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On Defense, France Bites the Bullet, But Avoids Strategic Insolvency May 7, 2013
Iceland’s Recovery Saga Presents Opportunities for Brussels, Washington—and Beijing May 6, 2013
Which Way Forward for Europe’s Hybrid Regimes? May 2, 2013
The Arab Revolts and the Liberal Order May 2, 2013
Events
GMF celebrates its 40 year history and Founder and Chairman, Dr. Guido Goldman at Gala Dinner May 09, 2013 / Washington, DCGMF held a celebratory gala dinner at the United States Institute of Peace in Washington, Wednesday May 8.
In this podcast, GMF Vice President of Programs Ivan Vejvoda discusses last month's historic agreement to normalize relations between Kosovo and Serbia.
Anchor Elaine Reyes speaks with Andrew Small, Transatlantic Fellow of the Asia Program for the German Marshall Fund, about Beijing's potential role in brokering peace between Israel and Palestine
News & Analysis Archive
BRICS Pose No Challenge to Global OrderMarch 25, 2013 / Daniel M. KlimanWorld Politics Review
On March 26, the leaders of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa will gather in Durban, South Africa, for the BRICS grouping’s fifth summit.Why Nordic Nations are a Role Model for Us AllFebruary 12, 2013 / Fabrizio TassinariCNN
Nordic countries are anything but declining, and they have their mindset to thank for it. Neighbourhood Policy Paper Series Tackles Issues Affecting Black Sea RegionFebruary 11, 2013 / Slawomir Raszewski et al.CIES and BST
Paper series delves into a range of challenges that the Eastern neighborhood is facing.Testimony on Turkey before the Canadian SenateFebruary 06, 2013 / Emiliano AlessandriParliament of Canada ParlVU
On February 6, 2013, Senior Transatlantic Fellow Emiliano Alessandri gave a testimony on Turkey before the Canadian Senate. During this meeting, Emiliano was able to provide his insight on economic and political developments in the Republic of Turkey, their regional and global influences, the resulting implications for Canadian interests and opportunities, and other matters of interest. Underground, but Not BuriedSeptember 17, 2012 / Joerg Forbrig
The saga of Charter ’97 says much of the dedication of Lukashenka's opponents as well as the misguided support of the West.Why the EU must counter Belarus’ latest provocationAugust 09, 2012 / Joerg ForbrigEU Observer
President Lukashenko's recent explulsion of the Swedish ambassador has handed the EU an opportunity to drive a more effective policy towards Belarus. The EU must seize this moment.What Next in a post-Doha World? – Lessons from EU, U.S., and Chinese Trade Policy StrategiesJune 27, 2012 / David Kleimann, Joe Guinan, Andrew SmallGlobal Governance Programme
With the WTO hamstrung and the Doha Round dead in all but name, the future directions of international trade and investment liberalisation will be largely determined by the policy strategies and initiatives of the world’s economic superpowers.
Why the World Needs AmericaJune 14, 2012 / Kati SuominenGlobal Trends 2030
The global economic order – the post-war framework of global governance built on rules-based institutions and free and open markets – is largely America’s creation. It has been the midwife of growth and globalization that have produced prosperity around the world.
What Fate for Liberal Order in a Post-Western World?May 27, 2012 / Daniel TwiningGT2030.com
Over the next two decades, the relative power of major international actors will shift markedly. The NIC's draft Global Trends 2030: Alternative Worlds maps out three broad scenarios for how will the rise of the rest impact the international system.
Reports of Our DeathMay 04, 2012 / Bruce Stokes
Europeans have begun to believe that our economic problems are worse than theirs. They’re wrong.
A Victory for EU Diplomacy in BelarusApril 20, 2012 / Joerg ForbrigWall Street Journal Europe
Mounting pressure from Brussels scores a victory against the Lukashenko regime.The West Runs Out of PowerApril 09, 2012 / Constanze StelzenmuellerPolicy Review
The challenge of the 21st century is not the weak ness of others, but the weakness of the West.
What the EU should do to end state terror in BelarusMarch 22, 2012 / Joerg Forbrig, David J. KramerEU Observer
True to his image as Europe's last dictator, Belarus' Alexander Lukashenko has just added two more crimes to a long list of repressions against his own people.
Will Europe Lose its East?March 20, 2012 / Joerg ForbrigNeue Zürcher Zeitung
Largely unnoticed by European politics and publics, a new division looms in the East of the continent.
A Useful Clash With BelarusMarch 01, 2012 / Joerg Forbrig
Many in Belarus and abroad are scratching their heads and asking what prompted Lukashenko to go ballistic. Whatever the reason, Europe should take advantage of the opportunity Lukashenko has handed it and push for change.
Ivan Vejvoda Testifies on Balkans and the 2012 NATO SummitJanuary 18, 2012 / Ivan VejvodaUnited States Senate Testimony
In testimony before the U.S. Helsinki Commission, GMF's Ivan Vejvoda highlighted the progress made in security and democratization in the Balkans and called for Macedonia and Montenegro membership at the Chicago NATO Summit.
A Belarussian Dream (video)December 19, 2011 / Ivan Vejvoda
Marking the first anniversary of presidential elections in Belarus and the subsequent state terror against peaceful protesters, the film "A Belarussian Dream" provides a sobering account of life in Europe’s last dictatorship.
Belarus One Year LaterDecember 19, 2011 / Ivan Vejvoda
One year after President Alexander Lukashenko's disputed re-election, GMF commemorates the struggle of pro-democracy activists and political prisoners in Belarus with analysis, reflections and documentary videos.
A Testimony to Freedom: Andrei Sannikov, Belarus (video)December 19, 2011 / Andrei Sannikov
An earthquake is winding up under the crust of European soil with the potential to transform the Continent’s energy market and alter the strategic parameters of Russian-European relations.
Don’t Sideline EU EnlargementDecember 07, 2011 / Michael LeighWall Street Journal
Stability in the Balkans may become the next victim of the euro crisis.
In his testimony before the U.S. House Committee on Foreign Affairs, GMF Vice President for Programs Ivan Vejvoda outlines the progress made and challenges ahead for Balkan nations...
A Fighting ChanceSeptember 28, 2011 / Dhruva JaishankarIndian Express
Although constituting no major revelations, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Mike Mullen’s testimony to a Senate committee last week, in which he accused Pakistan’s government and military of exporting terrorism, has focused public attention across the US and around the world on the growing fissures in US-Pakistan ties.
Jim Kolbe discusses the future of American foreign aid on WAMUSeptember 20, 2011 / Jim KolbeWAMUOne year ago this week, President Obama elevated global development as a "core pillar" of U.S. foreign policy, alongside diplomacy and defense. But as Congress and the White House struggle to find billions to cut from the federal budget, some advocates worry Washington's commitment to reducing global poverty is wavering.
EU’s strategy on Political and Security issues in the four seas: a multilateral approachJune 22, 2011 / Niels AnnenThe EU4Seas ProjectImproving the conditions for the overall success of her policies in the four seas (the Baltic Sea, the Mediterranean Sea, the Black Sea, and the Caspian Sea) will test the EU's ability to implement a more coherent foreign policy, writes Niels Annen.Belarus: No more Maneuvering between the EU and RussiaJune 13, 2011 / Joerg Forbrig
The December 19, 2010 presidential elections in Belarus have, more than any other recent event, put the complicated position of the country between the EU and Russia in the spotlight. The poll hardly differed, in process and result, from earlier elections in 2001 and 2006.Lukashenka – What are the prospects for spring in Belarus?June 09, 2011 / Joerg ForbrigopenDemocracyCaptivated by the upheavals facing Arab autocrats, few in the West have noticed the troubles of another dictator, this time on Europe's very doorstep -- Belarus' Alexander Lukashenka.Obama’s crucial moment in PolandMay 26, 2011 / Ivan Vejvoda
President Obama’s visit to Europe this week is giving him the opportunity to bury once and for all perceptions that have dogged his administration from the outset: that the United States has lost interest in Europe, and has put a higher priority on resetting relations with an authoritarian Russia than it has on the completion of a Europe whole, free, and at peace. Above the Fray No MoreMay 23, 2011 / Bruce Stokes
For the United States, there is much to fear from Europe’s debt crisis but not much it can do. When the first wave of Europe’s debt crisis hit a year ago, the U.S.’s fledgling recovery immediately began to stall. Stock-market volatility spiked to levels not seen since the depths of the financial crisis, and stock prices weakened.14 New Fellows Selected for Transatlantic Forum on Migration and IntegrationMay 23, 2011 / Fariz Ismailzade
The German Marshall Fund of the United States announces that 14 new fellows have been selected for the Transatlantic Forum on Migration and Integration (TFMI), to be held in Trivandrum, India, from October 17 – 22, 2011. TFMI is a leading platform for convening future decision-makers for exchange on crucial immigration and integration issues.
Time to hit Lukashenko where it hurtsJanuary 31, 2011 / Joerg Forbrig
Following December’s fraudulent election, a brutal crackdown has only added further misery to Belarus’s beleaguered democratic opposition, civil society and media. In response, EU ministers were on Monday expected to back a new travel ban and asset freeze against Alexander Lukashenko, the country’s dictator, and more than 150 of his henchmen.Crackdown in Belarus: Responding to the Lukashenko RegimeJanuary 27, 2011 / Joerg Forbrig
Read Natayla Kolaida's testimony to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on the recent elections in Belarus here.Stopping the Transatlantic DriftJanuary 25, 2011 / Constanze Stelzenmueller, Tomas ValasekInternational Herald Tribune
You might call it the Obama paradox: Atlanticists on both sides of the ocean were certain that this president, inaugurated two years ago, would renew the trans-Atlantic alliance. Yet two years later, the United States and Europe seem further apart than they have ever been in their policies as much as in public attitudes.
Is Multi-Kulti Dead?January 12, 2011 / Thomas Kleine-BrockhoffAngela Merkel’s claim that “multi-kulti” has failed set off a wave of critical reactions from the foreign press. But many of her critics abroad failed to set her quote in context. Far from disavowing the idea of a diverse Germany, Merkel was actually criticizing Germany’s integration track record.Reversing Course on BelarusJanuary 10, 2011 / Joerg ForbrigThe New York TimesE.U. policy toward Belarus is in tatters. Two years of engagement with Alexander Lukashenko’s regime, direct cooperation in the framework of the European Union’s Eastern Partnership program, and gentle pressure to allow some space for democrats in the country came to naught on Dec. 19, when the police crushed a courageous mass protest against fraudulent elections.Inescapable transatlantic budget painsJanuary 06, 2011 / Bruce StokesEuropean Voice
Budget cutting and deficit reduction will be a major preoccupation in Washington this year, with important implications for European interests.Six challenges Obama faces in Asia in 2011, and six ways to overcome themJanuary 05, 2011 / Daniel Twining
President Obama had a good year in Asia in 2010. It featured a more realistic China policy, a breakthrough visit to India, and the shelving of an irritating base dispute with Japan, but challenges loom.
Fostering a Free AzerbaijanDecember 29, 2010 / Daniel TwiningWashington Post
Ten years ago this month, a young American civilian working for democracy in Azerbaijan was brutally murdered in the former Soviet republic's capital. The stabbing of John Alvis raised little public attention. A decade later, his death remains a crime deemed unsolved by the FBI.The Pluck of the Irish et al: Europe ? Bail Us Out!December 21, 2010 / Bruce StokesThe Fiscal Times
European leaders met in Brussels late last week following a $112 billion bailout of Ireland and amid escalating financial market concerns about both Portugal and Spain. Despite calls by some European officials for bold new initiatives to stem the spreading euro crisis, the leaders essentially kicked the can down the road.Belarus Elections Cause ChaosDecember 20, 2010 / Bruce Stokes
Hundreds of people, including several presidential candidates, have been arrested in Belarus for protesting against the announced results of the country’s recent presidential elections.A Climate Conference ReaderDecember 01, 2010 / Bruce Stokes
GMF is sending a contingent of climate change experts to the COP16 United Nations Climate Change Conference this week. A brief Q&A with one of our program associates outlines expectations, incentives, and the key players at the conference.
America’s silence makes us complicit in Russia’s crimesSeptember 20, 2010 / Bruce StokesWashington PostWhat will it take for higher levels of the Obama administration to unequivocally condemn arrests of activists, violence against protesters, pressure on journalists, and murders of government critics in Russia?Global opinion disapproves of Iran’s nuclear weapons program, but differs on how to stop itSeptember 17, 2010 / Bruce StokesYale Global
In a speech September 8 to the US Council on Foreign Relations, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton proudly asserted that “through classic shoe-leather diplomacy, we have built a broad consensus that will hold Iran accountable to its obligations if it continues its defiance” of the international community and builds a nuclear arsenal.
WTO Dispute Panels Gain PowerSeptember 03, 2010 / Bruce Stokes
GENEVA—In November 2008, in an early version of the cash-forclunkers legislation, Sen. Barbara Mikulski, D-Md., proposed allowing taxpayers to deduct interest on car loans and state car taxes from their federal income taxes as a means of boosting plummeting U.S. auto sales. Asked if her scheme would apply to both foreign- and domesticmade vehicles, she replied, matter-of-factly, “Of course it would; otherwise it would be WTO-incompatible.”Search for Plan BSeptember 03, 2010 / Bruce Stokes
The image of U.S. helicopters airlifting Americans from Saigon rooftops in 1975 continues to haunt U.S. policy makers 35 years later as they grope for an exit from Afghanistan. With parliamentary elections scheduled for September 18 and the drawdown of U.S. forces in the country slated to begin by mid-2011, the debate about a Plan B for Afghanistan has begun in earnest.Big problems in Baku, and the man to deal with themAugust 17, 2010 / Bruce StokesForeignPolicy.com
The United States badly needs an ambassador in Azerbaijan. the United States has been without an ambassador in Azerbaijan for more than a year and the current nominee has been delayed in the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. What's taking so long?Russia must be part of the European utopiaAugust 15, 2010 / Constanze StelzenmuellerTwo years after the 2008 war between Georgia and Russia, it is time for the US and Europe to realise that this was a watershed moment for the west. Of course, it was a disaster for Georgia, but it also sent a shock wave across the post-Soviet space.In the Russian wildfires, will Putin get burned?August 15, 2010 / Lilia Shevtsova
Russians fainting in the subway. People jumping into city pools and the Moscow River, and in many cases drowning. Morgues running out of space and corpses piling up on the floor. These seem like scenes from a horror movie, but they are all too real.When Sanctions Work: The Belarus BuckleAugust 11, 2010 / Damon WilsonAlmost as soon as the United Nations Security Council voted in June for a new sanctions resolution against Iran, doubters questioned whether it would have any real impact on Iran’s behavior.Walk, But Learn to Chew Gum, TooAugust 10, 2010 / Constanze StelzenmuellerHeinrich Boell Foundation
The Russo-Georgian war was a defining moment for the United States and Europe, showing the flaws of Western policy for the region. The challenge of crafting a coherent and effective policy for Eastern Europe remains unresolved on both sides of the Atlantic.Medvedev Is No DemocratJuly 26, 2010 / Constanze StelzenmuellerThe Moscow Times
Those who had hoped that President Dmitry Medvedev would lead Russia to a more democratic, Western-friendly future have experienced a roller coaster of emotions recently. They were uplifted by a speech Medvedev gave before Russia’s ambassadors two weeks ago in which he spoke of the need for “modernization alliances” with the United States and other Western countries. Three days later, however, Medvedev took responsibility for a law that would dangerously expand the powers of the Federal Security Service.The Dollar Question: Where Are We?July 09, 2010 / Kati Suominen
The global crisis has led some to question the dollar’s place as the dominant currency. This column discusses three camps in the literature: those advocating a new synthetic global currency, those arguing that a new reserve currency will emerge, and those suggesting a return to sharing the role. It concludes that talk of the dollar’s death – or even its decline – are exaggerated.David Kramer discusses the future of Russian-U.S. relations following the arrest of ten alleged Russian spiesJuly 06, 2010 / Kati SuominenC-SPAN
David Kramer, GMF Senior Transatlantic Fellow, discusses the arrest by the FBI of ten people in New York, New Jersey, and Virginia suspected of being undercover Russian agents and what this could mean for U.S. and Russia relations.How to prevent another war in the Southern CaucasusJuly 03, 2010 / Kati SuominenThe Washington Post
After Russian President Dmitry Medvedev's recent visit, the Obama administration wants to prove it has a strategy to deepen ties with allies such as Poland while it pursues a reset with Russia, so it has sent Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on a whirlwind tour of Central and Eastern Europe and the South Caucasus. The trip also seeks to blunt conservative criticism that Washington is sacrificing allies for the sake of reconciliation with Moscow.
Clinton to Kyiv: Speaking truth to powerJuly 01, 2010 / Kati SuominenMoldova.orgOf all the stops on Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s upcoming trip to Europe, none is more important than Ukraine. This is a country heading in the wrong direction—as evidenced by the disturbing and rapid rollback of its democratic gains. Much is at stake, for the implications of a Ukraine moving toward a non-democratic, if not authoritarian, system of governance are enormous not just for Ukraine, but also for Europe and the United States.Modernizing Russia’s Economy… and PoliticsJune 24, 2010 / Kati SuominenForeign PolicyU.S. policymakers for years have lamented their lack of leverage in pushing for democratic reform and respect for human rights in Russia. Well, now we may have an opportunity, but the question is whether we will make use of it. If Russian President Dmitry Medvedev is serious in wanting our help with his economic modernization agenda, we should insist that he needs to make measurable progress in political liberalization first.No, it’s not a gentler, kinder RussiaJune 22, 2010 / Kati SuominenWashington Post
Ahead of Dmitry Medvedev's visit to Washington this week, a "leaked" Russian foreign policy document is causing some Russia watchers to wonder whether the Russian president is shifting his country toward a more positive, pro-Western stance. A careful read of the 18,000-word document does not support such wishful thinking. Read
Net assessment involves simulations, opposition analysis, historical and cultural studies, critical reviews and low-probability, high-impact contingency planning. Read
Twenty Years of Western Democracy Assistance in Central and Eastern EuropeJune 15, 2010 / Pavol DemešIDEA
Before the European Union and its allies can effectively promote democracy in other countries, they need to address the internal problems brought on by the global economic crisis, from which they have not yet fully recovered. Democracy assistance needs to be tailored to the specific needs and expectations of each country and handled with tact and with respect for local democracy activists. Donor countries also need to be aware of ways that pursuing their own economic or security goals can tarnish their democratic credibility. Despite all these challenges, recent history has provided ample evidence that the human spirit and solidarity can overcome even the direst obstacles and may be our strongest resource in the quest for democracy and cooperation in Europe and beyond.After the Reset Button questions lingerJune 09, 2010 / Pavol DemešForeign Policy
There is no denying the vastly improved tone and rapport between the American and Russian presidents compared to the end of the Bush-Putin days. But before people get too carried away, let's focus on two recent developments that remind us of the challenges we face in dealing with Russia.New START vs. missile defense: is it one or the other?April 30, 2010 / Pavol DemešForeign PolicyThe Obama administration is already gearing up its push for Senate ratification of the recently signed START agreement between the United States and Russia. As senior administration officials make their case around town at various think tanks and before Congress, they need to do a better job of refining their message to make sure it stands up to scrutiny.Yanukovych needs to keep Ukraine on democratic pathApril 16, 2010 / Pavol DemešKyiv PostUkrainian President Viktor Yanukovych must have returned to Kyiv a happy man. His visit to Washington is viewed by both American and Ukrainian officials as a success. Yanukovych even got praise from the editorial pages of the Washington Post - "A star at Obama's nuclear summit," was the title of the piece by Jackson Diehl -- for his announcement that Ukraine would abandon its stockpile of highly enriched uranium. Indeed, this announcement offered Obama the first concrete deliverable he could point to as some 40-plus leaders gathered in Washington for the nuclear security summit. That was smart politics on the Ukrainian side.American silence while Kyrgyzstan burnedApril 14, 2010 / Pavol DemešForeign PolicyNothing sums up U.S. policy toward Kyrgyzstan than these contrasting images: at the same time that thousands of Kyrgyz were taking to the streets protesting against their corrupt authoritarian leader, Kurmanbek Bakiyev, Bakiyev's son, Maksim, was arriving in Washington for consultations with U.S. officials. While Kyrgyzstan literally was burning, U.S. officials were prepared for business-as-usual talks with Maksim, who, like his father, has been accused of engaging in massive corruption and human rights abuses.Obama’s Victory Lap in PragueApril 05, 2010 / Pavol DemešForeign PolicyThanks to his personal intervention in ironing out final sticking points, Barack Obama is heading to Prague in a few days to sign a new arms control treaty with Russian President Dmitri Medvedev. When the glow wears off, the hard work of winning ratification will get started in the U.S. Senate, where tough questioning can be expected from many Republicans.Foundations and post-Lisbon EuropeApril 01, 2010 / Pavol DemešEffect MagazineThe end of last year was marked by two overlapping historical moments -- the celebrations of the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall, which led to a profound rearrangement of the European continent, and the anxiety-filled end of the complicated eight-year process to bring about badly-needed constitutional reforms of the EU. After the second Irish referendum, and the Czech Republic finally coming on board, the Lisbon Treaty came into power on December 1, 2009. It is believed that this Treaty will transform Europe into a more unified and influential global player with the capacity to make Europeans more secure and prosperous.Friend or Foe: Does the Obama administration know the difference?March 22, 2010 / Pavol DemešForeign PolicyA slam against the Obama administration heard with greater frequency these days is that it is much harder on its allies than on its enemies (even former enemies). At the same time that it desperately tries to win over "new friends," the administration treats its old friends either with indifference (e.g., most of Europe) or a critical eye. A perfect example of this is the administration's handling of the recent blow-up with Israel over settlements in East Jerusalem as compared with its response to Russia's announcement last week on nuclear reactors in Iran.The Revolution is Dead. Long Live the Revolution.February 08, 2010 / Pavol DemešForeign PolicyUkrainian opposition leader Viktor Yanukovych's apparent victory in yesterday's presidential election over Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko -- at last count, he had about a 3 percent lead and was pushing Tymoshenko to concede -- has many observers ready to proclaim the death of the Orange Revolution. Indeed, the revolution's hero, Viktor Yushchenko, got less than 6 percent of the vote last month in the election's first round. If his prime minister, Tymoshenko, loses too, the election will certainly mark a reverse-changing of the guard. This year's victor, Yanukovych, was the very leader ousted after hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians took to the streets of Kiev in chilly November and December, 2004.The Imperialists from MoscowFebruary 06, 2010 / Pavol DemešSueddeutsche ZeitungEighteen months ago, a war took place in Europe between Russia and Georgia. It was a little war by the standards of modern warfare but it nevertheless shook the world. It sparked the greatest crisis in European security since the Balkan wars of the mid-1990s and brought Russia and the West to the edge of a new Cold War. Moscow not only invaded a neighbor for the first time since the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979. It broke the cardinal rule of post-Cold War European security that borders in Europe would never again be changed by force of arms.A Social Democrat Wins In Croatia – And The Balkans Move ForwardJanuary 22, 2010 / Ivan VejvodaTirana Times
The landslide victory of Ivo Josipovic in the January 10 presidential elections in Croatia bodes well, not just for the country, but also for the Western Balkans as a whole -- not least for the region’s hopes for membership in the European Union.
Putin Is Medvedev’s Biggest SpoilerJanuary 13, 2010 / Ivan VejvodaThe Moscow TimesComments by Prime Minister Vladimir Putin in late December must have come as an unwelcome surprise to Presidents Barack Obama and Dmitry Medvedev as they try to conclude a new U.S.-Russian arms control agreement to replace the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty, or START, that expired on Dec. 5. But this was not the first time that Putin has thrown cold water on Medvedev’s efforts.The new pecking orderDecember 27, 2009 / Thomas Kleine-BrockhoffDer Tagesspiegel
Copenhagen has shown the globe to be in transition. The multipolar world may be arriving, but so far multipolarity means chaos. In such moments of transition it is not quite clear where power rests.Russia’s ‘sphere’ in EuropeDecember 26, 2009 / Thomas Kleine-BrockhoffThe Washington PostAs Washington and Moscow zero in on a new strategic arms control treaty, it is time to look at what lies ahead in U.S.-Russian relations. The greatest gap between Western and Russian thinking today may not be on Afghanistan or Iran. It may well be on Europe.Lessons of the Copenhagen discordDecember 21, 2009 / Thomas Kleine-BrockhoffFinancial TimesIt will be discussed for some time whether the Copenhagen accord represents an unsatisfactory compromise or an unmitigated failure. Whatever the ultimate answer, there are some preliminary lessons that can be drawn from a memorably chaotic global gathering.
Global security conference opens in Halifax this weekendNovember 19, 2009 / Craig KennedyThe Chronicle HeraldWhen the Halifax International Security Forum gets underway Friday, it will be the first gathering of its kind in North America. There have been events like this in Europe for years, notably the Munich Security Conference, the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, and Brussels Forum in Belgium. Because of Halifax's historical, commercial, and strategic status in the transatlantic community, this city is the right place to hold this inaugural meeting.Euro Defence Spending and NATOOctober 20, 2009 / Daniel FataGlobalBriefThis week, NATO defence ministers are meeting in Bratislava for their thrice-annual regular meeting. Topping the agenda will be a discussion about the current status of Allied defence capabilities – specifically, the need to improve and invest in such capabilities. The discussion comes in the midst of NATO’s ongoing operations in Afghanistan and Kosovo, and on the heels of the Obama administration’s decision to largely retool and resize America’s ballistic missile defence system in Europe – a decision that has reenergized the debate in Central and Eastern Europe as to whether more emphasis should be placed on procuring military capabilities to defend the territory of the newest Allied member states, or whether NATO members should continue procuring materials for expeditionary operations.Now Comes the Hard PartOctober 05, 2009 / Daniel FataThe International Herald Tribune
Europe is in love with Barack Obama, according to recent polls. But will this affair of the heart be a brief flirtation or something more enduring? Like many relationships, the partners themselves may not really know until times get tough. With troubles looming in Afghanistan and Iran, that day of reckoning is fast approaching.
Shattered Confidence in EuropeSeptember 19, 2009 / Daniel FataWashington PostPresident Obama's decision to shelve the Bush administration's missile defense plans has created a crisis of confidence in Washington's relations with Central and Eastern Europe. The defense architecture the administration proposes may make more strategic sense in addressing the immediate Iranian threat. Nevertheless, it runs the risk of shattering the morale and standing of transatlantic leaders in the region who now feel politically undermined and exposed.Fighting Chance Chapter 13: Europe and NatoSeptember 08, 2009 / Ian LesserFighting ChanceSeveral points are worth noting as context for discussing trends and shocks in Europe. First, the region is more dynamic than it appears. At first glance the Western Europe/North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) region seems relatively settled, with a reasonably predictable trajectory, few opportunities for conflict, and gradual social, economic, and political adjustments—a place of gentle trends and few shocks. Is this realistic?Ironed Curtain: The Biggest Loser in the EU’s Report on the Russia-Georgia War is Europe.September 08, 2009 / Ian LesserThe New RepublicAfter the Russo-Georgian War in August 2008, the European Union found itself in a difficult position. Moscow had not only invaded a neighbor for the first time since the Soviet assault on Afghanistan in 1979. In recognizing Abkhazia and South Ossetia as independent states, it had also broken the cardinal rule of post-cold war European security: that borders in Europe would never again be changed by force of arms. Yet Georgia, too, had clearly made mistakes, not the least in embroiling itself in a military conflict with Russia that Georgia's own allies had repeatedly warned against. Opinion: The Turkey-Armenia detenteSeptember 05, 2009 / Ian LesserThe Global PostThis week, Turkey and Armenia announced their intention to establish diplomatic relations, open the closed border between the two countries and launch a series of talks and confidence-building measures aimed at resolving long-standing disputes and fostering closer cooperation.
Angela Merkel: The World’s Most Powerful Woman?August 23, 2009 / Constanze StelzenmuellerYou're a woman: that's nice, it does make a cabinet meeting look better these days. You have the brains, experience and b... er, guts for a top-echelon political job? Good, good. And you're - German. Oh dear. In politics (make that: in the workplace), German women remain about a decade behind their American, French or British counterparts. America, Sweden, Spain, Norway and Turkey, to name a few, have all had or currently have women as national security advisers, foreign ministers, defence ministers. Germany has had none of the above. You grew up in East Germany? (Pregnant pause.) You do realise that very few of you have made it into top politics at all since 1989, and most have disappeared again without a trace?Stelzenmüller becomes a GMF Senior Transatlantic FellowMay 04, 2009 / Constanze StelzenmuellerConstanze Stelzenmüller, the Berlin office director of the German Marshall Fund of the United States (GMF), will become a Senior Transatlantic Fellow at GMF. In her new capacity Stelzenmüller will work on a broad spectrum of foreign and security policy issues.Germany’s Russia Question: A New Ostpolitik for EuropeMarch 03, 2009 / Constanze StelzenmuellerForeign AffairsNow that Obama is president, will Germany respond to the call and join the United States as a key European partner in addressing global challenges and threats? Is Germany able and willing to use its considerable political resources to change Russia's behavior and to stand up to Moscow when necessary?Foreign policy challenges for the Obama administrationJanuary 01, 2009 / John K. GlennSIEPS European Policy AnalysisThis European Policy Analysis reviews the foreign policy challenges for the new U.S. administration. President Barack Obama faces a formidable set of international challenges including wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the prospect of a nuclear Iran, a resurgent Russia, and a short calendar for a new treaty on climate change. On each of these issues, Europeans have the potential to play a key role as allies. President Obama has called for the mending of relations with Europeans, but the ability of the United States and Europe to address these pressing foreign policy challenges will be constrained by the financial and economic crisis. This analysis will review the Obama administration's vision for foreign policy and analyze the major challenges on the foreign policy agenda, considering opportunities for U.S.-European engagement and looking ahead to prospects for the future.The EU is in urgent need of a foreign energy policyNovember 11, 2008 / Jörg HimmelreichNeue Zürcher ZeitungThe EU is in urgent need of a Foreign Energy Policy. Without closer coordination within the EU, Moscow has more pull.Putin’s Great EmpireOctober 09, 2008 / Jörg HimmelreichInternationale PolitikUnfortunately, the Russian Georgia war confirmed that, beyond the constitution and even as prime minister, Putin is still the political leader in Russia and will be so for some time. The war indicated more parallels to the expanding Russian empire of the 19th century than of the USSR after the Second World War when the Soviet Union's main interest in Europe was to consolidate the frontiers. Today's revisionistic Russia in contrast to the the static Soviet Union pursuits to newly revise its frontiers in the European Post Sovitic space. This is driven by an increasing Russian Neonationalism. Europe, in particular, is required to readjust its Russia policy to formulate a robust economic response.
A balance of power askewSeptember 18, 2008 / Thomas Kleine-BrockhoffDie ZEITIt matters less than it used to what NATO promises new member states or candidate countries. Russia is no longer easily deterred. It's never been a secret that Russia objects to NATO enlargement, especially when it comes to countries bordering its own territory. Post-soviet Russia was initially poor and weak. Russia has since become rich, authoritarian, and has discovered new weapons in gas and oil. At the same time, America is overstretched.
NATO’s HourAugust 18, 2008 / Thomas Kleine-BrockhoffThe Wall Street Journal EuropeRussia's invasion of Georgia is a game changer. This war is part of a Russian strategy of roll-back and regime change on its borders. The more evidence that comes in, the clearer it is becoming that this is a conflict Moscow planned, prepared for and provoked -- a trap Tbilisi unfortunately walked into. A core Western assumption since 1991 -- that Moscow would never again invade its neighbors -- has been shattered. As Moscow basks in its moment of nationalistic triumphalism, the West needs to take steps to prevent further Russian moves from spreading instability to others parts of Europe.
Naive MiscalculationsAugust 15, 2008 / Jörg HimmelreichFrankfurter Allgemeine ZeitungThe Russian military overreaction to Georgian occupation of Tskhinvali will change the German and European relationship with Russia. Europe's helplessness and America's inability to pose a military presence in the Caucasus represents a new geopolitical order in which Russia has yet again established the power to redraw the contours of Europe, going far beyond just its energy distribution power. Russia's agression offers an opportunity for Germany to develop a new Russia policy. Instead of Germany's special relationship with Russia, it seems as though closer cooperation with East European EU members and America could have greater success.
How the West Botched GeorgiaAugust 13, 2008 / Jörg HimmelreichThe New RepublicThe guns around Tbilisi have now fallen silent. Efforts are underway to finalize a truce between Russia and Georgia to end Moscow's bloody invasion. It is time for the West to look in the mirror and ask: What went wrong? How did this disaster happen? Make no mistake. While this is first and foremost a disaster for the people and government of Georgia, it is also a disaster for the West--and for the U.S. in particular.
Europa muss aufwachenAugust 13, 2008 / Jörg HimmelreichDie WeltSenior Transatlantic Fellow Joerg Himmelreich discusses the ongoing conflict between Georgia and Russia over breakaway provinces South Ossetia and Abkhazia. This article was written in German.
In weeks and years past, each of us has argued on this page that Moscow was pursuing a policy of regime change toward Georgia and its pro-Western, democratically elected president, Mikheil Saakashvili. We predicted that, absent strong and unified Western diplomatic involvement, we were headed toward a war. Now, tragically, an escalation of violence in South Ossetia has culminated in a full-scale Russian invasion of Georgia. The West, and especially the United States, could have prevented this war. We have arrived at a watershed moment in the West's post-Cold War relations with Russia.
A Hot Proxy War: Moscow’s Power PoliticsAugust 11, 2008 / Jörg HimmelreichDer SpiegeThe rapid escalation of the conflict in South Ossetia shows just how much the crisis suits all parties involved. Georgia wants to integrate itself into the West, and Russia wants to prevent just that. The welfare of the South Ossetians plays no role whatsoever.
Politics beats economics, againJuly 30, 2008 / Jack ThurstonThe GuardianWhoever's to blame for the collapse of the Doha round, one thing's for sure ? we'll all have to live with the consequences.Obama’s European trip pays offJuly 25, 2008 / Michael WerzTages-AnzeigerGMF Transatlantic Fellow Michael Werz examines the odd choice by Obama to campaign for America's presidency from abroad and the success with which it was received by the people of Berlin. This interview is in German.La Europa balcánicaJuly 24, 2008 / Ivan VejvodaLa Razón DigitalIvan Vejvoda, Executive Director of the Balkan Trust for Democracy, discusses the recent capture of former Bosnian-Serb leader Radovan Karadzic. The article is written in Spanish.Groß ist die HoffnungJuly 23, 2008 / Stephen SzaboSueddeutsche ZeitungDr. Stephen Szabo, Executive Director of the Transatlantic Academy at the German Marshall Fund, discusses Senator Barack Obama's visit to Berlin, Germany and greater Europe. The article is written in German.EU-US scholar: Obama may not be the easy partner Europe hopes forJuly 23, 2008 / Francois LafondEurActive.comAmid their 'Obamania', Europeans tend to overlook that on certain issues like trade, a President Obama pressured by a Democrat-led Congress could be a more difficult partner in pushing for a common agenda, Francois Lafond of the German Marshall Fund told EurActiv in an interview.Merkel’s Ukraine Visit Signals Crucial ShiftJuly 21, 2008 / Jörg HimmelreichRadio Free Europe - Radio LibertAngela Merkel's arrival in Kyiv marks the first visit to Ukraine by a German chancellor since the 2005 Orange Revolution brought a reformed, pro-Europe government to power. Her predecessor never found his way to Kyiv because he was worried by the grievances from Moscow that such a trip would have provoked. Merkel, though, gives less weight to Russia's concerns, even though they are expressed much more bluntly these days.We’re quick to damn the US but slow to see our own faultsJuly 20, 2008 / Constanze StelzenmuellerThe ObserverPresident Obama is finally coming to Europe! All right, the Americans haven't elected him ... yet. But that's a mere technicality as far as we're concerned. We made up our minds long ago: our President is Barack Obama.Democracy and a Piece of ClothingJuly 18, 2008 / Thomas Kleine-BrockhoffPostGlobal, Washington PostFrance has rejected a citizenship application from a burqa-wearing Moroccan woman on the grounds that she has "insufficiently assimilated" to French culture. Should cultural assimilation be a requirement for citizenshipA War The West Must StopJuly 15, 2008 / Thomas Kleine-BrockhoffThe Washington PostThere is war in the air between Georgia and Russia. Such a war could destabilize a region critical for Western energy supplies and ruin relations between Russia and the West. A conflict over Georgia could become an issue in the U.S. presidential campaign. How they respond could become a test of the potential commander-in-chief qualities of Barack Obama and John McCain.What We Can Learn From SwedenJune 21, 2008 / Bruce StokesNational JournalIn the early 1990s, Sweden experienced the worst financial crisis suffered by any industrial country since the Depression. The Swedish banking collapse wiped out fortunes, cost taxpayers a staggering amount of money, and may have permanently reduced the country’s standard of living. Thus, as Washington watches Wall Street’s slow-motion meltdown, Stockholm may have much to teach the next president about weathering banking tsunamis.
U.S. Needs Alliance With EuropeJune 18, 2008 / Jack MartinThe Wichita EagleAs President Bush made his farewell tour of Europe, one could almost be forgiven for thinking the continent had become an afterthought for the United States. Yet such a view would ignore the fact that a strong trans-Atlantic alliance is needed now more than ever, as America shares many more values, challenges and goals with the democracies of Europe than with any other nations.
Merkel in der Moskau-Falle (“Merkel in the Russia trap”)June 05, 2008 / Jörg HimmelreichDer SpiegelThe cordial meeting between Merkel and the new Russian President Medvedev on his first trip to the West might indicate a change of style of Russia's foreign policy, but not its essence. The slalom course of Merkel and Steinmeier bears the risk for Germany to become isolated in Europe in its Russia and "Ostpolitik," Jörg Himmelreich warns. This article is written in German.
Get involved over Georgia or invite a warJune 03, 2008 / Jörg HimmelreichFinancial TimesThe west could be sleepwalking into a war on the European continent. Georgia, which burst into view with a moving display of democratic ambition during the Rose Revolution of 2003, is teetering on the brink of war with Russia over the separatist Georgian enclave of Abkhazia. The outcome of this crisis will help determine the rules of the post-cold-war security system. But western diplomats are notsending strong enough signals to either side.
The Dalai ObamaJune 03, 2008 / Constanze StelzenmuellerSüddeutsche ZeitungBarack Obama drums up admiration in Germany as only the Dalai Lama can do, but the end of this euphoria is foreseeable. As America chooses, the world looks on. The next man at the helm of America will determine global politics like none other. In this sense, won't he in fact become the world's President? He's pretty much there, at least that's so far the case in Germany.
Turkey, Closer to the U.S. than EuropeJune 01, 2008 / Michael WerzHeinrich Böll StiftungIf you compare the geographical distances from Ankara, Los Angeles is 11,000 Kilometers removed, whereas Berlin is a mere one-fifth of that distance. This proximity Germany and Turkey should offer great opportunities to each other's societies. But if one compares the political debates vis-à-vis Turkey in Germany and the United States, the relationship of distance and proximity reverses itself. (Written in German)
The Schism Between Washington and BerlinApril 25, 2008 / Michael WerzFrankfurter Allgemeine ZeitungWhat happened at the NATO Summit in Bucharest is gradually becoming clear. This summit was the most dramatic since Madrid 11 years ago, and, if it becomes dramatic, it could either be a success or not matter whatsoever. A dramatic debate can lead to something new or lead to an uncertain stillstand. In Bucharest it was probably the latter. (This article is written in German)
Rethinking NATO Partnerships for the 21st CenturyApril 01, 2008 / Michael WerzNATO ReviewSecurity threats today are globalised and non-traditional. It’s time for NATO’s partnerships to follow suit.
Supping at the WTO’s Last Chance SaloonMarch 27, 2008 / Michael WerzEuropean Voice, Editorial & OpinionThe global credit squeeze has made the world's economics ministers understandably jittery. But the crisis unfolding over world trade is far more serious. With the Doha Round of talks at the WTO at a standstill, now the unthinkable could happen. The global trading system may be abandoned.Atlantic Faces InterviewFebruary 18, 2008 / Michael WerzAtlantic-Community.org: Atlantic Faces InterviewGMF provides me with the unique opportunity to work on these issues in partnership with other top-notch institutions in the US and Europe. I am convinced that fostering these networks of transatlantic thinkers and opinion-makers not only strengthens the relationship between the US and Europe in general, but also provides intellectual input outside the realm of government that can avert conflict and in turn inform policy decisions.
The Baltic ModelJanuary 16, 2008 / Michael WerzWall Street JournalIt is difficult to recall today the West's hostility in the early 1990s toward Baltic membership in NATO and the European Union. At a time when even embracing Poland was controversial, the aspirations of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia were considered nutty if not outright dangerous. Moscow's reaction was even worse.ACPs and EPAs: where’s the beef?January 03, 2008 / Michael WerzTrade Negotiations InsightsNow that the Doha round appears to be stirring back to life, some of the world's poorest countries should be looking to multilateralism to protect their interests with a renewed sense of urgency.Ukraine’s Second ChanceDecember 21, 2007 / Adrian KaratnyckyIf the Yushchenko-Tymoshenko team fails again, the Orange coalition's hold on power will prove tenuous. More importantly, corruption could reverse Ukraine's record of recent economic growth and even threaten its national security.Europe’s Eastern Promise: Rethinking NATO and EU EnlargementDecember 21, 2007 / Adrian KaratnyckyIn the early 1990s, after the Iron Curtain lifted, Western leaders seized a historic opportunity to open the doors of NATO and the European Union to post-communist central and eastern Europe. This accomplishment was the result of a common U.S.-European grand strategy that was controversial and fiercely debated at the time. However, Current policy toward Europe's periphery is increasingly out of date.
Global trends, regional consequences: Wider strategic influences on the Black SeaNovember 27, 2007 / Ian LesserThe wider Black Sea area is rapidly becoming a focal point of interest for a number of extra-regional actors that can also be considered, in view of their active involvement, to be stakeholders. As Ian Lesser, the author of this new Xenophon Paper suggests, the Black Sea is strategically significant because it is an important part of the European security environment.Advice to Georgia on following path to democracyNovember 14, 2007 / Ian LesserFinancial TimesLast week’s declared state of emergency in Georgia came as a shock. The Rose Revolution’s democratic experiment in this small but strategically vital country seemed to dissolve in clouds of tear gas.Teaching Entrepreneurship in the Arab WorldAugust 14, 2007 / Stefan TheilNewsweek InternationalIf the Middle East is to have any shot of making up for decades of past stagnation, it's going to need many more kids like Hodeib, eager to build new companies and create new jobs. That's the rationale behind a small but growing movement of educators and CEOs, Western aid agencies and multinationals, royals and even Islamists, who are now trying to inject the entrepreneurial virus into the region's youth.Does Joining the EU Strengthen Central and Eastern Europe’s Transatlantic Ties?August 01, 2007 / Stefan TheilCQ Global ResearcherAt the end of the Cold War, a new map of Europe began to emerge from the rubble of the Berlin Wall. Successive U.S. administrations have sought to create a new Europe that was peaceful, democratic and undivided.Can the Development Agenda Save the Doha Round?April 01, 2007 / Stefan TheilBRIDGES Monthly ReviewWhile it is frequently bemoaned that designating the Doha Round as a 'development round' has made the negotiations more difficult, the designation may offer the only solution to the larger questions of legitimacy and credibility facing the WTO and the global trade regime.Vladimir Putin: The Gasman is comingMarch 25, 2007 / Jörg HimmelreichDie WeltGMF Fellow Jörg Himmelreich analyzes Russia's strategy of implementing gas and oil as weapons - and warns against falling into their propaganda maneuver regarding the U.S. missile defense system. Written for the German daily Die Welt, the article is in original German.The Ruler of the PipelineMarch 01, 2007 / Jörg HimmelreichInternationale PolitikIt used to be tanks and missiles but now it is oil and gas that matter. The Kremlin is deliberately using its energy resources and the dependency of the importing countries as a tool of a new great power policy. The EU can no longer allow itself to be treated in this manner. It should use its power of demand to create a new foundation for future cooperation. The Rewards of a Larger NATOFebruary 19, 2007 / Jörg HimmelreichWashington PostThe critics were wrong when they opposed adding nations to the alliance in the 1990s, and they are still wrong. In fact, the more time that passes, the better the arguments in favor of enlargement look. There were basically three reasons for expanding NATO, and each has been proved right.
The lost leader of BelarusFebruary 09, 2007 / Robin ShepherdUnited Press InternationalIf the gods first make mad those whom they wish to destroy, then Alexander Lukashenko, the brutal autocrat in charge of Belarus, may be heading for problems. Since losing his last remaining ally in Europe in an acrimonious oil and gas dispute with Russia at the beginning of January, his behavior has become so erratic that many in the domestic opposition have begun to speculate he is losing control of his faculties. NATO must go global to have a meaningful purposeFebruary 06, 2007 / Robin ShepherdFinancial TimesWhen western security experts gather this weekend in Munich to discuss the future of Nato at their annual security conference, they will be considering an Atlantic alliance that faces two rather stark choices: re-reinvent itself to handle the threats of a new century, or watch itself drift slowly into strategic marginalisation.Strong response to Putin’s Russia overdueJanuary 09, 2007 / Robin ShepherdFinancial TimesAs Russia and Belarus sought to blame each other on Monday over the suspension of oil supplies through the northern leg of the Druzhba oil pipeline to Poland and Germany, Europe might well have paused to take stock of its own share of responsibility for the latest threat to its energy security.
Georgia outshines Ukraine at recent NATO summit in RigaDecember 20, 2006 / Taras KuzioKyiv PostFollowing NATO's Riga summit, Georgia looks set to speed up its drive to join NATO, while Ukraine's position continues to be ambivalent. The US and NATO's support for Georgian membership is unequivocal, while they are having difficulty in formulating a clear strategy to Ukraine since Yankovych returned to government.Don’t rush to join the euroDecember 19, 2006 / Robin ShepherdInternational Herald TribuneA report this month from the European Commission chiding the countries of Central and Eastern Europe for failing to make adequate preparations for joining the euro could all too easily be seen as the culmination of a disappointing year for the European Union's newest member states.Europa-Handbuch: BelarusDecember 06, 2006 / Joerg ForbrigEuropa-HandbuchIn the current political landscape of Europe, Belarus is a rare outsider. Although the country became a direct neighbor of the European Union in 2004 - by way of that entity's eastward enlargement - Belarus is politically, economically and socially far cry from European normality.Gesucht: Magischer BundNovember 25, 2006 / Constanze StelzenmuellerDie ZEITAt this year's NATO Summit in Riga, coalition partners are debating how to best modernize NATO, but it is a moot question, especially when coalition partners are stumbling in the military campaign in Afghanistan. This article is in written in German.
A question of honorSeptember 20, 2006 / Robin ShepherdInternational Herald TribuneRarely has a modern European leader been more brazen in his contempt for basic standards of political decency. Hungary's socialist prime minister, Ferenc Gyurcsany, admitted that he had secured re-election earlier this year after lying to voters about the true state of the economy.Analysis: Eastern Europe ready for euro?August 03, 2006 / Robin ShepherdUnited Press InternationalAn old Chinese proverb has it that we should be careful what we wish for. As the European Union's new accession countries from the former communist world scramble to drop their national currencies for the euro without even the semblance of a debate about the potential risks, it is a warning they might want to bear in mind.Towards a Better DealAugust 01, 2006 / Ann TutwilerGlobal Subsidies Intiative, Sudsidy Watch, Issue 3The crash of the World Trade Organization (WTO) talks was greeted with muted cheers by some protected farmers in wealthy countries, some even buying new tractors to celebrate yet another failure to produce a more efficient and just global marketplace.A Question of Destiny in the 21st CenturyJuly 14, 2006 / Jörg HimmelreichDie WeltThe main topic of the G8 summit in St. Petersburg will be the question of energy security. How can the peaceful worldwide distribution of nonrenewable energy resources, such as oil and natural gas, be secured? The answer to this question will decisively shape the global order of the 21st century. (In original German and English translation)Slovakia sets extremist challenge for EuropeJuly 07, 2006 / Robin ShepherdThe Financial TimesThe European Union was presented with another serious challenge to its ability to contain hardline nationalism this week with the inclusion in the government of new member state Slovakia of a key party with rabidly xenophobic views and a nostalgic attitude to that country's pro-Nazi wartime government.The Dzurinda RevolutionJune 12, 2006 / Robin ShepherdThe Wall Street Journal EuropeImagine you're the leader of a country where economic growth is running at 6.3%, your government has been praised by the World Bank as the best market reformer in the world, unemployment has fallen to a record low of 10.6% from around 20% in just four years and your flat 19% corporate, value added and income tax rate led Steve Forbes to call your country an "investors' paradise."Next Step for NATOMarch 14, 2006 / Richard HolbrookeThe Washington PostIn the new global security environment, NATO has to address the gravest threats to its members’ collective security.Contain Iran: Admit Israel to NATOFebruary 21, 2006 / Richard HolbrookeThe Washington PostThe choice of how to respond to Iran’s growing threat to the West in general and Israel in particular is not an easy one.Looking for a Stability Pact for the Southern CaucususFebruary 09, 2006 / Jörg HimmelreichNeue Züricher ZeitungGermany is heavily engaged in Georgia. At the same time, Germany does not have a comprehensive foreign policy in the Southern Caucasus.Becoming sober again; To Romanticize or Destruct: Germany has yet to find a realistic relationship with RussiaJanuary 15, 2006 / Jörg HimmelreichDer TagesspiegelDuring centuries of a shared past with a large variety of ties, Germans have sometimes had romanticized notions of Russia as a mythical place spared from modernity’s troubles. Instead of this misplaced German sentimentality, Germany should act upon sobriety, common sense, and rationality when dealing with Russia.Energy by all meansDecember 28, 2005 / Jörg HimmelreichDer TagesspiegelGerhard Schröder takes a job on Gazprom's Baltic pipeline — this news raises an ethics question for retired politicians. It also raises another, more important, question: does this pipeline really serve Germany’s geopolitical interests?
Why Europe deserves a better farm policyDecember 02, 2005 / Jack ThurstonCentre for European ReformThe prospects for radical CAP reform look bleak. At the time of writing (December 2005) neither the arguments over the EU budget nor pressure from major farm exporters at the world trade negotiations look likely to force the EU to reform. The resistance to change is too strong.Base PoliticsNovember 01, 2005 / Alexander CooleyForeign Affairs Volume 84 No. 6