Sending in the Tornadoes
Why Germany is engaging in France’s war against the so-called Islamic State.
A Country Without a Plan
Germans are becoming impatient with the way Chancellor Angela Merkel is approaching the refugee crisis.
The Twisted Tehran-Moscow Axis
Is the Russian-Iranian cooperation in Syria a marriage of convenience or the emergence of an alliance?
Learning on the Job
The EU is battling three major crises – with Germany in the lead in every case. But so far Berlin has not been able to create momentum for building a stronger Europe.
Aiming High
Long seen as a reluctant player, Berlin is assuming greater responsibilities for two reasons: foreign policy has finally arrived on Germany’s domestic scene, and its partners are not ready to step up.
Elements of Style
An executive power like the US exercises a completely different leadership style than a consensus-based power like Germany. Leaders on both sides should keep this in mind.
Close Up: Angela Merkel
Germany, along with the rest of the world, seems surprised by the principled stance Angela Merkel has taken in the refugee crisis. Looking over her record, however, the German Chancellor has never shied from putting her values on the line.
Stage Fright
The refugee crisis in Europe is a modern tragedy playing out in three acts: the problem has been introduced, and now the main characters are locked in confrontation. But the conclusion remains uncertain.
Soul Searching
The refugees entering the EU are changing the countries that accept them – and those that do not. One of the Eastern European refuseniks, Poland, has been forced to confront uncomfortable questions.
Absent Friend
France’s President François Hollande is being criticized for not shielding the French from Germany’s “irresponsible” refugee policy. In fact, France does little to alleviate the crisis.
Words Don’t Come Easy: “Bedenkenträger”
After the Germans initially greeted refugees with euphoria, one old phenotype of German political discourse has returned, en masse: the “bearer of reservations.”
