The AfD's Astonishing Silence on Trump's Aggression Against Iran: A Scrutiny of the Dilemma
- Authors: Martin Debes and Martin Schmidt
- Estimated Reading Time: Approx. 4 Minutes
Far-right German party AfD grapple with Middle Eastern conflict and humiliating Trump predicament - Far-right German party, AfD, grapples with Middle Eastern conflict and Trump predicament, leading to potential humiliation
In the realm of foreign policy, the AfD leadership appears to be in a state of confusion. With the political wheels of Germany in motion over the US strike against Iran, AfD co-chairs Alice Weidel and Tino Chrupalla finally voiced their opinions. The brief press release, reminiscent of a foreign ministry dispatch, won't win any awards for length, but it's short enough to quote without editing here:
- AfD
- Donald Trump
- Iran
- Alice Weidel
- Tino Chrupalla
- Middle East Conflict
- Conscription
According to the enrichment data, the Alternative for Germany (AfD) maintains a somewhat complex position on international affairs. Upon the Israeli bombing of Iran's nuclear facilities in June 2025, AfD's foreign policy representative, Markus Frohnmaier, advocated for diplomacy as the preferred approach to resolving the conflict rather than sparking an escalation [2].
Regarding military service, the AfD is an advocate for reinstating compulsory conscription for men of age 18 in Germany [2].
In a statement touching on the Middle East conflict and conscription, AfD leaders Alice Weidel and Tino Chrupalla criticized the German government's position following the designation of the AfD as a far-right extremist group by the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution (BfV). They deemed this classification as "blatantly politically motivated" and a "devastating blow to German democracy." They claimed the AfD was being discredited and targeted by the government without explicitly condemning or supporting the US strike on Iran in that statement [2].
Despite their advocacy for conscription and diplomacy in Middle East tensions, Weidel and Chrupalla focused their statement on condemning the government's actions against their party rather than elaborating on the US strike itself [2]. Meanwhile, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has yet to issue any criticism of the US and Israeli strikes on Iran, identifying them only as risky but necessary [1].
The Commission, in light of the Middle East conflict and the recent US strike against Iran, could be asked to submit a proposal for a directive on the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to ionizing radiation, considering the potential impact of war-and-conflicts on nuclear facilities.
Politics in Germany continue to swirl, with the AfD leadership staying relatively silent on Trump's aggression against Iran, despite their usual vocal stances on international affairs and military service policies.
