海角大神

Deutsche Welle / Bonn, Germany聽

Pompeo鈥檚 Iran speech backs European leaders into a corner

鈥淥nly three years ago, [Mike] Pompeo had ranted against the Iran deal...,鈥� writes Matthias von Hein. 鈥淥n [May 21], he took the very same line 鈥� though this time, he carried the weight of his office [as US secretary of State] and had the backing of the president. One can and must be critical of many of Iran鈥檚 actions.... But the lopsidedness of Pompeo鈥檚 remarks detracts from their credibility.... Pompeo and the Trump administration ... aren鈥檛 negotiating at all 鈥� they are dictating.... Basically, Pompeo has declared economic war on Tehran and added a ... coalition of the willing, hinting that European partners join that coalition.... The speech leaves little doubt that Washington wants to expedite regime change.... Europe faces tough decisions: Washington demands loyalty for policies deemed erroneous by European leaders.鈥澛�

The National / Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Gulf states welcome Pompeo鈥檚 hard line on Iran

鈥� 鈥楾his is just the beginning,鈥� said the new US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo [May 21] as he promised new financial sanctions against the Iranian government...,鈥� writes Faisal Al Yafai. 鈥淭he arrival of Mr Pompeo as America鈥檚 top diplomat marks ... a very welcome change in most capitals of the Gulf.... How different were [former Secretary of State Rex] Tillerson鈥檚 views from Mr Pompeo鈥檚 first major speech as secretary of state, when the latter called on Iran to remove all its forces from Syria and end its support for Hezbollah and Hamas. Those, admittedly, are the US鈥檚 maximalist positions.... But as a statement of intent and as a message to allies ... it was powerful.鈥澛�

The Hindu / Chennai, India

Maduro鈥檚 reelection amid crisis: some steps he could take

鈥淰enezuelan protesters failed last year to force President Nicol谩s Maduro to step down in the midst of an economic and humanitarian crisis. After his emphatic victory in [the May 20] presidential elections, they have to reconcile themselves to his rule for another six-year term...,鈥� states an editorial. 鈥淸I]t is clear that the shrinking democratic space has exerted a toll on the polity overall. The Venezuelan health system has all but collapsed.... Inflation has hit 13,000%.... Mr. Maduro may be part of Venezuela鈥檚 problem. But he can be a big part of the solution as well. He could make a beginning by ceding democratic space for dissent both within and outside his party, and by rolling back the country鈥檚 confrontational foreign policy.鈥澛�

Ekathimerini / Athens

Spiritual and ecological improvement are connected

鈥淸F]rom June 5 to 8, the Ecumenical Patriarchate is organizing an international, interdisciplinary and interfaith ecological symposium on the islands of the Saronic Gulf,鈥� writes Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomaios. 鈥淭he symposium is the ninth in a series of similar gatherings that began in 1995.... Indeed, over the last three decades, the Ecumenical Patriarchate has highlighted the spiritual roots of the ecological crisis, while emphasizing the solidarity between humanity and nature. Moreover, it has underlined that the necessary spiritual transformation of human beings ... requires a commitment and collaboration of all social sectors and scientific disciplines.... What we believe about our world will define how we behave toward it. How we value God鈥檚 creation will determine whether we choose to respect or exploit it.鈥澛�

The Liberian Observer / Monrovia, Liberia

A key part of Diana鈥檚 legacy was fulfilled when Harry wed Meghan

鈥淎n outright conspiracy took place on Saturday, May 19, 2018; a veritable coup d鈥櫭﹖at if you will, but of the subtle, intelligent kind,鈥� states an editorial. 鈥淭he entire world watched with absolute horror twenty years ago when Diana, Princess of Wales, met her untimely death.... [S]he was the people鈥檚 princess; a woman with a heart who singularly tried to melt the iciness that was characteristic of the British aristocracy. Alas, she was ahead of her time.... Oh Diana!... Did you ever believe your mission would be accomplished from the grave?... [Y]our baby gave his wedding ring bearing your jewels to an African-American beauty.... It is on your shoulders that ... Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex, will stand.鈥澛�