Attard vs. López-Istúriz — How should Europe respond to the Iran war?

As the war in Iran enters its second week, the ripple effects are reaching Europe — from rising energy prices to growing security concerns on the EU’s southeastern flank.

Where does Europe stand as the conflict escalates? MEPs Daniel Attard, from the Socialists & Democrats group, and Antonio López-Istúriz, from the centre-right European People’s Party, go head to head to debate how the European Union should respond to the war in Iran — and what the crisis could mean for Europe’s economy, security and global role.

Oil prices have surged above 100 dollars a barrel for the first time in four years, raising fears of economic turbulence for Europe’s export-driven economies. At the same time, the crisis is testing the relationship between Brussels and Washington. With Donald Trump back in the White House, will European governments align more closely with the United States, or attempt to chart a more independent path?

Meanwhile, several EU countries have deployed warships to reinforce the defences of Cyprus, an EU member state located close to the conflict zone and already affected by regional tensions.

Take a listen to this week’s episode of The Ring, brought to you from the European Parliament in Strasbourg.

The Ring is Euronews’ weekly political showdown, where Europe’s toughest debates meet their boldest voices.

In each episode, two political heavyweights from across the EU face off to propose a diversity of opinions and spark conversations around the most important issues of EU affairs and the wider European political life.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.