As Donald Trump takes office again, tech billionaire Elon Musk will go from speaking for six companies to speaking for a $27 trillion economy. In response, Europe needs to concentrate on accumulating tech power.
Donald Trump’s re-election speaks of the definite end of the globalization consensus in the United States. It also represents a tectonic shift in foreign policy, says Emily Haber, Germany’s ambassador to the US during the first Trump administration.
As Russia continues its advances in Ukraine, China, Iran, and North Korea are playing increasingly pivotal roles in supporting Putin’s war and undermining Western sanctions.
German politicians need to conduct a more nuanced debate about the risks that Russia might opt for more escalation over the West's support for Ukraine. Chancellor Olaf Scholz and his political rival Friedrich Merz should address their blind spots.
The coming election campaign in Germany is expected to focus on domestic issues. Whether the country is really prepared to play a greater leadership role in Europe, especially when it comes to Ukraine, remains an open question.
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.
The break-up of Chancellor Olaf Scholz’ coalition government was expected, but is still taking place at an extremely critical time. Its successor will have to set clearer priorities—and find greater fiscal space.
The far right and the far left want to throw France into chaos to force President Emmanuel Macron to resign. But they are unlikely to get their way, at least for now.
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.
