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Schiller Institute forum warns of global nuclear war, urges new security architecture

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The Executive Intelligence Review (EIR) and the Schiller Institute convened an emergency international online forum on Tuesday, titled “Epstein and the bottomless depravity of the elites: Urgent need for a cultural renaissance.” Bringing together a diverse panel of international scholars, former legislators, and analysts, the event painted a stark portrait of a global order allegedly on the precipice of thermonuclear conflict, driven by what speakers characterized as the moral and institutional bankruptcy of Western political elites.

The forum, moderated by representatives of the EIR, opened with an urgent assessment that the current global crisis must be comprehended through the lens of long-term historical processes rather than fleeting “current events.” Central to the discussion was the recent military escalation involving the US, Israel, and Iran, which participants described as a catalyst for a potential third world war.

The specter of war and the LaRouche legacy

The forum opened with a retrospective on the geopolitical strategies established nearly two decades ago. Organizers invoked the 2007 disclosure by American General Wesley Clark, who claimed that in the immediate aftermath of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, the US military had adopted an objective to “take out seven countries in five years”—a list that included Iraq, Lebanon, Somalia, Sudan, Libya, Syria, and Iran.

Attendees were played a 2007 speech by the late economist and statesman Lyndon LaRouche, who warned at the time: “The time has come to make some history, to make a turning point in history because there is no alternative.” LaRouche cautioned then that the world monetary financial system was in the process of disintegrating and that war with Iran would represent a “different form of World War II,” asserting that the prevailing US political institutions were incompetent to manage the unfolding collapse.

Helga Zepp-LaRouche, founder and chairwoman of the International Schiller Institute and editor-in-chief of Executive Intelligence Review, opened the panel by warning that “it is more than likely that World War III has already begun.”

“With the unprovoked attack by the United States on the Republic of Iran, we have entered now a spiral of escalation which could escalate within a short period of time to a global nuclear war,” Zepp-LaRouche stated. She cited reports indicating that the Pentagon had informed the US Congress prior to the attack that there was no evidence Iran intended to strike the US first.

Zepp-LaRouche drew parallels to the 2003 invasion of Iraq, arguing that the recent hostilities were based on fabricated intelligence regarding Iran’s nuclear capabilities. “The US attack on Iran is a repetition of the US attack on Iraq in 2003, where it is now 100% documented by the testimony of active participants in the process that all relevant US responsibles knew ahead of time that neither did Saddam Hussein possess weapons of mass destruction, nor was there any threat from Iraq to other countries,” she argued.

Institutional degeneration and the ‘law of the jungle’

Professor Zhang Weiwei, Director of the China Institute at Fudan University in Shanghai, argued that current global crises—ranging from the conflicts in the Middle East to the Epstein files and domestic social divisions—are fundamentally interconnected.

“To my mind, they are in fact deeply interconnected,” Zhang stated. “They have challenged the bottom line of human conscience, the foundations of peace and justice, international law, and basic human rights.”

Zhang posited that these crises are the “inevitable outcome” of the alienation of power from the people, the practice of the “law of the jungle,” and widespread moral depravity among Western elites. “The Western democratic model as practiced in the US and in many other countries is trapped in a deep structural crisis—a crisis of institutional degeneration and governance failure, marked by poor leadership, governance incompetence, and moral collapse,” he said.

Regional perspectives: Brazil, India, and the Global South

Professor Beatrice Bisio of the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro emphasized the gravity of the situation for Latin America and the BRICS nations. She characterized the aggression against Iran as an attack on the entire BRICS bloc.

“The truth of the matter is that the aggression against Iran—and we have to understand this—this has been an aggression against the BRICS nation,” Bisio said. She noted the severe consequences of this regional instability, arguing that the “current version of the Monroe Doctrine… finds echoes here within our area.” She called for a massive mobilization of civil society to demand a return to diplomacy.

Professor B.R. Deepak, former Director of the Center of Chinese and Southeast Asian Studies at JNU, New Delhi, focused on the necessity of a “dialogue of civilizations.” He rejected the “clash of civilizations” thesis proposed by Samuel Huntington, noting that history proves civilizations prosper through mutual learning rather than isolation.

“At a time when geopolitical tension threatens international stability, the example of past civilizational dialogue reminds us that cooperation across cultures is not only possible, it is essential,” Deepak asserted.

The US legislative and economic crisis

Former US Congressman Dennis Kucinich, who served from 1997 to 2013, offered a sharp critique of American foreign policy, framing the conflict as a “war of choice.”

“This is a further expression of a long-standing colonial mindset and one that is now tethered to a type of megalomania that is obsessing some of our leaders in the US,” Kucinich stated. He urged the US Congress to utilize the War Powers Resolution or proceed with impeachment to halt the executive branch’s unchecked military actions. “The US Congress must go forward not just with the War Powers Resolution, but this is certainly a cause for impeachment,” he added.

Professor Ding Yifan of the Institute of Global Governance and Development at Renmin University, Beijing, shifted the focus to the economic repercussions of current US policy. Ding argued that the US is risking an economic collapse comparable to, or worse than, the 2008 financial crisis.

“The US economy is on the verge of a crisis… because the New York stock market was relying heavily on these AI companies,” Ding explained. He warned that diverting funds into military actions would “poke the bubble,” forcing an economic contraction. He further noted that protectionist tariffs implemented by the Trump administration had failed to protect domestic manufacturing, instead causing widespread bankruptcies among small and medium-sized businesses by raising costs across global supply chains.

The Epstein nexus and the decline of the West

Namit Verma, an Indian author and security analyst, addressed the panel’s titular theme—the “Epstein” scandal—framing it not merely as a criminal case, but as a mechanism for elite blackmail and the subversion of international governance.

“The Epstein scandal… is representative of the decline of American governance,” Verma contended. He alleged that the scandal was inextricably linked to the manipulation of the United Nations and the erosion of diplomatic independence. “The individual corruption of all who are plenipotentiaries and other significant representatives of participating nations is today a tool which the CIA is a master of,” Verma asserted.

The forum also heard from youth and security representatives from Africa. Timothy Nimsilma, a 25-year-old from Uganda, spoke of the dangers of oligarchic control. “If power is overconcentrated in the hands of the few, the system ends up decaying,” he stated. Kwame Amua, a security expert from South Africa, emphasized the “descent of leadership” and the lack of a moral compass in global governance.

A call for a new paradigm

The forum concluded with a plea for an immediate shift in the global paradigm. Father Harry Bury, a 96-year-old Catholic priest and anti-war activist based in Minnesota, delivered an impassioned argument for “active nonviolence” and development-oriented peace-building.

“The way to have peace is for all nations to be able to equally get what they need,” Bury argued, advocating for the “Oasis Plan,” which seeks to foster peace through the mutual development of infrastructure and resources across the Middle East. “We need to put it in operation right away. It’s about thinking differently.”

In her closing remarks, Helga Zepp-LaRouche issued a final call to action, urging the formation of an “international movement of citizens” that prioritizes the interests of humanity as a whole over narrow geopolitical or nationalistic ambitions.

“If the governments fail, if the establishments turn out to be too corrupt to address the urgent self-interest of humanity as a whole, then our response is that we need an international movement of citizens,” Zepp-LaRouche declared. She advocated for the implementation of a “new security and development architecture,” urging a departure from the “might makes right” doctrine that she and her fellow panelists argued has brought civilization to the brink of annihilation.

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EU drafts emergency trade support package for Armenia to counter Russian import bans

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17/06/2026

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The European Union is preparing emergency trade measures to support the Armenian economy following a series of import restrictions imposed by Russia.

The European Commission is working on a trade support program for Armenia to offset the impact of the Russian-imposed restrictions, according to a Financial Times report citing sources familiar with the matter.

Under the planned measures, tariffs on Armenian exports to the EU would be reduced. The framework, which covers approximately 20 product categories, is estimated to have an annual volume of around €420 million.

Sources indicated that the proposal could be formally presented in the coming weeks.

“The European Commission will propose autonomous trade measures to help more Armenian businesses access new market opportunities in the EU and to support the most affected sectors of the country’s economy,” European Commission Spokesperson Olof Gill said.

However, sources noted that the plan could encounter certain obstacles. Specifically, the export of Armenian brandy may trigger disputes with French producers.

Furthermore, Armenia’s landlocked geography complicates the transportation of perishable goods to European markets.

In late May, Russia banned the import of floral products from Armenia. The Russian Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Supervision (Rosselkhoznadzor) also halted the import and domestic distribution of all batches of Jermuk mineral water, citing exceedances of permitted levels of ions, chlorides, and sulfates.

The Russian restrictions also targeted brandies and wines from three Armenian producers, which Moscow alleged failed to meet mandatory standards. Additionally, limits were placed on imports of fresh tomatoes, cucumbers, greens, and strawberries.

Armenia’s Food Safety Inspection Body subsequently announced that it was conducting investigations to determine the causes of the restrictions and resolve the issue.

Following these developments, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan stated that the government was prepared to compensate affected farmers for their losses.

In early June, temporary restrictions on the import of stone fruits and grapes from Armenia came into effect. Cherries, sour cherries, apricots, plums, peaches, and nectarines were included in the ban.

A temporary ban on certification procedures for live fish destined for export to Russia was also put into effect.

Armenian Economy Minister Gevorg Papoyan announced on June 11 that Yerevan had applied to the Eurasian Economic Commission (EEC) regarding the barriers encountered in exporting goods to Russia.

Armenia remains a member of the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU) while simultaneously pursuing closer integration with the European Union.

Following the imposition of the Russian restrictions, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced that the EU was preparing support for Yerevan in response to “economic pressure,” which includes financial assistance exceeding €50 million.

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Iran discloses 14-point draft US peace accord detailing sanctions relief, regional security measures

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15/06/2026

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Iran’s official news agency, Mehr, has published the 14-point contents of a draft peace agreement reached between Iran and the United States. The document covers multiple critical issues, ranging from the cessation of military activities by both parties and the lifting of sanctions, to the status of the Strait of Hormuz and nuclear negotiations.

According to Mehr, the 14-point draft text includes the following provisions:

  1. The immediate and permanent cessation of military activities on all fronts, including Lebanon.
  2. A commitment by the US to refrain from interfering in Iran’s internal affairs and to respect Iranian sovereignty.
  3. The complete lifting of the naval blockade within 30 days.
  4. A commitment by the US to withdraw its troops from the regions surrounding Iran.
  5. The reopening of the Strait of Hormuz within 30 days, subject to Iran’s approval.
  6. The suspension of sanctions targeting the sale of petroleum, petrochemical products, and their derivatives, alongside granting Iran full access to its financial assets.
  7. The presentation by the US and its allies of reconstruction plans for Iran valued at a minimum of $300 billion.
  8. The holding of negotiations within 60 days to reach a final agreement on nuclear issues and to fully lift US primary and secondary sanctions, as well as resolutions of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Board of Governors.
  9. Iran’s reaffirmation of its commitment to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) and its pledge not to produce nuclear weapons.
  10. A commitment by the US not to increase its military presence in the region and to refrain from imposing new sanctions.
  11. The release of $24 billion of Iran’s frozen funds during the 60-day final negotiation process, with half of this amount to be provided to Iran before negotiations begin.
  12. The establishment of a monitoring mechanism to oversee the implementation of the agreement.
  13. The endorsement of the final agreement by a UNSC resolution.
  14. Final negotiations will not commence until half of Iran’s frozen funds are released, sanctions on Iranian oil are suspended, and the naval blockade is lifted. The final agreement will only cover the future of enriched materials and uranium enrichment, the lifting of sanctions, and Iran’s economic development program. Discussions regarding Iran’s missile program and its support for resistance groups are strictly excluded from the agenda.

According to a report by the Financial Times (FT), citing a source, under the terms of the agreement, the Strait of Hormuz will be gradually reopened to maritime traffic during the first 30 days following the signing of the accord as mines are cleared. Furthermore, Iran has committed to refraining from charging transit fees for vessels for a period of 60 days, while the US will lift its naval blockade in return.

The newspaper also reported that the agreement includes Iran’s renunciation of acquiring or developing nuclear weapons. Tehran and Washington will conduct negotiations within 60 days to determine the steps to be taken regarding Iran’s existing stockpiles of enriched uranium.

The FT noted that Iran currently possesses more than 9 metric tons of enriched uranium, of which approximately 440 kilograms has been enriched to near-weapons-grade levels.

Sources speaking to the newspaper stated that the easing of sanctions against Iran would be gradual and contingent upon progress made in the negotiations that will commence after the signing of the agreement.

The signing of the peace agreement between the US and Iran has been confirmed by US President Donald Trump, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi. The official signing ceremony is scheduled to take place on Friday, June 19.

Meanwhile, Iran’s Fars news agency, citing a report from the Secretariat of the Supreme National Security Council of Iran, reported that Tehran was preparing to cancel the negotiations, but was persuaded to proceed after Trump made concessions.

“Following the attack on Beirut, Iran had canceled the negotiations and was prepared to strike the Zionist regime. However, in the end, last-minute concessions by the US President—including promises regarding the preservation of Lebanon’s territorial integrity, the withdrawal of Israeli soldiers, including from Lebanon, and the lifting of the blockade—convinced Tehran to abandon this decision,” the report stated.

Previously, US President Donald Trump announced that the agreement would first be signed electronically, after which the parties would meet face-to-face within a week at a location in Europe to sign the accord.

Pakistani Prime Minister Sharif indicated that the ceremony would take place in Switzerland.

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OPEC oil output falls to lowest level since 2000 amid Iran disruption

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11/06/2026

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OPEC oil production fell in May to its lowest monthly level in more than two decades, according to a Reuters survey.

The decline was driven by a US naval blockade that curtailed Iranian exports and by reduced shipments from other Gulf producers following Iran’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

According to the survey, output from OPEC’s 11 members fell by 1.06 million barrels per day from the previous month to 16.13 million bpd. Reuters data show this was the lowest monthly level recorded since at least 2000.

The figure was well below levels seen during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, when collapsing demand triggered a sharp downturn in oil markets. Production data from the United Arab Emirates, which left OPEC on May 1, were not included in the total.

The survey found that the steepest production decline occurred in Iran, reflecting the impact of the US blockade launched on April 13. Iranian crude oil and condensate exports fell to their lowest level in at least six years. Saudi Arabia’s output also continued to decline.

By contrast, sources surveyed by Reuters said Iraq managed to increase production due to stronger domestic consumption. Output in Venezuela and Nigeria also rose during the month.

Eight members of the broader OPEC+ alliance had agreed to raise production quotas for May. However, the conflict involving Iran and the US blockade prevented those increases from materializing.

The Reuters survey is based on oil-flow data from LSEG, shipment information from firms including Kpler, data provided by oil companies and OPEC sources, and information from industry consultants.

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