Europe must become stronger within the framework of NATO and the European Union—militarily, but also economically. This is the only way it can stand up to Vladimir Putin’s aggressive Russia, says Finland's Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen.
In parliamentary elections on October 26, Georgians will either back their current government’s pro-Moscow course or get behind the pro-European opposition.
The pro-business Free Democrats are likely to leave the government early. It may be party leader—and finance minister—Christian Lindner’s last consequential mistake for a while.
By introducing a defense commissioner, Ursula von der Leyen’s second European Commission makes clear that Europe’s security is an urgent priority. Defense industrial policy will, by necessity, be a key focus.
Europe is in desperate need of leadership when it comes to security. Yet, so far there is little sign of any Franco-German meeting of minds on defense.
Politically, the Scholz government seems finished, even if it manages to drag on for another year. Germany, which derived much of its foreign policy stance from its seemingly unshakable “stability,” does not look so stable all of a sudden.
President Emmanuel Macron is installing the first government dependent on the far-right in France’s post-war history. But paradoxically, the country may take a step toward ending the risk of a Le Pen power grab.
For the second year in a row, the UN climate change conference is being hosted in a country highly reliant on fossil fuels. Will Azerbaijan leverage COP29 to promote fossil fuel interests, or help chart a sustainable decarbonization path for petrostates?
There is overwhelming support for greater defense efforts within the EU, with citizens considering it one of their most important concerns. The EU now needs to bridge the gap between rhetoric and action.
For the first time in over 20 years, two German navy ships passed the Taiwan Strait in September, amid Chinese protests. For Berlin, this is the right way to go.
Despite lofty ambitions and notable space-based capabilities, the EU is lagging behind. Only through cooperation and significantly increased investment can Europe adequately respond to the increased relevance of space and the heightened orbital security environment.
The US Treasury is preparing a screening mechanism for investments in China. German policymakers and businesses should not avoid the debate about how Europe should react.
Highly indebted European NATO countries should levy a “defense tax” to make their long-term commitment to higher defense spending politically credible and financially sustainable.
What does Germany want from the so-called Global South, what does it have to offer it, and what is the competition doing? An interview with Niels Annen, Parliamentary State Secretary (Deputy Minister) at the German Development Ministry.
A Trump win is still possible. Germany and Europe should develop innovative tactics to position themselves intelligently in case of transatlantic chaos. Even if Harris wins, these efforts wouldn’t be in vain.
The German government won praise from all sides when it adopted its China strategy in July 2023. One year on, however, there is a yawning gap between ambition and reality.
A month ago it looked like the national capitals had hobbled the European Commission president. But Ursula von der Leyen’s shrewd last-minute moves before unveiling her college of commissioners have reasserted her authority and instead hobbled the French president.
The German economy is already paying the price for having put the green energy transition on the backburner. To win the future, it needs four “Ds”: Decarbonization, digitalization, decentralization, and democratization.