In Defense of Multipolarity
The idea of multipolarity is provoking heated debate. In fact, the term is more of a general concept and a guiding principle than a direct description of how things are.
Reforming Europe’s Fiscal Architecture
The drive to change the EU’s fiscal rules has fizzled out, an agreement before the June 2024 European elections is unlikely. However, Europe cannot ignore its structural weaknesses forever.
Will the EU’s Global Gateway Launch a “Race to the Top”?
Brussels has rebranded and repositioned its connectivity and infrastructure initiatives. But Global Gateway will need to maintain the right balance between pursuing strategic interests and offering improved conditions to partner countries.
Troubled Waters
China’s attempts to assert its territorial claims in the South China Sea have recently led to clashes with the Philippines. Negotiated solutions, including about a code of conduct to manage such dangerous incidents, have become elusive.
NATO’s Fragile Rejuvenation
The renewed focus on deterring Russia has revived the transatlantic alliance’s sense of purpose. It will be short-lived, though, if NATO does not address some broader questions about its future.
Squaring the Circle
Germany has strongly sided with Israel in the aftermath of the brutal attack by Hamas, and for good reasons. However, this poses questions for German foreign policy that will be difficult to address.
The Israel-Hamas War and the New World Order
Like Russia's attack on Ukraine, the escalation in the Middle East is part of a global geopolitical transformation for which there is not yet a term. It certainly reveals the Western failure in the region.
Hamas, Israel, and the “Cold War” in the Gulf
Hamas’ attack on southern Israel on October 7 runs counter the general trend of détente in the Middle East. If a regional escalation can be avoided, a normalization of relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia may still be on the cards.
A Franco-German Grand Bargain on Energy Policy
European energy ministers will meet on October 17 to try and make progress on critical energy legislation. France and Germany are deeply skeptical about each other’s energy strategy. But finding a compromise is now urgently required to finally unlock the EU-wide energy transition.
Berlin Needs to Show Washington It Can Do More on Defense
Germany can and should do more to lead by example and convince future US administrations to remain committed to European defense.
A European Strategy of Economic Statecraft
The EU was built on openness to trade and finance, and not designed to cope with great power competition and the weaponization of interdependence. Now rapid change is needed.
Berlin’s Eurasian Tilt
The announcement of the India-Middle East-Europe Corridor (IMEC) as well as the recent Germany-hosted summit with Central Asian states shows that the country is leaving behind its past hesitancy and starting to get involved in a changing world’s new geoeconomics.