Germany to Continue Leading Europe Despite Domestic Political Uncertainty
Germany’s federal election in September is about more than that country’s future; it’s about Europe. Germany has emerged from the multiple crises of the eurozone as the continent’s pivotal power. U.S. President Barack Obama understood this early in his tenure and it has also been openly acknowledged by the likes of Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski, who called for more German leadership in a speech in Berlin. Germany’s indispensability is also acknowledged, albeit less openly, in Britain and France, both of which are still coming to terms with Germany’s preponderance of economic and political power (and its lack of comparable military power). And in countries such as Greece, Spain, and Italy, anti-German sentiments are a grudging acknowledgement that these nations’ fates are determined in Berlin as much as in their own capitals. READ MORE
German report on arms exports reveals little
Critics says the government's report on arms exports lacks transparency: exporting companies are not named, and government sales are merely summarized. Yet the government claims it's in-depth and detailed. READ MORE
U.S. and Germany Wake Up to Putin
The West is starting to change its views on Russia. In September, the European Parliament adopted a resolution criticizing how court decisions are often politically driven in Russia. In October, the European Parliament proposed that the European Council come up with its own Magnitsky list. In November, the Magnitsky Act was approved by the U.S. House of Representatives and the German Bundestag approved a sharp resolution criticizing the Kremlin's crackdown on human rights and other elements of a democratic society. READ MORE
Deutsche Bank co-CEO drawn into C02 tax evasion probe
Deutsche Bank co-chief executive Juergen Fitschen was drawn into a widening tax evasion probe linked to carbon trading at Germany's biggest lender on Wednesday as police and tax inspectors raided its offices. READ MORE
'Have to come up with convincing foreign policy'
Horst Teltschik, the former national security advisor to Chancellor Helmut Kohl and former chair of the Munich Security Council, sees a need for action in Germany following Obama's re-election. READ MORE
Merkel ready to sign Ukraine-EU Association Agreement when prerequisites created
German Chancellor Angela Merkel says that the conditions for signing the Association Agreement between the European Union and Ukraine are currently unavailable. READ MORE
We can't allow Germany and France to run our defence industry
With BAE Systems and EADS locked in frantic negotiations to save their proposed £28 billion merger, the key issue for the British government comes down to one simple question: are we about to surrender control of Britain's largest defence contractor to the French and Germans? READ MORE
Paradox Of Multiculturalism: Tolerance For The Intolerant?
In October 2010 the Chancellor of Germany Angela Merkel announced that multiculturalism in Germany has “utterly failed”. This announcement reflected general moods in the crisis-driven EU, but the most important thing was that these words were said by the leader of Germany– she always tried to avoid sharp statements toward foreign-born people. READ MORE
’Gap between Europe and US must not get wider’
The General Secretary of the German Social Democrats, Andrea Nahles, was at the Democratic National Convention. She’s rooting for Obama and warns that a President Romney could drive Europe and the US apart. READ MORE
Kazakhstan is on the way of impressive development: Guido Westerwelle
Germany and Kazakhstan are closely connected by multifaceted cooperation in many spheres. 200 000 people of German parentage, residing in Kazakhstan, bridge the two nations as well. READ MORE
