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Global Power

A champion of EU and NATO enlargement, German foreign policy is no longer the gentle giant of the post-war years. Its leading economy and the War on Terror has propelled Germany to take an assertive role on the world stage.

Chemical Weapons Charge: Berlin Rules out Arms for Rebels

Chemical Weapons Charge: Berlin Rules out Arms for Rebels

SPIEGEL ONLINE - June 14, 2013

The United States has shifted its course on Syria following chemical weapons revelations, but international support is limited. Germany refuses to arm the insurgents, and Russia is openly critical of President Obama. more...

Angela Merkel on Europe: 'We Are All in the Same Boat'

Angela Merkel on Europe: 'We Are All in the Same Boat'

SPIEGEL ONLINE - June 03, 2013

In a SPIEGEL interview, Chancellor Angela Merkel discusses Germany's power in the euro crisis and explains why the country exports weapons to authoritarian regimes like Saudi Arabia. more... Comment ]

Syrian Rebels in Trouble: German Intelligence Sees Assad Regaining Hold

Syrian Rebels in Trouble: German Intelligence Sees Assad Regaining Hold

SPIEGEL ONLINE - May 22, 2013

Not even a year ago, German intelligence predicted Syrian autocrat Bashar Assad's regime would soon collapse. Now, the agency instead believes the rebels are in trouble. Government troops are set to make significant advances, it predicts. By Matthias Gebauer more... Comment ]

German Foreign Minister: 'A Military Solution Won't Yield Lasting Peace in Syria'

German Foreign Minister: 'A Military Solution Won't Yield Lasting Peace in Syria'

SPIEGEL ONLINE - May 20, 2013

In a SPIEGEL interview, German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle, 51, discusses the search for a political solution to the Syrian civil war, controversial German arms exports and how his family's experiences in World War II inform his positions today. more... Comment ]

Iraq Effect: Germany Fears US Intervention in Syria

Iraq Effect: Germany Fears US Intervention in Syria

SPIEGEL ONLINE - May 15, 2013

The German government is starting to worry about parallels between the Iraq war 10 years ago and the Syrian conflict. The Foreign Ministry believes that mounting concern over the possible use of chemical weapons by the Assad regime could prompt the US government to launch a military intervention. By Severin Weiland and Matthias Gebauer more...

After ISAF: Germany Commits Troops for Post-2014 Mission

After ISAF: Germany Commits Troops for Post-2014 Mission

SPIEGEL ONLINE - April 19, 2013

In a surprise move, Germany's government announced on Thursday plans to keep up to 800 military trainers in Afghanistan after NATO combat troops withdraw in 2014. Though perhaps bold and symbolic, the move is also tactical in terms of upcoming elections. By Matthias Gebauer more... Comment ]

War without End: The Price of Inaction in Syria

War without End: The Price of Inaction in Syria

SPIEGEL ONLINE - April 04, 2013

Western leaders -- and German ones, in particular -- have come up with countless reasons for not providing military support to Syrian rebels. But this just plays into the hands of Assad, who has nothing to win, but plenty to destroy. A Commentary by Christoph Reuter more... Comment ]

Gerhard Schröder: 'Germany Can Only Lead Europe the Way Porcupines Mate'

Gerhard Schröder: 'Germany Can Only Lead Europe the Way Porcupines Mate'

SPIEGEL ONLINE - April 01, 2013

In a SPIEGEL interview, former German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder, 68, talks about how difficult it is for citizens to accept military deployments abroad, the country's leadership role and what justifies war. more... Comment ]

Bulgaria Bus Attack: Berlin Wants Hezbollah On EU Terrorist Group List

Bulgaria Bus Attack: Berlin Wants Hezbollah On EU Terrorist Group List

SPIEGEL ONLINE - March 29, 2013

The German Interior and Foreign ministries want Lebanon's Hezbollah movement to be placed on the EU's list of terrorist groups if suspicions are confirmed that the organization was behind the bus bombing in Bulgaria last year in which five Israeli tourists were killed. more...

Merkel's Caution: Berlin Reverts to Old Timidity on Military Missions

Merkel's Caution: Berlin Reverts to Old Timidity on Military Missions

SPIEGEL ONLINE - March 26, 2013

Over the last 20 years, Germany has taken important steps towards normality, shedding its pacifist doctrine and taking part in combat missions abroad. But Chancellor Angela Merkel's government is undoing that achievement. Its refusal to join foreign deployments is undermining faith in Berlin's reliability. more... Comment ]