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
Tag: 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
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
A document of fainting power
At a donor conference of the European Union and the United Nations, Germany has pledged a total of 1.7 billion euros in aid for Syrians. This is to be handed over either directly to Syria's poor population via non-governmental organisations or to neighbouring countries hosting refugees from the civil war country. However, it seems somewhat… Continue reading A document of fainting power
Vietnamese Letters
As Montesquieu published his Persian Letters in 1721, he caused much excitement. A book in which two persians, Usbek and Rica, are travelling through Europe and writing to their fellows ´bout everything they saw. No mischief was left behind. Their bright observations hit a nerv in french society and Montesquieu, who later formulated the seperation… Continue reading Vietnamese Letters
Europe as in middle ages
As Vasco da Gama joined the Sao Gabriel in Lisbao in 1497 to find the searoute to India, Europe was an isolated continent. The Osman Empire had already conquered Constantinopel and took over control of the landroutes from Asia to Europe. It was flourishing and set on to conquer Egypt and much of the northern… Continue reading Europe as in middle ages
Simon Dierich 