Note from Berlin

A more democratic foreign policy

With the refugee crisis bringing foreign policy to Germany’s domestic sphere, the time is ripe for Berlin to encourage greater public engagement in foreign policy

Has Merkel’s Power Peaked?

German commentators see the first signs of a Kanzlerinnendämmerung as approval rates for the chancellor decrease. 

Explaining Germany’s refugee dilemma

Despite the heroic efforts of many volunteers and aid organisations, German capacities for refugee accommodation are at breaking point

Europe’s Entanglement with Asia Minor

The challenge of Syria could become an opportunity for Germany to define its position in the terms of a well-understood European interest

More Union for the EU

Fragmentation and lack of common goals and processes threaten the future of the European Union

Refugees pushing Germany to take the lead again

What stands in the way of a bigger German role in the shaping the European response is the effect of intergovernmentalism and the lack of strong ideas with the power to build a core consensus behind them

Minsk, the end-game

Neither Ukraine nor the West can leave the framework of the Minsk agreement, even if they know that it is not working at all