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Imagine a former five-star army general in the same room as an anti-war activist? That is what we witness on this latest edition of The Ring, Euronews’ weekly debate show.
Riho Terras, an Estonian general and centre-right MEP, went face-to-face with far-left Turkish-born German MEP Özlem Demirel on the role of the EU in the ongoing war in the Middle East.
As the conflict enters its fourth week, EU leaders have called for “de-escalation, the protection of civilians, and restraint,” while avoiding direct involvement. But the question of whether Brussels should take a stronger stance has exposed deep divisions.
“We know from history that military means and wars never brought democracy to this region,” Demirel said, adding starkly: “Bombs fall, the stock markets rise, people die.”
Riho Terras disagreed and took a more security-focused line, defending the need for military strength in global politics. “Nobody listens to somebody who does not have military means,” he argued, stressing that diplomacy alone is insufficient without power behind it.
This episode of The Ring is anchored by Méabh Mc Mahon, produced by Luis Albertos and Amaia Echevarria, and edited by Vassilis Glynos.
Watch The Ring on Euronews TV or in the player above and send us your views by writing to [email protected]