Due to scheduling conflicts, only Astrid Stern and I from the JIK board (Photo 1) were able to take part in the preparatory trip to organize a two-week exchange with a German-Romanian youth group. On our way to Sibiu (Hermannstadt) in Transylvania, we visited, among other places, the Moldavian Monastery (in Sucevita, Photo 2), an SOS Children’s Village in Hemeius (Photo 3), a Romanian THW facility with a training center, the“House of Hope” Foundation in Arad (Photo 4), an exemplary facility for orphans run by Mr. and Mrs. Moldovan with foster families, and the so-called “Dracula” Castle in Bran
(Photo 5), where Vlad the Impaler (Photo 6)—nicknamed Drăculea (Son of the Dragon/Devil)—never actually lived. In Bacau, we visited a social and educational facility run by the Salesian Order of Don Bosco (Photo 7).
The center focuses on supporting children and adolescents from socially disadvantaged backgrounds and offers academic and vocational support programs: a school that educates and supports children in a family-like environment based on Don Bosco’s preventive educational system. Vocational training: Courses and training programs designed to help young people enter the workforce; an open youth center offering daily supervision, homework help, and recreational activities, with up to 130 volunteers at times.
In Sibiu, we met Sebastian Arion (Photo 1), the 30-year-old executive director of the umbrella organization for German-speaking Romanians (ADJ), with whom we plan to organize two-week youth exchanges starting in the summer of 2027 (more information to follow). Together, we visitedEurope’s largest open-air museum (Astra) of traditional folk culture (an old wooden church, Photo 8), near which—on the outskirts of Sibiu—a bear from the national park had even been spotted the day before (Photo 9), and watched the preparations for Europe’s largest theater festival in Sibiu’s central square (the Grand Ring, Photo 10).

Conclusion, among other things, regarding the new Middle East war of June 25, 26 (see, among other sources, news reports on Google News and Statista)

Surprisingly, thanks to new drone and missile technology, Ukraine has seized the initiative against Russia, attacking energy and military facilities—including those in Moscow and St. Petersburg—and causing lasting disruption to supplies, including reinforcements and electricity, particularly in Crimea, a development that has even impressed Trump. It remains unclear whether the EU will launch a new peace initiative, especially since Moscow is insisting on its maximum demands with increasing aggression. Putin is becoming increasingly unpopular—partly due to the steadily worsening economic situation and restrictions on the internet and Telegram—and must even fear for his hold on power. Russia’s spring offensive appears to have been halted. Even gasoline is running short. Putin’s war crimes are claiming more and more civilian casualties, which the EU would need to stop by intercepting Russian drones and missiles.
Trump’s war against Iran is turning into a multi-faceted disaster for the U.S., but also for the Near and Middle East.
Here are the issues currently being negotiated in Switzerland, likely at the expert level as well:
1. An immediate and lasting end to the war on all fronts—including in Lebanon.
2. Mutual respect for each other’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
3. A final agreement is to be reached within 60 days at the latest; an extension is possible.
4. The U.S. should then lift its naval blockade of Iranian ports in the Persian Gulf and allow shipping traffic within
Restore full capacity within 30 days and withdraw their troops from the surrounding areas.
5. Iran shall ensure that commercial shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz in both directions returns to pre-war levels within 30 days.
6. The U.S. should work with partner countries to develop a $300 billion financing plan to support reconstruction in
to ensure Iran’s economic development.
7. The United States commits to lifting all types of sanctions against Iran, including those imposed by resolutions
of the UN Security Council and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
8. Iran reiterates that it will never produce nuclear weapons. The issue of highly enriched uranium and all
Other nuclear-related issues should be adequately addressed in the final agreement.
10. After the agreement is signed, the U.S. will grant licenses for the export of Iranian crude oil, petroleum products, etc.
and for all related services, such as bank transfers, insurance, and transportation.
11. The U.S. has committed to unfreezing or lifting restrictions on Iranian assets (24 billion USD).
Unresolved issues: Iran’s nuclear program, enriched uranium, missile program, and support for proxies.
A major victory for Iran. Even in the view of Israel and many Republicans, the U.S. hastily ended the war with Iran in order to somehow prevent a defeat in the midterms and avoid casting a shadow over the 250th-anniversary celebrations. Trump is also suffering one defeat after another in court and in Congress and must now request approval for an additional 77 billion euros for the war in Iran. In fact, the U.S. is heavily indebted in many areas and, in some cases, already insolvent. Trump is looking for a scapegoat for his failure, and that could now be the EU and NATO. Regardless of the framework agreement to end the Iran war, over 1,150 ships remain stranded in the Persian Gulf. Yesterday, 72 mostly Iranian oil tankers were able to pass through the Strait of Hormuz.
Since so many issues remain contentious or unresolved, a final agreement will likely not be reached within 60 days. Iran, however, holds the upper hand and can block the Strait of Hormuz again at any time. The question of a permanent toll or service fee also remains unresolved.
Israel also sees itself as the loser in this agreement and wants to become independent of U.S. arms deliveries, as it is expected to withdraw from southern Lebanon, while Iran—thanks to very high future revenues—will likely become militarily stronger than before and continue to support its proxies. The entire Gulf region will also become more unstable than before. A rapprochement with Israel remains highly questionable. It is also unclear whether Knesset elections will take place as early as the beginning of September, whether Netanyahu will remain prime minister, and whether Israel’s policy will change should he fail.
Germany, too, faces major challenges: the years-long closure of the Bonn North Bridge, the hours-long nationwide shutdown of all trains due to a software glitch, and the disaster surrounding Stuttgart 21 (now 31) are all signs of our crumbling infrastructure. Merz’s approval rating, at 15%, still lags far behind Trump’s (34%). Our government is now getting serious about reforms of all kinds, meaning benefit cuts—especially for the lower socioeconomic classes, who will also suffer from the planned abolition of “mini-jobs.” If there is no economic recovery, this will further boost the AfD’s electoral prospects in September.
In Gaza, Israel has replaced its reduced military presence with increased airstrikes. The strengthened Hamas leadership has expanded its control over the civilian population and eliminated rivals. The situation there is becoming increasingly catastrophic. Mladenov, the UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, laments the failure to implement the UN’s 15-point plan, citing a lack of pledged funds and the political will for reconstruction. There is a real threat of a permanent partial occupation or annexation by Israel and the end of Palestine. The work of the many aid organizations in Gaza and the West Bank remains severely restricted. Despite international protests (including ours), the West Bank faces the threat of division due to increasingly aggressive settler violence and accelerated settlement construction. In addition, Christians in Jerusalem and the surrounding area are being attacked with increasing brutality by Jewish fanatics. Unfortunately, our politicians—who otherwise like to call themselves Christians—are remaining silent on this issue. That is why we would like to rally as many democratic members of the Bundestag as possible and encourage them to support our efforts to nominate Daoud Nassar for the 2027 Nobel Peace Prize.
Since a real, fundamental improvement in the situation in Palestine—and, of course, in the Holy Land as well— is likely to take a very long time, we would like ,with your help , to doeverything we can to assist people in need, at least in the Middle East, through donations:
Many Christian and Muslim institutions in Palestine—such as monasteries, schools, universities, hospitals, etc.—are falling deeper into debt or facing closure due to the continuing uncertainty about the future, including the 5 T Jahalin Bedouins. Palestinians and many Israelis, as well as a growing number of Christians, are losing hope and are also in despair.
JIK can only try to help the oppressed and distressed people in the Middle East to the extent that we are able—for example, with the help of additional donations—and to organize the prompt transfer of these new donations. Until a lasting ceasefire and peace are achieved in the Middle East and in Ukraine—which the world so desperately needs—the only thing left to do is continue to pray! Yours, Gregor