The Future of the Zeitenwende: Scenario 5—Poland Becomes a Nuclear Power
For Poland to seriously consider becoming a nuclear power, its security environment would have to change dramatically. But it’s worth contemplating what the impact of such a scenario would be for Europe.
Germany Needs to Take the EU’s De-Risking From China More Seriously
With another Trump presidency in the offing, Berlin should accelerate efforts to reduce Europe's economic dependencies on China.
The Future of the Zeitenwende—Scenario 4: Président Marine Le Pen?
Marine Le Pen has a real chance of winning the French presidential elections in 2027. That would pose risks for the whole Europe and suspend the Franco-German engine.
The Future of the Zeitenwende: Scenario 3—Russia Masses Troops on the Latvian Border
NATO must develop a credible deterrent in order to prevent attacks from Russia. In this, Germany has particular responsibility.
The Netflix President
If Emmanuel Macron’s party botches the European elections in June, the French president will lose control of his three remaining years in office. Thus, he is doing what he does best: putting on a big show.
Germany Needs a Strategy—Grand and Democratic
German leaders have long been reluctant to discuss, let alone set, grand strategy. Now, with the world in flux and the old ways no longer working, Berlin needs to step up and clearly lay out what it wants—and how it plans to get it.
Taiwan’s Election Creates Opportunities for Europe
With Lai Ching-te, the Taiwanese have elected another DPP president, to the ire of Beijing. For the EU, the election outcome offers a chance to forge closer relations with Taipei.
The Future of the Zeitenwende: Futureproofing German Security Policy
Stubborn stasis. Huge unilateral change. Stubborn stasis. Germany has repeated this pattern for decades, causing gridlock in Europe. Now it is in danger of repeating it yet again.
Visible Democracy
The EU’s consensus-driven stumble toward choosing institutional leaders is more democratic than the alternatives.
Savior or Spectacle: COP28’s Footprint in the Marathon to Net Zero
For some, the latest climate summit has brought a breakthrough given the commitment to move away from fossil fuels. In fact, the record is more mixed.
Europe’s Geostrategic Awakening
Decades of US protection created a false sense of normative superiority in the EU. It also made Europe lose much of its strategic instincts while facing deep-seated systemic deficiencies. Overcoming those will be the key task for 2024 and beyond.
Why Low Unemployment Is Causing Big Problems for Europe
Even during the current economic downturn, unemployment rates are still relatively low in France and Germany. But unemployment is no longer a good indicator of the health of Europe’s economy.