Europe's Green Diplomacy Global Climate Governance Emerges as Test Case for EU The Lisbon Treaty provides new tools for the Europe Union to combat climate change. But Brussels will have to figure out how to put its new foreign service to use in order to avoid another failure of global environmental leadership like the one seen Copenhagen. Leading by example is no longer enough. Von Sascha Müller-Kraenner und Martin Kremer
The Bomb for Beginners A DIY Guide to Going Nuclear Building a nuclear weapon has never been easier. NATO's Michael Rühle provides step-by-step instructions for going nuclear, from discretely collecting material to minimizing the fallout when caught. These simple steps have worked for the likes of Israel, Pakistan or North Korea, and your country could be next.
Last Exit Kabul How To Get Out Without Forsaking Afghanistan's Stability Fixing a concrete date to withdraw from Afghanistan is wrong-headed. An exit strategy should be coordinated within NATO and has to be linked to clear criteria. These include the training of security forces and the creation of stable governance structures, as well as strengthened regional cooperation and development coordination. Von Simon Koschut
Will Year of Miracles Be Squandered? Cynicism Threatens to Destroy Gains of 1989 Poland and Central Europe have prospered since the fall of communism in 1989. Today, however, Europe is faced with a great test. A leading Polish journalist and ex-dissident argues that cynisism and the lure of authoritarianism are the new threats to a European freedom secured only two decades ago.
A World Without Nuclear Weapons Six Wrong-Headed Cliches about Disarmament With President Obama's Prague speech on "global zero" and the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty Review Conference scheduled for May 2010, nuclear disarmament is a pressing issue that is unfortunately plagued by old stereotypes. Von Oliver Thränert
Germany's Likely Next Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle's Foreign Policy With coalition negotiations approaching completion in Berlin, Guido Westerwelle, head of the Free Democrats, will likely become Germany's next foreign minister. IP asked Westerwelle about a host of pressing issues, from the European Union to Afghanistan. Von IP Staff
Five Questions, Four Agendas Germany's Top Parties Debate Foreign Policy Agenda Some big issues await the next German government: European integration, Afghanistan, climate change, the economic crisis and the Middle East peace process. IP asked the politicians who may soon be steering German foreign policy to outline their responses to these challenges.
The Bundeswehr Abroad Don't Shoot, We're German! Germany's Bundeswehr army is being transformed into an international intervention force. Advocates are more convinced than ever that objectives can be achieved by force. It is high time for a forthright debate, but is it welcome? Von Eric Chauvistré
Turbulence in Eastern Europe 'East' Doesn't Automatically Mean Crisis Twenty years after their peaceful revolutions, the countries of Eastern Europe have failed to become paragons of stability. They are also struggling to cope with the global economic crisis. Still, the problems of the EU's new member states pose no threat to the European project. Von Reinhold Vetter
A New Division of Labor? How Europe and America Can Work Together in the Middle East The US and the EU could make serious progress in fostering regional stability in the Middle East. Both should emphasize the other's strength and help offset any shortcomings. With its soft power, Europe could also aid Washington in rebuilding its tarnished reputation in the region. Von Zoé Nautré
Visions of Europe in 2030 A Postmodern Middle Ages In the future, globalization will further weaken the nation-state. A long transition process toward global government will be, like the Middle Ages, a time of great insecurity. But Europe's governance structure will prevail, even in the United States. It will buy its way to peace and its model will be copied across the globe. Von Parag Khanna
Visions of Europe in 2030 Candide's Garden The age of globalization is over. The coming 30 years will be shaped by the logic of scarcity, resulting in a turn away from global trade and the creation of self-reliant geopolitical zones. But Europe is prepared for these challenges. Von Wolfram Eilenberger
Europe's Inherent Vigor EU Businesses Could Thrive Post Recession Just as the financial crisis reveals the weaknesses of global markets and free-market thinking, the advantages of the European business model have become starkly evident. Should EU reforms build on these comparative advantages, Europe could emerge even stronger. Von Donald Kalff
Exit Prague, enter Stockholm The EU Presidency Is Too Big for Small Nations The Czech Republic proved that small EU states are not up to running the EU Council Presidency. Leadership on such a scale is simply beyond their means. Nevertheless, Sweden hopes to see the Lisbon Treaty ratified. Then it wants to lay the foundations for a real European foreign policy. Von Ulrike Guérot
Help Wanted The World Needs an Energy Framework A new global energy framework is long overdue. The Obama administration could well be interested in teaming up with the European Union to create one. In addition to enhancing security, it would also spur economic growth and curb global warming. Von Josef Braml
The Option to Protect The New Terms for Humanitarian Intervention In Germany, "national interest" is no longer a taboo reason for military engagement abroad. This lends a new logic to the debate about humanitarian interventions. But Germany and the US would do well to think twice about the responsibilities and resources that engagement abroad ultimately entails. Von Richard Herzinger
Cold War in the Arctic? Countries Seek Piece of Pie As it stands, Arctic policy is already a dense network of legal and political agreements between different national and supranational stakeholders. Now the European Union wants to play a greater role in shaping it. Von Gerd Braune
After the Fall of Wall A Report Card on Post-Cold War European Integration Twenty years after the fall of the Iron Curtain, it is time to take stock. Have expectations been fulfilled? Not entirely. Europe has lagged in bridging the continent's divisions, establishing a common foreign policy and fostering legitimacy for European integration. Von Thomas Risse und Gregor Walter-Drop
Rethinking US-Europe Relations Is the EU Better for Obama than NATO? Barack Obama has to rethink the trans-Atlantic partnership in light of shifting power relations and new global security threats. Washington's preferred Atlantic institution, NATO, is already overburdened. The EU has a stronger track record than you might think and it could be best suited for the job. Von Paul Hockenos
Bridging the Divide How Should the EU Reach Out to Russia? The European Union must finally adopt a consistent policy toward Russia. In addition to signing a new Partnership and Cooperation Agreement, Brussels should work with Russia to reform international organizations and expand joint projects such as free trade zones. Von Alexander Rahr