms of international law". "We are gravely concerned at the possible further escalation of tensions in the region," Pakistan's foreign ministry said, adding that Iran had the "right to defend itself under the UN Charter". Hamas: 'Brutal aggression' The Palestinian militant group Hamas condemned the "blatant US aggression against the territory and sovereignty of the Islamic Republic of Iran". "This brutal aggression is a dangerous escalation," Hamas said, calling the attack "a flagrant violation of international law and a direct threat to international peace and security".
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First Post
17-06-2025
- Politics
- First Post
Merz, Trump and more: Why the world is loving military so much
Across continents and political ideologies, nations are embracing their militaries with unprecedented fervour from Germany's first-ever Veterans Day to Trump's parade politics and a global surge in defence spending read more First Lieutenant Zachary Buher and Staff Sergeant Cesar Lua, members of the U.S. Army's Charlie Company, 2nd Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division operate a M1A2 SEP V3 tank during the Army's 250th Birthday parade in Washington, D.C., US., June 14, 2025. Reuters Across continents and political systems, a striking global shift is underway — a rising embrace of military power not just as a tool of defence, but as a central pillar of national identity and state legitimacy. From the celebratory tone of Germany's first-ever Veterans Day to Donald Trump's insistent revival of martial symbolism in the United States, governments are rekindling national pride through the lens of armed forces. This renewed affection for military institutions is not emerging in a vacuum. It's being shaped by active wars, changing geopolitics and a growing perception of external threat and internal instability. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Germany's U-Turn: Veterans Day and the 'Strongest Army in Europe' In a nation long haunted by its militaristic past, Germany's first national day for military veterans marked a cultural transformation. Germany's Defence Minister Boris Pistorius presided over commemorations held nationwide, referring to the day as a 'long-overdue signal of recognition' for the country's soldiers. This was more than just ceremony — it signalled Germany's shifting national narrative around its military. Sarah Brockmeier-Large from the Peace Research Institute in Frankfurt described the development as evidence of a new societal consensus: that a functioning democracy requires strong armed forces. Particularly after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the Bundeswehr's role began to be reimagined from a relic of a dangerous past to a guardian of European stability. The political momentum didn't stop at cultural shifts. With Friedrich Merz's rise to chancellorship, Germany began implementing policies to radically expand its defence capability. Merz declared his aim to build the 'strongest conventional army in Europe,' promising increases in troop strength, new military equipment and greater integration into Nato-wide planning. His pledge to raise defence spending to 5 per cent of GDP—higher than even US levels—was both a statement of autonomy and an answer to long-standing demands from Washington. Trump's parade and the politics of power projection Across the Atlantic, the symbolic revival of the military under President Trump took a more theatrical form. But Trump's 79th birthday parade was overshadowed by widespread protests against his use of power, yet the military spectacle itself remained central to his political messaging. Trump framed the parade as a necessary affirmation of American military greatness, vowing that enemies of the U.S. would meet 'total and complete defeat' at the hands of its soldiers. Though the event was mired in political tension and civil unrest, the intent was unmistakable. Trump was reaffirming the military as a source of national pride and authority. This narrative, even amid domestic chaos, has helped normalise the public celebration of armed might, making military symbolism a cornerstone of political legitimacy in the US once again. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Wars as catalysts: Ukraine, West Asia, Africa It would be simplistic to suggest these developments are purely domestic. Ongoing global conflicts have created an atmosphere where military readiness is not just relevant — it's existential. The war in Ukraine remains a critical driver, especially for Europe. Trump's unpredictability regarding Nato commitments has compelled European nations to spend more and prepare for scenarios without guaranteed US protection. In parallel, West Asia continues to convulse with violence. According to the Geneva Academy, more than 45 armed conflicts are active in the region, involving both state and non-state actors and drawing in foreign powers like Russia and the US. Africa, too, faces similar turmoil, with over 35 non-international armed conflicts in countries such as Ethiopia, Mali and Nigeria. These theatres of war have prompted an unprecedented increase in defence budgets. According to the Council of the European Union, the continent saw a 30 per cent rise in defence expenditure between 2021 and 2024, hitting €326 billion ($377 billion). Further investment is expected as part of the EU's Readiness 2030 plan, which includes €150 billion ($173.5 billion) in defence loans and substantial funding for joint procurement and research. Asia's response: From assertiveness to alarm While Europe re-arms, Asia grapples with its own powder kegs. China has continued to assert military pressure on Taiwan and the South China Sea region, prompting alarm in neighbouring countries and accelerating regional arms races. India, surrounded by two hostile neighbours — China and Pakistan — finds itself under strategic compulsion to boost its military preparedness. Operation Sindoor highlighted India's military necessities in a volatile neighbourhood. Pakistan is a 'military state' indistinguishable from the terrorist networks it harbours. India recently sent out multiple delegations across the globe to bust the Pakistani narrative of separation between state and non-state actors in the country. Pakistan watchers have said for long that the non-state actors in Pakistan have the patronage of its military establishment. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD With Bangladesh showing increasing hostility and the global community largely silent, India has few options other than strengthening its own deterrence. The Indo-Pacific, in this regard, mirrors Europe's urgency. Nations are not just reacting to threats — they are preparing for scenarios where alliances may fail and self-defence becomes the only option. The blurred line between soldier and state Nowhere is the militarisation of state identity more pronounced than in regimes where the armed forces are the government. In Pakistan and North Korea, the military is not just an arm of the state but its ruling entity. Pakistani generals are said to not only guide national policy but are celebrated for military failures — an absurdity that reveals the deep entrenchment of the military in public life. This blurring of lines fosters authoritarianism. When the military becomes the symbol of unity and stability, democratic institutions and civilian oversight often erode. Trump's militarised political rhetoric, Germany's stance under Merz and China's aggression all suggest that even democratic nations are increasingly comfortable with ceding more political space to military logic and institutions. Industrial complex: Militarisation as economic strategy Behind the uniforms and parades lies a booming defence economy. The European defence industry, as reported by the Council of the European Union, saw a nearly 17 per cent increase in turnover in 2023, with over €158 billion ($182.7 billion) in revenue. Job creation has followed suit, with more than 580,000 employed across military aeronautics, naval and land sectors. This investment is not just about security — it's about industrial strategy. A stronger defence industry is seen as a route to greater economic independence and technological superiority. With small and medium enterprises deeply embedded in the supply chain, militarisation has become an engine of economic growth and political capital. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD A new global normal? States are no longer relying solely on diplomacy or multilateral institutions to ensure peace. Instead, they are returning — some proudly, others cautiously — to the old logic of strength through force. From Berlin to Washington, Paris to New Delhi, the love for the military is not just emotional. It is strategic, economic, and, in many cases, political. Whether born out of necessity, nostalgia or national insecurity, this global wave of militarism is not a blip. It is a symptom of a world bracing for conflict.
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
200 Marines head to downtown LA, in the Corps' most politically fraught mission
200 Marines headed to a downtown LA federal building Thursday night. California Gov. Gavin Newsom objected to the deployment ordered by the defense secretary. Marines' training includes embassy protection, but civilian unrest response training is rare. A portion of the 700 Marines deployed to Los Angeles to support federal law enforcement were routed downtown Thursday night to guard a federal building. The development marks the first time Marines will be working in the city, just days after the secretary of defense tasked the Marines to deploy despite objections from California Gov. Gavin Newsom. "Starting today, 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines will focus on the protection of federal property and personnel," said Task Force-51 mission commander Maj. Gen. Scott Sherman on Friday during a media roundtable with reporters. The California National Guard soldiers who have been guarding the Wilshire Federal Building in downtown LA will transfer that responsibility to 200 Marines, allowing the Guard to provide "protection to federal law enforcement officers as they conduct their law enforcement functions," elsewhere in the area, Sherman said. Sherman declined to speculate if the remaining 500 Marines might soon be sent to other parts of LA. While Marines are known to "improve, adapt, and overcome" in the face of adversity, some say these combat troops are ill-prepared for a politically fraught mission: Countering those protesting the Trump administration's immigration crackdown after only a few days of non-lethal and crowd control training. Sherman pointed to another mission the Marines fill, guarding embassies overseas, as evidence of preparedness for the LA mission. "They are certainly trained on how to defend a federal building. And that's the missions that we're really focused on them to do, and that's what they will be doing here. They've already started with the Wilshire building today, and we will progress from there," he said. But this discounts the amount of special training that goes into both responding to unrest and protecting an embassy. Embassy protection is not part of widespread training for Marines — rather, it's a three-year special duty assignment to be filled by Marines who've attended schooling for the assignment, said Joe Plenzer, a retired Marine infantry officer and veteran of 2/7. An infantry unit such as 2/7 is trained in the job's most essential task— locating, closing with, and destroying the enemy by fire and maneuver, Plenzer said, adding that he was perplexed by how the unit's mission in LA, and proximity to American civilians, squares with this. Law enforcement practices, by contrast, emphasize de-escalation and using minimal force if necessary. Such units often deploy on Marine Expeditionary Units, groups of ships that float around the world acting as a deterrent to bad actors and a crisis response force, requiring months of predeployment training, Plenzer said. And "Seventh Marines is kind of like the Marine Corps' break-glass-in-case-of-war unit," Plenzer said. The unit's home base, Twentynine Palms, California, is desolate and remote, affording Marines ample opportunity to train with weapons and master their craft. "We never got crowd control training," Plenzer said. "We were always on the range shooting targets, calling in artillery, mortars, and aviation fires, and hiking with heavy packs through the desert over mountain ranges." Read the original article on Business Insider
Business Insider
13-06-2025
- Politics
- Business Insider
200 Marines head to downtown LA, in the Corps' most politically fraught mission
A portion of the 700 Marines deployed to Los Angeles to support federal law enforcement were routed downtown Thursday night to guard a federal building. The development marks the first time Marines will be working in the city, just days after the secretary of defense tasked the Marines to deploy despite objections from California Gov. Gavin Newsom. "Starting today, 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines will focus on the protection of federal property and personnel," said Task Force-51 mission commander Maj. Gen. Scott Sherman on Friday during a media roundtable with reporters. The California National Guard soldiers who have been guarding the Wilshire Federal Building in downtown LA will transfer that responsibility to 200 Marines, allowing the Guard to provide "protection to federal law enforcement officers as they conduct their law enforcement functions," elsewhere in the area, Sherman said. Sherman declined to speculate if the remaining 500 Marines might soon be sent to other parts of LA. While Marines are known to " improve, adapt, and overcome" in the face of adversity, some say these combat troops are ill-prepared for a politically fraught mission: Countering those protesting the Trump administration's immigration crackdown after only a few days of non-lethal and crowd control training. Sherman pointed to another mission the Marines fill, guarding embassies overseas, as evidence of preparedness for the LA mission. "They are certainly trained on how to defend a federal building. And that's the missions that we're really focused on them to do, and that's what they will be doing here. They've already started with the Wilshire building today, and we will progress from there," he said. But this discounts the amount of special training that goes into both responding to unrest and protecting an embassy. Embassy protection is not part of widespread training for Marines — rather, it's a three-year special duty assignment to be filled by Marines who've attended schooling for the assignment, said Joe Plenzer, a retired Marine infantry officer and veteran of 2/7. An infantry unit such as 2/7 is trained in the job's most essential task— locating, closing with, and destroying the enemy by fire and maneuver, Plenzer said, adding that he was perplexed by how the unit's mission in LA, and proximity to American civilians, squares with this. Law enforcement practices, by contrast, emphasize de-escalation and using minimal force if necessary. Such units often deploy on Marine Expeditionary Units, groups of ships that float around the world acting as a deterrent to bad actors and a crisis response force, requiring months of predeployment training, Plenzer said. And "Seventh Marines is kind of like the Marine Corps' break-glass-in-case-of-war unit," Plenzer said. The unit's home base, Twentynine Palms, California, is desolate and remote, affording Marines ample opportunity to train with weapons and master their craft. "We never got crowd control training," Plenzer said. "We were always on the range shooting targets, calling in artillery, mortars, and aviation fires, and hiking with heavy packs through the desert over mountain ranges."
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Why American flags in Kentucky are at half staff on Friday, June 13, 2025
If you're out and about on Friday, you might notice flags at half-staff around the Bluegrass State. Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear gave an order Thursday for flags at all state buildings to be lowered in honor of two military servicemembers who recently died on active duty, according to a news release. One was a Louisville native, while the other is being interred in Kentucky. The order honors the following servicemembers, according to the release: U.S. Army Pfc Tyler Ray, 34, of Louisville. Ray died Saturday, May 24. He was assigned to Company C, 2nd Battalion, 504th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division out of Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Services are private. U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Joshua Guzman-Henao, 23, of Clarksville, Tennessee, died Monday, May 26. He was stationed at Camp Lejeune in Jacksonville, North Carolina. Services will take place in Hopkinsville. Flag Day 2025: About the holiday and how to properly display the American flag Gov. Beshear's office ordered flags at state buildings at half-staff from sunrise to sunset. "Gov. Beshear encourages all individuals, businesses, organizations and government agencies to join in this tribute," the news release reads." Individuals interested in receiving email updates about the flag status in Kentucky can subscribe at This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Why are flags at half staff in Kentucky on Friday, June 13, 2025?
