Friedrich Merz and the dirty work: This is how open contempt for international law works
Our columnist wonders about the Chancellor's assessment of Israel's actions against Iran.
Friedrich Merz maintains that Israel is doing our dirty work in Iran. He is said to be openly disregarding international law. He has been reported . May I try to join in?
Open contempt for international law is refreshing, at least compared to the classic smug version. One recalls the value-driven bombing campaigns in Serbia and Iraq. Their legitimation acrobatics were phony and nauseating. That doesn't have to be the case. Avoiding hypocrisy reduces the urge to vomit. Added to that is linguistic economy: instead of the long-winded "Russia's war of aggression in violation of international law," filthy synonyms like "Putin's urinal cleaning" are now sufficient, and newsreaders have more time for soccer scores.
Another testament to Merzen's tough attitude is that Germany has a reputation to lose. In the 20th century, we were considered a nation that liked to get its hands dirty. Gleiwitz transmitter, those were the days. Gone. If a world war breaks out these days, we won't march ahead with troops due to a lack of numbers. But, to save our honor, with our mouths. If the Chancellor feels like adding a few Rambo-Zambo sayings: "Where there's sawing, there's shavings," "Be not the anvil, be the hammer," and "He who brakes, loses" are suitable for dealing with the collateral damage of dirty work.
The Russian is known to arrive from around 2029International law shouldn't act boldly in general. Sure, it wants to be taken seriously. But why then does it allow a person qualified at best by their self-confidence to use the professional title of "international lawyer" and act as the chair of a global impotence support group in New York? It's obvious that something must be wrong with this matter. Probably the following: International law applies equally to all states. A design flaw. Because it's supposed to ensure that everything turns out well. Unfortunately, only we are the good guys. The bad guys unfortunately believe this about themselves too. They're not only bad, but also stupid. Otherwise, we'd now, haha, be supplying Iran with weapons and Trump with sanctions packages. Pragmatists have the choice between double standards or no standards. On X, someone writes that international law is the knife-free zone of geopolitics. Opinion leaders add that this eccentric legal system belongs in the trash. Its toothlessness protects villains. It's important to lament this only with a view to Moscow and Tehran. Otherwise, Netanyahu will end up bending down to get the soap for Putin in the cellblock in The Hague.
In any case, it's reassuring that someone with a relaxed attitude toward preventive force is leading the country's war training. But would the rhetorically dashing Commander-in-Chief Merz himself have the courage to launch a preemptive strike? As we all know, the Russians will be coming around 2029. What could be more obvious than getting ahead of them? It should be taken into account that the enemy is already practicing self-defense by using offensive defense to prevent Ukraine from becoming a threat. We would therefore have to counter its inevitable preemptive action even more proactively. As quickly as possible. That wouldn't be a war of aggression against the UN Charter, but rather preventive prophylaxis in accordance with our rules-based world order. Dirty work that we're finally doing ourselves again. And never forget: We're the good guys.
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Berliner-zeitung
