As the final votes were counted in Germany’s election, three key takeaways emerged. First, the opposition Christian Democrats (CDU), along with their Bavarian counterpart, the Christian Social Union (CSU), secured a clear, albeit underwhelming, victory with 29% of the vote. This outcome positions
"MANY PEOPLE... have the vague feeling that something is no longer right with our country and the situation in the world." So writes Friedrich Merz in his final "MerzMail" dispatch before Germany’s pivotal election on Sunday. Unlike many leaders-in-waiting who offer bland
In his first whirlwind month back in office, Donald Trump has thrilled his base and stunned his opponents. Through an aggressive flurry of executive actions, he is attempting to transform the presidency into the dominant branch of government. The pressing question is: how far will he go before he
The United States has initiated its first direct discussions with Russia regarding a potential resolution to the war in Ukraine. The meeting in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, brought together U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. However, Ukraine and
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has long faced challenges maintaining control over its vast eastern provinces, and recent developments have starkly highlighted the Congolese state’s diminishing authority in the region. The distance between Kinshasa, the nation’s capital, and the eastern
Germany is heading into a pivotal election on February 23rd after months of political turmoil. The collapse of Olaf Scholz’s three-party coalition in November triggered an early vote, and the campaign took a dramatic turn in January when Friedrich Merz, leader of the opposition Christian Democrats
Over the past few weeks, the Trump administration has launched a whirlwind of foreign policy maneuvers, from imposing tariffs and slashing international aid to reengaging with Vladimir Putin on Ukraine and reviving “maximum pressure” on Iran. Yet America’s most significant long-term challenge
Europe is scrambling to respond to an unprecedented assault on the transatlantic partnership—the bedrock of peace and security in Europe for nearly 80 years. What was once an unshakeable alliance is now unraveling, as President Donald Trump’s administration has upended decades of American foreign
Between the American election in November and Donald Trump’s inauguration on January 20th, Europe buzzed with speculation on how to “Trump-proof” itself. In hindsight, that notion seems almost naive. In lengthy reports and somber discussions, officials painstakingly strategized on how to ensure
The past week has been a wake-up call for Europe. The old order is shifting, and the continent can no longer rely on outdated assumptions about its security and global influence. Ukraine is on the brink, Russia is asserting its interests, and America—under Donald Trump’s leadership—is redefining