Overview
- The Maybrit Illner episode titled “Trump’s War in the Middle East – A New Stress Test for NATO?” airs Thursday, March 19, 2026, at 22:15 on ZDF.
- Guests include Wolfgang Ischinger, Adis Ahmetović, Veronika Grimm, Daniel Gerlach and Peter R. Neumann.
- ZDF frames the debate around President Donald Trump’s demand for NATO military support and his remark suggesting a possible U.S. exit if partners refuse: “If they don’t help us, it’s certainly something we have to think about.”
- German leaders have rejected involvement with the stance “Das ist nicht unser Krieg,” citing Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Vice-Chancellor Lars Klingbeil and Defense Minister Boris Pistorius.
- The program highlights what is at stake for alliance unity, future support for Ukraine and Europe’s economy, with reported effects such as rising prices and disrupted supply chains, and it will be available afterward in the ZDF-Mediathek with a phoenix repeat on March 20 at 16:00.