The former Federal Foreign Minister and Vice Chancellor Joschka Fischer (Greens) spoke in a recent interview about the situation in the Middle East. One topic: the much-discussed deployment of ground troops.
Fischer thinks little of the approach. Dem “Handelsblatt” he said: “Ground troops? “After the disastrous experiences of the Americans in the Iraq War, this is a completely crazy, if not spooky, idea.”
If you believe the US President, this shouldn’t happen for the time being. Donald Trump told NBC in a telephone interview: “That would be a waste of time.” And further: “They have lost everything. They have lost their navy. They have lost everything they can lose.” However, the Republican is known for his unpredictability.
The situation in the Middle East remains explosive
This time too he seems to be living up to his reputation. Because shortly after the telephone interview another NBC report released. It said Trump was “seriously” considering stationing ground troops in Iran. Specifically, it was probably about a small contingent for targeted strategic operations.
The broadcaster cited two US officials, a former US official and another insider. They emphasized that Trump had not yet made any relevant decisions or given orders.
Karoline Leavitt, White House press secretary, said in a statement: “President Trump wisely keeps his options open, but anyone who even suggests he favors one option or another proves he has no real place at the table.”
One thing is clear: the situation in the Middle East remains explosive. Iranian state media reports severe damage across the country following air strikes. Two hospitals in the Khuzestan province in the southwest of the country are among those affected.
Tehran responded to the attacks with rockets and cruise missiles. According to Iran’s own statements, it has fired more than 500 of them since the war began last Saturday. The targets were Israel, but also US facilities in the Gulf region.
“The USA is on the way to an oligarchy”
How long Israel, the USA and Iran will continue to fire at each other remains to be seen. In Fischer’s eyes, we are currently “in a transition phase in which the USA is transforming itself into an imperial power.” This transformation is not only one of security and foreign policy, but above all also of domestic and economic policy.
“The USA is on the way to an oligarchy, away from the competitive, entrepreneur-supported, free market economy,” said the Green. The transatlantic alliance must be written off.
Fischer also believes that the 21st century will no longer be America’s century. “America has passed its peak. And it is accelerating its decline by eliminating the West under Trump – and willfully so. The West practically no longer exists,” said the former foreign minister.




