In The News

A Shocking Response

Michael Jansen May 2, 2003
Thanks to the EU, two halves of a divided nation are re-united. Turkish and Greek residents of Cyprus are now able to cross the Green Line – a UN-patrolled border separating the two groups – with ease and comfort. At Turkey's urging, the Turkish Cypriot leadership agreed to drop border barriers along the Green Line. In the first day, almost 5,000 people had crossed the border to visit the...

A Triumph Over the Romans Seen as the Birth of the German Nation

Hans Riebsamen May 2, 2003
Almost two thousand years ago, the Romans were marching towards Germania, intent on expanding their vast empire. In what is now Germany’s Teutoburg Forest, the region’s residents repelled the empire’s army, forcing the invaders to retreat southward for good. In the 19th century, the story became an important part of “the mythology of German nationalism”. Now, an exhibit at the Archeological...

Core of EU Army Takes Shape

Edward Roby May 2, 2003
In an apparent challenge to the military dominance of the US, four European countries agreed to create a joint military staff this week. France, Germany, Belgium, and Luxembourg – all of who opposed the US-led war on Iraq – agreed to integrate their militaries in several key areas. The move was billed as a complement to NATO, but some observers worry that it could weaken the transatlantic...

The Roots of Anti-Americanism in Germany

Dominic Sachsenmaier April 30, 2003
Media coverage of the Iraq War varied to such an extent that viewers in the US and in Europe were left with distinctly different understandings of what was going on. Some Europeans claimed that America's 'embedded journalists' were simply 'in bed with' the US military, acting as propaganda machines for the US government. Meanwhile, massive and constant anti-war...

Half in Germany, Half in Poland

Frank Pergande April 25, 2003
Poland’s pending membership in the European Union should, in theory, offer great benefits to towns on the border between Germany and Poland. The divisions created in 1945 had severe economic consequences for some small border towns. EU membership for Poland and cross-border trade between these poor German and Polish towns could make a difference. Studies caution, however, that most economic...

U.S. Boycott Being Felt, French Say

Robert J. McCartney April 16, 2003
French exports to the US, totaling almost $30 billion in 2002, may be off quite sharply this year, if the last two months are any indication. A major French industry group says that American imports of French wine are down dramatically, as 'Francophobia' has afflicted Americans unhappy with the France's failure to support the US-led war in Iraq. The boycott of wine and other...

Paris Takes Pragmatic Line as Poll Shows Isolation Fear

Paul Webster April 16, 2003
France: some say isolated diplomatically, but determined to press on for Iraq reconstruction.