The world is watching what is happening on American campuses with a mix of shock, pride, relish, and alarm. Scenes from the protests and the arrests of protesters have been making headlines around the globe, from Bogotá to Berlin, Tehran to Paris.
In some countries, such as France, students have staged their own protests, though not on the same scale as those in the United States. Many in France, including Prime Minister Gabriel Attal, see the pro-Palestinian protests as a dangerous import of “woke” culture from the United States, threatening core French Republican values.
In Egypt, right-leaning talk shows have seized on the violent tactics used by police on U.S. campuses to criticize Washington and question its credibility as a champion of liberties. The arrest of an economics professor at Emory University has been a focal point of discussion, with one host calling it “the real White House.”
Germany’s news media has focused extensively on the U.S. protests, particularly on episodes of antisemitism. This coverage has vindicated German decisions to ban antiwar protests and discourage public criticisms of Israel in the name of fighting antisemitism.
In China, state-run media has largely ignored the American campus protests, likely due to concerns about sparking similar protests at home. However, nationalistic websites have used the protests to highlight divisions in the United States and criticize Washington.
Colombia’s largest newspapers have published editorials supporting the student protests, using them as an opportunity to remind readers of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The country’s left-leaning president has announced the severing of diplomatic ties with Israel, describing its actions in Gaza as “genocidal.”
Iran’s state media have closely covered the protests on American campuses, viewing them as proof of America’s double standards regarding freedom of speech. Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian expressed concern about the safety of American student activists and protesters, calling the police crackdowns “repression.”
Overall, the protests and the responses to them are serving as a Rorschach test for the world, with different countries interpreting them through the lens of their own political and social contexts. The global reactions offer insight into local politics and perceptions, shedding light on how the world views the ongoing events on American campuses.
