Rubio’s Munich Speech Echoes a Century of Western Leaders

Commentary “Tolerance does not mean ‘anything goes.’ There must be zero tolerance towards all those who show no respect for the inalienable rights of the individual and who violate human rights. Zero tolerance must also be shown if, for example, weapons of mass destruction fall into the hands of Iran and possibly threaten our security. Iran must be aware of this. Iran knows our offer, but Iran also knows where we draw the line: A nuclear bomb in the hands of an Iranian President who denies the Holocaust, threatens Israel and denies Israel the right to exist, is not acceptable!” Amid U.S.-led pre-emptive and retaliatory strikes in Iran, you may be forgiven for thinking this is an American president, speaking as recently as in 2025, or earlier in 2026. It isn’t. It’s a European voice on American soil: the German chancellor at the time, Angela Merkel, addressing the U.S. Congress in 2009, passionately arguing that better America–Europe ties are crucial for a better world....