While a multitude of powers are currently trying to consolidate their positions in the space between Morocco and Ukraine, that is, the area that connects (or separates, depending on your point of view) the European continent with the rest of the world, the states of Europe are strangely absent from this game. Only the old… Continue reading A new Sea
Category: Politics
Another Test of Endurance
At present, the eyes of the world are once again on Ukraine, on the eastern provinces and Crimea in the light of an increasingly confrontational attitude between Russia and its allies and Ukraine and the NATO countries. In addition to these central aspects, however, there is another relationship of interest in this constellation, namely that… Continue reading Another Test of Endurance
The North and the South
The division between the Eastern and Western countries has repeatedly ignited over the question of how to deal with the large number of migrants travelling to Europe from different directions. A repetition of the summer of 2015, when Germany temporarily left its borders open in order to cope with the situation, is now being attempted… Continue reading The North and the South
The Division of Europe
The previous decade was marked by a twofold division within the EU. One was between the northern and southern states, the other between those in the West and those in the East. During the euro crisis, it was the North-South contrast that caused considerable conflict. The financial problems of the Greek state in particular, but… Continue reading The Division of Europe
A Country as a Bridge
Italy has often acted as a bridge, between the Mediterranean states of North Africa and West Asia and the European continent. The Roman Empire adopted large parts of Greek culture, Christianity found its way from the Middle East to Rome and from there across the continent and the whole world. Augustine, the forefather of the… Continue reading A Country as a Bridge
Central Europe
Nowadays, Germany is taken for granted as a Western European country. But will it remain so? Historically, the area that today forms the state of Germany, as well as the people from which the German nation emerged, has mostly seen itself as Central European or as a specifically German cultural area. The commitment to the… Continue reading Central Europe
New Difficulties
As long as these institutions of the EU and NATO or the US military function properly, the danger of a renewed power struggle between the major nations of the European continent should be kept in check. However, there are three developments that could lead to problems in this context. The first is the centrifugal forces… Continue reading New Difficulties
Old Difficulties
So what happens if Germany's neighbouring countries and allies once no longer support rearming the country? And how has the problem been dealt with so far? Based on historical examples, especially from the 20th century, it is easy to see the dangers this would entail. Conceived within the pure limits of the nation-state, Germany, in… Continue reading Old Difficulties
Spoiled Opportunities
Germany has been in a unique position over the last two decades. Despite its natural strength on the European continent and all the dislocations this has entailed over the last 150 years, the West was united in the view that this Germany absolutely had to expand its military capacities. This was not only the position… Continue reading Spoiled Opportunities
Different Times
In many discussions on global politics of today are two focal points many refering to, one is the beginning of a new cold war to describe the politics of the upcoming decades, the second is the analogie with the beginning of the First World War to point out the danger of an upcoming „hot“ war.… Continue reading Different Times
Simon Dierich 