Igor Merheim-Eyre
11.1K posts
@MerheimEyre
Transatlantic security, freedom & democracy; Research Fellow @UniKentPolitics; formerly @IRIglobal & @Europarl_EN
Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides says there should be a "frank, open discussion" about the future of British sovereign bases on the island when the Iran war is over bloom.bg/3NSo4Xz
The UK steel strategy brings into focus the impact of steel over capacity on global trade. The US 301 investigations are also focused on overcapacity, but no one is really tackling the original cause which is market distortions, what I have called ACMDs or anti-competitive market distortions inside producer markets especially China @biztradegovuk @USTradeRep #ACMDs #tradepolicy
Once again: The EU is not our friend.
🇩🇪 German Rheinmetall CEO Armin Papperger: “If the war in Iran lasts another month, I think we will nearly have no missiles available… …I think that at the moment all European, American and also Middle East stocks are empty, or nearly empty.”
The European liberal political family (Renew) is urging EU leaders to form a pact with Japan, Canada, and South Korea to deter Trump and China from exerting undue pressure on trade partners politico.eu/article/eu-lib…
The fact that the president is well regarded in Europe as "transactional" and this has not occurred to European leaders?
Just spoke to @POTUS about our European allies’ unwillingness to provide assets to keep the Strait of Hormuz functioning, which benefits Europe far more than America. I have never heard him so angry in my life. I share that anger given what’s at stake. The arrogance of our allies to suggest that Iran with a nuclear weapon is of little concern and that military action to stop the ayatollah from acquiring a nuclear bomb is our problem not theirs is beyond offensive. The European approach to containing the ayatollah’s nuclear ambitions have proven to be a miserable failure. The repercussions of providing little assistance to keep the Strait of Hormuz functioning are going to be wide and deep for Europe and America. I consider myself very forward-leaning on supporting alliances, however at a time of real testing like this, it makes me second guess the value of these alliances. I am certain I am not the only senator who feels this way.
👀Another plan, another "now or never moment"?
The dominant narrative says the Iran campaign is failing. I disagree. The strategy is working. I’ve been living under the sirens in Doha. The data tells a different story: missile launches down 90%, nuclear infrastructure inaccessible, proxy command networks shattered. My new piece in @AJEnglish: aljazeera.com/opinions/2026/…
It is not in the national interest for the UK to be a rule taker
It looked strange, and European allies will have noticed, that Merz didn’t defend Spain or his close E3 buddy Starmer. Arguably, on Trump’s U.K. rant, Merz’ ability to help was limited. But on Spain he did nada to defend EU unity and instead even joined the beating of Sánchez.
The UK gave China a free pass by allowing the two Chris' case to collapse, and still refuses to place China - our biggest security threat - in the top tier of our foreign influence laws. It is increasingly unsustainable to keep Beijing our of the scheme designed for them.
🚨 WATCH: The Government has raised "strong concerns" with China after three men - including a Labour MP’s partner - were arrested on suspicion of spying "If there is proven evidence of attempts by China to interfere with UK sovereign affairs, we will impose severe consequences"
Operation Epic Fury isn't just about dealing with the threat from Iran - it's also hitting the Chinese Communist Party where it hurts. Beijing has has used Iran as the primary pillar to exert power in the Middle East. If we succeed in taking down the Iranian regime, we will have weakened a key element of Chinese power. That's a very big deal.
Across the West, Conservatives share a responsibility: preserve our culture, honour our history, restore meritocracy, and unlock boundless opportunity and freedom for our people. In London this morning, I met with UK Conservative Leader @KemiBadenoch to advance that mission and strengthen the historic bond between 🇬🇧 and 🇨🇦.
Nous ne pouvons pas laisser les Etats-Unis décider seuls de l’avenir du Moyen-Orient comme de celui du monde. L’Europe doit se faire respecter, s’affirmer, pour être capable de se défendre par elle-même et de peser sur le destin du monde !
Von der Leyen signals that Switzerland has won itself an exemption from the future “buy European” rules to be published on Wednesday (or maybe later, who knows) but is likely to still get clobbered with EU steel tariffs.
