In an unprecedented diplomatic gesture, Melania Trump assumed the chairmanship of a UN Security Council session, becoming the first First Lady in history to perform this role. This event coincides with the escalation of armed conflict with Iran and the visit of German Chancellor Friedrich Merz to Washington. The German leader faces internal pressure over tariffs while aligning Berlin's position closer to Donald Trump's policy towards Tehran.
Melania Trump's Historic Role
The First Lady of the USA chaired a UN Security Council meeting in New York during the ongoing war with Iran.
Friedrich Merz's Visit to the USA
The German Chancellor met with Donald Trump, signaling a shift in Berlin's course towards Washington's policy.
Resistance from German Public Opinion
A majority of Germans in polls oppose military intervention against Tehran.
Terrorist Threat in Europe
Experts warn of possible attacks on Jewish targets in connection with the escalation of the conflict in the Middle East.
International events in March 2026 were dominated by the figure of Melania Trump and the escalating conflict in the Middle East. Melania Trump, as the first-ever spouse of a sitting US president, chaired a meeting of the United Nations Security Council UN. The session took place amid an atmosphere of fierce protests and extraordinary circumstances caused by ongoing military actions against Iran. Commentators note that this step is an attempt to emphasize the unity of the American administration in the face of crisis. Parallel to the events in New York, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz arrived at the White House for a meeting with Donald Trump. This visit is critical, as Merz decided to depart from Germany's previous moral restraint, declaring support for the American strategy towards Iran. This gesture is controversial in Europe, where the European Union remains deeply divided, and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is accused of acting in isolation from member states. Transatlantic relations have for decades been based on balancing defense solidarity within NATO with Europe's trade independence, which has repeatedly led to friction along the Washington–Berlin line. In Germany itself, reactions to the conflict are ambiguous. A poll by Forsa shows that a majority of citizens oppose a military attack on Iran. Meanwhile, state authorities, including in Rhineland-Palatinate and Saxony, are analyzing the state of internal security. Although no extraordinary precautionary measures were implemented immediately after the attack, the government commissioner for antisemitism warns of a real threat of terrorist attacks on Jewish institutions in Europe as retaliation for actions by the USA and Israel. „This is not only a matter of national security, but a moral imperative to protect freedom for future generations.” — Melania Trump From an economic perspective, Merz's visit to the USA is an attempt to defuse a tariff dispute. The German public demands that the chancellor take a tough stance against American protectionism, even though politically the two countries are strengthening military cooperation. This situation places Germany in a difficult position between loyalty to its ally and the economic interest of its own export industry.
Mentioned People
- Melania Trump — First Lady of the USA, chairing a UN Security Council session.
- Friedrich Merz — Chancellor of Germany, on a diplomatic visit to Washington.
- Donald Trump — President of the United States.
- Ursula von der Leyen — President of the European Commission.
- Mark Rutte — Secretary General of NATO.