In The News

Merkel Says Spy Scandal Is Testing EU-US Trade Talks

Stefan Wagstyl November 27, 2013
Relations with the US and a proposed transatlantic free trade agreement are “being put to the test” amid reports of US National Security Agency surveillance, suggests German Chancellor Angela Merkel. “Berlin is pressing the European Commission, the EU’s executive arm, to incorporate data safeguards into the negotiations for the planned Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership, launched this...

The Dilemma of Desperation Migration

Joseph Chamie November 14, 2013
Poverty, conflict and overpopulation have historically forced migrants to pursue opportunity in wealthier nations. Modern migrants have more options for low-cost travel, yet nations have more organized registration, border surveillance and enforcement tools, explains Joseph Chamie, former director of the UN Population Division. Thus, transit countries face new pressures. The desperate in North...

Economic Doghouse: Complaints About German Exports Unfounded

Alexander Jung, Christian Reiermann, Gregor Peter Schmitz November 6, 2013
One country’s success with exports should generate appreciation for competition and not envy, suggests a German publication. The US Department of Treasury released a report that notes “Germany’s anemic pace of domestic demand growth and dependence on exports have hampered rebalancing at a time when many other euro area countries have been under severe pressure to curb demand and compress imports...

Which Asian Century?

Richard N. Haass October 30, 2013
Asia has the population and economic potential to dominate the 21st century. Yet Richard Haass, president of the Council on Foreign Relations, points out that Asia confronts two paths – continuing economic growth while avoiding conflict or increasing tensions. Haass suggests that Europe during the 20th century offers a model: During the first half, the continent engaged in two world wars with...

US on Spying Scandal: “Allies Aren't Always Friends”

Marc Pitzke October 29, 2013
It was a rare moment when a national leader could empathize with ordinary citizens: German Chancellor Angela Merkel reacted with fury to reports in Der Spiegel that her personal phone was a target of the US National Security Agency. Earlier, during the election campaign as reports dribbled out about mass monitoring by the NSA, she expressed less concern. US President Barack Obama denied claims...

UK Gives Unprecedented Support to £16 Billion Nuclear Deal

Geert De Clercq, Karolin Schaps October 23, 2013
Britain signed a deal with French firm EDF and Chinese partners to build a nuclear plant, with government guarantees – going against the grain for energy privatization in Europe. It’s the first nuclear plant for Europe since the 2011 Fukushima disaster in Japan, where leakages and cleanup continue. If approved, the plant could go online in 2023. Reuters reports: “The government will guarantee it...

Merkel Victory Will Mask Germany's Long-Term Economic Problems

Ambrose Evans-Pritchard September 23, 2013
Angela Merkel was reelected chancellor of Germany for a third term. The world’s fourth largest economy, and Europe’s largest, leads in tackling the eurozone crisis. But writing for the Telegraph, Ambrose Evans-Pritchard warns that Germany’s economic strength is deceptive, “an illusion of the business cycle and a China-driven global boom in machinery and capital goods that is running out of steam...