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Conflict in the Middle East

European Commission President days Iran shouldn't have nuclear weapons. Israel has right to defend itself

383 replies

Nowayyousure · 16/06/2025 04:31

"European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen said she told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday that diplomacy was ultimately best on Iran, but stopped short of calling for an immediate ceasefire.

Von der Leyen said that she agreed with Netanyahu in a telephone call that "Iran should not have a nuclear weapon, without any question."

Von der Leyen has previously criticised Israel's actions in Gaza, but said that Iran's non-compliance with the UN nuclear watchdog meant Israel "has the right to defend itself".

"Iran is the principal source of regional instability," she added."

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izthiszeend · 18/06/2025 12:56

Dangermoo · 18/06/2025 12:41

Get a grip. You truly believe the west has caused Islamic terrorism to grow?

I don’t share your threats model.
And I don’t think there are nations who just dream of hurting others for the sake of it, instead of just living their lives, caring for their children. Thinking otherwise is racism.

Of course there are sociopaths (in every nation) - we should not arm them.
And also oppressed people with no hope who want vengeance - we should not create more of them.

Dangermoo · 18/06/2025 12:51

EasternStandard · 18/06/2025 12:47

Presumably they live in the UK and might have dc. It’s concerning to see support for hostile states. SM is an own goal at times.

I've just said on another thread, liberals are too busy looking out for the wrong enemy.

1dayatatime · 18/06/2025 12:50

@izthiszeend

"What do you think is the cause of this extremism?"

Two things:

Islamists extremists in the West. Generally speaking there is more Islamic extremism in the West than there is in the Middle East. When high expectations in life don't turn out as you hoped then many Muslims turn to a more extreme interpretation of their faith and a hatred towards the West, fuelled by a victim culture.

Left wing ideology of oppressor and oppressed. Ever since Marx there has been a view that for one section of society to succeed then this must involve another section of society suffering, rather than an overall rise for everyone (albeit with the rewards not always fairly distributed)

In this case whichever is the strongest side is always the oppressor or bad side regardless of the causes. For example if a bully punches a small kid who turns out to be a boxing champion and the small kid absolutely obliterates the bully. Then the oppressor is the small kid and not the bully. Hamas attacks Israel and then gets obliterated she Israel are the bad guys.

EasternStandard · 18/06/2025 12:47

Dangermoo · 18/06/2025 12:23

You're absolutely right ES. It's really quite unnerving to see so many posters, based in the UK, burying their heads in the sand about the global threat of Islamic extremism. They are finding any way of discrediting America's and the UK's intervention in ME politics; without that intervention, I'd dread to think.

Presumably they live in the UK and might have dc. It’s concerning to see support for hostile states. SM is an own goal at times.

Dangermoo · 18/06/2025 12:41

izthiszeend · 18/06/2025 12:38

That’s racism

Get a grip. You truly believe the west has caused Islamic terrorism to grow?

izthiszeend · 18/06/2025 12:38

Dangermoo · 18/06/2025 12:32

Culture.

That’s racism

Dangermoo · 18/06/2025 12:32

izthiszeend · 18/06/2025 12:30

What do you think is the cause of this extremism?

Culture.

izthiszeend · 18/06/2025 12:30

Dangermoo · 18/06/2025 12:23

You're absolutely right ES. It's really quite unnerving to see so many posters, based in the UK, burying their heads in the sand about the global threat of Islamic extremism. They are finding any way of discrediting America's and the UK's intervention in ME politics; without that intervention, I'd dread to think.

What do you think is the cause of this extremism?

Whatsinanamehey · 18/06/2025 12:27

Dangermoo · 18/06/2025 12:17

How can it be murder when there was no intent? Why would Israel be warning Gazan and Iranian citizens to evacuate if they wanted to murder them.

Do you know they are murdering civilians trying to feed their families almost every single day. They have even started using tank fire on crowds of people

Dangermoo · 18/06/2025 12:23

EasternStandard · 18/06/2025 12:18

No I’d say it goes further than that. It’s a sense that the US are the baddies and the support is for those who are our hostile states.

It’s alarming to see really. If people do live in the U.K.

You're absolutely right ES. It's really quite unnerving to see so many posters, based in the UK, burying their heads in the sand about the global threat of Islamic extremism. They are finding any way of discrediting America's and the UK's intervention in ME politics; without that intervention, I'd dread to think.

izthiszeend · 18/06/2025 12:19

Dangermoo · 18/06/2025 12:17

How can it be murder when there was no intent? Why would Israel be warning Gazan and Iranian citizens to evacuate if they wanted to murder them.

What makes you think there was no intent?
The warnings are just a part of this performance.

EasternStandard · 18/06/2025 12:18

ComeAsYouAreAsAFriend · 18/06/2025 12:01

There does seem to be a bit of anti US or anti west even on SM. I think it ignores who is hostile to us.
I think the anti US anti West sentiment is not about who is or isn't hostile to us. To me it looks like complete disillusionment with the current leaders, their double standards, their (for some) right wing rhetoric, the many social issues that are prevalent and increasing in many countries. There's a lot of anger and a want for change. Not sure people know yet what that looks like.

No I’d say it goes further than that. It’s a sense that the US are the baddies and the support is for those who are our hostile states.

It’s alarming to see really. If people do live in the U.K.

Dangermoo · 18/06/2025 12:17

izthiszeend · 18/06/2025 12:14

Then who murdered 50000+ people in Gaza?
The democratic, people-loving, full of west-values fair and just government of Israel?

How can it be murder when there was no intent? Why would Israel be warning Gazan and Iranian citizens to evacuate if they wanted to murder them.

izthiszeend · 18/06/2025 12:16

or, is the term murdered that you disagree with? Do you prefer exterminated? Cleansed?

izthiszeend · 18/06/2025 12:14

Dangermoo · 18/06/2025 12:10

Israel's 'zionist' government hasn't murdered civilians at all.

Then who murdered 50000+ people in Gaza?
The democratic, people-loving, full of west-values fair and just government of Israel?

Whatsinanamehey · 18/06/2025 12:13

What world are you living in? They have murdered thousands of innocent civilians.

Dangermoo · 18/06/2025 12:10

PhilippaGeorgiou · 18/06/2025 11:41

You literally have no idea what would have happened if the USA wasn't interfering with other countries internal affairs - but do remember that many of these "problem countries" we now experience (including Iran) are the result of puppets installed or supported by the USA. After all, Saddam was a great friend of ours until he wasn't. As was the Shah of Iran. If you want to accuse Corbyn of "tea with terrorists" do remember that most Western leaders and most US presidents in particular have a long history of having tea with terrorists - they just called them friends when it suited them.

And Israel's Zionist government has razed Gaza to the ground and murdered countless civilians, commiting war crimes in the process, so they are not in a great position to lecture others about terrorism. I do not support Hamas, or Iran's funding of Hamas. And I do not blame the people of Israel for the actions of their government, which many are opposed to. But Israel's government in this case needs protecting because it launched an attack on a sovereign nation; and as with the ordinary people of Gaza, it is civilians in both Israel and Iran who are paying the price for the choice of weaponry over other tactics.

Israel's 'zionist' government hasn't murdered civilians at all.

Dangermoo · 18/06/2025 12:07

ComeAsYouAreAsAFriend · 18/06/2025 12:01

There does seem to be a bit of anti US or anti west even on SM. I think it ignores who is hostile to us.
I think the anti US anti West sentiment is not about who is or isn't hostile to us. To me it looks like complete disillusionment with the current leaders, their double standards, their (for some) right wing rhetoric, the many social issues that are prevalent and increasing in many countries. There's a lot of anger and a want for change. Not sure people know yet what that looks like.

What's far right rhetoric got to do with this conflict?

ComeAsYouAreAsAFriend · 18/06/2025 12:01

EasternStandard · 18/06/2025 11:50

There does seem to be a bit of anti US or anti west even on SM. I think it ignores who is hostile to us.

Which is why the G7 and U v d L are clear on the threat from Iran having nuclear weapon capability.

There does seem to be a bit of anti US or anti west even on SM. I think it ignores who is hostile to us.
I think the anti US anti West sentiment is not about who is or isn't hostile to us. To me it looks like complete disillusionment with the current leaders, their double standards, their (for some) right wing rhetoric, the many social issues that are prevalent and increasing in many countries. There's a lot of anger and a want for change. Not sure people know yet what that looks like.

EasternStandard · 18/06/2025 11:50

PhilippaGeorgiou · 18/06/2025 11:16

You may not have noticed, but that also describes Trump and the USA! It may never have been this bad if the USA were not constantly interfering with other countries sovereign rights. If the USA were not attempting to control the world in their image, there possibly would have been no Al-Qaeda, no 9/11; if no Al-Qaeda, there may have been no ISIS. We also don't know how better it might be if the USA (especially) stopped intervening in things that are not their business.

There does seem to be a bit of anti US or anti west even on SM. I think it ignores who is hostile to us.

Which is why the G7 and U v d L are clear on the threat from Iran having nuclear weapon capability.

PhilippaGeorgiou · 18/06/2025 11:42

tramtracks · 18/06/2025 11:37

Yes. I agree with you.
Sometimes intervention does work. The USA’s involvement in WW2 for example. It was pretty clear there that ‘regime’ change was for the global greater good. Even though it cost the UK (financially) a huge amount in loan repayment to the USA which almost bankrupted us in the 50s.
Their involvement in Vietnam was a disaster. Both gulf wars equally so.

Don't forget Korea. And most of South America!

PhilippaGeorgiou · 18/06/2025 11:41

Dangermoo · 18/06/2025 11:20

Thank goodness the US is protecting Israel. You really think all those terrorists groups wouldn't have gained traction without Trump's interference.

ETA: should say USA interference

Edited

You literally have no idea what would have happened if the USA wasn't interfering with other countries internal affairs - but do remember that many of these "problem countries" we now experience (including Iran) are the result of puppets installed or supported by the USA. After all, Saddam was a great friend of ours until he wasn't. As was the Shah of Iran. If you want to accuse Corbyn of "tea with terrorists" do remember that most Western leaders and most US presidents in particular have a long history of having tea with terrorists - they just called them friends when it suited them.

And Israel's Zionist government has razed Gaza to the ground and murdered countless civilians, commiting war crimes in the process, so they are not in a great position to lecture others about terrorism. I do not support Hamas, or Iran's funding of Hamas. And I do not blame the people of Israel for the actions of their government, which many are opposed to. But Israel's government in this case needs protecting because it launched an attack on a sovereign nation; and as with the ordinary people of Gaza, it is civilians in both Israel and Iran who are paying the price for the choice of weaponry over other tactics.

tramtracks · 18/06/2025 11:37

PhilippaGeorgiou · 18/06/2025 11:16

You may not have noticed, but that also describes Trump and the USA! It may never have been this bad if the USA were not constantly interfering with other countries sovereign rights. If the USA were not attempting to control the world in their image, there possibly would have been no Al-Qaeda, no 9/11; if no Al-Qaeda, there may have been no ISIS. We also don't know how better it might be if the USA (especially) stopped intervening in things that are not their business.

Yes. I agree with you.
Sometimes intervention does work. The USA’s involvement in WW2 for example. It was pretty clear there that ‘regime’ change was for the global greater good. Even though it cost the UK (financially) a huge amount in loan repayment to the USA which almost bankrupted us in the 50s.
Their involvement in Vietnam was a disaster. Both gulf wars equally so.

mousehole · 18/06/2025 11:34

This reply has been withdrawn

withdrawn at poster's request

Amplepombear · 18/06/2025 11:22

PhilippaGeorgiou · 18/06/2025 11:06

You see, therein lie your problem. No matter what you think of him, it is for the Iranian people to deal with him / their government (because a leader does nothing without a machine behind them). If it is ok for us to support murdering someone that we do not agree with, what makes us any different than them? When Iran retaliates by murdering British people in London, will that be ok - they don't agree with us, so it's ok? You are also assuming that a more moderate leader would follow. That is not a given at all. And who appoints the new leader - the same ones that appointed thi one, or the Iranian people (unlikely) or the USA (because that worked so well last time they supported someone into power, just about anywhere, didn't it?).

It is not about supporting the Iranian government, but about the fact that when we sink to their level we are no better than them. There are better ways to deal with countries than start wars with them. Nobody except arms dealers wins wars. You would have thought that by now we might have learned that bombing shit out of people does not win any friends. And nobody, just nobody, will ever convince me that Netanyahu, war monger that he is, acted without the explicit agreement if not under the instruction of Trump and the USA. The USA have a spectacular record of imploding countries where they interfere.

My own, admittedly very selfish, worry from all of this is the deluge of refugees and how that will impact the European politics.

I definitely don’t want to see Farage as a PM!

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