Eurotopics.net

On Tuesday night, Iran carried out missile attacks against targets in Pakistan - according to its own statements with the goal of killing terrorists from the Jaish al-Adl rebel militia. The Pakistani military retaliated on Thursday night by firing missiles into Iranian territory. There were fatalities in both attacks. Europe's press looks at Tehran's role and warns of a new level of escalation in the Middle East.

The Slovakian and Hungarian prime ministers, Robert Fico and Viktor Orbán, have reaffirmed their special bond after a meeting in Budapest. The relationship between the two countries has never been as good as it is today, Orbán said. Commentators discuss what unites the two and what divides them.

French President Emmanuel Macron announced a package of measures regarding schools and youth riots on Tuesday, including more civic education classes, theatre as a compulsory subject, compulsory "Generalised National Service" for youths and (initially on a trial basis) school uniforms. Commentators think little of the plan, and some are irritated by the slogan "So that France remains France", once used by the far right.

Donald Trump has won a sweeping victory in the first Republican caucus for the US presidential election. With 51 percent, he took more than half of the votes in Iowa, followed by Ron DeSantis with around 21 percent and Nikki Haley with roughly 19 percent. Fourth-placed Vivek Ramaswamy has dropped out of the race and endorsed Trump. Europe's press braces for hard times ahead.