How the European Commission Became a Geopolitical Player
Ursula von der Leyen has shifted the balance in Brussels and shown leadership on the COVID-19 pandemic, the Ukraine war, and EU enlargement.
On Trade, a Return of Trump Would Spell Trouble for EU
If Donald Trump wins the US presidential election in November, Europeans should once again brace for major transatlantic tensions on trade. An EU policy of strength would be the right response.
Donald Trump and the Relative Decline of US Power in Asia
A second Trump administration would inevitably impact US relations with Asia, but it would largely only accelerate existing trends.
Time for a Franco-German Plan for Ukraine
Germany and France haven’t managed to devise a joint Ukraine strategy. Making good of that missed chance is now essential. It will involve talking about debt.
For NATO to Thrive, Europe Needs to Wake Up
Donald Trump’s possible re-election as US president hangs over the transatlantic alliance like the Sword of Damocles. Europeans need to face facts and build a much stronger European pillar of NATO.
“The Authoritarian Strongman Government Is on the Rise”
US democracy has changed dramatically over the past 30 years, and a return of Donald Trump to the White House cannot be ruled out. What would it mean for America and the world? An interview with Francis Fukuyama.
Time to Get Serious with “De-Risking”
Germany and Europe need to focus their “de-risking” debate on technologies essential for the modernization of China’s military. Simultaneously, they should reduce dependencies more decisively.
Macron’s Battle for his European Legacy
Emmanuel Macron’s second Sorbonne speech showed that the French leader wants to shape a European legacy that will outlast his presidency. In doing so, he also highlighted the major fault lines in the Franco-German relationship.
From Beijing to Kyiv
With his second visit to Beijing to see Chinese President Xi Jinping, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz set himself up for a failure. In contrast, Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck, when visiting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky three days later, had a firmer grasp of realities.
France’s Olympic Chance
French glamour and pride will be showcased when Paris hosts the Olympic Games this summer—while exposing endemic faults that urgently need fixing.
In the Global South, Chinese EVs Leave European Automakers in the Dust
The low prices of BYD and other Chinese EV makers are terrifying policymakers in Western countries that have domestic car brands to protect. They are right to worry.
What Germany Can Learn from Japan’s Zeitenwende
Germany’s "historic turn" in security affairs still has much potential. Chancellor Olaf Scholz should look to Japan’s example to realize it.