The European Union: Quo vadis?
Tuesday, 2 October 2018 - 11:00 am (CET/MEZ) Berlin | Author/Destination: Knut WingschCategory/Kategorie: General, Editorial, EU blog post series, European Union Reading Time: 1543 minutes
(Latest update: 7 June 2022) Best of all first: The EU and the Eurozone today have greater approval among its citizens than it did in the past 35 years. This is not just any indicator, but a solid basis and a work order that has so far been adopted only in part to actually address ambitious, long overdue reforms and the necessary reorientation of the EU. A nicely written white paper by the European Commission, which presents possible scenarios until 2025, isn’t enough. What is needed is a “EU Vision 2030” plan with clear timetables and sub-goals, which are constantly being updated, especially as new sub-goals always emerge from ongoing processes, where everyone can find orientation about ongoing and future developments, as well as to participate or in marketing-speak “Europe need a common future and story!” This one is a bit longer and a summary of the current challenges and opportunities, while continuing the article The European Union: Blessing or curse? Past or future?.
Content
- Introduction
- History of Europe and the United Staates of America
- Migration debate, xenophobia, racism and right-wing extremism
- Challenges and solution approaches
- Greece and Macedonia
- EU reforms
- EU budget
- Majority voting
- EU of different speeds
- Enlargements of the European Union
- Integration of the Eurozone
- EU Investment Alliance
- EU Immigration Law
- EU Unemployment Insurance
- Real Estate and Demography
- EU Security Architecture
- EU Climate Policy
- EU Bankruptcy Law
- EU Identity
- European Payment Mechanism
- Learn from crises
- EU-Africa Partnership
- Accession of Turkey to the European Union
- Union for the Mediterranean
- EU accession negotiations with Albania and Macedonia
- US troops in Europe
- 2019 European Parliament election
- Economic and/or political development
- Coronavirus pandemic
- Trickle-down theory
- Austria
- Belgium, Luxembourg and Netherlands (Benelux)
- Bulgaria and Romania
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia (Visegrád Group)
- Denmark, Finland and Sweden (Scandinavia)
- Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania (Baltic States)
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Ireland
- Italy
- Malta
- Portugal and Spain
- United Kingdom
- Turkey
- Debt situation
- Foreign policy
- Trump’s tariffs
- Trump’s anti-China and anti-EU trade war
- Trade agreement between the EU and the US
- EU’s trade partners
- “New Deal”, the restart of transatlantic relations
- EU-China Relations
- Russia and Ukraine
- Nord Stream 2
- Iran deal
- Syrian Civil War
- EU and Israel
- Middle East and Israeli-Palestinian conflict
- Sources
Introduction
Today, people in the states of the EU live in better conditions than ever before. It should be clear to the citizens that the future viability of the states depends on their being under the strong umbrella of the EU in order to prepare themselves for the economic challenges from China, and more recently from the US, militarily from Russia (The Washington Post, 13 September 2018: 5 things to know about Russia’s Vostok-2018 military exercises, The Guardian, 20 October2018: Trump says US will withdraw from nuclear arms treaty with Russia, BBC, 21 October 2018: President Trump to pull US from Russia missile treaty, CNN, 21 October 2018: Trump says US is ending decades-old nuclear arms treaty with Russia, BBC, 21 October 2018: Russia nuclear treaty: Gorbachev warns Trump plan will undermine disarmament, CNN, 22 October 2018: Russia fires back after Trump threatens to ditch nuclear arms treaty (“funny” is that the Russian Tsar Putin has been stationed months ago the nuclear first strike weapon system Iskander-K in the region of Kaliningrad, to threaten Europe permanently, and is lamenting now, because adequate countermeasures to safeguard Europe against continued and further threats from the Kremlin shall be initiated (Avangard hypersonic glide vehicle)), NATO, 25 October 2018: Trident Juncture 18, The Washington Post, 25 October 2018: At a pivotal moment for the alliance, NATO launches biggest exercise since the end of the Cold War, The New York Times, 26 January 2019: Saving NATO, Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty, The New York Times, 1 February 2019: U.S. Suspends Nuclear Arms Control Treaty With Russia, CNN, 2 February 2019: Russia follows US in suspending INF nuclear missile treaty, The Washington Post, 2 February 2019: Why Putin won’t be mad about Trump pulling out of the INF Treaty, The Guardian, 2 February 2019: Russia follows US in suspending nuclear deal, The New York Times, 2 February 2019: Russia Pulls Out of Nuclear Treaty in ‘Symmetrical’ Response to U.S. Move, The Washington Post, 2 February 2019: Following U.S., Putin suspends nuclear pact and promises new weapons, Jerusalem Post, 2 February 2019: Russia set to develop new and advanced missile systems, The New York Times, 10 February 2019: How Russia Undermined Over 30 Years of Nuclear Arms Control, France24, 12 February 2019: NATO planning for more Russian missiles: Stoltenberg and The Washington Post, 17 February 2019: Withdrawing from the INF Treaty would cripple arms control efforts for decades, The Guardian, 1 July 2019: US arms control office critically understaffed under Trump, experts say, CNN, 20 July 2019: Clock’s ticking on one of world’s most important nuclear treaties. A dangerous arms race may be next, CNN, 27 July 2019: Donald Trump’s most catastrophic decision, BBC, 2 August 2019: INF nuclear treaty: Nato ‘to avoid arms race’ after US-Russia pact ends, The Guardian, 2 August 2019: Nato and Russia trade barbs after collapse of nuclear arms treaty, CNN, 2 August 2019: NATO chief says end of nuclear treaty is ‘serious setback’, after US withdraws, Al Arabiya, 2 AUgust 2019: US to develop new missiles after exiting INF treaty, Times of Israel, 2 August 2019: US to accelerate missile program after ending weapons pact with Russia, Saudi Gazette, 2 August 2019: US pulls out of Soviet-era nuclear missile pact with Russia, Gulf News, 2 August 2019: US ends Cold War missile treaty in bid to counter China, France24, 2 August 2019: US to withdraw officially from Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty, DW, 2 August 2019: Opinion: Scrapping the INF treaty is risky — and a lost opportunity, Arab News, 3 AUgust 2019: The arms race has new legs, CNN, 8 August 2019: Russia has released footage of its new ‘Hunter’ stealth attack drone, Jerusalem Post, 12 August 2019: US, Russia nuke tensions may be even worse than Iran threat – analysis, The Guardian, 17 August 2019: The nuclear arms race is back … and ever more dangerous now, CNN, 18 August 2019: What a mysterious explosion tells us about Russia’s ‘doomsday weapon’, France24, 19 August 2019: US tests medium-range cruise missile in the wake of INF treaty exit, The National Interest, 20 August 2019: Russia’s New Weapons: From Doomsday Nuclear Torpedoes to Skyfall Missiles, DW, 20 August 2019: Russia blast radiation caused by Skyfall missile, US experts say, Haaretz, 21 August 2019: Skyfall Explosion: Doomsday Weapon Accident Shows Limits of Putin’s Dangerous Ambitions). How can it nevertheless be that the colorful and cheerful Europe threatens to become a more and more dull, simple, nationalistic, fact- and learn-resistant Europe? The paradox of this is, above all, that it is the EU itself that made it possible to connect different states and their people. On the one hand, it creates EU citizens and patriots and, on the other hand, simple minded state-cross national movements. After all, nationalism by definition can only function within a nation-state, but not across multiple states, unless one understands the EU as such as a nation-state, so that EU nationalism can emerge to develop common, viable and workable solutions. It is hardly to be expected that Europe’s right-wing nationalists are able to think in such a dimension at all, although here they could take an example from the rednecks and hillbillys of the Southern United States, who have at least understood that, albeit coming from different states, they all are US citizens. That would be, even when still annoying, after all, a development and adaptation of the changed realities and general conditions (The Guardian, 21 July 2018: Steve Bannon plans foundation to fuel far right in Europe, BBC, 23 July 2018: Bannon plan for Europe-wide populist ‘supergroup’ sparks alarm, Bloomberg, 24 July 2018: Steve Bannon Wants to Divide and Conquer in Europe Too, The Guardian, 30 July 2018: Europe shouldn’t fear Steve Bannon. It should fear the hype that surrounds him, The Washington Post, 26 September 2018: A nationalist abroad: Stephen Bannon evangelizes Trump-style politics across Europe, The Guardian, 24 October 2018: The real danger to Europe? The lost sense of a common cause, The Guardian, 18 February 2019: EU parliament’s centrist coalition set to lose majority, poll finds, Arab News, 26 June 2019: Critics should not forget EU’s role in preserving peace). Overall, this article is trying to make it clear what Alexander von Humboldt already knew 250 years ago:
“Everything is connected with everything.”
History of Europe and the United Staates of America
“Only who knows where he comes from knows where he is going.” – Theodor Heuss
In order to understand the current developments in Europe, it makes sense to deal with the very varied and multi-faceted history of Europe and the states/federation building processes. This includes numerous regional, national and international armed conflicts, such as the Thirty Years’ War, which began with the Defenestrations of Prague on May 23, 1618. Under the motto “One people, one religion, one leader”, the catholic Emperor Ferdinand II tried to persuade the Protestant electorates to convert to Catholicism. The attempt failed after several lossy battles in favor of a pluralistic solution, because the acting persons came to the realization that diversity is probably better than simplicity. With that everything has already been said and everyone could have gone home happily and contentedly with this knowledge gain, in order to be able to work on a common, peaceful and prosperous Europe from now on. History went a little bit different and many other wars followed, because people are generally far less able to learn than they would like to think of themselves. If World War I and World War II had any good aspects at all, it is that the results are now deeply branded in the European collective memory and, as a result, the European Union was founded. Following the old saying, “When the donkey is too well, he goes on the ice”, from the end of the 2000s onwards, small groups were formed in the states, which eventually gave rise to national movements and parties and in fact found enough supporters to position their crude (conspiracy) theories against the EU. The vast majority of these theories are completely baseless and fact-free, which is what their supporters, who are suffering from extensive fact allergy, especially like about it. But it is also about fear of loss, especially with regard to identities (or social decline or to be even more accurate: If some Germans think that “refugees take away our jobs,” then these people should just keep the following in mind: Should a refugee, who has never been to Germany or even Europe at all, has no language skills, has no idea of how life and the labor market work here (neither in total nor in detail), be able to “take away jobs” from these Germans, then in their lives has so much gone wrong before, that even 12 million refugees and immigrants could not affect their lifes more negative than it already has been affected before. In any case, it is not the refugees who are to blame, but in most cases, they themselves. Presumably, such people would be overwhelmed even with returnable bottle sorting), even though today’s states have no clearly definable national identities because they are made up of colorful collections of duchies and principalities with partly contradictory identities and due to the numerous small and large migrations of the people over the centuries couldn’t develop clearly identifiable identities (The “Heimat” concept (homeland), on the other hand, is much easier to define, even if it can have individual different definitions). The romantic idea that there ever was a homogenous Germany is a very clear self-deception, because the country and also all predecessors in the area of today’s Germany (even more so if one includes Poland and parts of Russia (German Reich) or parts of France and Italy (Holy Roman Empire of German Nations)), Germany has always been heterogeneous, even if there were majorities and continue to exist. The same applies, of course, to all other current EU states as well, and certainly to the US. The EU offers a basic agreement on the basis of geography, namely, “We are all Europeans”, even if not all countries of the continent belong to the EU by now. With the EU still under construction, it will take quite a while for this to happen. On the other hand, how well European integration already works in everyday life is evident in the changed news situation, among other aspects. 20 years ago, only a small section of the population in Europe was interested in politics and politicians in neighboring countries. This has changed over the past decades fundamentally, because the perception has changed. In the past, it was understood as “foreign policy”, and is now understood as “domestic policy”, because the effects can have an affect for everyone.
At this point, it’s worth taking a look at the history of the United States of America. Even if no one-to-one comparisons are possible, the founding of the USA is the first and until today successful European major project, meanwhile not only more successful than the EU itself, but even the only remaining world power (other European projects, such as Canada, Australia or New Zealand, are also going very well. Overall, Europe has left its mark in many parts of the world due to colonization. Often with negative consequences, but often also with positive effects that reverberate to this day), because ultimately it is the anticipation of the EU outside of Europe. The settlements were finally carried out by people from all European countries (today, e.g., about 50 million of the 330 million Americans say to have German ancestors). Even today, the folklore and local features/peculiarities that came with the European settlers have survived in the individual states, are promoted and celebrated accordingly – all under the common roof of the United States. The EU implements this concern, ie the preservation and promotion of specific characteristics, specificities, folklore, language and food/drink, under the motto “united in diversity” even more consistently and extensively by creating appropriate laws and regulations and providing funding (Europe of the Regions, Culture in the European Union, geographical indication, European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages, Minority rights, Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union and European Convention on Human Rights). In this respect, the EU is reminiscent of the Roman Empire, but on a voluntary basis, ie a federation of different, diversified states, which keep their cultures, languages, religions and other peculiarities, but united under a common roof with self-given, common rules (Transatlantic relations).
Migration debate, xenophobia, racism, right-wing extremism and right-wing terrorism
It is actually unbelievable: the wall fell, fortunately the Soviet Union failed in its own right, as a result of which most of the Eastern Bloc gained its freedom. There was great hope for democracy, freedom and the rule of law. Especially in the eastward expansion of the EU, which only knows freedom from history lessons, the hope for freedom and democracy was huge. It is all the more surprising that the majority have once again been seduced by nationalist demagogues. From the east, this nationalistic nonsense finally rubbed off into East Germany, which was formerly part of the Eastern Bloc. Where the journey will eventually lead to remains open by now. It will certainly not be pleasing for while. Therefore the blog entry The European Union: Migration debate, xenophobia, racism and right-wing extremism was created.
Challenges and solution approaches in keywords
- While dark clouds are rising on the big stage, a decades-old dispute between Greece and Macedonia is being resolved on the small stage by simply adding a “north”: The New York Times, 17 June 2018: Macedonia and Greece Sign Historic Deal on Name Change (The Guardian, 5 April 2018: The west must not just abandon the Balkans to Russia’s embrace, The New York Times, 10 April 2018: In a New Cold War With Russia, Balkans Become a Testing Ground, The Guardian, 11 July 2018: Greece to expel Russian diplomats over alleged Macedonia interference, Reuters, 13 July 2018: Word ‘Russia’ goes unspoken as Mattis meets Balkan defense chiefs, Bloomberg, 18 July 2018: Putin Has Lost His Influence in the Balkans and Macedonian referendum, 2018, The Guadian, 10 October 2018: Welcome to North Macedonia: parliament votes for name change, Reuters, 11 January 2019: Macedonian parliament agrees to change country’s name, The Guardian, 13 January 2019: Greek government in crisis over Macedonia name deal, France24, 25 January 2019: Greek parliament approves Macedonia name change deal, The Guardian, 25 January 2019: Greek MPs ratify Macedonia name change in historic vote, The New York Times, 25 January 2019: Greeks Approve Deal to Rename Macedonia, in Victory for the West, The Washington Post, 25 January 2019: Greece approves Macedonia name change, ending 28-year row, Bloomberg, 28 January 2019: NATO Dashes to Expand in Balkans After North Macedonia Name Deal and BBC, 6 February 2019: Macedonia signs Nato accession agreement).
- French President Emmanuel Macron has proposed ambitious and above all necessary EU reforms. Since the formation of a coalition after the German federal elections lasted more than a year, valuable time has passed and a vacuum has arisen, which right-wing populists and anti-democrats have used to set their content-free phrases in the world. Chancellor Angela Merkel hasn’t sent clear signals on Macron’s proposals yet, although his extensive support is in Germany’s own interest. The Federal Government is still too busy with itself to work on solutions. In principle, it would be desirable to put together the need for extensive EU reforms and the future EU orientation in a plan such as “EU Vision 2030”, which is updated annually, providing predictability and taking the 500 million EU citizens with it. Here, ambitious visions for the future are demanded, especially as it has become clear from past developments that the EU tends to agree on the most weakest and flimsiest compromises, rather than orienting itself towards the top. Accordingly, this already need be taken into account in the baseline scenarios (The White House, 25 April 2016: Remarks by President Obama in Address to the People of Europe, The Guardian, 26 September 2017: Macron lays out vision for ‘profound’ changes in post-Brexit EU, DW, 17 April 2018: France’s Emmanuel Macron calls for revival of EU democracy, The Guardian, 27 August 2018: Europe can no longer rely on US for security, says Emmanuel Macron, Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, 27 August 2018: U2-Singer Bono: Europe is a thought that needs to become a feeling, The New York Times, 11 December 2018: E.U. Hoped to Put Its House in Order This Year. Not Even Close., The New York Times, 18 December 2018: The End of Europe?, Daily Mail, 9 January 2019: Germany, France set to sign new cooperation accord, France 24, 21 January 2019: One couple, two seats: France and Germany renew vows after golden jubilee, The Guardian, 23 January 2019: European Union: Macron and Merkel are trying to safeguard Europe, not dominate it, The Guardian, 23 January 2019: The Guardian view on Davos: elites without answers, The Guardian, 27 January 2019: Davos 2019: the yawning gap between rhetoric and reality, The Guardian, 12 February 2019: The EU looks like the Soviet Union in 1991 – on the verge of collapse, France24, 4 March 2019: Macron unveils plan for ‘European renaissance’ ahead of key EU vote, The Guardian, 4 March 2019: Emmanuel Macron: Dear Europe, Brexit is a lesson for all of us: it’s time for renewal, The Guardian, 4 March 2019: EU must learn from Brexit and reform, says Emmanuel Macron, Elysee.fr, 4 March 2019: For European renewal, The Washinton Post, 5 March 2019: Emmanuel Macron pushes European ‘renewal’ to counter nationalism, The Guardian, 5 March 2019: EU faces nationalist ‘nightmare’ in next five years, says Verhofstadt, The Guardian, 7 March 2019: Macron reached out to all Europeans, and what does he get? Scorn, Der Spiegel, 13 March 2019: Patronizing, Frustrating and Divisive: The Shortcomings of Merkel’s European Policies, The Guardian, 17 April 2019: Macron vowed to change the EU – but his chance may have gone, The New York Times, 29 April 2019: Europe’s Crisis of Integration, France24, 9 May 2019: EU plans for life after Brexit and the tussle for top jobs at Sibiu summit, Politico.eu, 8 August 2019: King Macron’s unsteady EU crown, Politico.eu, 18 November 2019: France outlines proposal to overhaul EU accession process, Politico.eu, 19 November 2019: 6 countries write to Juncker to support EU enlargement reform, Politico.eu, 20 November 2019: It’s time to update the EU’s internet rules, Politico.eu, 26 November 2019: Berlin and Paris outline plan for EU makeover, Politico.eu, 26 November 2019: How to remake the EU, Politico.eu, 27 November 2019: EU ambassadors cautious on French-German plan for Europe’s future, Politico.eu, 27 November 2019: France is back, but where is Germany?, Politico.eu, 9 December 2019: EU to prepare Magnitsky-style human rights sanctions regime, The National, 9 December 2019: EU backs global sanctions programme for rights abusers, Politico.eu, 9 December 2019: Borrell urges EU to be foreign policy ‘player, not the playground’, Politico.eu, 19 December 2019: What Macron plans for Europe, Politico.eu, 21 January 2020: Conference on the Future of Europe: Don’t mention the T word, Politico.eu, 31 January 2020: Macron: Brexit campaign based on ‘lies’ but EU must reform, Politico.eu, 6 February 2020: EU big four press Vestager to clear path for champions, The Guardian, 8 February 2020: Emmanuel Macron, pilloried at home and abroad, is Europe’s best hope, France24, 15 February 2020: France ‘impatient’ over lack of German drive to reform EU: Macron, CNN, 15 February 2020: The EU is facing a serious crisis. It’s funding the same people who wish to wreck it, The Guardian, 15 February 2020: Macron sets out 10-year vision for EU with call for more integration, Foreign Policy, 19 February 2020: European Union Unveils Proposed Tech Rules (Digital Single Market), Politico.eu, 24 February 2020: Europe is fighting tech battle with one hand tied behind its back, European Council in Foreign Affairs, 3 March 2020: Time for a geopolitical Europe: A German answer to Macron, The Guardian, 5 March 2020: Macron, Merkel and the battle for the future of Europe, Politico.eu, 20 March 2020: In EU’s retreat, a way forward).
- The negotiations on the new EU budget will certainly also be interesting.
- To change the unanimity of EU decisions in favor of majority voting, which would solve 90% of all challenges within a short time. At the same time, one would thus break away from the principle of the “dictates of minorities and abstruse individual interests”, especially since majority decisions need to be well-founded by each single EU state. A simple “I am against it” then no longer exist, but each state would have to explain its motives and thus at the same time signaling willingness to negotiate and explain how a compromise would have to look like, so that it would be supported. It would no longer be possible to blame Brussels for “everything thta is going wrong” (which is almost never the case anyway, while mostly EU state governments and state lobbyists are responsible for failure – see Brexit). Instead, it would be much clearer who actually brakes and blocks. For this reason, in particular the Visegrád Group opposes majority voting. The unanimity was once well meant, but actually blocks the EU unnecessary in almost all areas. Perhaps, however, in order to resolve the permanent blockades in some areas, it might be necessary to found a new federal European Union, an EU 2.0, to which only those states will be invited that are committed to European values, which obviously does not include the EU’s eastward expansion. They can then drown in their nationalisms and at the same time are no longer problem cases for the EU.
- “EU of different speeds” to become reality (Eurozone, Core EU, Visegrád). If some don’t want to join programs right from the beginning, they can catch up later (backed by economic incentives) or go the way of the UK. If there is the possibility of access on the one hand, there need to be the possibility of an orderly withdrawal or, in extreme cases, the possibility of being thrown out on the other hand, until the EU has established itself fully and can’t be dismantled any longer, after becoming a federal republic (or what ever it will look like in the future). Thereafter, there should be no more opportunity to leave and this should be contractually fixed, after all, the EU isn’t a “Request Concert” event.
- After the self-induced collapse and disintegration of the Soviet Union in 1990, the subsequent dissolution of the then obsolet Warsaw Pact in 1991 and the provisional end of the Cold War, many of the liberated states of the now former Eastern Bloc immediately sought membership in NATO and the European Union also to be sure not to be forced back into a dictatorship led by Russia, but instead to be able to act and make decisions much more freely in the future within a defense alliance and a free and democratic confederation of states. Basically, this also corresponded to the interests of NATO members and the EU states, even if it was clear that the road to this would be long or even very long for some candidate countries, in particular with regard to the development of functioning state institutions, the rule of law, democracy and Much more was concerned and in some cases will continue for many years or even decades. On the other hand, some others who have already achieved full NATO membership and have become EU states and have thus reached the home stretch have taken worrying setbacks in recent years (Visegrád Group, Three Seas Initiative, Romania and Bulgaria) and are moving to old (economic and/or political to Russia) or new dependencies (economic and/or political to China – New Silk Road and China-Central-East-Europe Summit). As things stand today, the “New Eastern Bloc” would no longer get beyond the applicant status for admission to the EU. In retrospect and for geostrategic reasons, the admission of the countries to NATO was correct, especially since the self-determination of the states, regardless of the respective government interests, is and will be guaranteed along the way. In retrospect, acceptance into the EU, on the other hand, is questionable or even doubtful, especially since there are obviously very different and too often incompatible definitions of universal rights, fundamental rights, democracy and freedom. For the EU, this is part of the learning process that will have an impact on the admission of federal states, just as one rightly moves further and further away from the unanimity principle and shifts to the majority principle so that individual states cannot take the entire EU hostage or at least make it much more difficult for them. Violations of jointly given rules are also increasingly punished better. The rule of law adopted by the EU is an example of this. Among other things, it is a question of making EU funds available only to those EU states that adhere to the common rules (rule of law, fight against corruption, etc.). It is quite possible that after Brexit and despite the clearly negative effects on life and the economy in the United Kingdom, countries in the eastward expansion of the EU will also decide to leave the EU. One could imagine more unpleasant scenarios. It is often argued that the EU receives good to very good approval ratings among the population of the countries of the Visegrád group, but somebody ultimately votes for their EU- and democracy-hostile regimes by a majority (in the case of Hungary in 2018 even with a 2/3 majority). Ultimately, the “good approval ratings” are primarily based on the billions in development aid from Brussels to the EU’s eastward expansion, which in Hungary, for example, finance 50% of all public infrastructure measures. With the cessation of payments, the approval rates are also likely to collapse and reach realistic rates. Brussels therefore has highly effective tools at hand (withdrawal of all development aid funds and EU budget funds up to and including the complete withdrawal of voting rights) to influence thought and decision-making processes. If the EU’s eastward enlargement continous to babbel about the “EU as Soviet Union 2.0”, Brussels can ensure that the countries are released from the EU so that the regimes in Warsaw and Budapest can make themselves the toy of their favorite dictator from the Kremlin and sooner or later to be expelled from NATO. The integration of the Balkan states (Breakup of Yugoslavia) remains a major challenge. The successor states of Yugoslavia continue to face major challenges and problems. The integration of Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia is also still rocky (Politico.eu, 19 July 2021: Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine see joint path to EU, Politico.eu, 4 August 2021: 5 ways the EU’s democracy crisis could end, DW, 6 August 2021: Poland should not stay in EU ‘at all costs,’ says minister (good riddance!), Politico.eu, 6 August 2021: Polish minister: Poland should not stay in the EU ‘at any cost’, DW, 7 August 2021: Poland set to back down in EU legal row, DW, 21 August 2021: Hungary vs EU: Is Orban striving for Huxit?, DW, 14 September 2021: The EU’s 4 persistent problems still dogging the bloc, DW, 14 September 2021: Merkel wraps up Balkan tour in Albania urging progress on EU membership, DW, 15 September 2021: ‘There will be no Polexit,’ says Polish ruling party chief, Reuters, 28 September 2021: EU no longer agrees on Balkan membership guarantee, diplomats say, Politico.eu, 5 October 2021: Don’t close the door on the Western Balkans, BBC, 6 October 2021: EU indecision ‘jeopardising’ its position in Balkans – Von der Leyen, Politico.eu, 6 October 2021: Von der Leyen defends enlargement commissioner’s work on Serbia, France24, 6 October 2021: ‘One family’: EU chief seeks to reassure Balkan states amid stalled membership bid, DW, 6 October 2021: EU summit: No firm timeline for Western Balkans accession, Politico.eu, 8 October 2021: Explained: What bombshell Polish court ruling means for EU, The Times, 8 October 2021: Poland ‘risks EU exit’ for defying Brussels over laws, Politico.eu, 8 October 2021: Polish ruling puts Ursula von der Leyen under pressure, Politico.eu, 27 October 2021: EU backs Moldova with €60M amid Putin’s gas squeeze, Politico.eu, 2 November 2021: We need to talk about the Western Balkans, The National, 4 November 2021: Bosnia faces ‘terrifying’ prospect of return to civil war, CNN, 6 November 2021: Dangerous crisis brewing in the Balkans. Will the West do anything to stop another war?, The Guardian, 14 November 2021: Bosnia and Herzegovina: past time to take a stand, The Times, 15 November 2021: If we falter the Balkans will explode again, Politico.eu, 22 November 2021: Is this the end of the peace pact holding Bosnia together?, Foreign Policy, 23 November 2021: What Russia Really Wants in the Balkans, The National, 28 November 2021: Western reticence is endangering Bosnia and the Balkans, The Guardian, 29 November 2021: Bosnian Serb leader: Putin and China will help if west imposes sanctions, Politico.eu, 30 November 2021: Ukraine, Georgia, Moldova want to be EU’s friends with benefits, The Conversation, 9 December 2021: Bosnia’s endless crisis could be solved by letting it break apart peacefully, Politico.eu, 9 December 2021: In Bosnia, US overtakes EU as crisis boils, Politico.eu, 11 December 2021: Western countries warn Bosnian Serbs against secessionist move, Middle East Eye, 13 November 2021: Bosnia crisis: Why the international community must take a firm stand, Foreign Policy, 15 November 2021: How Biden Can Save the Peace in Bosnia, The Times, 18 December 2021: Serb populist’s breakaway threat raises spectre of a slide into war, Haaretz, 19 December 2021: Rewriting History Like Goebbels: Why a Resurgent Far Right Is Whitewashing Genocide in the Balkans, The Guardian, 24 November 2021: Bosnia and surrounding region still heading for crisis, says top official, Reuters, 28 December 2021: Turkey offers to mediate in Bosnian crisis ‘to ensure stability’, Arab News, 29 December 2021: Nine Serbs indicted for killing around 100 Muslims during Bosnian war, The New York Times, 2 January 2022: In the Tinderbox of Bosnia, a Serb Nationalist Lights a Match, Politico.eu, 7 January 2022: The not-so-fantastic 4: Central Europe’s divided Visegrad alliance, Politico.eu, 10 January 2022: EU funds have little impact in Western Balkans, auditors say, DW, 15 January 2022: Kosovo sends back Serbian ballots ahead of referendum, Politico.eu, 17 January 2022: Polish envoy’s bid for top EU post sparks Brussels backlash, Al Arabiya, 20 February 2022: EU won’t accept Bosnia breakup, says foreign policy chief Borrell, Los Angeles Times, 28 February 2022: Ukraine seeks to join EU as round of talks with Russia ends (of course, it is understandable that Ukraine is looking for a shortcut, but it will not work that way. There are very good reasons for the EU admissions procedure which should not be circumvented, otherwise the entire procedure will collapse in on itself, to the great detriment of the EU. Since it is reasonably clear that Ukraine will not be accepted into NATO for the foreseeable future, one should instead look for a way to integrate Ukraine into the “Common Security and Defense Policy” of the EU without the country need to be a EU member state), Times of Israel, 28 February 2022: Ukraine’s leader signs application to join EU as round of talks with Russia ends, NPR, 28 February 2022: Ukraine wants to join the EU. Here’s how that would work, Arab News, 28 February 2022: Ukraine seeks to join EU as round of talks with Russia ends, The New York Times, 28 February 2022: President Volodymyr Zelensky urged the E.U. to admit Ukraine to the bloc immediately., The Algemeiner, 28 February 2022: EU Eyes Ukrainian Membership, Could Be Bargaining Chip in Russia Talks, France24, 28 February 2022: Live: Presidents of 8 EU states call for immediate talks on Ukrainian membership, Jerusalem Post, 1 March 2022: EU member state heads back fast-track for Ukraine joining bloc, Gulf News, 1 March 2022: Zelenskiy tells EU: ‘Prove that you are with us’, The Hill, 1 March 2022: Belarus president stands in front of battle map indicating Moldova invasion plans, The New York Times, 1 March 2022: Ukraine’s road to European Union membership will most likely be long and winding. Here’s why., France24, 1 March 2022: Standing ovation as Zelensky tells European Parliament: ‘Prove you are with Ukraine’, DW, 1 March 2022: Ukraine’s Zelenskyy pushes EU lawmakers for bloc membership, Al Arabiya, 2 March 2022: Georgia to apply ‘immediately’ for EU membership: Ruling party (obviously the gravediggers of the EU were overmotivated again. The EU is not only alive, it is only just beginning to really grow and, thanks to Putin, above all to grow together. Very nice), France24, 2 March 2022: Georgia to apply ‘immediately’ for EU membership, DW, 2 March 2022: Georgia vows to ‘immediately’ apply for EU membership, France24, 3 March 2022: Facing an existential threat, Ukraine seeks ‘immediate’ EU membership – but can the bloc deliver?, DW, 3 March 2022: Georgia formally applies for EU membership, Foreign Policy, 3 March 2022: Why Putin Keeps Talking About Kosovo, Politico.eu, 3 March 2022: Georgia, Moldova follow Ukraine in applying to join EU, Politico.eu, 7 March 2022: Pandering to Putin comes back to bite Serbia’s Vucic, Politico.eu, 7 March 2022: Let Ukrainians — not Ukraine — join the EU, France24, 8 March 2022: Make membership easier, Kosovo PM tells NATO, EU, The Guardian, 9 March 2022: History is brutally back, and Ukraine will test Europe’s appetite for the consequences (leaving aside the question to what extent “complicity through active passivity or complete omissions” is not already a fact, it is obvious that NATO and the EU are in a lost position as long as they play by rules while Putin knows none. He is completely indifferent to the dead, even in his own ranks. The already devastating destruction and enormous human casualties are not enough for him at all. His anger and ruthlessness are heightened by Russian casualties, his army’s ineptness, and the increasing desertions of his soldiers. Even if it goes against all Western understanding and all Western logic, NATO and the EU will not be able to avoid the question of when they have to intervene to stop Putin’s genocide against Ukraine and the Ukrainians for much longer. This war, too, is documented far too well and in real time for one to be able to excuse oneself later with pretended, alleged unawareness of the situation on the ground), Haaretz, 10 March 2022: Not Only Ukraine: Putin’s Allies Are Plotting Another War in Europe, Politico.eu, 11 March 2022: EU leaders back Ukraine but balk at fast-track membership, DW, 11 March 2022: EU leaders pledge increased military aid for Ukraine — live updates, Jerusalem Post, 30 March 2022: South Ossetia to hold referendum to join Russia in future, The New York Times, 30 March 2022: Bound by a Sense of Victimhood, Serbia Sticks With Russia, DW, 1 April 2022: Germany encourages Serbia to choose EU over Russia, The Sunday Times, 3 April 2022: Loyal Serbia’s choice: Russia or the West?, France24, 3 April 2022: Serbians vote in polls overshadowed by war in Ukraine, Politico.eu, 3 April 2022: For Serbia’s Vucic, the big challenge comes after election day, DW, 3 April 2022: Serbia: Vucic projected to win presidential election, Times of Israel, 4 April 2022: Populist Serbian leader Vucic claims landslide election win, extends his rule, DW, 4 April 2022: Brussels or Moscow? Vucic needs to decide, CNN, 4 April 2022: Pro-Putin leaders win two elections in Europe, reminding the Kremlin it has friends in high places, DW, 6 April 2022: If Dayton Accords are not reformed, the agony of Bosnia-Herzegovina will be prolonged, France24, 6 April 2022: Bosnian War: Looking back at the long siege of Sarajevo, 30 years on, The National, 11 April 2022: UK sanctions on two Bosnian-Serb politicians for undermining peace, Politico.eu, 11 April 2022: US sanctions Western Balkan figures, citing ‘threat to regional security’, Irish Times, 11 April 2022: Ukraine war spurs enlargement discussions for both Nato and the EU, Haaretz, 20 April 2022: As Ukraine Bleeds, Putin’s Puppets in Europe Are Getting Stronger, The New York Times, 23 April 2022: Rattled by Ukraine War, Moldova Strives to Dodge Russia’s Long Shadow, Arab News, 24 April 2022: Questions remain over Ukraine’s EU accession, Jerusalem Post, 24 April 2022: Ukraine should not be offered EU membership – Austria foreign minister, DW, 30 April 2022: Serbia showcases artillery bought from Russia and China, DW, 4 May 2022: EU’s Charles Michel vows to increase Moldova support, DW, 5 May 2022: Germany’s Scholz: ‘Western Balkans belong in Europe’, France24, 9 May 2022: Macron calls for ‘European political community’ that could include Ukraine, UK, BBC, 9 May 2022: Ukraine bid to join EU will take decades says Macron, Politico.eu, 9 May 2022: Macron floats European ‘community’ open to Ukraine and UK, France24, 9 May 2022: Macron says would take ‘decades’ for Ukraine to join EU, The Guardian, 9 May 2022: France: Macron calls for new European body and warns Ukraine of EU wait, France24, 10 May 2022: Doubts emerge over Macron’s proposal for new EU ‘community’ of aspiring states, Politico.eu, 10 May 2022: Germany tells Ukraine ‘no shortcut’ to EU membership as Baerbock meets Zelenskyy, Reuters, 12 May 2022: In Berlin, Ukraine’s Kuleba welcomes positive changes in Germany’s position, Jerusalem Post, 12 May 2022: Kosovo applies to join Council of Europe, sparking outrage from Serbia, France24, 13 May 2022: Georgia’s breakaway region to hold referendum on joining Russia in July: leader, The Guardian, 13 May 2022: Georgia: Breakaway region to hold referendum on joining Russia, Politico.eu, 21 May 2022: Portugal’s Costa in Kyiv for talks on aid, EU accession, Jerusalem Post, 21 May 2022: Europe has gone from being critical of Israel to admiring it (in fact, there are always the same European backbenchers who make statements about EU-Israel relations in the manner described in the article. All other assumptions are more likely to stem from the fact that someone is hoping for a job. In any case, it has little to do with the actual circumstances, in terms of Putin’s war against Ukraine, the Iran deal that Trump canceled under pressure from Netanyahu or Palestine/the Palastinians. At the same time, of course, it can only be a good thing if the numerous Sunday speeches are actually perceived as described in the article. What is true is that the vast majority of European governments have reacted positively to Netanyahu being history because he is seen as an untrustworthy and unreliable interlocutor and certainly not a partner. There are also some reservations about the Benett administration because of Netanyahu’s long reign and the few positive aspects it has brought to EU-Israel relations. Apparently triggered by the introduction of various European states to the EU (Serbia, North Macedonia, Georgia, Moldova, Ukraine, etc. – all countries have one thing in common: they are all European states), people in Israel seem to get the impression that they could make another attempt at becoming an EU member. Since the reasons why accession failed earlier are still valid, so hopes shouldn’t be hanged too high), The National, 22 May 2022: France says it may take Ukraine ‘15 or 20 years’ to join EU, DW, 24 May 20222: Moldovan ex-president detained for alleged graft, treason, DW, 31 May 2022: South Ossetia shelves plan for referendum to join Russia, Politico.eu, 3 June 2022: Putin’s war is forcing Moldova to escape Russia’s gas trap).
- Greater integration of the eurozone with its own EU finance minister, common fiscal policies and correspondingly strengthened regulations and enforcement options (European Fiscal Compact, Economic and Monetary Union of the European Union and European Stability Mechanism).
- EU investment alliance to dismantle structural weaknesses in the EU states step by step, unlike the previous regional financial umbrella, whose use of funds can be described as “misappropriated” at best. Clear objectives, earmarked and with ongoing review of the use of funds, so that corruption can be erased and the money will actually arrive where it belongs to. Even the reunification of Germany and the attempt of economic adjustment of the East to the West, which will take decades to be completed and has cost so far about 1.8 trillion euros of state funds plus the trillions of private investments, on the one hand makes clear how long this adjustment processes will take among EU member countries and on the other hand how important these attempts of adjustments are.
- Creating an EU Immigration Law (points-based immigration system), paying more attention to EU external border controls and simplified EU immigration procedures to take account of the changed conditions, but also to take the wind out of the sails of nationalists.
- EU Unemployment Insurance, even better: a European Social Security System, with appropriate adjustment mechanisms based on the respective wages and the cost of living in the countries of origin. This not to distribute “social benefits”, but to be able to develop economic stabilizing effects. The enormous social transfers from West to East Germanyto show this exemplarily. The counter-examples are Greece, Italy and other countries that do not have these mechanisms and whose populations are more susceptible to crises – with all the disadvantages. Now some will argue that this would be pure socialism. In fact, it is a pay-as-you-go mechanisms that need to be paid into before it can be disbursed. At the same time, this ensures basic consumption and thus the preservation of jobs and entire economic sectors, even in difficult economic times. E.g., the Greek economy would never have collapsed that heavily, additionally exacerbated by the widespread impoverishment of the population, if these mechanisms would have already existed there. In addition, an EU minimum wage solution would ensure equal competitive conditions, for example in the craft sector. While so far companies from the EU Eastern Enlargement can easily underbid German companies because the personnel costs to be calculated are significantly lower than those in Germany, this would no longer be possible in the future, because then companies from the EU Eastern Enlargement would have to pay their staff that is working in Germany the same wages as German companies have to pay. Of course, not only craft businesses are affected by this problem, but almost all sectors in which SMEs operate.
- Due to changed conditions, there are increasing problems with the adequate supply of affordable housing in European metropolitan areas. Different aspects contribute to this, which together contain some growing social challenges. In order to give this important topic enough room, a separate contribution has been created: The European Union: Real Estate and Demography.
- Creating and maintaing a credible EU security architecture to empower foreign policy decisions and respond swiftly to changing security situations and needs, while the development/deployment of Frontex and the European Asylum Agency are, of course, only two building blocks in the overall context of the Common Foreign, Security and Defence Policy – freedom and democracy are even today neither self-evident, nor are they available for free (Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO), European Intervention Initiative, European Defence Fund, Coordinated Annual Review on Defence (CARD)).
- The growing understanding and awareness of the accelerating, man-made climate change is also taking up more and more space in politics, which is why a separate blog entry has been devoted to the topic: The European Union: Climate Policy.
- Reform of EU bankruptcy law: Sovereign default within the EU need to be possible to prevent future bailouts, as in the case of Ireland, Spain, Portugal, Greece and Cyprus, while still allowing each state to ruin itself as it pleases, without holding the taxpayers of other states liable for it (oriented to bankruptcy law for US states that can declare their bankruptcy without the other states or Washington, D.C. can be held liable or have to take over the regulation of the damage). Sovereign default should have no impact on membership in the EU or the Eurozone, but may cost a reputation on the free capital market. One possible example for this scenario is currently Romania. The country has had very presentable growth rates for years, and the government is fueling them additionally with public investments and several social benefits instead of creating reserves. A small crisis would be enough to put the country in the same situation as Greece was and is, because there aren’t sufficient buffers given.
- Formation of a EU identity in connection with a European citizenship, as a counter model and draft to the devastating and egotistical nationalisms, and the acknowledgment that Europe has a migrant history and is thus an immigration and emigration continent for centuries.
- Establish a European payment mechanism to circumvent US sanctions and their consequences for SWIFT transaction traffic. The EU is the largest single market in the world. This need to be taken into account, as well as its independence in payment transactions. Until then, it is a long and stony path, but worth the efforts (DW, 27 August 2018: Germany urges SWIFT end to US payments dominance).
- Learn from crises and implement appropriate mechanisms: Since 2008, the EU and parts of its states are in permanent crisis mode. This happens quite often in a young federation of states, not least because it has not yet been possible to provide for all eventualities, and the stolid nature of the EU also means that it takes much longer to cope with crisis, because the responses to them (in the best case even before they can become crises at all) are all to often not promptly and quickly enough (see “majority voting, instead of unanimity”).
- Developing the EU-Africa partnership (Economic Partnership Agreements (Compact with Africa (CwA)) and Reuters, 12 September 2018: EU’s Juncker eyes Africa free trade pact) at the governmental level, implementing far better anti-corruption measures, while investing in the economies and education, to create prospects for the people and curbe the root causes of emmigration (The Telegraph, 3 September 2018: China raises fears of ‘new colonialism’ with $60 billion investment across Africa, Der Spiegel, 14 June 2019: The Voice of Beijing: China’s Expanding Media Dominance in Africa, Politico.eu, 7 December 2019: Into Africa: Von der Leyen visit kicks off ‘geopolitical Commission’, Gulf Times, 7 December 2019: New EU chief in Ethiopia for first trip outside bloc, France24, 16 January 2020: Record 45 mn people need urgent food aid in southern Africa : UN, Politico.eu, 9 February 2020: An all-Africa free-trade deal to warm the EU’s heart, Politico.eu, 10 February 2020: Council President Michel tells African leaders a changed Europe wants new ties, Gulf Times, 24 February 2020: Africa isn’t ready for currency unions, Politico.eu, 27 February 2020: In search of allies, EU turns to Africa, Politico.eu, 27 February 2020: African Union to EU: We’ve got our own strategy, thanks, Politico.eu, 28 February 2020: To be top gun on foreign affairs, Borrell says EU must buy weapons, Arab News, 12 March 2020: Why Europe has made boosting Africa ties an urgent priority, Politico.eu, 19 March 2020: Africa’s coronavirus outbreaks seeded from Europe, Politico.eu, 23 March 2020: Coronavirus hits Africa’s mega trade deal plans, DW, 21 April 2020: Coronavirus: Debt relief key to helping Africa, says EU Commissioner, Politico.eu, 8 October 2020: EU’s Africa reboot meets cool reception, DW, 20 November 2020: Africa-Europe relations: 2020 was a lost year, Politico.eu, 9 December 2020: EU-AU meeting postponed over ‘agenda issues’, The Guardian, 19 January 2021: Europe can only fix its relationship with Africa if it exorcises its colonial ghosts, France24, 6 March 2021: France shifts policy on aid to Africa to counter rising Chinese influence, DW, 16 April 2021: Multilateral Agreements: Post-Cotonou: EU reaches agreement with African, Caribbean and Pacific States, DW, 7 May 2021: Morocco recalls ambassador in Germany over Western Sahara, France24, 18 May 2021: Macron hosts African leaders to address economic impact of Covid-19 (Western Sahara conflict), DW, 25 July 2021: Small farms are the future of food systems, DW, 27 August 2021: Merkel wants more investment in Africa, ‘fair’ vaccine distribution, The National, 27 August 2021: Germany to offer African nations up to 70 million Covid vaccine doses, France24, 8 October 2021: Macron seeks to rejuvenate relationship with Africa at revamped summit, France24, 17 December 2021: Turkey-Africa summit comes amid Ankara’s rising defence exports to continent, DW, 17 December 2021: Turkey’s Erdogan is scoring points in Africa, Politico.eu, 19 January 2022: Macron says EU and Africa seek vaccines deal at February summit, The Times, 27 January 2022: Russian mercenaries target another African nation, Politico.eu, 7 February 2022: Time for a partnership on equal footing between Africa and the EU, Arab News, 15 February 2022: Vital for Europe to be Africa’s partner of choice, Politico.eu, 15 February 2022: EU tempts Africa away from Chinese influence, France24, 16 February 2022: Macron hosts African leaders ahead of France’s expected withdrawal from Mali, DW, 16 February 2022: COVID digest: Germany’s BioNTech unveils mobile vaccine units, France24, 16 February 2022: With French troops poised to withdraw, Mali will have free rein to negotiate with jihadists, Politico.eu, 16 February 2022: EU scrambles to patch up relations at Africa summit, France24, 16 February 2022: Barkhane, Takuba, Sabre: French and European military missions in the Sahel, CNN, 17 February 2022: French-led forces to withdraw from Mali, DW, 17 February 2022: Africa groans under weight of COVID-19 waste, France24, 17 February 2022: Announcing withdrawal, Macron refuses to call France’s military operations in Mali a ‘failure’, Politico.eu, 17 February 2022: France announces Mali troop pullout and rethink of counterterrorism plan for Sahel, DW, 17 February 2022: Macky Sall: ‘If there’s no security in Africa, the world won’t be secure’, Politico.eu, 17 February 2022: It’s time for a new economic deal between the EU and Africa, BBC, 17 February 2022: France and allies to withdraw troops from Mali, The Times, 17 February 2022: Macron blames mercenaries for withdrawal from Mali, Politico.eu, 18 February 2022: With vaccines centerstage at summit, 6 African countries to get mRNA technology, France24, 18 February 2022: EU-AU summit: Ghana’s Akufo-Addo calls for 12-month transition in Mali, Politico.eu, 18 February 2022: Missed handshake at Africa summit has awkward Sofagate echo, France24, 18 February 2022: EU and Africa vow ‘renewed’ ties, but Covid vaccine row persists, DW, 18 February 2022: ‘We don’t want crumbs from anybody’s table’, Politico.eu, 18 February 2022: Vaccine bad blood troubles EU’s Africa reset, France24, 18 February 2022: Niger becomes France’s partner of last resort after Mali withdrawal, The National, 18 February 2022: EU and Africa vow ‘renewed’ ties but vaccine row continues, France24, 19 February 2022: Covid-19 in Africa: ‘The doses are here, but vaccine hesitancy remains high’, The Guardian, 19 February 2022: Mali: Army and jihadist clashes in northern Archam region leave 65 people dead, DW, 4 March 2022: Europe looks to Africa to fill natural gas gap, Al Arabiya, 19 March 2022: Africa mostly quiet amid widespread condemnation of Russia, Arab News, 9 April 2022: North Africa’s strategic importance to the West, DW, 14 April 2022: How Germany manages EU funds in Africa, DW, 15 April 2022: The rise of mercenary armies in Africa, DW, 15 April 2022: Baerbock: “No cooperation with Russian actors” in Mali, Cotonou Agreement, DW, 22 April 2022: Niger backs deployment of more European special forces, Al Arabiya, 23 April 2022: Explosion at illegal oil refining depot in Nigeria kills over 100, CNN, 24 April 2022: Huge blast at illegal oil refinery in Nigeria kills scores of people, including children, BBC, 24 April 2022: Nigeria in trauma after Imo refinery deaths – President Buhari, CNN, 2 May 2022: China is obsessed with disinfection against Covid. But is it causing more harm than good? (even before Corona, it was clear that to ensure security of supply and to secure supply chains, one has to think much more intensively about relocating productions. Corona has also made this clear to the general European public. In addition to relocating productions to India or relocating back to Europe, relocating productions to in Africa, especially North Africa, could and should also be considered. On the one hand, this would ease the pressure to migrate by creating incentives to stay. On the other hand, one would immediately enter the competition for Africa with China), CNN, 5 May 2022: Russians steal vast amounts of Ukrainian grain and equipment, threatening this year’s harvest (in addition to the less desired and above all very negative aspects of grain shortages and the resulting significant price increases, a very positive aspect from Putin’s point of view is of course that he will now be able to play te the “great savior” in Africa with the help of grain stolen from Ukraine, where up to now Ukrainian grain has covered up to 50% of the total requirements, by using grain as a weapon in order to tie African countries more closely to himself. Ultimately, of course, the Africans don’t care where the grain comes from, the main thing is that it is delivered and at a reasonably bearable price. The fact that the price only goes through the roof because Putin is waging his war of annihilation against Ukraine plays a rather subordinate role in view of empty stomachs), DW, 12 May 2022: Africa and European ties are at a crossroads, DW, 21 May 2022: Difficult trip to Africa for German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, DW, 22 May 2022: Olaf Scholz: Germany will work to restart Ukrainian grain exports to Africa, DW, 24 May 2022: German chancellor woos allies in Africa, DW, 24 May 2022: Olaf Scholz in Africa – mission accomplished, DW, 28 May 2022: AU summit grapples with coups, food crisis, terrorism, climate change, DW, 29 May 2022: African Union chief ‘gravely concerned’ by Rwanda-DR Congo tension, The National, 31 May 2022: Africa fears ‘catastrophic’ food crisis from Ukraine war, The New York Times, 31 May 2022: Putin’s Shadow Soldiers: How the Wagner Group Is Expanding in Africa, Politico.eu, 31 May 2022: Don’t fall for Russian lies on food crisis, EU warns Africa, DW, 1 June 2022: Europe looks to Africa for green energy, France24, 3 June 2022: African Union head Sall ‘reassured’ after talks with Putin on food shortages, DW, 3 June 2022: Africans ‘victims’ of the Ukraine war, AU head tells Putin, DW, 6 June 2022: Germany and Africa forge energy ties, Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS), Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) and Africa–China relations).
global_perspectives_initiative_gp_policy_paper_jobs_and_migration_publikation_en_final_digital_neu-1 - The Accession of Turkey to the European Union and the upgrading of the Customs Union have been put on hold until further notice. The reasons for this are the unclear Cyprus issue, the war against the Kurds in southeastern Turkey, the invasion of Northern Syria, the creation of the presidential system and the associated widespread de-democratization. The accession talks will not be terminated by the EU for strategic and diplomatic reasons. This step is left to the Turkish government.
- In addition to some other challenges arising from the current problematic relationship with Turkey itself, this also includes challenges for the perspectives and aspirations of the countries of the Levant and North Africa. That is one of the reasons why it would be advisable to finally bring the Union for the Mediterranean to life, to develop viable alternatives, especially as the EU, because of the ongoing military conflicts in the Middle East, is likely to intensify its efforts in the near future for possible accession candidates in and from Europe only.
- The EU accession negotiations with Albania and (North) Macedonia will start in 2019 (Balkanization, Politico.eu, 29 May 2019: EU should start membership talks with Albania, North Macedonia: Commission, Politico.eu, 3 October 2019: EU chiefs call for start of membership talks with North Macedonia, Albania, Reuters, 10 October 2019: France opposes EU membership talks with North Macedonia, Albania: diplomats, Politico.eu, 19 October 2019: EU’s Balkan breakdown reveals split among leaders, The Guardian, 18 October 2019: EU failure to open membership talks with Albania and North Macedonia condemned, Jerusalem Post, 2 November 2019: Are the Balkans splitting thr EU apart?, Politico.eu, 8 November 2019: Von der Leyen: EU path for Western Balkans is of ‘great strategic importance’, Politico.eu, 9 November 2019: Diplomatic blow-up after Macron calls Bosnia a ‘ticking time-bomb’, Politico.eu, 13 December 2019: 9 EU countries push back on French enlargement revamp, Politico.eu, 4 January 2020: North Macedonian PM resigns, Politico.eu, 10 January 2020: Von der Leyen: EU must keep its promise to North Macedonia and Albania, Politico.eu, 27 January 2020: Merkel: Albania, North Macedonia should get green light for EU talks in March, Politico.eu, 4 February 2020: Brussels puts French accent on EU enlargement, The Guardian, 5 February 2020: EU focuses on enlargement into Balkans after Brexit, Jerusalem Post, 15 February 2020: Macron opens door to North Macedonia, Albania EU accession talks, France24, 16 February 2020: EU in ‘frank’ talks with Balkan nations seeking membership, The Guardian, 17 February 2020: Albania PM likens country to jilted lover in its effort to join EU, Politico.eu, 17 February 2020: Albanian PM plays down hopes of start to EU accession in March, Politico.eu, 24 February 2020: North Macedonia’s PM: EU credibility at stake over membership talks, Politico.eu, 18 March 2020: EU ambassadors discuss opening talks with Albania, North Macedonia, The Guardian, 23 March 2020: EU can start talks with Albania and North Macedonia over joining, Politico.eu, 23 March 2020: EU moves closer to opening talks with North Macedonia and Albania, Politico.eu, 24 March 2020: North Macedonia, Albania get green light for EU membership talks, Politico.eu, 9 April 2020: Western Balkans call for exemption from EU medical export restrictions, Politico.eu, 6 May 2020: Croatian PM on EU-Balkans summit: The meeting is the message, Politico.eu, 6 May 2020: The Western Balkans belong with Europe, Politico.eu, 7 May 2020: 4 takeaways from the EU’s virtual Balkan summit, Politico.eu, 24 June 2020: EU’s two-faced Balkans strategy, The Washington Post, 26 June 2020: The Trump administration’s attempts at Balkans diplomacy are getting more complicated (well, Richard Grenell is involved in it, so that the only direction, the topic can go, is south), Politico.eu, 4 July 2020: Serbian President Vucic takes German lessons, Politico.eu, 18 August 2020: North Macedonia gets new government, CNBC, 4 September 2020: Serbia, Kosovo to open Israel embassies in Jerusalem, Politico.eu, 21 October 2020: Bulgaria threatens to veto North Macedonia’s EU talks, Politico.eu, 17 November 2020: Bulgaria blocks EU membership talks for North Macedonia (because of short-sighted, nationalistic idiocy, the most corrupt EU member country blocked the strategical important EU enlargement to include the Balkans), Haaretz, 14 December 2020: As America Retreats, China Claims a Corner of Europe, The Algemeiner, 2 February 2021: EU Threatens Kosovo Over Plan to Open Jerusalem Embassy (United Nations Security Council Resolution 478), Euractiv, 2 February 2021: EU regrets Kosovo’s decision to open an embassy in Jerusalem, Israel Hayom, 2 February 2021: A determined message for radical Islam, Middle East Monitor, 3 February 2021: EU warns Kosovo against opening embassy in Jerusalem, DW, 14 February 2021: Political shift predicted in Kosovo election, DW, 14 February 2021: Kosovo leftist Kurti declares victory after election, France24, 14 February 2021: Kosovo’s Vetevendosje poised to win election, early results show, The National, 19 February 2021: Bosnia warns EU it won’t be held hostage over migrant crisis, DW, 23 April 2021: Germany calls for normalization of Serbia-Kosovo ties, Arab News, 27 April 2021: Albania PM Edi Rama prepares to celebrate as third term beckons, Politico.eu, 19 May 2021: North Macedonia PM: EU risks losing sway in Balkans, ABC News, 21 May 2021: Bulgaria upholds veto on North Macedonia EU accession talks, NPR, 29 May 2021: How A Chinese-Built Highway Drove Montenegro Into Crippling Debt, Reuters, 5 July 2021: Merkel sees strategic case for Balkan states joining EU, Der Spiegel, 9 July 2021: A Journey Through the Troubled Former Yugoslavia: “They Will Never Stop Hating Us”, Euronews, 23 July 2021: Senior Bosnian official bans denial of Srebrenica genocide under law (Srebrenica genocide), CNN, 24 July 2021: Bosnia’s peace envoy imposes jail terms for genocide denial, DW, 24 July 2021: The EU and North Macedonia: More ‘trauma’ before membership?, ABC News, 29 July 2021: Balkan leaders agree to open borders between nations in 2023, Xinhua, 30 July 2021: N Macedonia, Albania, Serbia to open borders by 2023, DW, 5 August 2021: Southern Europe wildfires: Which countries are affected?, DW, 6 August 2021: North Macedonia reels from raging wildfires during heat wave, Khaleej Times, 25 August 2021: Balkan war casts a long shadow over the region, DW, 14 September 2021: Merkel wraps up Balkan tour in Albania urging progress on EU membership, Reuters, 28 September 2021: EU no longer agrees on Balkan membership guarantee, diplomats say, Politico.eu, 5 October 2021: Don’t close the door on the Western Balkans, BBC, 6 October 2021: EU indecision ‘jeopardising’ its position in Balkans – Von der Leyen, Politico.eu, 6 October 2021: Von der Leyen defends enlargement commissioner’s work on Serbia, France24, 6 October 2021: ‘One family’: EU chief seeks to reassure Balkan states amid stalled membership bid, DW, 6 October 2021: EU summit: No firm timeline for Western Balkans accession, Politico.eu, 25 October 2021: Albania is getting ready for the EU, no matter what, DW, 1 November 2021: North Macedonia: PM Zoran Zaev, the man who went ‘all in’ is all out, Politico.eu, 2 November 2021: We need to talk about the Western Balkans, CNN, 6 November 2021: Dangerous crisis brewing in the Balkans. Will the West do anything to stop another war?, Arab News, 26 December 2021: Turkey’s EU hopes are quietly unraveling, DW, 24 January 2022: New prime ministers reboot Bulgaria-North Macedonia relations).
- Interesting things also appear in the deployment of US troops in Europe (United States European Command, United States Army Europe and List of United States military bases). Trump’s administration is thinking about deploying more troops into Poland to “face Russia’s threat to Poland,” but above all, of course, because the right-wing Polish government is willing to spend two billion euros a year (given that Poland is the largest EU net beneficiary country, the question arises as to who will ultimately bear the costs. Poland certainly not), so that a “Fort Trump” can arise (The Guardian, 18 September 2018: ‘Fort Trump’: Donald Trump considers request for US military base in Poland and The New York Times, 19 September 2018: Fort Trump? Poland Makes a Play for a U.S. Military Base). At the same time, the Trump administration checks to what extent US troops can be withdrawn from Germany. Ostensibly, it is also about the relocation of jobs from Germany to Poland. In fact, this would mean a complete turnaround for Germany and its western neighbors, as the battle lines from the Cold War, which lay on the border between Germany and the GDR, would be officially relocated to the Polish border with Russia. In this case, the western EU states should just let new Eastern bloc and the Trump administration do, and be helpful to realize this project, especially as it clears the way for the other EU states, to develop the Common EU security architecture by forming much closer military co-operation among each other, thus creating the not only necessary but long overdue European addition to NATO. Together with the Visegrád group, this is not feasible at present, so it is a fortunate coincidence that their nationalists now join forces with the White House nationalist in securing the EU’s eastern flank (Suwalki gap). Apart from the almost ridiculous military image (the Bundeswehr and the Foreign Ministry are currently having staggeringly weak performances) that the Federal Republic give itself and thus disqualifying its foreign policy (Israel’s self-proclaimed over-friend, Foreign Minister Heiko Maas, does not even manage to sent a single frigate as escort for merchant ships in the Strait of Hormuz in an EU mission. The fact that the SPD here adopt AfD positions (no deployment of the Bundeswehr abroad to protect life and limb) is altogether irritating at best), the relocation of the marching up area between East and West to the east of Poland would be quite pleasant. In this respect, the “threat” of the United States, presented here by Trump’s lapdog Richard Grenell, is more likely to be seen as a friendly farewell gesture. When Trump needs “jubilation” for the upcoming 2020 United States presidential election, he is certainly much better off in even racist Eastern Europe than in Western Europe: Der Spiegel, 10 May 2019: Rising Tensions: Trump’s Iran Escalation Poses a Threat for Germany, The Atlantic, 25 June 2019: What the Iran Crisis Reveals About European Power, Foreign Policy, 12 July 2019: How Europe Can Save What’s Left of the Iran Nuclear Deal, Atlantic Council, 7 August 2019: Why Germany Resoundingly Rejected Joining a US-Led Mission Against Iran, DW, 9 August 2019: US threatens to withdraw troops from Germany, The Telegraph, 9 August 2019: US threatens to pull out troops stationed in Germany in row over defence spending, NBC News, 9 August 2019: Ambassador Grenell tells Germany to boost defense spending or U.S. will withdraw troops, Xinhua, 9 August 2019: U.S. ambassador threatens to withdraw troops from Germany over military spending, dpa international, 9 August 2019: US threats to withdraw troops cause stir among German politicians, Jerusalem Post, 15 August 2019: ‘German foreign minister ignoring lessons of Auschwitz,’ supports Iran. The US troops are for sure totally enthusiastic to move into the infrastructure of eastern Poland, but there is no way hard enough to finally be allowed to relocate into “Fort Trump”. In the meantime, the Federal Government can invest the billion-dollar sums previously spent on the US troops presence instead in national defense in order to achieve the 2% NATO target and to make the Bundeswehr fully operational. The cleared areas could be used well for the construction of affordable housing units. All this does not change the fact that German foreign policy is currently not living up to its requirements. Europe’s largest economic power not only has rights but duties alike. This includes the deployment of the Bundeswehr in Europe, North Africa and the Middle East, and to the extent that one can expect a successful outcome of missions. To be a world champion of moral sly foxing is no longer enough. Words must be followed by deeds, because otherwise foreign policy is ineffective. In spite of all the big talk by Trump and his puppets, it is obvious that this episode will end one wonderful day, while German/EU-American relations (fortunately without Trump and his administration, including Richard Grenell – Die Zeit, 20 February 2017: Transatlantic relations: Yankee Goes Home, Atlantic Council, 15 March 2018: A Storm is Brewing in Transatlantic Relations, Carnegie Europe, 5 July 2019: Can Ursula Von Der Leyen Save the Transatlantic Relationship?, Politico.eu, 19 August 2019: Trump’s German frenemy, Der Spiegel, 21 August 2019: Radio Silence: German-U.S. Ties Are Breaking Down, Politico.eu, 4 October 2019: Trump names Ric Grenell his special envoy for Serbia and Kosovo) will still be very important, even when NATO and US haters and Putin apologists will not like it at all. Russia is not a serious option and, with the exception of trade, China, in many ways and on many levels, will first have to become one over the next decades. To be fair, one has to admit that after all there has been a considerable change of mentality to the extent that at least the German political leadership has understood (and even supported by the Greens), that it is no longer an option to easily submerge, when it comes to the topic of “Bundeswehr missions abroad”, because of the dramatic shifts in the transatlantic relations. So, of all people, the US hooligan Trump was needed, to let the German government become aware of the new political realities, instead of taking the easy path and accomplish a relatively smooth foreign policy transition during the Obama administration. So far, however, the changes in foreign policy are mainly noticeable in theory and during Sunday speeches. It will probably take a while before this will become visible in practice and internationally, too.
- Between the 23 and 26 Mai 2019, the European Parliament election will be held.
Economic and/or political development
The EU economy continues to develop well, although the federal debts of half of member countries remains above the agreed 60% of GDP. The EU GDP surpasses that of the US. The economic growth was 2.5% in 2017 and is projected to reach 2.3% in 2018, with developments in the member countries varying in some cases significantly (Times of Israel, 23 March 2016: The wolves of Tel Aviv: Israel’s vast, amoral binary options scam exposed, Reuters, 2 July 2018: Beating expectations, euro zone unemployment stable in May, Reuters, 7 September 2018: A decade after Lehman, Europe remains on economic crutches, The Guardian, 21 January 2019: IMF: no-deal Brexit and Chinese slump are biggest economic risks, Los Aangeles Times, 20 April 2019: Shortages hit Cuba, raising fears of new economic crisis, France24, 7 March 2019: ECB to keep rates unchanged amid weakening economy, The New York Times, 7 March 2019: Global Economy Slows, Pushing Europe’s Central Bank to Make a Surprise Move and The New York Times, 24 April 2019: Europe Not Feeling Much Pain From Trump Tariffs, Central Bank Says, The Guardian, 15 May 2019: Populism isn’t the biggest threat to the EU – it’s the east-west divide, The Guardian, 15 May 2019: Merkel: Europe must unite to stand up to China, Russia and US, The Guardian, 16 May 2019: Majority of Europeans expect end of EU within 20 years, Irish Times, 25 July 2019: European Central Bank paves way for fresh stimulus package, BBC, 25 July 2019: Eurozone prepares for interest rate cut as growth slows, Saudi Gazette, 25 July 2019: ECB charts path for new stimulus, Gulf News, 25 July 2019: European Central Bank hints rate cut, Arab News, 31 July 2019: Indecisive Europe must secure its digital sovereignty, Politico.eu, 13 August 2019: Boom time for European tourism, CNN, 14 August 2019: 5 of the world’s biggest economies are at risk of recession, Politico.eu, 19 August 2019: Merkel: ‘Truly united Europe’ includes Western Balkans, Politico.eu, 22 August 2019: EU officials float €100B boost for European companies, Saudi Gazette, 22 August 2019: Eurozone bankers warn of ‘more protracted’ slowdown, Politico.com, 24 August 2019: It’s the economy, Dummkopf! German slowdown spells trouble, Politico.eu, 26 August 2019: Europe’s last line of defense, Gulf Times, 6 September 2019: Merkel hopes China-US trade problems will be solved soon, CNN, 6 September 2019: Caught between human rights and trade, Angela Merkel lands in China, CNN, 11 September 2019: Europe needs Germany to spend big. Don’t hold your breath, Politico.eu, 14 September 2019: Trump poised to hit EU with billions in tariffs after victory in Airbus case, Politico.eu, 13 September 2019: What Europe is really fighting about, CNN, 18 September 2019: A crack just emerged in the financial markets: The NY Fed spends $53 billion to rescue the overnight lending market, BBC, 20 September 2019: Why is the Fed pumping money into the banking system?, The Guardian, 23 September 2019: Eurozone economy slows amid trade decline and Brexit fears, The Guardian, 25 September 2019: Global recession a serious danger in 2020, says UN, The Guardian, 30 September 2019: Christine Lagarde must jump-start change in Europe’s economy, Euronews, 30 September 2019: Using the EU’s own trade rules against it: the scourge of ‘VAT Carousel’ fraud (missing trader fraud), Politico.eu, 2 October 2019: The European way of life in numbers, Reuters, 7 October 2019: Mission impossible: Next EU foreign policy chief warns of EU irrelevance, Politico.eu, 15 October 2019: EU builds anti-Trump trade bazooka, Politico.eu, 19 October 2019: EU at ‘standstill’ over past 5 years, says French business lobby chief, The Guardian, 20 October 2019: World economy is sleepwalking into a new financial crisis, warns Mervyn King, CNN, 24 October 2019: The man who saved the euro bows out amid ‘unprecedented’ dissent at Europe’s central bank, Arab News, 25 October 2019: Europe has become the sick man of the world, CNN, 24 October 2019: Debt and deficit aren’t the same thing. Here’s the difference, Politico.eu, 25 October 2019: Argentine election looms over EU-Mercosur deal, Politico.eu, 31 October 2019: Lagarde’s political bent leaves critics fearing for ECB independence, The New York Times, 1 November 2019: Macron Steps Into a Leadership Vacuum in Europe, and on Some Toes, The Guardian, 4 November 2019: Poll reveals majority of eastern Europeans ‘fearful for democracy’, CNN, 10 November 2019: Two of the world’s biggest economies are at risk of recession, BBC, 21 November 2019: New warning on global economic slowdown, Politico.eu, 21 November 2019: The end of world trade as we know it, Politico.eu, 25 November 2019: Four ways to build trust for the single market, Politico.eu, 28 November 2019: EU rebels fight Commission plan to build WTO court without America, The Economist, 28 November 2019: The twilight of the WTO: The trading system’s referee is about to leave the field, Politico.eu, 6 December 2019: Don’t bank on the ECB saving the planet, The Guardian, 8 December 2019: WTO faces crisis over settlement disputes unless Trump backs off, Jerusalem Post, 9 December 2019: European innovation community extends operations to Israel, The Diplomat, 12 December 2019: Trump’s War on the World Trade Organization, NPR, 18 December 2019: Boeing Is So Big That Its 737 Max Production Halt Will Slow The Economy, Politico.com, 19 December 2019: Trump to now focus on trade deals after USMCA passage, France24, 21 December 2019: French Foreign Minister Le Drian calls for stronger ties between Europe and Latin America, Arab News, 25 December 2019: Europe’s hard choices in 2020, Politico.eu, 26 December 2019: Europe on the wane, DW, 30 December 2019: US, China and Germany profit most from global free trade, says WTO, Politico.eu, 31 December 2019: Europe’s big problems in 2020, WTO, 1 January 2020: The WTO’s 25 years of achievement and challenges, The Guardian, 2 January 2020: Can Merkel and Macron get Franco-German relations back on track?, Politico.eu, 27 January 2020: Europe vows to finally deliver on its unloved industrial strategy, The Atlantic, 31 January 2020: The European Union’s Double Crisis of Legitimacy (the political union is not only desirable, it is long overdue. Instead of shifting decisions from one government to the next for fear of a few nationalist backbenchers, anti-German and EU-hostile anti-democrats and anti-constitutionalists, right-wing extremists and right-wing terrorists, it is high time for the next big step forward to make the EU more powerful and future-proof and at the same time due of the results to take the wind out of the sails of the nationalists, because the successes will expose the “critics” for what they are: substance-less simpletons), Politico.eu, 3 February 2020: Europe’s next crisis: The geopolitical Commission, Arab News, 4 February 2020: Transformation being forced upon the EU, Politico.eu, 5 February 2020: Vestager’s next big fight will be with Europe, Politico.eu, 15 February 2020: Jean-Claude Juncker: Von der Leyen and I are ‘like the two popes’, Gulf Times, 17 February 2020: US economic outlook remains biggest risk to developing world, Gulf Times, 23 February 2020: Let’s come together to tax tech giants, say G20 officials eying $100 bn boost, The Guardian, 9 March 2020: Oil price plunges almost 30% as Saudis vow to step up production, CNN, 9 March 2020: Why oil prices are crashing and what it means, The Guardian, 9 March 2020: Saudi Arabia price war wipes billions from value of major oil firms, Al Arabiya, 18 March 2020: Russia would like to see higher oil prices: Kremlin spokesman, Arab News, 18 March 2020: Aramco plans to speed up big crude output rise: CEO, The National, 18 March 2020: Oil slips to lowest level since 2002 as economies brace for recession, Al Arabiya, 18 March 2020: US crude oil hits 17-year low amid coronavirus, Saudi-Russia price war, CNN, 29 March 2020: Economists and investors are flying blind through a pandemic, Politico.eu, 31 March 2020: EU makes new push for solidarity with €100B unemployment scheme, Jerusalem Post, 2 April 2020: Venezuelan warship shoots, rams into German cruise vessel before sinking, The Economist, 16 April 2020: Pandemic geopolitics: Is China winning?, DW, 23 April 2020: How the coronavirus impacts the book industry (it would be easy to create a common platform. You don’t need 2,000 people for this, just 20 and a data center. The connected publishers can do the rest themselves, thus keeping the costs low. However, there are probably once again single interests that prevent this step. Above all, the corona crisis shows that the German retail sector is hopelessly lagging behind in terms of digitalization. Individuals were well positioned before, but the majority were not. “Traditional retail” in particular will decline because of the crisis while it still believes that “personal advice” would be unbeatable compared to “this Internet that will go away anyway”. A remarkable misjudgment), Politico.eu, 27 April 2020: Macron, the lonely Europeanist, Politico.eu, 4 May 2020: Europe’s economic future in German judges’ hands, CNN, 4 May 2020: Some retailers are too broke to go bankrupt, Politico.eu, 5 May 2020: German court lays down EU law, Yale Global Online, 5 May 2020: Irresponsible Superpowers Must Cooperate, Der Spiegel, 5 May 2020: Future of Our Global Economy: The Beginning of De-Globalization, Politico.eu, 5 May 2020: German high court warns ECB that bond buying could be illegal, Foreign Affairs, 6 May 2020: The Coming Post-COVID Anarchy, Politico.eu, 6 May 2020: Hogan: Brussels will ensure ‘supremacy’ of EU law after German ruling, CNN, 6 May 2020: Europe faces recession of ‘historic proportions’, Politico.eu, 6 May 2020: Europe faces ‘recession of historic proportions’, Politico.eu, 6 May 2020: Hungary no longer a democracy: report, Times of Israel, 6 May 2020: Thus passes the glory of Europe, Yale Global Online, 7 May 2020: Don’t Blame Supply Chains, Politico.eu, 8 May 2020: Sassoli demands bigger European Parliament role in recovery plan, YouTube, 8 May 2020: Secretary-General António Guterres video message on observance of Europe Day, 9 May 2020 (Europe Day), European Union – External Action: Europe Day 2020: Together we are Europe, European Union: Europe Day, Politico.eu, 9 May 2020: EU leaders to Europe on Europe Day: We’re Number 1, The Guardian, 9 May 2020: IMF warns of further drop in global growth due to Covid-19, The Guardian, 10 May 2020: The ‘United States of Europe’ speech that Winston Churchill so nearly made, Politico.eu, 10 May 2020: Paolo Gentiloni: EU emergency finance has no ‘draconian’ strings attached, Politico.eu, 10 May 2020: Brussels eyes a bigger EU shareholder role in the coronavirus recovery, The Guardian, 10 May 2020: Elites have failed us. It is time to create a European republic, Politico.eu, 11 May 2020: Snake oil, quackery and deglobalization, Politico.eu, 11 May 2020: Watchdog slams EU agency for letting boss join lobby group, CNN, 13 May 2020: Europe promises to reopen for summer tourism in wake of coronavirus, Politico.eu, 13 May 2020: The EU is undermining its democracies while funding its autocracies, CNN, 13 May 2020: 2020 is a catastrophe for tourism businesses. Here’s what the industry needs to get back on its feet, CNN, 15 May 2020: Europe’s top three economies are now in recession. The real shock is still to come, Politico.eu, 15 May 2020: Get ready for a two-speed recovery, The Washington Post, 15 May 2020: Europeans emerging from lockdowns are wary of the cheek kiss, Politico.com, 15 May 2020: Coronavirus reheats Europe’s food nationalism, Arab News, 16 May 2020: The EU: Not fatally broken, but it needs fixing soon, Irish Times, 18 May 2020: European project and Ursula von der Leyen face an existential threat in Covid-19, CNN, 19 May 2020: Europe promises to reopen for summer tourism in wake of coronavirus, Politico.eu, 19 May 2020: Ischinger: German-French recovery plan could transform EU and seal Merkel’s legacy, Politico.eu, 19 May 2020: Don’t save the economy. Change the economy., The washington Post, 19 May 2020: The post-American world is now on full display, Politico.eu, 19 May 2020: Franco-German recovery deal meets resistance, Politico.eu, 20 May 2020: German conservatives’ eurobond awakening, Politico, 20 May 2020: Italian PM: Franco-German recovery deal is not enough, Politico, 20 May 2020: Merkel warns against protectionism in face of coronavirus recession, Politico, 21 May 2020: Juncker: EU internal border closures ‘nonsense’ (the Trump administration has announced, that the travel restrictions from Europe to the US will remain in place. The exorbitantly high number of Covid-19 infected and killed in the US given, there will be very few Europeans who would accept the risk of entering the US anyway. In this respect, it’s obviuosly just another misleading election campaign stunt by the Trump administration, to distract Trump voters from the real reasons why Europeans don’t travel to the United States at the moment), Politico.eu, 22 May 2020: This isn’t Europe’s ‘Hamilton’ moment, Der Spiegel, 22 May 2020: Half a Trillion Euros: Merkel and Macron Find the Strength for Europe, Der Spiegel, 22 May 2020: “Times of Struggle”: France and Germany Show the Way Forward in the COVID-19 Crisis, Politico.eu, 22 May 2020: China flexes its trade muscles, Gulf Times, 23 May 2020: Europe’s Hamiltonian moment, Politico.eu, 23 May 2020: ‘Frugal four’ propose ‘loans for loans’ approach to coronavirus recovery fund, The Guardian, 22 May 2020: We lived the European dream. Will any politician stand up for open borders?, The Guardian, 25 May 2020: The Guardian view on Europe and Covid-19: time for true solidarity, The Guardian, 25 May 2020: European Union Dawn of Asian century puts pressure on EU to choose sides, says top diplomat, Irish Times, 25 May 2020: EU divisions laid bare by ‘frugal four’ Covid recovery proposal (“The simple-minded four” would also describe the initial situation well), The Guardian, 26 May 2020: Franco-German plan for European recovery will face compromises, Forbes, 27 May 2020: Canada Opens Door To International Students While U.S. Shuts It, France24, 27 May 2020: EU Commission proposes €750 billion recovery fund in wake of Covid-19 crisis (congratulations to this sensationally good proposal with a lot of foresight and future orientation or according to the American motto “go big or go home!”), BBC, 27 May 2020: Von der Leyen calls €750bn recovery fund ‘Europe’s moment’, CNN, 27 May 2020: EU plans to raise $825 billion for coronavirus relief. Hard-hit countries need help soon, The Guardian, 27 May 2020: European commission: ‘Defining moment’ as EU executive pushes for €500bn in grants, The New York Times, 27 May 2020: A €750 Billion Virus Recovery Plan Thrusts Europe Into a New Frontier, The Washington Post, 27 May 2020: E.U. proposes $825 billion coronavirus rescue plan giving Brussels power to raise money for first time, BBC, 28 May 2020: EU budget: Who pays most in and who gets most back?, Politico.eu, 27 May 2020: Germany’s Scholz sees recovery fund as more than money, The Washington Post, 29 May 2020: Germany, borrowing from Trump, says it wants to make Europe ‘strong again’, Politico.eu, 29 May 2020: Back off, Trump. Germany wants to Make Europe Strong Again, The Washington Post, 29 May 2020: Europeans emerging from lockdowns find conspicuous absence of Americans, The New York Times, 30 May 2020: How We Broke the World, Irish Times, 31 May 2020: National Courts Cannot Override CJEU Judgments, Politico.com, 1 June 2020: G-7 members reject Trump’s bid to bring Russia in from the cold, Der Spiegel, 2 June 2020: Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz: “The EU Consists of More than Just Two Member States”, CNN, 2 June 2020: A lost decade looms for America’s economy, The New York Times, 2 June 2020: Embattled at Home, Trump Finds Himself Isolated Abroad, Too, France24, 3 June 2020: Trump says ‘common sense’ for Russia to rejoin G7, DW, 3 June 2020: Germany unveils stimulus package to kickstart economy, Politico.eu, 4 June 2020: Germany, France launch Gaia-X platform in bid for ‘tech sovereignty’, France24, 4 June 2020: Germany unveils 130-bn stimulus to kickstart virus-hit economy (that’s a really good signal for Germany), Politico.eu, 4 June 2020: Trump’s Europe strategy: Nothing, Der Spiegel, 4 June 2020: A Foreign Policy Conundrum: Merkel and the EU Trapped between China and the U.S., BBC, 4 June 2020: Eurozone in fresh emergency action to boost economy, Politico.eu, 5 June 2020: EU eyes return to free travel by early July, Arab News, 5 June 2020: G20 discusses long-term vision for the digital economy, The Guardian, 6 June 2020: Europe’s big two kiss and make up for pandemic rescue deal, Politico.eu, 6 June 2020: German court ruling could tear EU apart, warns senior judge, BBC, 10 June 2020: Outlook for virus-hit global economy ‘dire’, The National, 10 June 2020: Italy and Greece sign deal defining Mediterranean maritime zones, Politico.eu, 11 June 2020: EU leaders deeply divided on recovery budget, Michel tells Parliament, CNN, 11 June 2020: Trump authorizes sanctions against International Criminal Court officials (well, he’s still on course by acting like your average banana republic dictator), Politico.com, 12 June 2020: Brussels plans to counter Chinese and U.S. subsidies, Politico.eu, 14 June 2020: Trump’s WTO criticism is ‘damaging,’ says trade body’s chief, The National, 14 June 2020: Europe stands united with fiscal support package of requisite magnitude, IMF says, Der Spiegel, 15 June 2020: Wolfgang Schäuble on Germany and Europe: “We Germans Have Reached Agreements with NATO and We Must Adhere to Them”, France24, 15 June 2020: Grand reopening? FRANCE 24 and Deutsche Welle at France-Germany border, The Guardian, 15 June 2020: Germany and France reopen borders as Europe emerges from lockdown, Politico.eu, 15 June 2020: Transatlantic blues as Pompeo holds EU talks, France24, 16 June 2020: Italy’s Conte says EU virus recovery funds will be spent wisely, Politico.eu, 16 June 2020: New factions emerge in EU recovery fund fight, Politico.eu, 18 June 2020: Merkel: Coronavirus pandemic revealed Europe’s fragility, The Guardian, 18 June 2020: The end of tourism? , France24, 18 June 2020: Merkel urges EU to agree on €750 billion recovery plan by end of July, The Guardian, 18 June 2020: The end of tourism?, Times of Israel, 18 June 2020: EU okays landmark Israel ‘Open Skies’ aviation deal, despite annexation tensions, Politico.eu, 18 June 2020: Threat of EU-US trade war grows amid digital tax stand-off, Arab News, 18 June 2020: EU leaders under pressure as bloc approaches crossroads, France24, 19 June 2020: Merkel urges EU to agree on €750 billion recovery plan by end of July, DW, 19 June 2020: EU leaders hold virtual summit on coronavirus recovery plan, The Guardian, 19 June 2020: Angela Merkel fears economic crisis is being underestimated in EU, France24, 19 June 2020: Divided EU leaders face challenges on Covid-19 stimulus package, Politico.eu, 19 June 2020: In budget summit, EU leaders live up to low expectations, CNN, 19 June 2020: Which international destinations are reopening to tourists?, Politico.eu, 21 June 2020: Europe’s post-lockdown rules compared, BBC, 24 June 2020: What the Dutch can teach the world about remote work, Politico.eu, 24 June 2020: Conference on EU future edges closer — but with clear limits, CNN, 24 June 2020: European chocolates, olives and 28 other items could be hit with $3.1 billion in new US tariffs, Politico.eu, 24 June 2020: Hey, big spender! EU prepares to splash the cash, Arab News, 25 June 2020: Trump tears up traditional US approach to Europe, BBC, 25 June 2020: US threatens tariffs on EU beer, gin and olives, Politico.eu, 26 June 2020: Merkel: Europe must set ‘good example’ and fight protectionism, The Guardian, 26 June 2020: Do not assume US still aspires to be a world leader, Merkel warns, Politico.eu, 26 June 2020: Europe’s bank needs more money to fund EU recovery plan, The Guardian, 26 June 2020: ‘For Europe to survive, its economy needs to survive’: Angela Merkel interview in full, Politico.eu, 26 June 2020: We’ll all be speaking German soon, Politico.eu, 26 June 2020: Merkel’s Germany will outlast her, Irish Times, 27 June 2020: New EU borrowing plan could accelerate green recovery, Politico.eu, 27 June 2020: Von der Leyen urges leaders to agree on EU budget by ‘summer break’, The Guardian, 29 June 2020: Poland should get less from Covid-19 fund due to rights record, claim EU member states (rightly so. As the Poles claim that they are a Christian nation (according to their reactions on the migratin crsis, they don’t even have the slightest idea what Christian values are), they should know the biblical “eye for an eye” concept pretty well), Politico.eu, 29 June 2020: Merkel’s Dr. No gets his toughest mission yet, France24, 29 June 2020: Macron and Merkel meet to discuss EU recovery plan, The Guardian, 29 June 2020: Europeans’ trust in US as world leader collapses during pandemic, DW, 30 June 2020: Opinion: Angela Merkel’s moment to define the EU’s future, France24, 1 July 2020: Germany assumes EU presidency as Merkel pushes for massive bloc-wide recovery plan (it is becoming increasingly clear that it is once again time for big pictures and visions of an integrated EU and that real leaders must courageously go ahead, take the EU population with them, animate them, cheer them up – just as outstanding coaches in team sports have to do it in order to ultimately win the trophy. Because of and through Corona, the EU has once again been “given” a time window for major changes. This means that the most important basic requirements are already in place: money is there, there is general consensus, there is a spirit of optimism right up to impatience, and there is pressure to change for years. There is a lot to do, but it can be taken as a very positive challenge because it means work for everyone. What does it start with? Development clear specifications and requirements for the individual departments (economy, education, social issues, environment, digitization, EU defense etc.). After that, only one thing is missing, namely the starting shot! It is actually very simple and only needs to be done), DW, 1 July 2020: Angela Merkel’s last EU Council Presidency — what to expect, Politico.eu, 3 July 2020: European Parliament leaders in Spanish spat, CNN, 4 July 2020: The UK is reopening for business. London may never be the same, DW, 4 July 2020: Donald Trump slams ‘far-left fascism’ at Mt. Rushmore speech for July 4 (fortunately, our freak shows are not called Trump, but instead AfD, NPD, Reichsbürger, Rassemblement National, Partij voor de Vrijheid, Fidesz, PiS, English Defense League and how else Europe’s anti-constitutional and democratic freak shows, racists and fascists call/name themselves. So there is little reason for arrogance as long as we don’t get our own extremists under control), CNN, 4 July 2020: Cracks in the Trump-Europe relationship are turning into a chasm, Politico.eu, 4 July 2020: EU budget rules to come back after crisis: Dombrovskis, DW, 5 July 2020: Faith leaders call to keep EU’s religious freedom envoy, BBC, 6 July 2020: US to withdraw visas for foreign students if classes moved fully online, France24, 7 July 2020: Eurozone economy to plunge 8.7% this year after hit from Covid-19, CNN, 7 July 2020: International students may need to leave US if their universities transition to online-only learning (this has, of course, undeniable advantages: Instead of exposing yourself to the risk of an infection from the Trump virus when studying at Harvard University or other US universities, you can instead study online from your safe home country, while enjoying the benefits of universal health care. The necessary literature is available in European university libraries as well. Only the study experience and networking in the US cannot be replaced by online studies. Foreign students spend approximately $ 45 billion annually. They will be missing in the future), France24, 7 July 2020: US says foreign students whose classes move online due to Covid-19 have to leave, CNN, 7 July 2020: There are more than 1 million international students in the US. Here’s where they’re from, Irish Times, 7 July 2020: The Irish Times view on the dual threat of coronavirus and Brexit, Politico.eu, 7 July 2020: Why the recovery fund won’t work, Politico.eu, 9 July 2020: With Eurogroup, Donohoe wins the tough job of economic recovery, Politico.eu, 9 July 2020: European Parliament clashes with Merkel over rule of law in budget talks, Politico.eu, 9 July 2020: Merkel sees tough road to EU budget and recovery deal, Politico.eu, 10 July 2020: Charles Michel’s small cuts set stage for big EU budget fight, Politico.eu, 10 July 2020: Rutte says Michel’s EU budget plan is an improvement, Politico.eu, 10 July 2020: Bulgaria, Croatia enter euro waiting room, The Guardian, 11 July 2020: Global ‘catastrophe’ looms as Covid-19 fuels inequality, DW, 11 July 2020: Foreign students in US face ‘huge amount of stress and fear’ after visa change, The Guardian, 12 July 2020: EU leaders are split over coronavirus recovery, DW, 13 July 2020: German Chancellor Angela Merkel says EU leaders ‘remain apart’ on coronavirus recovery deal, France, 13 July 2020: EU summit may not reach recovery fund deal: Merkel, DW, 13 July 2020: EU foreign ministers meet to discuss Hong Kong, Turkey, The Guardian, 13 July 2020: The world needs grown-up leadership. Time for Germany to step up, Arab News, 13 July 2020: IMF predicts worst Mideast downturn in half century, The National, 13 July 2020: IMF cuts Middle East and Central Asia economic outlook as pandemic persists, France24, 14 July 2020: Trump administration reverses course on order barring some foreign students, CNN, 14 July 2020: Trump administration drops restrictions on online-only instruction for foreign students, CNN, 14 July 2020: US allies once seemed cowed by China. Now they’re responding with rare coordination, Politico.eu, 15 July 2020: The coronavirus recovery plan that von der Leyen built, DW, 15 July 2020: China’s economic loss could be Morocco’s gain, Politico.eu, 23 July 2020: EU can’t have it both ways with Turkey, Arab News, 23 July 2020: Macron wants EU to punish Turkey, NPR, 24 July 2020: ICE Confirms New Foreign Students Can’t Take Online-Only Course Loads In The U.S., Politico.eu, 24 July 2020: EU vows tougher response on hybrid threats, France24, 25 July 2020: EU recovery plan deals a blow to popular Erasmus exchange programme, DW, 26 July 2020: Opinion: The dollar determines Cubans’ everyday lives, DW, 27 July 2020: Don’t take unnecessary risks, a second coronavirus wave is definitely coming!, The Guardian, 27 July 2020: Germany by far most admired country, with US, China and Russia vying for second – global poll (Gallup, 27 July 2020: U.S. Leadership Remains Unpopular Worldwide), BBC, 28 July 2020: Pandemic cost tourism industry ‘at least $320bn’, France24, 28 July 2020: Covid-19 cost tourism sector $320 billion in first five months of 2020, the UN says, DW, 28 July 2020: Will Donald Trump’s visa restrictions slow down America’s economic revival?, Arab News, 28 July 2020: Europe’s COVID-19 recovery choice: Responsibility or ruin, The Washington Post, 29 July 2020: ‘Revenge travel’ is the phenomenon that could bring back tourism with a bang, BBC, 30 July 2020: Coronavirus: US economy sees sharpest contraction in decades (well, the Trump virus strikes with all severity. Who would have thought that? Probably everyone who deals with the economy, and therefore definitely no one from the Trump administration), CNN, 30 July 2020: US economy posts its worst drop on record, The Guardian, 30 July 2020: Can Germany now hold the European team together?, DW, 31 July 2020: Eurozone GDP drops 12.1% in record pandemic plunge, Politico.eu, 31 July 2020: The historic coronavirus recession — by the numbers, The New York Times, 31 July 2020: Despite Historic Plunge, Europe’s Economy Flashes Signs of Recovery, France24, 2 August 2020: Tourist sites are empty as Covid-19 travel restrictions limit movement, DW, 3 August 2020: Coronavirus: How are the 4 biggest economies trying to stem insolvencies?, DW, 5 August 2020: Opinion: Trans-Atlantic romanticism ends with Donald Trump, Foreign Policy, 7 August 2020: It’s a New Europe—if You Can Keep It, CNBC, 7 August 2020: Canada to impose tariffs on $2.7 billion in U.S. goods after Trump reignites trade feud (all major US trading partners should band together and collectively impose 25% punitive tariffs on all US products, goods and services. Within no time, the Trump gang would be send to hell by the Republicans. In addition, it would suddenly become clear that the US has been living at the expense of its trading partners for decades when it comes to total accounts (products, goods, services and finances)), CNN, 9 August 2020: ‘Everything is gone.’ Flooding in China ruins farmers and risks rising food prices, Financial Times, 9 August 2020: National budget rules to remain suspended next year, Brussels says, Politico.eu, 10 August 2020: EU governments roll back wage support despite corona uncertainty, BBC, 10 August 2020: Opposition disputes Lukashenko landslide win, Reuters, 10 August 2020: Bloody clashes in Belarus as West condemns crackdown after election, CNN, 10 August 2020: As Belarusians take to the streets, authoritarian leaders rally behind Lukashenko, Politico.eu, 10 August 2020: Germany, France knock down Trump push for WHO overhaul, DW, 12 August 2020: Many German firms ignore partners’ human rights abuses, Al Arabiya, 12 August 2020: An Israeli-Saudi ‘Silicon Wadi’ will benefit both countries, Politico.eu, 12 August 2020: From Stilton to Feta, 5 cheeses that stunk up trade deals, France24, 14 August 2020: EU ministers agree to new round of sanctions on Belarus as protests escalate, Politico.eu, 14 August 2020: Belarus frees protesters as workers turn on Lukashenko, France24, 15 August 2020: ‘No more torture,’ say demonstrators as Belarus faces weekend of protests, BBC, 15 August 2020: Belarus: Thousands protest outside state TV building, France24, 16 August 2020: Lukashenko addresses supporters amid rival rallies in Belarus, BBC, 16 August 2020: Belarus: Mass protest eclipses defiant Belarus leader’s rally, The New York Times, 16 August 2020: Belarus Protests Eclipse Rally in Defense of Defiant Leader, The Guardian, 16 August 2020: ‘We will win’: Vast Belarus rally adamant Lukashenko must go, DW, 17 August 2020: EU emergency summit on Belarus: What’s at stake?, Politico.eu, 18 August 2020: In Belarus, fighting for democracy — and LGBTQ rights, Irish Times, 18 August 2020: Russia warns EU leaders over Belarus ahead of crisis talks, DW, 18 August 2020: Belarus: Fractures form in diplomatic elite, France24, 18 August 2020: Demonstrations held outside prison in Belarus where husband of opposition leader is held, DW, 18 August 2020: Is Belarus closer to the West, or to Russia?, BBC, 18 August 2020: Belarus unrest: President Lukashenko accuses opposition of staging coup, DW, 18 August 2020: Exclusive: Lukashenko regime ‘clearly’ at an end in Belarus, says Schäuble, The Guardian, 18 August 2020: Lukashenko: President hints at fresh repression to keep grip on power, DW, 19 August 2020: EU rejects Belarus presidential election result, France24, 19 August 2020: EU will not recognise Lukashenko’s re-election, plans sanctions on those behind protest crackdown, Politico.eu, 19 August 2020: EU leaders back sanctions on ‘substantial number’ of people in Belarus, DW, 19 August 2020: EU rejects Belarus election result, vows quick sanctions, BBC, 19 August 2020: Belarus unrest: Lukashenko steps up efforts to reassert control, The Guardian, 19 August 2020: Belarus crisis: EU says it does not recognise election results, Politico.eu, 19 August 2020: European leaders mix condemnation and caution on Belarus, DW, 20 August 2020: Opinion: Putin wants Belarus in Moscow’s orbit — with or without Lukashenko, France24, 20 August 2020: Macron, Merkel offer EU mediation for Belarus election stand-off in concert with Russia, NPR, 21 August 2020: How To Invest — Even During A Pandemic, Der Spiegel, 21 August 2020: The End of Lukashenkism? On the Knife’s Edge in Belarus, DW, 21 August 2020: Belarusians ‘will never accept’ Lukashenko’s leadership, says opposition’s Svetlana Tsikhanouskaya, France24, 21 August 2020: Belarus opposition summoned as Tikhanovskaya voices defiance, NPR, 21 August 2020: PHOTOS: Belarus’ Massive And Unprecedented Protests, DW, 23 August 2020: Belarus: Protesters flood Minsk, defying Lukashenko’s threats, France24, 23 August 2020: Massive crowd gathers for ‘New Belarus March’ despite Lukashenko’s warnings, Politico.eu, 23 August 2020: Belarus protests continue after Lukashenko digs in, DW, 23 August 2020: Baltic nations form human chains in support of Belarus protests, France24, 23 August 2020: Lukashenko warns of border threats as Belarus opposition calls for Minsk rally, Politico.eu, 23 August 2020: Europe’s 5G plans in limbo after latest salvo against Huawei, Arab News, 24 August 2020: German finance minister sees ‘no way back’ from EU joint debt, BBC, 26 August 2020: The remote hideout of the World Bank, Israel Hayom, 26 August 2020: Europe is clinging to the Palestinians (once again the already well-known and typical Likudnik and anti-EU propaganda. The EU and most member states would be pretty happy, if and when the letter of intent between the UAE and Israel would be filled with life. There are still a myriad of unchallenged issues to overcome, so that it is far to early to celebrate. At the same time the Israel Hayom is Netanyahu’s advertisement agency, so that the Likudniks make clear what kind of supporters they are looking for: racist, far-right-wing and/or autocratic governments. Pretty telling), France24, 27 August 2020: Putin vows military support for Belarus’ Lukashenko, Politico.eu, 27 August 2020: Putin uses Jacob Blake shooting to call US and EU hypocrites on Belarus (good, old Soviet-style propaganda), The Guardian, 27 August 2020: Belarus protests: Putin ready to send Lukashenko military support, Israel Hayom, 27 August 2020: Ashkenazi meets EU counterparts in Germany on first diplomatic trip overseas, Politico.eu, 27 August 2020: EU too slow to help Belarus, says Lithuania, France24, 27 August 2020: EU condemns crackdown on Belarus opposition as Putin offers to help Lukashenko, Politico.eu, 27 August 2020: Beatings and humiliation: Detained in Belarus tell all, The Guardian, 3 September 2020: Switzerland Voters reject EU immigration curb, DW, 6 September 2020: Belarus: Tens of thousands defy threats and march in Minsk (2020 Belarusian protests), BBC, 6 September 2020: Belarus Lukashenko: Protesters defy heavy security, France24, 6 September 2020: Tens of thousands attend Belarus protest against Lukashenko, France24, 7 September 2020: Masked men reportedly seize senior Belarusian opposition figure Maria Kolesnikova in Minsk, DW, 8 September 2020: Belarus protest leader Kolesnikova detained at Ukraine border, France24, 8 September 2020: Will souring China-Australia relations force a rethink on trade?, CNN, 8 September 2020: These three women stood up to Europe’s longest-serving dictator. Here’s what happened to them, Foreign Policy, 8 September 2020: The Pandemic Is Showing What the EU Is Good For, NPR, 9 September 2020: ‘Terror Against The People’: Belarus Detains Another Opposition Leader, Politico.eu, 10 September 2020: EU’s fraud busters struggle with pandemic overload, The New York Times, 11 September 2020: Pandemic Intensifies Food Insecurity, Leaving ‘Children Screaming in Hunger’, CNN, 11 September 2020: Rented penguins and $300,000 dinners: The wildest holiday requests from the super rich, France24, 12 September 2020: Belarus police arrest dozens of protesters at anti-Lukashenko rally, France24, 13 September 2020: Tens of thousands of Belarus protesters rally on eve of Putin-Lukashenko talks (DW, 14 September 2020: Putin pledges a $1.5 billion loan while meeting Lukashenko in Sochi), The Guardian, 13 September 2020: Belarus: 100,000 join rally against Lukashenko on eve of Putin showdown, CNN, 15 September 2020: Trump less trusted internationally than Putin and Xi after Covid-19 response, Politico.eu, 15 September 2020: Ursula von der Leyen’s State of the Union speech: As it happened, France24, 16 September 2020: EU’s von der Leyen unveils blueprint for recovery in ‘state of the union’ address, The New York Times, 16 September 2020: Europe Is Preparing for the Worst, Politico.eu, 16 September 2020: Von der Leyen challenges EU capitals to step up, Foreign Policy, 16 September 2020: The Dutch Don’t Love Europe—and Never Did, DW, 16 September 2020: Global economy coping with coronavirus better than expected: OECD, The Guardian, 17 September 2020: European Union: Belarus sanctions in doubt as Cyprus demands action against Turkey, Politico.eu, 18 September 2020: EU foreign ministers to try to break deadlock on Belarus sanctions, The Guardian, 18 September 2020: Belarus: ‘Another iron curtain’ could come down across Europe, warns UN, DW, 19 September 2020: Belarus police detain hundreds at women’s rally against Lukashenko’s rule, Politico.eu, 19 September 2020: Why Putin hasn’t won the game in Belarus, France24, 19 September 2020: Belarus police detains hundreds in women’s anti-Lukashenko protest in Minsk, BBC, 19 September 2020: Belarus protests: Opposition icon, 73, among hundreds detained in Minsk, The International Consortium of Investigative Journalists, 20 September 2020: An ICIJ Investigation: FinCEN Files, The New York Times, 20 September 2020: Cuba’s Economy Was Hurting. The Pandemic Brought a Food Crisis., Buzz Feed News, 20 September 2020: We Got Our Hands On Thousands Of Secret Documents. Let’s Break Them Down. (despite all the justified criticism and commotion, one should leave the church in the village. Many of the cases that have now been “uncovered” have already been negotiated and punished. Of course, it’s annoying that something like this continues to happen, even though everyone involved has vowed to stop it as soon as possible. For the most part, this is now working quite well, at least as far as SMEs are concerned. If you were caught laundering money here, that would mean not only a stay in prison but also the withdrawal of your business license and thus the economic end. In this respect, it is incomprehensible that bank managers, after the allegations become known, go to the dominatrix they trust, have their buttocks spanked with a rivet board in order to do appropriate penance and then go home, where they eat a pea soup with a extra sausage. The fact that big banks are repeatedly highlighted is in the nature of things, because the leaks should of course say “If we can catch the big ones, what do we do with the small ones?” They are threatening scenes that are actually quite effective. As someone from the construction and real estate industries, you naturally know that the situation was much more dramatic. Until the late 1980s/beginning of the 1990s it was “good form” to participate in semi-legal deals. That has changed considerably, not least because of the increasingly restrictive legal situation and the risk of discovery. Measured in terms of business volume, it is actually the small private banks that are involved heavily, to stay in business at all (or were even founded for the purpose). Now, therefore, big banks are being pilloried again, which transaction volume from bad deals is negligible in relation to the total transaction volume, so that the small banks get scared and follow the regulations. How helpful this is remains to be seen. In any case, the big banks around the globe have lost market value and have therefore had to pay their fine in advance without a trial and on the basis of previous convictions. Whether that is fair is at least questionable), DW, 20 September 2020: FinCEN Files: Tracing the flow of dirty money, BBC, 20 September 2020: FinCEN Files: All you need to know about the documents leak, Irish Times, 20 September 2020: The FinCEN files: The billion dollar a month money trail, CNBC, 21 September 2020: Leaked U.S. government files suggest Deutsche Bank tops list of suspicious transactions, The Guardian, 21 September 2020: Banking: Barclays and HSBC shares fall after reports of alleged suspicious transfers, BBC, 21 September 2020: HSBC’s shares dive to lowest level since 1995, France24, 21 September 2020: Global banks enabled ‘Ponzi scheme’, moved vast sums of illicit money, leak shows, DW, 21 September 2020: Cyprus blocks EU sanctions against Belarus (which says something about the Cypriot government’s non-existent understanding of democracy and about their desire to support the Belarusian dictator Lukashenko against his people. Perhaps it is just hasty obedience in order to be able to join the Russian alliance in the Eastern Mediterranean after leaving the EU. At the same time, however, it also shows why the principle of unanimity must be given up in favor of the majority principle. It cannot be that a single EU state can hold the entire EU hostage for its fantasies), Financial Times, 21 September 2020: Cyprus blocks EU sanctions on Belarus, France24, 21 September 2020: Belarus opposition urges Brussels to ‘be more brave’ on sanctions, The Guardian, 21 September 2020: Cyprus: EU fails to agree on Belarus sanctions after government blocks plan, Politico.eu, 21 September 2020: Borrell admits EU’s credibility ‘at stake’ over failure to sanction Belarus, Politico.eu, 21 September 2020: Conference on EU’s future derailed by leadership fight, The National, 22 September 2020: Cyprus refuses to back EU sanctions on Belarus unless action taken against Turkey, Politico.eu, 22 September 2020: France’s EU minister urges Cyprus to stop linking Belarus sanctions to action on Turkey, France24, 22 September 2020: World should not be dominated by US-China ‘rivalry’, Macron tells UN, Politico.eu, 22 September 2020: EU must use hard power with ‘not so nice’ Russia and Turkey, says French minister, BBC, 22 September 2020: UN General Assembly: US-China tensions flare over coronavirus, Politico.eu, 22 September 2020: ‘I agree with the chancellor.’ German leadership hopeful sees no need to change course, CNN, 23 September 2020: Leaders spar at UN General Assembly amid global crisis, France24, 23 September 2020: Belarus leader Lukashenko holds secret inauguration amid continuing protests, Politico.eu, 24 September 2020: 2020: The year diplomacy died, Politico.eu, 25 September 2020: ECB tensions resurface as pandemic second wave builds, DW, 25 September 2020: Opinion: FinCEN Files should trigger outrage, Politico.eu, 25 September 2020: In global power contest, Charles Michel says EU takes US over China, France24, 26 September 2020: Belarus police detain dozens of women at anti-Lukashenko protest, The National, 26 September 2020: Global trade recovers to 75% of pre-pandemic levels as monthly exports rise, BBC, 27 September 2020: Switzerland referendum: Voters reject end to free movement with EU, France24, 27 September 2020: ‘Lukashenko has to go,’ says France’s Macron, France24, 27 September 2020: Tens of thousands protest in Belarus despite police detentions, Politico.eu, 28 September 2020: Germany seeks breakthrough on linking EU payouts to rule of law, Politico.eu, 29 September 2020: Poland, Hungary to set up rule of law institute to counter Brussels (of course, no extreme right-winger worldwide ever lived a law abiding life ever, even though they expect it from everyone else. The autocrats from the “new eastern block” are a bunch of weirdos and, on top, using the term “double standard” shows the full scale antisemitism in the east, by trying to equate themselves to the persecution of the Jews – typical brownshirt BS), Politico.eu, 30 September 2020: Commission report finds many EU nations fall short on rule of law, Politico.eu, 30 September 2020: Live blog: European Council summit
communication_2020_rule_of_law_report_en
Global Times, 31 October 2020: Closer EU-India ties may accelerate geopolitical realignment, DW, 1 October 2020: Opinion: Words alone won’t enforce EU rule of law, Politico.eu, 1 October 2020: EU bangs the Brexit negotiating table (but stays in the room), DW, 1 October 2020: Turkey, Belarus, Armenia-Azerbaijan present EU with tough test, France, 2 October 2020: EU leaders approve sanctions on Belarus officials after Cyprus drops veto threat, DW, 2 October 2020: Opinion: This isn’t how the EU increases its international influence, Politico.eu, 2 October 2020: EU sanctions 40 Belarusian officials, but not Lukashenko, DW, 2 October 2020: Belarus cancels all accreditation for foreign journalists, Bloomberg, 2 October 2020: What a Second Bauhaus Movement Means for Europe, Arab News, 3 October 2020: Changing of the guard in Germany, France24, 4 October 2020: Belarus police fire water cannon, detain anti-Lukashenko protesters, The Guardian, 4 October 2020: Live Coronavirus: close to 35m cases worldwide; 10,499 new infections in Russia, DW, 5 October 2020: Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya calls for German mediation in Belarus, Reuters, 5 October 2020: EU budget rules to remain suspended in 2021: Commission, DW, 6 October 2020: Angela Merkel meets Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, Belarus opposition leader visits Berlin wall, France24, 7 October 2020: Belarus opposition leader Tikhanovskaya added to Russia’s wanted list, Arab News, 7 October 2020: Europe’s contradictions exposed by Middle East crises, DW, 8 October 2020: European Parliament urges EU to snub Saudi G20 Summit, DW, 9 October 2020: Opinion: Nobel Prize for the WFP is an appeal for greater cooperation, Politico.eu, 9 October 2020: As EU debates rule of law, Norway’s already making offenders pay, Politico.eu, 10 October 2020: Fear and loathing (of Donald Trump) in the EU, The New York Times, 10 October 2020: Europe’s Economic Recovery Is a Summer Memory, The National, 10 October 2020: Extreme poverty in Middle East and North Africa doubled between 2015 and 2018, DW, 11 October 2020: Belarusian protesters clash with police, dozens arrested, France24, 11 October 2020: Scores detained as Belarus police crack down on opposition protesters, Israel Hayom, 11 October 2020: US imposes new Iran sanctions that may spook European banks, DW, 12 October 2020: Belarus threatens to use firearms against protesters, BBC, 12 October 2020: Belarus protests: Police authorised to use lethal weapons, DW, 12 October 2020: Humanitarian aid is an investment in the future, BBC, 13 October 2020: EU gets $4bn bargaining chip in US trade row, CNN, 13 October 2020: EU ready to hit US exports with tariffs over Boeing subsidies if talks fail, The Guardian, 13 October 2020: Trade: WTO rules EU can apply tariffs on US goods as row deepens, The New York Times, 13 October 2020: Europe Can Impose Tariffs on U.S. in Long-Running Aircraft Battle, Politico.eu, 13 October 2020: No more Mr. Nice Europe, Arab News, 13 October 2020: Global economy recovering faster than expected, IMF says, The Guardian, 13 October 2020: Saudi Arabia fails to join UN human rights council but Russia and China elected, European Commission, 14 October 2020: Press statement by President von der Leyen on the New European Bauhaus, Politico.eu, 15 October 2020: EU shoots for €10B ‘industrial cloud’ to rival US, Politico.eu, 15 October 2020: Europe wants ‘strategic autonomy’ — it just has to decide what that means, DW, 17 October 2020: New Zealand: Jacinda Ardern’s Labour Party wins landslide, France24, 17 October 2020: New Zealand’s Ardern wins landslide victory in pandemic-focused elections, BBC, 17 October 2020: New Zealand election: Jacinda Ardern’s Labour Party scores landslide win, CNN, 17 October 2020: New Zealand PM Jacinda Ardern wins second term in landslide election victory, The Guardian, 17 October 2020: NZ election: Jacinda Ardern hails ‘very strong mandate’ after Labour landslide, NPR, 17 October 2020: New Zealand PM Ardern Wins Re-Election In Best Showing For Labour Party In Decades, The New York Times, 17 October 2020: Jacinda Ardern, Hero to Liberals Abroad, Is Validated at Home, DW, 18 October 2020: Thailand’s protests and their digital dimension, Times of Israel, 18 October 2020: Huge crowds in Bangkok challenge Thai protest ban for fourth day, DW, 18 October 2020: Belarus: Thousands turn out for protests despite police threat to open fire, The Guardian, 18 October 2020: Thailand Protest leaders play cat and mouse with police as thousands rally, DW, 18 October 2020: Bolivia heads to the polls in contentious presidential elections, Politico.eu, 20 October 2020: Reporter’s Notebook: Trump, Biden and the ‘f****** Germans’ (one can probably assume that the German government would have even voluntarily let Nord Stream 2 disappear into oblivion, if the nutjobs of the governments of the EU eastward expansion and the Trump administration had not so vehemently demanded it. Instead, completing the project has now become a matter of credibility. After Trump’s dealings with the EU and individual EU states over the past four years, it is of course also about not making a single political success possible for him before the presidential elections, no matter how small, and that works surprisingly well. Although the Trump administration is currently trying desperately to promote the “Three Seas Initiative” in order to increase its influence on the EU eastward expansion along the way, the USA can directly bury its economic goals without the cooperation of the EU core countries. Neither Paris, Rome nor Berlin will submit to the Trump dictation. This, of course, against the background that Trump’s policies are just as insane as Putin’s policies. However, this cannot hide the fact that neither Berlin, Paris nor Brussels have any convincing counter-strategies. “We wait for the next US president” is neither sufficient nor a strategy at all. All current and many future challenges are already known, so that appropriate concepts for investments can be developed, which in the end should lead to much more European self-sufficiency in order to, among other things, decouple from Trump’s trade war with China. Also in other areas, such as NATO / Common Security (the EU sees itself as “soft power”, but without appropriate armament and defense structures that take part in solving problems in Europe, the Levant and North Africa with credible clout, from “soft power” only “chat room” remains) or international treaties (e.g. the Iran deal), it is clear that the EU has to develop its own lines and solutions in order to be able to keep up with future global competition), Al Arabiya, 20 October 2020: Israel’s EAPC pipeline company says it will bring UAE oil to Europe in new deal (Trans-Israel pipeline), Reuters, 20 October 2020: Israeli pipeline company signs deal to bring UAE oil to Europe, Financial Times, 20 October 2020: Israel and UAE sign visa and pipeline deals to cement alliance, The National, 21 October 2020: Coronavirus: Workforce is automating faster than expected, World Economic Forum says, Politico.eu, 20 October 2020: Parliament set to climb down in EU budget fight, Palestine Chronicle, 21 October 2020: European Hypocrisy: Empty Words for Palestine, Deadly Weapons for Israel, DW, 21 October 2020: EU agriculture policy: What are the bones of contention?, Politico.eu, 21 October 2020: Don’t stop saving ‘zombie’ jobs, DW, 21 October 2020: Opinion: EU fails to introduce real agricultural reform, Haaretz, 21 October 2020: Europe Lost Nearly 60 Percent of Its Jewish Population in Past Half Century, New Study Shows, Jerusalem Post, 22 October 2020: Why is the EU silent in the face of Turkish provocations toward Greece?, DW, 22 October 2020: Belarus opposition wins European Parliament rights award, France24, 22 October 2020: Democratic opposition in Belarus awarded 2020 Sakharov Prize, DW, 25 October 2020: Belarus: Over 100,000 protest against Lukashenko ahead of strike ultimatum, The Guardian, 25 October 2020: Belarus: ‘People’s ultimatum’ protest met with violent crackdown, France24, 27 October 2020: France encourages EU allies to take measures against Turkey after Erdogan’s boycott calls (the custom union with Turkey should be put on hold and additonal 10% tariffs placed on all products from Turkey into the EU), Politico.eu, 27 October 2020: EU mulls trade action against Turkey, France24, 27 October 2020: Belarus workers, students start nationwide strike in new challenge to Lukashenko, Arab News, 27 October 2020: How Erdogan steered Turkey from ‘zero problems’ to zero friends, Politico.eu, 29 October 2020: EU eyes tighter grip on data in ‘tech sovereignty’ push, The National, 30 October 2020: Eurozone’s surprise third-quarter GDP recovery will be short-lived, economists warn, BBC, 30 October 2020: Eurozone bounces back to economic growth, Politico.eu, 30 October 2020: Cash clash and coronavirus lockdowns: Budget talks head into November, The Guardian, 30 October 2020: The world is rocked by protest – but does taking to the streets ever work?, Politico.eu, 30 October 2020: Eurozone economy jumps ahead of feared second coronavirus crash, Der Spiegel, 30 October 2020: Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan: “India Is a Fascist State, Inspired by the Nazis”, Politico.eu, 4 November 2020: Trump or Biden, Europe is the loser (it is apparently time to take off the rose tinted glasses when assessing the USA and its democratic basis. The US has never been a so-called “full democracy” according to the Democracy Index. Even US experts estimate the situation in such a way that “the USA is on the way to democracy”. Trump has now made it clear for four years that this path is not his path. This has been foreseeable for years and has noticeable consequences in practice. In the US institutions hollowed out by Trump, one can often no longer find any contact persons because thousands of positions are vacant. It cannot be made clearer that there is no interest in a dialogue. What does this mean for Germany and the EU? For Germany, first of all, what has already been described several times in some of the articles on this blog, namely the much clearer assumption of personal responsibility and initiative in many areas (trade, economy, climate, security, etc.). For the EU, this should mean, among other things, a considerably deepened Union, possibly in connection with the concentration on the core EU, in order to be able to act quickly. And what about NATO? With Trump’s second term in office, only a rump organization with Canada, the EU (Common Security and Defense Policy), Great Britain and Australia would remain. In addition to the various negative consequences for the EU, this has the remarkable advantage of a multi-trillion investment program for domestic demand, if only to become largely self-sufficient in the areas of energy, technology and weapons technology), Politico.eu, 4 November 2020: Time for Europe to move past ‘pax Americana’, Politico.eu, 5 November 2020: Macron calls for a ‘refoundation of the Schengen area’, DW, 6 November 2020: EU sanctions on Lukashenko, son over Belarus crackdown, Politico.eu, 7 November 2020: US election: Europe’s winners and losers, DW, 7 November 2020: What a Biden presidency might mean for Europe, Politico.eu, 7 November 2020: Europe congratulates Biden (and itself), Politico.eu, 8 November 2020: ‘Despite defeat, Trumpism lives on’: Europe’s papers on Joe Biden’s victory, CNN, 8 November 2020: Europe can shut down terror attacks quickly. But it’s still unable to prevent them, Politico.eu, 8 November 2020: What Biden means for Europe, Politico.eu, 9 November 2020: Orbán threatens to veto EU budget, recovery fund over rule of law (that’s easy to solve. The payments to Poland and Hungary will be frozen until the matter is resolved to create enough time for renegotiations. In the meantime, the other states will receive the agreed funds in return for agreeing to the rule of law clause. The EU must clearly oppose the constant attempts of blackmail from the EU’s eastward expansion and south-east Europe, if only in the interests of its own ability to act), DW, 9 November 2020: Coronavirus vaccine: EU reaches deal with Pfizer, BioNTech, France24, 10 November 2020: EU imposes retaliatory tariffs on US over Boeing-Airbus spat, Politico.eu, 10 November 2020: Council and Parliament reach deal on EU budget, Times of Israel, 10 November 2020: German FM: Biden’s election an opportunity for US to rejoin Iran deal, Politico.eu, 10 November 2020: EU budget deal: What you need to know, Politico.eu, 11 November 2020: Commission fires first shots in battle for more health power, The Guardian, 11 November 2020: Europe can’t afford to lose another generation to youth unemployment, Politico.eu, 13 November 2020: EU threatens more Belarus sanctions after protester’s death, CNN, 14 November 2020: No tourists allowed: These places are still keeping travelers out during the pandemic, The Hill, 14 November 2020: Trump national security adviser to lead US delegation for Southeast Asia summit, Reuters.com, 15 November 2020: Asia form world’s biggest trade bloc, a China-backed group excluding U.S (up to this point, America’s and Europe’s too-brief thinkers were claiming that there would be no bipolar world economy and that the very thought of it would be ridiculous – and now it is a reality. The Chinese are once again showing the world that they are the better chess players: Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), ASEAN–China Free Trade Area (ACFTA), Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP)), The Guardian, 15 November 2020: Simon Birmingham urges China to respect ‘spirit’ of new Asian trade pact, France24, 15 November 2020: Asia forms world’s biggest trading bloc, excludes America, DW, 15 November 2020: Asia-Pacific nations sign world’s biggest free-trade agreement (Donnie managed to “decouple from China” incredibly well, but somehow differently than announced. Indeed, under the leadership of China, Asia is decoupling the US. It remains to be seen whether Joe Biden will be able to get a grip on the chaos caused by #45. That’s a bigger challenge), BBC, 15 November 2020: RCEP: Asia-Pacific countries form world’s largest trading bloc, DW, 15 November 2020: Germany’s famed church tax income plummets during pandemic, Politico.eu, 15 November 2020: Europe’s Biden bind: Stick with US or go it alone?, CNN, 16 November 2020: China signs huge Asia Pacific trade deal with 14 countries, Al Jazeera, 16 November 2020: Why is Asia-Pacific’s new trade deal so important?, The Washington Post, 16 November 2020: French and German foreign ministers: Joe Biden can make transatlantic unity possible (a very good, promising and open approach to initiate the “New Deal”. Joe Biden and Kamala Harris need relief and support measures from the Europeans, who have an obligation here to help ensure that the presidency of the two can also be successful in terms of foreign policy), Politico.eu, 16 November 2020: Berlin stresses US ties after Macron knocks minister’s pro-American op-ed, DW, 16 November 2020: Poland and Hungary veto EU budget plan, BBC, 16 November 2020: EU budget blocked by Hungary and Poland over rule of law issue (the main question is how one can take Poland and Hungary out of the disbursement processes and freeze disbursements in such a way that it continues to run normally for the other EU states, while Poland and Hungary gain time to find out whether they want to remain in the EU or to leave. Such a process can take years. Years during which the Polish and Hungarian governments would have to explain to their people why they had ruined their countries and given up democracy in favor of kleptocracy), The Guardian, 16 November 2020: EU faces crisis as Hungary and Poland veto seven-year budget, The New York Times, 16 November 2020: Hungary and Poland Threaten E.U. Stimulus Over Rule of Law Links, Politico.eu, 16 November 2020: Hungary and Poland block EU coronavirus recovery package, NPR, 17 November 2020: Hungary And Poland Block EU Budget With Pandemic Relief Funds For Hard-Hit Nations, DW, 17 November 2020: Germany remains optimistic after EU budget veto, Politico.eu, 17 November 2020: EU’s €1.8T game of chicken over budget and coronavirus fund, France24, 18 November 2020: Hungary says it blocked EU budget over migration ‘blackmail’ (the EU should rid itself as soon as possible off of the facist east bloc), DW, 19 November 2020: Chinese President Xi Jinping blasts protectionism in APEC speech, The Guardian, 19 November 2020: Xi Jinping warns against protectionism in apparent swipe at US, DW, 19 November 2020: Hungary, Poland hold EU hostage over budget (the EU25 should think much more about how to get rid of Hungary and Poland (possibly also Slovenia) as quickly as possible. The easiest way to get there would be to completely stop the payment of EU funds to the two countries, both from the Corona aid fund and from the budget, while excluding them from all decision-making processes. Poland would be bankrupt within a few months, the leadership of which will then lead the mock battle over alleged German war reparations, but to do so would have to terminate all contracts with Germany and de facto split up Poland in order to create the necessary basis and Hungary’s leadership has been in Putin’s pocket for years which is why it has wanted to cause the EU the greatest possible damage for years. In addition, Orban’s ramblings about Hungary as an alleged “freedom fighter” can then come true. At the same time, one has to wonder how much his voters must be blinded when they confuse Orban’s autocratic kleptocracy with freedom), CNN, 19 November 2020: Obama’s insights on Merkel, Putin and other leaders in his new book, Politico.eu, 19 November 2020: EU ministers agree to draw up new sanctions on Belarus, DW, 19 November 2020: EU to slap sanctions on Belarus firms close to Lukashenko, Politico.eu, 19 November 2020: Hungary and Poland must back down in EU budget fight, says Romania’s PM, Reuters, 19 November 2020: Our pandemic-hit world as seen from above, Politico.eu, 19 November 2020: Germany to Turkey: Calm tensions or face EU sanctions, France24, 20 November 2020: ‘We will work relentlessly to find the solution’: EU’s Sefcovic on rule of law crisis, Politico.eu, 20 November 2020: EU will eventually resolve budget deadlock, Hungary’s Orbán says, France24, 20 November 2020: EU co-operation crisis: Hungary, Poland veto EU budget over rule of law, DW, 21 November 2020: Opinion: What role will the EU play in foreign affairs?, DW, 21 November 2020: Will German companies stop cooperating with Belarus?, Irish Times, 21 November 2020: Fintan O’Toole: Ireland can be the middle island between the EU and Biden’s US, DW, 22 November 2020: Belarus: Thousands continue anti-president protests in Minsk, Arab News, 22 November 2020: The EU between marital squabble and divorce — the budget and Brexit, Politico.eu, 24 November 2020: ECB cannot ignore questions about debt forgiveness, Politico.eu, 25 November 2020: EU’s foreign policy gender plan faces resistance from Poland and Hungary, The National, 25 November 2020: The Iranian spy whose Paris ‘bomb plot’ could have sparked a war, Politico.eu, 25 November 2020: French proposal to buy a new EP building in Strasbourg causes outrage (instead of having to spend more money on the nonsense to travel between Brussels and Strasbourg and thereby unnecessarily complicate the work of Parliament, all activities should in principle be concentrated in Brussels and the sites in Strasbourg should be abandoned), Politico.eu, 25 November 2020: Helle Thorning-Schmidt is front-runner to lead conference on Europe’s future, DW, 26 November 2020: Russia pressures Lukashenko to change constitution (another successful propaganda show à la Kremlin :-D ), Politico.eu, 26 November 2020: Beijing’s influence in European Parliament draws fresh scrutiny, DW, 26 November 2020: Hungary, Poland vow to veto EU COVID recovery fund mechanism, Politico.eu, 26 November 2020: Hungary and Poland escalate budget fight over rule of law, Politico.eu, 27 November 2020: Terror trial in Antwerp to test EU-Iran relations, Politico.eu, 27 November 2020: Europe: Caught between a rule-of-law fight and a hard Brexit, Politico.eu, 27 November 2020: Swedish academic’s imminent execution raises EU-Iran tensions, Al Arabiya, 28 November 2020: Belgium court charges Iranian diplomat with 20-year prison term over terrorism, DW, 29 November 2020: Belarus protesters gather in Minsk districts, hundreds arrested, Irish Times, 29 November 2020: Chris Johns: Economies may enjoy ‘roaring twenties’ if ministers learn lessons, DW, 30 November 2020: Hong Kong’s democracy movement in dire straits as Beijing tightens grip, Politico.eu, 30 November 2020: Merkel says ‘all sides’ must make compromises to break budget deadlock, NPR, 30 November 2020: Biden Is Good News For Europe, But China Challenges Await, Haaretz, 1 December 2020: European Allies Pushed Back When Trump Sanctioned Iran’s Banks, The Guardian, 1 December 2020: Von der Leyen Hungary and Poland should take EU budget row to court, Politico.eu, 1 December 2020: The von der Leyen Commission end-of-year report card, The Atlantic, 1 December 2020: The Nazi Inspiring China’s Communists, The Guardian, 1 December 2020: An effective response to Europe’s fiscal paralysis, Politico.eu, 2 December 2020: EU-US ‘tech alliance’ faces major obstacles on tax, digital rules, The New York Times, 2 December 2020: Biden: ‘We’re Going to Fight Like Hell by Investing in America First’, DW, 2 December 2020: Poland and Hungary gamble on funding with EU budget veto, Politico.eu, 2 December 2020: How Europe can bypass Poland and Hungary’s vetoes, DW, 2 December 2020: Coronavirus: Former French President Valery Giscard d’Estaing dies of COVID at 94, Politico.eu, 2 December 2020: Von der Leyen threatens EU recovery fund without Hungary and Poland (very good approach. The EU should even go further and organize the budget until 2027 without Poland and Hungary. This would mean that both countries could think about whether they want to continue to belong to the EU by 2027 – of course without receiving the previous, lavish support from Brussels, which in Hungary alone finances 50% of all infrastructure measures. Poland and Hungary are the largest net recipients of Brussels development aid payments. Their populations will certainly react enthusiastically to the complete failures of their national leaderships if they are missing several 100 billion euros in their budget over the period), DW, 2 December 2020: Coronavirus: Former French President Valery Giscard d’Estaing dies of COVID at 94, Politico.eu, 2 December 2020: Former French President Valéry Giscard d’Estaing dead at 94, France24, 3 December 2020: ‘The president who modernised France’: political leaders remember Valéry Giscard d’Estaing, France24, 3 December 2020: French press bids ‘adieu’ to former president Valéry Giscard d’Estaing, The Guardian, 3 December 2020: Electric cars More than 500,000 full electric cars sold in Europe in 10 months, Politico.eu, 3 December 2020: Poland blinks first ahead of showdown at the EU budget corral, DW, 3 December 2020: UN: COVID-19 to worsen poverty in 47 poorest nations, Politico.eu, 3 December 2020: 7 things to know about Europe’s plan to boost democracy, DW, 3 December 2020: Belarus police get rougher to protect Alexander Lukashenko, Politico.com, 3 December 2020: Don’t expect Biden to ‘reset’ relations with Beijing, DW, 4 December 2020: Viktor Orban: Hungary will stick by EU budget veto threat (hopefully it stays that way. The money that Brussels doesn’t spent on Hungary and Poland can be spent on meaningful projects in other EU states instead), France24, 4 December 2020: Remembering Giscard d’Estaing, fighting to ski despite Covid-19 & decoding ‘The Crown’, Politico.eu, 4 December 2020: Viktor Orbán rejects rule of law compromise idea, France24, 4 December 2020: Giscard grasped the 70s mood, but French women won their own rights, The Washington Post, 6 December 2020: McCarthyism was never defeated. Trumpism won’t be either., DW, 8 December 2020: Poland, Hungary face growing calls to drop EU budget veto, Politico.eu, 8 December 2020: EU lobby register falls short of transparency demands, DW, 9 December 2020: Hungary’s budget veto leaves Orban isolated, France24, 9 December 2020: Poland, Hungary accept German EU budget offer as ‘D-Day’ approaches, Arab News, 9 December 2020: EU to toughen sanctions on Turkish drilling — draft statement, Politico.eu, 9 December 2020: EU leaders to line up new sanctions on Turkey at summit, Arab News, 9 December 2020: Turkey brushes off any EU sanctions over east Med crisis, Europa.eu, 9 December 2020: Security Union: A Counter-Terrorism Agenda and stronger Europol to boost the EU’s resilience, DW, 10 December 2020: EU breaks deadlock on budget, coronavirus recovery fund, DW, 10 December 2020: EU Special Representative: ‘We see a pattern of violations in Belarus’, France24, 11 December 2020: EU Summit: Turkey says European sanctions plan is ‘biased, unlawful’, Politico.eu, 11 December 2020: EU leaders demand banking union progress, France24, 11 December 2020: EU reaches landmark budget deal with Hungary and Poland, Politico.eu, 11 December 2020: EU leaders move toward sanctioning Turkey, The National, 11 December 2020: EU agrees to map out sanctions on Turkey over Mediterranean drilling, NPR, 11 December 2020: EU Ends Standoff, Moves Forward With Budget And Coronavirus Relief Fund, Arab News, 13 December 2020: France, other European countries withdraw from business forum over Ruhollah Zam execution, Politico.eu, 13 December 2020: EU countries withdraw from Iran business forum over journalist’s execution, Al Arabiya, 13 December 2020: Iran forum postponed as journalist, diplomats withdraw over journalist’s execution, The National, 14 December 2020: World’s 20 largest economies rebound in Q3 after Covid-induced declines, OECD says, Politico.eu, 14 December 2020: Norway’s push for a change to ‘bad deal’ with EU (pretty unbelievable how many Europeans are falling for nationalistic fruitcakes like the Centre Party at the moment. At the same time, of course, it also reflects the problems in the educational systems – Norway–European Union relations), Politico.eu, 15 December 2020: Germany pushes EU regulator on approving coronavirus vaccine before Christmas, Politico.eu, 15 December 2020: Jourová: EU won’t use rule of law powers in ‘activist’ way, Politico.eu, 16 December 2020: Belarus opposition leader calls on EU to do more, Reuters, 17 December 2020: Cuban economy shrank 11% in 2020, government says, The New York Times, 17 December 2020: Powerful Nor’easter Leaves New York City With Its Biggest Snowfall in Years, Politico.eu, 17 December 2020: EU top court gears up for rule-of-law battle (of its life), BBC, 17 December 2020: Jacob Rees-Mogg accuses Unicef of ‘playing politics’ over UK food campaign (Great Britain’s most overrated Tory politician Rees-Mogg also speaks up and rightly gets a lot of headwind for it, because it is thanks to the failed politics of the Tories that the situation has escalated so far so that Unicef has to intervene – The Guardian, 17 December 2020: Free school meals scheme in one of UK’s poorest areas faces axe), Saudi Gazette, 17 December 2020: UNICEF to feed children in UK for first time, The Guardian, 17 December 2020: Jacob Rees-Mogg under fire for dismissing Unicef’s UK grants as stunt, Politico.eu, 18 December 2020: Angela Merkel’s rule-of-law legacy: A divided Europe, Politico.eu, 18 December 2020: EU recovery fund deal may get money flowing in summer, The Times, 19 December 2020: ‘To win against Russia and China we must beat them at their own game’, DW, 24 December 2020: Rural EU citizens more anti-European and anti-democratic — study, BBC, 26 December 2020: American parenting styles sweep Europe, The Guardian, 26 December 2020: China: Economy to overtake US as world’s biggest by 2028, report predicts, BBC, 26 December 2020: Chinese economy to overtake US ‘by 2028’ due to Covid, The Atlantic, 27 December 2020: ‘I Believe That the U.S.A. Can Be the Crucial Player’, DW, 30 December 2020: Moldova’s Maia Sandu: ‘I want to be the president of European integration’, Reuters, 31 December 2020: U.S. slaps tariffs on French and German wines, aircraft parts amid EU dispute, DW, 31 December 2020: EU ‘regrets’ new US tariffs on German, French products, CNN, 31 December 2020: 2020 was a terrible year for Europe. 2021 is unlikely to be much better, Politico.eu, 1 January 2021: Two options for Europe’s coronavirus economy: Bad or a lot worse, Politico.eu, 1 January 2021: Germany’s drive for EU-China deal draws criticism from other EU countries, The Guardian, 3 January 2021: Tesla Manufacturer almost hits 500,000-car delivery target for 2020 despite pandemic, Politico.eu, 4 January 2021: European elections to watch in 2021, Arab News, 4 January 2021: Divided EU cannot afford to waste any more time, Politico.com, 5 January 2021: Biden Wants to Boost Democracy. He Should Shelve the Summit and Look to Europe., BBC, 6 January 2021: Kim Jong-un says North Korea’s economic plan failed, The Guardian, 6 January 2021: North Korea: Kim Jong-un says economic plan a near-total failure at rare political meeting, The Times, 6 January 2021: Kim admits grave economic crisis in North Korea, CNN, 6 January 2021: The world’s most powerful passports for 2021, Saudi Gazette, 7 January 2021: Foreigners to be allowed to run Saudi-owned companies, The New York Times, 11 January 2021: Trump’s Brand Loses Its Luster in the Backlash (serious companies have no choice but to break off business relationships with Trump companies if they want to avoid economic losses and reputational damage), France24, 11 January 2021: Trump administration redesignates Cuba as state sponsor of terror, The Guardian, 12 January 2021: Pompeo scraps Europe trip after EU leader calls Trump ‘political pyromaniac’, Arab News, 13 January 2021: Crown prince: $6 trillion of investment opportunities available in Saudi Arabia over next decade, DW, 15 January 2021: EU launches Year of Rail campaign amid drop in passenger numbers, Politico.eu, 17 January 2021: France pushes suspension of EU-US trade dispute, BBC, 17 January 2021: Eurostar: Government urged to ‘safeguard’ rail firm’s future, DW, 18 January 2021: China’s economic growth slowest in 4 decades amid pandemic, BBC, 18 January 2021: Covid-19: China’s economy picks up, bucking global trend, The Guardian, 18 January 2021: China: Beijing reports strongest growth in two years after Covid-19 recovery, Politico.eu, 19 January 2021: Borrell says he’s not to blame for controversial EU statement on Venezuela, Politico.eu, 21 January 2021: Beijing’s rise rekindles EU-India romance, BBC, 22 January 2021: Google threatens to withdraw search engine from Australia, The Guardian, 22 January 2021: Google threatens to leave Australia – but its poker face is slipping, Politico.eu, 22 January 2021: Baltics threaten to hold up EU coronavirus recovery fund over rail project, Al Jazeera, 23 January 2021: It is time to rethink international development cooperation, Al Arabiya, 23 January 2021: Belarus police arrest 100 anti-Lukashenko protesters, DW, 23 January 2021: Davos: China’s Xi urges cooperation to reboot global economy, Politico.eu, 25 January 2021: Xi warns Biden and EU not to reignite Cold War, BBC, 26 January 2021: Covid vaccine hopes lift IMF’s global growth forecast, DW, 26 January 2021: EU pins hope on Norway raw materials discovery, Politico.eu, 26 January 2021: Merkel sides with Xi on avoiding Cold War blocs, Irish Times, 26 January 2021: US and Chinese economies expected to recover quicker from pandemic than Europe, DW, 26 January 2021: Coronavirus: Angela Merkel warns Davos against vaccine race, Politico.eu, 26 January 2021: EU citizens stopped at UK border with extra demands to prove status, DW, 29 January 2021: The Lukashenko regime’s persecution of Belarus journalists, Politico.eu, 29 January 2021: Europe gives Biden a one-finger salute, DW, 1 February 2021: Myanmar coup: Germany condemns army takeover, France24, 1 February 2021: Myanmar military coup draws condemnation from around the world, BBC, 1 February 2021: Myanmar military coup: ‘Our world turned upside down overnight’, The Guardian, 1 February 2021: Myanmar: Army takes power in coup as Aung San Suu Kyi detained, Al Jazeera, 1 February 2021: Why Myanmar’s military seized power in a coup, Politico.eu, 2 February 2021: Europe’s economy fell again at year-end, pressuring governments, DW, 3 February 2021: Most Germans feel pandemic has not drastically changed their lives, survey finds, France24, 3 February 2021: China, Russia block UN Security Council condemnation of Myanmar coup, Foreign Policy, 3 February 2021: The EU Tries and Fails Again on Venezuela, Der Spiegel, 4 February 2021: From Brussels to the Rest of the World: How Europe Became a Model for the 21st Century, DW, 6 February 2021: Angela Merkel says Belarus protesters not forgotten, BBC, 6 February 2021: Myanmar coup: Internet shutdown as crowds protest against military, The Guardian, 6 February 2021: Myanmar: Tens of thousands protest against coup despite internet blackout, The National, 6 February 2021: Internet blackout in Myanmar as generals seek to curb anti-coup protests, The Washington Post, 6 February 2021: Myanmar’s military built a new capital as a haven for power. Other countries have tried that, too., DW, 6 February 2021: Nigerian economist poised to become first female WTO chief, BBC, 6 February 2021: Biden ends deadlock over first African and first woman to lead WTO, DW, 7 February 2021: Cuban government opens up economy, BBC, 7 February 2021: Cuba opens up its economy to private businesses, France24, 7 February 2021: Cuba opens up its private sector in major economic reform, BBC, 7 February 2021: Cuba opens up its economy to private businesses, CNN, 7 February 2021: Why the generals really took back power in Myanmar, The Sunday Times, 7 February 2021: Burmese protesters raise flowers and three fingers against might of the military junta, DW, 7 February 2021: Myanmar: Huge turnout for anti-coup protests, France24, 7 February 2021: Thousands gather in Myanmar for a second day of protests against military coup, The National, 7 February 2021: Internet restored in Myanmar as mass rallies against coup rage, Reuters, 7 February 2021: EU ambassador to Switzerland says treaty talks finished – Blick, DW, 7 February 2021: Opinion: With COVID vaccines, Joe Biden keeps America First stance, Arab News, 7 February 2021: The Empires Strike Back at Europe, DW, 9 February 2021: Myanmar police fire rubber bullets at protesters defying ban, France24, 9 February 2021: Myanmar military raids Suu Kyi’s party offices as UN slams ‘unacceptable’ violence, DW, 9 February 2021: ‘We’re not going to let them get away with this,’ activist tells DW, BBC, 9 February 2021: Myanmar coup: Police use force as protesters defy ban, DW, 9 February 2021: COVID: EU’s reconstruction fund slowly gets into gear, Politico.eu, 9 February 2021: Borrell defends controversial Russia trip, threatens sanctions, DW, 9 February 2021: Belarus: Protesters in for the long haul as standoff continues, DW, 9 February 2021: Myanmar coup: What’s in store for democracy in Southeast Asia?, DW, 10 February 2021: Myanmar coup: US, UN condemn violence against protesters, Politico.eu, 10 February 2021: China group in EU Parliament accused of not registering financial support, France24, 11 February 2021: US sanctions Myanmar military as protesters continue to defy crackdown, Arab News, 12 February 2021: The fundamental problems at the heart of the EU, Arab News, 12 February 2021: Squeezed by sanctions, pandemic, Cuba finally opens up economy, DW, 12 February 2021: Myanmar: UN rights body spotlights human rights violations, France24, 12 February 2021: UN demands Myanmar’s military release Aung San Suu Kyi, reinstate govt, Politico.eu, 12 February 2021: Majority of citizens optimistic about EU but want reform: poll, Al Arabiya, 12 February 2021: EU seeks to disperse $900 bln in recovery funds before the end of summer, Der Spiegel, 12 February 2021: Foreign Policy Impotence: Brussels Pushes Firmer Stance after Embarrassment in Moscow, Politico.eu, 13 February 2021: EU foreign policy RIP, France24, 13 February 2021: Anger over mass arrests in Myanmar at protests against coup, The National, 13 February 2021: Myanmar protesters block arrests as UN demands Suu Kyi’s release, The New Yorker, 14 February 2021: Military Imposes Full Grip on Myanmar in Overnight Crackdown, Politico.eu, 14 February 2021: Energy pact divides EU as Spain threatens walkout, DW, 15 February 2021: Myanmar: Military deploys armored vehicles in major cities, France24, 15 February 2021: Myanmar junta deploys troops against fresh rallies as France vows support for protests, BBC, 15 February 2021: Myanmar coup: Military takes country offline for second night, Al Jazeera, 15 February 2021: Myanmar blocks internet for second night in bid to choke protests, Arab News, 16 February 2021: Europe must recognize Palestine to revive two-state solution, France24, 17 February 2021: Is Hungary Russia’s Trojan horse in Europe?, Arab News, 17 February 2021: World closer to holding firms accountable wherever they operate, Politico.eu, 18 February 2021: Biden takes the EU back to the future, Arab News, 18 February 2021: Why the West may be on the march again, France24, 19 February 2021: Myanmar’s anti-coup movement mourns death of young protester shot in the head, Politico.eu, 19 February 2021: Majority of young Europeans worry most about physical safety, poll says, Politico.eu, 19 February 2021: What you need to know about Georgia’s political crisis, Politico.eu, 19 February 2021: Europe looks to go it alone on microchips amid US-China clash, DW, 21 February 2021: Myanmar coup: UN chief Guterres slams ‘deadly violence’, DW, 21 February 2021: Myanmar coup: Protesters undeterred by police killings, France24, 22 February 2021: Myanmar’s junta warns against ‘riot and anarchy’ as thousands continue protests, BBC, 22 February 2021: Myanmar coup: Protesters defy military warning in mass strike, Die Zeit, 22 February 2021: EU Stability Pact: Scrap the pact!, The Guardian, 22 February 2021: ‘Five twos revolution’: Myanmar protesters hold general strike as crowds gather, Arab News, 22 February 2021: Germany and EU will badly miss Merkel’s leadership, DW, 23 February 2021: EU questions German COVID border closures, The Guardian, 23 February 2021: European Union: Six countries told to lift Covid border restrictions, The New York Times, 23 February 2021: Can You Believe This Is Happening in America?, Politico.eu, 24 February 2021: Venezuela expels EU ambassador in reaction to sanctions, CNN, 24 February 2021: The worldwide web as we know it may be ending, DW, 25 February 2021: Coronavirus: EU leaders consider vaccine passports (even when tourism plays a major economic role in some EU federal states, one has to ask how useful Corona tourism can be? If your customers are dying just because you wanted to save one season but lose the next, the approach was definitely not the right one), France24, 25 February 2021: Covid-19: EU summit to tackle slow vaccine rollout, travel certificates, France24, 27 February 2021: Thousands rally in Tunisia to support moderate Islamist party’s push for govt reshuffle, BBC, 27 February 2021: Myanmar coup: UN ambassador fired after anti-army speech, NPR, 27 February 2021: Myanmar Ambassador Fired After Extraordinary Rebuke Of The Military Before The U.N., Politico.eu, 27 February 2021: EU summons ambassador to Cuba over letter to Biden, Arab News, 27 February 2021: Don’t blame globalization for failures of governance, Reuters, 27 January 2021: Lawmakers push for European due diligence law on environmental, human rights
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France24, 28 February 2021: Thousands protest in Martinique against insecticide ‘impunity’, NPR, 28 February 2021: It’s Not Just Texas. The Entire Energy Grid Needs An Upgrade For Extreme Weather, France24, 28 February 2021: New deaths mark bloodiest day yet in Myanmar’s nationwide anti-coup protests
GlobalTrends_2040
DW, 2 March 2021: Coronavirus: Austria and Denmark break ranks with EU on vaccines (there are always some fools who believe they can reach their goals with stupid and short-sighted nationalism and thus put the community at risk. That should come with a corresponding price tag in the future. On the other hand, the Kurz administration, like the Netanyahu administration, is facing a large wave of corruption allegations. That is probably the real reason for the meeting), CNN, 2 March 2021: Europe’s unified vaccination strategy is splintering as countries turn to Israel, China and Russia for help, Al Arabiya, 2 March 2021: Controversial EU-Iran business forum goes ahead despite outcry (not only the forum should be strengthened, but also many other initiatives, especially since Europe has a responsibility to deliver. Because Europe it has not fulfilled its part of the Iran deal, Iran is fulfilling its obligations less and less – Europe Iran Business Forum), France24, 2 March 2021: Anti-coup protesters clash with security forces in Myanmar, Al Arabiya, 2 March 2021: Belarusian journalist sentenced to 6 months in prison for report on protester death, The New Yorker, 2 March 2021: A Digitally Savvy Nation Poses a New Challenge for the Military, The Guardian, 3 March 2021: Denmark under pressure to drop plans to work with Israel on vaccines, Arab News, 3 March 2021: Danish PM under pressure for working with Israel on vaccines, The Washington Post, 4 March 2021: Inflation isn’t a real danger. But its prophets may hold the economy back., Politico.eu, 4 March 2021: Portugal’s ‘ghost’ EU presidency racks up in-person expenses, France24, 5 March 2021: Italy blocks AstraZeneca shipment to Australia amid vaccine shortage row, DW, 5 March 2021: Coronavirus: Australia wants EU to ‘review’ Italy’s vaccine block (and rightly so: Australia and New Zealand are the easternmost outposts of the western world and most reliable allies in all of Asia. Support should actually be a matter of course), France24, 5 March 2021: France, EU back Italy’s decision to block Covid-19 vaccine shipment to Australia, The Guardian, 5 March 2021: Australia: Germany voices concern over Italy’s block of vaccine export, CNN, 5 March 2021: Every investor wants an answer to this question, France24, 5 March 2021: Diplomatic revolt against Myanmar’s junta deepens amid brutal crackdown, DW, 5 March 2021: Lithuania to Belarus: ‘Rather watch hell freeze over’ than deliver Tsikhanouskaya, CNN, 5 March 2021: Shot in the head. A bullet in the lung. Evidence suggests Myanmar’s security forces are shooting to kill., Reuters, 5 March 2021: US, EU agree tariff freeze in aircraft dispute, eye China, BBC, 5 March 2021: US and EU suspend tariffs in Boeing Airbus row, DW, 6 March 2021: Belarus anti-government protesters receiving medical treatment in Germany, France24, 6 March 2021: UN envoy urges Security Council to take action against Myanmar’s junta, DW, 6 March 2021: Myanmar: Defiant anti-coup movement returns to streets, The Guardian, 6 March 2021: Myanmar: Stop military killing protesters, envoy tells security council, DW, 6 March 2021: US Senate narrowly passes $1.9 trillion COVID relief bill, France24, 7 March 2021: Myanmar protesters vow more rallies after military raids on opposition figures, Gulf News, 7 March 2021: 5 tips to manage supply chain risk in uncertain times, Jerusalem Post, 8 March 2021: Israel, Cyprus and Greece agree to link power grids via subsea cable (European taxpayers therefore not only pay for the electricity that Israel taps, but even for the cable itself with which Israel taps into the European electricity grid), DW, 8 March 2021: Longest and deepest subsea power cable to be connected between Cyprus, Greece, and Israel, France24, 8 March 2021: In Myanmar, anti-coup protesters ‘troll’ police with creative forms of civil disobedience, NPR, 8 March 2021: Grateful For Taxes, The Guardian, 9 March 2021: Myanmar’s street protesters need the world’s help to restore democracy, DW, 9 March 2021: OECD hikes 2021 world growth forecast to 5.6%, BBC, 9 March 2021: OECD: Prospects brighter for global economy, DW, 9 March 2021: Coronavirus: How can travel be more sustainable post-pandemic?, The Guardian, 9 March 2021: Brexit triggers exodus of Japanese firms from UK to EU, The Guardian, 9 March 2021: Mexico Protests against attacks on women turn violent, as tension with president escalates, DW, 9 March 2021: European Parliament strips Carles Puigdemont of immunity (it was about time. After all, the EU claims to stand for law and justice. Against this background it is of course not possible to help Spanish criminals evade prosecution), The Guardian, 9 March 2021: Spain EU parliament strips Carles Puigdemont and two other Catalans of immunity, The Algemeiner, 9 March 2021: Hungarian, Czech Premiers to Meet Israeli PM on Pandemic Strategy (the next corrupt EU traitors to do some election campaign for the “Crime Minister”), Politico.eu, 9 March 2021: Coronavirus pandemic ‘weakening’ rule of law in EU countries: Report, Al Jazeera, 9 March 2021: Myanmar party official dies in custody amid torture allegations, DW, 10 March 2021: Myanmar coup: Military cracks down on free speech, press freedom, France24, 10 March 2021: Myanmar security forces surround striking rail workers opposed to military coup, The Guardian, 10 March 2021: Myanmar: Security forces arrest 200 in military coup protests, Politico.eu, 10 March 2021: Trump leaves Biden with an EU trade time bomb, DW, 11 March 2021: Poland and Hungary file complaint over EU budget mechanism, Politico.eu, 11 March 2021: Hungary and Poland to Brussels: See you in court, France24, 11 March 2021: UN Security Council urges restraint in Myanmar as US imposes new sanctions, Al Arabiya, 11 March 2021: Saudi Arabia, Germany sign MoU to produce hydrogen, CNN, 12 March 2021: Streets of blood in Myanmar town as UN fears ‘crimes against humanity’, DW, 12 March 2021: Germany’s COVID management: World wonders what’s gone wrong (in retrospect one has to state that Germany’s federalism has brought about a series of small and large catastrophes, which then led to the overall situation. Added to this are the political statements and contributions, some of which are fatal, from which no party can acquit itself. In the future there must be emergency ordinances for pandemic cases, which ensure that the decision-making powers are concentrated on the federal government. Germany is the miniature version of the EU: The prime ministers of the federal states thought taht they can do what they want and thus contributes to the expansion and exacerbation of the problems. Overall, however, there are two positive aspects: 1. With the exception of the Federal Minister of the Interior, Horst Seehofer, Germany acts in solidarity and not egotistically nationalistically in the sense of the EU. 2. Never before has it been so largely clear how high and extensive the urgent need for renovation on almost the entire public infrastructure and the largely neglected digitization is. The resulting investment requirements and pressures should give the economic upturn to be expected after Corona additional wings. Overall, however, it must also be stated that a not small minority of German citizens are contributing to the exacerbation of the corona crisis through their grossly negligent behavior. Responsible action is completely alien to these Covidiotes and, like small children, must be constantly reminded to follow the simplest rules), The Algemeiner, 12 March 2021: China, Iran, North Korea Seek Support at UN to Push Back Against Unilateral Force, Sanctions, The National, 12 March 2021: Coronavirus leading to ‘baby bust’ as European birth rates plummet, Arab News, 12 March 2021: Don’t wait until Dubai ‘party’ has already started, says Credit Suisse analyst, The National, 12 March 2021: Four million girls to miss out on education due to climate change, Malala says, Gulf Times, 12 March 2021: $400 for rice and beans? The UN counts cost of ‘man-made’ famines, NPR, 12 March 2021: Biden And ‘Quad’ Leaders Launch Vaccine Push, Deepen Coordination Against China, France24, 13 March 2021: More killed in Myanmar on anniversary of deadly shooting that sparked 1988 protests, BBC, 13 March 2021: ‘Mandalay was a massacre’: Security forces fire at protests, The Times, 13 March 2021: Brexit and the pandemic deliver record hit to trade with the EU, The Hill, 13 March 2021: Maher: US ‘lost’ to China, too focused on ‘woke competition’ and ‘lizard people’, The Guardian, 14 March 2021: Kosovo opens embassy in Jerusalem after Israel recognises its independence, DW, 14 March 2021: Myanmar: More protesters killed in weekend violence, France24, 14 March 2021: Several killed during fresh Myanmar protests as martial law imposed in two townships, BBC, 14 March 2021: Myanmar protests: Protesters killed in bloody Yangon crackdown, Al Jazeera, 14 March 2021: Myanmar security forces kill dozens of anti-coup protesters, Arab News, 14 March 2021: Myanmar on path to becoming a failed state, The Guardian, 15 March 2021: Myanmar: Outrage after activist allegedly tortured to death, DW, 16 March 2021: China gets German children’s book about COVID withdrawn, The Guardian, 17 March 2021: Myanmar: Yangon becomes battle zone as junta enforces martial law, CNN, 17 March 2021: Fears grow for Myanmar residents in areas sealed off by military and under internet blackout, DW, 17 March 2021: Opinion: EU-Turkey migration deal is a humanitarian failure, The Guardian, 19 March 2021: G7 moves closer to offering Covid financial support for developing nations, Politico.eu, 19 March 2021: Guy Verhofstadt gets Parliament’s top post for conference on EU’s future, CNN, 20 March 2021: No vaccines, no leadership, no end in sight. How Brazil became a global threat, The Guardian, 20 March 2021: ‘Genocidal’: Bolsonaro uses Brazil’s dictatorship-era law as protesters depict him as a Nazi, Die Zeit, 20 March 2021: Oliver Blanchard: “Be Prepared!”, DW, 20 March 2021: Tokyo Olympics: International spectators to be barred from events, Irish Times, 20 March 2021: Spectators from abroad will be banned at Tokyo Olympics, DW, 22 March 2021: Myanmar coup: Mass protests fail to attract global solidarity, France24, 22 March 2021: EU sanctions Myanmar junta chief over coup and protest crackdown, BBC, 22 March 2021: Factory blaze adds to computer chip supply crisis, CNN, 22 March 2021: US and allies sanction Myanmar’s military for violent repression of protesters, The New York Times, 22 March 2021: Biden Team Preparing Up to $3 Trillion in New Spending for the Economy, The Washington Post, 22 March 2021: White House preps $3 trillion package on infrastructure, pre-K, climate, DW, 22 March 2021: Top European officials slam China’s response to sanctions (as an additional countermeasure, the EU should sanction KP functionaries from the closest circle around Xi Jinping. The investment agreement should also been taken off the table. The EU and its states should also think about expelling some Chinese ambassadors), The Hill, 22 March 2021: US announces sanctions for Chinese officials over human rights abuses, Politico.eu, 22 March 2021: China throws EU trade deal to the wolf warriors, CNN, 23 March 2021: Could China’s aggressive Xinjiang sanctions counter-punch risk alienating the European Union?, Politico.eu, 23 March 2021: David Sassoli to China: Europe is no ‘punching bag’, NoArielTies.org, 23 March 2021: Ariel University and Horizon 2020: The EU is legitimizing Israel’s illegal settlements, France24, 23 March 2021: Biden looks to ‘revitalise’ ties at EU video summit, The Guardian, 23 March 2021: Taiwan China threat to invade is ‘closer than most think’, says US admiral, Gulf Times, 23 March 2021: EU and US sanctions step up pressure on Myanmar military, Arab News, 24 March 2021: New privatization law to boost national economy, BBC, 24 March 2021: Egypt’s Suez Canal blocked by huge container ship, CNN, 24 March 2021: Suez Canal blocked by traffic jam after massive container ship runs aground, The New York Times, 24 March 2021: Suez Canal Blocked After Giant Container Ship Gets Stuck, Al Jazeera, 24 March 2021: Suez Canal blocked by massive container ship Ever Given: Live, Arab News, 24 March 2021: Tenth of world trade halted as container ship blocks Suez Canal, Gulf News, 25 March 2021: FNC Parliamentary Division participates in 4th meeting of GCC-European Parliamentary Committee, Xinhua, 25 March 2021: China, Hungary agree to strengthen cooperation in various fields, CNN, 25 March 2021: Suez Canal could be blocked for weeks. Here’s what we know, DW, 26 March 2021: Chinese sanctions threaten EU investment pact, Arab News, 26 March 2021: Turkey, China place economic ties ahead of ideology, Politico.eu, 26 March 2021: Joe Biden, honorary EU leader for a day, BBC, 26 March 2021: Suez blockage is holding up $9.6bn of goods a day, DW, 26 March 2021: Suez Canal still blocked as frustrations grow, BBC, 26 March 2021: Xinjiang cotton: Western clothes brands vanish as backlash grows, The Times, 26 March 2021: Boycott western brands, Beijing tells shoppers (as a countermeasure, all western companies should immediately switch from Chinese to Indian producers), CNN, 26 March 2021: Chinese celebrities rush to defend Beijing’s Xinjiang policy by cutting ties with international brands, Mercator Institute for China StudiesN, 26 March 2021: Likeminded coordination boosted, with Chinese pushback, The Algemeiner, 26 March 2021: ‘Badge of Honor’: China Sanctions UK Politicians for Xinjiang ‘Lies’, France24, 26 March 2021: Despite international pressure, Myanmar’s ruling junta continues to crush dissent, BBC, 26 March 2021: Suez Canal: Ships stuck in ‘traffic jam’ as salvage efforts continue, CNN, 26 March 2021: Global shipping was in chaos even before the Suez blockage. Shortages and higher prices loom, The Guardian, 26 March 2021: Suez canal: Japanese owner of stricken ship talks of plan to refloat it, The Hill, 26 March 2021: Boat blocking Florida highway sparks viral comparison to Suez Canal situation, Bloomberg, 26 March 2021: German Court Temporarily Holds Law on EU Covid Recovery Fund (hard to believe that, after Poland and Hungary have been calmed down and support the special budget, now of all people those, who made sure that a Nazi party sits in numerous Landtag parliaments and in the Bundestag, are allowed to file an EU-hostile complaint with the Federal Constitutional Court), Politico.eu, 26 March 2021: Constitutional complaint against EU recovery fund filed in Germany, Al Arabiya, 26 March 2021: Suez Canal blockage could cost $6 bln to $10 bln in lost trade, says study by Allianz, The New York Times, 26 March 2021: Analysis: Stuck Ship Reveals Harsh Truth About Globalization, Arab News, 26 March 2021: Suez Canal blockage is a wake-up call, Arab News, 26 March 2021: EU extends olive branch to Ankara with key conditions, The Times, 26 March 2021: I’ll save world from an over-mighty China, vows Biden, The Atlantic, 26 March 2021: The EU’s Pandemic Reversal of Fortune, The Algemeiner, 26 March 2021: Israel Steps up Quantum Tech Race Amid Threat of Exclusion From European Research Projects, The Econmist, 26 March 2021: Why the Suez Canal and other choke-points face growing pressure, Foreign Policy, 26 March 2021: We All Live in Germany’s World, Politico.eu, 26 March 2021: EU wrestles for control of euro clearing after Brexit, DW, 27 March 2021: Suez Canal blockage: 4 of the biggest trade chokepoints, The Economist, 27 March 2021: Why the EU is still wary of America, DW, 27 March 2021: Myanmar: Deadliest day since the military coup, CNN, 27 March 2021: More than 90 killed in Myanmar in deadliest day since start of protests, BBC, 27 March 2021: Myanmar: Dozens killed as army opens fire on protesters during ‘deadliest day’, France24, 27 March 2021: Megaship blocking Suez Canal moves slightly, still unclear when it will refloat, BBC, 27 March 2021: ‘Our customers are worried about the Suez Canal blockage’, The Guardian, 27 March 2021: Myanmar: More than 90 reported killed on ‘day of shame’ for armed forces, Eurointelligence, 27 March 2021: How we lost the narrative, CNN, 27 March 2021: Efforts to dislodge stranded Suez Canal container ship intensify as backlog grows, BBC, 27 March 2021: Suez Canal: Fresh effort to refloat wedged container ship, The Washington Post, 27 March 2021: Suez Canal mishap puts battered supply chains under more pressure, Al Jazeera, 27 March 2021: ‘Day of shame’: Dozens of anti-coup protesters killed in Myanmar, The Guardian, 28 March 2021: Myanmar: Global calls to tackle military’s ‘reign of terror’ after worst mass killing, Jerusalem Post, 28 March 2021: Iran says it can be alternative to Suez after ship stuck, France24, 28 March 2021: Global condemnation of Myanmar military’s ‘reign of terror’ after deadliest day since coup, BBC, 28 March 2021: Myanmar coup: Generals celebrated amid global fury over massacre, CNN, 28 March 2021: UN officials condemn Myanmar junta after 100-plus civilians killed in one day, The Guardian, 28 March 2021: Britain’s ‘brutal’ cuts to overseas aid put African science projects in peril, Politico.eu, 28 March 2021: US, European defense chiefs condemn violence in Myanmar, The Hill, 28 March 2021: Biden under pressure to spell out Cuba policy, DW, 29 March 2021: Ever Given ship freed in Suez Canal, The Guardian, 29 March 2021: Suez canal Ever Given container ship freed after a week, DW, 29 March 2021: Myanmar: Thousands take to streets as others flee, France24, 29 March 2021: Suez Canal traffic resumes after stranded container ship freed, NPR, 29 March 2021: Ship Happens: Coffee, Livestock, Ikea Furniture Among The Objects Stuck At The Suez, BBC, 29 March 2021: Suez Canal: How did they move the Ever Given?, DW, 29 March 2021: Margrethe Vestager: EU antitrust czar and Big Tech’s fiercest opponent, Al Arabiya, 29 March 2021: Saudi Arabia launches initiative to support shipping lines amid Suez blockage, Politico.eu, 29 March 2021: China’s new bogeyman: Europe (so what? It’s far more important for the EU to team up very closely with the US, Canada, UK, New Zealand, Australia, Japan, Taiwan, South Korea, Vietnam, India and other democratic states in Central Asia against Chinese, Russian and North Korean aggressions in order to maintain the democratic, rule of law-driven, free, western lifestyle), Foreign Policy, 29 March 2021: This Is Europe’s Vaccine Rollout Going According to Plan, The Guardian, 30 March 2021: EU plan threatens British participation in hi-tech research (there should be a differentiation. Of course, it makes a lot of sense to develop key technologies only within the EU and to completely exclude third countries from these developments. When developing low-key technologies, on the other hand, it makes sense to continue to work with third countries), France24, 30 March 2021: Beijing imposes sweeping overhaul of Hong Kong’s electoral system, Politico.eu, 30 March 2021: Lukashenko plays the Poland card and ratchets up tensions with Warsaw, France24, 31 March 2021: BBC correspondent leaves China amid safety worries, ‘propaganda campaign’, CNN, 31 March 2021: Children among the dead and injured in Myanmar military airstrikes, say activists, The Guardian, 31 March 2021: Poland: EU takes government to court over law that ‘undermines judges’, The National, 1 April 2021: Worst is still to come in Myanmar, UN envoy says, Haaretz, 1 April 2021: Can Israel’s Eilat Become an Alternative to Suez Canal? (the “Gulf of Eilat”, mentioned in the article, is of course the Gulf of Aqaba in the real world), DW, 1 April 2021: Why is Japan not taking a firm stand against Myanmar junta?, The Guardian, 1 April 2021: Dire situation in North Korea drives ‘collective exit’ of diplomats, DW, 3 April 2021: Myanmar: At least 550 civilians killed since coup, France24, 3 April 2021: Last ships stranded in Suez Canal pass through on Saturday, CNN, 3 April 2021: Europe is torn over whether to take Putin’s help on vaccines, The Guardian, 3 April 2021: Suez canal blockage: Queue of ships expected to be cleared by end of day, The Times, 3 April 2021: Myanmar tyrant partied on Bloody Saturday as troops opened fire on children, DW, 4 April 2021: Myanmar: Germany’s Heiko Maas cautions about threat of civil war, The Guardian, 4 April 2021: Myanmar Protesters paint anti-coup slogans on Easter eggs, Politico.eu, 4 April 2021: Lockdown turns Brussels’ EU district into a real ghost town, The Washington Post, 4 April 2021: U.S. emerges as main engine for global economic recovery, Foreign Affairs, 5 April 2021: The New Age of Protectionism, Freedom House, April 2021: Freedom in the World 2021: Democracy under Siege, The National, 6 April 2021: IMF raises global economic forecast but warns of uneven recovery and daunting challenges, DW, 6 April 2021: EU to Turkey: Human rights issues are nonnegotiable, Al Jazeera, 6 April 2021: EU chiefs raise ‘deep worries’ over rights in Turkey with Erdogan,France24, 6 April 2021: Human rights ‘non-negotiable’, EU officials tell Erdogan in Turkey, The Guardian, 6 April 2021: From housing to vaccine passports, politicians act as if young people don’t exist, France24, 6 April 2021: IMF and France hail US push for a global minimum corporate tax, CNN, 6 April 2021: Nigeria’s President Buhari describes prison break which freed nearly 2000 inmates as ‘act of terrorism’, Politico.eu, 6 April 2021: IMF boosts eurozone’s growth forecast, NPR, 6 April 2021: Rising Tide: Powerful U.S. Growth Set To Lift Global Economy, IMF Says, Foreign Policy, 6 April 2021: The Death of Neoliberalism Is Greatly Exaggerated, The Guardian, 7 April 2021: G20 Group: takes step towards global minimum corporate tax rate, Politico.eu, 7 April 2021: Juncker tries to take the sting out of Sofagate, Al Jazeera, 7 April 2021: ‘Vaccine policy is economic policy,’ IMF chief stresses, Politico.eu, 7 April 2021: What ‘Sofagate’ says about Charles Michel, The Economist, 7 April 2021: China’s rulers want more control of big tech, Politico.eu, 8 April 2021: Turkey, Russia lead Europe’s incarceration rates, DW, 8 April 2021: EU and Turkey’s ‘sofagate’ blame game enters round 2 (Sofagate – at the end of the day it’s the wrong discussion. Instead of dealing with itself again, it should be about curbing the destructive actions of the autocrat and Muslim Brother Erdogan. With the help of self-dwarfing or the gift of enlarging the customs union without any compensations, this will most certainly not succeed), DW, 9 April 2021: In Myanmar, military matters are a lucrative family affair, The National, 9 April 2021: Could Europe’s reemergence in Asia be a win-win this time?, Palestine Chronicle, 10 April 2021: Mossad Reportedly Interrogates Palestinian Journalist in Spain (when something like that can happen within the EU, organized by an EU-hostile foreign government from the Middle East, the EU has lost the war on terror), The Guardian, 11 April 2021: Colombia’s cartels target Europe with cocaine, corruption and torture, DW, 12 April 2021: EU sanctions Iran officials over protest crackdown, Politico.eu, 12 April 2021: EU sanctions Iran for 2019 protest crackdown, Al Jazeera, 12 April 2021: EU sanctions elite Iran commander over 2019 protests, Politico.eu, 12 April 2021: Europe deserves Erdogan’s sofa, France24, 13 April 2021: Iran ‘suspends’ cooperation with EU on multiple fronts after officials blacklisted, NPR, 13 April 2021: Biden’s National Security Team Lists Leading Threats, With China At The Top, France24, 13 April 2021: US officials tour Europe to shore up allied support on Russia, China and Iran, Die Zeit, 13 April 2021: A European Super League: The Europeanization of Football, The New Yorker, 13 April 2021: The Parisians Housing Refugees During the Pandemic, DW, 14 April 2021: EU, India seek closer ties to fight coronavirus pandemic, Politico.eu, 15 April 2021: EU-UK trade deal moves toward ratification in European Parliament, Arab News, 15 April 2021: Europe and Middle East would be stronger together, Reuters, 16 April 2021: Hungary blocks EU statement criticising China over Hong Kong, diplomats say, US News, 16 April 2021: Hungary Blocks EU Statement Criticising China Over Hong Kong, Diplomats Say, France24, 16 April 2021: China posts record GDP growth in first quarter as Covid-19 recovery accelerates, DW, 16 April 2021: Multilateral Agreements: Post-Cotonou: EU reaches agreement with African, Caribbean and Pacific States, France24, 16 April 2021: A retiring Castro to bring younger face to Cuba’s communists, DW, 16 April 2021: How Cubans earn a living from standing in line, France24, 16 April 2021: A page turns in Cuba as Raul Castro makes way for next generation, The Hill, 16 April 2021: Cuba readies for life without Castro, The Times, 17 April 2021: There’s still time to escape China’s clutches, Al Jazeera, 17 April 2021: As Cuba turns page on Castro era, economic reform gains urgency, France24, 18 April 2021: Cuban economy, internet on party agenda ahead of Castro exit, Times of Israel, 18 April 2021: German police raid call centers allegedly running Israel-linked investment scams, BBC, 19 April 2021: Biden tax changes could be ‘significant’ for Ireland, France24, 19 April 2021: Cuba’s Communist Party appoints Diaz-Canel as leader, replacing Raul Castro, Al Jazeera, 19 April 2021: Cuba has a new leader and it’s not a Castro, Der Spiegel, 20 April 2021: Paradise Lost: Joe Biden Declares War on Tax Havens – in Europe, Too, Politico.eu, 20 April 2021: Merkel: Retreat from multilateralism is world’s ‘biggest threat’, DW, 21 April 2021: Top German court tosses objection to EU coronavirus recovery fund, DW, 22 April 2021: EU economy ‘on crutches,’ warns ECB chief Christine Lagarde, Foreign Policy, 23 April 2021: Europe’s Far-Right Seeks to Unite, New York Magazine, 23 April 2021: Biden Plans to Visit the E.U. and U.K. This Summer, The Atlantic, 24 April 2021: No One Is Saving Myanmar, DW, 26 April 2021: Germany, France praise European solidarity against COVID, DW, 27 April 2021: France and Germany back US on 21% minimum corporate tax proposal, Politico.eu, 28 April 2021: How will the EU repay the billions to fund Europe’s recovery?, The New Yorker, 28 April 2021: Cuba After the Castros, Politico.eu, 29 April 2021: Recovery fund slalom: 5 things to know about Europe’s relief package, BBC, 30 April 2021: Eurozone suffers double-dip recession as pandemic impact continues, CNN, 30 April 2021: Europe’s recession deepened in the first quarter but the recovery is underway, Politico.eu, 30 April 2021: London flamed for lack of strategy after UK-Norway fish talks collapse, The New York Times, 30 April 2021: Europe’s Economy Shrinks, Sliding Back Into Recession, The Guardian, 30 April 2021: European Union ‘Groundless’ Russian sanctions against its officials condemned (the terror regimes in Russia and China seem to feel pretty safe. That should be changed as soon as possible), France24, 30 April 2021: Russia bars eight EU officials from entry in tit-for-tat move, Politico.eu, 30 April 2021: Russia bans top EU officials in retaliation for sanctions, DW, 1 May 2021: Cracks appear in China’s New Silk Road, Reuters, 1 May 2021: Pandemic and economic crisis dampen May Day in Cuba, DW, 1 May 2021: Russia-West ties hit low with diplomat expulsions, The Guardian, 2 May 2021: Myanmar: Seven killed as security forces open fire on protesters, France24, 2 May 2021: Several dead as Myanmar security forces fire at protesters calling for ‘spring revolution’, The Guardian, 2 May 2021: Germany: Stand up to China and Putin? Foreign policy at heart of vote, DW, 3 May 2021: UN study: Online sales boom in 2020 during pandemic, lockdowns, CNN, 3 May 2021: They are hunted and in hiding but Myanmar’s journalists continue to report the truth, Politico.eu, 4 May 2021: Corporate executives ‘freaking out’ over EU supply chain plans, NPR, 4 May 2021: In The CIA’s 1st Plot Against The Castros, Fidel Wasn’t The Target, DW, 4 May 2021: Cracks appear in China’s New Silk Road, France24, 4 May 2021: G7 foreign ministers call for solidarity to tackle global threats, DW, 4 May 2021: G7 foreign ministers meet in London with Myanmar on the agenda, DW, 5 May 2021: WHO to set up pandemic early warning center in Germany, Politico.eu, 5 May 2021: EU and UK reach deal after row over bloc’s ambassador, Al Jazeera, 5 May 2021: G7 ends talks with criticism of China and Russia, Politico.eu, 6 May 2021: As pandemic eases, EU leaders get social in Porto, Arab News, 6 May 2021: Myanmar military outmaneuvers ASEAN neighbors, Politico.eu, 6 May 2021: Biden makes the EU look like the bad guys (not really, as it was and still is “Amewrica First” when it comes to Vaccines and Vaccinations. In addition to the vaccine export stop, the USA is also holding back raw materials for the production of vaccines. Against this background, calling for vaccine patent waivers is pure populism), DW, 7 May 2021: EU leaders to talk over social strategy in Porto summit, France24, 7 May 2021: EU leaders to discuss social issues, Covid-19 vaccine patents at Porto summit, DW, 7 May 2021: Human rights have no place in Swiss-Chinese trade deal, BBC, 7 May 2021: China’s exports soar as US recovers and India stalls, Gulf Times, 7 May 2021: Myanmar junta says no Asean envoy visit until stability restored, The Guardian, 7 May 2021: The Jersey fishing standoff shows Brexit has only just begun, Gulf Times, 7 May 2021: China’s trade surges as global stimulus keeps export boom going, The Hill, 7 May 2021: Blinken calls for Taiwan to join World Health Assembly in opposition to China, DW, 8 May 2021: EU leaders adopt Porto declaration on social rights, employment, Arab News, 8 May 2021: Interview: A shared ‘forward-looking spirit’ underpins EU-Saudi partnership, The National, 9 May 2021: Europe Day is a reminder that working together is the best response to our common challenges, Politico.eu, 9 May 2021: On Europe Day, EU kicks off ‘conference’ on its future, France24, 9 May 2021: ‘A European model’: Macron lauds EU response to pandemic at Strasbourg conference, Gulf News, 10 May 2021: In pictures: What happens to flagship structures after Expo 2020 Dubai?, Gulf News, 10 May 2021: Expo 2020 Dubai: What you need to know about the German Pavilion, Gulf News, 10 May 2021: Austrian companies to showcase futuristic solutions at Expo 2020 Dubai, Arab News, 10 May 2021: Turkey wants to start a fresh chapter with EU despite obstacles, Politico.eu, 16 May 2021: EU foreign ministers to discuss Israel-Palestine conflict on Tuesday, The Guardian, 18 May 2021: Analysis EU sidelined and divided as war rages again in Middle East (the EU states merely pursue different economic interests in the region and understandably have no interest in further involvement. After all, they would have to be powdered with a clasp bag if they were to allow themselves to be militarily drawn into the more than 100-year-old Middle East conflict and thus finally bring the Middle East conflict to Europe, including the influx of even more Muslim and Jewish extremists and terrorists), Politico.eu, 18 May 2021: Borrell calls for Israeli-Palestinian ceasefire, but Hungary blocks joint EU position (not very surprising. Still, it is interesting that the only supporter of Netanyahu is his autocratic colleague from Hungary. In the past few months, backbenchers and Israel lobbyists have called for the country to join the EU. There is at least one clear answer to that: Forget about it!), DW, 18 May 2021: Middle East seeks a mediator as Israel strikes Gaza, Politico.eu, 18 May 2021: Eurostar says it’s been saved by French railways and other investors, Forbes, 20 May 2021: Much Maligned Multinational Enterprises Are Essential To Biden’s Build Back Better Agenda, Politico.eu, 21 May 2021: Viktor Orbán’s gift to the EU: A glimpse of our dysfunction, Politico.eu, 21 May 2021: BY THE NUMBERS: Where Europe stands on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict: Polls, Jerusalem Post, 21 May 2021: EU criticism of Israel is pandering to Muslim voters, Hungarian PM says (“I think that we gradually have to move towards qualified majority voting in foreign policy,” – this are the good news. After this goal will be achieved, Eastern European autocrats like Orban can tell nonsense as much as they want to. Nobody will listen anymore. The Visegrad Group has worked towards this for years and are now almost there), Politico.eu, 21 May 2021: Lithuania pulls out of China’s ’17+1′ bloc in Eastern Europe, DW, 23 May 2021: Belarus diverts plane to arrest activist journalist, France24, 23 May 2021: Belarus forcefully diverts Ryanair flight to detain opposition blogger, DW, 23 May 2021: Belarus flight: Germany demands explanation of diversion, arrest, France24, 23 May 2021: Fighting erupts in Myanmar town on Chinese border, Politico.eu, 23 May 2021: EU blasts Belarus for ‘hijack’ of airliner and arrest of activist, The Guardian, 23 May 2021: Belarus: Country accused of ‘hijacking’ Ryanair flight diverted to arrest blogger, France24, 24 May 2021: Police and soldiers killed in clashes with rebel fighters in eastern Myanmar, DW, 24 May 2021: Belarus: EU calls for international probe into forced landing of Ryanair plane, France24, 24 May 2021: ‘Aviation piracy’: EU leaders mull response to forced diversion of plane to Belarus, BBC, 24 May 2021: Western powers voice outrage as Belarus accused of hijacking plane, CNN, 24 May 2021: Belarus accused of ‘state-sponsored piracy’ as Ryanair says KGB agents were on diverted plane, The Guardian, 24 May 2021: Belarus Country’s KGB believed to be on plane forced to land in Minsk, says Ryanair CEO, Irish Times, 24 May 2021: Forced landing of Ryanair flight is ‘piracy in the skies’, says Taoiseach, The Washington Post, 24 May 2021: Europe moves to isolate Belarus after plane is forced to land, Politico.eu, 24 May 2021: UK pushes ahead with plan to charge EU citizens to visit, France24, 24 May 2021: EU leaders agree more sanctions on Belarus over plane diversion, Irish Times, 24 May 2021: EU to sanction Belarus and seal airspace over forced Ryanair landing, BBC, 25 May 2021: EU agrees new Belarus sanctions after plane arrest, The Guardian, 25 May 2021: EU imposes new economic sanctions on Belarus over ‘hijacked’ flight, DW, 25 May 2021: Belarus: European airlines halt flights amid outrage over plane arrest, France24, 25 May 2021: Air France among airlines suspending flights over Belarus as EU seeks to punish Minsk, The National, 25 May 2021: Belarus to pay ‘bitter price’ over Roman Protasevich arrest, The Guardian, 25 May 2021: Belarus: Journalist’s father says video confession carried out under duress, BBC, 25 May 2021: Belarus flights redirected after Roman Protasevich’s arrest, CNN, 25 May 2021: Airlines avoid Belarus after ‘state-sponsored hijacking’ of Ryanair flight, The National, 25 May 2021: How the EU’s Belarus sanctions will affect air travel, NPR, 25 May 2021: Biden Administration Strikes Deal To Bring Offshore Wind To California, The Atlantic, 25 May 2021: Other Regimes Will Hijack Planes Too, The Washington Post, 25 May 2021: ‘Confession’ video of Belarus dissident suggests torture, experts say, Politico.eu, 25 May 2021: After Trump, EU feels a more familiar US arrogance, The Atlantic, 26 May 2021: The West Is Failing Belarus, CNN, 26 May 2021: Sofia Sapega, Russian student arrested alongside Belarus activist, appears in ‘confession’ video, DW, 26 May 2021: Switzerland backs away from economic treaty with EU, France24, 26 May 2021: Switzerland ends talks with EU on co-operation agreement, Politico.eu, 26 May 2021: Switzerland ends talks on EU partnership treaty, CNN, 26 May 2021: ‘All Belarusians are hostages to Lukashenko’s regime,’ say citizens now cut off from Europe, The Times, 26 May 2021: Belarus becoming North Korea of Europe, says exiled opposition leader, Politico.eu, 27 May 2021: EU recovery cash inches forward, too slowly for some, Der Spiegel, 28 May 2021: Freezing Payments and Halting Exports: How the EU Wants to Sanction Belarus, Politico.eu, 28 May 2021: Lithuania expels two Belarusian diplomats, France24, 28 May 2021: Putin hails closer relations with Belarus in meeting with Lukashenko, BBC, 28 May 2021: Belarus plane diversion: Putin plays down crisis at talks with Lukashenko, Politico.eu, 28 May 2021: Agriculture reform talks break up without agreement: EU officials, Al Jazeera, 28 May 2021: Putin offers Belarus leader support amid plane diversion scandal, The Atlantic, 28 May 2021: The Ryanair Hijacking Pierced the Delusion of Flight, The National, 28 May 2021: Putin to meet Lukashenko in display of support after Belarus plane diversion, The New York Times, 28 May 2021: The Economy Is Spinning Its Wheels, and About to Take Off, Politico.eu, 28 May 2021: In Europe, a coronavirus boom for foreign surveillance firms, Washington Post, 29 May 2021: Covid pushed millions worldwide from the middle class to poverty. One man is trying to work his way back., DW, 29 May 2021: Belarus: Opposition calls for a day of solidarity on anniversary of major arrest, BBC, 30 May 2021: Belarus: Hundreds join global solidarity protests, CNN, 30 May 2021: How Belarus ‘hijacking’ has redrawn Europe’s air map, DW, 31 May 2021: Belarusian opposition gets a hand from allies in Germany, DW, 31 May 2021: Belarus enacts new rules restricting citizens from leaving, France24, 1 June 2021: European Union to launch Covid-19 recovery plan in June, Irish Times, 1 June 2021: Extra €3.5bn spend to jumpstart Covid recovery to be announced, DW, 1 June 2021: EU’s first public prosecutor’s office starts operating (European Public Prosecutor’s Office), France24, 1 June 2021: New European Public Prosecutor’s Office joins EU ‘Justice League’, BBC, 1 June 2021: Eurozone inflation up sharply as economies reopen, The Guardian, 1 June 2021: Ransomware: White House contacts Russia after hack of world’s largest meatpacking company, Politico.eu, 1 June 2021: NGOs blast EU tax transparency bill as ‘almost meaningless’, NPR, 1 June 2021: A Cyberattack Has Disrupted The World’s Largest Meat Processing Company, The New York Times, 1 June 2021: Beef Supply Disrupted After Meat Processor Hit by Ransomware Attack, Washington Post, 1 June 2021: JBS, world’s biggest meat supplier, says its systems are coming back online after cyberattack, The New York Times, 1 June 2021: Americans Don’t Want to Return to Lousy Low Wage Jobs, Politico.eu, 3 June 2021: The EU has introduced a new ‘digital’ ID. Here’s what it means for you., DW, 2 June 2021: EU agrees to new tax transparency rules for multinationals, BBC, 2 June 2021: JBS: World’s largest meat supplier hit by cyber-attack, DW, 4 June 2021: US voting rights restrictions are a warning to all democracies, Politico.eu, 4 June 2021: Germany chides Hungary (again) over blocked Hong Kong support, The Guardian, 4 June 2021: Belarus: EU bans country’s planes from its airspace over activist’s arrest, Reuters, 4 June 2021: Ukraine must show good will if it wants Russian gas transit, Putin says (is Nord Stream 2 just an economic project? Obviously not. It is a political weapon of the Kremlin. The partner countries’ warnings about Russian reprisals are becoming true. Berlin has to take countermeasures here and shouldn’t even start gas deliveries through the pipeline), DW, 5 June 2021: G7 agrees ‘historic’ global minimum corporate tax rate, The Guardian, 5 June 2021: G7: UK chancellor announces ‘historic agreement’ on tax reform, BBC, 5 June 2021: G7: Rich nations back deal to tax multinationals, CNN, 5 June 2021: G7 backs Biden’s sweeping overhaul of global tax system, France24, 5 June 2021: G7 nations sign historic pact to make tech giants pay fair taxes, The Times, 5 June 2021: Will this crackdown bring Silicon Valley giants to heel?, The Washington Post, 5 June 2021: Yellen says inflation could reach 3 percent this year as U.S. recovers, Irish Times, 5 June 2021: Global tax rate: Ireland could lose €2bn a year under proposed reforms, says Donohoe, DW, 6 June 2021: Coronavirus digest: UK urges G7 to vaccinate world by 2022 (this can only be a very bad joke. BoJo, of all people, whose uninhibited vaccination nationalism has led the Kingdom to not exporting a single dose but, on the contrary, importing heaps of additional doses from the EU, is playing the moralist now? Then let him start to export tons of vaccine. He will never catch up with the EU because Brussels has been exporting vaccine right from the start, including to Israel, so that Netanyahu can now play the “Corona Champion”), BBC, 6 June 2021: Covid: PM to push for world vaccination by end of 2022, The Sunday Times, 6 June 2021: Let’s jab the world by end of next year — PM, The Guardian, 6 June 2021: Brexit: Fears for rights of EU citizens still waiting for UK settled status, DW, 6 June 2021: NATO: Jens Stoltenberg warns Russia and Belarus, The Guardian, 6 June 2021: Joe Biden: US president trumpets democracy abroad in Post op-ed – as threats spread at home, The National, 6 June 2021: Explainer: ‘Historic’ G7 deal is a step in the right direction to save $240bn a year in lost tax revenues, BBC, 6 June 2021: G7 tax deal doesn’t go far enough, campaigners say, The Guardian, 6 June 2021: Myanmar: Junta forces reportedly kill 20 civilians in fresh clashes, The Washington Post, 6 June 2021: Joe Biden: My trip to Europe is about America rallying the world’s democracies, The National, 6 June 2021: Biden looks to reset relations with Europe trip, France24, 7 June 2021: The rules for travel hotspots as Europe gears up to welcome back tourists, DW, 7 June 2021: Germany calls for abolition of EU foreign policy vetos (Who would have expected that an enemy of the EU like Orban of all people would bring the EU decisively forward? The abolition of the unanimity rule has been overdue for years. After all, it is the biggest obstacle on the way to an efficient EU that is capable of making decisions and acting in time), The Guardian, 7 June 2021: European Commission: Plans to ban UK from science projects dropped after backlash, France24, 7 June 2021: ‘Hit-and-run tourism’: Anger as large cruise ships return to Venice, Politico.eu, 7 June 2021: The EU’s Brexit arsenal: How Brussels can hit the UK, The Washington Post, 7 June 2021: Feds recover millions in ransomware payments from Colonial Pipeline hackers, The New York Times, 7 June 2021: Much of Ransom Paid in Pipeline Cyberattack Is Recovered, Justice Dept. Says, Los Angeles Times, 7 June 2021: U.S. government recovered millions of dollars paid in Colonial Pipeline hack ransom, The Hill, 7 June 2021: Biden invites Ukraine’s president to the White House, DW, 7 June 2021: Europol launches raids in ‘major’ operation, also in Germany, Atlantic Council, 7 June 2021: Secretary General Stoltenberg explains why NATO is getting serious about cyber and China ‘is not an adversary’, DW, 8 June 2021: Internet outage exposes fragility of global digital infrastructure, The Guardian, 8 June 2021: ‘Wakeup call’: Major internet outage ‘shows infrastructure needs urgent fixing’, DW, 8 June 2021: UN War Crimes Tribunal upholds genocide conviction for Ratko Mladic, ‘Butcher of Bosnia’ , The Guardian, 8 June 2021: Ratko Mladic: ‘Butcher of Bosnia’ loses appeal against genocide conviction, France24, 8 June 2021: UN court upholds conviction of former Bosnian Serb military chief Ratko Mladic on war crimes charges, BBC, 8 June 2021: Srebrenica massacre: UN court rejects Mladic genocide appeal, DW, 8 June 2021: Trojan Shield: Europol details massive organized crime sting, The Guardian, 8 June 2021: Organised crime: Hundreds arrested in sting after underworld app hacked, BBC, 8 June 2021: Hakan Ayik: The man who accidentally helped FBI get in criminals’ pockets, The Times, 8 June 2021: British drug gangs among 800 criminals caught in FBI global spy app sting, The Guardian, 8 June 2021: Brexit Trade war threats will not wash with voters, Frost tells EU as row deepens, The Times, 8 June 2021: Northern Ireland sausage ban is bonkers, says Eustice, The Guardian, 8 June 2021: Joe Biden’s mission at the G7 summit: to recruit allies for the next cold war, Irish Times, 8 June 2021: Frost and Sevcovic to meet amid mounting NI protocol crisis, Politico.eu, 8 June 2021: Orbán taunts Germany by doubling down on support for China, The New York Times, 8 June 2021: Senate Overwhelmingly Passes Bill to Bolster Competitiveness With China, The Washington Post, 8 June 2021: Senate approves sprawling $250 billion bill to curtail China’s economic and military ambitions, France24, 9 June 2021: Biden Europe tour: US president aims to restore alliances during visit, CNN, 9 June 2021: Biden takes the lead role he’s always craved in his high-stakes first trip abroad as president, The Guardian, 9 June 2021: Europeans’ confidence in EU hit by coronavirus response, DW, 9 June 2021: Munich Security Report: Is China a partner, rival or both?, Politico.eu, 9 June 2021: Commission threatens to sue Germany over EU law supremacy dispute, Politico.eu, 9 June 2021: European Commission declares war on German arrogance, The National, 9 June 2021: Global trade set for strong 2021 rebound after proving resilient during pandemic, The Atlantic, 9 June 2021: Joe Biden Worries That China Might Win, The New York Times, 9 June 2021: The Biden administration is trying to ease trade tension with its European allies, in part to help counter China., France24, 10 June 2021: UK’s Johnson hails Biden as ‘breath of fresh air’ in meeting ahead of G7, CNN, 10 June 2021: The US President is crafting a message of a united west against an ‘aggressive Russia and a competitive China,’ CNN reporter says, Politico.eu, 10 June 2021: Europe’s love (or not) for Biden — mapped, The New York Times, 10 June 2021: U.S. Consumer Prices Rise, a Bigger Jump Than Expected, DW, 11 June 2021: EU and UK reach fishing deal for 2020-21, Al Jazeera, 11 June 2021: Will G7 green initiative have more climate cred than China’s BRI?, DW, 11 June 2021: G7 summit 2021 in Cornwall — live updates, The National, 11 June 2021: G7 summit opens with pledge to rebuild world economies, France24, 11 June 2021: G7 summit: Leaders set to discuss Covid recovery and climate action, BBC, 11 June 2021: G7: Boris Johnson kicks off summit with plea to tackle inequality, CNN, 11 June 2021: Macron to G7: Enough talk, more action, NPR, 11 June 2021: Moments You Missed As The G-7 Leaders Meet For The 1st Time Since COVID-19, The Hill, 11 June 2021: In Europe, Biden seeks to reassert U.S. climate leadership, The New Yorker, 11 June 2021: For Biden, Trump Is an Easy Act to Follow in Europe, Los Angeles Times, 11 June 2021: Biden presses allies for bolder front against rising Chinese influence, BBC, 12 June 2021: G7 summit: Infrastructure plan to rival China adopted, The Guardian, 12 June 2021: G7 summit: Biden wins backing for infrastructure push to rival China’s ‘belt and road’ initiative, DW, 12 June 2021: US President Biden persuades G7 to be more competitive towards China, France24, 12 June 2021: Biden urges G7 leaders to create unified front to counter China, CNN, 12 June 2021: Biden causes sighs of relief among world leaders even as G7 divisions linger, The Times, 12 June 2021: G7 summit: Fun and frolics on the beach, but this is war on two fronts, The National, 12 June 2021: Swords out as the G7 nations bicker on the Cornish coast, The Guardian, 12 June 2021: Boris Johnson reiterates threat to suspend Northern Ireland protocol, The Times, 12 June 2021: Johnson turns up heat in sausage row, The Hill, 12 June 2021: Biden presses G-7 to take firmer stance against China, Gulf News, 12 June 2021: G7 seeks to counter China with grand infrastructure plan, The Hill, 12 June 2021: Biden has convinced allies ‘America is back,’ says France’s Macron, The National, 13 June 2021: G7 seals ‘Build Back Better for the World’ pact to address Covid pandemic, DW, 13 June 2021: G7 final communique calls for new COVID origin probe, pledges 1 billion vaccines — live updates, BBC, 13 June 2021: G7 to donate one billion vaccine doses by next year, The Guardian, 13 June 2021: Britain will be America’s pet. But it’s Europe’s future that’s at stake, The Washington Post, 13 June 2021: America is back. And it’s popular., France24, 13 June 2021: G7 takes China to task on rights, pledges more vaccines to poorer countries, The New York Times, 13 June 2021: G7 Summit Ends in Broad Agreement, With Edges Blunted, The Washington Post, 13 June 2021: G-7 leaders end summit; Biden says ‘America is back at the table’, Los Angeles Times, 13 June 2021: G-7 nations condemn forced labor, rebuke China over human rights abuses. The Guardian, 14 June 2021: Brexit: UK and EU try to settle standoff over Northern Ireland checks, Irish Times, 14 June 2021: European leaders confront Johnson over failure to implement NI protocol, DW, 14 June 2021: NATO must ‘stand up’ to authoritarian regimes China and Russia, says Stoltenberg, The Guardian, 14 June 2021: US: Food banks brace for demand as Republicans end unemployment benefits, Irish Times, 14 June 2021: EU is not a ‘bloc’ – don’t call it one, Politico.eu, 14 June 2021: G7 ‘extras’ guest list reveals UK foreign policy aims, The National, 14 June 2021: Nato summit: leaders adopt tough stance on Russia and China, Al Jazeera, 14 June 2021: Belarus opposition says jailed journalist is a ‘hostage’, BBC, 14 June 2021: Belarus parades detained journalist Protasevich at media event, The Hill, 14 June 2021: Biden reflects on ‘diminished’ GOP at NATO in wake of post-Trump fallout, The Atlantic, 14 June 2021: The Wreckage Donald Trump Left Behind, DW, 14 June 2021: EU-US ties: Undoing Donald Trump’s trade war, Times of Israel, 14 June 2021: UN rights experts claim Chinese minorities targeted in organ harvesting, Der Spiegel, 15 June 2021: A Visit to the Belarus Opposition: The Courageous Women of Minsk, The Guardian, 16 June 2021: Brexit: UK asks EU to suspend Northern Ireland sausage ban, BBC, 16 June 2021: Biden: How Europeans have reacted to president’s visit, DW, 16 June 2021: Karim Khan sworn in as new ICC chief prosecutor (Karim Ahmad Khan), Politico.eu, 16 June 2021: EU’s Borrell on Russia: Prepare for relations to get worse, DW, 16 June 2021: EU agrees fresh Belarus sanctions over Ryanair diversion, Politico.eu, 17 June 2021: POLITICO China Direct: ‘Intellectually challenged’ EU — Jets and nukes — Draghi’s double act, CNN, 17 June 2021: Kim Jong Un admits North Korea is facing ‘tense food situation’, DW, 17 June 2021: UK, US agree truce in Airbus-Boeing dispute, Politico.eu, 17 June 2021: Biden-Putin summit gives US allies hope of better Russia ties, The Guardian, 18 June 2021: Analysis: Eyebrows raised as EU ‘citizen’s debate’ to be short on EU citizens, BBC, 18 June 2021: UK food and drink exports to the EU almost halve in first quarter, France24, 18 June 2021: UN elects Guterres for second five-year term as secretary-general, The Guardian, 18 June 2021: Myanmar: United Nations condemn military coup, France24, 18 June 2021: UN General Assembly calls for halt of weapons to Myanmar, DW, 18 June 2021: Merkel, Macron: ‘Russia is a big challenge for us’, The Guardian, 18 June 2021: Kiwi wars: The golden fruit fuelling a feud between New Zealand and China, Politico.eu, 18 June 2021: Europe needs to stop fixating on Silicon Valley, says EU commissioner, DW, 18 June 2021: Why are sanctions against Belarus not more effective?, BBC, 18 June 2021: Coronavirus: Setback for EU in legal fight with AstraZeneca, DW, 18 June 2021: UN calls for arms embargo against Myanmar, The Washington Post, 18 June 2021: The post-covid luxury spending boom has begun. It’s already reshaping the economy., Politico.eu, 19 June 2021: Conference on the Future of Europe must make EU ‘fit for purpose’ first plenary told, BBC, 19 June 2021: Myanmar: Who are the ethnic armies training protesters?, The Sunday Times, 20 June 2021: Imperialist EU punishes nations it dislikes, says Hungary’s Viktor Orban (there is a very simple solution to that: Leave the EU and run to you sugar daddy Putin), Politico.eu, 20 June 2021: Hungary’s Orbán under fire over call to disempower European Parliament, CNN, 19 June 2021: Joe Biden wooed many on his tour of Europe. It’ll take much more to fix the damage wrought by Trump, The New York Times, 20 June 2021: New York Faces Lasting Economic Toll Even as Pandemic Passes, The Guardian, 21 June 2021: Sweden Prime minister Stefan Löfven loses no-confidence vote, France24, 21 June 2021: Sweden’s political survivor Lofven finally stumbles, DW, 21 June 2021: Swedish Prime Minister Lofven loses no confidence vote, Politico.eu, 21 June 2021: Swedish government on the brink after PM Löfven loses no-confidence vote, CNN, 21 June 2021: Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Lofven ousted in no-confidence vote, The Guardian, 21 June 2021: Belarus EU widens sanctions to make Lukashenko regime ‘run dry’, DW, 21 June 2021: EU agrees on increased sanctions against Belarus, NPR, 21 June 2021: Cargo Is Piling Up Everywhere, And It’s Making Inflation Worse, DW, 21 June 2021: China, India drive Asia to defy COVID-19-induced investment slump, Irish Times, 21 June 2021: EU to blacklist 86 Belarus officials and companies, Independent, 22 June 2021: ‘Negotiating sausages while the world burns’: Brussels can’t move on from Brexit – no matter how hard it tries, DW, 23 June 2021: EU threatens action against Hungary’s controversial LGBT+ bill, France24, 23 June 2021: Germany came out in rainbow colours in defiance of UEFA’s refusal of LGBT lights, NPR, 23 June 2021: German Stadiums Will Show Their Rainbow Colors To Support Hungary’s LGBTQ Community, DW, 23 June 2021: EU launches coronavirus stimulus program, France24, 23 June 2021: Hungary’s new anti-LGBTQ law a ‘shame’ that contravenes EU values, von der Leyen says, Financial Times, 23 June 2021: Berlin and Paris propose reset for EU relations with Moscow, BBC, 24 June 2021: Dutch PM Rutte: No place in EU for Hungary with anti-LGBT law (of course, Mark Rutte is right and there is more. Orban’s role as the leader of the inner-European EU haters would justify his expulsion. In addition, he is the sales representative and main gateway for all non-European enemies of the EU, from Vladimir Putin to Xi Jinping to Benjamin Netanyahu. The expulsion of Hungary would be problematic insofar as the absolute majority of Hungarians are EU supporters, which is why a regime change should be worked on), Reuters, 24 June 2021: “Too much”: EU leaders confront Hungary’s Orban over new anti-LGBT law, Politico.eu, 24 June 2021: EU startup fund overwhelmed by high demand, The Washington Post, 25 June 2021: Dutch leader tells Hungary: If you don’t like LGBT rights, you can leave the E.U., The New York Times, 25 June 2021: Europe’s Divisions on Vivid Display Over Hungary and Russia, New York Magazine, 26 June 2021: When Ransomware Hackers Tried to Ruin Summer on Martha’s Vineyard, Miami Herald, 26 June 2021: A cruise ship set sail from Port Everglades. It’s the first from the U.S. in 15 months, DW, 28 June 2021: Belarus freezes migrant cooperation deal over EU sanctions, France24, 28 June 2021: Belarus recalls envoy from Brussels in response to EU sanctions, Politico.eu, 28 June 2021: Central Europe’s future is in its cities, CNN, 29 June 2021: Millions of jobs and a shortage of applicants. Welcome to the new economy, France24, 1 July 2021: Concerns over rule of law as Slovenia takes over EU presidency, Politico.eu, 1 July 2021: A call for vigilance as Slovenia’s EU presidency begins, Financial Times, 1 July 2021: Slovenia’s EU presidency gets off to rocky start, Politico.eu, 1 July 2021: Rule of law disputes cast shadow over opening of Slovenia’s EU Council presidency, Arab News, 2 July 2021: Foundation stone laid for $880m Chinese LED project in Saudi Arabia’s Jubail, Politico.eu, 2 July 2021: Janša pushes gripes with Brussels as Slovenia takes EU presidency, BBC, 2 July 2021: US jobs growth picks up speed amid reopening, Politico.eu, 2 July 2021: Orbán, Le Pen, Salvini join forces to blast EU integration, Irish Times, 2 July 2021: Biden hails ‘historic progress’ on economy ahead of July 4th celebrations, DW, 3 July 2021: The global tax revolution is coming, The Times, 5 July 2021: EU parties of the far right combine to challenge Brussels ‘superstate’, The National, 5 July 2021: Business activity in Arab world’s largest economies picks up on vaccination boost, NPR, 5 July 2021: Capitalism Has Become An Ideology In Today’s America. Here’s How It Happened, DW, 6 July 2021: Lukashenko’s archenemy gets long jail sentence in Belarus, France24, 6 July 2021: Belarus opposition figure and leading Lukashenko critic jailed for 14 years, The Atlantic, 6 July 2021: The Autocrat’s Legacy, The New York Times, 6 July 2021: Cuomo Declares a Gun Violence Emergency in New York State (Gun laws in New York), USA Today, 6 July 2021: Cuomo declares NY state of emergency to address surge in gun violence. Here’s what that means, The Hill, 6 July 2021: Cuomo declares ‘state emergency’ on gun violence in New York, BBC, 6 July 2021: New York governor declares gun violence a health emergency, CNN, 7 July 2021: New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo declares gun violence emergency in his state, DW, 7 July 2021: Lithuania to build wall along Belarus border, Irish Times, 7 July 2021: Lithuania accuses Belarus of flying in migrants to send on to EU, France24, 7 July 2021: Hungary’s controversial anti-LGBT law goes into effect despite EU warnings, DW, 7 July 2021: European Parliament demands action over Hungary’s anti-LGBTQ law, The Washington Post, 7 July 2021: A Dutch journalist exposed the mob and defied death threats. Now he’s been shot in the head. (when it comes to press freedom, there is, however, a very clear distinction between state-organized criminals, such as in Hungary, Poland, Slovenia or Bulgaria, and “private-sector” criminals, such as in Amsterdam. The state criminals are far more dangerous), BBC, 8 July 2021: The growing Gulf rivalry that’s pushing up oil prices, France24, 8 July 2021: Japan imposes virus state of emergency in Tokyo area throughout Olympics, CNN, 8 July 2021: Tokyo Olympics will be held under a state of emergency as Japan mulls opening ceremony fan ban, Irish Times, 8 July 2021: Japan declares Covid-19 state of emergency in Tokyo ahead of Olympics, The Guardian, 8 July 2021: Tokyo to be put under state of emergency for duration of 2020 Olympic Games, Politico.eu, 8 July 2021: Europe’s startup funding set for record year, DW, 9 July 2021: Vietnam to gain as EU-China investment pact stalls, CNN, 9 July 2021: $350M ‘palace on rails’ luxury train concept unveiled, DW, 9 July 2021: Lithuania starts building Belarus border anti-migrant fence (obviously the Belarusian border guards are just as incompetent as dictator Lukashenko himself), CNN, 9 July 2021: How marginalized communities in the South are paying the price for ‘green energy’ in Europe, Politico.eu, 9 July 2021: How America fell out of love with Europe, DW, 10 July 2021: Haiti: Interim government requests troops from US, UN to help secure country, France24, 10 July 2021: G20 ministers endorse ‘historic’ global deal to tax multinationals, DW, 10 July 2021: G20 countries back global tax reform, says Germany’s finance minister, Irish Times, 10 July 2021: United States says Ireland will be encouraged to sign up to G20 tax deal, The National, 10 July 2021: G20 warns of fragility of global economic recovery and rising risk of Covid-19 variants, The New York Times, 10 July 2021: Global Tax Overhaul Gains Steam as G20 Backs New Levies, DW, 11 July 2021: Moldova votes in snap election aimed at weakening Russian influence, CNN, 11 July 2021: Haitians hope ‘the truth will come out’ as foreign investigators probe brutal murder of their President, The Sunday Times, 11 July 2021: Haiti’s president is dead — but why did it take a hit squad of 28?, NPR, 11 July 2021: Thousands In Cuba Demonstrate In One Of The Biggest Anti-Government Protests, France24, 11 July 2021: Thousands join rare anti-government protests in Cuba, Miami Herald, 11 July 2021: ‘We are not afraid!’ Cubans take to the streets to demand freedom, food, vaccines (it is and remains a tragedy. The regime has all options at hand, but blocks them time and time again. The country could already prosper for a long time and, with appropriate planning, offer relative prosperity for all residents if it weren’t for the corrupt and incompetent leadership. Cuba is and will remain an island, so that imports and exports can be centrally controlled and customs duties can be levied in order to generate additional and permanent income, so that the disproportionate dependence on tourism and aid from Cubans in exile can be reduced. For everything else there are very well-functioning, private-sector solutions. You just have to allow them. Just reducing the investment backlog, which amounts to at least 50 years (basically the entire island has to be completely renewed/renovated), would be a gigantic economic program with lifelong, relatively well-paid jobs for up to 20% of the population. Instead, the regime continue to rely on reprisals, decay, lack of prospects and resignation. The saloon communists of the West, who for decades have thought they have to pat and kiss the dictatorial regime’s buttocks instead of helping the population, also contribute their share to the catastrophic conditions under which large parts of the population have to live. There is only one point that can be positively attributed to the incompetent regime and that arises from the incompetence of the regime, the associated decay of the entire island infrastructure since the revolution and the hardly ever industrialization of the island: the environment, flora and fauna are in a comparatively good condition (Economy of Cuba)), France24, 12 July 2021: Thousands of Cubans take to the streets in rare anti-government protests, BBC, 12 July 2021: Cuba protests: Thousands rally against government as economy struggles, CNN, 12 July 2021: Cubans take to streets in rare protests over lack of freedoms and worsening economy, Miami Herald, 12 July 2021: Thousands of people flood streets near Little Havana to support protesters in Cuba, The Guardian, 12 July 2021: Thousands march in Cuba in rare mass protests amid economic crisis, NBC News, 12 July 2021: ‘We are no longer afraid’: Thousands of Cubans protest against the government, Reuters, 12 July 2021: Cuba sees biggest protests for decades as pandemic adds to woes, DW, 12 July 2021: Cuba: Thousands turn out to anti-government protests, The Guardian, 12 July 2021: President claims protests part of US plot to ‘fracture’ Communist party (*hahaha* whenever some dictatorial and/or failed government have to admit to itself that the entire social and societal system is a one big mess, they try to shift the responsibility onto “foreign forces”. Instead, all they have to do is to look in the mirror to see who the fool is in the game), Miami Herald, 12 July 2021: Cuba leader denies repression, says blackouts, U.S. embargo led to massive protests, France24, 12 July 2021: Biden says US stands with Cuban people and urges govt to ‘hear’ protesters, BBC, 12 July 2021: Cuba protests: Thousands rally against government as economy struggles, CNN, 12 July 2021: Biden calls on Cuban regime to ‘hear their people and serve their needs’ amid rare protests, The Washington Post, 12 July 2021: Cubans, broken by pandemic and fueled by social media, confront their police state, Los Angeles Times, 12 July 2021: Biden says U.S. stands with Cuban protesters, but officials deflect policy criticism, The Hill, 12 July 2021: Protests escalate US-Cuba tensions, The New York Times, 12 July 2021: ‘Everyone Has a Tipping Point’: Hunger Fuels Cuba’s Protests, The Washington Post, 12 July 2021: No telling whether the Cuban protesters will prevail, but their courage is undeniable, Der Spiegel, 12 July 2021: Dealing with Europe’s Autocrats: It’s Time to Cut Funding for Orbán, DW, 12 July 2021: Lithuanian FM: Belarus using refugees as ‘hybrid weapon against EU’, France24, 12 July 2021: EU hits pause on US digital levy to focus on global corporate tax plan, Irish Times, 12 July 2021: Ireland may support global tax deal, Donohoe says, Politico.eu, 12 July 2021: Borrell: Slovenia’s Janša ‘does not represent’ EU on Iran, Miami Herald, 12 July 2021: White House doesn’t rule out sending troops to Haiti, says political future unclear, The New York Times, 12 July 2021: To Help Haiti, Stop Trying to Save It, Politico.eu, 12 July 2021: Moldova on pro-EU course after elections, Gulf Times, 13 July 2021: Cuba blames US ‘asphyxiation’ as protests erupt, France24, 13 July 2021: Unrest spreads in South Africa in wake of Zuma jailing as grievances boil over, The Guardian, 13 July 2021: Cuba At least 140 reportedly detained or disappeared after historic protests, Politico.eu, 13 July 2021: EU urges Cuba to ‘immediately’ release detained protesters, Miami Herald, 13 July 2021: Blaming U.S. for protests, Cuba official says actions could trigger exodus from the island, Tampa Bay Times, 13 July 2021: The U.S. has the duty to act in support of the Cuban people, The National, 13 July 2021: Funding to Mena start-ups rises 64 per cent to $1.2bn in first half of 2021, France24, 14 July 2021: US urges Cuba to lift internet restrictions after anti-government protests, DW, 14 July 2021: Cuba confirms death of man at antigovernment protests, BBC, 14 July 2021: US warns businesses over China’s Xinjiang province, DW, 14 July 2021: South Africa: Looters pounce in fallout from Zuma trial, CNN, 14 July 2021: Cuban YouTuber says she is being taken away by state security during live interview, DW, 14 July 2021: Belarus extends crackdown to human rights and news groups, The Times, 14 July 2021: Cuba’s apologists need to face the grim reality, DW, 14 July 2021: South Africa’s deadly unrest, looting reveals state failures, The Guardian, 14 July 2021: ‘Legal Polexit’ Poland court rules that EU measures are unconstitutional, Politico.eu, 14 July 2021: Battle of the courts: Contradictory rulings in Poland, EU raise specter of ‘Polexit’, DW, 14 July 2021: Top Poland court ruling moves toward undermining EU laws, Politico.eu, 14 July 2021: UK inflation rises sharply, turning heat on Bank of England, The Washington Post, 14 July 2021: Cuba and Haiti upheaval could mean twin migration crises, DW, 15 July 2021: South Africa will deploy 25,000 troops to help quell unrest, Politico.eu, 15 July 2021: Why Merkel can’t stop apologizing, France24, 15 July 2021: On the road to Polexit? Poland pushes back in battle against EU rule, DW, 15 July 2021: Cuba: Government tries to placate protesters with concessions, Politico.com, 15 July 2021: Belarus cracks down on medical workers while virus rages on, CNN, 15 July 2021: Biden promises answers on European travel ban ‘in the next several days’, NPR, 15 July 2021: Biden Says The U.S. Would Offer Aid To Cuba If He Had Assurances About The Regime, The National, 15 July 2021: Flash floods and thunderstorms in Oman dampen Eid Al Adha spirit, France24, 16 July 2021: Hundreds missing in Germany after massive floods leave scores dead, CNN, 16 July 2021: Germany mounts huge rescue effort after floods leave dozens dead and many more missing, France24, 16 July 2021: Europe floods: Officials warn such disasters to become more common, The Guardian, 16 July 2021: Climate scientists shocked by scale of floods in Germany, Reuters, 16 July 2021: At least 44 dead, dozens missing as floods sweep through western Europe, CNN, 16 July 2021: Deadly flooding in Europe, Haaretz, 16 July 2021: Over 110 Dead, Dozens Missing as Severe Floods Strike Europe, Times of Israel, 16 July 2021: Death toll climbs to 118 in Germany, Belgium as devastating storms ravage Europe, Arab News, 17 July 2021: UN chief: World faces a ‘hurricane of humanitarian crises’, Jerusalem Post, 16 July 2021: Floods in Germany claim 103 victims, more than 1,000 missing – watch, Der Spiegel, 16 July 2021: Did Climate Change Cause This? Flood Disaster Could Become a Major Issue in German Election, DW, 16 July 2021: The climate crisis can’t be stopped, we must adapt, Arab News, 16 July 2021: US must avoid unwittingly helping the Cuban government, Jerusalem Post, 16 July 2021: ‘Cuba Libre’ message painted outside Cuba’s US embassy in Washington, Arab News, 16 July 2021: Digitization a key driver of today’s economies, ABC News Australia, 16 July 2021: Flooding in Germany and Belgium leaves more than 100 dead, hundreds missing in one district alone, The Guardian, 16 July 2021: Death toll exceeds 150 as Germany and Belgium hit by devastating floods, The Washington Post, 17 July 2021: Death toll from European floods climbs to more than 150, The Telegraph India, 17 July 2021: 1,000 missing in western Germany and Belgium floods, NPR, 17 July 2021: The Death Toll From The Floods In Europe Has Topped 150 As Water Recedeseuters, 17 July 2021: Belgium sets day of mourning as flood deaths hit 20, Politico.eu, 17 July 2021: ‘How many dead will we accept?’ European floods expose failure to heed climate warnings, DW, 17 July 2021: German president to flood victims: ‘Your fate has broken our hearts’ — live updates, The New York Times, 17 July 2021: The Extent of Flooding in the Hardest-Hit Areas of Europe, DW, 17 July 2021: Belgians pick up the pieces after deadly floods, France24, 17 July 2021: At least 150 dead, hundreds missing in devastating European floods, DW, 17 July 2021: After western Germany’s catastrophic floods, cleanup begins, Miami Herald, 17 July 2021: The Latest: Belgium govt raises flood death toll to 20 (2021 European floods), The Guardian, 17 July 2021: Europe floods Death toll exceeds 170 as Germany and Belgium hit by devastating floods, CNN, 17 July 2021: Singapore and the UK are both planning to ‘live with Covid.’ They are worlds apart on how to do that, Al Jazeera, 17 July 2021: ‘The town has been destroyed’: Germany deals with flood aftermath, Times of Israel, 17 July 2021: Experts warn Europe floods show need to curb emissions, adapt urban planning, BBC, 17 July 2021: Europe floods: Rescuers race to find survivors as hundreds remain missing, CNN, 17 July 2021: Desperate search for survivors as western Europe reels from a ‘catastrophe of historic proportion’, The National, 17 July 2021: Floods in parts of the UAE after heavy rain, Gulf News, 17 July 2021: UAE weather: Cloudy skies, rain in Dubai’s Hatta, Al Ain, Sharjah, Ajman, dusty conditions in some areas due to strong winds, The Washington Post, 17 July 2021: Canada’s farmers brace for new heat wave as scorching summer leaves cherries roasting on trees, Politico.eu, 17 July 2021: Von der Leyen pledges EU support on visit to flood-hit region, Al Jazeera, 17 July 2021: Cuba’s president slams social media ‘hatred’ after protests, Gulf News, 17 July 2021: Horrifying flood fury: Extreme weather in the age of climate change, The Washington Post, 17 July 2021: As the Bootleg Fire burns, locals are faced with the realities of climate change — and remain skeptical, Miami Herald, 17 July 2021: Prelude to an assassination: Betrayal by guards and frantic call from Haiti to Florida, New York Magazine, 17 July 2021: Scenes of Devastation After Deadly Floods in Germany and Belgium, Miami Herald, 17 July 2021: Hundreds from Miami protest at Cuban Embassy and White House, chanting ‘libertad’, New York Magazine, 17 July 2021: The Travel Industry Is a Total Mess, But Everyone Is Traveling Anyway, The New York Times, 17 July 2021: ‘No One Is Safe’: Extreme Weather Batters the Wealthy World, Miami Herald, 17 July 2021: ‘Si Cuba está en la calle, Miami también.’ Thousands rally for end to Cuban dictatorship, The Washington Post, 17 July 2021: After unrest and arrests, Cuban government holds flag-waving rally as show of strength, Miami Herald, 17 July 2021: Hundreds of Cubans are still detained after anti-government protests, human-rights groups say, Los Angeles Times, 18 July 2021: Europe flood death toll tops 180 as rescuers dig deeper, CNN, 18 July 2021: Enormous scale of destruction is revealed as water subsides after historic western Europe flooding, France24, 18 July 2021: Merkel visits areas devastated by ‘terrifying’ floods as death toll tops 180 in Europe, The Atlantic, 18 July 2021: Black Lives Matter Misses the Point About Cuba, The Guardian, 18 July 2021: From Cuba to Palestine, when revolutionaries end up as dictators, the people pay the price, Politico.eu, 18 July 2021: Merkel pledges stronger post-flood focus on ‘climate protection’, The National, 18 July 2021: Cuban government holds mass rally in Havana after protests, The Guardian, 18 July 2021: ‘I’m surprised it took so long’: Cubans find anger in their souls, Miami Herald, 18 July 2021: Rally in solidarity with Cuban protests forms on the steps of the Freedom Tower, Arab News, 18 July 2021: OPEC+ agrees oil supply boost from August as prices surge, NPR, 18 July 2021: OPEC And Allied Nations Have Agreed To End A Dispute That Has Roiled Energy Prices, The New York Times, 18 July 2021: OPEC Plus Agrees on Oil Production Increase, DW, 19 July 2021: Germany’s know-it-all attitude after the floods helps no one (of course, it is initially a tightrope act or as it is called: “keep measure and balance”. From a distance, the topic can be divided into four phases: First of all, it is about giving consolation and support to those affected (some communities will only be able to be supplied temporarily for months, have mobile toilet and washing facilities and fresh water tanks in the village squares, until the infrastructure (water, sewage, electricity, telephone, internet, television, etc.) is restored and something like normal returns). As was to be expected during election campaign times, this is currently mixed, unfortunately, with blame that has been shot from the hip and just as unsustainable. Here, too, it is urgent and prompt to find “measure and balance” in order not to escalate the situation any further. Then it is about raising tax money in unbelievable amounts for the renewal and repair of the public infrastructure (traffic and transport infrastructure, supply and discharge of drinking and service water, electricity, telephone, etc.). The previously announced 300 million euros can only be a start. Phases 3 and 4 are much more positive because they are about reconstruction. For city planners, architects, project developers and construction companies this is “a dream”, because in many cases they now have white sheets in front of them and can thus avoid the bad planning of the past and at the same time implement sustainable, future-oriented new building measures that take climate change into account. The only downer is the partial loss of old and historical buildings, with the majority of the loss being attributable to post-war buildings, which are not significant in terms of architecture and building history. So it is a mixed balance, the successful implementation of which will take 10 to 15 years and depends to a large extent on the timely provision of public funds/subsidies and permits), DW, 19 July 2021: How can we prepare for extreme flooding?, Irish Times, 19 July 2021: The Irish Times view on protests in Cuba: the US embargo must end, Politico.eu, 19 July 2021: Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine see joint path to EU, The Times, 20 July 2021: Global stocks tumble amid Covid concerns and rising inflation rate, Politico.eu, 20 July 2021: EU unveils critical rule-of-law report as internal fissures widen, France24, 21 July 2021: Pfizer/BioNTech to produce Covid-19 vaccine in S.Africa, Politico.eu, 21 July 2021: South African company to help produce BioNTech/Pfizer vaccine for Africa, DW, 21 July 2021: Tokyo Olympics unable to heal Japan-South Korea rift, Politico.com, 21 July 2021: Cuba protests ignite 2024 GOP primary, The Guardian, 22 July 2021: Cuba US sanctions security chief and special forces over crackdown on protests, France24, 22 July 2021: Death toll from rioting in South Africa rises to more than 330, government says, DW, 22 July 2021: Biden announces fresh sanctions against Cuba, BBC, 22 July 2021: Olympics opening ceremony director sacked for Holocaust joke (We really have to rethink this “Cancel Culture” nonsense, especially since almost everyone has done or said some thoughtless nonsense at a young age. After all, that’s what youth is there for. Otherwise, the current culture of outrage ensures that the most suitable people are no longer doing the jobs, but rather some weird chew, hermit or people who have already committed themselves to a lifelong vow of silence in childhood. That can hardly be wanted. Optionally, the statutory private privacy regulations must be supplemented in such a way that actions or statements from more than five or ten years ago, based on the statutory limitation periods, may no longer have any consequences), Japan Times, 22 July 2021: Director of Olympics opening ceremony sacked over past Holocaust joke, Reuters, 22 July 2021: Opening ceremony director fired on Tokyo Games eve over Holocaust joke, Politico.eu, 22 July 2021: How the Zoom revolution will transform the Brussels bubble, CNN, 22 July 2021: The door is closing on Chinese tech IPOs on Wall Street, Los Angeles Times, 22 July 2021: Tokyo Olympics teeter on the edge of being both a psychological and political drama, The New Yorker, 22 July 2021: Tokyo’s Olympics Have Become the Anger Games, The Washington Post, 22 July 2021: Cuba censored the Internet amid protests. Florida leaders want Biden to respond with balloon-based wireless., Politico.eu, 22 July 2021: Olympic chiefs reject call for EU flag at Tokyo opening ceremony, Gulf News, 22 July 2021: US-China trade keeps gaining despite soaring political and tariffs on goods, The New Yorker, 22 July 2021: Is Cuba’s Communist Party Finally Losing Its Hold on the Country?, The Washington Post, 22 July 2021: U.S. imposes sanctions on Cuban officials following attacks on protesters, Los Angeles Times, 22 July 2021: Biden hits Cuba with more sanctions over its crackdown on protesters, Miami Herald, 22 July 2021: Miami Mayor Francis Suarez says Biden’s Cuba condemnation, sanctions are ‘not enough’, The Washington Post, 23 July 2021: Japan’s Olympics kick off amid a cascade of disasters, The Times, 24 July 2021: Nearly a third of bank audits substandard, warns regulator, The Hill, 24 July 2021: How the EU is stepping up to fight money laundering, Miami Herald, 24 July 2021: ‘Communism is a failed system.’ In Florida, Democrats promote Biden’s stance on Cuba., France24, 24 July 2021: Lula: ‘Jair Bolsonaro is an agent of genocide’, The Washington Post, 24 July 2021: Europe’s hotels and restaurants are eager to welcome tourists — if they can find enough staff, The Guardian, 25 July 2021: Cuba: Leftists begin to turn their fire on the ‘harmful practices of the state’, Arab News, 25 July 2021: Protests across Tunisia as COVID-19 surges and economy suffers, France24, 26 July 2021: Tunisian president’s supporters clash with Ennahda opponents outside parliament, DW, 26 July 2021: Tunisia: President dismisses PM Mechichi, freezes parliament, BBC, 26 July 2021: Tunisia President Kais Saied accused of coup amid clashes, France24, 26 July 2021: Clashes erupt outside parliament after Tunisian president ousts PM, suspends legislature, The Guardian, 26 July 2021: Tunisia President accused of staging coup after suspending parliament, Al Arabiya, 26 July 2021: Tunisia’s Kais Saied responds to coup claims: ‘Revise your constitutional lessons’, Times of Israel, 26 July 2021: US urges democracy maintained in Tunisia, as birthplace of Arab Spring in crisis, BBC, 26 July 2021: White House: US to maintain Covid foreign travel restrictions, DW, 26 July 2021: Coronavirus digest: Leading doctors say delta variant is fast, fit and formidable, Reuters, 26 July 2021: U.S. will not lift travel restrictions, citing Delta variant, White House says, The Wall Street Journal, 26 July 2021: U.S. to Keep Covid-19 Travel Restrictions Due to Delta Variant, Official Says, The Guardian, 26 July 2021: Coronavirus live: US keeps travel ban on UK and Schengen area; Thailand reports record case numbers, Politico.eu, 26 July 2021: US to maintain travel restrictions, citing Delta variant, The New York Times, 26 July 2021: White House Will Keep Travel Bans, Citing Delta Variant Concerns, NPR, 26 July 2021: Iranian Railway, Ancient Chinese City Among New UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Miami Herald, 26 July 2021: Cuba protesters in Washington want President Biden to do more to pressure the regime, DW, 27 July 2021: Tunisia: A political crisis fueled by economic woes, Politico.eu, 27 July 2021: Can Macron and Draghi form post-Merkel alliance?, DW, 27 July 2021: Tunisia: EU’s Borrell calls for quick return to stability, Politico.eu, 28 July 2021: ‘Huge disappointment’ in EU over Biden’s continuing travel ban, The New Yorker, 28 July 2021: Mandela’s Dream for South Africa Is in Ruins, France24, 29 July 2021: Tunisia president asks former national security adviser to temporarily run interior ministry, Politico.eu, 29 July 2021: EU and Cuba clash over condemnation of protest crackdown (here, too, the Cuban regime is emulating its great role model Russia: Lies and propaganda), Miami Herald, 29 July 2021: Biden will meet Cuban American activists at the White House on Friday, Al Arabiya, 29 July 2021: Tunisia’s president appoints Reda Gharslawi to run interior ministry, The National, 29 July 2021: Tunisia’s president says $4.8 billion of public money squandered, France24, 29 July 2021: Tunisian president pledges to protect freedoms, Reuters, 29 July 2021: Ever Given, the ship that blocked the Suez Canal, arrives in Rotterdam, ABC News, 29 July 2021: Ever Given cargo ship that blocked the Suez Canal finally arrives in Rotterdam, The Washington Post, 30 July 2021: The Ever Given, Fresh From Suez, Becomes a Tourist Attraction, DW, 30 July 2021: US hits Cuba with new sanctions as Biden vows further action, BBC, 30 July 2021: Covid and a coup: The double crisis pushing Myanmar to the brink, Politico.eu, 30 July 2021: Borrell: EU’s ‘insufficient’ vaccine donations open door for China, DW, 30 July 2021: Thailand moves to strengthen EU ties amid US-China rivalry, DW, 30 July 2021: ECB says EU banks ‘robust’ after stress test, Haaretz, 30 July 2021: The Political Compromise That Saved Tunisia Is Now Tearing It Apart, The Guardian, 31 July 2021: Myanmar: Junta accused of crimes against humanity six months on from coup, DW, 31 July 2021: Myanmar: Rights group slams junta ahead of coup anniversary, The National, 31 July 2021: Jordan’s Arab Bank reports 20% rise in first-half profit as operating income climbs, France24, 1 August 2021: Tourists and villages evacuated as wildfires rage across Turkey, Greece, Italy, CNN, 1 August 2021: ‘The animals are on fire,’ say devastated farmers as wildfires sweep Turkey, France24, 1 August 2021: Security forces in Tunisia arrest two MPs from party opposed to president’s consolidation of power, Arab News, 1 August 2021: Egyptian foreign minister: We trust wisdom of Tunisian leadership on managing current crisis, France24, 2 August 2021: Tunisia’s president replaces finance and communications ministers in latest government shake-up, Politico.eu, 2 August 2021: EU pledges to step up efforts to help Lithuania stem migration from Belarus (Seal off the entire border on the Latvian, Lithuanian and Polish side towards Belarus, 200% tariffs on supplies and services from Belarus, stopp importing Belarus’ most important export goods, sanction the complete leadership of Belarus and cut off the entire country from financial support so that it becomes 100% Putin’s patient. He will not be able to believe his luck to be allowed to feed another failed state), Arab News, 2 August 2021: Egypt, Algeria agree on ‘full support’ for Tunisian president, The Atlantic, 2 August 2021: Hot The Bobos Broka America, DW, 4 August 2021: Cuban government asks for humanitarian aid, Politico.eu, 4 August 2021: Biden’s Brussels pick isn’t just one of the president’s men, The Times, 4 August 2021: Lithuania seeks EU help as Belarus increases flights of Iraq migrants, Politico.eu, 4 August 2021: Belarus migrant arrivals could reach 10,000 in weeks, warns Lithuanian minister, Der Spiegel, 4 August 2021: Rising Malnourishment: Global Food Prices Spike in Response to the Pandemic, Irish Times, 4 August 2021: The Irish Times view on the death of a Belarusian dissident in Kiev: the long arm of Lukashenko, The Atlantic, 4 August 2021: The International Travel Restrictions Make Little Sense, Politico.eu, 4 August 2021: Von der Leyen insists US lift travel ban for Europeans, DW, 5 August 2021: EU summons Belarus envoy over ‘instrumentalization’ of migrants, The Times, 5 August 2021: Old regime has failed to update its revolutionary script, DW, 5 August 2021: Coronavirus digest: US plans to allow vaccinated foreign travelers, Politico.eu, 5 August 2021: US set to require foreign travelers to be fully vaccinated, BBC, 6 August 2021: US economy adds more jobs than expected in July, DW, 6 August 2021: Poland should not stay in EU ‘at all costs,’ says minister (good riddance!), DW, 6 August 2021: France forecasts historic fall in wine production, France24, 7 August 2021: Cuba legalizes small and medium enterprises in boost for private sector, BBC, 7 August 2021: Cuba allows small and medium-sized private businesses, Times of Malta, 7 August 2021: Cuba legalizes small and medium enterprises in boost for private sector, Politico.com, 7 August 2021: ‘Powerful signal’: Biden’s infrastructure bill sends message to China, The New York Times, 7 August 2021: Cubans Want Much More Than an End to the U.S. Embargo, Politico.eu, 8 August 2021: Weidmann: ECB can’t protect governments from higher borrowing costs if inflation spikes, The National, 8 August 2021: EU tells Belarus it could toughen sanctions amid border dispute (Belarus–European Union relations, Eastern Partnership), Politico.eu, 8 August 2021: Belarus opposition confident of change despite year of ‘hell’ unleashed by Lukashenko, The National, 8 August 2021: An overland route to rival Suez: the wild ambition of Iraq’s Al Faw port, DW, 9 August 2021: A year after anti-Lukashenko protests began, Belarus within Putin’s reach, Politico.eu, 9 August 2021: What the UN’s new climate warnings mean for Europe, France24, 9 August 2021: Lukashenko defiant as Western powers levy new sanctions on Belarus, a year after disputed reelection, Politico.eu, 9 August 2021: UK, US and Canada impose fresh sanctions on Belarus (the earlier the better and, above all, as extensive as possible), Gulf News, 9 August 2021: Dubai’s private sector is hiring again, July sees biggest growth since November 2019: IHS Markit, The New York Times, 9 August 2021: Climate Denial, Covid Denial and the Right’s Descent, The Washington Post, 9 August 2021: Cuban-exile community worries and mobilizes to support loved ones on the island, Arab News, 10 August 2021: Budget figures indicate Saudi Arabia’s robust economic progress, France24, 10 August 2021: Latvia declares state of emergency over Belarus migrant influx, Politico.eu, 10 August 2021: Europe was the world’s great tech enforcer. Not anymore., The Guardian, 10 August 2021: Food security: Global food supplies will suffer as temperatures rise – climate crisis report, The Hill, 11 August 2021: Belarus blocks entry of US ambassador as retaliation for sanctions, Arab News, 11 August 2021: 370 Iraqi would-be migrants to EU flown home from Belarus, Politico.eu, 11 August 2021: 5 key questions on tighter Belarus sanctions, Al Arabiya, 11 August 2021: Spain seizes Lebanese hash cannabis worth $470 mln in Atlantic Ocean: Irish Times, The Atlantic, 11 August 2021: 9/11 Was a Warning of What Was to Come, DW, 11 August 2021: Exclusive: German chancellor candidate Olaf Scholz calls for ‘a new policy’ toward eastern Europe and Russia, Politico.eu, 12 August 2021: Germany’s Scholz calls for EU Ostpolitik, Bloomberg, 12 August 2021: China’s Port Shutdown Raises Fears of Closures Worldwide, The Guardian, 13 August 2021: ‘An economic calamity’: Africa faces years of post-Covid instability, CNN, 13 August 2021: Belarus floods the European Union with migrants, taking a page out of Putin’s playbook, Miami Herald, 13 August 2021: Biden sanctions more Cuban officials for repression of July 11 protesters, Bloomberg, 13 August 2021: Consumer Sentiment in U.S. Plunges to Lowest Since 2011, Reuters, 13 August 2021: U.S. consumer sentiment plummets in early August to decade low, DW, 14 August 2021: Dozens dead in Haiti earthquake, France24, 14 August 2021: Deadly 7.2-magnitude earthquake wreaks havoc in Haiti, BBC, 14 August 2021: Haiti struck by deadly 7.2-magnitude earthquake, CNN, 14 August 2021: Earthquake strikes near Haiti, Miami Herald, 14 August 2021: At least 229 dead after major earthquake rocks Haiti. The toll is likely to grow, NPR, 14 August 2021: At Least 227 Are Dead After A 7.2 Magnitude Earthquake Hits Haiti, Bloomberg, 14 August 2021: Global Supply Chains Are Being Battered by Fresh Covid Surges, DW, 15 August 2021: Haiti: Death toll in massive earthquake rises to over 700, NPR, 15 August 2021: Photos: Scenes From The Haiti Earthquake, The New York Times, 15 August 2021: More Than 700 Dead in Haiti Earthquake; Injured Overwhelm Hospitals, Miami Herald, 15 August 2021: As death toll passes 700, rescue crews face difficult challenges after Haiti earthquake, The Guardian, 16 August 2021: Haiti: Country braces for storm Grace as PM warns earthquake death toll could rise, DW, 16 August 2021: Has Eastern Europe wised up to Chinese investment?, BBC, 16 August 2021: Haiti earthquake: Death toll climbs as tropical storm nears, CNN, 16 August 2021: Tropical depression threatens further devastation in earthquake-hit Haiti, NPR, 16 August 2021: Rescuers In Haiti Scramble To Save People Trapped In Rubble As Death Toll Tops 1,400, France24, 17 August 2021: Search for Haiti quake survivors continues as storm approaches, The Guardian, 17 August 2021: Haiti: Tropical Storm Grace’s heavy rains pour misery on earthquake survivors, Der Spiegel, 17 August 2021: Lukashenko’s Revenge: How Belarus Is Funneling Refugees into the EU, The New York Times, 17 August 2021: Haiti Quake Toll Leaps to Nearly 2,000 Dead as Rain Pelts Survivors, DW, 17 August 2021: Germany’s Merkel slams Belarus over refugee treatment, France24, 18 August 2021: Critics say new Cuba cybersecurity law limits freedom, Politico.eu, 18 August 2021: Poland sends troops to Belarus border to halt migrants, The New York Times, 18 August 2021: ‘We’re on Our Own’: Quake Survivors Despair at Lack of Government Aid, Der Spiegel, 18 August 2021: Legal Loggerheads: Stewing Conflict Between German High Court and the EU Could Boil Over, France24, 19 August 2021: Anger, despair mount in Haiti over halting earthquake relief efforts, NPR, 19 August 2021: Haiti’s Earthquake Has Left Hospitals Overwhelmed, And Aid Isn’t Coming Quick Enough, Arab News, 19 August 2021: Poland accuses neighbor Belarus of pushing migrants across its borders, Politico.eu, 19 August 2021: EU on a ‘tightrope’ as winter gas supply worries increase, France24, 19 August 2021: US sanctions more Cuban officials over protest crackdown, Miami Herald, 19 August 2021: Parents enter the fray in Florida feud over masks in schools. Trial starts Monday, Politico.eu, 20 August 2021: After Afghanistan: What the UK and Europe should do next, France24, 20 August 2021: Foreign aid trickles into rural Haiti as officials fear many still buried in rubble, Miami Herald, 20 August 2021: Biden might take harder line in Cuba, Venezuela to make up for bungled exit from Afghanistan, The Atlantic, 20 August 2021: Liberal Democracy Is Worth a Fight, DW, 21 August 2021: Africa: Vaccination rollout hindered by hesitancy, low supply, CNN, 22 August 2021: Parts of Middle East running out of water and becoming uninhabitable, The National, 22 August 2021: Australian PM defends Covid strategy as anti-lockdown protests go on, Gulf Times, 23 August 2021: ‘EU needs own geopolitical muscle independent of US’, France24, 22 August 2021: Afghan ‘tragedy’ shows EU needs geopolitical muscle: Borrell (it would be very good if the EU finally set up its own army. However, when it comes to common defense, the EU is in a deep comatose sleep. Afghanistan is far away. The impacts are not close enough and loud enough to finally wake up the deciders. It will probably take a few more crises and millions of refugees before the lights in the sleeping car compartment are switched on), Politico.eu, 23 August 2021: IMF awards Belarus $1B to fight coronavirus, France24, 23 August 2021: Belarus accused of ‘weaponising’ migrants as thousands stranded at EU border (Austria supports the Belarusian dictatorship with 400 million euros annually, so that it can hardly be assumed that the EU will actually adopt full sanctions against Belarus. Chancellor Kurz likes the dictator from Minsk too much for that), Politico.eu, 24 August 2021: On independence day, Ukraine foreign minister pushes for EU membership, DW, 25 August 2021: Afghan migrants trapped at the border between Poland and Belarus, The National, 25 August 2021: WHO experts say search for Covid origins has ‘stalled’, DW, 25 August 2021: Bangladesh: Islamists emboldened by Taliban win in Afghanistan, Politico.eu, 25 August 2021: Polish-Belarusian migration crisis gets political, Irish Times, 25 August 2021: Fighting for basic human rights is not some delusional feminist obsession, CNN, 25 August 2021: China wants families to have three children. But many women aren’t convinced, Miami Herald, 25 August 2021: U.N. seeks $187 million to help Haiti in its recovery after devastating earthquake, The Washington Post, 25 August 2021: Anatomy of a massacre: How one nation’s military terrorized its people with weapons of war, DW, 26 August 2021: Court tells Poland, Latvia to aid migrants on Belarus border, The Guardian, 27 August 2021: Coronavirus live news: UK reports 100 deaths and 38,046 new cases – as it happened, CNN, 29 August 2021: Europe’s disunity and lack of trust imperils the continent’s future, Irish Times, 30 August 2021: European shares close little changed amid UK bank holiday, The Times, 30 August 2021: Europe risks irrelevance unless it muscles up, Irish Times, 30 August 2021: Housing should be affordable, secure and appropriate. It’s a right, The Times, 30 August 2021: World’s first famine driven by climate change not conflict, Irish Times, 30 August 2021: George Soros: Investors in Xi’s China face a rude awakening, The New York Times, 30 August 2021: The World Is Still Short of Everything. Get Used to It., Politico.eu, 31 August 2021: Poland plans a state of emergency on border with Belarus, DW, 31 August 2021: Poland seeks state of emergency at Belarus border, Miami Herald, 31 August 2021: U.S. uses choppers, ships and military personnel to deliver aid to Haiti quake victims, Politico.eu, 1 September 2021: EU regulator warns of ‘high risks’ for market crash, Politico.eu, 1 September 2021: WHO, Berlin float sanctions if countries suppress information on pandemics, The Times, 1 September 2021: Poland set to declare state of emergency over migrant crisis, Politico.eu, 1 September 2021: Lithuania slams shut the door to the EU for irregular migrants, DW, 2 September 2021: A single European railway with Connecting Europe Express, The Guardian, 2 September 2021: US withdrawal from Afghanistan will lead to EU army, says top diplomat, The National, 2 September 2021: How 9/11 changed airline travel forever, DW, 2 September 2021: Emerging economies stymied by rising interest rates and COVID, Politico.eu, 3 September 2021: West lacks clear plan to rival China’s ‘Belt and Road,’ Estonia says, The Guardian, 4 September 2021: Brexit: Irish Sea row risks damaging UK-EU relations long term, says minister, DW, 5 September 2021: Sri Lanka: COVID, economic crisis cause food shortages, Politico.eu, 6 September 2021: For EU, Afghanistan is now a four-letter word, The Guardian, 6 September 2021: Boris Johnson’s biggest lie about Europe is finally coming home to roost, BBC, 6 September 2021: Belarus jail terms for opposition figures Kolesnikova and Znak, CNN, 6 September 2021: Belarus opposition figure and protest leader sentenced to 11 years in jail, The New York Times, 6 September 2021: Belarus Opposition Leader Sentenced to 11 Years in Prison, ABC News, 6 September 2021: Polish lawmakers uphold state of emergency at Belarus border, Politico.com, 6 September 2021: Why Trump’s steel tariffs are now Biden’s political headache, The Guardian, 7 September 2021: Hong Kong: international companies reconsider future in wake of security law, Politico.eu, 9 September 2021: Hopes of EU fiscal reform on the rocks after pushback from eight capitals, Arab News, 9 September 2021: Von der Leyen to lay out EU’s path forward, Reuters, 9 September 2021: U.S., EU officials to kick off new trade, tech council on Sept. 29 -White House, Politico.eu, 9 September 2021: Transatlantic trade deal rises from the grave to fight China, The National, 9 September 2021: The UK-US ‘special relationship’ is at breaking point, Politico.eu, 10 September 2021: EU warns of ‘instability’ if Northern Ireland protocol is unpicked, DW, 11 September 2021: Merkel: Belarus migrant push at EU border ‘unacceptable’, The Sunday Times, 12 September 2021: Iraqi refugees being steered through the forests of Belarus and into the EU, DW, 12 September 2021: Belarus: Lukashenko eyes $1 billion arms deal with Russia, Der Spiegel, 13 September 2021: Egypt Picks Europe Over China: High-Speed Rail to Connect Red Sea and Mediterranean, DW, 13 September 2021: Norway election: Conservative PM concedes after left-wing opposition victory, Politico.eu, 14 September 2021: Classified: Ursula von der Leyen’s draft State of the European Union speech (kind of), DW, 14 September 2021: The EU’s 4 persistent problems still dogging the bloc, The Guardian, 15 September 2021: European Union: Von der Leyen: EU must acquire ‘political will’ to build own military, DW, 15 September 2021: The EU’s spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak, France24, 15 September 2021: ICC backs crime against humanity probe into Philippines’ ‘war on drugs’, DW, 15 September 2021: EU to prioritize global vaccination, von der Leyen says in State of EU address, Politico.eu, 15 September 2021: Von der Leyen finds EU’s soul — and its weakness — in State of Union address, DW, 15 September 2021: What does the end of the Merkel era mean for Southeast Asia?, France24, 15 September 2021: Von der Leyen hails EU vaccine progress, pledges 200 million jabs for low-income countries, Politico.eu, 15 September 2021: EU proposes new law to speed up in global chips race , CNN, 15 September 2021: Biden announces trilateral partnership with UK and Australia (the EU’s progressive self-dwarfing in this matter is becoming unbearable), Irish Times, 15 September 2021: EU needs political will to build defence policy, says von der Leyen, Politico.eu, 15 September 2021: EU launches ‘Global Gateway’ to counter China’s Belt and Road, The National, 15 September 2021: Global economy to expand by 5.3% in 2021, says UN – the fastest pace in 50 years, Global Times, 16 September 2021: EU eyes geopolitical power in 2021 SOUA, loses faith in US, CNN, 17 September 2021: Trump abandoned this giant trade deal. Now, China wants in, New York Magazine, 17 September 2021: Occupy Wall Street Changed Everything, CNN, 17 September 2021: Washington has a China fixation and France got in the way, The Guardian, 19 September 2021: Analysis: Slow but steady has seen the EU win out in the vaccine race (the interesting part is that corona nationalism and the export bans on raw materials and vaccines in the US and UK have left a lot more deaths than in the EU. At the same time, the EU’s multinational approach has contributed to the fact that vaccination rates are now much better in the EU than in the US and UK. Well done Brussels!), Al Arabiya, 19 September 2021: World leaders return to UN General Assembly with focus on COVID, climate change, Politico.eu, 19 September 2021: EU-Australia trade deal runs aground over submarine furor, NPR, 20 September 2021: After Months Of Bans, Fully Vaccinated Travelers Will Be Allowed To Fly To The U.S., The National, 20 September 2021: US to lift flight ban for fully vaccinated travellers from UK and Europe, Politico.eu, 20 September 2021: US to lift travel ban on European citizens, Al Arabiya, 20 September 2021: France could block EU-Australia trade deal in retaliation for submarine crisis, CNN, 20 September 2021: French submarine dispute could torpedo EU-Australia trade talks, The Guardian, 20 September 2021: Aukus: France tries to delay EU-Australia trade deal amid fallout, BBC, 20 September 2021: US lifts Covid travel ban on UK and EU citizens, France24, 20 September 2021: US to end travel ban for fully vaccinated passengers in early November, CNN, 20 September 2021: US will reopen to fully vaccinated foreign visitors, The Guardian, 20 September 2021: Covid: US to lift travel ban for fully vaccinated passengers from UK and EU, The New York Times, 20 September 2021: The U.S. will lift travel restrictions for foreigners who are fully vaccinated, easing a source of tension with Europe., The Times, 20 September 2021: France threatens to block EU trade deal with Australia, Politico.eu, 20 September 2021: EU court fines Poland €500K a day over refusal to shut down coal mine, CNN, 20 September 2021: Poland ordered to pay $580,000 fine for each day coal mine remains open, The Guardian, 20 September 2021: Poland: Warsaw vows to keep coalmine open despite €500,000-a-day ECJ fine, The Times, 20 September 2021: Evergrande is rattling the markets — and putting Beijing to the test, Haaretz, 21 September 2021: EU Backs France in Submarine Dispute: ‘Is America Back? We Don’t Know’, The New York Times, 21 September 2021: In U.N. Debut, Biden Confronts Doubts About U.S. Global Leadership, NPR, 21 September 2021: Why The City Will Survive The Age Of Pandemics And Remote Work, The New York Times, 21 September 2021: Australia’s Submarines Make Waves in Asia Long Before They Go to Sea, Politico.eu, 21 September 2021: US-EU tech alliance is off to a bad start, The National, 21 September 2021: OECD: global economic recovery gathers pace but remains uneven, CNN, 21 September 2021: Four bodies found on Polish-Belarus border (the dictator Lukashenko not only kills his own compatriots, but also his guests from all over the world), Politico.eu, 21 September 2021: EU’s Breton calls for ‘pause and reset’ in transatlantic relationship, BBC, 21 September 2021: Joe Biden urges unity amid tensions with allies, Politico.eu, 21 September 2021: How Germany learned to stop worrying and love EU bailouts, Miami Herald, 22 September 2021: Americans are out, Russians are in: Cuba’s tourism is severely disrupted by pandemic, Politico.eu, 22 September 2021: Commission offers insurers capital relief in return for their investment firepower, Arab News, 22 September 2021: Challenges of today’s world require a reformed UN, Politico.eu, 22 September 2021: EU ambassadors back German nominee for top finance job, Haaretz, 23 September 2021: Once Israel’s National Airline, El Al Is Fast Becoming the Haredi Carrier, Politico.eu, 24 September 2021: EU’s free-traders defeat French push to punish US, France24, 25 September 2021: US and allies vow to pursue ‘free and open’ Indo-Pacific region at Quad summit, BBC, 25 September 2021: German frontrunner Olaf Scholz: ‘EU and UK will have to work together as friends’, Politico.eu, 25 September 2021: The Joe they don’t know: Europe reckons with Biden’s Asia push, BBC, 26 September 2021: Iceland misses out on Europe’s first female-majority parliament after recount, The Sunday Times, 26 September 2021: Macron has a golden chance to switch axis of the EU from Berlin to Paris, Politico.eu, 27 September 2021: EU envoys create 11th-hour hitch for transatlantic tech alliance, The National, 28 September 2021: Oil tops $80 per barrel to reach three-year high as supply tightens and demand rises, CNN, 28 September 2021: China’s power shortage threatens more supply chain chaos, Politico.eu, 29 September 2021: The transatlantic relationship descends into a food fight, France24, 29 September 2021: US, EU seek to ease tensions with trade, tech talks, Politico.eu, 29 September 2021: The fault lines hindering plans for a strong US-EU alliance on tech and trade, The Guardian, 29 September 2021: Belarus: EU seeks to tighten visa rules amid growing migrant crisis, Politico.eu, 29 September 2021: Have we reached peak stupidity?, CNN, 29 September 2021: Supply chain workers warn of a ‘system collapse’, France24, 29 September 2021: EU court cancels Morocco trade deals over Western Sahara dispute, DW, 29 September 2021: EU court annuls Morocco trade agreements over Western Sahara, Irish Times, 30 September 2021: Cliff Taylor: Confused about the global corporate tax deal? Here’s your guide, Politico.eu, 30 September 2021: European banks debate rival to US payment giants, France24, 1 October 2021: EU postpones long-planned trade talks with Australia over submarine row, BBC, 1 October 2021: Aukus: Australia-EU trade talks delayed as row deepens, The Guardian, 2 October 2021: ‘I’m quitting politics’, says Rodrigo Duterte – for a second time, France24, 2 October 2021: Philippine President Duterte announces retirement in surprise move, The National, 2 October 2021: Philippine President Duterte to retire from politics, Times of Israel, 2 October 2021: Philippines’ Duterte says he’ll retire, citing views that ‘I’m not qualified’, Arab News, 2 October 2021: There’s a ‘mutual wish to further intensify EU-Saudi cooperation,’ EU foreign affairs chief Josep Borrell tells Arab News, The Guardian, 2 October 2021: ‘A perfect storm’: Supply chain crisis could blow world economy off course, France24, 2 October 2021: Dutch PM under protection as the ‘Mocro Mafia’ drug cartel sows fear in the Netherlands, The Hill, 2 October 2021: European-Japanese space mission captures pictures of Mercury, Gulf Times, 3 October 2021: Philippines’ Duterte says daughter running for president in 2022 elections, Irish Times, 3 October 2021: Pandora Papers: Leaked files show hidden financial affairs of world leaders, The Guardian, 3 October 2021: Pandora papers: Biggest ever leak of offshore data exposes financial secrets of rich and powerful, BBC, 3 October 2021: Secret wealth of leaders exposed in document leak, The Hill, 3 October 2021: Pandora Papers roil Pakistani politics; PM pledges investigation, DW, 3 October 2021: Pandora Papers: Secret tax havens of world leaders, celebrities revealed, The Hill, 3 October 2021: ‘Pandora Papers’: Massive leak exposes offshore dealings of 35 world leaders, NPR, 3 October 2021: What the ‘Pandora Papers’ show about how the powerful hide money from public view, The Washington Post, 3 October 2021: BILLIONS HIDDEN BEYOND REACH, Politico.eu, 4 October 2021: Meet the European leaders named in the Pandora Papers, Arab News, 4 October 2021: IMF urges Algeria to ‘recalibrate’ economy, Politico.eu, 4 October 2021: EU countries warned to ‘not overreact’ to energy price surge, The New York Times, 4 October 2021: Oil and Gas Prices May Stay High as Investors Chase Clean Energy, Irish Times, 4 October 2021: Pandora Papers: Ireland used as de facto ‘offshore’ location, CNN, 4 October 2021: Giant inflatable sails could make shipping greener, The Guardian, 4 October 2021: At a glance: Key revelations from the Pandora papers, France24, 4 October 2021: World leaders scramble to limit fallout from Pandora Papers revelations, BBC, 4 October 2021: Pandora Papers: World leaders deny wrongdoing after leaks, CNN, 4 October 2021: Here are 5 takeaways from the Pandora Papers, NPR, 4 October 2021: Pandora Papers show how tax havens are part of the global inequity problem, Politico.eu, 5 October 2021: The web of connections behind Brussels lobbying, The National, 5 October 2021: IMF: World faces ‘hobbled’ recovery with possible cumulative loss of $5.3tn, Politico.eu, 5 October 2021: EU too: Brussels gets mad at Ted Cruz, DW, 5 October 2021: Calls for Lukashenko to face international tribunal, The National, 6 October 2021: EU states at odds over solution to record surge in energy prices, Politico.eu, 6 October 2021: After the honeymoon, how to make the EU-US relationship work, The National, 6 October 2021: Europe divided on plans for its own army after Aukus submarine row (let the Eastern EU states fully rely on NATO if they think that this is a clever idea. The Western EU states should instead form a strong defense structure in addition to NATO), Politico.eu, 6 October 2021: For EU leaders, ‘strategic compass’ points in different directions, Politico.com, 7 October 2021: IMF board weighs top official’s fate in wake of China scandal, The National, 8 October 2021: OECD says deal reached on global minimum corporate tax rate, Politico.eu, 8 October 2021: World’s largest companies to pay more under global tax overhaul, Politico.eu, 8 October 2021: The lost summer: Central and Eastern Europe pays price for slow coronavirus vaccination, Irish Times, 8 October 2021: OECD hails global tax deal to deliver 15% minimum corporate rate, Politico.eu, 8 October 2021: Explained: What bombshell Polish court ruling means for EU, The Times, 8 October 2021: Poland ‘risks EU exit’ for defying Brussels over laws, Politico.eu, 8 October 2021: Polish ruling puts Ursula von der Leyen under pressure (the EU-hostile PiS was elected by a majority and thus the majority of Poles chose their foreseeable fate themselves. The only worrying thing is that investors have not yet looked for replacement locations, as they are threatened with a very unpleasant awakening in Poland), The Guardian, 8 October 2021: Poland: Brussels vows swift response to country’s ruling against EU law, CNN, 8 October 2021: 136 countries agree to minimum corporate tax rate, BBC, 8 October 2021: Nations agree to 15% minimum corporate tax rate, DW, 9 October 2021: Hungary: Orban signs resolution supporting Polish court ruling (it’s about high time to cut off Poland and Hungary from any economic aid flow from Brussels), The New York Times, 10 October 2021: What America’s Port Crisis Looks Like Up Close, The Atlantic, 11 October 2021: Washington Is Getting China Wrong, Politico.eu, 11 October 2021: After slapping down top EU court, Poland asks for its help, Irish Times, 11 October 2021: Polish ruling represents far greater threat to the EU than Brexit, Politico.eu, 12 October 2021: Europe’s gas price surge is about to hit you in the belly, The National, 12 October 2021: IMF lowers growth estimate as global economy faces ‘hobbled recovery’, CNN, 12 October 2021: The global supply chain nightmare is about to get worse, Politico.eu, 12 October 2021: Why the rule of law matters, The Guardian, 12 October 2021: The cult of Boris Johnson’s optimism is all that’s left of a Brexit plan, Al Arabiya, 13 October 2021: Taliban warn EU, US envoys of Afghan refugees if sanctions persist, Gulf Times, 13 October 2021: New contracts needed to boost Europe gas supplies: Russia, Al Arabiya, 13 October 2021: Global shipping situation to get worse before getting better: DHL ecommerce VP, The Guardian, 13 October 2021: EU: Energy official says bloc must end reliance on foreign fossil fuels, CNN, 13 October 2021: The latest on the global supply chain crisis, BBC, 13 October 2021: Vulnerable North Koreans at risk of starvation – UN, France24, 13 October 2021: EU moves to mitigate soaring energy prices ahead of winter months, NPR, 13 October 2021: There’s a backlog at U.S. ports. Here’s how Biden hopes to get you your goods, faster, The Hill, 13 October 2021: Biden threatens to call out companies that don’t help end supply bottlenecks, The New York Times, 13 October 2021: China’s Power Problems Expose a Strategic Weakness, Politico.eu, 14 October 2021: If the Commission won’t act on rule of law, the Parliament will, The National, 14 October 2021: IEA: global energy crisis could boost oil demand by 500,000 barrels per day, Politico.eu, 14 October 2021: US, allies to promise ‘disruptive action’ against ransomware gangs, DW, 14 October 2021: The EU must not enable the UK’s duplicitous government, France24, 14 October 2021: IMF and G20 urged to tackle supply bottlenecks threatening global economy, DW, 14 October 2021: Germany’s Angela Merkel receives Spain’s Carlos V European Award, The New York Times, 14 October 2021: U.S. Regains Seat at U.N. Human Rights Council, 3 Years After Quitting (United Nations Human Rights Council), The Washington Post, 14 October 2021: U.S. regains seat on U.N. Human Rights Council, reversing Trump withdrawal, France24, 14 October 2021: US to rejoin UN Human Rights Council after walk-out under Trump, CNN, 15 October 2021: US officially rejoins controversial UN Human Rights Council, Politico.com, 15 October 2021: U.S. to reopen border to international travelers on Nov. 8, The Washington Post, 15 October 2021: It’s not just the United States. Inflation is soaring around the world., Foreign Policy, 15 October 2021: ‘It Was Like Having the Chinese Government in the Room With Us’, Politico.eu, 15 October 2021: Australian trade minister leaves UK with no deal, The National, 16 October 2021: Free flow of trade crucial for post-Covid economic recovery, experts say, NPR, 16 October 2021: High schoolers are training to drive 18-wheelers amid a shortage of truck drivers, The Washington Post, 16 October 2021: In allied capitals, a nuanced, cautious view of Biden, Arab News, 17 October 2021: Euro zone’s trade surplus narrows; supply bottlenecks continue: Economic wrap, Politico.com, 17 October 2021: A Ukrainian Oligarch Bought a Midwestern Factory and Let it Rot. What Was Really Going On?, The Guardian, 17 October 2021: Suez taught us our future lay in Europe. So will Brexit, DW, 17 October 2021: EU warns of fuel poverty due to energy price crunch, The Washington Post, 17 October 2021: Fully vaccinated travelers can come to the U.S. even if their doses are mixed, authorities say, France24, 18 October 2021: China’s economy slows as Covid, energy crisis and property woes take toll, Jerusalem Post, 18 October 2021: Don’t base Israeli-German ties only on the Holocaust – opinion, Politico.eu, 18 October 2021: EU to seek sanctions on Belarus airline over migrant arrivals, France24, 18 October 2021: US industrial output drops in Sept as supply issues plague economy, DW, 18 October 2021: Trucker shortage affecting European logistics, The New Yorker, 18 October 2021: America’s Workers Are Fighting Back: Can They Win?, Politico.eu, 18 October 2021: EU’s Borrell fires back at Putin by saying gas price surge is political, CNN, 18 October 2021: China’s economy is getting walloped by crises in energy, shipping and real estate, Al Arabiya, 19 October 2021: Riyadh Winter Wonderland back in Saudi Arabia, 40 pct larger than previous season, Politico.eu, 19 October 2021: Ursula von der Leyen, Mateusz Morawiecki clash in European Parliament, Irish Times, 19 October 2021: EU ready to fight back against Polish attack on bloc’s legal order (Parliament and the Commission have now shown more than enough forbearance with Poland. Now is the time to take action. First freeze all payments to Poland and then withdrawal the voting rights. Warsaw then has time to think about the pros and cons of a Polexit, while the EU can devote itself to other issues), Politico.eu, 19 October 2021: Warsaw and Brussels wage no-win battle over rule of law, BBC, 19 October 2021: Polish PM accuses EU of blackmail in law row, France24, 19 October 2021: Polish PM accuses EU of ‘blackmail’ in escalating dispute over rule of law, The Times, 19 October 2021: EU threatens to strip Poland of voting rights in legal supremacy row, The Guardian, 19 October 2021: Poland: Prime minister escalates war of words with EU over rule of law, DW, 19 October 2021: Polish leader blasts EU over rule of law dispute, CNN, 19 October 2021: EU warns Poland it will pay for challenging common law, Politico.eu, 19 October 2021: Brussels restarts its fiscal governance debate, DW, 19 October 2021: Lobbies undermine EU’s green farming plan, NPR, 19 October 2021: Here’s why Zillow won’t be buying any more homes to renovate and resell this year, The Hill, 19 October 2021: Are supply chain disruptions the beginning of the end of globalization?, The Guardian, 19 October 2021: Police investigate reports of spiking by needle at Nottingham clubs, Politico.eu, 19 October 2021: Leaders look to break EU’s impasse on trade deals, The New York Times, 19 October 2021: China’s Bullying Is Becoming a Danger to the World and Itself, Al Arabiya, 20 October 2021: Police raid homes, businesses across Germany, Italy, Bulgaria in Italian mafia probe, Haaretz, 20 October 2021: The Harsh Truth Biden Needs to Tell Israelis Now About Their Future (that’s a must-read for anyone who is interested in resolving the given problems and challenges), South Florida Business Journal, 20 October 2021: These financial firms are flocking to the ‘Wall Street of the South’, Politico.eu, 20 October 2021: Germany proposes joint border patrols on Polish territory, The New York Times, 20 October 2021: Evergrande Isn’t China’s Only Economic Worry, Politico.eu, 21 October 2021: Europeans, US agree on withdrawing digital taxes and retaliatory measure, Irish Times, 21 October 2021: What is cum-ex trading and what is Ireland’s role in it?, The National, 21 October 2021: EU law row with Poland dominates Brussels summit, Irish Times, 21 October 2021: Poland’s challenge to EU law a ‘slap in the face’, Taoiseach says, DW, 21 October 2021: EU stands firm in the face of Polish defiance, The Guardian, 21 October 2021: EU summit: Merkel calls for compromise amid row over Polish ECJ snub, DW, 21 October 2021: Germany, 4 EU states launch military reaction force initiative — report (great, and a long overdue step), Politico.eu, 21 October 2021: In EU leaders’ toolbox: Many wrenches, few quick fixes, Irish Times, 21 October 2021: Irish banks and funds used in multibillion-euro tax fraud by hedge funds, traders, Politico.eu, 21 October 2021: Have we reached peak China?, DW, 21 October 2021: MEPs push for ‘upgrade’ in EU-Taiwan ties, Politico.eu, 21 October 2021: Poland’s ‘Russian roulette’ with the EU, The Washington Post, 21 October 2021: Rich countries saved themselves during the pandemic. Poorer countries are reeling., New York Magazine, 21 October 2021: Behold the Insane Traffic Jam at the Port of Los Angeles: The supply-chain crisis, up close., The Washington Post, 21 October 2021: We’re headed for a global energy crisis. What we need is a transition strategy., Daily Mail, 22 October 2021: Two more women claim to have been injected on night out as spiking victim, 25, is pictured unconscious in hospital bed after being ‘jabbed with Ketamine’ in a nightclub as man, 35, is held and two teenagers, 18 and 19, are arrested, The New York Times, 22 October 2021: ‘Needle Spiking’ of Women in Britain Stirs Alarm Over New Kind of Assault, Arab News, 22 October 2021: Europe’s two greatest powers closed for business at crucial time, DW, 22 October 2021: Turkey to declare 10 ambassadors ‘persona non grata’ (whenever you think that the criminal sultan and his gang of robbers can not become more nuts, they prove the exact opposite. At the same time, of course, it also proves that they have no place in the EU. Apparently he was incited to this matter during the Friday hatred prayer with his Muslim Brotherhood. It is time to take tougher countermeasures against Turkey, e.g. bans on the Directorate of Religious Affairs and their vassal organizations and the Justice and Development Party in Germany and the EU, tightening the visa programs for Turks, massive travel warnings for Turkey issued by the EU and the USA, tighten regulations for the customs union, and some more economic sanctions, etc. For the ambassadors concerned, it is of course like being awarded the Medal of Freedom and Medal of Honor when they were declared undesirable by the dictator. The countries concerned should also think hard about closing their embassies. After all, you don’t negotiate with Islamist despots), The National, 23 October 2021: Turkish President Erdogan moves to expel ambassadors from 10 countries, including US, Al Arabiya, 23 October 2021: EU: Turkey expelling 10 ambassadors will not intimidate, sign of authoritarian drift, The New York Times, 23 October 2021: Erdogan Threatens to Expel 10 Western Ambassadors, Arab News, 23 October 2021: Turkey to expel US envoy and nine others, Erdogan says, The New York Times, 23 October 2021: Turkish Opposition Begins Joining Ranks Against Erdogan, Al Arabiya, 23 October 2021: Turkish opposition parties join ranks to push out Erdogan: Report, The Guardian, 23 October 2021: Turkey President Erdogan threatens to eject 10 western diplomats over support for activist, BBC, 23 October 2021: Turkey moves to throw out US envoy and nine others, Politico.eu, 23 October 2021: Merkel warns hardening politics threaten EU, The Guardian, 23 October 2021: ‘Real opportunities’ Australia wants deeper energy ties to help Taiwan decarbonise, amid China tensions, France24.com, 23 October 2021: Turkey’s Erdogan wants US, French ambassadors declared ‘persona non grata’, The National, 23 October 2021: Turkish President Erdogan moves to expel ambassadors from 10 countries, Politico.eu, 23 October 2021: Turkey calls 10 western ambassadors ‘persona non grata’ over civil rights criticism, CNN, 23 October 2021: Turkey’s president has ordered 10 ambassadors to be declared ‘persona non grata’ for backing jailed activist, Al Arabiya, 24 October 2021: German lawmaker demands sanctioning Turkey, confronting Erdogan’s ‘authoritarianism’, Miami Herald, 24 October 2021: PortMiami goes fishing for more cargo business as ships back up off California coast, The Hill, 24 October 2021: IMF economist expecting inflation pressure through mid-2022, Arab News, 25 October 2021: London exhibition pushes UNESCO to list Palestinian refugee camp as World Heritage Site, Al Arabiya, 25 October 2021: US hits out at Sudan’s military after coup, freezes $700 mln in economic aid, Arab News, 25 October 2021: Sudan general declares state of emergency after military coup, The Times, 25 October 2021: Xi is revealing his own weakness by missing Cop26, Israel Hayom, 25 October 2021: Israeli official: Sudan military leader’s takeover likely to boost normalization, The Guardian, 25 October 2021: Sudan: Army seizes power in coup and detains prime minister, CNN, 25 October 2021: The military has taken over in Sudan. Here’s what happened, BBC, 25 October 2021: Sudan’s military seize power in coup, France24, 25 October 2021: Sudan anti-coup protests: ‘We are headed into the unknown, but we will not surrender’, The New York Times, 25 October 2021: Sudan’s Military Seizes Power, Casting Democratic Transition Into Chaos, DW, 25 October 2021: Sudan’s military seizes control in coup, The Times, 25 October 2021: Poland warns EU against starting ‘third world war’ in row over justice reforms (the Polish government is one big freak show, but not the funny type of freaks. These knee jerk gave up on universial rights and the independence of judges, and therefore are fully responsible for alle consequenzes coming from Brussels, including freezing the budget. It’s high time to create a mechanism to kick out “members” like that, who are in the real world full blown EU hostil. They clearly don’t belong to the Union), DW, 25 October 2021: EU calls Polish PM out for ‘war rhetoric’, France24, 25 October 2021: Turkey’s Erdogan U-turns on threat to expel Western ambassadors, The Guardian, 25 October 2021: Turkey backs down on threat to expel foreign ambassadors, DW, 25 October 2021: Erdogan walks back threat to expel diplomats, Al-Monitor, 25 October 2021: Erdogan backpedals on threat to expel 10 Western ambassadors, The Washington Post, 25 October 2021: California’s unemployment fraud reaches at least $20 billion, DW, 25 October 2021: Europol investigation busts 150 ‘high value’ darknet vendors, France24, 26 October 2021: Police in US, Europe arrest 150 suspects in global dark web sting, Politico.eu, 25 October 2021: ‘No role’ for EU court in Northern Ireland disputes, says UK Brexit minister, Arab News, 26 October 2021: Brussels and London remain tangled up in Brexit, Gulf Times, 26 October 2021: Police arrest 150 people globally in dark web sting, The National, 26 October 2021: Sudan army head says new PM will be appointed but denies coup, Times of Israel, 26 October 2021: Top Sudan general: Detained PM is being held at my home for his safety, Politico.eu, 26 October 2021: Europe’s next rule of law problem: Angela Merkel, DW, 26 October 2021: Explained: Why Turkish President Erdogan is backpedaling in diplomatic row, The New York Times, 26 October 2021: Poland’s Heartland Would Rather Keep E.U. Money Than Break With Bloc, DW, 27 October 2021: EU fines Poland €1 million per day over judicial reforms (long overdue, but still just a start. The EU will have to come up with a lot of measures and mechanisms to better and lastingly protect the EU from right-wing and left-wing nationalist attacks from within the EU states), France24, 27 October 2021: EU court fines Poland $1.2 million per day as rule-of-law row escalates, BBC, 27 October 2021: Poland told to pay €1m a day in legal row with EU, CNN, 27 October 2021: EU’s top court fines Poland 1 million euros a day over judiciary spat, Politico.eu, 27 October 2021: Poland hit with record €1M daily fine in EU rule-of-law dispute, The Guardian, 27 October 2021: Poland: Country fined €1m a day over controversial judicial changes, Irish Times, 27 October 2021: Poland accuses EU of blackmail over €1m daily fine (just as ridiculous as typical PiS speech. No wonder that many inside and outside Poland would like to see the Polexit happen as soon as possible), The Times, 27 October 2021: EU dither is allowing Putinism to take hold, Politico.eu, 27 October 2021: EU backs Moldova with €60M amid Putin’s gas squeeze, Arab News, 27 October 2021: Riyadh now home to 44 regional HQs of global firms, reveals city’s ‘attraction’ czar, The New York Times, 27 October 2021: Higher Food Prices Hit the Poor and Those Who Help Them, Khaleej Times, 28 October 2021: UN urges Sudan military leaders to restore civilian-led government, Politico.eu, 28 October 2021: Brussels offers Poland a bitter pill to get its recovery funds, Arab News, 28 October 2021: Saudi Arabia will welcome a million cruise ship passengers by 2028, Cruise Saudi MD claims, Politico.eu, 28 October 2021: Ursula von der Leyen rejects UK call to change EU court’s Northern Ireland role, The Guardian, 28 October 2021: ‘We have heard the warnings’: European Investment Bank to end all loans to oil and gas firms, BBC, 28 October 2021: US growth slows to just 2% as Delta hits economy, Politico.eu, 29 October 2021: Mario Draghi’s new mission: Saving the multilateral order, Times of Israel, 29 October 2021: October surprise: Who’s who in the unprecedented wave of investment scam raids, Politico.eu, 29 October 2021: Parliament sues Commission for not using new rule-of-law power, Al Arabiya, 29 October 2021: EU parliament sues European Commission over inaction on the rule of law, CNN, 29 October 2021: European Parliament sues Commission over ‘failure’ to apply rule of law powers, Politico.eu, 29 October 2021: Putin the gas overlord, filthy seas and the rise of the rat army, Politico.eu, 29 October 2021: Moldova strikes Gazprom deal after gas shortage, Times of Israel, 29 October 2021: In major shift, Germans begin targeting platforms driving Israel’s online fraud, Politico.eu, 29 October 2021: Eurozone inflation surges to 4.1 percent amid strong growth, DW, 29 October 2021: Why African nations doubt OECD tax plan, BBC, 29 October 2021: What we’re getting wrong about the ‘Great Resignation’, Politico.eu, 29 October 2021: Biden, Macron and the rise of the ‘meh’ men, Gulf Times, 30 October 2021: G20 leaders seek consensus on climate, economy, vaccines, Arab News, 30 October 2021: G20 leaders meet after two years, with climate, COVID and economy in focus, Politico.eu, 30 October 2021: France requests tougher EU action over UK fishing row in private letter, The Guardian, 30 October 2021: G20: Leaders to endorse Biden proposal for global minimum corporate tax, BBC, 30 October 2021: Climate and Covid top agenda as world leaders meet, France24, 30 October 2021: Climate, economy and vaccines top of agenda at G20 summit in Rome, NPR, 30 October 2021: The G-20 gets together for the 1st time since the pandemic. Here’s what you missed, The Hill, 30 October 2021: Biden administration announces easing of some tariffs on EU steel, aluminum, Politico.eu, 30 October 2021: Trump-era tensions set to cool under U.S.-EU deal, DW, 31 October 2021: G20: World leaders make new climate bid to avert drastic global warming, Politico.eu, 31 October 2021: EU and US look to gang up on China after trade war truce, Irish Times, 31 October 2021: G20 leaders back global minimum 15% tax from 2023, The Guardian, 31 October 2021: ‘People treated like weapons’: More deaths feared at Poland-Belarus border, CNN, 31 October 2021: G20 leaders fail to make a net-zero pledge, BBC, 31 October 2021: G20 pledge climate action but make few commitments, France24, 31 October 2021: G20 leaders release watered-down final statement on climate commitments ahead of COP26, Gulf Times, 31 October 2021: G20 leaders struggle to secure climate breakthrough at Rome summit, The National, 31 October 2021: Dubai reclaims top spot in October as world’s busiest international airport, OAG says, Arab News, 31 October 2021: Saudi Aramco tops Apple, Google to be world’s most profitable company in Q3, Al Arabiya, 31 October 2021: Highlights of what was agreed to at the G20 summit in Rome, Arab News, 1 November 2021: West failing to back up its condemnations of Israel with action, Irish Times, 1 November 2021: ‘A new industrial revolution is essential’, Attenborough tells Cop26, NPR, 1 November 2021: The U.S. has new COVID vaccine rules for international travelers. Here’s what to know, DW, 2 November 2021: First chips, now magnesium: Carmakers grapple with the next supply crisis, Gulf News, 3 November 2021: Why investing in Dubai’s DEWA is the way forward, DW, 3 November 2021: Taiwan receives first-ever official EU delegation, France24, 3 November 2021: European Parliament delegation visits Taiwan amid tensions with China, Reuters, 3 November 2021: Taiwan welcomes first official European Parliament delegation, Politico.eu, 4 November 2021: Beijing fires warning at EU after MEPs meet Taiwan president, The Guardian, 4 November 2021: Net zero transition: Half world’s fossil fuel assets could become worthless by 2036, DW, 4 November 2021: Lukashenko leverages Belarus’ influence as a transport hub, Politico.eu, 4 November 2021: European universities warn of risks as UK remains outside EU science , Netherland News Live, 4 November 2021: Von der Leyen defends 50-kilometer flight with private jet: ‘No more efficient option available’ Abroad (cool stunt! :-D .. the plane hardly comes up to travel altitude! The debate about it is of course again a typical envy debate. After all, if you could, you’d do it the same way. If she had been traveling with her entire wagon train, the complainants would have wept about it, too. If there were helipads everywhere, I would only be traveling by helicopter to avoid the annoying traffic), Daily Sabah, 4 November 2021: Von der Leyen stands by 50km private flight amid climate crisis, DW, 4 November 2021: Why China’s property crash isn’t a new Lehman moment, The National, 5 November 2021: Global economy set for ‘stable growth’ by 2023 as headwinds diminish, Moody’s says, DW, 5 November 2021: US issues $10m bounty in hunt for DarkSide hackers, Gulf Times, 5 November 2021: Qatar Airways brings Airbus A380 back temporarily to meet demand, Miami Herald, 5 November 2021: Vote for your favorite Miami sandwich in our very unscientific, highly subjective poll, Jerusalem Post, 6 November 2021: Global powers could suffer financially in the move away from fossil fuels – study, Irish Times, 7 November 2021: EU may shelve free-trade pact with UK if article 16 deployed – Coveney, BBC, 7 November 2021: Brexit: UK -EU trade deal could collapse over NI row, says Coveney, CNN, 7 November 2021: The United States is opening to vaccinated international travelers on Monday. Here’s what to expect, BBC, 7 November 2021: US to reopen borders to vaccinated travellers after 20 months, DW, 8 November 2021: UN: Millions more people on the ‘edge of famine’, The National, 8 November 2021: Millions reliant on aid as Myanmar hurtles towards civil war, UN says, Irish Times, 8 November 2021: Q&A: What is Article 16 and what could happen if it is triggered by the UK?, The Washington Post, 8 November 2021: International travel ban ends as borders open to visitors from dozens of countries, The New York Times, 8 November 2021: With Tears, Hugs and Balloons, U.S. Allows Vaccinated Travelers to Enter, Irish Times, 8 November 2021: ‘Significant gaps remain’ between UK and EU on NI protocol, Donaldson says, Miami Herald, 8 November 2021: South Beach Wine & Food Festival has more events, same COVID rules. Tickets now available, Gulf Times, 8 November 2021: US welcomes first travellers as Covid travel curbs lifted, Los Angeles Times, 9 November 2021: Supply chain problems delay shipments for California farmers, The National, 9 November 2021: World Food Programme to double number of people receiving assistance in Lebanon, Jerusalem Post, 9 November 2021: EU close to deal on new round of Belarus sanctions, diplomats say, The National, 9 November 2021: Saudi Arabia’s third-quarter GDP grows at the fastest pace since 2012, Times of Israel, 9 November 2021: France’s Azoulay re-elected to head UNESCO as it seeks to woo back Israel, US (getting the USA back on board is of course of great importance not only for UNESCO but also for the USA, which is why efforts are being made accordingly. Israel, on the other hand, still owes a lot of money to UNESCO. As long as this is not paid for, there is no reason for UNESCO to put efforts in a freeloader or, if so, only to collect the debts), BBC, 9 November 2021: EU accuses Belarus of gangster-style migrant abuse, Politico.eu, 9 November 2021: EU preps new Belarus sanctions to quell surging migrant crisis (the sanctions are working better and better and should therefore be expanded considerably. Belarus is becoming Putin’s problem more and more, and that is a good thing), DW, 9 November 2021: How will EU react to Poland-Belarus border crisis?, BBC, 9 November 2021: Hundreds of migrants at Belarus’ border with Poland, France24, 9 November 2021: EU’s von der Leyen calls for new sanctions on Belarus over migrant influx, DW, 9 November 2021: Germany wants new EU sanctions for Belarus, BBC, 10 November 2021: Belarus accused of terrorism over migrant crisis, BBC, 10 November 2021: US prices rising at fastest rate for three decades, Politico.eu, 10 November 2021: European defense leaders warn: Belarus migrant crisis could morph into military crisis, The Washington Post, 10 November 2021: Prices up 6.2% in October over a year ago, the largest annual rise in 30 years, The New York Times, 10 November 2021: Fastest Inflation in 31 Years Puts More Heat on Washington, BBC, 11 November 2021: Belarus threatens to cut off gas to EU in border row (fortunately, the buttocks of the butcher of Minsk are on ice. A very good time for the EU to finally put the political end to the state terrorist – not only in its own interest, but also to liberate the Belarusian population from the Belarus gulag), The Guardian, 11 November 2021: Belarus Lukashenko threatens to cut gas deliveries to EU if sanctioned over border crisis, The Times, 11 November 2021: Huge far-right protest as Belarus threatens to cut off Europe’s gas, Politico.eu, 11 November 2021: Lukashenko threatens EU with gas cutoff as border tensions rise, Irish Times, 11 November 2021: Article 16 loses power as UK negotiating tool as EU hardens approach, Politico.eu, 11 November 2021: EU countries urge hard line toward UK over Northern Ireland, The New York Times, 11 November 2021: Migrants in Peril, and Raw Emotions, in European Border Standoff, DW, 12 November 2021: Kremlin vows not to cut gas supplies to EU, France24, 12 November 2021: EU sees ‘progress’ as Turkey curbs Belarus flights, Russia dismisses gas threats, The Times, 12 November 2021: Responsible or not, Belarus faces consequences, Politico.eu, 12 November 2021: EU admits US shift to Asia is ‘undeniable’, New York Times, 12 November 2021: Migrants Say Belarusians Took Them to Border and Supplied Wire Cutters, Politico.eu, 13 November 2021: EU admits US shift to Asia is ‘undeniable’, NPR, 13 November 2021: 79-foot Christmas tree arrives in New York City’s Rockefeller Center, Politico.eu, 13 November 2021: Putin chides Lukashenko over threat to cut off gas to EU, Miami Herald, 14 November 2021: Biden, Xi to meet as inflation threatens the economies of both the U.S. and China, The National, 14 November 2021: EU prepares more sanctions in Belarus border crisis, Al Arabiya, 14 November 2021: Belarus’ authoritarian president Lukashenko raises stakes with the West, France24, 14 November 2021: EU readies sanctions for ‘human trafficking’ over Belarus border crisis, Politico.eu, 14 November 2021: Josep Borrell: More Belarus sanctions to come Monday, The New Yorker, 14 November 2021: Europe’s Migration Crisis, Born in Belarus, France24.com, 15 November 2021: Cuban police deployed as opposition prepares to defy ban on nationwide protest, The Guardian, 15 November 2021: Belarus: EU agrees new sanctions over border crisis, BBC, 15 November 2021: EU to widen Belarus sanctions as border row grows, DW, 15 November 2021: Will fresh EU sanctions on Belarus make a difference?, France24.com, 15 November 2021: EU to impose new sanctions on Belarus in migrant crisis at Polish border, Haaretz, 15 November 2021: Israel Asked U.S. to Pressure European, Arab Countries to Increase Aid to PA (it’s part of the obligations of the occupying power Israel to fully take care for the Palestinians. The EU and the Arab states should mind their own businesses and leave it to Israel to take care for Palestine and the Palestinians), Gulf Times, 15 November 2021: EU vows Belarus sanctions as migrants mass at the border, Politico.eu, 16 November 2021: EU delays UK sanctions package amid new talks, The Times, 16 November 2021: Belarus border crisis escalates with tear gas and water cannon fired at migrants (in view of the late summer temperatures in the border region, the Polish defense should rely more on the use of water anyway. Well-watered guests of Lukashenko (and indeed everyone and not only those who are directly involved in attempting to storm the Polish border fortifications) simply freeze better to the ground and of course also commit fewer crimes. On the one hand a very humane and efficient problem solution, on the other hand even very environmentally friendly and therefore sustainable. Incidentally, Lukashenko is also entrusting the full care and entertainment of his guests. They will then be returned to their home countries within two weeks), Politico.eu, 16 November 2021: EU and US face hard road to confront China’s dirty steel, The Guardian, 16 November 2021: The Poland-Belarus border crisis is what happens when humans are treated as weapons, Politico.eu, 16 November 2021: Stop calling what’s happening with Belarus a migration crisis, The Guardian, 16 November 2021: Belarus: Polish police fire teargas at people trying to cross border, BBC, 16 November 2021: Polish forces tear-gas migrants at Belarus border, The New York Times, 16 November 2021: Uneasy About the Economy, Americans Are Spending Anyway, The Washington Post, 16 November 2021: Americans are unhappy about the economy but still spending big, France24, 17 November 2021: Armenia-Azerbaijan ceasefire holds one day after deadly border clashes, DW, 17 November 2021: Belarus: Lukashenko agrees to EU talks on ending migrant standoff, The Washington Post, 17 November 2021: How luxury survived the pandemic, France24, 17 November 2021: Merkel and Lukashenko discuss need for talks, aid in migrant border crisis, Arab News, 17 November 2021: Manufactured migration crisis a potent weapon for EU’s enemies, The Times, 17 November 2021: Belarus border crisis ‘could last years’, Poland warns, as violent clashes continue, The Washington Post, 17 November 2021: Belarus’s Lukashenko tried to use migrants as a weapon. That’s now turned against him., The New York Times, 17 November 2021: The Supply-Chain Crisis Is a Labor Crisis, Los Angeles Times, 18 November 2021: How online shopping is polluting California’s Inland Empire, Politico.eu, 19 November 2021: British, Estonian troops to be sent to Poland amid border crisis, BBC, 19 November 2021: Belarus’s Lukashenko tells BBC: We may have helped migrants into EU, Politico.eu, 19 November 2021: Lukashenko on migrants: ‘They’re not coming to my country, they’re going to yours’ (no, they are his guests, so that he has to take care of them), Irish Times, 20 November 2021: Fintan O’Toole: EU knows making political polluter Britain pay for actions is vital, Al Arabiya, 20 November 2021: Foreign tourists back in New York, long business recovery seen ahead, Gulf Times, 20 November 2021: Vietnam’s resort island welcomes first tourists after nearly two years, The National, 20 November 2021: Dubai Harbour’s new cruise terminals to receive 150,000 visitors this season, CNN, 20 November 2021: Alpine country goes back into lockdown, suspending tourism as the holiday season starts, Politico.eu, 20 November 2021: EU’s external walls are dividing bloc internally, CNN, 20 November 2021: EU realizes it can’t rely on America for protection. Now it has a plan for a new joint military force, The Guardian, 21 November 2021: Instability grips a weakened Europe as global predators smell blood, DW, 21 November 2021: Poland: Belarus crisis is ‘greatest attempt to destabilize Europe’ since Cold War, Politico.eu, 22 November 2021: Uzbekistan restricts travel to Belarus to help EU with border crisis, The National, 22 November 2021: Belarus calls for German intervention in migrant crisis (no single EU country will take in Lukaschenko’s guests. They are his problems), Arab News, 22 November 2021: Belarus says it does not want confrontation, wants EU to take migrants, Politico.eu, 22 November 2021: David Frost tells EU: British divergence just ‘beginning’, DW, 22 November 2021: Migrants dying on Poland’s border is new low for EU, The New York Times, 22 November 2021: Trying to Blur Memories of the Gulag, Russia Targets a Rights Group (BBC, 11.11.2021: Memorial: Russia moves to close major human rights group, Memorial International, Joseph Stalin, Gulag, Stalinist repressions), The National, 23 November 2021: Dubai economy to grow at a faster pace in 2022 amid Expo boost and digital economy push, Al Arabiya, 23 November 2021: Turkish lira in historic 15 percent crash after Erdogan stokes fire sale, Politico.eu, 23 November 2021: German conservatives vie to preserve European Parliament power, Haaretz, 23 November 2021: Turkish Lira Sees Historic 15% Crash as Erdogan Defends Interest Rate Cuts, Politico.eu, 23 November 2021: Commission aims to blacklist transport companies helping Belarus smuggle people into the EU, Irish Times, 23 November 2021: A UK move to override European court would be ‘direct attack’ on rule of law, says former chief justice, France24, 23 November 2021: EU readies sanctions against Belarus transport, CNN, 23 November 2021: The West’s leaders agree that democracy is under attack. How they can defend it is less obvious, DW, 23 November 2021: EU lawmakers pass farming subsidy deal, France24, 23 November 2021: EU parliament greenlights farm subsidy plan, Politico.eu, 23 November 2021: ‘All talk and no walk’: America ain’t back at the WTO, DW, 23 November 2021: EU to ‘blacklist’ firms trafficking migrants, The New York Times, 23 November 2021: As Virus Cases Rise in Europe, an Economic Toll Returns, The Times, 24 November 2021: West has a week to stop the rot at Interpol, CNN, 24 November 2021: China’s disappearing ships: The latest headache for the global supply chain (perhaps in return, all Chinese ships should be removed from the AIS system as soon as they leave Chinese waters), Miami Herald, 24 November 2021: No hugging, no shaking hands: Here’s a look at COVID rules for Miami Art Week fairs, Newsweek, 25 November 2021: Joe Biden’s Summit for Democracy Is Missing Some Surprising Countries, DW, 25 November 2021: Celebrating the world’s first ever Day of the Mediterranean, The Washington Post, 26 November 2021: Dow posts worst drop of 2021 amid variant news, Arab News, 26 November 2021: From the Mediterranean to Europe — the complicated path of natural gas, Politico.eu, 26 November 2021: EU tries on new role as tech venture capitalist, France24, 27 November 2021: French forces face violent protests after crossing into Niger from Burkina Faso, CNN, 27 November 2021: Travel doors slammed shut around the world, France24, 27 November 2021: Police fire tear gas at protesters as anger over attacks mounts in Burkina Faso, BBC, 27 November 2021: Covid: South Africa ‘punished’ for detecting new Omicron variant, France24, 27 November 2021: Protesters block roads in Serbia over lithium mining project, DW, 27 November 2021: Serbia: Protesters block roads over new mining laws, Arab News, 27 November 2021: Fears of new coronavirus variant weigh on oil prices, Gulf Times, 27 November 2021: Qatar’s macroeconomic indicators improving, returning to positive economic growth: EIU, NPR, 27 November 2021: American whiskey makers set their sights on Europe as Trump-era tariffs are lifted, Arab News, 28 November 2021: Why the world cannot afford the UN to fail, NPR, 28 November 2021: The WHO is seeking a new treaty on handling future pandemics. It could be a hard sell, Los Angeles Times, 28 November 2021: Crime on L.A. trains, buses rises as riders return: ‘Poor people are suffering the most’, San Francisco Chronicle, 28 November 2021: The GOP is blaming coordinated retail thefts on 7-year-old Prop. 47, DW, 28 November 2021: Iceland’s left-right coalition retakes office, Politico.com, 28 November 2021: World Health Organization criticizes travel bans on southern African countries, CNN, 29 November 2021: Travel restrictions and the new variant: Updates by country, The Times, 29 November 2021: Markets rebound after bleak Black Friday, Khaleej Times, 29 November 2021: Covid-19 Omicron variant: 15 countries that have imposed travel bans, restrictions, BBC, 29 November 2021: Queen of Barbados – but just for one last day, CNN, 29 November 2021: Barbados is ready to ditch Britain’s Queen. For many in the country, the move has been a long time coming, The New York Times, 29 November 2021: What Europe Can Teach Us About Jobs, Arab News, 30 November 2021: How Europe can be an effective partner to the MENA region, Politico.eu, 30 November 2021: NATO warns Russia of ‘high price’ for any attack on Ukraine, BBC, 30 November 2021: Global markets fall after Moderna Omicron warning, Politico.eu, 1 December 2021: EU makes late bid to rival China on the Silk Road, CNN, 1 December 2021: Europe’s $340 billion answer to China project, France24, 1 December 2021: Tel Aviv ranked world’s priciest city for first time, Politico.eu, 1 December 2021: EU grants emergency asylum measures for Belarus border — but insists no crisis yet, DW, 1 December 2021: EU makes efforts to strengthen eastern border with Belarus, The Times, 1 December 2021: EU suspends asylum rules to tackle Belarus border crisis, DW, 1 December 2021: OECD cuts global economic outlook amid omicron scare, Politico.eu, 2 December 2021: Top EU official warns privacy rules may need to change, Al Arabiya, 2 December 2021: EU members agree more sanctions against Belarus targets, New York Post, 2 December 2021: Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree lighting, NBC New York, 2 December 2021: Watch Time Lapse of 2021 Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree From Arrival to Lighting, Politico.eu, 2 December 2021: China Direct: Beijing’s envoy tours Europe — Belt vs Gateway — MI6 warning, Bloomberg, 2 December 2021: Hungary Sinks EU’s Joint Role in Biden’s Democracy Summit (Very good. What the EU does not succeed in, among other things because of the “principle of unanimity” which is ultimately nothing else but a weapon of the eternal troublemakers, has to be clearly emphasized elsewhere, namely that Hungary is not only no longer a democracy, but would not even become a member of the EU in the current constitution. Hungary’s stands are of course not hindering Ursula von der Leyen or Charles Michel to state the obvious on the topic. An international event with such a top-class cast is of course the perfect setting to present countries with significant democratic deficits on the big stage. Ducking away is no longer possible for these countries), Politico.eu, 2 December 2021: EU fines banks €344M over ‘Sterling Lads’ foreign-exchange cartel, France24, 3 December 2021: With its ‘Global Gateway’, EU tries to compete with China’s Belt and Road Initiative, Gulf Times, 3 December 2021: Didi begins plan for US delisting, Hong Kong share sale, Los Angeles Times, 3 December 2021: ‘Keep the customer happy?’ Small businesses reel under inflation, France24, 3 December 2021: Ride-hailing giant Didi exits New York stock exchange, bowing to regulatory pressure from China, Politico.eu, 4 December 2021: Far-right leaders fail to tie the knot (“Nationalists together against Europe” – even the brown shirts should actually notice that this is doomed to failure from the start. On the other hand, they are busy with themselves for a while), The Times, 4 December 2021: Xi lures Commonwealth with military diplomacy, France24, 4 December 2021: French Champagne houses raise a toast to expected record sales in 2021, Arab News, 4 December 2021: Hundreds more migrants leave Belarus on Iraq-bound flight, NPR, 4 December 2021: A discomfort with Western liberalism is growing in Eastern Europe, Miami Herald, 4 December 2021: From a gallon of milk to a can of Coke — how prices of everyday items have risen, BBC, 6 December 2021: US boss fires 900 employees over Zoom, DW, 6 December 2021: COVID: Malaysia’s tourism sector faces collapse, Haaretz, 6 December 2021: Israel Joins Major EU Research Program That Excludes Settlements, Times of Israel, 6 December 2021: Israel, sans West Bank, officially joins EU’s huge flagship R&D program, Irish Times, 6 December 2021: Irexit leader wages war on Covid-19 certs in role paid by EU, Politico.eu, 6 December 2021: EU flexes geopolitical muscle with new trade weapon, BBC, 6 December 2021: Evergrande shares slump on renewed default fears, CNN, 6 December 2021: Evergrande shares crash after debt warning, Politico.eu, 6 December 2021: The global fight for democracy begins at home, CNN, 7 December 2021: The EU is finally putting its money where its mouth is on China, BBC, 7 December 2021: The Canadian city to visit this winter, Jerusalem Post, 7 December 2021: Israel signs Horizon Europe deal despite West Bank exclusion (well, when it comes to putting EU tax money into their pockets for dubious projects, experience has shown that the Israeli governments find it easy to adhere to international laws and to see the illegal Israeli settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem as such – unfortunately mostly only then), The Times, 7 December 2021: Evergrande bond default ‘looks inevitable’ after payment missed, Khaleej Times, 7 December 2021: New weekend: UAE announces reduced working week, CNN, 7 December 2021: China threatens the US with retaliation over diplomatic boycott of Winter Olympics (the Chinese leadership can try to reverse guilt and there will certainly be many grateful buyers for the lie at home. The fact is, however, that the political boycott of the Winter Games is the consequence of blatant violations of human rights and international law by China. Of course, the German government does not want to offend any important trading partner more than necessary, but it is rather embarrassing that the Federal Republic of all countries did not immediately sided with the USA, Canada, Australia and the UK, especially since it was Nazi Germany that, with the 1936 Summer Olympics, virtually provided the blueprint for the upcoming propaganda show in China. Berlin is currently sending the signal to Beijing: “Oh, we did it in 1936 too. We hope you enjoy doing it as well!” One can only hope that Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock will quickly gain format and influence so that in the future China will get the responses in a way that is understood there. In any case, caresses are the wrong way to go), Gulf News, 7 December 2021: UAE weekend change: All you need to know, Khaleej Times, 7 December 2021: New UAE weekend: Working hours on Friday, rest of the week explained, The Washington Post, 7 December 2021: United Arab Emirates moves weekends to Saturday-Sunday, announces shorter workweek, CNN, 7 December 2021: China pumps $188 billion into the economy to counter real estate slump, France24, 7 December 2021: Near default, China’s property giant Evergrande prepares for restructuring, Politico.eu, 8 December 2021: The class of 2022, Irish Times, 8 December 2021: Non-Irish EU citizens will need ‘travel clearance’ to cross Border under UK plan, Gulf Times, 9 December 2021: Evergrande and Kaisa cut by Fitch to default, The Guardian, 9 December 2021: Brexit: UK proposes US-style waivers for EU citizens crossing Irish border, The National, 9 December 2021: Fitch downgrades Evergrande and declares developer in default, The Guardian, 9 December 2021: US ‘An urgent matter’: Biden warns democracy is under threat at summit, CNN, 9 December 2021: Evergrande has defaulted on its debt, Gulf News, 9 December 2021: Yas Island set to dazzle visitors during the festive season, Politico.eu, 10 December 2021: Macron urges Scholz to ‘invent’ new financial solutions for EU, Irish Times, 10 December 2021: Britain drops demand for removal of ECJ role from NI protocol, Foreign Policy, 10 December 2021: Why China Is Freaking Out Over Biden’s Democracy Summit, France24, 10 December 2021: On Human Rights Day, US slaps sanctions on firms, officials in China, Myanmar and N. Korea, The Atlantic, 10 December 2021: COVID Has Broken the Economy, The National, 11 December 2021: US expands sanctions against six countries after democracy summit, CNN, 11 December 2021: World’s top tourist destination on ‘very high’ travel risk list, NPR, 11 December 2021: New York City is decked out for the holidays, but business owners are anxious, France24, 12 December 2021: As EU-Taiwan ties deepen, cybersecurity is front and centre, France24, 12 December 2021: G7 urges Iran to agree nuclear deal, warns Russia against invasion of Ukraine, Politico.eu, 13 December 2021: EU slaps sanctions on Russian mercenary group Wagner, The Times, 13 December 2021: Macron seizes his chance to take the reins in Europe, Politico.eu, 13 December 2021: EU court president warns European project is in danger, France24, 13 December 2021: EU imposes sanctions on Russian mercenary group Wagner over human rights abuses, DW, 13 December 2021: EU sanctions Russian ‘Wagner’ mercenary group, Politico.eu, 14 December 2021: Meet the sopranos: France creates choir of EU agriculture diplomats, The Times, 14 December 2021: Beware of China’s bad Belt and Road deals, says Washington, Arab News, 14 December 2021: Arabic calligraphy added to UNESCO heritage list, France24, 14 December 2021: Congolese rumba, soundtrack of African history, added to UNESCO heritage list, The Times, 14 December 2021: Belarus opposition leader jailed for 18 years in Lukashenko’s ‘revenge’, Politico.eu, 14 December 2021: Commission calls for tougher border rules to tackle migrants, disease and terrorists, The National, 14 December 2021: Tougher European border controls proposed, Arab News, 14 December 2021: Virus and migrant worries spur EU to toughen border rules, The Atlantic, 14 December 2021: China’s Big New Idea, Gulf Times, 15 December 2021: Belarus opposition leader Tikhanovsky jailed for 18 years, CNN, 15 December 2021: Microsoft warns China, Iran, North Korea and Turkey are exploiting software vulnerability, The Guardian, 15 December 2021: If Olaf Scholz is serious about progress, he must back a patent waiver for Covid vaccines (A proposal that raises more questions than answers: Who will compensate Biontech for the lost profits? German taxpayers certainly not. What would British companies say if they had to release their patents for free use? The most important question, however, is who should ever be so stupid again in the future to finance the most extensive research work with an uncertain outcome at all if you know from the start that if you are successful you will not be able to earn any money with it?), Foreign Policy, 15 December 2021: Europe Accidentally Built an ‘Amnesty International With Guns’, Gulf Times, 15 December 2021: Qatar Tourism unveils luxury offerings at ITLM Cannes 2021, The Economist, 16 December 2021: All at sea: Why supply-chain snarls still entangle the world, The Economist, 16 December 2021: Why Americans are rethinking where they want to live, Politico.eu, 17 December 2021: Portuguese investor will buy Euronews, The Guardian, 17 December 2021: Explainer Northern Ireland: what are EU and UK proposing and will deal be done?, Politico.eu, 17 December 2021: Weird war on migrants and the Great British F*** Off, BBC, 17 December 2021: Brexit: UK signs free trade deal with Australia, DW, 17 December 2021: Charlemagne Prize: Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya among three winners from Belarus, Foreign Policy, 17 December 2021: Why Ukraine’s Fight Against Corruption Scares Russia, Jerusalem Post, 18 December 2021: India working on free trade agreements with Israel, Middle East nations, The Guardian, 18 December 2021: Supply chain: Problems could last two years, experts warn, DW, 20 December 2021: WEF calls off Davos meeting over omicron, Politico.eu, 20 December 2021: Davos forum called off for January 2022, will go virtual, Irish Times, 20 December 2021: Question mark over OECD global tax rate as Biden agenda falters, The Guardian, 20 December 2021: Davos: Economic forum delayed until summer amid Omicron fears, NPR, 20 December 2021: Stocks around the world were hit hard by omicron fears. Here’s 3 things to know, Politico.eu, 20 December 2021: UK hints at banning Chinese imports with forced labor links, The Times, 21 December 2021: Selfridges’ billionaire suitors close to sealing takeover deal (interesting. The same guys who are asking for the support by German taxpayers to run their “Galeria” business are on shopping tour elsewhere), Politico.eu, 21 December 2021: UK to EU: Our position on Northern Ireland is unchanged, France24, 21 December 2021: Belarus, Poland block UN team from accessing border amid migrant crisis, Politico.eu, 21 December 2021: Euronews defends independence after buyout by Hungary-linked firm (just another worthless Hungarian propaganda channel), Reuters, 21 December 2021: European gas prices hit record as Russian flows via Yamal reverse (so much for “Nord Stream 2 is a purely economic project”. The Kremlin terrorist tries to secure his only reliable source of income through blackmail and military aggression and at the same time wants to prevent the energy transition. It is time to turn to other, albeit more expensive, alternatives and at the same time to devote more time to the energy transition), DW, 21 December 2021: Belarus, Poland deny UN access to border as migrants wait, Politico.eu, 21 December 2021: Zemmour’s money man at the heart of the European Commission, Gulf News, 21 December 2021: 2021 from above: Our top aerial photos of the year, Arab News, 21 December 2021: Why Europe needs its own army, Politico.eu, 22 December 2021: Brussels starts legal action against Poland over ruling questioning primacy of EU law, Irish Times, 22 December 2021: Minimum corporation tax rate will not abolish competition, EU says, Politico.eu, 22 December 2021: Bid to set a global minimum tax rate gets underway in EU, DW, 22 December 2021: Anti-government protesters sentenced in Belarus, Irish Times, 22 December 2021: Helping businesses reap the benefits of EU trade agreements, Politico.eu, 22 December 2021: EU and UK reach deal on shared fishing stocks for 2022, The Times, 23 December 2021: Gas and electricity bills ‘to rise 50% by spring’, Politico.eu, 23 December 2021: EU pushes on with global minimum tax rate despite US stalemate, France24, 23 December 2021: Macron, Draghi call for reform of EU fiscal rules to allow more investment, Politico.eu, 23 December 2021: Macron and Draghi jointly call for softer fiscal rules, The Times, 23 December 2021: Give us more fishing permits or EU will retaliate, France warns, NPR, 23 December 2021: New Year’s Eve celebrations will still be on in Times Square, but with smaller crowds, Arab News, 23 December 2021: Europe’s defense offers lessons for the Gulf (interesting read. With the actual political landscape given, there will be most likely two EU defense structures, one formed by the Western EU countries and one by the new East bloc, while the first will be a pretty close one and the second more lax, as ultra-nationalistic authoritarians doesn’t like cooperations at all, while crying like little babies if they don’t get their way), DW, 24 December 2021: 2021 supply shortages: Year of waiting followed by year of anxiety, France24, 24 December 2021: Covid-19 overshadows global Christmas celebrations for a second year, DW, 24 December 2021: Pandemic overshadows another holiday season, CNN, 24 December 2021: Putin’s bid to rewrite history, The New York Times, 24 December 2021: Thousands of Christmas Flights Canceled as Omicron Spreads, NPR, 24 December 2021: Once again, COVID means scaled-back Christmas celebrations around the world, The Times, 25 December 2021: Xi’s zero-Covid strategy is on thin ice as Omicron skates towards the Games, Foreign Policy, 25 December 2021: The Year Germany Said Auf Wiedersehen to Angela Merkel, NPR, 25 December 2021: Miami wants to become crypto’s financial capital. New York’s response? Bring it on, The Times, 25 December 2021: US imports ban over Uighur abuse is economic bullying, says China, The Sunday Times, 26 December 2021: Thirty years on, collapse of the Soviet Union haunts Russians again (the implosion and selfdestruction of the Soviet Union was a great joy for the liberated peoples of the former Eastern Bloc and a very good reason for a boisterous celebration in the rest of the world. In addition to the founding of the European Union, that was the most beautiful event in the second half of the 19th century), Times of Israel, 26 December 2021: Hundreds of thousands of chickens to be culled as bird flu spreads; egg shortage due, France24, 26 December 2021: Large Israel bird flu outbreak kills 2,000 wild cranes, Gulf Times, 26 December 2021: EU weighs new powers to maintain supplies during crises, Arab News, 27 December 2021: The challenge of making Riyadh a global city in less than 10 years, Al Arabiya, 27 December 2021: Taiwan chip industry emerges as battlefront in US-China, Haaretz, 27 December 2021: Putin, Xi and Khamenei All Know: America’s ‘Rules-based Order’ Is Over, Politico.eu, 27 December 2021: Next year will be critical for the rule of law, The Washington Post, 27 December 2021: The spyware crisis is much bigger than NSO Group, Politico.com, 27 December 2021: Technology: The new rules of Monopoly, The National, 28 December 2021: Russia welcomes UAE and others to UN’s top chamber, Politico.eu, 28 December 2021: EU’s Šefcovic warns of Brexit deal ‘collapse’ if UK exits Northern Ireland Protocol, The Guardian, 29 December 2021: Eastern European countries adopting authoritarian measures in face of Covid, Politico.eu, 29 December 2021: Baerbock demands forced-labor ban, won’t attend Olympics, The National, 31 December 2021: Europe marks 20 years of shared notes and coins with New Year’s Day spectacle, The Guardian, 31 December 2021: Restored Big Ben to bong again at midnight to bring in new year (there are buildings that are located in specific cities, but actually belong to the whole world, such as the Great Pyramids in Egypt, the Eiffel Tower in Paris, the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin or Big Ben in London, so that the whole world is interested in their fate), The Times, 31 December 2021: Ones to watch: the world in 2022, The Guardian, 31 December 2021: New Year’s Eve 2021: celebrations around the world amid concern over Covid, France24, 31 December 2021: World welcomes 2022 with muted celebrations despite Omicron fears, BBC, 31 December 2021: New Year’s Eve: Firework displays welcome 2022, France24, 31 December 2021: Germany backs France for ‘more sovereign’ Europe as Paris set for turn at EU presidency, DW, 1 January 2022: France takes over EU presidency with push for ‘strategic autonomy’, Gulf Times, 1 January 2022: Macron takes over EU presidency amid looming national election, Arab News, 1 January 2022: France takes the EU helm at a crucial time, France24, 1 January 2022: France takes over EU presidency as national election looms, DW, 1 January 2022: ECB lights up to celebrate 20 years of the euro, Gulf Times, 1 January 2022: World ushers in 2022 under Covid-19 cloud, The National, 1 January 2022: The euro at 20: how resilient currency united Europeans, Miami Herald, 1 January 2022: Vandals set fire to Key West’s most famous landmark, causing ‘extensive damage’, The Economist, 1 January 2022: Charlemagne: How Europe’s politicians started to think of themselves as European, The Scotsman, 1 January 2022: As Covid threat diminishes, despots like Vladimir Putin and dangerous climate change are demanding more attention – Scotsman comment, CNN, 2 January 2022: 2022 could be a make-or-break year for Europe, Politico.eu, 2 January 2022: EU flag under the Arc de Triomphe comes down as culture war boils, The Guardian, 2 January 2022: France: EU flag removed from Arc de Triomphe after rightwing anger, BBC, 2 January 2022: EU flag removed in Paris after right-wing outrage, DW, 2 January 2022: France removes EU flag from Arc de Triomphe after right-wing outrage, Politico.eu, 3 January 2022: Thousands of websites taken offline in Brexit domain name change, Gulf News, 3 January 2022: #DubaiDestinations: Topgolf adds a new dimension to Dubai as a golfing destination, Politico.eu, 3 January 2022: A wonk’s guide to the French EU presidency policy agenda, The National, 3 January 2022: French flag row hangs over start of Macron’s EU presidency, Politico.eu, 3 January 2022: What the French think of the EU presidency, in charts, The Guardian, 3 January 2022: Why Europe’s Muslims are braced for France’s stint running the EU presidency, Foreign Policy, 3 January 2022: Germany Nervously Tests the Indo-Pacific Waters, The New York Times, 3 January 2022: Silicon Valley’s philosophy of “fake it until you make it” got its comeuppance in Elizabeth Holmes., The Guardian, 4 January 2022: European Union: Top diplomat visits Ukraine frontline in show of solidarity (anyone who has been dwarfing themselves on the subject of their own security for decades and thereby presents themselves as a sacrificial lamb will of course not be taken seriously in negotiations or only be noticed at all. The EU and the federal states, above all Germany, have brought this about themselves and they do not learn from it either, but continue to be only too happy to offer themselves as sacrificial cattle for the Russian slaughterhouse. They not only have to live with the expected results, but above all justify them to themselves and others. In view of the distance of light years between the full-bodied Sunday speeches (“We want to help shape and take on more responsibility!”) and the facts on the ground (almost exactly the opposite happens there), it is rather surprising that the EU and/or its federal states are still at all occasionally be involved in diplomatic and/or military missions. After all, nobody in the world needs such a bunch of nationalistic weaklings and talkers), The Guardian, 5 January 2022: Kazakhstan protests President threatens ruthless crackdown, The Times, 5 January 2022: Kazakh cabinet quits as protesters set fire to city hall, Jerusalem Post, 5 January 2022: Russia sends paratroopers to Kazakhstan to quell deadly unrest, The National, 5 January 2022: Police kill ‘dozens’ of protesters in Kazakhstan, Politico.eu, 5 January 2022: Brussels gets flak for disregarding trade deal watchdogs, The New York Times, 5 January 2022: Find out what’s behind the revolt in Kazakhstan, and why it matters., Arab News, 5 January 2022: More than 200 detained in Kazakhstan unrest, president removes ex-leader from post, The National, 6 January 2022: What is happening in Kazakhstan and why are people protesting?, Politico.com, 6 January 2022: Blinken urges ‘peaceful’ resolution to Kazakhstan chaos, The Times, 6 January 2022: Protests in Kazakhstan: five things you need to know, DW, 6 January 2022: What’s behind the unrest in Kazakhstan?, The National, 6 January 2022: ‘Dozens’ of Kazakhstan protestors killed by police in Almaty (it is always the same, whether Belarus, Russia, Syria, China or now Kazakhstan: When autocrats/dictators lose control of the situation, they jabber something about alleged “foreign provocateurs are threatening our peace-loving autocracy/dictatorship” to justify to shoot at their own people. In this case, once again supported by Putin’s mercenaries, as he cannot afford that democracy-like state structures are established on Russia’s borders, because that would be his political end. His war crimes in Syria, Ukraine, Georgia and Moldova are always warnings to the Russian population: “If I did something like that abroad, what do you think I would do to you if you would oppose my dictatorship?” At least the deployment in Kazakhstan now offers him a face-saving opportunity to withdraw his troops from the Ukrainian border), Al Arabiya, 6 January 2022: Moscow-led alliance sends first troops to Kazakhstan: Statement, DW, 6 January 2022: Deadly clashes in Almaty protests, The Times, 6 January 2022: Russia sends troops to quell Kazakh protests, The Guardian, 6 January 2022: Kazakhstan Dozens of protesters and police dead amid unrest, France24, 6 January 2022: Deadly clashes rock Kazakhstan’s largest city as crisis escalates, Politico.com, 6 January 2022: Biden talks tough on Putin, but European allies are less ready for a fight, DW, 6 January 2022: In pictures: Kazakhstan protests escalate, The New York Times, 6 January 2022: In Kazakhstan, Putin Seizes on Unrest to Try to Expand Influence, The National, 6 January 2022: US expected to be world’s biggest LNG exporter, Politico.eu, 6 January 2022: France eyes quick anti-China action to bail out Lithuania in trade war, The Washington Post, 6 January 2022: Russian troops intervene in protest-roiled Kazakhstan, where security forces have killed dozens of demonstrators, France24, 7 January 2022: Kazakhstan president authorises security forces to ‘fire without warning’, Foreign Policy, 7 January 2022: 3 Big Things to Know About the Russian-Led Alliance Intervening in Kazakhstan, BBC, 7 January 2022: Troops told to fire without warning in Kazakhstan, France24, 7 January 2022: Russian intervention in Kazakhstan risks ‘destabilising’ ethnic divides, The Times, 7 January 2022: Russian troops pour into Kazakhstan in protest crackdown, The National, 7 January 2022: ‘Shoot to kill’ Kazakh president tells police as protests escalate, Politico.eu, 7 January 2022: Putin’s Kazakh gambit tightens his grip on ex-Soviet space, Arab News, 7 January 2022: New privatization rules signed off in Saudi Arabia to encourage investors, France24, 7 January 2022: Macron, EU’s von der Leyen call for end to Kazakhstan violence, Politico.eu, 7 January 2022: Stoltenberg: NATO will be ready if Russia talks fail, The Guardian, 7 January 2022: Kazakhstan: President vows to destroy ‘bandits and terrorists’ behind protests, Arab News, 8 January 2022: UN calls on all involved in Kazakhstan unrest to choose peace over violence, Business Insider, 8 January 2022: Blinken issues warning to Kazakhstan. ‘Once Russians are in your house, it’s sometimes very difficult to get them to leave’ (that’s obviously very true. Just ask Syria, Ukraine, Libya, Georgia, or Moldova, just to name a few), BBC, 8 January 2022: Kazakhstan unrest: Blinken questions Russian troop deployment, The Times, 8 January 2022: Kazakhstan protests: Rumblings in Russia’s underbelly, The Guardian, 8 January 2022: Kazakhstan: Former national security chief detained on suspicion of treason, BBC, 8 January 2022: Kazakh ex-intelligence chief arrested for treason, DW, 8 January 2022: Kazakhstan arrests ex-intelligence agency chief, France24, 8 January 2022: Putin and Kazakhstan leader Tokayev discuss steps ‘to restore order’, DW, 8 January 2022: Kazakhstan protests: Boon or bane for Putin?, The National, 8 January 2022: UAE stresses need for security and stability in Kazakhstan, NPR, 8 January 2022: There’s chaos in Kazakhstan. Here’s what you need to know, Haaretz, 9 January 2022: Israeli NSO Spyware Found on Activists’ Phones in Kazakhstan, Irish Times, 9 January 2022: Kazakhstan: 164 people, including two children, killed in violent unrest, BBC, 9 January 2022: At least 164 killed in Kazakhstan unrest – reports, France24, 9 January 2022: More than 150 deaths and thousands arrested after Kazakhstan unrest, Al Arabiya, 9 January 2022: Kazakhstan says ‘strategic facilities’ under guard after unrest, The National, 9 January 2022: Europe fears economic consequences if Russia is heavily sanctioned, DW, 9 January 2022: Amid unrest Kazakhs seek bread, information, Khaleej Times, 10 January 2022: Kazakhstan’s internet shutdown leaves millions in the dark during unrest, Politico.eu, 10 January 2022: All is not well in the transatlantic relationship, The Times, 10 January 2022: US dodges Russian demands for Nato curbs on eve of Ukraine talks, France24, 10 January 2022: Kazakhstan says nearly 8,000 arrested after week of deadly unrest, Politico.eu, 10 January 2022: Russia downplays Ukraine invasion, but US makes no concessions, The Times, 10 January 2022: Russia rejects US plea to withdraw border troops, CNN, 10 January 2022: US: No breakthrough in ‘frank and forthright’ talks with Russia over Ukraine crisis (absolutely right. Putin is not interested in negotiations, otherwise he would have turned up with negotiating options instead of the comic that he presented instead. Putin’s Russia, an economic dwarf, has exactly three significant export items on offer, namely oil, natural gas and war crimes. He does not want to deliver the first two to Ukraine; he has been supplying the latter since 2014. Now he wants to increase the “export quota” by sending more mercenaries to Ukraine. The fact that he is only negotiating with the USA is understandable and logical. Through permanent, military self-dwarfing, the EU has made itself an international laughing stock. So there is not a single comprehensible or reasonable reason why one should waste time negotiating with such a bunch of wimps about war and peace in Europe. You simply force a solution uplon them that they can’t defend themselves against because they don’t want it anyway. Instead, they wave the white flag before the actual battle), The National, 10 January 2022: US and Russia share ideas but little progress after key Ukraine talks, Al Arabiya, 10 January 2022: Two Ukraine soldiers killed as tensions with Russia soar, The Guardian, 10 January 2022: Ukraine: US-Russia talks ‘useful’ but no progress made (Kim Jong-un was able to enforce his wish to talk to Trump. Now Putin was able to get his way with Biden. Nothing came of this with the former and it is to be expected that the same will be the case for the latter), BBC, 10 January 2022: Russia downplays threat to Ukraine in Geneva talks, The Times, 10 January 2022: Germany should arm Ukraine to atone for Nazi crimes, ambassador says (Kiev is neither completely wrong nor completely right, especially since there are a whole lot of shades of gray between black and white, which is why even experts can come to quite controversial or diametrically opposing assessments. It’s always a question of perspective. That Ukraine has now come to this assessment and reaches for every straw is understandable in view of the threat posed by Putin’s hordes. Whether or not the argument will work is of course an entirely different question. In the interests of common security in the EU, however, it is correct that the delivery of defensive weapons should have taken place a long time ago. Nord Stream 2 is one thing, territorial integrity something else and much higher in importance. One cannot gild the butt of the war criminal Putin on the one hand and leave his victims out in the cold. Where is the “values-led foreign policy approach” or does it take a vacation on certain issues?: Germany–Ukraine relations, Reichskommissariat Ukraine, Ukraine during World War II, War in Donbas, Annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation. At the same time, nobody should be fooled. The Scholz administratio (Putin’s 5th column shows in the first test that neither the EU nor the USA can rely on them, but instead waits subservient for the orders and instructions from the miniature dictator from Moscow. Anyone who acts so completely irresponsibly instead of taking a clear and unambiguous position in favor of Ukraine poses an intentional danger for the European project. If this comes from the leadership of Europe’s largest economy, then it even actually poses a serious security threat to Europe) will pursue the same appeasement strategy towards Putin’s dictatorship as Neville Chamberlain did towards Hitler (and at the same time inadvertently allowing states friendly to Ukraine to bring in weapons and materials to increase resistance to Russian aggressions). In addition, there is shockingly strong sympathy among the German public for Putin’s regime, stronger than for the democratic USA. It was the USA who brought Germany freedom, democracy and prosperity and Russia the exact opposite. After all, economic interests also play a major role. The “Eastern Committee of the German Economy” is a lobby association to which, among other things, the largest German stock corporations belong. From there, business contacts to Eastern Europe, among others, are strengthened and maintained. They are largely indifferent to the rule of law and territorial integrity. As long as they can conduct their business, the despot Putin can do what he wants from their point of view. If that means that entire states lose their freedom, so that the dwarf with the Napoleon complex from the Kremlin can advance his great power fantasies (even the Soviet Union 2.0 will never become a world power again), then that’s how it should be. The problem with this is not only that the association sees the world this way, but above all that it can enforce this world view due to economic power. This also applies to dealing with the procedures of the Communist Party dictatorship in China), France24, 10 January 2022: No breakthrough in Russia-US talks on troop build-up near Ukraine, The New York Times, 10 January 2022: Russia has begun positioning helicopters, a possible sign that planning for an attack against Ukraine continues., NPR, 10 January 2022: Russia digs in on Ukraine never joining NATO, on a day of talks with the U.S., The Hill, 10 January 2022: US looks to ward off Ukraine conflict in talks with Russia, The New York Times, 10 January 2022: In Talks on Ukraine, U.S. and Russia Deadlock Over NATO Expansion, Politico.eu, 11 January 2022: New Bundesbank boss warns high inflation could last longer than expected, The Times, 11 January 2022: Russian-led forces ‘will leave Kazakhstan within two weeks’, The Guardian, 11 January 2022: Kazakhstan: Russian-led military bloc to start withdrawing troops, says president, France24, 11 January 2022: Kazakhstan leader says defeated ‘coup,’ vows Russian troops will leave, Politico.eu, 11 January 2022: Europe is missing in action on Ukraine — it doesn’t have to be, The Times, 11 January 2022: Climate change is our biggest long-term threat, says World Economic Forum, Politico.eu, 12 January 2022: NATO, Russia in a standoff after talks in Brussels, France24, 12 January 2022: Deadly clashes break out once more at Armenia-Azerbaijan border, DW, 13 January 2022: Russia-led troops start withdrawing from Kazakhstan, France24, 13 January 2022: Russian-led troops begin withdrawal from Kazakhstan after deadly protest crackdown, DW, 13 January 2022: Ukraine crisis: A geopolitical chance for the EU?, Politico.eu, 14 January 2022: European leaders grieve for David Sassoli at state funeral in Rome, Arab News, 14 January 2022: What comes next in Europe might surprise us, The National, 15 January 2022: EU unimpressed by Kremlin ‘intimidation’ over Ukraine, DW, 15 January 2022: Russian troops return after deployment in Kazakhstan, CNN, 15 January 2022: Putin presents a profound threat to peace in Europe as ‘drumbeat of war’ sounds on Russia-Ukraine border, Khaleej Times, 15 January 2022: ‘We are fasting as if it’s Ramadan’: Sri Lanka on the brink of bankruptcy; millions bear the brunt, France24, 15 January 2022: In Kazakhstan, opacity around civilian casualties and arrests of activists, The Guardian, 16 January 2022: Kazakhstan: Authorities raise death toll from unrest to 225, Irish Times, 16 January 2022: The Irish Times view on European defence: impetus for ‘Strategic Compass’ sought (the EU has incredible potential, but at the same time is far from realizing it. In view of Putin’s continued aggression against Ukraine, but also against Poland, the Baltic States, Sweden and Finland, this becomes particularly clear again. In this case, this has to do with the military self-districting of the EU states, which are individually defenseless against Russia, but also with the fact that the EU, as a result of a lack of foresight, is ignorant of the importance of security policy (security policy takes effect when nothing else does. Fair-weather politicians consistently ignore this aspect until it is too late) and, guided by short-sighted, mostly rather dull nationalism, has decreed military impotence. All serious mistakes. For years this blog has also been pointing out the consequences, but a simple “you see, I’ve been telling you for years!” of course doesn’t do the trick right now. As in many other cases, it would have been nicer to have been taught something else instead of being confronted with what was already to be expected. In order to be better positioned in the future, one first has to look at the “misconstructions” of western political systems in order to be able to understand why the EU fails time and time again and is therefore completely ignored when it comes to existential security issues (even if one tries to cushion this with a cosmetic-diplomatic concealer so that the credibility of the EU is not damaged even further internationally than the state decision-makers are already doing). By far the biggest problem is that state leaders do not pursue medium and long-term strategies, but think in terms of election periods. That may be logical and correct in and of itself, but it always deals a blow to the EU’s viability, especially since the leaders are committed to their own state, but not to the same extent to the EU. Unlike politicians, constructs like the EU thrive on medium- and long-term development strategies, which are in general supported by the large party blocs in the center, even if there are different views on the details. If politician X in EU state Y now makes decision Z for tactical reasons, which may seem sensible for partisan reasons, he simultaneously undermines the medium and long-term prospects of the EU. It is particularly explosive when it comes to politicians and parties who have little or nothing to do with the rule of law and democracy, but instead have a lot of sympathy for senseless, small-minded nationalism (about the dull nationalism that has prevailed over the centuries repeatedly led to devastating wars in Europe, the EU and its predecessor organizations were once founded). At first glance, they are only dwarfing their own EU states, which at least has some ironic aspects. Instead of “restoring their great, heroic nations” to their supposed “old glory”, they achieve the exact opposite: they isolate their allotments, devalue them, diminish their future prospects and thus look more like break clowns than serious EU member states. Unfortunately, it does not stop there, but also has a negative impact on the EU. The weaker the individual EU states are or become, the weaker the EU itself becomes. However, the EU and its member states will only be fit for the future and able to survive if the EU is perceived as a strong, unified, united community, which is currently the case almost exclusively in economic terms. In many other areas, a lot of improvements have to be made in order to be able to keep up at all. The EU likes to see itself in the role of a “soft power”. In times like the present, this is a romantic-sentimental idea, albeit a partially understandable one, but it simply does not meet the actual challenges. No one needs a “soft power” when at the same time a “hard power” is holding a pistol to their head, while pulling the safety pin of a hand grenade. The EU must be both and be able to do both at the same time in order to be fit for the future and capable of surviving. Of course, this only works with extensive inner unity. If a “downsize” should first be necessary for the EU to become fully capable of acting again, then this should be pushed accordingly, in order to build an “EU 2.0” around the founding states, while at the same time “EU 1.0” is rolled back and terminated. After all, it makes no sense to work on a construct that is only supported by some of the members, while another part is only member to tap into funds and at the same time work massively against the success of the EU. The latter can also do this outside the EU, but would not be rewarded with massive financial aid from Brussels for their subversive and destructive activities), Politico.eu, 17 January 2022: Polish envoy’s bid for top EU post sparks Brussels backlash, BBC, 17 January 2022: Anxious wait for news after tsunami cuts off Tonga, DW, 17 January 2022: German Chancellor Scholz and Spanish PM Sanchez discuss relaxing EU fiscal policy, The Atlantic, 17 January 2022: The Silent, Vaccinated, Impatient Majority, Politico.eu, 18 January 2022: Roberta Metsola elected European Parliament president, CNN, 18 January 2022: New EU President immediately questioned on her views on abortion, The Guardian, 18 January 2022: European Union: EU parliament elects anti-abortion Maltese MEP as president, France24, 18 January 2022: Malta’s Roberta Metsola elected EU Parliament’s third woman president, The National, 18 January 2022: Maltese woman becomes youngest EU Parliament president, Al Arabiya, 18 January 2022: US warns Belarus over role in aiding potential Russia invasion of Ukraine, NPR, 18 January 2022: An undersea cable fault could cut Tonga from the rest of the world for weeks, Miami Herald, 18 January 2022: Crackdown against July 11 protesters and their families continues in Cuba despite outcry, DW, 18 January 2022: Roberta Metsola wants to ‘truly reform the European Parliament’, France24, 19 January 2022: France’s EU presidency: Macron calls for European ‘collective security’ pact, dialogue with Russia, Politico.eu, 19 January 2022: Antwerp’s diamond industry battles banks over shuttered accounts, DW, 19 January 2022: Macron proposes security pact to make Europe a ‘power of the future’, Politico.com, 20 January 2022: U.S. charges Belarus with air piracy in reporter’s arrest, Irish Times, 20 January 2022: EU plans three-year extension to UK clearing system access, Politico.eu, 20 January 2022: Europe is ready to shed its fiscal straitjacket, NPR, 20 January 2022: With U.S. focused on defense, China’s trade and infrastructure sweep Southeast Asia, The National, 21 January 2022: UK tells allies to cut economic dependence on Russia and ‘step up’ in support of Ukraine, France24, 21 January 2022: On the hunt for Syrian war criminals hiding out in Europe, The National, 21 January 2022: Oil rally slows after hitting seven-year high as US inventories rise, Arab News, 22 January 2022: Germany’s Lufthansa is set to buy 40% stake in Alitalia successor ITA, Politico.eu, 22 January 2022: UK accused of leaving EU citizens in limbo over post-Brexit residence, France24, 22 January 2022: Hundreds detained in Kazakhstan in wake of violent unrest, The Sunday Times, 23 January 2022: The inside story of the cookbook boom — how Jamie Oliver made millions, DW, 23 January 2022: An uneasy calm in Kazakhstan, Politico.eu, 24 January 2022: EU to weigh €1B aid package for Ukraine, The Times, 24 January 2022: Gas prices will stay high ‘until 2025’, Politico.eu, 24 January 2022: Forget NATO, Ukraine must refocus on the EU, BBC, 24 January 2022: The rebirth of Cuba’s abandoned city, Irish Times, 24 January 2022: Rosslare Europort sees post-Brexit boom in European freight volumes, DW, 25 January 2022: Germany’s goal of a European federal state proves elusive, Politico.eu, 25 January 2022: Good work, Volodya! Putin resurrects NATO, The Guardian, 25 January 2022: Russia: US finalising plans to divert gas to Europe if Moscow cuts off supply, CNN, 25 January 2022: How Putin’s $11 billion pipeline split NATO and the EU at a time of crisis, Arab News, 25 January 2022: Europe should work with Gulf amid emerging security threats, The New York Times, 25 January 2022: The U.S. plans to bolster Europe’s fuel supply to blunt the threat of a Russian cutoff., The Washington Post, 25 January 2022: As Ukraine crisis looms, Europe fears Kremlin will cut off its gas supply, DW, 25 January 2022: Ukraine: Joe Biden says US could sanction Vladimir Putin, CNN, 26 January 2022: Chanel sends princess on horseback down the runway in Paris, Politico.eu, 26 January 2022: Intel wins appeal against €1.06 billion EU antitrust fine, Arab News, 27 January 2022: EU’s lack of unity leaves it open to extortion (thanks to the German Scholz administration), Politico.eu, 27 January 2022: The Netherlands’ earthshaking gas deal with Germany, Foreign Policy, 22 January 2022: A Russia-Ukraine War Could Ripple Across Africa and Asia, The Times, 27 January 2022: China punishes Slovenia for ties with Taiwan, CNN, 27 January 2022: Russian gas shutdown would be ‘catastrophic’ for Europe, Arab News, 28 January 2022: We must stop pretending the EU is a great power (absolutely right and spot on), Al Arabiya, 28 January 2022: US, EU working to source natural gas in case of Russia ‘supply shocks’: Statement, Arab News, 28 January 2022: UK and Australia double down on their relationship, Times of Israel, 28 January 2022: Finland alleges diplomats’ phones hacked with Israeli spyware, France24, 28 January 2022: What are the reasons behind the ‘Great Resignation’ in the US?, Foreign Policy, 28 January 2022: Russia Can Win in Ukraine Without Firing a Shot, San Francisco Chronicle, 28 January 2022: Why are so many San Franciscans moving to Montana?, The Economist, 29 January 2022: Russia’s roulette: A war in Ukraine could have global consequences, CNN, 29 January 2022: EU chief tells CNN ‘nothing off table’ in response to Russia, The National, 29 January 2022: Millions travel for Chinese New Year despite pleas to stay put, The New York Times, 29 January 2022: U.S. Sanctions Aimed at Russia Could Take a Wide Toll, CNN, 29 January 2022: How war in Ukraine could disrupt the world, The New York Times, 29 January 2022: Putin Has Long Tried to Balance Europe. Now He’s Working to Reset It., The Guardian, 31 January 2022: Unlike Putin’s Russia, the west doesn’t know what it wants in eastern Europe, France24, 1 February 2022: Eurozone unemployment hits its lowest level on record, CNN, 1 February 2022: Myanmar’s coup leaders tried to crush resistance. But one year on, it’s stronger than ever, France24, 1 February 2022: Myanmar coup anniversary: Government in exile urges France to act against junta, The Guardian, 1 February 2022: From eastern Europe we watch Ukraine in fear. Its fate could decide the continent’s future, France24, 1 February 2022: ‘Leave or die’: Myanmar refugees recount how they fled the junta, Politico.eu, 1 February 2022: New trucker rules shake up European logistics, The Guardian, 1 February 2022: Myanmar: Silent strike empties streets on anniversary of coup, France24, 1 February 2022: Activists stage ‘silent strike’ as Myanmar marks coup anniversary under fresh sanctions, Politico.eu, 2 February 2022: Europe is ready to pay the cost of Russia sanctions, The Times, 2 February 2022: Witnesses break silence on moment Kazakhstan pro-democracy rally turned deadly, Politico.eu, 2 February 2022: EU drafts counteroffensive to China, US on technology rules, BBC, 2 February 2022: EU moves to label nuclear and gas as sustainable, Politico.eu, 2 February 2022: EU under fire for ‘imperfect’ move to call gas and nuclear sustainable, DW, 2 February 2022: European Commission declares nuclear and gas to be green, The New York Times, 2 February 2022: Wealth Inequality Is the Highest Since World War II, The Atlantic, 3 February 2022: The Reason Putin Would Risk War, The New York Times, 3 February 2022: Europe Thinks Putin Is Planning Something Even Worse Than War, Politico.eu, 4 February 2022: NATO’s Stoltenberg to become Norway’s next central bank chief, The Guardian, 4 February 2022: Meta: Firm to bring in mandatory distances between virtual reality avatars, Miami Herald, 4 February 2022: She makes 120 cocktails an hour and tells bad jokes. Meet your new robot bartender, DW, 6 February 2022: Why the EU needs Russian energy giant Gazprom, NPR, 6 February 2022: Beijing and Moscow unite in efforts to redefine democracy itself, DW, 6 February 2022: How Russia is helping the US reassert its dominance in European security, The Times, 7 February 2022: Former general Leonid Ivashov attacks Putin for ‘provoking war’, Al Arabiya, 7 February 2022: Europe to launch multi-billion euro tech fund, says French finance minister, The Times, 7 February 2022: Kazakhstan holds its breath and waits for reform after protests, Politico.eu, 8 February 2022: Commission moves to cut Polish funds over unpaid coal mine fine, The Times, 8 February 2022: Rees-Mogg given Brexit job as PM courts Tory right, Politico.eu, 8 February 2022: Boris Johnson names Jacob Rees-Mogg as Brexit minister in mini-reshuffle (this is another disaster within the Brexit disaster), BBC, 8 February 2022: Rees-Mogg in new Brexit role as PM reshuffles team (Jacob Rees-Mogg becomes “Minister for Brexit Opportunities”. Most people say that it is the only job Brexit ever created), The Guardian, 8 February 2022: UK: Rees-Mogg becomes minister for Brexit opportunities in Boris Johnson reshuffle, Politico.eu, 8 February 2022: Top French minister: Europe shouldn’t be ‘dragged’ into following US on Nord Stream 2, DW, 8 February 2022: Turow coal mine: EU to withhold Poland funds over dispute, Politico.eu, 8 February 2022: Commission moves to cut Polish funds over unpaid coal mine fine, CNN, 9 February 2022: A giant donut-shaped machine just proved a near-limitless clean power source is possible, The Times, 9 February 2022: Fusion power breakthrough smashes world record, The New York Times, 9 February 2022: Russia can seize control over Ukraine or keep strong economic ties to Europe. It will be hard to do both., Politico.eu, 9 February 2022: Good news for France and Italy as Brussels looks to keep debt rules on ice in 2023, CNN, 11 February 2022: US auto factories disrupted by Canadian trucker rally, The New York Times, 11 February 2022: Carmakers closed plants as far as Alabama as blockades on the U.S.-Canada border continued. Follow business news., Politico.eu, 11 February 2022: France’s Bruno Le Maire tells Germany not to ‘close doors’ on EU budget reforms, CNN, 12 February 2022: Canadian judge issues order allowing police to remove protesters at critical bridge to US, Arab News, 12 February 2022: Israel would be better off working with the UN than attacking it, Radio Free Europe, 13 February 2022: For The First Time, Orban Hints At Hungary Leaving The European Union (he left the EU a long time ago without leaving, so that he could continue to be fed by Brussels. Putin will be pleased that the first country will voluntarily return to the Soviet Union), Politico.eu, 14 February 2022: EU power to slash funds will face fresh fights after court verdict, DW, 14 February 2022: Ukraine crisis: What can the US expect from Germany? (how Olaf Scholz managed to gamble away so much international trust in such a short time is remarkable. It’s just unbelievable how he could stumble like that, and this after being world champ in crisis management Angela Merkel’s student and vice chancellor for years. It will take years to put things right again, quite independently from if Ukraine is joining NATO, which itself knows that it is far from being ready to meet the admission requirements and that the significantly higher EU access requirements are even harder fulfill. Overall, however, as after Afghanistan, the considerable weaknesses of the EU security and defense policy are becoming all too clear. Nevertheless, there are still incorrigible people who believe that they would do better on their own than in a group – they just won’t, but on the contrary, contribute to further self-dwarfing and the loss of importance of Europe on the world stage – self-chosen fate. However, the $1 million question over the next few years will also be how to bring Ukraine closer to the EU so that it can be included in the “Common Security and Defense Policy”. That will also depend on how the EU manages to set up a joint, active EU army to complement NATO. This step, which has been overdue for 20 years and is becoming ever more urgent in view of the mounting challenges, can no longer be ignored even by the simple-minded peace movement and name dancers. Neither Germany’s ever-increasing responsibility in the military defense of European interests against ongoing and escalating Russian aggression. Not to mention the challenges in the Eastern Mediterranean and North Africa. If Europe doesn’t want to be overwhelmed by crises all the time, it has no choice but to invest heavily in defense. Otherwise, Germany and Europe’s future prospects will crumble before our very eyes. There are, of course, those in Europe that would be only too happy to see this happen, but they also fell for Russian and Chinese state propaganda and see Putin and Xi Jinping as democrats suffering from military aggression from NATO. However, the simpletons cannot credibly explain why they didn’t finally move to Russia, China or Saudi Arabia, even though in their views everything is terrible in the democratic West. So Europe’s decision makers can completely ignore their voices and instead focus on securing the future of Europe), The National, 15 February 2022: ‘Transparency needed on debt’ to cut developing nations’ financial risk, World Bank says, Politico.eu, 15 February 2022: Russia-Ukraine tensions could trigger market crash, says EU regulator, Arab News, 15 February 2022: Vital for Europe to be Africa’s partner of choice, Politico.eu, 15 February 2022: Brussels, EU governments on collision course over Pegasus spyware, The Guardian, 15 February 2022: Cuba: Protesters sentenced to up to 20 years as hundreds more await verdicts, Politico.eu, 15 February 2022: EU pitches broadband satellite plan, France24, 16 February 2022: EU’s top court ‘on right track’ to cut funds to Poland, Hungary for violating democratic rights, CNN, 16 February 2022: EU top court paves way to cut billions to Poland and Hungary, Politico.eu, 16 February 2022: The EU got its legal OK to cut funds. Now what?, The Times, 16 February 2022: EU court dismisses challenge by Hungary and Poland in ‘rule of law’ row, Politico.eu, 17 February 2022: Germany to back EU’s women quota plan after a decade, Politico.eu, 17 February 2022: EU ramps up Big Tech clampdown without 3 top antitrust investigators, The Times, 18 February 2022: How the West can defeat the Xi-Putin axis, Irish Times, 19 February 2022: EU is not at the table when it comes to dealing with the crisis in Ukraine, The New Yorker, 19 February 2022: Does the U.S.-Russia Crisis Over Ukraine Prove That the Cold War Never Ended?, The Guardian, 20 February 2022: Medicine: How Covid changed treatments for the future, The New York Times, 20 February 2022: Vast Leak Exposes How Credit Suisse Served Strongmen and Spies, BBC, 20 February 2022: Credit Suisse denies wrongdoing after big data leak, The Guardian, 20 February 2022: Revealed: Credit Suisse leak unmasks criminals, fraudsters and corrupt politicians, The New York Times, 20 February 2022: Bond Between China and Russia Alarms U.S. and Europe Amid Ukraine Crisis, Miami Herald, 20 February 2022: Swiss leak provides look behind curtain at how dictators, kleptocrats, spies stash cash, DW, 20 February 2022: Credit Suisse had autocrats, criminals as clients, Politico.eu, 21 February 2022: More EU airlines suspend Ukraine flights, The Times, 21 February 2022: Hedge funds linked to gas price turmoil, says Shell, The Guardian, 21 February 2022: Ukraine: Belarus should face same sanctions as Russia in event of invasion – EU, France24, 22 February 2022: Jens Stoltenberg, NATO Secretary General: ‘This is a crisis created by Russia alone’, Politico.eu, 22 February 2022: Germany shelves Nord Stream 2 pipeline (now the same ones will be crawling out from under their rocks and out of their caves who were already of the opinion in 2014 that Russia would be able to cope even if the West stopped buying oil and gas at all, especially since one could finally sell to China. Sure, just like in 2014, you could also sell to China in 2022, but then as now at significantly reduced purchase prices than those paid by the West. Since the Russian state budget is dependent on the income, it will have the already known consequences: Real wages continue to fall, investments cannot or only partially take place, Russian in-house production, including in the food sector, is of ridiculous quality and the Russian economy is still decoupling further away from the world market than it has already done. As a small foretaste, the Russian stock exchanges reacted to the “positive prospects” with a price drop of 17%. As usual, Putin’s far-sightedness extends to the tip of his own nose – DW, 22 February 2022: Gold, oil prices surge as Putin orders troops to Ukraine), France24, 22 February 2022: Live: Ukraine minister urges EU to promise future membership, Irish Times, 22 February 2022: Ukraine-Russia: EU to ban lending to Russian central bank after Putin orders troops over border, NPR, 22 February 2022: Oil prices are surging toward $100 a barrel. Here’s what that means for you, The National, 22 February 2022: EU sanctions Russia in ‘answer to grave violations’ in Ukraine, Al Arabiya, 22 February 2022: Biden cuts Western financing for Russian sovereign debt in first tranche of sanctions, DW, 22 February 2022: Ukraine crisis: EU agrees to Russia sanctions package, Jerusalem Post, 23 February 2022: Credit Suisse scandal is nothing new for bank that helped Nazis, Al Arabiya, 25 February 2022: EU targets Russian economy after ‘deluded autocrat’ invasion of Ukraine, The Times, 25 February 2022: Fog of war descends to obscure the fate of markets, The National, 25 February 2022: Joe Biden nominates Ketanji Brown Jackson to US Supreme Court, The Times, 26 February 2022: BP quizzed by minister over links to Russia, CNN, 26 February 2022: Russia’s economy is surprisingly tiny. Here’s why it matters so much to you, The National, 27 February 2022: EU funds purchase of weapons for Ukraine, steps up Russia sanctions, targets Belarus, CNN, 27 February 2022: Norway says its sovereign fund will divest from Russia, Politico.eu, 27 February 2022: Slovakia pushes for ‘special track’ for Ukraine toward joining EU, BBC, 27 February 2022: BP to offload stake in Rosneft amid Ukraine conflict, Gulf News, 28 February 2022: A look at West’s toughest sanctions yet on Russia, The National, 28 February 2022: How Europe can boost energy security and reduce its reliance on Russian gas, France24, 28 February 2022: Belarus approves hosting nuclear weapons, Russian forces permanently, Gulf News, 28 February 2022: FIFA throws Russian team out of World Cup, IOC calls for Russia sports ban, NPR, 28 February 2022: Russia’s central bank doubles a key interest rate as sanctions spark economic turmoil, Jerusalem Post, 28 February 2022: World will not stay the same after Ukraine-Russia war – EU’s Josep Borrell, The New York Times, 28 February 2022: Sanctions Leave Russian Economy Reeling, Times of Israel, 28 February 2022: Ukraine’s leader signs application to join EU as round of talks with Russia ends, Los Angeles Times, 28 February 2022: Putin’s fears of a unified, stronger Europe are fast becoming a self-fulfilling prophecy, The New York Times, 28 February 2022: Switzerland, setting aside a tradition of neutrality, said it would freeze Russian assets., Arab News, 28 February 2022: World must prove that might does not make right, The New York Times, 28 February 2022: Ukraine Presents a Moral Crisis, Not Just a Military One, Los Angeles Times, 28 February 2022: Russians line up at banks as ruble plunges, interest rates jump and sanctions bite, The Atlantic, 28 February 2022: Putin Accidentally Revitalized the West’s Liberal Order, The Washington Post, 28 February 2022: In just 72 hours, Europe overhauled its entire post-Cold War relationship with Russia, CNN, 28 February 2022: Russia is waking up to sanctions. The West must not stop here, The Hill, 28 February 2022: Multinationals flee Russia, punishing Moscow, New York Magazine, 28 February 2022: Russia’s War of Self-Destruction, CNN, 28 February 2022: Two Russian oligarchs call for an end to Putin’s war, The Washington Post, 28 February 2022: U.S., European allies freeze ‘Putin’s war chest’ as Russia careens toward economic crisis, The Guardian, 28 February 2022: Ukraine conflict leads EU to rid itself of Russian sacred cows, CNN, 28 February 2022: Russia faces financial meltdown as sanctions slam its economy, Politico.com, 28 February 2022: Russia-Ukraine conflict: European plan to donate fighter jets to Ukraine collapses, Jerusalem Post, 1 March 2022: Ukraine conflict: Mastercard blocks multiple Russian financial firms, France24, 1 March 2022: Russia, Belarus suspended by World Rugby ‘until further notice’, Der Spiegel, 1 March 2022: European Commission Vice President Margrethe Vestager: “This Is a Cold War for the 21st Century”, The National, 1 March 2022: Russian rouble’s freefall comes to a halt after central bank intervention, Haaretz, 1 March 2022: Apple pauses sales in Russia and stops all exports, The Hill, 1 March 2022: Belarus president stands in front of battle map indicating Moldova invasion plans, CNN, 1 March 2022: Why did it take the West so long to wake up to Putin’s outrages?, The New York Times, 1 March 2022: I’m a Cold War Historian. We’re in a Frightening New Era., Arab News, 2 March 2022: Revitalized West poised to challenge the narrative of decline, CNN, 1 March 2022: The West’s $1 trillion bid to collapse Russia’s economy, BBC, 1 March 2022: How climate change is re-shaping the way Gen Z works, France24, 1 March 2022: Ukraine war brings Sweden, Finland even closer to NATO, The Hill, 2 March 2022: Russian economy taking ‘serious blows,’ Kremlin says, The Washington Post, 2 March 2022: U.S. to expand financial attack, aiming to seize billions held by Putin allies, The National, 2 March 2022: Russia-Ukraine war latest: UN votes to condemn Moscow’s aggression, The New York Times, 2 March 2022: Eastern European countries fear catastrophe as Vladimir Putin seeks to reclaim Russia’s lost sphere of influence., The National, 2 March 2022: Roman Abramovich confirms he is selling European champions Chelsea, Al Arabiya, 2 March 2022: UN General Assembly in historic vote denounces Russia over Ukraine invasion, NPR, 2 March 2022: How everyday Russians are feeling the impact from sanctions, The Atlantic, 2 March 2022: Why the Cultural Boycott of Russia Matters, NPR, 2 March 2022: Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich will put Chelsea Football Club up for sale, France24, 2 March 2022: As it happened: UN General Assembly overwhelmingly reprimands Russia for Ukraine invasion, CNN, 2 March 2022: Europe is making once-unimaginable decisions to counter Putin’s aggression, BBC, 2 March 2022: Russia faces war crimes probe for Ukraine invasion, France24, 2 March 2022: War in Ukraine sparks anti-Russian cultural backlash, DW, 2 March 2022: UN: Large majority backs condemnation of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Politico.eu, 2 March 2022: Ukraine war blurs Brussels’ plans to reapply debt, deficit rules , The Guardian, 2 March 2022: UN: Emergency session votes to condemn Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and calls for withdrawal, DW, 2 March 2022: Sanctions on Russia: Death by a thousand cuts (if Putin continues his wars as before, he will lead Russia to total ruin just as his Soviet predecessors successfully did with the Soviet Union. That would be extremely desirable for the democracy, security, freedom and stability of the world. In addition, it will also become very uncomfortable for Putin domestically if, as at the end of the Soviet era, a veritable famine spreads. These are excellent prospects in the medium and long term), Politico.eu, 2 March 2022: EU explores measures to shelter economy from Russia sanctions blowback, The Times, 2 March 2022: Johnson under pressure to match EU’s oligarch sanctions, DW, 2 March 2022: Ukraine conflict: Japan stiffens resolve on Russia, but it comes with a price, The Atlantic, 2 March 2022: Russia’s Looming Economic Collapse, CNN, 3 March 2022: Russia’s largest airline yanked from global reservation systems, NBC News, 3 March 2022: Democrats put pressure on Biden to ban Russian oil imports, The Guardian, 3 March 2022: The west has declared all-out financial war with Russia. What does this mean?, CNN, 3 March 2022: Biden’s Middle East allies change tune on Ukraine war as conflict escalates, The Guardian, 3 March 2022: Ikea: Retailer closes all stores and factories in Russia amid exodus of western firms, Jerusalem Post, 3 March 2022: Russia-Ukraine war is Europe’s hour to act, France24, 3 March 2022: Fortress Russia: Has Putin built a sanctions-proof economy?, The Guardian, 3 March 2022: Europe: We must be more independent and shore up its defence, says Macron, CNN, 3 March 2022: Russian oil isn’t sanctioned, but nobody wants to touch it anyway, DW, 3 March 2022: War in Ukraine: Will it bring Sweden and Finland closer to joining NATO?, The Guardian, 3 March 2022: Putin’s war is a watershed moment for the EU – the days of ‘never again’ are back, Miami Herald, 3 March 2022: Ukraine’s top diplomat in Havana: Cuba’s vote at the U.N. ‘gives us cautious hope’, DW, 3 March 2022: War in Ukraine: Will it bring Sweden and Finland closer to joining NATO?, Politico.eu, 3 March 2022: EU’s next possible Russia targets: Ports, oligarch families, trust funds, Los Angeles Times, 3 March 2022: Palaces, super-yachts, Swiss accounts. How rich is Putin and can sanctions hurt him?, Politico.eu, 3 March 2022: Economic pain keeps on coming for Russia as invasion rages, Al Arabiya, 3 March 2022: Canada to raise tariffs on Russian imports, send rocket launchers to Ukraine, Jerusalem Post, 4 March 2022: Russia stops space cooperation with US: ‘Let them fly on brooms’, The National, 4 March 2022: Covid panic-buying forces Hong Kong shops to ration rice and toilet paper, Politico.eu, 4 March 2022: The EU’s plan to cure its Russian gas addiction, Gulf Times, 4 March 2022: Russia’s crypto volumes are stalling across major exchanges, Ukraine sets up multiple crypto wallets, The National, 4 March 2022: Ukraine conflict poses increased risk to global economic outlook, Moody’s says, Politico.com, 4 March 2022: U.S. added 678,000 jobs in February in sign of economic health, The National, 4 March 2022: S&P downgrades Russia ratings deeper into ‘junk’ for second time in a week, Arab News, 4 March 2022: Russia-Ukraine conflict puts global economy recovery at high risk: Moody’s, Politico.eu, 4 March 2022: The EU’s plan to cure its Russian gas addiction, NPR, 4 March 2022: Russia blocks access to Facebook, Politico.eu, 4 March 2022: Brussels paves way to slap trade tariffs on Russia, Al Arabiya, 4 March 2022: US taking ‘all measures’ to stop Russia benefiting from IMF assets: Treasury official, Politico.eu, 4 March 2022: Economic meltdown gives Putin a route back to Soviet repression, NPR, 4 March 2022: Not every war gets the same coverage as Russia’s invasion — and that has consequences, Politico.eu, 4 March 2022: The EU should borrow together once again — this time for common defense, CNN, 4 March 2022: European stocks could be heading for a bear market, BBC, 5 March 2022: Putin says sanctions over Ukraine are like a declaration of war (grteat, that the sanctions are obviously working pretty well. The more, the better), The Economist, 5 March 2022: Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine is wrecking two countries, Arab News, 5 March 2022: The world’s leading luxury brands suspend business in Russia, Al Arabiya, 5 March 2022: War in Ukraine will have ‘severe impact’ on global economy: IMF, The National, 5 March 2022: Singapore to impose sanctions on Russian banks and cryptocurrency funding, DW, 5 March 2022: Members of Putin’s inner circle hit by Western sanctions, Politico.eu, 5 March 2022: Russia obstructs Iran nuclear deal as the Kremlin frets over its oil income, The Atlantic, 5 March 2022: The Russian Elite Can’t Stand the Sanctions, Irish Times, 5 March 2022: Russians brace for big squeeze as rouble loses third of value, DW, 5 March 2022: China lowers economic growth goal, Politico.eu, 5 March 2022: Italy seizes oligarchs’ yachts, villas, The Economist, 5 March 2022: The exodus: Western businesses pull out of Russia, Politico.eu, 5 March 2022: Moldova issues plea for aid as Ukraine war brings multiple crises, The National, 6 March 2022: Russians rush to shop amid fears for the future and a free-falling rouble, CNN, 6 March 2022: ‘How fast could you sell this?’ Russian elites scramble to move, sell assets to get ahead of international crackdown, The National, 6 March 2022: US and Europe discuss plans to ban Russian oil imports, Blinken says, The Hill, 6 March 2022: Efforts to decimate Russian economy threaten to boomerang, France24, 7 March 2022: Western nations face a challenge seizing property from Russian oligarchs, The New York Times, 7 March 2022: As U.S. Weighs Russian Oil Ban, Gas Prices Surge and Stocks Fall, The Washington Post, 7 March 2022: Democrats, Republicans reach deal to ban Russian energy imports, suspend normal trade relations, Haaretz, 7 March 2022: Ukraine War: Time Is No Longer on Putin’s Side, The New York Times, 7 March 2022: Why China Can’t Bail Out Putin’s Economy, The Washington Post, 7 March 2022: The world of inconsistencies between Ukraine, the Middle East, and beyond, Arab News, 7 March 2022: Foreign investors unlikely to rush back to Iran, New York Magazine, 7 March 2022: The West’s Sanctions on Russia Are Working Too Well, The National, 7 March 2022: Russia-Ukraine war latest: Europe steps back from US effort to ban Russian oil and gas, Politico.eu, 7 March 2022: Germany’s Scholz rejects calls to ban Russian oil and gas, DW, 7 March 2022: Ukraine war: Will Arab oil save the world from soaring prices?, Al Arabiya, 8 March 2022: Germany calls on OPEC to increase oil output, Arab News, 8 March 2022: Brent prices break $130 as US bans Russian crude imports over Ukraine invasion, DW, 8 March 2022: Joe Biden bans US imports of Russian oil, gas after Ukraine’s pleas, Politico.eu, 8 March 2022: Commission plans to get EU off Russian gas before 2030, Al Arabiya, 8 March 2022: Biden bans all Russian oil imports to the US, but warns ‘it will cost us’, France24, 8 March 2022: Live: Biden announces ban on Russian oil imports over Ukraine invasion, Politico.eu, 8 March 2022: Shell to divest from all Russian oil and gas, CNN, 8 March 2022: How Russia’s war could knock out Europe’s economy, Politico.eu, 8 March 2022: EU diplomats green-light further sanctions against Russia, The Times, 8 March 2022: Shell apologises and cuts ties with Moscow over invasion, Politico.eu, 8 March 2022: Germany’s Lindner pushes back on new EU debt as response to Ukraine war, The Guardian, 8 March 2022: UK faces large EU bill over Chinese imports fraud, Politico.eu, 8 March 2022: EU makes it clear crypto is covered in sanctions against Russia, Belarus, The Washington Post, 8 March 2022: McDonald’s, Starbucks and Coca-Cola halt business in Russia, Politico.eu, 8 March 2022: A ‘6-point plan’ to save Europe’s gas market, The Hill, 8 March 2022: Lawmakers wary of potential oil talks with Venezuela, Saudi Arabia and Iran, Politico.eu, 8 March 2022: Dutch PM Mark Rutte against new EU debt as response to Ukraine war, The Washington Post, 8 March 2022: The Ukraine war could leave hundreds of millions hungry around the world, The Atlantic, 8 March 2022: Of Course Putin Is Being Canceled, Politico.eu, 8 March 2022: ‘We told you so!’ How the West didn’t listen to the countries that know Russia best, The New York Times, 8 March 2022: How the Putin Shock Might Affect the World Economy, CNN, 9 March 2022: Moscow Stock Exchange to remain closed on March 9, Gulf News, 9 March 2022: Oil price at $150? What does it mean for you and me, The Guardian, 9 March 2022: History is brutally back, and Ukraine will test Europe’s appetite for the consequences (leaving aside the question to what extent “complicity through active passivity or complete omissions” is not already a fact, it is obvious that NATO and the EU are in a lost position as long as they play by rules while Putin knows none. He is completely indifferent to the dead, even in his own ranks. The already devastating destruction and enormous human casualties are not enough for him at all. His anger and ruthlessness are heightened by Russian casualties, his army’s ineptness, and the increasing desertions of his soldiers. Even if it goes against all Western understanding and all Western logic, NATO and the EU will not be able to avoid the question of when they have to intervene to stop Putin’s genocide against Ukraine and the Ukrainians for much longer. This war, too, is documented far too well and in real time for one to be able to excuse oneself later with pretended, alleged unawareness of the situation on the ground), The National, 9 March 2022: Oil may hit $240 if EU follows suit with sanctions on Russian crude, Jerusalem Post, 9 March 2022: Russia-Ukraine war: Russia, Belarus suspended from OECD, The Hill, 9 March 2022: Major US companies leave Russia in droves amid Ukraine conflict, CNN, 9 March 2022: How Putin ‘destroyed’ the ruble and brought Russia to the brink of default, The Washington Post, 9 March 2022: Fearing crackdown, thousands of Russians crowd into few remaining trains and planes to flee, DW, 9 March 2022: EU parliament demands end to ‘golden passports’ for Russians, The Atlantic, 10 March 2022: For the West, the Worst Is Yet to Come, The Guardian, 10 March 2022: Australia: floods Insurance fine print may mean thousands of victims are unable to claim, report says, The Guardian, 10 March 2022: The west v Russia: why the global south isn’t taking sides, NPR, 10 March 2022: U.S. colleges are cutting their partnerships and financial ties with Russia, The Washington Post, 10 March 2022: Schadenfreude at sea: The Internet is watching with glee as Russian oligarchs’ yachts are seized, Miami Herald, 10 March 2022: Miami gaining tech ‘superstar’ status — but report warns of challenging ‘side effects’, Politico.eu, 10 March 2022: Putin’s war seduces Europe’s farmers away from Green Deal, The Atlantic, 10 March 2022: Russia’s Economic Blackout Will Change the World, France24, 10 March 2022: Macron welcomes EU leaders for Ukraine crisis talks at Versailles, NPR, 11 March 2022: Why Belarus is so involved in Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Jerusalem Post, 11 March 2022: China’s computers hacked by US to attack Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, The National, 11 March 2022: Biden moves to strip Russia of preferred trade status, The New York Times, 11 March 2022: Putin Wants a Clash of Civilizations. Is ‘The West’ Falling for It?, Jerusalem Post, 11 March 2022: Russia-Ukraine war: US, G7, EU to strip Russia of ‘most favored nation’ status – source, Arab News, 11 March 2022: Ukraine war compounds food-security woes of Middle East and North Africa, The New York Times, 11 March 2022: Live Ukraine Updates: Biden Moves to Suspend Normal Trade With Russia, The Washington Post, 11 March 2022: War is exacerbating food prices and shortages abroad, especially for food-insecure nations, Politico.eu, 11 March 2022: At summit, leaders see EU redrawn by Russia’s war (it’s slowly becoming inexplicable what’s going on there. Putin’s war in the Ukraine is in full swing and the heads of state are already at loggerheads again instead of finally getting the EU army up and financing it jointly so that it will be powerful enough), Haaretz, 11 March 2022: The Great Jewish Oligarchs’ Escape: ‘The Ground Is Trembling. They Will Stream Into Israel’, Los Angeles Times, 11 March 2022: Biden, Europe revoke Russia’s trade status, ratcheting up economic pain for Putin, Jerusalem Post, 11 March 2022: EU unveils fourth set of sanctions against Russia, Politico.eu, 11 March 2022: Macron delays eurobond debate amid frugal pushback, The New York Times, 11 March 2022: Europe’s Trains Take Fighters to Ukraine, and Bring Back Refugees, CNN, 11 March 2022: Chinese tech stocks plunge after US names companies for potential delisting, Politico.eu, 11 March 2022: EU leaders fail to set a date to end energy dependence on Russia, CNN, 11 March 2022: Russia’s richest businessman tells Putin: Don’t take us back to 1917, The Washington Post, 11 March 2022: Biden, European allies move to strip Russia of trade status, CNN, 11 March 2022: Biden calls for suspending normal trade relations with Russia and will ban imports of vodka and seafood, Politico.eu, 11 March 2022: EU hits Russia with new sanctions on luxury goods, metals and energy projects, CNN, 11 March 2022: Europe sets 2027 deadline to end reliance on Russian oil and gas, DW, 10 March 2022: Russian gas edging towards extinction in Europe, Politico.com, 11 March 2022: Biden moves to reimpose Cold War trade restraints on Russia, CNN, 11 March 2022: In Moscow, McDonald’s packs up, radio falls silent and the brain drain begins, DW, 11 March 2022: Why is the UAE a hot spot for Russians dodging sanctions?, The Guardian, 11 March 2022: G7 nations strip Russia of ‘most favoured nation’ status, Politico.eu, 11 March 2022: Removing Russia’s trade privileges — what you need to know, The New York Times, 11 March 2022: The Price of Putin’s Belligerence, CNN, 11 March 2022: Could Middle East nations come to the rescue as the Ukraine war drives up oil prices?, Irish Times, 11 March 2022: Covid hit some incomes, this crisis will hit everyone’s, DW, 11 March 2022: EU leaders pledge increased military aid for Ukraine — live updates, The Guardian, 11 March 2022: Russians using Serbian loophole to avoid EU flights ban, Irish Times, 11 March 2022: Ukraine: Situation in Mariupol ‘critical’ as EU ready to impose harsher sanctions on Russia, CNN, 12 March 2022: End of an era in Russia as sanctions bite and Western companies take flight, DW, 12 March 2022: Europe is bankrolling Putin’s war on Ukraine, CNN, 12 March 2022: War has brought the world to the brink of a food crisis, Arab News, 12 March 2022: The world is entering uncharted territory, The New York Times, 12 March 2022: A Trans-Atlantic Energy Pact Would Counter Russia’s Might, The National, 12 March 2022: World’s biggest sailing yacht owned by Russian billionaire is seized by Italian police, DW, 12 March 2022: Finland’s much-delayed nuclear plant launches, Arab News, 12 March 2022: Gulf to play key role as EU plans to cut Russian gas imports, says envoy, The Wall Street Journal, 12 March 2022: Covid-19 Taught Americans How to Let Go of Their Steady Paychecks, The Guardian, 12 March 2022: Live Russia-Ukraine war: Russia will only take Kyiv if city is ‘razed to the ground’, Zelenskiy says, as Moscow threatens western shipments, Politico.eu, 12 March 2022: EU’s Borrell makes premature pledge of €500M more military aid to Ukraine, The National, 13 March 2022: Ukraine is upending the world order – but not how Russia thought it would, Arab News, 13 March 2022: Palestinian Chileans hopeful about new president, The Times, 13 March 2022: Andrey Kurkov: Ukrainians will never be Russians, DW, 13 March 2022: Can Venezuela help tame global energy prices?, The Guardian, 13 March 2022: Putin and Trump have convinced me: I was wrong about the 21st century, Politico.eu, 14 March 2022: EU will pay for the war, but the bill won’t be split evenly, The New York Times, 14 March 2022: How Not to Have a Putin Recession, Politico.eu, 14 March 2022: EU to sanction Chelsea FC owner Roman Abramovich in new oligarch package, The New Yorker, 14 March 2022: How Big a Threat to the U.S. Economy Is the War in Ukraine?, The National, 14 March 2022: EU imposes fourth set of sanctions against Russia, The Hill, 14 March 2022: Russian war, inflation pinch US economy, The National, 14 March 2022: Energy markets need more investment to avoid supply shocks, says Dr Al Jaber, Times of Israel, 14 March 2022: EU slapping Russian-Israeli Abramovich, other oligarchs with more sanctions, Irish Times, 14 March 2022: Aircraft lessors face billions in write-offs as planes re-registered in Russia, Politico.eu, 14 March 2022: Ukraine presses the EU to get real about trading with the enemy, The Times, 14 March 2022: Russian debt default on the cards after Kremlin issues warning, CNN, 14 March 2022: Russia could default on its debt within days, France24, 14 March 2022: As it happened: Over 2.8 million have fled Ukraine, EU agrees on fourth set of Russian sanctions, DW, 14 March 2022: Russia’s invasion of Ukraine drives global food insecurity, Al Arabiya, 15 March 2022: Russian invasion poses ‘clear, growing threat’ to food security in Ukraine: FAO, Reuters, 15 March 2022: Russia quits Council of Europe rights watchdog, France24, 15 March 2022: Nobel laureate Stiglitz calls on Europe to do without Russian gas, DW, 15 March 2022: Russia formally departs Council of Europe, France24, 15 March 2022: Russia says quitting Council of Europe, BBC, 15 March 2022: Russia sanctions Joe Biden, Hillary Clinton and others, The Times, 15 March 2022: Brain drain: educated Russians flee Putin’s regime while they can, DW, 15 March 2022: Ukraine’s economy is more than just wheat and commodities, Irish Times, 15 March 2022: The Irish Times view on Western relations with Riyadh: the blood in Saudi barrels, The Times, 15 March 2022: The strongmen are stumbling into oblivion, Al Arabiya, 16 March 2022: Russia quits Council of Europe rights watchdog, DW, 16 March 2022: US Federal Reserve plans several rate hikes to curb inflation, NPR, 16 March 2022: Fears are growing that Russia will default on its debt. Here’s what you need to know, Politico.eu, 16 March 2022: Europe has met its pain threshold on Russia sanctions. It wasn’t that high, DW, 16 March 2022: What happens if Russia takes over Western companies’ stores and factories?, The Times, 16 March 2022: Germany accused of trying to water down Russia sanctions, Politico.eu, 16 March 2022: Next sanctions round will test EU unity on how hard to hit Russia, DW, 17 March 2022: Sri Lanka seeks IMF bailout amid shortages, rising public anger, Politico.eu, 17 March 2022: Ukraine’s businesses want EU cash and Turkish battleships to keep economy alive, DW, 17 March 2022: Ukraine war: Russia blocks ships carrying grain exports, Los Angeles Times, 18 March 2022: Not everyone wants to make Putin an economic pariah over the Ukraine war, Politico.eu, 18 March 2022: Brussels split over who will be crypto watchdog, France24, 18 March 2022: ‘Democracy is standing up against autocracy’ in Ukraine, EU’s von der Leyen says, CNN, 18 March 2022: Burger King franchise ‘refuses’ to close 800 Russian restaurants, Politico.eu, 18 March 2022: From ‘Londongrad’ to Kremlin foe: City of London sours on Moscow business, DW, 18 March 2022: Swiss commodities traders help fill Putin’s war coffers, BBC, 18 March 2022: Roman Abramovich’s jet among 100 planes grounded by US, Politico.eu, 18 March 2022: EU has ‘very reliable evidence’ China is considering military support for Russia, Al Arabiya, 19 March 2022: Chinese official calls sanctions on Russia increasingly ‘outrageous’ (they obviously fear that they are the next in line. If they start a war on Taiwwan they will soon find out), The Hill, 19 March 2022: How China impacts US gas prices, Al Arabiya, 19 March 2022: Ukraine’s Zelenskyy urges Switzerland to crack down on Russian oligarchs, Arab News, 19 March 2022: Biden doubles down on transatlantic ties, Al Arabiya, 19 March 2022: Africa mostly quiet amid widespread condemnation of Russia, NPR, 19 March 2022: In Thailand, the pandemic helped a famous beach recover from an onslaught of tourists, The National, 19 March 2022: Global markets continue rebound as US stocks notch biggest weekly gains since 2020, BBC, 19 March 2022: UK grounds private jet with possible Russian links – Shapps, Irish Times, 19 March 2022: Fintan O’Toole: Putin miscalculated the loyalty of his cheerleaders in the West, Politico.eu, 20 March 2022: ‘I don’t feel safe going back.’ Russia’s future has gone into exile, NPR, 20 March 2022: The U.S. may force companies to disclose climate risks, marking a historic change, CNN, 20 March 2022: Biden’s European trip will be heavy on displays of Western unity but could be light on actions to stop Putin’s Ukraine war, Arab News, 20 March 2022: Food price shocks necessitate Moroccan welfare state, The Sunday Times, 20 March 2022: If we’re no longer mates with China, it will cost us, The National, 20 March 2022: How an ‘iron army’ of grocery runners is feeding Shanghai as Covid hits again, The New York Times, 20 March 2022: Ukraine War Threatens to Cause a Global Food Crisis, The Guardian, 20 March 2022: Germany agrees gas deal with Qatar to help end dependency on Russia, DW, 20 March 2022: German minister calls for new EU-US trade deal — report, DW, 21 March 2022: Germany strikes green energy deals in UAE and Qatar, The Guardian, 21 March 2022: Lukashenko is dragging Belarus closer to a war that most of its citizens don’t want, DW, 21 March 2022: Saudi Arabia and China: New best friends?, The Guardian, 21 March 2022: $17bn of global assets linked to 35 Russians with alleged ties to Putin, The National, 21 March 2022: EU to establish crisis reaction force with up to 5,000 troops, DW, 21 March 2022: EU approves security policy for rapid reaction force, The New York Times, 21 March 2022: America’s Economy in the European Mirror, Arab News, 21 March 2022: Building a more strategic EU-Saudi Arabia partnership, The National, 21 March 2022: Russia’s diplomatic isolation set to deepen in fresh UN vote on Ukraine, The New York Times, 21 March 2022: How One Oligarch Used Shell Companies and Wall Street Ties to Invest in the U.S., NPR, 21 March 2022: The U.S. warns companies to stay on guard for possible Russian cyberattacks, Politico.com, 22 March 2022: Canada: Trudeau will be prime minister until 2025, Al Arabiya, 22 March 2022: EU leaders to agree to jointly buy gas, LNG, hydrogen: Summit draft statement, Jerusalem Post, 22 March 2022: Russia withdrew from WWII peace treaty talks with Japan, Politico.eu, 22 March 2022: War in Ukraine could lead to more EU-US cooperation, EU’s Šefcovic says, Al Arabiya, 22 March 2022: Groundwater contributes around $230 billion to global economy per year: FAO, Politico.eu, 22 March 2022: Alexei Navalny given 9-year jail term after being found guilty on fraud charges, Jerusalem Post, 22 March 2022: Ukraine’s Zelensky will take part virtually in NATO summit, Politico.eu, 22 March 2022: Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskyy tops POLITICO 28 poll as most powerful person in Europe, CNN, 22 March 2022: Consequences of Putin’s “aggression against Ukraine span well beyond Europe,” EU Commission President says, The New York Times, 22 March 2022: Ukraine War and Pandemic Force Nations to Retreat From Globalization, Miami Herald, 22 March 2022: ‘Prohibited tourism’: Miami judge deals major blow to cruise companies that traveled to Cuba, The Hill, 22 March 2022: Five ways US sanctions are hurting Russia, The Times, 22 March 2022: Run on banks and empty shelves as sanctions bite in Russia, DW, 22 March 2022: Renault resumes car production in Russia as rivals withdraw, The Guardian, 23 March 2022: ‘We’re going back to a USSR’: long queues return for Russian shoppers as sanctions bite, Arab News, 23 March 2022: As Ukraine war ends first month, Putin hits back at sanctions with oil payment changes, Politico.eu, 23 March 2022: Rubles for gas: Putin trolls the West over its energy addiction, France24, 23 March 2022: Threat looms of Russian attack on undersea cables to shut down West’s internet, Politico.eu, 23 March 2022: Live blog: European Council summit, DW, 24 March 2022: Putin’s war in Ukraine may still fail, Politico.eu, 24 March 2022: EU negotiators agree new rules to rein in tech giants , Arab News, 24 March 2022: West unites to back Ukraine and seek ‘ruinous cost’ for Putin, Politico.eu, 24 March 2022: Oil has an autocracy problem, Irish Times, 24 March 2022: Europe facing ‘long haul’ over Russian invasion, says Taoiseach, Politico.eu, 24 March 2022: Charles Michel reelected as European Council president, BBC, 24 March 2022: Russia’s cost of living soars by more than 14% (that should at least be doubled to 30% and more, just to remind the Russians on a daily basis how great and awesome their leadership is), Irish Times, 24 March 2022: Democratic systems pitted against authoritarian rule as western leaders gather, CNN, 24 March 2022: Gas prices are high. Oil CEOs reveal why they’re not drilling more, DW, 24 March 2022: Ukraine: Biden says NATO ‘never been more united’ — live updates, Politico.eu, 24 March 2022: Germany’s Scholz rejects Putin’s rubles-for-gas demand, France24, 24 March 2022: ‘Putin banked on NATO being split, he’s getting the opposite,’ Biden says, The Atlantic, 24 March 2022: Biden Can’t Paper Over the West’s Disunity, DW, 24 March 2022: G-7 leaders warn Russia against using chemical weapons in Ukraine, The National, 25 March 2022: Shocks of today may echo 1970s but it is 1991 we should look to for comparisons, CNN, 25 March 2022: US and EU announce task force on reducing dependence on Russian oil and gas, The National, 25 March 2022: US to increase natural gas supplies to EU to reduce reliance on Russia, France24, 25 March 2022: France opens inquiry into Interpol chief for alleged torture, acts of barbarism, The New York Times, 25 March 2022: European Union countries agree to jointly purchase gas., Arab News, 25 March 2022: Houthis hit ‘backbone of the global economy’ in Jeddah oil depot strike, The Washington Post, 25 March 2022: The ‘deglobalization’ of Moscow, Politico.eu, 25 March 2022: EU chiefs channel energy at cutting off Russian gas, The Times, 25 March 2022: Putin’s crimes will stain Russia for decades, Irish Times, 25 March 2022: EU moves to cut Russian energy dependence and curb cost crisis, Arab News, 25 March 2022: Oil update — Prices drop as supply concerns ease, US to provide EU with more LNG to reduce Russian dependency, Politico.eu, 25 March 2022: EU, US strike preliminary deal to unlock transatlantic data flows, The New Yorker, 25 March 2022: The Biden Official Who Pierced Putin’s “Sanction-Proof” Economy, Politico.eu, 25 March 2022: Spain, Portugal get ‘special treatment’ from EU leaders to keep power prices down, Arab News, 25 March 2022: Russian influencers re-emerge from UAE, Egypt to dodge Instagram ban, Politico.eu, 25 March 2022: EU ushers in brave new world of Big Tech regulation, The Guardian, 25 March 2022: US plan to provide 15bn cubic meters of natural gas to EU alarms climate groups (umm .. Putin is a war criminal and dictator, but not a “climate group”), Politico.eu, 25 March 2022: US pledges to boost gas imports to the EU, Al Arabiya, 25 March 2022: ‘Hostile operation’ targeted Aramco facility in Jeddah: Arab Coalition, Politico.eu, 25 March 2022: Leaders rebuff Zelenskyy’s latest pitch to join EU, France24, 25 March 2022: US strikes liquid gas deal with EU as bloc seeks to cut dependency on Russia, CNN, 25 March 2022: EU officials agree on sweeping new rules targeting Big Tech, DW, 25 March 2022: NATO, G7, EU leaders display unity, avoid confrontation with Russia, France24, 25 March 2022: Russian journalists quit over Putin ‘propaganda’, DW, 26 March 2022: Ukraine: Biden calls for Putin’s removal during Warsaw speech, CNN, 26 March 2022: Zelensky’s Ukraine is real. Putin’s doesn’t exist, Arab News, 26 March 2022: Ukraine represents a watershed moment for global corporations, The Times, 28 March 2022: The West must back Ukraine for a long war, The Hill, 28 March 2022: The US-Europe transatlantic partnership is showing its resilience, The Atlantic, 28 March 2022: The World Is Splitting in Two, The National, 28 March 2022: Europe recommends ending golden passports and visas for Russians, Politico.eu, 28 March 2022: Excuses, excuses? Why some companies won’t stop trading in Russia, The New York Times, 28 March 2022: Putin and the Myths of Western Decadence, Politico.eu, 28 March 2022: EU ‘ready’ to set up fast-track trade routes for Ukraine, Irish Times, 29 March 2022: Ukrainians rush for jobs in Poland as return remains uncertain, Politico.eu, 29 March 2022: US Treasury: More Western sanctions to target Russian economy, supply chains, The New York Times, 29 March 2022: More workers quit in February as job openings stayed high., DW, 29 March 2022: War in Ukraine is latest threat to millennial finances, Politico.eu, 29 March 2022: Annalena Baerbock: Germany knew about Russian energy risks — and did nothing, Al Arabiya, 29 March 2022: EU to lend Tunisia 450 million euros for budget support, commissioner says, France24, 29 March 2022: UN helicopter crashes in DR Congo, killing eight peacekeepers aboard, Politico.eu, 29 March 2022: Eastern EU countries in cry for help over refugee health costs, The National, 29 March 2022: Germany sees Russian fossil fuel purge as ‘de facto embargo’, Politico.eu, 29 March 2022: EU and UK at odds over how to coordinate sanctions against Russia, Politico.com, 30 March 2022: Canada’s bombshell political deal is impossible to predict – but we’ll give you a shot at figuring it out, DW, 30 March 2022: EU proposes new rules to tackle ‘fast fashion’, France24, 30 March 2022: Several EU countries expel Russian diplomats over alleged spying, DW, 30 March 2022: Human Rights Watch slams IOC, FIFA over awarding of events, Politico.eu, 30 March 2022: Poland to EU: Follow our lead on scrapping Russian energy, NPR, 30 March 2022: Poland says its ban on all Russian oil and gas imports is the most radical in Europe, DW, 30 March 2022: China and Russia meet to discuss Ukraine, Afghanistan, Politico.eu, 30 March 2022: EU raided Gazprom in Germany: report, CNN, 30 March 2022: The Great Resignation is taking root around the world, DW, 30 March 2022: Germany says Putin agreed to keep payments for gas in euros, Jerusalem Post, 30 March 2022: South Ossetia to hold referendum to join Russia in future, Al Arabiya, 31 March 2022: Biden to announce ‘largest release’ of oil reserves in history: White House, BBC, 31 March 2022: Germany condemns Putin gas supply “blackmail”, Arab News, 31 March 2022: Europe’s Russian gas in jeopardy, Ukraine braces for new assaults, BBC, 31 March 2022: Ukraine war: Russia threatens to stop supplying gas if not paid in roubles, Politico.eu, 31 March 2022: Russia crisis gives EU a grim sense of what’s to come with China, The Atlantic, 31 March 2022: There Is No Liberal World Order, BBC, 31 March 2022: Biden orders ‘unprecedented’ release of oil reserves, The Times, 31 March 2022: Oil prices fall as President Biden considers release from strategic reserve, Time, 31 March 2022: ‘Putin’s Appetite Will Only Grow.’ Estonia’s Prime Minister Says We’re Not Doing Enough to Stop Russia, Haaretz, 31 March 2022: Ukraine War Exposes How Russian Oligarchs’ Dirty Money Has Polluted the Jewish World, Politico.eu, 31 March 2022: EU countries should set up Ukrainian cash conversion scheme, Commission suggests, Irish Times, 31 March 2022: European governments reject Putin threats over gas supplies as ‘blackmail’, Haaretz, 31 March 2022: The Real Reason Why Big Business Suddenly Loves Ukraine, Hates Russia, NPR, 31 March 2022: Russia’s war in Ukraine reminds Georgians of what they survived in 2008, Reuters, 1 April 2022: Russia’s Gazprom exits German business amid row over pricing, NPR, 1 April 2022: After 2 years of empty airports, the demand for travel is at a high. So are airfares, The Times, 1 April 2022: Putin threatens Europe’s gas supply — but backs down, NPR, 1 April 2022: Russia threatens to fine Wikipedia if it doesn’t remove some details about the war, CNN, 1 April 2022: Europe rejected Putin’s ultimatum. So why is Russian gas still flowing?, New York Magazine, 1 April 2022: How Russia’s Oligarchs Laundered Their Reputations in the West, DW, 1 April 2022: Sergey Lavrov visits India with US relations at a crossroads, Politico.eu, 1 April 2022: ‘We will help you rebuild your cities,’ European Parliament president tells Ukrainians, The New York Times, 1 April 2022: War in Ukraine Compounds Hunger in East Africa, Politico.eu, 1 April 2022: Eastern Europeans push for new penalties as EU sanctions fail to end Putin’s war (in the short term, this certainly makes sense from a Polish and Baltic point of view, but what will come of it in the medium and long term? After all, Russia will not disappear overnight, but will remain a neighboring country. The country is already Europe’s Iran. If they want to turn it into Europe’s North Korea, it will have negative consequences for decades. Are the Baltics and Poland willing to pay the price for this, or will it be just another welcome reason to demand even more development aid from Brussels? Germany will only be able to gradually phase out Russian energy supplies in exchange for substitute suppliers, because otherwise the economy would collapse. Poland would like to see that, but in the end they would also have to do without German development aid via Brussels, which makes up a not inconsiderable part of their national budget), Al Arabiya, 1 April 2022: Russia will not turn off gas supplies to Europe from Friday: Kremlin, DW, 1 April 2022: Ukraine war pushes eurozone inflation to record 7.5%, Politico.eu, 1 April 2022: Russia threatens to limit agri-food supplies only to ‘friendly’ countries, DW, 1 April 2022: EU-China summit focuses on war in Ukraine amid tense relations, The New York Times, 1 April 2022: Wonking Out: The Curious Case of the Recovering Ruble, DW, 2 April 2022: Australia and India sign ‘historic’ trade deal, NPR, 2 April 2022: UNESCO says 53 cultural sites in Ukraine have been damaged since the Russian invasion (no matter how hard Putin’s cultural Taliban try, they will not be able to wipe out Ukrainian culture), The Algemeiner, 2 April 2022: Russia Headed for Recession Despite Ruble Rebound, US Says, DW, 2 April 2022: Experts warn Black Sea mines pose serious maritime threat, Irish Times, 2 April 2022: EU confronts UK on wind turbines in first WTO dispute since Brexit, Politico.eu, 2 April 2022: The end of the Budapest–Warsaw axis, DW, 2 April 2022: Are German companies in Russia war collaborators?, BBC, 2 April 2022: Ukraine war to halve global trade growth, warns WTO, Arab News, 3 April 2022: How Ukraine war is making the Arab region’s food security crisis worse, Irish Times, 3 April 2022: ‘You’re checking the price of everything now’ – cost of living hits home, Arab News, 3 April 2022: Ukraine crisis contributes to strategic shift in Middle East, Politico.eu, 3 April 2022: EU warns of tougher sanctions after reports of civilian executions in Russia-held Ukrainian towns (Instead of insisting on the complete exit from Russian natural gas, which is currently not possible at all, it would make sense to first reduce imports of Russian oil and coal to zero in order to then gradually follow suit on the subject of natural gas. As long as there are not enough replacement supplies, there is no point in thinking about “quick exits”.), BBC, 3 April 2022: EasyJet cancels 100 flights due to Covid absences, The Guardian, 3 April 2022: Will western leaders cut and run as the costs of the Ukraine war mount?, Politico.eu, 3 April 2022: EU warns of tougher sanctions after reports of civilian executions in Russia-held Ukrainian towns, DW, 3 April 2022: Has globalization passed its peak?, The New York Times, 4 April 2022: The Ruble Has Bounced Back. What Does That Mean?, The Washington Post, 4 April 2022: Bucha massacre tests Europe’s ‘red lines’ on Russian energy, Politico.eu, 4 April 2022: Orbán win sets stage for more EU battles on democracy and Russia (the EU has every opportunity to effectively contain Orban, above all to block all budget funds. Putin’s war of aggression against Ukraine shows where it leads when you approach Eastern Bloc tyrants with appeasement. Does it have to come to that with Orban?), The Guardian, 4 April 2022: Orbán’s victory in Hungary adds to the darkness engulfing Europe, Politico.eu, 4 April 2022: In a twist, the Netherlands and Spain partner up on fiscal rules, DW, 4 April 2022: Ukraine: Germany expels Russian diplomats with Bucha deaths in focus — live updates, Politico.eu, 4 April 2022: EU weighs ban on Russian oil over war crimes as pressure builds on Berlin, DW, 4 April 2022: Orban needs to change course in Hungary, The Guardian, 4 April 2022: Victory of Putin ally Orbán in Hungary may trigger freeze on EU funding, NPR, 4 April 2022: Australia steps up missile upgrade due to growing threats from China and Russia, The Atlantic, 4 April 2022: The West’s World War II Moment, Jerusalem Post, 4 April 2022: Russia to resume flights with Israel and 51 other ‘friendly’ countries, Politico.eu, 5 April 2022: Von der Leyen, Borrell to meet Zelenskyy in Kyiv, NPR, 5 April 2022: World Bank says war shocks will drag on Asian economies, The Hill, 5 April 2022: Africa looks to renewables to curb warming, boost economies, The New York Times, 5 April 2022: Why Germany Can’t Just Pull the Plug on Russian Energy, The National, 5 April 2022: Oil prices edge higher as US and Europe consider fresh sanctions on Russia, France24, 5 April 2022: Top EU body launches procedure to strip Hungary of funding over corruption, Al Arabiya, 5 April 2022: US to ban ‘all new investment’ in Russia on Wednesday: Source, France24, 5 April 2022: Baltic states end Russian gas imports – but can the rest of Europe follow suit?, The New York Times, 5 April 2022: “Russia is half of our business.” Or it was. The Ukraine war is reverberating in Europe’s factories and warehouses., France24, 5 April 2022: Orban’s Hungary risks EU funding cut over corruption fears, The Guardian, 5 April 2022: European Commission launches rule-of-law disciplinary procedure against Hungary, BBC, 5 April 2022: Ukraine war: More than 60% of Putin’s war chest frozen, Truss says, The Guardian, 5 April 2022: EU to propose fresh sanctions including ban on Russian coal, CNN, 5 April 2022: Europe is finally coming after Russia’s energy, Politico.eu, 5 April 2022: Poland ‘not there yet’ in backtracking on judicial reforms to get EU cash, The Hill, 5 April 2022: Saudi state oil producer set to raise prices amid Ukraine crisis, Politico.eu, 5 April 2022: Poland vetoes EU tax reform again, dismisses ulterior motives (another country for the list of “tax havens”), DW, 5 April 2022: Germany and partners pledge €695 million to Moldova to assist with Ukraine refugees, NPR, 5 April 2022: How Russia rescued the ruble, Politico.eu, 5 April 2022: EU launches process to slash Hungary’s funds over rule-of-law breaches, DW, 5 April 2022: EU to propose ban on Russian coal, The Guardian, 5 April 2022: World may be on brink of new inflationary era, says central bank chief, DW, 5 April 2022: What impact does the EU’s rule-of-law mechanism have?, Politico.eu, 5 April 2022: EU avoids imposing sanctions on Russian oil, despite war crimes in Ukraine, The Hill, 6 April 2022: What comes after Putin?, Politico.eu, 5 April 2022: Ukraine says EU road links won’t make up for loss of Black Sea trade, The New York Times, 5 April 2022: What Ever Happened to the Great Resignation?, DW, 5 April 2022: Why Southeast Asia continues to buy Russian weapons, Politico.eu, 5 April 2022: How Russia’s vigorous ruble defense could backfire, The National, 6 April 2022: Russia pays bondholders in roubles after US blocks dollar payments, The New York Times, 6 April 2022: Fed minutes showed ‘many’ officials in favor of a big rate increase., The Washington Post, 6 April 2022: By denying a Ukrainian culture, Putin flattens his own, Al Arabiya, 6 April 2022: New US sanctions target Russia’s largest bank, Putin’s kids, Politico.eu, 6 April 2022: War, inflation upend EU’s post-pandemic recovery plans, The New York Times, 6 April 2022: Economists See Things One Way. ‘Ordinary’ People See Them Another., The Washington Post, 6 April 2022: U.S. widens sanctions against Russia as questions about effectiveness mount, Politico.eu, 6 April 2022: UK delays tariffs on Russian whitefish, The New York Times, 6 April 2022: Why Russian Sanctioins Won’t Stop Putin, Politico.eu, 6 April 2022: UK targets biggest Russian bank with fresh sanctions, The Hill, 6 April 2022: Senators close in on deal on Russia trade, oil ban, The Times, 6 April 2022: Putin’s big lie makes most Russians complicit, Politico.eu, 6 April 2022: Why only coal? Europe can afford to ban Russian gas too, The Times, 6 April 2022: EU to snatch Kremlin’s oil and gas profits to rebuild Ukraine, The Guardian, 6 April 2022: Sri Lanka facing imminent threat of starvation, senior politician warns, Irish Times, 6 April 2022: ‘They need money’: Irish politicians call for support for Moldova’s refugee crisis, CNN, 6 April 2022: Janet Yellen warns of ‘enormous’ economic repercussions from war in Ukraine, The Guardian, 6 April 2022: Why are people protesting in Sri Lanka?, DW, 6 April 2022: EU threatens legal action over Malta’s ‘golden passport’ scheme, CNN, 6 April 2022: US pushes Russia to the brink of default, DW, 6 April 2022: How can the EU survive without Russian coal?, BBC, 6 April 2022: Who are Putin’s daughters? What we know about his family, DW, 6 April 2022: Ukraine: US announces new sanctions, hitting Putin’s daughters, major Russian banks — live updates, The National, 7 April 2022: Russia-Ukraine live: UN suspends Moscow from Human Rights Council, rance24, 7 April 2022: Chile’s Boric unveils economic recovery plan, DW, 7 April 2022: Ukraine: EU agrees new sanctions targeting Russian coal — live updates, The National, 7 April 2022: Middle East and Africa food security threatened by Ukraine invasion, US official says, DW, 7 April 2022: UN votes to suspend Russia from its Human Rights Council despite opposition, The Times, 7 April 2022: UN suspends Russia from human rights body over atrocities in Ukraine, The National, 7 April 2022: Janet Yellen calls for improved cryptocurrency rules, DW, 7 April 2022: If Europe is done with Russian energy, where will Moscow sell its oil and gas?, The Hill, 7 April 2022: Senate votes 100-0 to limit trade with Russia, ban oil imports, Reuters, 7 April 2022: EU’s full ban on Russian coal to be pushed back to mid-August – sources, Irish Times, 7 April 2022: Russia suspended from UN human rights council over Ukraine, Al Arabiya, 7 April 2022: Russia rejects suspension from UN rights council as ‘illegal, politically motivated’, NPR, 7 April 2022: U.N. members vote to suspend Russia from the Human Rights Council, Politico.eu, 7 April 2022: Orbán emerges as the loudest opponent of EU sanctions on Russian oil, Arab News, 7 April 2022: United Nations suspends Russia from human rights body over Ukraine, The New York Times, 7 April 2022: Ukraine Live Updates: In Congress and at U.N., Votes to Further Isolate Moscow, Politico.eu, 7 April 2022: Crypto lobbyists condemn industry trolls targeting MEPs, Al Arabiya, 7 April 2022: Russia will defend its interests, Kremlin says after UN human rights body suspension, The Times, 8 April 2022: Russian metals giant demands war crimes inquiry over Bucha, The New York Times, 8 April 2022: Globalization Is Over. The Global Culture Wars Have Begun., The National, 8 April 2022: Russia’s invasion of Ukraine pushes food prices up to record levels, Politico.eu, 8 April 2022: Caviar, vodka and Putin’s daughters sanctioned by EU, Al Arabiya, 8 April 2022: Analysis: Russia’s ruble rebound not quite what it seems, CNN, 8 April 2022: Europe turns its back on Russian coal. Is oil next?, France24, 8 April 2022: As it happened: EU’s Von der Leyen promises to speed up Ukraine membership process, Politico.eu, 8 April 2022: EU freezes assets of 4 Russian banks, The Atlantic, 8 April 2022: Why Europe Needs Ukraine, The Guardian, 8 April 2022: Putin still has friends in the west – and they’re gaining ground, DW, 8 April 2022: Ukraine: EU chief offers Kyiv fast track to membership, France24, 8 April 2022: God, church, Tsar: The world of Russian oligarch Malofeyev and his Western associates, Politico.eu, 9 April 2022: EU’s diplomatic delegation to Ukraine moves back to Kyiv, CNN, 9 April 2022: From Pakistan to Peru, soaring food and fuel prices are tipping countries over the edge, Los Angeles Times, 9 April 2022: Will Hungary’s Orban be the wedge Putin drives between Western allies?, DW, 9 April 2022: How Putin’s war is affecting the world economy, CNN, 9 April 2022: Banks are making big money off of Russian debt, Politico.eu, 10 April 2022: Russian oil and gas embargo could stop war within weeks, says former Putin adviser, NPR, 10 April 2022: From Nuremberg to Darfur, history has seen some war criminals brought to trial, The Hill, 10 April 2022: Hungary’s descent into autocracy is an alarm for global democracy, CNN, 10 April 2022: The struggle to hold Putin accountable, The Times, 10 April 2022: Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya aims to topple ‘Kremlin’s puppet’ in Belarus, BBC, 11 April 2022: War to cut Ukraine’s economy by nearly half, The National, 11 April 2022: Has Putin lost Asia too?, Arab News, 11 April 2022: EU outlier Orban faces isolation due to support for Putin, The Atlantic, 11 April 2022: The Other Threat to Democracy in Europe, The Hill, 11 April 2022: Here’s how the Russia-Ukraine war is driving up prices, BBC, 11 April 2022: Hidden wealth of one of Putin’s ‘inner circle’ revealed, Irish Times, 11 April 2022: Ukraine war spurs enlargement discussions for both Nato and the EU, CNN, 11 April 2022: Oil prices tumble as economies show signs of strain, The Guardian, 11 April 2022: Heed the events in France – populism is gaining ground and only a revolution can stop it, DW, 11 April 2022: What are the COVID entry rules for travelers to European countries?, Irish Times, 11 April 2022: Pandora Papers: New release reveals more than 800 Russians behind secret companies, San Francisco Chronicle, 12 April 2022: Inflation means a Bay Area resident will spend $4,400 more for the same stuff this year, NPR, 12 April 2022: 3 things to know as Russia heads to a historic debt default, The Hill, 12 April 2022: Inflation hits the grocery story: Fish, meat up 13.4 percent, 99 cent limes, NPR, 12 April 2022: How soaring inflation forces stark choices, Irish Times, 12 April 2022: Fintan O’Toole: Threat to democracy alive and well in West, Politico.eu, 12 April 2022: Crypto crackdown ripples through the Baltics, CNN, 12 April 2022: ‘Recession shock’ is coming, Bank of America warns, France24, 12 April 2022: War hits Ukraine’s farms: Russian invasion threatens world’s breadbasket, Politico.eu, 12 April 2022: Dutch scandal serves as a warning for Europe over risks of using algorithms, CNN, 12 April 2022: Italian Police seize properties belonging to former Haas F1 driver Nikita Mazepin, The New York Times, 12 April 2022: Inflation Is About to Come Down — but Don’t Get Too Excited, Politico.eu, 13 April 2022: UK inflation rose by 7 percent in March, The National, 13 April 2022: US temporarily extends federal mask mandate for travel, Times of Israel, 13 April 2022: Tax haven Jersey seizes $7 billion in suspected Abramovich-linked assets, The National, 13 April 2022: Ukraine economy to contract more than 35% this year as war continues, IIF says, Politico.eu, 13 April 2022: How Germany Inc. played Russian roulette — and lost, The National, 13 April 2022: Roman Abramovich’s $120m French Riviera mansion seized by French authorities, Politico.eu, 13 April 2022: Gas embargo to plunge Germany into ‘sharp recession,’ according to experts, DW, 13 April 2022: EU uses development aid to strongarm Africa on migration, CNN, 13 April 2022: The world’s top city destinations in the Covid era, BBC, 13 April 2022: Jersey court seizes $7bn of Roman Abramovich’s assets, DW, 13 April 2022: UN warns of ‘great finance divide’ as COVID shocks, debt, hits poorest hardest, The New York Times, 14 April 2022: We May Be on Track for a Recession Just as the 2024 Campaign Kicks Off, Politico.eu, 14 April 2022: Brussels warns EU countries that ruble gas payments may breach sanctions, The National, 14 April 2022: Fiji investigates arrival of Russian oligarch’s superyacht, Miami Herald, 14 April 2022: State Department warns of ‘systemic and violent repression’ in Cuba in latest report, Irish Times, 14 April 2022: Interest rates will rise – but how high will they go?, DW, 14 April 2022: Why Pakistan’s politicians play the anti-America card, Politico.eu, 14 April 2022: ECB increasingly isolated as other central banks take action to control inflation, DW, 14 April 2022: Germany’s Baerbock urges faster aid ‘to avoid hunger crisis’ in Niger, The Times, 14 April 2022: Alisher Usmanov: Germany seizes superyacht owned by oligarch’s sister, DW, 14 April 2022: Germany earmarks €3 billion for floating LNG terminals, Irish Times, 14 April 2022: War in Ukraine supercharging crisis for world’s most vulnerable, says UN chief, DW, 14 April 2022: War in the world’s breadbasket, The National, 15 April 2022: Full steam ahead, DW, 15 April 2022: Görlach Global: Democracy is in crisis, DW, 15 April 2022: As global food prices soar, will the EU face food shortages?, Politico.eu, 15 April 2022: Hunger games: Ukrainians slam Western agribusinesses for staying in Russia, The Economist, 16 April 2022: What is at stake in Ukraine, The New York Times, 16 April 2022: Travel’s ‘Great Comeback’ Has a Price: Chaos, DW, 16 April 2022: Ukrainians queue up for Russian warship stamp, The Guardian, 16 April 2022: 40,000 jobs at risk as foreign pupils shun UK language schools, DW, 16 April 2022: Why climate action holds the key to German security, Miami Herald, 17 April 2022: Egg hunts plus bubble balls equal big Easter fun. See photos of a Miami Eggstravaganza., NPR, 17 April 2022: The Ever Forward is finally free from the Chesapeake Bay — one month later, DW, 17 April 2022: Ukraine war: Will the wheat crisis bring more food independence?, Politico.eu, 17 April 2022: Diversification from Russian gas ‘possible and feasible,’ says Draghi, Irish Times, 17 April 2022: Is the pursuit of happiness making us miserable?, CNN, 17 April 2022: Can the world’s largest plane ever fly again?, BBC, 17 April 2022: Ukraine war: Trucks stuck at Poland-Belarus border as EU sanctions deadline passes, The Hill, 18 April 2022: Biden to require US-made steel, iron for infrastructure, Jerusalem Post, 18 April 2022: IMF expects ‘significant’ pledges for new Resilience and Sustainability Trust, The Hill, 18 April 2022: LNG exports will add to climate change, Haaretz, 18 April 2022: ‘Great Alarm’: First Detected Use of Mysterious Israeli Spyware on EU National, Times of Israel, 18 April 2022: UAE used Israeli-made spyware to hack UK PM Johnson’s official residence — report, Haaretz, 18 April 2022: U.K.’s PM Johnson’s Office Among Dozens of EU Targets of NSO Spyware, Report Says, The New York Times, 18 April 2022: Bleak assessments of the Russian economy clash with Putin’s rosy claims., Los Angeles Times, 18 April 2022: Coachella 2022: Swedish House Mafia x the Weeknd and Doja Cat x Taco Bell close Day 3, Vulture, 18 April 2022: The Highs, Lows, and Whoas of Coachella 2022, The Atlantic, 18 April 2022: Scenes From Coachella 2022, The Guardian, 18 April 2022: Coachella: high-energy hedonism, surprise stars and Covid concerns, The New Yorker, 18 April 2022: How Democracies Spy on Their Citizens, CNN, 18 April 2022: Western exodus could cost 200,000 jobs in Moscow, says mayor, The New York Times, 19 April 2022: South Africa Live Updates: Government Shifts to Rebuilding After Disastrous Flooding, Arab News, 19 April 2022: For Palestinians, food insecurity is now an existential threat, The New York Times, 19 April 2022: Inflation, Interest and the Housing Paradox, Al Arabiya, 19 April 2022: IMF representative talks Ukraine economy, Russia sanctions, global inflation, Politico.eu, 19 April 2022: The plan to rebuild a green Ukraine, The Atlantic, 19 April 2022: How Diverse Democracies Can Protect Their Citizens, DW, 19 April 2022: Summer season without Russian tourists, NPR, 19 April 2022: Who is the real Elvira Nabiullina?, Politico.eu, 19 April 2022: IMF warns of inflationary spiral (Lipstick index), The Times, 19 April 2022: IMF slashes global growth forecast as it warns of inflation danger, The Guardian, 19 April 2022: Shanghai prepares to ease Covid lockdown as factories reopen, BBC, 19 April 2022: The country that became a ‘micronation capital’, DW, 19 April 2022: IMF slashes global growth outlook amid Ukraine war, Al Arabiya, 20 April 2022: US imposes additional Russia-related sanctions: Treasury Department, Politico.eu, 20 April 2022: Ukraine war piles pressure on southeastern Europe to find new gas, The New York Times, 20 April 2022: Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen walked out of a G20 meeting as Russia’s finance minister spoke., CNN, 20 April 2022: US Treasury secretary and other finance ministers walk out of G20 meeting with Russia, Politico, 20 April 2022: Yellen, other officials bolt G-20 meeting in protest against Russia, Los Angeles Times, 20 April 2022: Inflation brings California food banks a surge in first-time users on ‘razor’s edge’, The Atlantic, 20 April 2022: Russia’s Isolation From the West Will Outlast the War, NPR, 20 April 2022: A key Texas bridge lost $1 billion per week during governor’s slowdown, The Times, 20 April 2022: Russia upgrades northern fleet as Finland debates joining Nato (to put even more military pressure on Finland, just to make sure that the country will finally ask for NATO admission is a great act of support. Thanks for that one, Vladimir), The Hill, 20 April 2022: Gas is falling as an electricity source and may have peaked, DW, 20 April 2022: Will the West ever deal with Putin again?, NPR, 20 April 2022: Migrant workers in China find new jobs — and precarious conditions — in COVID control, Politico, 20 April 2022: Russian and Belarusian tennis players banned from competing at Wimbledon, BBC, 20 April 2022: Germany rules out immediate end to Russian oil imports, DW, 20 April 2022: How to help Ukraine’s war-ravaged economy, France24, 20 April 2022: War in Ukraine threatens geopolitical balance in the Arctic, DW, 20 April 2022: G20 finance officials walk out in protest of Russian attendance, The New York Times, 21 April 2022: Fed chair Powell calls a faster pace of rate increases ‘appropriate.’, The Atlantic, 21 April 2022: How ‘Big Disinformation’ Can Overcome It’s Skeptics, The New York Times, 21 April 2022: Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen calls for a reshaping of global supply chains that are ‘not secure.’, The National, 21 April 2022: World leaders call for unified efforts to ensure quick economic recovery, Al Arabiya, 22 April 2022: Amsterdam Trade Bank, part of Russia’s Alfa Bank, declared bankrupt, Politico.eu, 22 April 2022: Trolling Russia, Ukraine registers Moskva shipwreck as ‘underwater cultural heritage’ (*hahahaha*), Arab News, 22 April 2022: The far right takes Europe down a perilous path, DW, 22 April 2022: Germany’s Social Democrats, Russia, and the failures of the past, NPR, 22 April 2022: Despite U.S. sanctions, oil traders help Russian oil reach global markets, DW, 22 April 2022: Shanghai COVID lockdown threatens new export delays, CNN, 22 April 2022: Hong Kong and Shanghai lose their international luster as Covid restrictions bite, Politico.eu, 22 April 2022: EU prepares to hit Putin with new sanctions plan next week, The Economist, 23 April 2022: Why the Federal Reserve has made a historic mistake on inflation, The National, 23 April 2022: Big technology companies face hefty fines as EU agrees on new law governing content rules, NPR, 23 April 2022: EU law targets Big Tech over hate speech, disinformation, The Guardian, 23 April 2022: Putin has ignited a new anti-colonial struggle. This time, Moscow is the target, Arab News, 23 April 2022: A difficult decade ahead for the UN, The Guardian, 23 April 2022: In Mariupol, Putin now rules a wasteland pitted with mass graves, NPR, 23 April 2022: A tour boat with 26 people aboard has gone missing in northern Japan, The Guardian, 23 April 2022: Back in the USSR: Lenin statues and Soviet flags reappear in Russian-controlled cities, Politico.eu, 23 April 2022: Big Tech firms set to face tough EU content rules, France24, 23 April 2022: EU agrees on new legislation to tame internet ‘Wild West’, DW, 23 April 2022: EU strikes deal to tame internet giants, Google, Facebook, The Guardian, 24 April 2022: Nine people found from tour boat that went missing in rough waters off Japan, BBC, 24 April 2022: Japan: Ten confirmed dead from missing tourist boat, The New York Times, 24 April 2022: With Us or With Them? In a New Cold War, How About Neither., The National, 25 April 2022: German coalition divide over heavy weapons supplies to Ukraine deepens (actually, one would have to laugh at the naive ignorance and stupidity of “Olaf und den Ampelmännchen” (chancellor Scholz’s coalition) if the consequences weren’t so dramatic: 1. so far, one has obviously learned far too little from the completely failed appeasement policy towards Putin, and it even gives the impression that one wants to return to it in order to satisfy the love for Putin and the passionate anti-Americanism of the left wing of the SPD, 2. turning a blind eye to facts and figures out of sheer cowardice is exactly what spurs on bar thugs like serial war criminal Putin even further. They start small (Georgia and Moldova) and, after realizing that the West only wets itself anyway and at most gives Sunday speeches, then really get going. Assuming that Putin would cease warfare after he might take Ukraine is as likely as Easter and Christmas on the same day. In fact, in that case he would move on to Georgia and Moldova, target Finland and the Baltics, and finally attack at least Poland. This is also why it is of the utmost importance that he is not allowed to win in the Ukraine and that this must therefore be prevented by all means, regardless of whether German Putinversteher, who are now apparently completely disconnected from reality, “do not want to inflict humiliation on the poor, little serial war criminal Putin “, 3. Putin wants to achieve Russian imperialism with the complete destruction of Western values and ways of life. According to his ideas, all European states should be militarily subdued, democracy, freedom and the rule of law should be abolished, NATO should be abolished and, of course, the American security umbrella for Western and Central Europe should be cleared. The German government is making his efforts easier for him by shining through active passivity, instead of doing what would be right better yesterday than tomorrow, by helping Ukraine to create the best defensive possible, while at the same time draining Putin’s coffers and putting up an effective European security architecture (if the Visegrad states still don’t want to participate, they can stay out and take care of their own security – which of course won’t succeed, although Hungary’s Orban apparently can’t wait to finally become part of the Soviet Union again) as quickly as possible. This is grossly negligent and thus violates the oath of office taken to avert damage to Germany. In fact, the federal government has already caused massive damage to Germany in the few months it has been in office, 4. in Putin’s troubled world, all states south and west of Russia’s true borders are already warring parties. Berlin’s attempt to use the excuse “Moscow could see us as a war party” to avoid having to deliver has thus become obsolete. Putin has viewed Germany as a war party for weeks. There are no longer any credible excuses for Berlin to continue refusing to work. Organizing any nonsense or making untenable statements to distract from the topic no longer work as smokescreens either, 5. What has apparently also remained completely unconsidered is that President Biden in the USA could certainly be replaced in the next election by #45 and, even after the start of Putin’s war of annihilation against Ukraine, he positioned himself very clearly in favor of Putin and against NATO. The significant security risks for Germany and the EU would then come from two sides (not even considering China)), Politico.eu, 25 April 2022: Tax Bitcoin, says ECB executive, NPR, 25 April 2022: Twitter reaches deal to sell to Elon Musk for about $44 billion (for a return to a halfway civilized interaction between users on Twitter, this is very bad news), The New York Times, 25 April 2022: Elon Musk and Twitter Reach Deal for Sale, Politico.com, 25 April 2022: World’s richest man buys ‘free speech’ for $44 billion, France24, 25 April 2022: Twitter confirms sale of company to Elon Musk for $44 billion, Irish Times, 25 April 2022: Twitter accepts Elon Musk’s $44bn takeover offer, CNN, 25 April 2022: Elon Musk to buy Twitter in $44 billion deal, France24, 25 April 2022: Trump rules out Twitter return as Musk announces $44 bn purchase (wait and see. After #45’s own “social network” entered the long line of failed Trump projects and instead developed into just another platform for hate and hate speech by and for right-wing extremists, right-wing radicals and other losers from this specific scene, President Tweety might soon have no other choice but to return to Twitter to gain the necessary reach he needs to spread his nonsense to a larger audience), BBC, 25 April 2022: Elon Musk strikes deal to buy Twitter for $44bn, Los Angeles Times, 25 April 2022: Conservatives ecstatic about Elon Musk buying Twitter: ‘Time they get their comeuppance’, Al Arabiya, 25 April 2022: India, EU agree to broaden trade ties amid Ukraine war, Politico.eu, 25 April 2022: Don’t expect Macron’s win to reset UK-France ties, The Times, 25 April 2022: China wants us to bow, says defiant Australia, CNN, 25 April 2022: Foreign investors are ditching China. Russia’s war is the latest trigger, BBC, 25 April 2022: Ukraine war: US wants to see a weakened Russia, The National, 26 April 2022: Russia suspends gas supplies to Poland and Bulgaria, Politico.eu, 26 April 2022: Russia to halt gas shipments to Poland and Bulgaria, Arab News, 26 April 2022: More female tech startup entrepreneurs in Saudi Arabia than in Europe: Report, The National, 26 April 2022: Food and energy prices to stay at ‘historically high levels’ until 2024, World Bank says, The New York Times, 26 April 2022: Why U.S. Oil Companies Aren’t Riding to Europe’s Rescue, Al Arabiya, 26 April 2022: Saudi Arabia boasts higher women-in-tech startup rates than Europe: Research report, The Hill, 26 April 2022: Stocks sink as inflation, recession fears rattle Wall Street, The New Yorker, 26 April 2022: Why Elon Musk Bought Twitter, The Atlantic, 26 April 2022: Elon Musk Buying Twitter Is Weird, Chaotic, and a Little Bit Awesome, Politico.com, 26 April 2022: EU backs Lithuania’s plan to aid firms amid China’s embargo, The New York Times, 26 April 2022: Elon Musk Is a Problem Masquerading as a Solution, Politico.eu, 26 April 2022: France allows exceptions to food labeling rules amid war in Ukraine, The Hill, 26 April 2022: Five things to watch as Elon Musk acquires Twitter, Politico.eu, 26 April 2022: Poland prepares to limit flights to and from Warsaw, NPR, 26 April 2022: Shares continue to slump as fears about the economy and earnings grip Wall Street, Politico.eu, 26 April 2022: Germany says Russia oil embargo would be ‘manageable’, CNN, 26 April 2022: A major recession is coming, Deutsche Bank warns, The Times, 26 April 2022: Twitter must be responsible, Elon Musk warned by UK and EU after takeover, CNN, 26 April 2022: Why no one dare tell China’s Xi the awful truth — zero-Covid isn’t working, Politico.com, 26 April 2022: Talks of suspending California’s gas tax increase fizzle out, BBC, 26 April 2022: Ukraine war to cause biggest price shock in 50 years – World Bank, CNN, 26 April 2022: This is the video Chinese censors don’t want you to see or share, BBC, 26 April 2022: New Brexit rules caused major shock to UK-EU trade, France24, 26 April 2022: Moldova urges calm, boosts security after Transnistria blasts, Haaretz, 27 April 2022: Why Every Democracy Should Fear Israeli Spyware, The National, 27 April 2022: Global action needed to prevent food crisis in Middle East and North Africa, warns IMF (what is interesting about it is that the countries of the Arabian Gulf, among others, repeatedly insist on their independence, but when they have to take responsibility for the region by using their enormous wealth to alleviate problems, they immediately call for “international help” and the supposed “responsibility of the international community”. This naturally raises the question of how independent and self-responsible these countries actually are when they cannot or do not even want to solve their own problems in the MENA region?), Politico.eu, 27 April 2022: It’ll take more than tanks to ease Germany’s guilt, Al Arabiya, 27 April 2022: UN tourism body suspends Russia’s membership over Ukraine war, Moscow says it quit, France24, 27 April 2022: Measles cases surge 80% as Covid interrupts vaccination campaigns, The Hill, 27 April 2022: Five things to know about Transnistria, a potential hot spot in Russian conflict, Politico.eu, 27 April 2022: Poland and Bulgaria start life with no Russian gas, France24, 27 April 2022: In bulletproof vests and helmets, Ukrainian farmers risk lives to plough fields, BBC, 27 April 2022: Transnistria and Ukraine conflict: Is war spreading?, Politico.eu, 27 April 2022: You’re next: Kremlin warns anyone not paying in rubles also faces gas shutoff, Irish Times, 27 April 2022: Ukraine war: Europe cannot depend on Russia for trade, Zelenskiy warns after gas shutoff, CNN, 27 April 2022: China’s Xi calls for ‘all-out’ infrastructure splurge to rescue economy, The Times, 27 April 2022: Russia’s casual savagery is seared into its soul, DW, 27 April 2022: Russia’s Gazprom halts gas supplies to Poland, Bulgaria, France24, 27 April 2022: EU says ‘era of Russian fossil fuels in Europe is coming to an end’, CNN, 27 April 2022: Poland and Bulgaria are receiving gas from EU neighbors, European Commission president says, DW, 27 April 2022: Europe prepared for Russia’s gas ‘blackmail,’ EU chief says — live updates, BBC, 28 April 2022: Ukraine War: Russia gas supply cuts ‘blackmail’, says EU, The Guardian, 28 April 2022: Moldova facing ‘dangerous moment’ amid fears it could be drawn into Ukraine war, BBC, 28 April 2022: Nature loss: Insatiable greed degrading land around the world – UN, The Atlantic, 28 April 2022: Coachella Defeated My Cynicism About Music Festivals, CNN, 28 April 2022: Soaring costs and shortages push German industry to the brink, NPR, 28 April 2022: Canada’s House backs a motion recognizing Russia’s actions in Ukraine as genocide, Politico.com, 28 April 2022: U.S. economy shrank by 1.4 percent in Q1 but consumers kept spending, BBC, 28 April 2022: Mysterious Zamestim artwork in St Petersburg signals Russia’s anti-West defiance, CNN, 28 April 2022: Elon Musk wants to ‘authenticate all real humans’ on Twitter. Here’s what that could mean, Politico.eu, 28 April 2022: Commission’s ruble-for-gas scheme won’t work, Bulgaria warns, NPR, 28 April 2022: What Russia cutting off energy to Poland and Bulgaria means for the world, Politico.eu, 28 April 2022: Ukraine files first war crimes charges against Russia over Bucha killings, BBC, 28 April 2022: How reliant is the world on Russia for oil and gas?, CNN, 28 April 2022: Russian gas customers in Europe may accept Putin’s payment terms, Politico.eu, 28 April 2022: EU Council in limbo as top official departs before successor appointed, The New York Times, 28 April 2022: G.D.P. Report Shows the U.S. Economy Shrank, Masking a Broader Recovery, NPR, 28 April 2022: Disney says Florida would have to pay nearly $1 billion to dissolve special district, The Hill, 28 April 2022: Global food insecurity: Why Putin’s battle for Ukrainian farmland is so dangerous, The Washington Post, 28 April 2022: Economy shrinks 1.4% in first 3 months of year, raising recession fear, DW, 28 April 2022: Germany top buyer of Russian energy since Ukraine invasion began: report, Politico.eu, 29 April 2022: Eurozone inflation hits fresh record as growth slows in first quarter, DW, 29 April 2022: Elvira Nabiullina: The central banker Vladimir Putin is relying on to clean up Russia’s economic mess, Politico.eu, 29 April 2022: Italy faces uphill bid for EU bailout fund’s top job, CNN, 29 April 2022: A new realization dawns for Washington, Europe, Kyiv and Moscow, Politico.eu, 29 April 2022: Macron’s victory raises hopes of an EU free-trade boom, France24, 29 April 2022: Can Europe afford to wean itself off Russian gas?, Politico.eu, 29 April 2022: Russia faces threat of sanctions on nuclear power industry as Germany backs uranium ban, CNN, 29 April 2022: Much of Europe is facing stagflation. France is already there, The Times, 29 April 2022: Populists on the retreat as eastern Europe veers left, DW, 30 April 2022: Europe cooperates on gas, as Russia turns off taps to Poland and Bulgaria, The Times, 30 April 2022: Inside Transnistria: is this next on Putin’s hit list?, NPR, 30 April 2022: What is May Day? For the most part, the opposite of capitalism, The Hill, 30 April 2022: Beware of the inflation hawks, The Atlantic, 30 April 2022: Putin Isn’t The Only Autocrat Misusing History, The Guardian, 1 May 2022: ‘I don’t feel safe here’: Transnistria fears could spark Moldova exodus, France24, 1 May 2022: France: Low growth and inflation increase risk of stagflation, DW, 1 May 2022: Germany to support Russian oil embargo: sources, The Times, 1 May 2022: Russia ‘is already paving the way for a takeover of Moldova’, France24, 1 May 2022: EU to propose phasing out Russian oil in new sanctions wave, CNN, 1 May 2022: Beijing shuts Universal Studios, bans restaurant dining in major escalation of Covid restrictions, The Times, 1 May 2022: ‘Putin fixer’s troll factory’ turns fire on social media and pop stars, The New York Times, 1 May 2022: Inside China’s Zero-Covid Fortress, Xi Admits No Doubts, Arab News, 2 May 2022: World needs to find bandwidth to deal with multiple crises, The Hill, 2 May 2022: Germany, India sign $10.5B green development deal, France24, 2 May 2022: Finnish group scraps nuclear plant deal with Russia’s Rosatom, CNN, 2 May 2022: China is obsessed with disinfection against Covid. But is it causing more harm than good? (even before Corona, it was clear that to ensure security of supply and to secure supply chains, one has to think much more intensively about relocating productions. Corona has also made this clear to the general European public. In addition to relocating productions to India or relocating back to Europe, relocating productions to in Africa, especially North Africa, could and should also be considered. On the one hand, this would ease the pressure to migrate by creating incentives to stay. On the other hand, one would immediately enter the competition for Africa with China), The Hill, 2 May 2022: EU anti-fake news agency now targeting Chinese propaganda, Politico.com, 2 May 2022: Supreme Court has voted to overturn abortion rights, draft opinion shows, The Guardian, 2 April 2022: What would victory actually mean now for Ukraine – and for Europe?, The Hill, 2 May 2022: US labor market will recapture all jobs lost during pandemic by end of August, CNN, 2 May 2022: Why the food crisis sparked by Russia’s war hasn’t hit Gulf states yet, DW, 2 May 2022: New Zealand welcomes tourists as border reopens, Irish Times, 2 May 2022: EU population can expect economic pain from Russian oil embargo, CNN, 2 May 2022: Germany will support an EU oil embargo on Russia, DW, 2 May 2022: Ukraine: UEFA bans Russian teams from Champions League — live updates, France24, 2 May 2022: Russia thrown out of women’s Euro, banned from European club football next season, Politico.eu, 3 May 2022: Draghi: EU needs ‘pragmatic federalism,’ more integration, Jerusalem Post, 3 May 2022: Europe should establish coordinated body on Abraham Accords – MK (when a picture perfectly sums up why it isn’t going to happen, then the picture on top of this article: as long as there is a possibility that one or both self-declared enemies of the EU, Netanyahu and/or Trump, could return to office, the EU would be right out stupid to commit itself to a course that could benefit one or both of them, while the EU itself will gain very little from it, as supporting the accords is of symbolic nature only without practical use), CNN, 3 May 2022: Supreme Court draft opinion that would overturn Roe v. Wade published by Politico, Politico.eu, 3 May 2022: EU smells trouble, and Trump, in US abortion fight, NPR, 3 May 2022: The complex effort to hold Vladimir Putin accountable for war crimes, Politico.eu, 3 May 2022: EU set to sanction Credit Bank of Moscow and Russian Agricultural Bank, DW, 3 May 2022: Germany: Top court upholds Syrian’s conviction as accessory to torture, Irish Times, 3 May 2022: The Rise and Fall of the Neoliberal Order: A compelling analysis, DW, 3 May 2022: Russian war censorship denounced on World Press Freedom Day, The National, 3 May 2022: BP loses $20bn on Russia exit but underlying profits rise, Politico.eu, 3 May 2022: European Parliament votes in favor of reforming EU elections (it’s good. A large-scale Weimar Republic doesn’t help anyone, but only causes further fragmentation and thus more and more incapacity to act. The splinter parties, which have set up a comfortable life in Brussels but are useless and therefore superfluous anyway, will have to try it with work in the future to earn a living. That can’t hurt), Irish Times, 3 May 2022: The EU is set to move against Orban’s illiberal democracy. But will it work?, The Times, 3 May 2022: To beat Vladimir Putin the West must help Belarus too, CNN, 3 May 2022: Finnish group ditches Russian-built nuclear plant plan, Jerusalem Post, 3 May 2022: EU targets Russian Patriarch Kirill in new round of proposed sanctions, The National, 4 May 2022: Russia-Ukraine live: EU proposes ban on Russian oil imports, Foreign Policy, 4 May 2022: Belarus Is the Other Loser in Putin’s War, The National, 4 May 2022: Biden to speak with G7 about further Russia sanctions, Politico.eu, 4 May 2022: EU targets head of the Russian church in new sanctions, DW, 4 May 2022: European Commission calls for new sanctions on Russia, The National, 4 May 2022: World hunger doubled in the five years before Ukraine’s breadbasket was hit by war, Politico.eu, 4 May 2022: EU’s Russian oil ban hits trouble as countries argue over key details, DW, 4 May 2022: EU’s Charles Michel vows to increase Moldova support, The National, 4 May 2022: Oil prices jump as EU proposes phased Russian crude embargo, Politico.eu, 4 May 2022: Russian oil ban: Slovakia can’t accept EU’s current sanctions plan, BBC, 4 May 2022: Ukraine war: EU plans Russian oil ban and war crimes sanctions, DW, 4 May 2022: UN: Millions more people faced hunger in 2021, Politico.eu, 4 May 2022: Head of Germany’s Russophile business lobby group resigns, France24, 4 May 2022: US makes biggest interest rate hike in 22 years in bid to tame soaring inflation, NPR, 4 May 2022: The EU just proposed a ban on oil from Russia, its main energy supplier, BBC, 4 May 2022: US makes biggest interest rate rise in 22 years, Politico.eu, 4 May 2022: On sanctions, von der Leyen speaks as Putin’s prosecutor and EU’s wartime leader, NPR, 4 May 2022: The Fed raises interest rates by the most in over 20 years to fight inflation, The Hill, 4 May 2022: Fed hikes interest rates by half-percentage point, Arab News, 4 May 2022: Saudi central bank raises interest rates in line with US Fed’s decision, The New York Times, 4 May 2022: Fed raises rates half a percentage point, its largest increase since 2000., Al Arabiya, 4 May 2022: Saudi Arabia’s economy to exceed $1 trillion for first time in history: IMF estimate, Arab News, 4 May 2022: UN: Record number of people without enough to eat in 2021, DW, 4 May 2022: European Commission calls for new sanctions on Russia, The Guardian, 5 May 2022: Fashion industry: Xinjiang cotton found in Adidas, Puma and Hugo Boss tops, researchers say, The National, 5 May 2022: Russia-Ukraine live: EU nations nearing agreement on new sanctions, top diplomat says, DW, 5 May 2022: Western companies leave Russia — taking Russian jobs with them, The Guardian, 5 May 2022: The Guardian view: What follows Roe v Wade: it doesn’t stop here, Arab News, 5 May 2022: Why Europe is engaging emerging powers in Africa and Asia-Pacific, The Guardian, 5 May 2022: After victory in the US, now the far right is coming for abortion laws in Europe, DW, 5 May 2022: China’s COVID curbs rattle EU business confidence, Politico.eu, 5 May 2022: Von der Leyen’s team scrambles to find Russia oil ban compromise, The New York Times, 5 May 2022: Europe’s Quest to Replace Russian Gas Faces Plenty of Hurdles, CNN, 5 May 2022: China’s economy is going backwards, Politico.eu, 5 May 2022: Stagflation looms for UK economy, CNN, 5 May 2022: Europe should call Russia’s bluff on energy, The Times, 5 May 2022: How Russian aggression has shifted the balance of power in Europe, CNN, 5 May 2022: Russians steal vast amounts of Ukrainian grain and equipment, threatening this year’s harvest (in addition to the less desired and above all very negative aspects of grain shortages and the resulting significant price increases, a very positive aspect from Putin’s point of view is of course that he will now be able to play te the “great savior” in Africa with the help of grain stolen from Ukraine, where up to now Ukrainian grain has covered up to 50% of the total requirements, by using grain as a weapon in order to tie African countries more closely to himself. Ultimately, of course, the Africans don’t care where the grain comes from, the main thing is that it is delivered and at a reasonably bearable price. The fact that the price only goes through the roof because Putin is waging his war of annihilation against Ukraine plays a rather subordinate role in view of empty stomachs), The National, 6 May 2022: Saudi Arabia plans to attract investment worth $32bn to its mining and minerals sector, Irish Times, 6 May 2022: EU sanctions more troublesome for Europe than Russia, claims Orban (what else could Putin’s lapdog Orbán say?), France24, 6 May 2022: At least 75 killed in recent Haiti gang battles: UN, The Guardian, 6 May 2022: Wheat: Ukraine’s harvest may fall by 35%, satellite images suggest, Irish Times, 6 May 2022: The Irish Times view on Europe-Russia relations: the continent’s fateful barriers, The National, 6 May 2022: View from the Chatham House top table: wheels are coming off rules-based order, Politico.eu, 6 May 2022: Capacity crunch: Post-pandemic staff shortages threaten aviation recovery, DW, 6 May 2022: Victory Day in Europe: Ukraine war puts spotlight on Russia, Irish Times, 6 May 2022: European Parliament demands return of 400 ‘stolen’ aircraft from Russia, France24, 6 May 2022: Ukraine: Whats does it take to prosecute war crimes?, Politico.eu, 6 May 2022: Ukraine urges allies to step up arms deliveries (the Ukrainian government should think about how to formulate the desire for support, because if the way supporters are treated remain like now, Western publics will sooner rather than later turn against Ukraine, and that will also have a negative impact on the scope of the support measures), CNN, 6 May 2022: Belarus jails student a year after forcing down the airliner she was traveling on, Irish Times, 6 May 2022: Europe and Russia, 2022: A fast-changing continent in five graphics, DW, 6 May 2022: Ukraine: EU struggles to find unity on Russian oil embargo, Politico.eu, 6 May 2022: EU rewrites oil ban to give Hungary, Slovakia and Czech Republic more time, CNN, 6 May 2022: Why US politicians are trying to break the world’s oil cartel now, Irish Times, 6 May 2022: G7 and Ukraine to hold talks as EU seeks accord on new Russia sanctions, Politico.eu, 6 May 2022: For Europe, an oil embargo is not the way to go, DW, 7 May 2022: Russia’s war in Ukraine: Germany faces a reckoning (hardly to assume that the Ukraine will soon disappear from the western agenda. The representatives of Ukraine will take care of that. The more important question is how the Russia networkers can be prevented from doing business with the regime for an as yet unclear period of time, in order to ensure that the country is placed in an economic situation that precludes further foreign policy adventures for a longer period of time. Opinions can obviously differ about the rejection of Ukraine’s membership to the NATO in 2008. In view of the situation at the time, I still think the decision was okay, but there are different points of view. Since then, the starting position has changed several times. Recently even so dramatic that a complete reassessment is required. While Ukraine’s NATO membership was refrained from in 2008 to prevent Putin from invading Ukraine, this argument has been obsolete since February 2022 at the latest (actually since the Russian invasion of Crimea and eastern Ukraine from 2014), so that only some formal aspects against Ukraine’s admission to NATO are left. The priority is that the party to be admitted is not at war. This is another reason why it is important that Ukraine wins the war against the aggressor Russia. Admission to the EU should be easier, but not much easier. Taking Cyprus as an example, the entire country, including the territory occupied by Turkey in the north, was admitted to the EU. The same could be done with Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia, in a way that does not damage or devalue the “normal admission procedure” to the EU. Of course, it is also clear that the admission processes will not be a question of months but of years), DW, 8 May 2022: EU citizens are full of hope for the future of Europe, The National, 8 May 2022: UK imposes ‘£1.7 billion of trade’ sanctions on Russia and Belarus, Politico.eu, 8 May 2022: EU’s Russian oil ban stalls as Hungary holds up sanctions, DW, 8 May 2022: Ukraine: G7 to impose fresh sanctions on Russia — live updates, France24, 8 May 2022: G7 countries pledge to stop Russia oil imports, Al Arabiya, 8 May 2022: US imposes sanctions on 27 Gazprombank executives, Russian TV stations, Jerusalem Post, 9 May 2022: US, Israel, Cyprus, Greece to intensify cooperation on energy, economy (now, that’s somehow funny. After years of negotiations about “EastMed this and EastMed that”, even the participants in this found out themselves that nobody will finance it, after pretty much everyone had already told them so years ago, because the profitability isn’t given. In the end, it might not even be enough to finance the undersea power cable from Cyprus to Israel, with the help of which Israel is to be connected to the European power grid), New York Magazine, 9 May 2022: Biden Can Fight Inflation by Repealing Trump’s Tariffs. Why Hasn’t He?, CNN, 9 May 2022: The Middle East won’t rescue Europe if it turns off Russian oil, France24, 9 May 2022: Macron says would take ‘decades’ for Ukraine to join EU, Politico.eu, 9 May 2022: Macron floats European ‘community’ open to Ukraine and UK, DW, 9 May 2022: Moldova’s struggle with ‘frozen conflict’ and Russian uncertainty, The Guardian, 9 May 2022: Philippines: Ferdinand Marcos triumphs in presidential election, DW, 9 May 2022: EU leaders tell Ukraine: ‘Future of Europe is also your future’, France24, 9 May 2022: Macron calls for ‘European political community’ that could include Ukraine, UK, The National, 10 May 2022: France’s Macron joins push for EU oil embargo on Russia, The Times, 10 May 2022: Macron calls for new ‘European political community’ — and Britain could join, France24, 10 May 2022: Doubts emerge over Macron’s proposal for new EU ‘community’ of aspiring states, The National, 10 May 2022: Sanctions imposed on Russia over Ukraine invasion hit ransomware gangs, The Guardian, 10 May 2022: Philippines election: Torture survivors from Marcos era in shock after son’s win, France24, 10 May 2022: Heavy shelling in Odesa places global grain shipments at risk, Politico.eu, 10 May 2022: EU drafts plans to send cash to Hungary if Orbán agrees to Russian oil ban, The Guardian, 10 May 2022: Sri Lanka: Troops rescue ex-PM as houses torched in deadly night of unrest, BBC, 10 May 2022: Sri Lankan troops ordered to open fire on looters and vandals as protests continue, Politico.eu, 10 May 2022: Still a big noise: Orbán flexes power over EU oil ban, The Guardian, 10 May 2022: EU: Hopes for ban on Russian oil despite Hungary comparing plan to ‘nuclear bomb’, Politico.eu, 10 May 2022: It’s time the EU plays hardball with Hungary, DW, 10 May 2022: How much oil does Europe need?, NPR, 10 May 2022: Leonid Kravchuk, independent Ukraine’s 1st president, dies at age 88, DW, 10 May 2022: Philippines: Can Ferdinand Marcos Jr. presidency mend EU ties?, The Hill, 10 May 2022: UN approves Czech Republic to replace Russia on rights body, DW, 10 May 2022: Leonid Kravchuk: The man who buried the Soviet Union, Politico.eu, 10 May 2022: EU plans to help Ukraine’s food exports dodge Black Sea blockade, Al Arabiya, 10 May 2022: Ukraine to halt key Russian gas transit to Europe, use alternative, Arab News, 10 May 2022: GCC-EU energy cooperation needed now more than ever, Politico.eu, 11 May 2022: French prosecutors probe Interpol boss over torture claims, France24, 11 May 2022: UN chief ‘deeply concerned’ about risks of global hunger due to war in Ukraine, DW, 11 May 2022: How great power competition is complicating global cooperation, Politico.eu, 11 May 2022: EU tensions grow over Russian oil ban as Hungary demands exemption, BBC, 11 May 2022: Sri Lanka crisis: Ex-PM flees to naval base as arson attacks spread, Politico.eu, 11 May 2022: Ukraine needs €500B to €600B for reconstruction: Commission’s Dombrovskis, The Hill, 11 May 2022: High inflation: Products that had significant price spikes in April, Foreign Policy, 11 May 2022: Biden and Xi Struggle to Compete in Asia, The Economist, 11 May 2022: The Northern Ireland protocol could soon spark a new row between Britain and Europe, France24, 12 May 2022: Russian blockade of Ukraine’s ports puts global food supply at risk, NPR, 12 May 2022: Among the many losses of the war in Ukraine: nearly 5 million jobs, France24, 12 May 2022: Live: EU to help break blockade on Ukraine’s Odesa to free up grain exports, Jerusalem Post, 12 May 2022: Stolen Ukrainian grain was smuggled via Russian ships from Crimea to Syria, CNN, 12 May 2022: Ukraine gives Europe another wakeup call on Russian gas, The Guardian, 12 May 2022: How should a Marshall plan for Ukraine work?, Politico.eu, 12 May 2022: Liberal MEPs push to add Gerhard Schröder to EU’s Russia sanctions list, The Times, 12 May 2022: UK economy contracts in March, CNN, 12 May 2022: Saudi Aramco eclipses Apple to once again become the world’s most valuable company, Politico.eu, 12 May 2022: If Finland and Sweden join NATO, it’s on Russia, Financial Times, 12 May 2022: Italy’s PM Draghi floats creation of oil consumer ‘cartel’ after Biden talks, DW, 12 May 2022: Sri Lankans running out of food, fuel and medicine, Politico.eu, 13 May 2022: EU considers shelving ban on Russian oil as Hungary blocks sanctions (time to cut off even more EU subsidies to Hungary. After all, Orbán shows every day that Hungary does not belong in the EU, but would rather love to be part of the Soviet Union 2.0 yesterday than tomorrow), The Guardian, 13 May 2022: ‘Incredible cruelty’: Gang battles leave 150 dead in Haitian capital, France24, 13 May 2022: Live: EU ramps up military aid to Ukraine as diplomatic efforts intensify, Politico.eu, 13 May 2022: EU lands new law to fight off hackers in critical sectors, DW, 13 May 2022: G7: Germany seeks ‘powerful sign of unity’ for Ukraine, The Guardian, 13 May 2022: Netherlands: Suspect held over 1994 Rwandan genocide, Politico.eu, 13 May 2022: In Orbán’s obstruction, some EU capitals see useful delay of oil embargo, DW, 14 May 2022: G7 warn of global food crisis, vow indefinite supply of weapons for Ukraine, CNN, 14 May 2022: 4 reasons the economy looks like it’s crumbling — and what to do about it, DW, 14 May 2022: India bans wheat exports amid severe heat wave, Politico.eu, 14 May 2022: Orbán won’t make Hungarians pay war price (the entire article assumes that Orbán would make any constructive contributions to the EU at all. But this is not the case. He is a declared enemy of the EU and democracy, and at the same time one of Putin’s most loyal friends. The only reason why Orbán has not yet initiated Hungary’s exit from the EU is that he and his deeply corrupt regime want to continue to make personal gain from EU development aid from Brussels. It is high time to put all development aid budgets for Hungary on hold and at the same time to suspend all voting rights. There is no quicker or more effective way of showing the Hungarian population where the autocrat Orbán is steering their country), The Hill, 14 May 2022: Upcoming trade meeting a chance for WTO to prove it’s still relevant, Politico.eu, 14 May 2022: G7 presses China to put real pressure on Putin to stop Ukraine war, Irish Times, 14 May 2022: G7 nations call on China not to help Russia amid global food and energy crises, The Times, 14 May 2022: Liz Truss was sent to stop a trade war — now No 10 fears she could start one, The Guardian, 15 May 2022: China’s struggles delight some – but should make us all nervous, Arab News, 15 May 2022: Macron’s confederation for democracy, DW, 16 May 2022: Russia looms large at EU-US trade and tech talks in Paris, France24, 16 May 2022: Sri Lanka’s new PM wins support for ‘economic war cabinet’ amid worsening crisis, DW, 16 May 2022: Lockdowns cripple Chinese economy, Politico.eu, 16 May 2022: EU sanctions deal could still be weeks away, Borrell says, Miami Herald, 16 May 2022: Reversing Trump measures, U.S. will expand flights to Cuba and resume family reunifications, Politico.eu, 16 May 2022: EU climate legislation faces a divided Parliament, The National, 16 May 2022: McDonald’s to exit Russia over ‘humanitarian crisis in Ukraine’, Politico.eu, 16 May 2022: A green salvo to counter Putin’s war in Ukraine, Miami Herald, 16 May 2022: In a first, U.S. government green-lights American investment in private business in Cuba, Irish Times, 16 May 2022: Nato says Kyiv can win war as Moscow accused of causing food crisis, Politico.eu, 16 May 2022: Europe’s leaders fall out of key on Ukraine, DW, 16 May 2022: African food prices soaring amid Ukraine war, The Guardian, 16 May 2022: Bank of England: ‘Apocalyptic’ food prices will be disastrous for world’s poor, says governor, BBC, 16 May 2022: Turkey says it will veto Nordic states’ Nato bids, The New York Times, 16 May 2022: After 32 years, McDonald’s plans to sell its Russia business. (now, that’s a very precise and at the same time painful kick in the butt of the Putin regime. McDonald’s activities in Russia once embodied a spirit of optimism, peace and East-West rapprochement. The departure shows quite unmistakably how Putin’s Russia is actually doing today: once again on a steep downward course. No Western company’s departure could better symbolize the hopelessness and lack of future prospects of the Russian population), The Guardian, 16 May 2022: McDonald’s to sell its business in Russia after 30 years, BBC, 17 May 2022: McDonald’s to leave Russia for good after 30 years, CNN, 17 May 2022: McDonald’s is leaving Russia altogether, The National, 17 May 2022: Oil prices surge as China starts easing Covid-19 restrictions, CNN, 17 May 2022: World’s largest aircraft owner lost 113 planes to Russia due to sanctions, The Times, 17 May 2022: Backlash over Andrew Bailey’s warning that food shortage poses ‘apocalyptic’ inflation threat, CNN, 17 May 2022: Europe is still confused about how to pay its Russian gas bills, Politico.eu, 17 May 2022: EU’s startup accelerator fund hit by delays, The National, 18 May 2022: EU unveils first long-term strategy to shape future Gulf ties, Politico.eu, 18 May 2022: In talk of boosting EU defense, Brussels means business, France24, 18 May 2022: Belarus introduces death penalty for ‘attempted’ terrorism, Politico.eu, 18 May 2022: EU earmarks €2B to ease pain of Russian oil ban , The National, 18 May 2022: What’s on the agenda at Davos 2022: Business Extra, Politico.eu, 18 May 2022: Russia takes first steps to withdraw from WTO, WHO (once again on the express way to it’s final downfall. Congrats!), BBC, 18 May 2022: EU reveals its plans to stop using Russian gas, Politico.eu, 18 May 2022: EU to pitch in €9B for Ukraine as it weighs financing options for reconstruction, NPR, 18 May 2022: Rare monkeypox outbreak in U.K., Europe and U.S.: What is it and should we worry?, Politico.eu, 19 May 2022: Europe’s energy security asymmetry, BBC, 19 May 2022: Russian McDonald’s buyer to rebrand restaurants, Politico.eu, 19 May 2022: EU treaty change ‘not a taboo,’ says Scholz, The Times, 19 May 2022: Black Sea blockade in Russia-Ukraine war threatens world food supply (Putin is killing Africans and Asians en mass), Politico.eu, 19 May 2022: The incredible shrinking Global Britain (not so gratifying for the Brits, but all the more gratifying for me as almost all of my predictions so far have come true. Ultimately, it can be summed up in one sentence: “Brexiteers are nationalist idiots and economically illiterate”.), The National, 19 May 2022: US accuses Russia of using food as a weapon in Ukraine, DW, 19 May 2022: One tiny company is wrecking the American solar industry – why?, Politico.eu, 19 May 2022: Brexit tensions mean Brits won’t get EU science cash, Brussels warns, The New York Times, 19 May 2022: In Russia, as Prices Soar, the Outlook for Its Economy Grows ‘Especially Gloomy’, Al Arabiya, 19 May 2022: ‘No shortcuts’ to Ukraine EU membership: German chancellor Scholz, DW, 19 May 2022: Are European academics helping China’s military?, Arab News, 19 May 2022: UN urges Ukraine grain release, warn of ‘mass hunger’ that could last for years, Politico.eu, 19 May 2022: Monkeypox outbreak: What we know so far, DW, 19 May 2022: Romania’s Constanta port becomes hub for Ukraine’s grain, Politico.eu, 20 May 2022: G7 raises close to $20B for Ukraine, The Times, 20 May 2022: How Putin’s pals are still living the high life in Laundromat London, Politico.eu, 20 May 2022: Western allies ramp up rhetoric against Russia, want to see ‘defeat’ of Moscow, The Guardian, 20 May 2022: Supply crisis: US accuses Russia of weaponising food and holding global supplies ‘hostage’, BBC, 20 May 2022: Ukraine says giant Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant can’t supply Russia, Politico.eu, 20 May 2022: Pegasus’ complex structure hinders EU spyware probe, The Algemeiner, 20 May 2022: WHO Calls Emergency Meeting as Monkeypox Cases Top 100 in Europe, First Detected in Israel, The National, 20 May 2022: Stealing from history, Arab News, 20 May 2022: Why there’s more than economics to the G7’s role, Politico.eu, 20 May 2022: 4 things to watch as countries meet for the World Health Assembly, Times of Israel, 21 May 2022: Australian PM concedes defeat, ending party’s 9-year rule; was firm backer of Israel, France24, 21 May 2022: Live: Russia cuts off gas exports to Finland after payments dispute, The National, 21 May 2022: Australia’s Labor celebrates general election win, France24, 21 May 2022: Albanese to be PM as Labor ousts Australian conservatives after decade in power, CNN, 21 May 2022: Australian voters deliver strong message on climate, ending conservative government’s 9-year rule, Al Arabiya, 21 May 2022: Russia bans 963 Americans from entering country, adds 26 new Canadians (very funny. If there hadn’t been a newspaper report about it, nobody would have noticed. Not even the sanctioned themselves. As if there were anyone stupid enough to go to Russia voluntarily right now. In fact, even the Russians themselves are fleeing Russia), Politico.eu, 21 May 2022: UK-linked media magnate Lebedev hit by Canada sanctions, NPR, 21 May 2022: Russia has cut off its natural gas exports to Finland in a symbolic move, Politico.eu, 21 May 2022: Russia halts gas supply to Finland amid payments, NATO rows, Al Arabiya, 21 May 2022: Russia stops Finland gas flow over payments dispute, Politico.eu, 21 May 2022: Australia votes for change with election win for Labor Party, Irish Times, 21 May 2022: Russia stops delivering gas to Finland as Zelenskiy says only diplomacy will end war, The Times, 21 May 2022: Australian election result 2022: Labor’s Anthony Albanese wins, BBC, 21 May 2022: Australia election: Anthony Albanese vows unity after Labor seizes power, DW, 21 May 2022: Australian Labor Party defeats Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s coalition, The Guardian, 21 May 2022: Australia election: Conservative government voted out after nine years, DW, 21 May 2022: Monkeypox: Berlin records first cases of rare virus, Jerusalem Post, 21 May 2022: Europe has gone from being critical of Israel to admiring it (in fact, there are always the same European backbenchers who make statements about EU-Israel relations in the manner described in the article. All other assumptions are more likely to stem from the fact that someone is hoping for a job. In any case, it has little to do with the actual circumstances, in terms of Putin’s war against Ukraine, the Iran deal that Trump canceled under pressure from Netanyahu or Palestine/the Palastinians. At the same time, of course, it can only be a good thing if the numerous Sunday speeches are actually perceived as described in the article. What is true is that the vast majority of European governments have reacted positively to Netanyahu being history because he is seen as an untrustworthy and unreliable interlocutor and certainly not a partner. There are also some reservations about the Benett administration because of Netanyahu’s long reign and the few positive aspects it has brought to EU-Israel relations. Apparently triggered by the introduction of various European states to the EU (Serbia, North Macedonia, Georgia, Moldova, Ukraine, etc. – all countries have one thing in common: they are all European states), people in Israel seem to get the impression that they could make another attempt at becoming an EU member. Since the reasons why accession failed earlier are still valid, so hopes shouldn’t be hanged too high), BBC, 21 May 2022: Australia election: Anthony Albanese leads Labor to Australian election victory, DW, 21 May 2022: Abortion in EU: Fragile progress — and tightened laws, The National, 22 May 2022: France says it may take Ukraine ‘15 or 20 years’ to join EU, The Algemeiner, 22 May 2022: Yandex Wants to Move Headquarters to Israel, With Conditions, The Guardian, 22 May 2022: Tony Abbott and Scott Morrison have emptied the Liberals’ broad church, The Hill, 22 May 2022: Baby formula bill faces rocky terrain in Senate, NPR, 22 May 2022: Abbott CEO apologizes for the formula shortage as the first overseas shipment arrives, The Guardian, 22 May 2022: US: Baby formula shipment arrives from Europe, providing ‘some relief’ for families, Politico.eu, 22 May 2022: German finance chief calls for more fiscal discipline across EU, CNN, 22 May 2022: Australia has a new left-leaning government: Here’s what you need to know, The Guardian, 22 May 2022: The food crisis is what happens when global chains collapse. We might need to get used to it, DW, 22 May 20222: Can Gen Z handle inflation better than older generations?, CNN, 22 May 2022: Biden offers message for Kim Jong Un as he wraps first leg of his Asia trip, The Sunday Times, 22 May 2022: New Australian PM Anthony Albanese promises to end climate wars, DW, 22 May 2022: Olaf Scholz: Germany will work to restart Ukrainian grain exports to Africa, CNN, 22 May 2022: Japan turns away from post-WWII pacifism as China threat grows, DW, 22 May 2022: Australia: PM-elect Albanese wants to ‘end climate wars’, France24, 22 May 2022: Covid, Ukraine war weigh heavily as WHO opens annual assembly, DW, 22 May 2022: SIPRI: From climate to war, world entering a critical era, The National, 23 May 2022: US flight brings tonnes of baby formula from Germany, Times of Israel, 23 May 2022: European Parliament president to Knesset: To be antisemitic is to be anti-European, Haaretz, 23 May 2022: In Jerusalem, EU Parliament President Vows to Fight Antisemitism, The Guardian, 23 May 2022: Live Australia election: Anthony Albanese takes charge as Labor inches towards majority government, Politico.eu, 23 May 2022: As monkeypox cases rise, European countries urged to take extra steps, The Times, 23 May 2022: Joe Biden tries to pivot to Asia — but that’s easier said than done, Arab News, 23 May 2022: First baby formula shipment, enough for thousands of US infants, arrives from Europe, The National, 23 May 2022: US unveils Indo-Pacific pact to assert Asia leadership, The Guardian, 23 May 2022: Stoking fear and hatred held the Coalition in power – finally Australia had enough, DW, 24 May 20222: Russia: Alexei Navalny appeal fails, will move to a ‘maximum-security’ jail, The National, 24 May 2022: Joe Biden says Quad leaders are ‘navigating a dark hour’, Jerusalem Post, 24 May 2022: Russia taunts US on global food security crisis (“Russian harvest” means that they have stolen several thousand tons of Ukrainian wheat to use it as a weapon in Asia and Africa. If Putin isn’t reaching his goals in these regions he will starve millions of Africans and Asians to death), The National, 24 May 2022: Russia-Ukraine live: EU blames Moscow for global food crisis, Politico.eu, 24 May 2022: The European Central Bank — still waiting for Godot?, NPR, 24 May 2022: Monkeypox isn’t like COVID-19 — and that’s a good thing, Arab News, 24 May 2022: DCO, WEF launch digital initiative to boost global investment flows, DW, 24 May 2022: Ukraine’s future role as European energy supplier, Politico.eu, 24 May 2022: Von der Leyen: Russia oil sanctions won’t be approved at EU summit, The New York Times, 24 May 2022: Live Updates: World Leaders Call for Action to Free Trapped Ukrainian Food, DW, 24 May 2022: Russia dominates Davos WEF even as Russians go missing, Politico.eu, 24 May 2022: EU moves to confiscate Russian oligarchs’ assets, The Times, 24 May 2022: The Quad flexes its muscles against Chinese militarisation, NPR, 24 May 2022: Cuba hopes if it builds new hotels, tourists will come, after a long COVID shutdown, Politico.eu, 24 May 2022: Poland accused of hostage diplomacy as global tax debate scrapped, The Times, 24 May 2022: Xi reaps whirlwind of bromance with Putin, DW, 24 May 2022: ‘Quad’ talks in Japan open with eyes on China and Ukraine, Politico.eu, 25 May 2022: Rubles for gas: Who’s paid so far?, Al Arabiya, 25 May 2022: Explainer: Ukraine looks for ways to get its grain out, Politico.eu, 25 May 2022: Russian parliament green-lights closure of ‘unfriendly’ Western news bureaus, BBC, 25 May 2022: Putin weaponising Ukraine’s crops, says Polish PM, Politico.eu, 25 May 2022: Brussels to make skirting sanctions an EU-wide crime, DW, 25 May 2022: Baltic Sea countries rally together against Russia, Politico.eu, 25 May 2022: China’s fragility feeds the doom mongers in Davos, Al Arabiya, 25 May 2022: Annual gathering at Davos overshadowed by global economic worries, Politico.eu, 25 May 2022: Out to lunch: Russian envoy to EU claims packed schedule despite public freeze-out, Politico.eu, 25 May 2022: Climate burns the right, The New York Times, 26 May 2022: U.S. Aims to Constrain China by Shaping Environment Around It, Blinken Says, The Washington Post, 26 May 2022: Davos ends with Germany pushing global work on climate, war, DW, 26 May 2022: Enough talking — it’s time to act, Politico.eu, 26 May 2022: EU’s Russian oil ban hangs by a thread as mood darkens in Brussels, CNN, 26 May 2022: China plays for influence in South Pacific with security proposal and diplomatic tour, NPR, 26 May 2022: ‘How to Murder Your Husband’ writer found guilty of murdering her husband (some guide books don’t seem to be as good as one might think), Politico.com, 26 May 2022: Blinken calls China ‘most serious long-term’ threat to world order, DW, 26 May 2022: Blinken warns China threat greater than Russia long term, BBC, 27 May 2022: Japan opens up to foreign tourists after two years, DW, 27 May 2022: German minister slams Putin over food crisis on Ukraine trip, CNN, 27 May 2022: Ukraine war threatens Iran’s last economic lifeline, DW, 27 May 2022: The China shock: Germany turns away from its biggest trading partner, The Hill, 28 May 2022: Navalny in prison: How a thorn in Putin’s side reaches the outside world, New York Magazine, 28 May 2022: Is New York Ready for Recession? The economic warning lights are flashing red., Politico.eu, 27 May 2022: Putin: We could reopen Odesa, but we want sanctions removed (since when are war criminals like Putin are allowed to make demands?), Arab News, 27 May 2022: Western establishment will pay a political price for inflation, Politico.eu, 27 May 2022: Zelenskyy invited to EU leaders’ summit amid sanctions spat, The Hill, 28 May 2022: Without summits, a West Asia ‘Quad’ makes progress, Politico.eu, 28 May 2022: How to end Russia’s Black Sea blockade, The Times, 28 May 2022: Russia is winning battle to control the world’s wheat, The Guardian, 28 May 2022: ‘Get ready for Nuremberg 2.0’: Kremlin mulls show trials based on second world war tribunals, DW, 28 May 2022: Too little, too late? Tourism revives in North Africa, The Sunday Times, 29 May 2022: Uighurs, Covid and economy are unpicking China’s cult of Xi Jinping, Al Arabiya, 29 May 2022: EU mulls compromise to break deadlock on Russian oil embargo, Politico.eu, 29 May 2022: As it happened: European Council summit, DW, 29 May 2022: Egypt signs €8 billion deal with Siemens for high-speed rail system, The Times, 30 May 2022: Germany ‘breaks its promise’ to give Kyiv more heavy weapons (the worst case has now occurred. What has been discussed in this blog for years has now happened and in this situation of all things we have a Putin-affine, latently anti-American, little EU-affine, inward-looking SPD-led government (with the exception of the Green’s). It couldn’t have been much worse. If we get through this unscathed, then that has a lot to do with luck, because due to weaknesses inherent in the SPD, “Olaf and the traffic light men” are obviously not in a position to react appropriately to the multiple crises – apart from the fact that they doesn’t want to at all, but instead prefer to continue playing “nationalist allotment garden club” and thus sacrifices thousands of Ukrainians on the one hand, just to give their favorite dictator and war criminal Vladimir Putin an advantage on the other. For Germany’s reputation, this is already an outright catastrophe, for the EU and NATO it is an ordeal, also brought about with German help. Apart from a vote of no confidence and new elections, there will soon be no other options for action to at least not further escalate the considerable damage that has already occurred), CNN, 30 May 2022: China, Pacific islands unable to agree on security pact, Politico.eu, 30 May 2022: Orbán demands further exemptions from Russian oil sanctions, France24, 30 May 2022: Russian speakers reject the ‘language of the enemy’ by learning Ukrainian, Politico.eu, 30 May 2022: EU moves step closer to deal on Russian oil embargo, The Guardian, 30 May 2022: UK: Further 71 cases of monkeypox detected in England, DW, 30 May 2022: Could naval convoys lift the blockade on Ukraine grain?, Politico.eu, 30 May 2022: Dutch and Danish gas buyers warn of Russian shutoff, CNN, 30 May 2022: European Council aims to reach political agreement on Russian oil embargo on Monday, EU official says, The National, 30 May 2022: EU leaders face Russian oil deadlock as Hungary digs in, The Times, 30 May 2022: EU’s Russian oil ban attempts falter, The New York Times, 30 May 2022: Ukraine Live Updates: Europe’s Leaders Hammering Out Deal on Russian Oil Embargo, Arab News, 30 May 2022: Our YouGov Ukraine poll exposes deep Arab mistrust of the West, Irish Times, 30 May 2022: EU edges closer to deal on Russian oil with pipeline exception, Al Arabiya, 30 May 2022: Putin tells Erdogan Russia ready to export fertilizers, food if sanctions are lifted, Arab News, 30 May 2022: Despite direct economic consequences, study finds majority of Arabs do not care about Ukraine-Russia war, DW, 31 May 2022: EU leaders hail ‘solidarity’ in compromise on Russia oil ban after summit (in fact, the EU has once again allowed itself to be blackmailed by Orban instead of showing him clear boundaries by agreeing on a “27-1” resolution. After all, Orban’s Hungary is only a member of the EU on paper, but it has actually been in Putin’s pocket for years), The Guardian, 31 May 2022: Alexei Navalny: Putin’s political foe faces extra 15 years in jail over ‘extremism’ claims, Foreign Policy, 31 May 2022: As China’s Economy Falters, Be Careful What You Wish For, Politico.eu, 31 May 2022: Russia halts gas supply to the Netherlands, The Times, 31 May 2022: EU oil embargo: careful trade-off seeks to limit the pain, Arab News, 31 May 2022: UN holds ‘constructive’ talks in Moscow on grain, fertilizer exports, Politico.eu, 31 May 2022: 6 things to know about the EU’s Russian oil ban, CNN, 31 May 2022: The EU’s Russian oil ban is a big achievement, but the limits of Western unity will face further tests down the road, The New York Times, 31 May 2022: Live Updates: E.U. Looks to Get Ukraine Grain Exports Moving Again, Politico.eu, 31 May 2022: Eurozone inflation jumps to new record at 8.1 percent, DW, 31 May 2022: Russia’s Gazprom cuts supplies to Netherlands, France24, 31 May 2022: EU agrees ban on ‘more than two thirds’ of Russian oil imports, Politico.eu, 31 May 2022: Only Black Sea ships will allow Ukraine to feed the world again, The National, 31 May 2022: Africa fears ‘catastrophic’ food crisis from Ukraine war, DW, 31 May 2022: Jailed Kremlin critic Navalny says he faces 15 more years imprisonment (well, here too Putin shot himself in both feet. With each additional sentence, rather than a full rehabilitation of Navalny, Putin achieves the exact opposite of what he set out to achieve: he created a martyr), CNN, 31 May 2022: Russia is about to shut off some of Germany’s gas, The Times, 31 May 2022: Let Germany lead the rebuilding of Ukraine (yes, that should indeed be imposed on Germany, simply because deliveries of heavy weapons are constantly being announced but are not happening, even though the industry could have been delivering for eight weeks. Thousands of Ukrainian civilians have already died as a result. Subsequent generations in Germany will have to listen to this and have no choice but to agree to the allegations. In the meantime, one can no longer even hope that it won’t become more dramatic, because it is not only foreseeable but already clearly recognizable that things will get worse. All this apparently just so that the SPD can help its favorite dictator and serial war criminal, Tsar Vladimir, to secure the throne at any price and even overtake the AfD on the right and the SED successor club, Die Linke, on the left. Completely irresponsible and absolutely unworthy of a German federal government), The New York Times, 31 May 2022: President Biden: What America Will and Will Not Do in Ukraine, DW, 31 May 2022: Eurozone inflation reaches record 8.1% in May, Politico.eu, 31 May 2022: After Orbán pipes up, Hungary skips Russian oil ban, CNN, 1 June 2022: Brace yourselves for an economic ‘hurricane,’ Jamie Dimon says, Politico.eu, 1 June 2022: Hungary throws new spanner into EU sanctions talks, DW, 1 June 2022: Poland: European Commission unlocks COVID funding, Jerusalem Post, 1 June 2022: Wheat can’t be ‘weapon of war’, Pope says, urging lifting of Ukraine block, Politico.eu, 1 June 2022: The Czech and Hungarian fondness for emergency powers, CNN, 1 June 2022: Why Russia isn’t hurting even as it cuts off Europe’s gas, Politico.eu, 1 June 2022: EU gives Poland route to pandemic recovery cash, NPR, 1 June 2022: The Biden administration has announced new funding to help food supply chains, Politico.eu, 1 June 2022: Germany loses EU sway as Eastern Europe turns away over Russia (as was to be expected. The new governing coalition, particularly the SOPD, is not up to the task), Arab News, 1 June 2022: Russia and Iran: What next for the world’s most-sanctioned states?, Politico.eu, 1 June 2022: Olaf Scholz’s Kaiser complex leaves Ukraine in the lurch, DW, 2 June 2022: Investors cash in on food commodities as the poor go hungry, Politico.com, 2 June 2022: European Parliament bars Russia-backed lobbyists, Arab News, 2 June 2022: US welcomes OPEC+ move to boost oil supply, recognizes Saudi role in achieving consensus, Al Arabiya, 2 June 2022: OPEC+ alliance boosts oil production as energy prices soar, BBC, 2 June 2022: Meza Malonga: The Afro-fusion food making waves, Politico.com, 2 June 2022: Orbán wins again as furious EU envoys take church patriarch off Russian sanctions list (one should simply hand over the “new Eastern Bloc” to Putin. They’re useless anyway), The Guardian, 2 June 2022: Russia is winning the economic war – and Putin is no closer to withdrawing troops, Politico.com, 2 June 2022: Amid Commission rebellion, von der Leyen defends Polish recovery cash plan, DW, 2 June 2022: Netherlands green lights North Sea gas production with Germany, DW, 3 June 2022: Music festival season kicks off in Europe, Politico.eu, 3 June 2022: Macron’s party proposes new European centrist alliance, DW, 4 June 2022: Russia plans to restart German telescope without permission, Jerusalem Post, 4 June 2022: Suspect in Litvinenko poisoning dies in Moscow (finally, some good news from Moscow), BBC, 4 June 2022: Russian man accused of Alexander Litvinenko killing dies of Covid-19, DW, 4 June 2022: Russian suspect in spy poisoning dies of COVID, Politico.eu, 4 June 2022: Russia isn’t alone in stealing food — the EU does it too, Al Arabiya, 4 June 2022: Moscow expects big jump in profits from energy exports in 2022, DW, 5 June 2022: German Economy Minister Robert Habeck seeks new partnerships with Israel and Jordan (it is remarkable that the EastMed pipeline fantasy is still haunting, although it is as clear as day that it would be a purely political project with no economic benefits. Since neither Israel nor Cyprus can afford the adventure, one can count on one finger who would have to pay for the billion dollar grave. So it’s no wonder that Italy and the USA have since dropped out of the project. On the other hand, Israel could ship to Egypt, where there are LNG terminals, so Israeli-Lebanese gas could be liquefied and shipped to Europe. That would even be economically viable. In parts of Israeli politics, people are also trying to get rich in other energy fields by making wild speculations, such as using a pipeline that has been embezzled from Iran to transport oil from the Arab Gulf States to Ashdod and ship it to Europe from there. However, neither the suppliers nor the recipients of the oil are enthusiastic about the idea), BBC, 5 June 2022: China fighter jet intercepts Australian plane – Canberra, NPR, 5 June 2022: A fire at a depot in Bangladesh has killed at least 49 and injured more than 100, The Times, 5 June 2022: Is Putin winning the economic war over Ukraine?, DW, 5 June 2022: Kazakhstan: Voters decide on post-Nazarbayev reform, France24, 5 June 2022: Shipping movement continues in the Black Sea despite Ukraine war, sanctions, BBC, 5 June 2022: Bangladesh fire: Nearly 50 killed, hundreds injured in depot blast, Jerusalem Post, 6 June 2022: Israeli-Russian trade still prospering despite Ukraine War, The Guardian, 6 June 2022: Kazakhstan: Founding figure Nazarbayev stripped of privileges in referendum, The Economist, 7 June 2022: The pandemic has accelerated a global decline in the rule of law, CNN, 7 June 2022: ‘Uninvestable’ China could make a comeback, The Times, 7 June 2022: Russia’s UN ambassador walks out as food shortage blamed on invasion, Irish Times, 7 June 2022: World Bank warns many countries headed for recession, Arab News, 7 June 2022: World Bank slashes global growth forecast to 2.9%, warns of ‘stagflation’ risk, NPR, 7 June 2022: With Cubans leaving en masse, much of Cuba’s real estate is up for sale, The New York Times, 7 June 2022: Global Growth Will Be Choked Amid Inflation and War, World Bank Says).
European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control: Coronavirus/COVID-19: Situation update worldwide
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- Since the situation is developing dynamically, there is now a separate blog entry to the topic available: The European Union: Coronavirus Pandemic.
- Saying goodbye to the obviously dysfunctional trickle-down theory, known in the US as part of Reaganomics and the United Kingdom as part of Thatcherism, especially since it has achieved the opposite of what was originally announced, thereby causing considerable disruption in wealth distribution in the West (The Guardian, 13 June 2019: Why are we still pretending ‘trickle-down’ economics work?).
- Austria: Austria consistently ranks high in terms of GDP per capita, due to its highly industrialized economy, and well-developed social market economy. Until the 1980s, many of Austria’s largest industry firms were nationalised; in recent years, however, privatisation has reduced state holdings to a level comparable to other European economies. Labour movements are particularly influential, exercising large influence on labour politics and decisions related to the expansion of the economy. Next to a highly developed industry, international tourism is the most important part of the economy of Austria. The country ranks 10th among the largest EU net payer countries (France24, 18 May 2019: Austria’s far-right Vice Chancellor resigns over video scandal, The Washington Post, 18 May 2019: Austria’s vice chancellor announces resignation amid leak of video of purported graft, Times of Israel, 18 May 2019: Head of Austria’s far-right FPOe resigns government amid corruption scandal, The Guardian, 18 May 2019: Austria to move fast to hold elections after coalition collapses (the question arises why so far no similar videos haven’t been published with protagonists of the AfD, Rassemblement National, Lega Nord, Fidesz, PiS, etc.? It’s about time), France24, 18 May 2019: Austria’s Kurz calls for snap election after vice-chancellor corruption scandal, The Guardian, 19 May 2019: Austria prepares for fresh elections after Ibiza video scandal, Jerusalem Post, 20 May 2019: Australian, Austrian politics and the Israel question – analysis, The New York Times, 19 May 2019: European Elections Will Gauge the Power of Populism, Times of Israel, 20 May 2019: Austrian Jewish head praises downfall of far-right leader, The Guardian, 27 May 2019: Austrian chancellor Sebastian Kurz ousted in no-confidence vote, DW, 30 May 2019: Austrian president names Brigitte Bierlein interim chancellor, Haaretz, 27 September 2019: Austria Is About to Normalize Its Racist, anti-Semitic Far Right – Again, BBC, 28 September 2019: Austria election: Sebastian Kurz’s People’s Party ‘top poll’, Politico.eu, 29 September 2019: Sebastian Kurz spoilt for choice of coalition partners after election win, Times of Israel, 29 September 2019: Austria’s Kurz projected to win elections as far-right tumbles, 2020 coronavirus outbreak in Austria, Politico.eu, 19 March 2020: The Austrian ski town that spread coronavirus across the Continent, CNN, 24 March 2020: How an Austrian ski resort helped coronavirus spread across Europe, CNN, 31 March 2020: Austrian officials face lawsuit from 2,500 tourists over ski resort outbreak, Times of Israel, 4 May 2020: Israel said to join tourism compact for countries bringing virus under control, DW, 16 May 2020: The dark side of politics: Austria’s ‘Ibiza affair’ still sticks, Der Spiegel, 2 June 2020: Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz: “The EU Consists of More than Just Two Member States”, Der Spiegel, 6 July 2020: The Ischgl Outbreak: Families of COVID-19 Victims Seek Justice, Politico.eu, 10 October 2020: Austrian far right’s ex-leader eyes Vienna comeback after scandal, DW, 11 October 2020: Vienna voters deal blow to the far-right in local elections, Politico.eu, 11 October 2020: Former Austrian far-right leader falls short in comeback bid, DW, 12 October 2020: Commission blames Austrian government for poor handling of Ischgl coronavirus outbreak, DW, 2 November 2020: Austria terror attack: Multiple casualties after shooting near Vienna synagogue, France24, 2 November 2020: At least two killed in Vienna ‘terror attack’, Austrian authorities say, CNN, 2 November 2020: Vienna ‘terror attack’: Suspects at large and armed; at least one person killed, Irish Times, 2 November 2020: Vienna: At least two dead, several injured in ‘terror attack’ in city centre, Arab News, 2 November 2020: Two dead in ‘terror’ attack in central Vienna, BBC, 3 November 2020: Vienna shooting: Gunmen hunted after deadly ‘terror’ attack, France24, 3 November 2020: Death toll rises in Vienna ‘terrorist’ attack, city sealed off as police launch extensive manhunt, The Guardian, 3 November 2020: Vienna terrorist attack: several dead after shooting near synagogue in Austria – live updates, BBC, 3 November 2020: Vienna shooting: Arrests after Vienna attacked by ‘freed jihadist’, CNN, 3 November 2020: Four people ‘killed in cold blood’ in Vienna during night of terror, Times of Israel, 3 November 2020: European rabbis urge ‘much more’ government control of mosques, DW, 3 November 2020: Vienna: Police investigate terror links to gun attack, The Guardian, 3 November 2020: Austria: Terror attacker ‘pretended he had given up jihadism’, Politico.eu, 3 November 2020: UK raises terror threat level to ‘severe’, Al Jazeera, 3 November 2020: ‘No evidence of second attacker’ in Vienna shooting, France24, 3 November 2020: Islamic State group claims responsibility for Vienna terrorist attack, without providing evidence, Arab News, 3 November 2020: Austria police detain 14, give new details on Vienna killer, The National, 3 November 2020: Europe unites against ‘common enemy’ of terrorism after Vienna attack, DW, 3 November 2020: Austria attack: World leaders condemn ‘horrifying’ shootings in Vienna, The Guardian, 3 November 2020: Analysis: Does Vienna attack signal new wave of jihadist terrorism?, The National, 3 November 2020: Fear of a fresh ISIS attack strategy grips Europe, Irish Times, 3 November 2020: Terror will not divide Austria, chancellor says in wake of Vienna attack, Al Jazeera, 6 November 2020: Austria closes mosque, promises to shut more, in wake of attack (if you do not want to adhere to western, democratic and inclusive rules, then you have forfeited your place in the EU. That should be fundamentally clear to everyone and not just after terrorist attacks), BBC, 6 November 2020: Vienna shooting: Anti-terror chief suspended over intelligence bungle, The National, 6 November 2020: Vienna attack: Counter-terrorism chief suspended after ‘intolerable’ intelligence failures, Al Arabiya, 6 November 2020: Austria closes ‘radical’ mosque, association over links to Vienna attacker, Times of Israel, 7 November 2020: Vienna anti-terror chief suspended after failure to prevent Islamist shooting, Politico.eu, 26 November 2020: Austrian village of Fucking to be renamed Fugging, DW, 4 December 2020: Ex-finance minister found guilty of corruption, Foreign Policy, 29 March 2021: This Is Europe’s Vaccine Rollout Going According to Plan, Politico.eu, 30 March 2021: Austria threatens to halt EU’s 100M vaccine buy until it gets greater share of jabs, Politico.eu, 1 April 2021: EU countries rebuff Austria’s bid for more vaccines, DW, 18 May 2021: Erdogan slams US, Austria over Israel response, DW, 29 May 2021: Austria’s Muslim youth file lawsuit against ‘Islam map’, The National, 16 August 2021: Austria calls for deportation centres to host Afghan refugees after Taliban takeover, Politico.eu, 22 August 2021: Kurz: Austria won’t take in any more Afghan refugees, BBC, 27 August 2021: Austrian ex-far-right leader Strache guilty of corruption, The Times, 27 August 2021: Austrian far-right leader convicted after Ibiza sting, France24, 27 August 2021: Austria’s former far-right vice chancellor convicted of corruption, Politico.eu, 27 August 2021: Austrian former far-right leader convicted on corruption charges, DW, 31 August 2021: Germany’s Merkel, Austria’s Kurz talk Afghanistan in Berlin, France24, 17 September 2021: Austria hears first lawsuit over Covid-19 outbreak at Ischgl ski resort, DW, 17 September 2021: Austria hears first suit over COVID-19 ‘superspreader’ outbreak at Ischgl resort, Politico.eu, 6 October 2021: Austria’s Kurz under suspicion for bribery and embezzlement in corruption probe (you can’t get to the top without smashing some china. But if you get caught doing it, you have to draw the consequences. In this case either the swift resignation or a later prison sentence), France24, 6 October 2021: Austria’s Chancellor Kurz under investigation on suspicion of bribery, DW, 9 October 2021: Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz announces resignation, Politico.eu, 9 October 2021: Austria’s Sebastian Kurz steps down amid corruption probe, The Guardian, 9 October 2021: Sebastian Kurz to quit as chancellor due to corruption inquiry, CNN, 9 October 2021: Austria’s chancellor resigns, BBC, 9 October 2021: Austrian chancellor resigns amid corruption inquiry, France24, 9 October 2021: Austria’s Kurz announces resignation amid corruption investigation, The Guardian, 10 October 2021: Austria analysis: Sebastian Kurz departure is further blow to Europe’s centre-right, DW, 10 October 2021: Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg to take over chancellorship, Gulf Times, 10 October 2021: Embattled Austrian chancellor names FM as successor, CNN, 11 October 2021: Alexander Schallenberg sworn in as Austria chancellor after Sebastian Kurz quits amid corruption inquiry, France24, 11 October 2021: New Austrian chancellor sworn in as graft scandal roils ruling party, Politico.eu, 22 October 2021: Kurz affair forces Austria to look in the mirror, Politico.eu, 19 November 2021: Austria becomes first Western country to resort to mandatory coronavirus vaccination, BBC, 19 November 2021: Austria to go into full lockdown as Covid surges, France24, 19 November 2021: Austria imposes full lockdown and mandatory vaccines as Covid-19 cases surge, DW, 20 November 2021: Austria announces COVID lockdown, vaccine mandate, CNN, 20 November 2021: Alpine country goes back into lockdown, suspending tourism as the holiday season starts, BBC, 22 November 2021: Austrian Chancellor: ‘You don’t only have rights, you have obligations’, DW, 24 November 2021: Austria: No charges over Ischgl resort outbreak, DW, 27 November 2021: Austrian police arrest 15 suspected people smugglers, Politico.eu, 2 December 2021: Austria’s ex-Chancellor Sebastian Kurz quits politics, CNN, 2 December 2021: Former Austrian leader Kurz leaving politics, Politico.eu, 3 December 2021: ‘I’m neither a saint nor a criminal.’ Sebastian Kurz walks away (for now), France24, 3 December 2021: Austria names new chancellor after Kurz’s shock resignation, Politico.eu, 3 December 2021: Interior Minister Karl Nehammer set to become Austrian chancellor, DW, 6 December 2021: Austria swears in new chancellor Karl Nehammer, Politico.eu, 6 December 2021: New Austrian chancellor vows to ‘drive back division’ in the country, The Algemeiner, 13 December 2021: New Austrian Interior Minister Gerhard Karner Urged to Resign After Past ‘Antisemitic’ Rhetoric Revealed, France24, 30 December 2021: Nazi art show helps Austria confront its past, Politico.eu, 30 December 2021: Ex-Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz to work for tech billionaire Peter Thiel, DW, 20 January 2022: Coronavirus digest: Austria becomes first EU country to pass vaccine mandate, Politico.eu, 1 February 2022: Austria’s ‘asshole’ protocols, BBC, 30 March 2022: Germany and Austria take step towards gas rationing, The Washington Post, 11 April 2022: Austrian chancellor says he had ‘tough’ talks with Putin, DW, 11 April 2022: Austrian chancellor concludes ‘tough’ talks with Putin in Moscow, CNN, 11 April 2022: Austria’s leader says his face-to-face meeting with Putin was ‘not a friendly visit’, Politico.eu, 11 April 2022: Austrian chancellor says trip to see Putin was ‘not a friendly visit’,
Jerusalem Post, 24 April 2022: Ukraine should not be offered EU membership – Austria foreign minister, DW, 21 May 2022: Will Austria abandon neutrality to join NATO?). - Belgium, Luxembourg and Netherlands (Benelux): Due to the cultural differences between the Dutch-speaking north and the French-speaking south, Belgium is politically not easy to manage (Times of Israel, 28 October 2019: Jewish mom gets nod as Belgium’s first female prime minister, DW, 28 October 2019: Belgium gets first woman prime minister, Israel Hayom, 31 October 2019: Belgium names first ever Jewish, female prime minister, NPR, 3 May 2020: Belgians Urged To Eat More Fries To Help Potato Farmers Amid Pandemic-Related Glut, France24, 27 July 2020: Belgium tightens Covid-19 restrictions to avoid another lockdown amid rise in cases, Politico.eu, 1 October 2020: Belgian milestone: A first trans minister and nobody cares, Jerusalem Post, 3 October 2020: Antwerp Jews to lose army protection under new Belgium government’s plan, The Guardian, 4 December 2020: Security services say Brussels mosque infiltrated by Moroccan spies, Arab News, 4 December 2020: Belgian court to give verdict in Iran diplomat case on January 22, Brussels Times, 13 January 2021: ‘Totally unacceptable’: Minister condemns riots in Brussels, Express, 13 January 2021: Brussels chaos as protesters torch police station in furious clash with officers, BBC, 14 January 2021: Belgian king’s car hit during riots over death in police custody, New York Post, 14 January 2021: Brussels BLM protesters pelt Belgian king’s car with rocks, The Washington Post, 14 January 2021: 4 detained from Belgium demonstration over Black man’s death), but economically sound. The average wealth of Luxembourg‘s households is around 2.5 times the EU average. The banking, insurance and real estate sectors account for over 50% of the GDP. The Dutch banking sector was hit hard by the economic and financial crisis, so it was talked about having to call on the euro rescue fund, but it has since stabilized again. The economy has been growing steadily since 2013 (The Guardian, 18 March 2020: Eurovision Song Contest cancelled due to coronavirus pandemic, Politico.eu, 11 May 2020: The Flemish nationalist exit strategy, Politico.eu, 26 May 2020: Disenchanted Belgians turn their backs on Wilmès, BBC, 23 June 2020: How the Dutch are reshaping their post-pandemic utopia, France24, 10 July 2020: Netherlands takes Russia to European court over 2014 downing of Flight MH17, Politico.eu, 19 July 2020: Belgian PM Wilmès: Now is not the time for regrets on coronavirus response, Politico.eu, 23 July 2020: Mark Rutte: Too frugal and not frugal enough, CNN, 18 August 2020: Amsterdam has been collapsing for years. Now it’s paying the price, Foreign Policy, 16 September 2020: The Dutch Don’t Love Europe—and Never Did, Al Jazeera, 27 October 2020: Erdogan files complaint against Dutch far-right politician, Al Arabiya, 27 October 2020: Dutch PM says Erdogan complaint against anti-Islam MP Geert Wilders ‘unacceptable’, Politico.eu, 23 November 2020: Dutch far-right MP Baudet resigns over racism row, DW, 8 January 2021: Amsterdam weighs ban on ‘coffee shop’ tourism (Amsterdam has suffered from so-called overtourism for years. It is certainly not good for The Bulldog, but it is only logical to switch off drug tourism – in the interests of residents and tourists alike), DW, 15 January 2021: Dutch government resigns over child benefits scandal, BBC, 15 January 2021: Dutch Rutte government resigns over child welfare fraud scandal, The Guardian, 15 January 2021: Dutch government resigns over child benefits scandal, The New York Times, 15 January 2021: Dutch Government Resigns After Benefits Scandal, Politico.eu, 15 January 2021: Mark Rutte pulls plug on Dutch government, plans immediate return, CNN, 15 January 2021: Dutch government resigns over child welfare fraud scandal, France24, 15 January 2021: Dutch government collectively resigns over childcare subsidies scandal, Politico.eu, 12 March 2021: Geert Wilders, comeback king, Al Jazeera, 15 March 2021: Netherlands: Historic vote in the shadow of anti-lockdown riots, Politico.eu, 16 March 2021: Mark Rutte: The Netherlands’ Mr. Normal, Al Jazeera, 17 March 2021: PM Mark Rutte’s party wins most seats in Dutch vote: Exit poll, Politico.eu, 17 March 2021: Rutte wins Dutch election: exit poll, Potato News Today, 19 March 2021: The fries in Belgium are so special, they could get UNESCO status, DW, 1 April 2021: Dutch PM Mark Rutte at risk of no-confidence vote, The New York Times, 2 April 2021: The Weekender: How Amsterdam Is Preparing for a Post-Covid Tourism Boom, DW, 2 April 2021: Dutch PM Mark Rutte narrowly survives no-confidence vote, Politico.eu, 12 May 2021: Alibaba and the 40 spies? Belgium frets over Chinese mega project, Politico.eu, 5 June 2021: Belgium’s most wanted man ignites a culture war, The Guardian, 18 June 2021: Belgium: Climate failures violate human rights, court rules, The Sunday Times, 20 June 2021: Body of ‘Belgian Rambo’ found in woods, Politico.eu, 20 June 2021: Fugitive Belgian soldier Jürgen Conings found dead, DW, 6 July 2021: Netherlands crime journalist Peter R. de Vries shot in Amsterdam, The New York Times, 6 July 2021: Prominent Dutch Crime Reporter Is Shot in Center of Amsterdam, BBC, 7 July 2021: Peter R de Vries: Dutch crime journalist wounded in Amsterdam shooting, Politico.eu, 7 July 2021: The dark, dangerous side of Dutch tolerance, The Washington Post, 7 July 2021: A Dutch journalist exposed the mob and defied death threats. Now he’s been shot in the head. (when it comes to press freedom, there is, however, a very clear distinction between state-organized criminals, such as in Hungary, Poland, Slovenia or Bulgaria, and “private-sector” criminals, such as in Amsterdam. The state criminals are far more dangerous), Reuters, 7 July 2021: Dutch crime reporter De Vries fighting for his life after shooting, DW, 10 July 2021: Violence against journalists ‘in the heart of Europe’, The Guardian, 10 July 2021: The top journalist, the mafia boss and the gunman: Dutch fear the rise of ‘narco crime’, DW, 15 July 2021: Dutch investigative journalist Peter R. de Vries dies after shooting, The Guardian, 15 July 2021: Peter de Vries: Dutch crime reporter dies after shooting, DW, 20 July 2021: Belgium: Migrants on hunger strike for residence visas (so what? Law and statutes apply to everyone, regardless of which theater individuals think they have to organize. They are illegal in Belgium and will therefore be deported. That easy), Politico.eu, 21 July 2021: A migrant hunger strike is shaking Belgium’s government, Politico.eu, 21 July 2021: Migrant protesters suspend hunger strike in tentative deal with Belgian government, DW, 25 July 2021: Belgium hit with renewed flooding amid heavy rain, France24, 21 July 2021: Thousands bid farewell to slain Dutch reporter ‘hero’, Al Arabiya, 6 August 2021: US drops plan to vacate troop bases in Germany, Belgium, Politico.eu, 16 August 2021: Coronavirus and floods leave Belgium’s tourism industry in disarray, France24, 2 October 2021: Dutch PM under protection as the ‘Mocro Mafia’ drug cartel sows fear in the Netherlands, The Sunday Times, 3 October 2021: Terror suspects discussed killing Dutch PM Mark Rutte at press conference, Politico.eu, 29 October 2021: Poland summons Belgian ambassador over PM’s sharp words, Politico.eu, 26 November 2021: ‘Worse than the worst-case scenario’: Belgium tightens coronavirus rules, France24, 23 November 2021: Dutch ‘Bible Belt’ targeted in Covid vaccine drive, Politico.eu, 13 December 2021: Dutch parties reach coalition deal after marathon talks, The National, 13 December 2021: Dutch parties agree on coalition government a record nine months after vote, DW, 13 December 2021: Netherlands to form govt 9 months after vote, The Guardian, 14 December 2021: Netherlands: ‘Teflon’ Mark Rutte set for fourth Dutch term after record-breaking talks, France24, 23 December 2021: Belgium to close all current nuclear reactors by 2025, Politico.com, 3 January 2022: 8 things to know about the incoming Dutch government, Politico.com, 7 January 2022: The Dutch went into Omicron lockdown fast; coming out could take longer, Politico.eu, 27 January 2022: Top EU official: Religious slaughter bans paint Jews, Muslims as ‘medieval’ (religious practices or not, she seems to think that it wouldn’t be seen as “medieval” without the law), Politico.eu, 27 January 2022: Belgium launches investigation into railways’ role in wartime deportations to German death camps, Politico.eu, 27 January 2022: The Netherlands’ earthshaking gas deal with Germany, Jerusalem Post, 11 February 2022: Dutch universities order staff to disclose ties to Jewish, Israeli groups, DW, 17 February 2022: Netherlands apologizes to Indonesia over war crimes, The Guardian, 17 February 2022: Netherlands: PM sorry for state’s role in abuses in 1940s Indonesian war, Dutch News, 22 February 2022: Putin is showing ‘total paranoia’, Dutch PM says as Ukraine crisis escalates, Politico.eu, 6 March 2022: Dutch finance chief open to changing EU fiscal rules — but not the fundamentals, Politico.eu, 19 March 2022: Belgium delays nuclear phaseout amid war worries, Politico.eu, 31 March 2022: Zelenskyy to Belgium: Value peace over Russian diamonds, Politico.eu, 12 April 2022: Dutch scandal serves as a warning for Europe over risks of using algorithms, The Guardian, 15 April 2022: Belgium: Undocumented migrant fights to claim huge scratchcard win, Politico.eu, 19 April 2022: Russia expels diplomats from Belgium and the Netherlands, Al Arabiya, 22 April 2022: Amsterdam Trade Bank, part of Russia’s Alfa Bank, declared bankrupt, Politico.eu, 27 April 2022: ‘Nobody’ wants to end up like Putin, says Dutch king, The Guardian, 13 May 2022: Netherlands: Suspect held over 1994 Rwandan genocide, Jerusalem Post, 19 May 2022: Israel demands answers for Dutch FM’s Al-Haq’s visit (the typical Israeli mantra “everyone in the Levant is a terrorist – except of us of course”. Since Netanyahu’s reign, the West isn’t buying this theory any longer), Politico.eu, 22 May 2022: On becoming Belgian after Brexit, The National, 24 May 2022: Dutch police arrest Syrian accused of war crimes for Assad, Politico.eu, 30 May 2022: Dutch and Danish gas buyers warn of Russian shutoff, DW, 31 May 2022: Russia’s Gazprom cuts supplies to Netherlands, Politico.eu, 31 May 2022: Russia halts gas supply to the Netherlands, DW, 2 June 2022: Netherlands green lights North Sea gas production with Germany, Politico.eu, 2 June 2022: Lumumba’s tooth: Belgium’s unfinished reckoning with its colonial past). The Netherlands and Belgium 5th and 6th among the among the largest EU net payer countries. Despite its large private wealth, Luxembourg has been the EU’s net recipient country since 2016 and ranks 16th among the largest EU net beneficiary countries.
- Bulgaria and Romania: Bulgaria is considered the poorest and most corrupt country in the EU. In the latter, Romania is not far from the latter (Corruption in Romania, DW, 11 August 2018: What is happening in Romania is not democracy and The Guardian, 5 October 2018: Romanians to vote in referendum LGBT groups say is fuelling hate). Otherwise the countries do not have much in common anymore. Bulgaria has a large wave of emigration behind it (around 1/4 of the population since the end of the Soviet Union – BBC, 30 September 2019: How to slow down the world’s fastest-shrinking country), because in the western EU federal states better-paid employment opportunities can be found. The workers who have migrated, are now missed at the other end of the chain, so that foreign investors do not invest in the country, because there are not enough local skilled workers given anymore. In contrast, Romania’s economy has been growing faster than the rest of the Eurozone for years. Numerous foreign investors and companies have been attracted, who have now created more than 500,000 jobs. The unemployment rate stands at 4.5%, which is causing a shortage of skilled workers and thus led to noticeable increases in wages and salaries, but also to rising minimum wages, which are to be doubled by 2022. The average wage is around 450 euros, the minimum wage at 320 euros. Romania and Bulgaria are ranking 2nd and 8th among the largest EU net beneficiary countries (Economy of Bulgaria and Economy of Romania). With effect from 1 January 2019, the Romanian government under Liviu Dragnea, which is corrupt to the core, will take over the EU Presidency for six months (The Guardian, 30 December 2018: Romania to take over EU presidency amid fears for rule of law, Politico.eu, 1 January 2019: Tusk backs Romania’s EU presidency after Juncker’s ‘doubts’, France24, 1 January 2019: Romania takes over EU presidency amid strained relations with Brussels and Business Review, 7 January 2019: Liviu Dragnea v European Commission: PSD leader takes EU anti-fraud body to court over Tel Drum case, Politico.eu, 10 October 2019: Dancila’s Romanian government falls in no-confidence vote, Politico.eu, 22 October 2019: EU to end corruption monitoring scheme in Bulgaria, but not Romania, The Guardian, 24 November 2019: Romanian centrist president re-elected by a landslide, France24, 24 November 2019: Pro-European incumbent wins Romania presidential elections, Politico.eu, 20 December 2019: Romania seeks EU ‘flexibility’ on budget and energy tax, says finance minister, Politico.eu, 25 December 2019: Thirty years after Romanian revolution, questions remain, Politico.eu, 19 February 2020: Radio Free Europe returns to fight fake news, Reuters, 11 July 2020: Thousands call on Bulgarian government to resign in anti-graft protests, DW, 11 July 2020: Bulgaria’s president calls on ‘mafia’-style government to resign, Politico.eu, 12 July 2020: Corruption crisis puts Bulgaria’s Borissov on the ropes, France24, 13 July 2020: Fourth night of anti-government protests in Bulgaria, Politico.eu, 30 July 2020: Disinformation fuels Romania’s coronavirus spike, Politico.eu, 10 August 2020: EU’s credibility is at stake over Bulgaria, says reformist leader, DW, 6 September 2020: Bulgaria riots: Police, anti-government protesters clash in Sofia (2020 Bulgarian protests), Politico.eu, 9 September 2020: MEPs tackle rule of law in Bulgaria as corruption crisis swells, Politico.eu, 9 September 2020: How Bulgaria became the EU’s mafia state, Politico.eu, 10 October 2020: Why thousands are fighting the Bulgarian government: ‘They have no vision for the future’, Politico.eu, 17 November 2020: Bulgaria blocks EU membership talks for North Macedonia (because of short-sighted, nationalistic idiocy, the most corrupt EU member country blocked the strategical important EU enlargement to include the Balkans), DW, 5 December 2020: As Romania votes, millions still live in poverty, Politico.eu, 6 December 2020: Coronavirus casts shadow over Romanian election, Al Jazeera, 7 December 2020: On the Macedonian-Bulgarian dispute and historical revisionism, DW, 7 December 2020: Romania election: Opposition Social Democrats lead in preliminary vote results, Politico.eu, 11 December 2020: 5 reasons why Bucharest won the EU cyber center race, Politico.eu, 3 March 2021: Romania reveals the limits of China’s reach in Europe, Politico.eu, 2 April 2021: Borissov leads the pack into Bulgaria’s messy election, DW, 26 April 2021: Romania kicks out Russian embassy official, France24, 26 April 2021: Romania is latest EU country to expel Russian diplomat in espionage row, Jerusalem Post, 26 June 2021: Knesset Speaker asks Romanian counterparts to assist Holocaust survivors, DW, 10 July 2021: New elections in Bulgaria: Tired of lies, young voters want ‘green’ solutions, Politico.eu, 11 July 2021: No clear winner in Bulgarian election: exit poll, DW, 5 September 2021: Living in a sea of trash: Roma fight environmental racism in Romania, DW, 15 September 2021: Romania: The new mayor looking to clean up local politics, DW, 11 September 2021: Bulgaria set for third election this year in November, Der Spiegel, 17 September 2021: Controversial Eurozone Accession: Concerns Rise as Bulgaria Prepares to Join the Euro, DW, 27 September 2021: EU monitors look at police violence in Bulgari, Politico.eu, 5 October 2021: Romanian government falls after losing no-confidence vote, Politico.eu, 15 October 2021: Romania asks for emergency help from the EU to fight coronavirus, Politico.eu, 21 October 2021: Romanian president proposes army general as prime minister, DW, 14 November 2021: Bulgaria: Exit polls show tight race between anti-graft party and conservatives, The Hill, 14 November 2021: New anti-corruption party expected to win Bulgaria’s election, CNN, 22 November 2021: Bodies pile up outside hospital morgue as Romania struggles with fourth wave of Covid, Times of Israel, 1 January 2022: Romania’s ‘homegrown’ Holocaust: 80 years since forgotten Bogdanovka massacre, DW, 19 January 2022: Romania: Right-wing extremists target German mayor, DW, 24 January 2022: New prime ministers reboot Bulgaria-North Macedonia relations, Jerusalem Post, 29 January 2022: Likud rejects outreach from ‘antisemitic’ Romanian party, Politico.eu, 20 March 2022: Bulgaria signals historic shift from Russian gas, Politico.eu, 3 April 2022: Romania to issue iodine tablets as Russian war continues in neighboring Ukraine, Jerusalem Post, 6 April 2022: Man dies crashing car into Russian embassy in Romanian capital, Times of Israel, 6 April 2022: Hungary’s most radical nationalist party since WWII just won 7 seats in parliament, Politico.eu, 7 April 2022: Brussels approves Bulgaria’s recovery spending plan, Irish Times, 8 April 2022: Romania prepares for next wave of refugees from Ukraine, NPR, 12 April 2022: Romania hasn’t always seen itself as a safe haven. War in Ukraine has changed that, Jerusalem Post, 17 April 2022: Romania eyeing Israeli gas and renewable energy innovation, The National, 26 April 2022: Russia suspends gas supplies to Poland and Bulgaria, Politico.eu, 26 April 2022: Russia to halt gas shipments to Poland and Bulgaria, BBC, 26 April 2022: Ukraine war: Russia halts gas exports to Poland and Bulgaria, France24, 26 April 2022: Russia’s Gazprom to halt gas supplies to Poland, Bulgaria, DW, 26 April 2022: Russia’s Gazprom to halt gas supplies to Poland, Bulgaria, Los Angeles Times, 27 April 2022: Russia cuts gas to Poland and Bulgaria as West mounts new arms push, Politico.eu, 27 April 2022: Poland and Bulgaria start life with no Russian gas, CNN, 27 April 2022: Poland and Bulgaria are receiving gas from EU neighbors, European Commission president says, DW, 27 April 2022: Russia’s Gazprom halts gas supplies to Poland, Bulgaria, Politico.eu, 28 April 2022: Commission’s ruble-for-gas scheme won’t work, Bulgaria warns, DW, 10 May 2022: Bulgaria finds middle ground on weapons deliveries to Ukraine, DW, 19 May 2022: Romania’s Constanta port becomes hub for Ukraine’s grain.
- Croatia: Croatia is classified as a high-income economy by the United Nations. In 2010, economic output was dominated by the service sector which accounted for 66% of GDP, followed by the industrial sector with 27.2% and agriculture accounting for 6.8% of GDP. According to 2004 data, 2.7% of the workforce were employed in agriculture, 32.8% by industry and 64.5% in services. The industrial sector is dominated by shipbuilding, food processing, pharmaceuticals, information technology, biochemical and timber industry. In 2010, Croatian exports were valued at 64.9 billion kuna (€8.65 billion) with 110.3 billion kuna (€14.7 billion) worth of imports. The largest trading partner is the rest of the European Union. More than half of Croatia’s trade is with other European Union member states. Privatization and the drive toward a market economy had barely begun under the new Croatian Government when war broke out in 1991. As a result of the war, the economic infrastructure sustained massive damage, particularly the revenue-rich tourism industry. From 1989 to 1993, the GDP fell 40.5%. The Croatian state still controls a significant part of the economy, with government expenditures accounting for as much as 40% of GDP. A backlogged judiciary system, combined with inefficient public administration, especially on issues of land ownership and corruption, are particular concerns. Tourism dominates the Croatian service sector and accounts for up to 20% of Croatian GDP. Annual tourist industry income for 2017 was estimated at €9.5 billion (The Guardian, 6 January 2020: Croatia elects leftist Zoran Milanovic to be next president, The Guardian, 22 March 2020: Zagreb hit by earthquake while in coronavirus lockdown, BBC, 22 March 2020: Earthquake rocks Croatia’s capital Zagreb, DW, 6 July 2020: European Commission apologizes for von der Leyen Croatia election video, DW, 7 August 2020: Opinion: Croatia on path towards reconciliation with Serbian minority, DW, 29 December 2020: Deadly earthquake causes huge damage, BBC, 29 December 2020: Croatia earthquake: Five dead as rescuers search rubble for survivors, Politico.eu, 25 January 2022: Croatia sows confusion with threat to pull NATO troops over Ukraine crisis, DW, 1 June 2022: EU says Croatia ready to join eurozone in 2023, Politico.eu, 1 June 2022: Croatia on track to adopt the euro). The country ranks 13th among the largest EU net beneficiary countries.
- Cyprus: In the wake of the Greek crisis, Cyprus narrowly escaped state bankruptcy in 2013. Unlike the large neighboring country, the island republic has been back on track since 2017 and can boast good growth rates in all areas. This was mainly due to the strong tourism industry and the prudent actions of the Minister of Finance, which, unlike in Greece, did not increase taxes, but consistently cut spendings and thus kept the economy going. The north of Cyprus was occupied by Turkey in 1974 in the course of the Cyprus conflict and since 1983 Turkey has been the only country in the world to refer to it as the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. Cyprus’ capital Nicosia is the last European capital to be occupied and divided in the north. At the same time, the unresolved Cyprus conflict is one of the many reasons why Turkey’s admission to the EU had to be put on hold for an indefinite period (BBC, 8 August 2019: Turkey ramps up drilling off Cyprus on eve of peace talks, Al Jazeera, 25 November 2019: Cypriot leaders in Berlin after UN push to revive peace talks, Al Jazeera, 15 December 2019: Turkish navy orders Israeli ship out of Cyprus’s waters, Times of Israel, 11 December 2019: Turkey won’t rule out force to halt drilling in Cypriot waters, The Guardian, 16 December 2019: Armed Turkish drone lands in Cyprus as regional tensions rise, The National, 16 December 2019: Turkey deploys drones to Northern Cyprus following Libya deal, Times of Israel, 18 December 2019: In blow to Turkey, US Congress ends decades-old arms embargo on Cyprus, Jerusalem Post, 23 December 2019: Greece, Israel, Cyprus to sign deal on gas pipeline on January 2, Haaretz, 25 December 2019: Cyprus, Cyberspies and the Dark Side of Israeli Intel, Al Jazeera, 29 December 2019: Greek PM: Athens to seek world court if talks with Turkey fail (EastMed pipeline), France24, 2 January 2020: Greece, Cyprus, Israel sign EastMed pipeline deal, Al Arabiya, 2 January 2020: Leaders of Greece, Israel, Cyprus to sign gas pipeline deal, Times of Israel, 2 January 2020: Israel inks mega gas pipeline deal with Greece, Cyprus, France24, 2 January 2020: Between Ankara and Athens, the eastern Mediterranean is simmering with tensions, Arab News, 14 January 2020: Conflict may be in the pipeline in Eastern Mediterranean, Times of Israel, 18 January 2020: Italy’s foreign minister expresses doubts over feasibility of EastMed pipeline (since this is primarily a political project, economics actually plays a subordinate role), Arab News, 19 January 2020: Saudi Arabia offers ‘full support’ to Cyprus amid Eastern Mediterranean tensions, DW, 7 March 2020: Protesters, police clash at closed checkpoint, Politico.eu, 6 June 2020: Cypriot president: ‘Aggressive’ Turkey should be stripped of EU candidate status, Jerusalem Post, 19 July 2020: Greek ambassador warns of Turkey, lauds Israeli gas pipeline approval (it is somehow interesting how a project that actually isn’t that significant for the EU, but only for Cyprus, Greece and the third country Israel, is politically inflated to give the impression that the EU is behind it, so that there could be deterrent potential against Turkey. Nice try, but that will probably not work. Erdogan’s neo-Ottomans can read as well, so that they have now also recognized the strategy behind the attempts by Greece, Cyprus and Israel. This will not make the project implementation any easier. Italy already jumped off boat in January 2020, because the project is economically “not feasible”. How the Greek ambassador came up with the idea that the project could be of interest to Central and Northern Europe remains his secret. In fact, Nord Stream 2 is currently being completed, which will supply Northern and Central Europe. “..alongside shipping it to the EU by tankers in the form of liquefied natural gas” – wishful thinking, as the LNG trade in the EU is in a dead end, not least because of the world market prices for natural gas and crude oil), Arab News, 22 July 2020: Greek navy on ‘heightened readiness’ over Turkish activities: official, DW, 24 July 2020: Europe warns Turkey against natural gas mission near Greece,Politico.eu, 6 August 2020: Greece signs maritime border deal with Egypt amid spat with Turkey, The National, 6 August 2020: Egypt and Greece sign deal on maritime zones, Al Arabiya, 17 August 2020: US supports Cyprus, wants closer eastern Mediterranean gas cooperation, DW, 17 September 2020: Refugee pushbacks by Cyprus draw attention from EU, UN, Al Arabiya, 18 September 2020: Gas standoff: France backs Cyprus calls for EU sanctions on Turkey as an option, DW, 21 September 2020: Cyprus blocks EU sanctions against Belarus (which says something about the Cypriot government’s non-existent understanding of democracy and about their desire to support the Belarusian dictator Lukashenko against his people. Perhaps it is just hasty obedience in order to be able to join the Russian alliance in the Eastern Mediterranean after leaving the EU. At the same time, however, it also shows why the principle of unanimity must be given up in favor of the majority principle. It cannot be that a single EU state can hold the entire EU hostage for its fantasies), Financial Times, 21 September 2020: Cyprus blocks EU sanctions on Belarus, France24, 21 September 2020: Belarus opposition urges Brussels to ‘be more brave’ on sanctions, The Guardian, 21 September 2020: Cyprus: EU fails to agree on Belarus sanctions after government blocks plan, The National, 22 September 2020: Cyprus refuses to back EU sanctions on Belarus unless action taken against Turkey, Politico.eu, 22 September 2020: France’s EU minister urges Cyprus to stop linking Belarus sanctions to action on Turkey, BBC, 8 October 2020: Varosha: Turkey reopens deserted Cyprus resort but tourists will wait, Politico.eu, 10 October 2020: Ghost town reopening in Northern Cyprus sparks fears of Turkish election interference, DW, 13 October 2020: Germany warns Turkey against ‘provocation’ in Mediterranean over gas exploration, BBC, 13 October 2020: Cyprus to suspend ‘EU golden passports’ scheme (Al Jazeera, 23 August 2020: Exclusive: Cyprus sold passports to criminals and fugitives, Al Jazeera, 23 August 2020: Explainer: What are The Cyprus Papers?), The Guardian, 13 October 2020: Country scraps ‘golden passport’ scheme after politicians caught in undercover sting, Arab News, 13 October 2020: US demands Turkey end ‘calculated provocation’ of ship, Al Jazeera, 15 October 2020: Cypriot parliament speaker quits after passport scheme scandal, DW, 18 October 2020: Turkish Cypriot hardliner ousts incumbent president in northern Cyprus vote, France24, 18 October 2020: Turkey-backed hardliner beats left-wing incumbent in Turkish Cypriot runoff, The Guardian, 18 October 2020: Rightwing hardliner wins Turkish Cypriot presidential runoff, Politico.eu, 20 October 2020: EU launches legal action against Malta, Cyprus over ‘golden passports’, The Guardian, 20 October 2020: ‘Golden passports’: EU launches legal action against Cyprus and Malta, Arab News, 21 October 2020: Egyptian-Cypriot-Greece summit discusses Turkey’s provocations, Politico.eu, 3 November 2020: Peace activists see hopes for unified Cyprus fading, The Guardian, 15 November 2020: Erdoğan met by protests from Turkish Cypriots during visit, Politico.eu, 15 November 2020: Erdoğan calls for ‘two-state’ solution for Cyprus, Politico.eu, 28 November 2020: Greece blasts Berlin for shunning plea for Turkey arms embargo (and he has every reason to do so. Instead of delivering the submarines to Turkey, Federal Minister of Defense Kramp-Karrenbauer should take over the submarines for the German Navy, whose fleet is already weakened and are deploying them in the eastern Mediterranean, especially since Turkey is obviously less and less a NATO partner country), Al Arabiya, 4 December 2020: Greek FM: Turkey’s moves to ease tensions ‘unconvincing’, Al Jazeera, 4 December 2020: Erdogan hopes France ‘gets rid of Macron trouble’ (of course Erdogan knows at the same time that there are quite a number of people in the EU who would be very happy if the Muslim Brother and backer of radical and political Islam drops dead, but unfortunately not all wishes and hopes can be materialize), Al Jazeera, 7 December 2020: Turkey: Erdogan denounces ‘threats and blackmail’ over sea rights, France24, 11 December 2020: EU Summit: Turkey says European sanctions plan is ‘biased, unlawful’, The Guardian, 11 December 2020: EU leaders approve sanctions on Turkish officials over gas drilling, Politico.eu, 11 December 2020: EU leaders move toward sanctioning Turkey, Al Jazeera, 11 December 2020: Europe’s stance on Turkey toughens with sanctions, weapons talk, The National, 11 December 2020: EU agrees to map out sanctions on Turkey over Mediterranean drilling, Arab News, 12 December 2020: Facing US, EU sanctions, Erdogan calls for dialogue and cooperation, Jerusalem Post, 30 January 2021: The EastMed Pipeline is a win-win for Israel, Cyprus and Greece, Arab News, 14 February 2021: Erdogan’s two-state demand puts the jinx on planned UN-led Cyprus meeting, Politico.eu, 25 February 2021: UN calls meeting for talks on Cyprus reunification, Israel Hayom, 5 March 2021: Turkey wants maritime border with Israel, Erdogan confidante says, Jerusalem Post, 8 March 2021: Israel, Cyprus and Greece agree to link power grids via subsea cable (European taxpayers therefore not only pay for the electricity that Israel taps, but even for the cable itself with which Israel taps into the European electricity grid), DW, 8 March 2021: Longest and deepest subsea power cable to be connected between Cyprus, Greece, and Israel, The National, 8 March 2021: Boris Johnson rejects Turkey’s two-state Cyprus solution, Times of Israel, 15 March 2021: With gas alliance moored to Turkey tensions, Israel tacks toward energy security, Jerusalem Post, 16 March 2021: Turkey prepares to clash with Israel, Greece and EU over East Med, Arab News, 26 March 2021: EU extends olive branch to Ankara with key conditions, Times of Israel, 15 April 2021: Foreign ministers of Israel, UAE, Greece, Cyprus to meet Friday, Al Jazeera, 16 April 2021: Most Cyprus passports issued in investment scheme were ‘illegal’, Arab News, 16 April 2021: Half of Cyprus passports in cash scheme were illegal — inquiry, Arab News, 16 April 2021: Paphos summit: Israel will do ‘whatever it takes’ to stop Iran on nuclear front, Jerusalem Post, 18 April 2021: Israel, UAE, Greece, Cyprus summit sends message to Turkey – analysis, Al Arabiya, 18 April 2021: Israel and Greece sign record defence deal, The National, 26 April 2021: Cyprus peace talks to resume after four-year break but fault lines remain, DW, 29 May 2021: Amid corruption and division, Greek Cypriots to elect new parliament, Politico.eu, 30 May 2021: Cyprus’ conservatives cling to top spot as far right surges in parliament vote , The Guardian, 30 May 2021: Cyprus election: far-right party linked to Greek neo-Nazis doubles vote share, DW, 4 July 2021: Four dead in huge Cyprus forest fire, The Guardian, 4 July 2021: ‘Pure hell’: Cyprus hit by worst forest fire in decades, BBC, 4 July 2021: Cyprus: Nations send help to tackle worst wildfire in decades, Al Arabiya, 4 July 2021: Cyprus forest fire leaves four people dead as it rages on for second day, The Guardian, 18 July 2021: Unease in the air as Cyprus ‘ghost town’ rises from the ruins of war, Politico.eu, 20 July 2021: In Cyprus, Erdogan provokes on anniversary of Turkish invasion, The National, 21 July 2021: Erdogan angers US and EU with plan to formally split Cyprus, DW, 21 July 2021: Backlash as Northern Cyprus reopens ghost resort (just another nail in the coffin for Turkish EU ambitions. Turkish war crimes do not get any better by trying to cement them), The National, 21 July 2021: US pushes for UN resolution rebuffing Turkey over Cyprus ghost town Varosha, France24, 21 July 2021: France slams Erdogan ‘provocation’ after Cyprus two-state comments, The National, 22 July 2021: Erdogan weaponises anniversary of the Cyprus conflict, Arab News, 24 July 2021: What Turkey and EU’s conflicting visions mean for Cyprus’ future, The Times, 26 July 2021: Turkish Cypriots fear the heavy hand of Erdogan, Der Spiegel, 19 August 2021: The Ghost of Famagusta: A Refugee Returns to Northern Cyprus After 47 Years, The National, 23 August 2021: Cyprus to strip passports from Turkish Cypriot officials, Arab News, 23 August 2021: Cyprus to revoke passports of Turkish Cypriot officials, The Guardian, 31 August 2021: Mediterranean: Cyprus prepares for oil spill from Syrian power plant, BBC, 31 August 2021: Cyprus on alert as Syrian oil slick spreads across Mediterranean, Arab News, 31 August 2021: Northern Cyprus braces for Syrian oil slick, CNN, 1 September 2021: Syrian oil spill spreads across the Mediterranean and could reach Cyprus on Wednesday, Al Arabiya, 29 September 2021: Cyprus’ top diplomat: Turkey is creating new Ottoman empire, The Algemeiner, 3 November 2021: Israel Participates in Cyprus Oil Rig Drills Amid Turkey Tensions, Israel Hayom, 4 November 2021: Amid Cyprus-Turkey tensions, Israel joins Cypriot oil rig drills, France24, 17 December 2021: Cyprus, Jordan sign bilateral agreements, Arab News, 17 December 2021: Cyprus, Jordan sign bilateral agreements, Jerusalem Post, 18 January 2022: US informs Israel it no longer supports EastMed pipeline to Europe, Politico.eu, 18 January 2022: EastMed: A pipeline project that ran afoul of geopolitics and green policies, Jerusalem Post, 19 January 2022: US views on EastMed pipeline have ripples for Israel-Greece ties, Jerusalem Post, 26 January 2022: US Reps question withdrawal of US support for EastMed pipeline from Israel, Israel Hayom, 28 January 2022: EU earmarks $736M for power cable connecting Israel, Greece, Cyprus, Politico.eu, 8 March 2022: Cyprus is losing its Russians — and confronting existential questions about its economy, Jerusalem Post, 10 March 2022: Israel, Cyprus face an opportunity for shared economic reservoir, Politico.eu, 30 May 2022: In Cyprus, a faraway war forces a city to redefine its Russianness, Jerusalem Post, 31 May 2022: Gantz, Kohavi visit IDF forces simulating Hezbollah war in Cyprus, Times of Israel, 2 June 2022: In Cyprus, IDF runs drills for potential war with Hezbollah, Lebanon ground assault, Times of Israel, 3 June 2022: Cyprus opposition slams government for hosting Israeli military drills). The country ranks 17th among the largest EU net beneficiary countries.
- Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia (Visegrád Group – DW, 11 January 2016: German-Polish relations are in free fall (it will be 50 years or more before some kind of “partnership” can emerge between the countries. The question remains whether the meager results justifies the considerable effort. There may be civil society approaches that work here and there, but compared to its northern, western and southern neighbors, Poland is not a priority in Germany. The PiS government ensures that it stays that way on a daily basis. The considerable political disagreements are now even leading to the fact that Chancellor Merkel sees herself forced to cancel the official government consultations for 2021. A broken relationship cannot be expressed much more clearly. The economic relations are currently not affected by this, but it is of course only a matter of time before that changes too), France24, 16 December 2019: Central European mayors sign ‘pact of free cities’, DW, 12 August 2020: Pompeo warns against Chinese, Russian influence on European tour): Even though especially Poland and Hungary are very problematic from a political, democratic and rule of law point of view, and within the EU only Bulgaria is even more corrupt than Hungary (The Guardian, 17 March 2019: Viktor Orbán: showdown with EU’s centre-right looms for ‘mini-Trump’, Die Zeit, 9 April 2019: European Union: Hungary Is Lost, The Guardian, 20 June 2019: Europe must stop this disgrace: Viktor Orbán is dismantling democracy, Arab News, 25 August 2019: Merkel’s missed chance to bring Orban into line, Gulf Times, 29 September 2019: Hungary will remain part of the European Union, PM Orban says, DW, 7 November 2019: Turkey’s Erdogan finds ally on Syria plan in visit with Hungary’s Orban, Politico.com, 28 February 2020: Orbán’s next move: Overpowering the courts, France24, 13 March 2020: Hungary’s Orban blames foreigners, migration for coronavirus spread, The Guardian, 29 March 2020: The Guardian view on Hungary’s coronavirus law: Orbán’s power grab, France24, 30 March 2020: Hungary’s Orban handed open-ended powers to fight coronavirus, alarming rights groups, Politico.eu, 30 March 2020: Hungary’s Viktor Orbán wins vote to rule by decree, The National, 30 March 2020: Hungary’s Orban gets sweeping new powers in coronavirus fight, The Guardian, 31 March 2020: Hungary’s emergency law ‘incompatible with being in EU’, say MEPs group, Politico.com, 31 March 2020: Orbán’s rule by decree reopens wounds on European center right, Politico.eu, 3 April 2020: Orbán to political family: It’s time to fight pandemic, not deal with ‘fantasies’, Politico.eu, 13 April 2020: Jean-Claude Juncker urges ‘plain language’ on Hungary’s state power grab, Politico.eu, 14 April 2020: What should the EU do about Hungary?, Politico.eu, 6 May 2020: Hungary no longer a democracy: report, Politico.eu, 12 May 2020: EU Parliament denies Hungarian request to speak at debate on Orbán’s corona law, Politico.eu, 13 May 2020: EU top court’s authority challenged by Poland and Hungary, Politico.eu, 15 May 2020: EU court involved in ‘coordinated assault’ against Hungary, Orbán says, Politico.eu, 24 July 2020: Hungarian newsroom quits over independence fears, France24, 25 July 2020: Thousands of Hungarians protest against sackings at news website, The Guardian, 25 July 2020: Hungarian journalists resign en masse after claims of political interference, Politico.eu, 25 July 2020: Viktor Orbán bent on muzzling independent press, Hungarian media mogul warns, Politico.eu, 5 August 2020: The future of Hungary’s free media depends on EU money, Reuters, 23 August 2020: Hungary summons German ambassador over EU minister’s anti-Semitism criticism (the Soviet propaganda is still having an effect, according to which there were or would not have been fascists and / or anti-Semites in the Eastern bloc. Against their better judgment, the governments of Hungary and Poland still claim that today. Freedom House has also recently made clear that Hungary is no longer a democracy, but is developing back into an autocracy, so that what the regime has to say on a wide range of topics is certainly not relevant. Poland is on the same path), Politico.eu, 24 September 2020: How Orbán broke the EU — and got away with it, DW, 29 September 2020: Hungary’s Orban calls for removal of EU Commissioner Vera Jourova, DW, 6 October 2020: ECJ rules against Hungary’s higher education law, Haaretz, 30 October 2020: The Case for Nationalism, by the Israeli Credited With Shaping Trump’s Foreign Policy, France24, 17 November 2020: Hungary’s ‘Trump before Trump’ PM Orban faces US reset, Politico.eu, 20 November 2020: EU will eventually resolve budget deadlock, Hungary’s Orbán says, Politico.eu, 25 November 2020: EU’s foreign policy gender plan faces resistance from Poland and Hungary, DW, 26 November 2020: Hungary, Poland vow to veto EU COVID recovery fund mechanism, Politico.eu, 26 November 2020: Hungary and Poland escalate budget fight over rule of law, The Guardian, 1 December 2020: Von der Leyen Hungary and Poland should take EU budget row to court, DW, 1 December 2020: Hungarian politician admits attending lockdown party in Brussels, Politico.eu, 1 December 2020: Hungarian MEP admits he was at lockdown ‘orgy’, The Guardian, 2 December 2020: Rightwing rulers downplay MEP ‘gay orgy’ scandal amid hypocrisy accusations, Politico.eu, 2 December 2020: How Europe can bypass Poland and Hungary’s vetoes, DW, 2 December 2020: Poland and Hungary gamble on funding with EU budget veto, Politico.eu, 2 December 2020: Von der Leyen threatens EU recovery fund without Hungary and Poland (very good approach. The EU should even go further and organize the budget until 2027 without Poland and Hungary. This would mean that both countries could think about whether they want to continue to belong to the EU by 2027 – of course without receiving the previous, lavish support from Brussels, which in Hungary alone finances 50% of all infrastructure measures. Poland and Hungary are the largest net recipients of Brussels development aid payments. Their populations will certainly react enthusiastically to the complete failures of their national leaderships if they are missing several 100 billion euros in their budget over the period), Irish Times, 3 December 2020: The gay orgy that exposes the hypocrisy of Hungary’s illiberals, Politico.eu, 3 December 2020: From Orbán ally to orgy scandal: Downfall of a Fidesz founder, DW, 4 December 2020: Viktor Orban: Hungary will stick by EU budget veto threat (hopefully it stays that way. The money that Brussels doesn’t spent on Hungary and Poland can be spent on meaningful projects in other EU states instead), Politico.eu, 4 December 2020: Viktor Orbán rejects rule of law compromise idea, Politico.eu, 7 December 2020: Orbán’s MEPs face fresh anger in European Parliament group, DW, 8 December 2020: Poland, Hungary face growing calls to drop EU budget veto, DW, 9 December 2020: Hungary’s budget veto leaves Orban isolated, France24, 9 December 2020: Poland, Hungary accept German EU budget offer as ‘D-Day’ approaches, DW, 10 December 2020: EU breaks deadlock on budget, coronavirus recovery fund, France24, 11 December 2020: EU reaches landmark budget deal with Hungary and Poland, NPR, 11 December 2020: EU Ends Standoff, Moves Forward With Budget And Coronavirus Relief Fund, DW, 15 December 2020: LGBT rights: Hungary passes law banning same-sex adoption, France24, 15 December 2020: Hungarian lawmakers approve anti-LGBT adoption law and constitutional amendments, The Guardian, 17 December 2020: Unlike Trump, Europe’s far-right leaders haven’t been damaged by the pandemic, DW, 3 March 2021: Hungary’s Orban pulls Fidesz from center-right EU alliance, France24, 3 March 2021: Hungary’s ruling party quits European centre-right group, NPR, 8 March 2021: As Hungary Cuts Radio Station, Critics Say Europe Should Put Orban On Notice, DW, 11 March 2021: Poland and Hungary file complaint over EU budget mechanism, Politico.eu, 11 March 2021: Hungary and Poland to Brussels: See you in court, Israel Hayom, 11 March 2021: ‘Hungary is leading the change in EU stance on Jerusalem’ (in the real world, the autharian Hungarian regime is leading no one outside its borders anywhere, and especially not when it comes to the EU’s assessment of the Jerusalem question. Within its borders, the regime leads the destruction of democracy and the rule of law, which, after all, is one reason Netanyahu and Orban are such good friends. After all, they have a lot in common here), Xinhua, 25 March 2021: China, Hungary agree to strengthen cooperation in various fields, Reuters, 16 April 2021: Hungary blocks EU statement criticising China over Hong Kong, diplomats say, US News, 16 April 2021: Hungary Blocks EU Statement Criticising China Over Hong Kong, Diplomats Say, Jerusalem Post, 21 May 2021: EU criticism of Israel is pandering to Muslim voters, Hungarian PM says (“I think that we gradually have to move towards qualified majority voting in foreign policy,” – this are the good news. After this goal will be achieved, Eastern European autocrats like Orban can tell nonsense as much as they want to. Nobody will listen anymore. The Visegrad Group has worked towards this for years and is now almost there), DW, 31 May 2021: Coronavirus digest: Hungary to produce China’s Sinopharm jab, DW, 5 June 2021: Hungarians protest planned Chinese university in Budapest, CNN, 6 June 2021: Thousands protest in Hungary against planned Chinese university campus, DW, 19 June 2021: Euro 2020: Proposal to illuminate Munich arena in LGBT+ colors for visit of Hungary, The Sunday Times, 20 June 2021: Imperialist EU punishes nations it dislikes, says Hungary’s Viktor Orban (there is a very simple solution to that: Leave the EU and run to you sugar daddy Putin), Politico.eu, 20 June 2021: Hungary’s Orbán under fire over call to disempower European Parliament, The Guardian, 22 June 2021: ‘Shameful’: Uefa blocks LGBTQ+ rainbow stadium protest in Munich, DW, 23 June 2021: Hungary’s Viktor Orban will not attend Euro 2020 game in Munich: report, France24, 23 June 2021: Germany came out in rainbow colours in defiance of UEFA’s refusal of LGBT lights, NPR, 23 June 2021: German Stadiums Will Show Their Rainbow Colors To Support Hungary’s LGBTQ Community, DW, 23 June 2021: EU threatens action against Hungary’s controversial LGBT+ bill, France24, 23 June 2021: Hungary’s new anti-LGBTQ law a ‘shame’ that contravenes EU values, von der Leyen says, BBC, 24 June 2021: Dutch PM Rutte: No place in EU for Hungary with anti-LGBT law (of course, Mark Rutte is right and there is more. Orban’s role as the leader of the inner-European EU haters would justify his expulsion. In addition, he is the sales representative and main gateway for all non-European enemies of the EU, from Vladimir Putin to Xi Jinping to Benjamin Netanyahu. The expulsion of Hungary would be problematic insofar as the absolute majority of Hungarians are EU supporters, which is why a regime change should be worked on), Reuters, 24 June 2021: “Too much”: EU leaders confront Hungary’s Orban over new anti-LGBT law, BBC, 24 June 2021: Euro 2020: Fans make pro-LGBT protest at Germany-Hungary football game (since Orban’s fans are no longer allowed to live openly homosexual in Hungary, they overcompensate in other ways), Reuters, 25 June 2021: UEFA probes discrimination during Germany v Hungary Euro 2020 game, The Washington Post, 25 June 2021: Dutch leader tells Hungary: If you don’t like LGBT rights, you can leave the E.U., Politico.eu, 25 June 2021: EU leaders confront Orbán over anti-LGBTQ+ bill, The New York Times, 25 June 2021: Europe’s Divisions on Vivid Display Over Hungary and Russia, The Atlantic, 6 July 2021: The Autocrat’s Legacy, DW, 7 July 2021: European Parliament demands action over Hungary’s anti-LGBTQ law, France24, 7 July 2021: Hungary’s controversial anti-LGBT law goes into effect despite EU warnings, CNN, 12 July 2021: Orbán wants a Chinese university in Hungary. Opponents see a chance to turn his nationalist rhetoric against him, Der Spiegel, 12 July 2021: Dealing with Europe’s Autocrats: It’s Time to Cut Funding for Orbán, Politico.eu, 20 July 2021: EU unveils critical rule-of-law report as internal fissures widen, France24, 21 July 2021: Hungary’s Viktor Orban calls referendum on anti-LGBTQ law, The Guardian, 21 July 2021: Hungary Viktor Orbán will hold referendum on anti-LBGT law, Politico.eu, 21 July 2021: Orbán announces referendum on Hungarian anti-LGBTQ+ law, Haaretz, 21 July 2021: Embroiled in NSO Spytech Scandal, Hungary’s Orban Scapegoats Soros, Euronews, 23 July 2021: ‘Norway owes us’, says Hungary, after Oslo suspends aid in NGO row, Politico.eu, 23 July 2021: Hungary loses Norwegian funds as rule-of-law concerns intensify (great move by Norway. The EU should follow suit), DW, 24 July 2021: Record Budapest Pride stands up to anti-LGBTQ laws, The Guardian, 24 July 2021: Hungary: Thousands march in Budapest Pride to oppose anti-LGBTQ law, France24, 24 July 2021: Thousands join Budapest Pride march to protest anti-LGBTQ education law in Hungary, BBC, 24 July 2021: Budapest Pride stands up for LGBT rights in Hungary, CNN, 24 July 2021: Thousands join Pride event in Hungary as LGBTQ people face growing hostility, Politico.eu, 26 July 2021: Inside the Hungarian campaign to beat Viktor Orbán, Times of Israel, 6 August 2021: Hungary’s Orban: It’s a ‘strong challenge’ having Netanyahu, Trump out of office (of course he’s unhappy with the situation. It’s becoming lonelier in the surrounding of Hungary’s autocrat, as he misses his cleptocratic and autocratic collegues from Israel and the US. He should better get used to it and pull out of politics, just like his buddies), Politico.eu, 7 August 2021: Hungary slaps restrictions on LGBTQ+ books, DW, 21 August 2021: Hungary vs EU: Is Orban striving for Huxit?, Haaretz, 9 September 2021: Israeli NSO Was Used to Snoop on Orbán Critic in Hungary, Report Reveals, DW, 9 October 2021: Hungary: Orban signs resolution supporting Polish court ruling (it’s about high time to cut off Poland and Hungary from any economic aid flow from Brussels), Politico.eu, 9 October 2021: Viktor Orbán backs Poland in EU law spat, Politico.eu, 14 October 2021: Hungary to produce Sputnik V after tie-up with Russia, DW, 4 November 2021: Hungary admits to using NSO Group’s Pegasus spyware (it would have been a surprise if Netanyahu’s autocratic colleague hadn’t used the software), Times of Israel, 4 November 2021: Hungary admits buying Israeli-made NSO spyware allegedly used against opposition, Politico.eu, 16 November 2021: Hungarian law criminalizing asylum seeker help breaches EU law, top court rules, DW, 23 November 2021: ECJ rules Hungary can’t punish judge, Bloomberg, 2 December 2021: Hungary Sinks EU’s Joint Role in Biden’s Democracy Summit (very good. What the EU does not succeed in, among other things because of the “principle of unanimity” which is ultimately nothing else but a weapon of the eternal troublemakers, has to be clearly emphasized elsewhere, namely that Hungary is not only no longer a democracy, but would not even become a member of the EU in the current constitution. Hungary’s stands are of course not hindering Ursula von der Leyen or Charles Michel to state the obvious on the topic. An international event with such a top-class cast is of course the perfect setting to present countries with significant democratic deficits on the big stage. Ducking away is no longer possible for these countries), NPR, 4 December 2021: A discomfort with Western liberalism is growing in Eastern Europe, Politico.eu, 6 December 2021: Orbán on post-Merkel era: Gloves are off (he’s about to lose billions in EU fundings and with it the next election. Just another fantastic Merkel legacies. Hungarexit could be a great idea, too), Politico.eu, 9 December 2021: Biden sees if a snub will get Orbán’s attention, Der Spiegel, 9 December 2021: The One-Man State: Viktor Orbán and the Fall of Democracy, France24, 13 December 2021: Macron seeks common ground with Orban on EU security during Hungary visit, DW, 13 December 2021: Macron, Orban focus on common ground in Budapest, Forward, 14 December 2021: Hungary is Europe’s unlikely leader in kosher foie gras production — to Viktor Orban’s advantage, Politico.eu, 21 December 2021: Hungary won’t abide by EU court ruling on migration, Orbán says, DW, 21 December 2021: Orban says EU can’t force Hungary to change immigration rules, Politico.eu, 21 December 2021: Euronews defends independence after buyout by Hungary-linked firm (just another worthless Hungarian propaganda channel), Haaretz, 2 January 2022: Orban’s Sinister anti-Muslim Hatemongering Now Threatens Lives in Bosnia, The New York Times, 3 January 2022: The E.U. Is Poised to Get Tough With Hungary, Politico.eu, 3 January 2022: Trump endorses Orbán in Hungarian election (one authoritarian is supporting another. Who could’ve seen it coming?), The New York Times, 3 January 2022: Former President Trump endorsed Viktor Orban, Hungary’s far-right prime minister., The New York Times, 3 January 2022: How the E.U. Allowed Hungary to Become an Illiberal Model, The Washington Post, 6 January 2022: Former president Trump embraces a kindred spirit in Hungary, The Guardian, 20 January 2022: Hungary: European MEPs call for election observation mission, DW, 29 January 2022: Pegasus scandal: In Hungary, journalists sue state over spyware, DW, 31 January 2022: Hungary’s Viktor Orban eyes favors from Vladimir Putin amid Ukraine crisis, Politico.com, 2 February 2022: Tucker Carlson Has Become Obsessed With Hungary. Here’s What He Doesn’t Understand., Politico.eu, 4 February 2022: It’s dirty tricks déjà vu as Hungarian election heats up, Politico.eu, 5 February 2022: OSCE recommends full-scale electoral monitoring mission in Hungary, Radio Free Europe, 13 February 2022: For The First Time, Orban Hints At Hungary Leaving The European Union (he left the EU a long time ago without leaving, so that he could continue to be fed by Brussels. Putin will be pleased that the first country will voluntarily return to the Soviet Union), Politico.eu, 14 February 2022: EU power to slash funds will face fresh fights after court verdict, France24, 16 February 2022: EU’s top court ‘on right track’ to cut funds to Poland, Hungary for violating democratic rights, CNN, 16 February 2022: EU top court paves way to cut billions to Poland and Hungary, Politico.eu, 16 February 2022: The EU got its legal OK to cut funds. Now what?, The Times, 16 February 2022: EU court dismisses challenge by Hungary and Poland in ‘rule of law’ row, Politico.eu, 16 February 2022: Rule of law: Viktor Orbán should brace for impact, Los Angeles Times, 1 March 2022: He buddied up to Putin for years. Now Hungary’s Orban is feeling the heat, Foreign Policy, 20 March 2022: Viktor Orban Is the West’s Pro-Putin Outlier, The Guardian, 23 March 2022: Orbán casts himself as safe choice as ‘cruel, bloody war’ looms over Hungary’s election, The Guardian, 25 March 2022: ‘Decide who you are with’, Ukrainian leader tells Viktor Orbán (he’s of course with Putin, as he is already for years deep in his pocket), The Sunday Times, 27 March 2022: Viktor Orban’s coolness on Ukraine wins him voters, but costs him friends, Politico.eu, 29 March 2022: Visegrad defense meeting called off over Russia split, CNN, 30 March 2022: Orban’s juggling act with Putin and Europe faces a key test, Politico.eu, 31 March 2022: Despite Putin ties, Hungarian PM Orbán leads election field, Die Spiegel, 31 March 2022: Elections in Hungary Meet the Small-Town Mayor Who Wants to Topple Orbán, The National, 1 April 2022: Ukraine war overshadows Hungary’s election as Orban seeks fourth term, Politico.eu, 1 April 2022: Now is not the time for change, says Orbán in final election rally (Hungarians love their deeply corrupt and criminal autocrat), The Guardian, 1 April 2022: ‘We shouldn’t get involved’: Ukraine a key issue as Hungary heads to polls, Politico.eu, 1 April 2022: Hungarian opposition’s ‘forced marriage’ to unseat Viktor Orbán, France24, 2 April 2022: Hungary’s opposition leader Marki-Zay faces Orban, tough electoral map in key vote, CNN, 2 April 2022: Viktor Orban, the EU leader who can’t quit Putin, faces a united front in Hungary’s election, The Times, 2 April 2022: I’ll keep us out of war, Viktor Orban tells Hungary before election, The New York Times, 2 April 2022: With Ukraine Invasion, Hungary’s Leader Softens His Embrace of Russia, Politico.eu, 2 April 2022: The end of the Budapest–Warsaw axis, NPR, 3 April 2022: The opposition in Hungary vows end to Orban’s autocratic rule, The Hill, 3 April 2022: Orban declares victory in Hungary election, NPR, 3 April 2022: Hungary’s Viktor Orban claims a 4th term, extending his autocratic rule, France24, 3 April 2022: Hungary PM Orban claims ‘great victory’ in vote overshadowed by Ukraine war, The Guardian, 3 April 2022: Viktor Orbán wins fourth consecutive term as Hungary’s prime minister, Politico.eu, 3 April 2022: Hungarian PM Orbán set for fourth straight term with big election win, The Algemeiner, 3 April 2022: Hungarians Vote on Orban’s 12-Year Rule in Tight Ballot Overshadowed by Ukraine War, DW, 3 April 2022: Hungary: Orban’s ruling party leads by wide margin — partial results, Times of Israel, 4 April 2022: Orban claims ‘huge victory’ for his right-wing party in Hungary elections, The Times, 4 April 2022: Hungarian election: Orban taunts EU as he declares another victory at the polls, The Guardian, 4 April 2022: Orbán’s victory in Hungary adds to the darkness engulfing Europe, DW, 4 April 2022: Orban needs to change course in Hungary, Forward, 4 April 2022: Hungary’s Orban wins 4th term, declaring victory over enemies including Soros and Zelenskyy, The Guardian, 4 April 2022: Viktor Orbán adds Zelenskiy to his list of ‘overpowered’ opponents, CNN, 4 April 2022: Pro-Putin leaders win two elections in Europe, reminding the Kremlin it has friends in high places, Politico.eu, 4 April 2022: Orbán win sets stage for more EU battles on democracy and Russia (the EU has every opportunity to effectively contain Orban, above all to block all budget funds. Putin’s war of aggression against Ukraine shows where it leads when you approach Eastern Bloc tyrants with appeasement. Does it have to come to that with Orban?), The Guardian, 4 April 2022: Victory of Putin ally Orbán in Hungary may trigger freeze on EU funding, Politico.eu, 4 April 2022: Hungarian election wasn’t a fair fight, observers say, France24, 5 April 2022: Orban’s Hungary risks EU funding cut over corruption fears, Jerusalem Post, 5 April 2022: Hungary’s Orban wins election, declares victory over enemies – including Soros and Zelensky, France24, 5 April 2022: Top EU body launches procedure to strip Hungary of funding over corruption, The Guardian, 5 April 2022: European Commission launches rule-of-law disciplinary procedure against Hungary, Politico.eu, 5 April 2022: EU launches process to slash Hungary’s funds over rule-of-law breaches, DW, 5 April 2022: What impact does the EU’s rule-of-law mechanism have?, Jerusalem Post, 6 April 2022: Hungary’s foreign ministry summons Ukrainian envoy over ‘insults’, The New York Times, 6 April 2022: The Unsinkable Viktor Orban, Politico.eu, 7 April 2022: Orbán emerges as the loudest opponent of EU sanctions on Russian oil, The Guardian, 8 April 2022: Putin still has friends in the west – and they’re gaining ground, Politico.eu, 8 April 2022: Poland’s Kaczynski slams Orbán for refusing to condemn Bucha killings, Los Angeles Times, 9 April 2022: Will Hungary’s Orban be the wedge Putin drives between Western allies?, Times of Israel, 10 April 2022: Orban’s victory strengthens his ability to defy the EU, including on Israel, The Hill, 10 April 2022: Hungary’s descent into autocracy is an alarm for global democracy, The Atlantic, 11 April 2022: The Other Threat to Democracy in Europe, Haaretz, 20 April 2022: As Ukraine Bleeds, Putin’s Puppets in Europe Are Getting Stronger, Foreign Policy, 21 April 2022: Hungary Is an Outlier in Eastern Europe’s Liberal FuturePolitico.eu, 27 April 2022: In major first, EU triggers power to cut Hungary’s funds over rule-of-law breaches, Irish Times, 3 May 2022: The EU is set to move against Orban’s illiberal democracy. But will it work?, Politico.eu, 3 May 2022: Hungary ‘outraged’ by Kyiv’s claim it was warned by Russia of Ukraine invasion (what is interesting, of course, is that Orban has been so deeply in Putin’s pocket for years that it is much more likely that the information from Kyiv is more accurate than that from Budapest. When looking at the vehement reaction from Budapest, Kyiv obviously has a point here. In the end it will be seen who was right), DW, 4 May 2022: Hungary risks further isolation by refusing to support EU oil embargo, Politico.eu, 4 May 2022: EU’s Russian oil ban hits trouble as countries argue over key details, Irish Times, 6 May 2022: EU sanctions more troublesome for Europe than Russia, claims Orban (what else could Putin’s lapdog Orbán say?), Politico.eu, 6 May 2022: Orbán: Oil sanctions plan is ‘nuclear bomb’ for Hungarian economy (in the real world it’s Orbán himself who is about to ruin the Hungarian economy), Politico.eu, 8 May 2022: EU’s Russian oil ban stalls as Hungary holds up sanctions, The Guardian, 10 May 2022: EU: Hopes for ban on Russian oil despite Hungary comparing plan to ‘nuclear bomb’, Politico.eu, 10 May 2022: EU drafts plans to send cash to Hungary if Orbán agrees to Russian oil ban, Politico.eu, 10 May 2022: Still a big noise: Orbán flexes power over EU oil ban, Politico.eu, 10 May 2022: It’s time the EU plays hardball with Hungary, Politico.eu, 11 May 2022: EU tensions grow over Russian oil ban as Hungary demands exemption, Politico.eu, 13 May 2022: In Orbán’s obstruction, some EU capitals see useful delay of oil embargo, Politico.eu, 14 May 2022: Orbán won’t make Hungarians pay war price (the entire article assumes that Orbán would make any constructive contributions to the EU at all. But this is not the case. He is a declared enemy of the EU and democracy, and at the same time one of Putin’s most loyal friends. The only reason why Orbán has not yet initiated Hungary’s exit from the EU is that he and his deeply corrupt regime want to continue to make personal gain from EU development aid from Brussels. It is high time to put all development aid budgets for Hungary on hold and at the same time to suspend all voting rights. There is no quicker or more effective way of showing the Hungarian population where the autocrat Orbán is steering their country – Hungarexit), Politico.eu, 17 May 2022: Milan hits back at Poland and Hungary’s curbs on LGBTQ+ rights, The Guardian, 21 May 2022: Hungary: Trump shares CPAC platform with notorious racist and antisemite, The Sunday Times, 22 May 2022: US Republicans flock to Budapest for Viktor Orban’s lessons on leadership, Politico.eu, 25 May 2022: Orbán declares state of emergency due to war in Ukraine, Politico.eu, 26 May 2022: EU’s Russian oil ban hangs by a thread as mood darkens in Brussels, The National, 30 May 2022: EU leaders face Russian oil deadlock as Hungary digs in, Politico.eu, 30 May 2022: Orbán demands further exemptions from Russian oil sanctions, DW, 31 May 2022: EU leaders hail ‘solidarity’ in compromise on Russia oil ban after summit (in fact, the EU has once again allowed itself to be blackmailed by Orban instead of showing him clear boundaries by agreeing on a “27-1” resolution. After all, Orban’s Hungary is only a member of the EU on paper, but it has actually been in Putin’s pocket for years), Politico.eu, 31 May 2022: After Orbán pipes up, Hungary skips Russian oil ban, Politico.eu, 1 June 2022: The Czech and Hungarian fondness for emergency powers, Politico.eu, 1 June 2022: Hungary throws new spanner into EU sanctions talks, Politico.com, 2 June 2022: Orbán wins again as furious EU envoys take church patriarch off Russian sanctions list (one should simply hand over the “new Eastern Bloc” to Putin. They’re useless anyway)), the economic development is quite good, with anual growth rates between 4 and 4.6%, especially because of the billion-euro EU subsidy programs. In addition to the billions of euros in EU funding, the substantial wage increases of recent years have created strong domestic demands and the expansion of investments, which are developing into an upward leap. On the negative side is the further emigration of qualified and highly qualified employees to the west, which causes a shortage of skilled workers, which is why in the meantime even some large projects had to be canceled. Overall, the Eastern European countries continue to grow faster than the western countries, which, of course, is due to the high catching up demands which will still be given for the coming decades. Regardless of the attitude of the Visegrád Group towards the EU and its values, especially with regard to the rule of law, democracy and the freedom of the press, it becomes clear how important the EU support programs are to lead countries out of poverty in a relatively short time. (Poland is the largest EU net beneficiary country, Hungary ranks 4th, the Czech Republic 5th, Slovakia 9th and Slovenia 15th). Slovenia and the Czech Republic (CNN, 24 June 2019: The ‘biggest protest since the fall of Communism’ in Prague called for the resignation of the ‘Czech Trump’, Politico.eu, 23 June 2019: Czechs march in biggest anti-government protest since communism, Al Jazeera, 30 October 2019: Czech-China love affair hits the rocks, CNN, 16 November 2019: 30 years after the Velvet Revolution, the Czechs are back on the streets, The Guardian, 14 March 2020: Czech village razed by Hitler at heart of row on truth and history, The Guardian, 27 April 2020: Prague mayor under police protection amid reports of Russian plot, Politico.eu, 30 April 2020: MEPs to Czech PM: Bow out of EU budget talks over conflicts of interest, Jerusalem Post, 26 April 2020: Czech parliament Speaker questions two-state paradigm as cabinet quarrels, DW, 22 June 2020: Czech self-sufficiency push exposes political links to farming, Politico.eu, 26 November 2020: Beijing’s influence in European Parliament draws fresh scrutiny, Politico.eu, 1 December 2020: Commission confirms conflict of interest finding against Czech PM Babiš, DW, 17 December 2020: Slovenia’s national press agency at risk after funding slashed, DW, 10 March 2021: Press freedom in Slovenia under attack, Politico.eu, 7 April 2021: Czech lawmaker investigated over China sponsorship: report, Politico.eu, 19 April 2021: Czechs pull back from Russia after bombing allegations, DW, 29 April 2021: Slovenia: Press freedom under threat, Politico.eu, 25 May 2021: Slovenia’s Janša describes plans to Balkanize the EU, Politico.eu, 24 June 2021: Czech nuclear tender competition dodges Russian and Chinese bids, Politico.eu, 28 June 2021: Czech president labels transgender people as ‘disgusting’, Politico.eu, 24 June 2021: Czech nuclear tender competition dodges Russian and Chinese bids, Politico.eu, 28 June 2021: Czech president labels transgender people as ‘disgusting’, Politico.eu, 1 July 2021: Rule of law disputes cast shadow over opening of Slovenia’s EU Council presidency, France24, 1 July 2021: Concerns over rule of law as Slovenia takes over EU presidency, Politico.eu, 1 July 2021: A call for vigilance as Slovenia’s EU presidency begins, Financial Times, 1 July 2021: Slovenia’s EU presidency gets off to rocky start, Politico.eu, 2 July 2021: Janša pushes gripes with Brussels as Slovenia takes EU presidency, Politico.eu, 12 July 2021: Borrell: Slovenia’s Janša ‘does not represent’ EU on Iran, The Algemeiner, 23 August 2021: Slovenia Backs Israeli Push to Revive High-Level Ties With EU, Signs Bilateral Cybersecurity Pact, Politico.eu, 8 October 2021: Czech leader Babiš faces election amid fraud accusations, The Guardian, 9 October 2021: PM set to lose power after weak showing in general election, Politico.eu, 9 October 2021: Uncertain future for Czech PM Babiš as his party looks set to lose election, CNN, 9 October 2021: Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš’s populist party loses grip on power in close election, BBC, 9 October 2021: Billionaire Czech PM looks set to lose power, DW, 9 October 2021: Czech election: Opposition wins surprise majority, France24, 9 October 2021: Populist Czech PM Babis’s party narrowly loses Czech election in surprise result, The Guardian, 5 November 2021: Czech Republic PM to quit and signal end to political uncertainty, Politico.eu, 5 November 2021: Czech president confirms PM Andrej Babiš is heading for the exit, DW, 9 November 2021: Czech president asks election winner to form new government, The Guardian, 28 November 2021: Czech Republic: President swears in Petr Fiala as PM behind glass screen, CNN, 28 November 2021: Czech President appoints new PM from inside glass box, BBC, 28 November 2021: Czech PM appointed from behind plexiglass box, The National, 28 November 2021: Covid-stricken Czech president swears in PM from inside glass box, DW, 28 November 2021: Petr Fiala named new Czech prime minister, Gulf Times, 29 November 2021: Covid-stricken Czech president names new PM from glass box, The Guardian, 17 December 2021: Czech Republic: New government sworn in 10 weeks after election, Politico.eu, 29 December 2021: Poland digs in over mine spat with EU, DW, 7 January 2022: Warsaw to recall ambassador to Prague after Poland criticism, The Times, 27 January 2022: China punishes Slovenia for ties with Taiwan, Politico.eu, 3 February 2022: Ceasefire in Polish-Czech coal mine border dispute, Politico.eu, 8 February 2022: Babiš feels the pinch as new Czech farm chief rewrites EU subsidy rules, ABC News, 9 February 2022: Slovakia lawmakers approve defense military treaty with US, Reuters, 9 February 2022: Slovakia backs U.S. defence pact despite opposition during Ukraine crisis, Politico.eu, 27 February 2022: Slovakia pushes for ‘special track’ for Ukraine toward joining EU, The Guardian, 21 March 2022: Former Czech PM, Andrej Babiš, to face trial in EU subsidy fraud case, DW, 26 March 2022: Ukraine: Russians living in Prague stage anti-war rally, Politico.eu, 13 April 2022: Czech foreign minister eyes closer ties with ‘bullied’ Taiwan, Politico.eu, 25 April 2022: Janez Janša suffers heavy defeat as newcomer party wins Slovenian election, DW, 26 April 2022: What political newcomer Robert Golob’s election win means for Slovenia, The Hill, 10 May 2022: UN approves Czech Republic to replace Russia on rights body, Politico.eu, 11 May 2022: Czech Senate recognizes Russian actions in Ukraine as genocide, Politico.eu, 1 June 2022: The Czech and Hungarian fondness for emergency powers, DW, 3 June 2022: Czech Republic eyes Ukrainian refugee labor boost) do better than Poland (Bloomberg, 24 September 2018: EU Takes Poland to Court Over Rule of Law in Historic First, DW, 3 April 2019: EU takes legal action against Poland to protect judges, The Guardian, 29 June 2019: Europe learned from its mistakes in Hungary. It’s protecting the law in Poland, Haaretz, 4 October 2019: The Fake Nazi Death Camp: Wikipedia’s Longest Hoax, Exposed, Arab News, 28 February 2020: Polish actions threaten future of EU’s judicial integration) and Hungary on per capita income. The growth rates are between 4 and 4.6% per year (The Washington Post, 8 December 2018: Europe: The new autocrats and Politico.eu, 17 January 2019: European Parliament backs plan to link EU funds to rule of law, Federal Foreign Office, 31 July 2019: Statement by Foreign Minister Maas prior to his departure for Warsaw, Times of Israel, 31 July 2019: German FM in Poland for talks, WWII Warsaw revolt’s 75th anniversary, The Washington Post, 31 July 2019: Official: Germany has moral not monetary war debt to Poland, dpa international, 31 July 2019: Germany’s Maas expresses ‘deep shame’ for Nazi atrocities in Poland, DW, 1 August 2019: Germany expresses ‘deep shame’ for Nazi destruction of Poland, Times of Israel, 2 August 2019: Poles mark 75 years since Warsaw Uprising against Nazis, DW, 30 August 2019: Poland demands WWII reparations from Germany (sure, PiS need the money (although the country has been the undisputed number one recipient of EU development aid for many years), because they obviously can’t build up a successful economy on their own, not to speak about a functioning democracy, but that’s their problem and not that of the German taxpayer’s. But of course there are also those who see it differently and therefore demand an additional memorial to the one already given (Memorial to Polish Soldiers and German Anti-Fascists/a>) in Berlin. If Berlin would become more interesting for World War II tourism can be questioned, especially as the relevant memorials are others – DW, 3 July 2019: Germany debates World War II memorial for Poland/a>), DW, 30 August 2019: Poland: More aligned to US than to European partners?, The Guardian, 1 September 2019: German president asks Poland for forgiveness at WW2 ceremony, BBC, 1 September 2019: World War Two: German president asks Poland to forgive Nazi ‘tyranny’, France24, 1 September 2019: Germany asks Poland’s forgiveness 80 years after WWII invasion, Times of Israel, 27 September 2019: Poland says claim president blamed Israel for anti-Semitism ‘plainly not true’, France24, 9 October 2019: Poland’s LGBT community targeted in run-up to elections, Politico.eu, 10 October 2019: How to watch the Polish election like a pro, The Guardian, 10 October 2019: Rightwing populists are on course to win Poland’s election. But resistance is stirring, The Washington Post, 13.10.2019: Poland’s right-wing populists expected to emerge ahead in elections, DW, 13.10.2019: Poland’s ruling PiS party wins most votes, according to exit polls, France24, 13 October 2019: Poland’s ruling right-wing populists win general election, Saudi Gazette, 13 October 2019: Populists eye victory in deeply divided Poland, The Guardian, 14 October 2019: Poland’s populist Law and Justice party voted back in, Times of Israel, 14 October 2019: Poland’s conservative ruling party declares victory in divided nation, Al Jazeera, 15 October 2019: As populists hold on to power in Poland, press freedom fears rise, The Guardian, 21 October 2019: Poland’s rightwing populist win should be a wake-up call for democrats worldwide, DW, 17 December 2019: Poland’s judicial reforms put EU membership at risk, warns top court). For a while, the Polish right-wing government and some of its supporters have spread the equally absurd and amusing assertion that Germany would still have to pay reparations as a result of World War II to Poland, which has no basis whatsoever and at least since the Two Plus Four Agreement is finally settled (DW, 18 April 2019: Greek parliament demands Berlin pays WWII reparations and Reuters, 18 April 2019: Polish MP calls for new push for WW2 reparations from Germany, Reuters, 26 April 2019: Germany owes Poland over $850 billion in WW2 reparations: senior lawmaker, Times of Israel, 26 April 2019: Poles look to charge Germans $850 billion to mark 80 years since Nazi invasion (so, the negotiations between Germany and Russia on the partition of Poland can now begin and, of course, as a precautionary measure, travel and investment warnings for Greece and Poland must be increased significantly), The Guardian, 17 September 2019: The populist rewriting of Polish history is a warning to us all, Politico.eu, 18 December 2019: Poland risks EU membership with legal reforms, court warns, Politico.eu, 20 December 2019: Polish lawmakers ignore warnings and race through legal reforms, Politico.eu, 16 January 2020: Poland’s autocratic government is at it again, Politico.eu, 23 January 2020: Poland’s Supreme Court slams PiS’s judicial changes, Politico.eu, 18 March 2020: Polish PM slams EU funding response to coronavirus (since when does the beggars make the rules? Poland should not get a single cent from the EU as long as the country doesn’t abide to the agreed rules), Irish Times, 25 June 2020: The Irish Times view on Poland’s election: Europe watches anxiously, The Guardian, 25 June 2020: For a bitter taste of Polish populism, just watch the evening news, BBC, 28 June 2020: Poland’s clash of values in presidential election, The Washington Post, 28 June 2020: Polish president battles for reelection just days after White House visit, The Guardian, 29 June 2020: Poland should get less from Covid-19 fund due to rights record, claim EU member states (rightly so. As the Poles claim that they are a Christian nation (according to their reactions on the migratin crsis, they don’t even have the slightest idea what Christian values are), they should know the biblical “eye for an eye” concept pretty well), Politico.eu, 7 July 2020: Poland’s Duda goes to war against foreign media, The Guardian, 9 July 2020: Poland Future of ‘Third Republic’ defines run-off vote, Politico.eu, 10 July 2020: Poland’s presidential campaign ends on an anti-Semitic note, Politico.eu, 10 July 2020: European commissioner backs Polish president ahead of election (a clear case of illegal political interference that must be clearly condemned), DW, 11 July 2020: Anti-German sentiment colors Polish president’s election campaign (someone should explain to them the term “freedom of the press” in simple terms that are understandable even for simple-minded Polish nationalists), France24, 11 July 2020: LGBT rights at heart of Poland presidential-election fight, DW, 13 July 2020: Poland’s Andrzej Duda wins 2nd term by narrow majority, France, 13 July 2020: Polish President Andrzej Duda wins re-election, DW, 13 July 2020: Duda’s reelection in Poland will deepen divisions, CNN, 13 July 2020: Trump ally Duda declared winner of Poland’s closely-run presidential race, Politico.eu, 13 July 2020: What Poland tells us about the fight against populism, The Guardian, 13 July 2020: Andrzej Duda victory hands populists free rein, Politico.eu, 13 July 2020: 4 takeaways from Duda’s reelection as Polish president, Politico.eu, 14 July 2020: How the EU can manage Poland’s authoritarian government, Jerusalem Post, 22 July 2020: Poland has antisemitism problem. Trump administration could fight it., BBC, 25 July 2020: Istanbul Convention: Poland to leave European treaty on violence against women, Politico.eu, 30 July 2020: Commission to Poland: Respect fundamental rights or lose funds, CNN, 31 July 2020: EU blocks funding for six towns that declared themselves ‘LGBT-Free Zones’, Politico.eu, 3 August 2020: Polish towns are losing EU funds and being shunned by West European counterparts., The Guardian, 18 August 2020: In Poland we’ve become spectators at the dismantling of democracy, Politico.eu, 17 September 2020: Poland blasts von der Leyen, EU Parliament over rights criticism, Politico.eu, 29 September 2020: Poland, Hungary to set up rule of law institute to counter Brussels (of course, no extreme right-winger worldwide ever lived a law abiding life ever, even though they expect it from everyone else. The autocrats from the “new eastern block” are a bunch of weirdos and, on top, using the term “double standard” shows the full scale antisemitism in the east, by trying to equate themselves to the persecution of the Jews – typical brownshirt BS), Politico.eu, 30 September 2020: Poland and Commission clash over official accused of harassment at EU body, Politico.eu, 8 October 2020: Germany overcame its history. Why can’t Poland?, Politico.eu, 13 October 2020: Poland threatens to veto EU budget over rule of law (no problem. As a countermeasure, Brussels can stop all payments of development aid to Poland. As a result, the Polish economy will collapse within two years. Congrats, Kaczynski. Well done), DW, 22 October 2020: Poland’s top court rules against abortions due to fetal defects, BBC, 22 October 2020: Poland abortion: Top court bans almost all terminations (back to the middle ages: Welcome to “modern” Poland), The Guardian, 22 October 2020: Country rules abortion due to foetal defects unconstitutional, Politico.eu, 22 October 2020: Polish court outlaws almost all abortions, France24, 23 October 2020: Poles take to streets against near-total abortion ban, The Guardian, 23 October 2020: Pro-choice protesters march on cities amid abortion ban anger, DW, 30 October 2020: Poland: Protesters stage biggest abortion rights rally yet, The Guardian, 30 October 2020: Pro-choice supporters hold biggest-ever protest against government, Politico.eu, 30 October 2020: Protests shake Poland as government looks for a retreat on abortion ruling, The Guardian, 6 November 2020: ‘A backlash against a patriarchal culture’: How Polish protests go beyond abortion rights, Politico.eu, 25 November 2020: Europe’s alliance with the US is the foundation of its security, Politico.eu, 25 November 2020: EU’s foreign policy gender plan faces resistance from Poland and Hungary, DW, 26 November 2020: Hungary, Poland vow to veto EU COVID recovery fund mechanism, Politico.eu, 26 November 2020: Hungary and Poland escalate budget fight over rule of law, Politico.eu, 30 November 2020: Polexit: 3 reasons why Poland will quit the EU and 3 why it won’t, The Guardian, 1 December 2020: Von der Leyen Hungary and Poland should take EU budget row to court, Politico.eu, 2 December 2020: How Europe can bypass Poland and Hungary’s vetoes, Politico.eu, 2 December 2020: Von der Leyen threatens EU recovery fund without Hungary and Poland (very good approach. The EU should even go further and organize the budget until 2027 without Poland and Hungary. This would mean that both countries could think about whether they want to continue to belong to the EU by 2027 – of course without receiving the previous, lavish support from Brussels, which in Hungary alone finances 50% of all infrastructure measures. Poland and Hungary are the largest net recipients of Brussels development aid payments. Their populations will certainly react enthusiastically to the complete failures of their national leaderships if they are missing several 100 billion euros in their budget over the period), DW, 2 December 2020: Poland and Hungary gamble on funding with EU budget veto, Politico.eu, 3 December 2020: Poland blinks first ahead of showdown at the EU budget corral, DW, 6 December 2020: Poland and Germany: 50 years since Willy Brandt’s historic gesture, DW, 7 December 2020: Is Warsaw facing de facto Polexit?, DW, 8 December 2020: Poland, Hungary face growing calls to drop EU budget veto, France24, 9 December 2020: Poland, Hungary accept German EU budget offer as ‘D-Day’ approaches, DW, 10 December 2020: EU breaks deadlock on budget, coronavirus recovery fund, France24, 11 December 2020: EU reaches landmark budget deal with Hungary and Poland, The Guardian, 11 December 2020: Poland Rule of law fears remain despite EU compromise, NPR, 11 December 2020: EU Ends Standoff, Moves Forward With Budget And Coronavirus Relief Fund, DW, 13 December 2020: Poland: Protesters march to PiS leader’s home after abortion ruling, Politico.eu, 14 December 2020: Polish reporters worry about newspapers turning into ‘hard-line propaganda’ outlets, The Guardian, 17 December 2020: Unlike Trump, Europe’s far-right leaders haven’t been damaged by the pandemic, DW, 31 December 2020: Anti-vaccine sentiment rife in Poland, DW, 27 January 2021: Controversial Polish abortion law to go into effect, The Guardian, 27 January 2021: Abortion: Poland to implement near-total ban imminently, France24, 29 January 2021: Poles take to the streets in renewed protest against abortion restrictions, DW, 30 January 2021: Thousands protest against abortion law for third straight night, BBC, 30 January 2021: Poland abortion ban: Protesters take to Warsaw streets, DW, 16 February 2021: Hungary gets first shipment of China’s Sinopharm vaccine, DW, 18 February 2021: EU takes legal steps against Hungary over NGO law, The New Yorker, 26 March 2021: The Historians Under Attack for Exploring Poland’s Role in the Holocaust, Jerusalem Post, 29 March 2021: Auschwitz Museum slams New Yorker article on Polish Holocaust scholarship, DW, 16 June 2021: Germany, Poland mark 30 years of Good Neighbourship treaty (it will take another 50 years or more, before some sort of “partnership” between the countries can be created. The question remains whether the meager results justifies the considerable efforts), Politico.eu, 18 June 2021: Polish politicians hit by ‘large-scale’ cyberattack, Russia blamed, Politico.eu, 24 June 2021: Leaked email scandal engulfs Poland’s political elite, The Algemeiner, 25 June 2021: ‘We Won’t Pay for German Crimes,’ Insists Polish PM, as Antisemitic Invective Swirls Around Controversial Holocaust Restitution Law (Poles still have great difficulty recognizing their part in the Holocaust and another act of institutionalized anti-Semitism by the Polish government. Closing your eyes and pretending that nothing has happened is typical for right-wing extremists, but it doesn’t solve the problem), Haaretz, 26 June 2021: Polish Prime Minister to Lapid: ‘Poland Won’t Pay a Single Zloty, Euro or Dollar for German Crimes’, Times of Israel, 26 June 2021: ‘Poland will not pay’: Polish PM hits back at Lapid criticism of restitution law, Haaretz, 27 June 2021: Israel Summons Polish Ambassador Over Property Restitution Legislation, Israel Hayom, 27 June 2021: Jewish groups shocked by Polish law limiting Holocaust-restitution claims, Jerusalem Post, 27 June 2021: ‘Jewish community should reevaluate relationship with Polish government’, Al Arabiya, 27 June 2021: Israel summons Polish envoy over Holocaust property bill, Times of Israel, 28 June 2021: Poland says it’s hoping Israel will come around on Holocaust legislation, Haaretz, 30 June 2021: Why Israel’s New Government Is Finally Standing Up to Poland’s Holocaust Revisionism, Jerusalem Post, 2 July 2021: Holocaust memory is being challenged by Poland again (Kielce pogrom), Jerusalem Post, 2 July 2021: Poles leave chunks of brick outside Israel’s Warsaw embassy in protest, DW, 3 July 2021: Former EU chief Donald Tusk to head Poland’s opposition party, The Guardian, 3 July 2021: Donald Tusk: Ex-EU head elected leader of Polish opposition party, The Sunday Times, 4 July 2021: Former EU leader Donald Tusk returns to Polish politics, vowing to take on ‘evil’ government, Haaretz, 6 July 2021: Poland’s Kaczynski Slams Israel for Criticism Over Holocaust Restitution Law, Jerusalem Post, 6 July 2021: Polish deputy PM condemns Lapid’s comments on restitution bill, The Algemeiner, 7 July 2021: Restitution of Property Stolen During Holocaust Is ‘Question of Dignity and Justice,’ Israeli Diplomat Tells Polish Senate Hearing, Jerusalem Post, 7 July 2021: Israel’s Lapid vs. Poland’s Holocaust restitution law – analysis, Politico.eu, 8 July 2021: Poland’s government takes aim at US-owned broadcaster, DW, 14 July 2021: Top Poland court ruling moves toward undermining EU laws, Politico.eu, 14 July 2021: Battle of the courts: Contradictory rulings in Poland, EU raise specter of ‘Polexit’, Jewish Telegraphic Agency, 14 July 2021: Polish nationalists disrupt commemoration for Jewish pogrom victims, France24, 15 July 2021: On the road to Polexit? Poland pushes back in battle against EU rule, The Washington Post, 17 July 2021: Poland’s attack on an American-owned TV network requires a strong U.S. response, Politico.eu, 20 July 2021: EU unveils critical rule-of-law report as internal fissures widen, Jerusalem Post, 21 July 2021: ‘Jews are behind the pandemic’ chanted at anti-vaccine protest in Poland, Haaretz, 22 July 2021: Israel Seeking U.S. Help in Fight Against Polish Holocaust Restitution Bill, Politico.eu, 22 July 2021: Europe’s human rights court: Polish system deprived barrister of fair trial, Haaretz, 23 July 2021: Israeli FM Criticizes Poland After Senate Passes Softened Property Bill, Politico.eu, 23 July 2021: US warns Poland over broadcaster spat, Jerusalem Post, 24 July 2021: Polish Law preventing restitution of Jewish property passes in Senate, The Algemeiner, 29 July 2021: US Warns of ‘Irreparable Harm’ Caused by Polish Legislation Closing Off Holocaust Restitution Claims, Times of Israel, 30 July 2021: 82 MKs appeal to Polish counterparts to block anti-restitution law, Politico.eu, 30 July 2021: Poland’s waste blame game, DW, 1 August 2021: Germany chancellor candidate in Warsaw on uprising anniversary, Politico.eu, 1 August 2021: Poland attacks German justice system over fine for anti-gay article, DW, 6 August 2021: Poland should not stay in EU ‘at all costs,’ says minister (good riddance!), Bloomberg, 6 August 2021: Migrants Find New Path to EU as Lithuania Plugs Belarus Border, Politico.eu, 6 August 2021: Polish minister: Poland should not stay in the EU ‘at any cost’, DW, 7 August 2021: Poland set to back down in EU legal row, Politico.eu, 7 August 2021: Poland on brink of backing down in EU legal scrap, The Algemeiner, 9 August 2021: US House Speaker Pelosi Calls on Polish Counterpart to ‘Use Every Possible Tool’ to Block New Law Closing Off Holocaust Restitution Claims, The Times, 10 August 2021: Poland’s goverment teeters after shock sacking of deputy prime minister Jaroslaw Gowin, The Guardian, 11 August 2021: Poland: Coalition under threat as parliament votes on media bill, France24, 11 August 2021: Polish MPs approve controversial media law, BBC, 11 August 2021: Polish parliament passes controversial media bill, The Algemeiner, 11 August 2021: ‘Legalized Theft’: Israel, World Jewish Leaders Slam Polish Parliament’s Approval of Legislation Dismissing Restitution for Holocaust Survivors, Politico.eu, 11 August 2021: Poland’s ruling party rams through media law despite US warnings, Haaretz, 11 August 2021: Israel Condemns Polish Vote on Holocaust Restitution, Re-examines Joint 2018 Statement, Times of Israel, 11 August 2021: US urges Poland’s Duda not to sign WWII restitution law passed by parliament, Jerusalem Post, 12 August 2021: Polish parliament approves Holocaust anti-restitution law, DW, 12 August 2021: Poland: Lawmakers approve Holocaust restitution bill, The Guardian, 12 August 2021: Press freedom: US ‘deeply troubled’ by controversial Poland media bill, Haaretz, 14 August 2021: In Protest Over Polish Restitution Law, Lapid Recalls Israel’s Top Diplomat to Warsaw, Times of Israel, 14 August 2021: Polish president approves WWII restitution law, defying Israel and US (this raises questions about real estate deals in Poland: Should an international court overturn the law or hold Poland liable for compensating former owners, what happens to unknowingly acquired former Jewish property? Poland has never been squeamish when it comes to appropriating someone else’s property. So in the future you will have to cover your risks double as much it was already necessary (U.S. Department of State, Office of the Special Envoy for Holocaust Issues: Justice for Uncompensated Survivors Today (JUST) Act Report ). How quickly things can change: while Netanyahu tried to turn his no less corrupt and autocratic colleagues of the Visegrád Group in favor of Israel against Brussels (not least because he himself had blocked Israel’s access to EU membership) and therefore forgave all of their anti-Semitic attacks, the Bennett-Lapid administration apparently sees it differently. Good for them and improving relations with the EU), Jerusaem Post, 14 August 2021: After Polish restitution law, Lapid recalls embassy head to Israel, Arab News, 14 August 2021: Israel recalls Poland envoy over ‘anti-Semitic’ property claims law, Haaretz, 15 August 2021: Polish PM Says Family of Envoy to Israel Threatened as Diplomatic Spat Deepens (first putting an anti-Semitic law into effect and then complaining about the consequences. A classic. Go, figure), Times of Israel, 15 August 2021: Lapid slams Poland’s ‘antisemitic threats,’ casts Warsaw as ‘anti-democratic, Politico.eu, 15 August 2021: Israel recalls top diplomat from Poland citing ‘anti-Semitic’ restitution law, DW, 15 August 2021: EU and Poland battle it out over the rule of law, The Guardian, 16 August 2021: Polish appeals court overturns ruling against Holocaust historians, Jerusalem Post, 16 August 2021: Poland ‘reexamining’ Israeli student trips to concentration camps, Haaretz, 16 August 2021: Poland Recalls Israel Envoy, Considers Downgrading Ties as Row Over Restitution Law Deepens, Jerusalem Post, 17 August 2021: Blinken: Poland must ‘provide justice’ for Holocaust victims, The Guardian, 17 August 2021: Poland Warsaw backs down in row with EU over disciplining judges, Haaretz, 17 August 2021: Poland’s New Law ‘Slams the Door’ on Holocaust Survivors’ Hopes for Restitution, Palestine Chronicle, 17 August 2021: Diplomatic Crisis between Israel and Poland Escalates, The Algemeiner, 17 August 2021: Polish Justice Minister in Furious Attack on Independent Court’s Decision to Dismiss Lawsuit Against Holocaust Historians, Politico.eu, 18 August 2021: Poland sends troops to Belarus border to halt migrants, Jerusalem Post, 19 August 2021: Fighting antisemitism should not be Israel’s primary concern – opinion, Arab News, 19 August 2021: Poland accuses neighbor Belarus of pushing migrants across its borders, Politico.eu, 20 August 2021: Polish region sticks with anti-LGBTQ+ resolution despite threat of losing EU cash, The Algemeiner, 24 August 2021: Poland’s Troubling Legislation, and the United States’ Unwavering Commitment to Holocaust Era Justice, The Algemeiner, 24 August 2021: ‘This is Unprecedented’: Leading Holocaust Experts Weigh in on Polish State’s Campaign to Rewrite History of World War II, DW, 25 August 2021: Afghan migrants trapped at the border between Poland and Belarus, Politico.eu, 25 August 2021: Polish-Belarusian migration crisis gets political, The Guardian, 25 August 2021: Poland Afghan evacuations halted as airlift winds down, DW, 26 August 2021: Court tells Poland, Latvia to aid migrants on Belarus border, Politico.eu, 31 August 2021: Poland’s top court postpones a decision on the constitutionality of EU law, DW, 31 August 2021: Poland seeks state of emergency at Belarus border, Politico.eu, 31 August 2021: Poland plans a state of emergency on border with Belarus, The Times, 1 September 2021: Poland set to declare state of emergency over migrant crisis, ABC News, 6 September 2021: Polish lawmakers uphold state of emergency at Belarus border, France24, 7 September 2021: EU seeks penalties on Poland over reform threatening judicial independence, The Guardian, 7 September 2021: Poland: Government risks fines for flouting a European court order, Politico.eu, 7 September 2021: Brussels calls for Poland to be fined for disregarding rule of law order, DW, 11 September 2021: Merkel: Belarus migrant push at EU border ‘unacceptable’, The Sunday Times, 12 September 2021: Iraqi refugees being steered through the forests of Belarus and into the EU, Politico.eu, 20 September 2021: EU court fines Poland €500K a day over refusal to shut down coal mine, CNN, 20 September 2021: Poland ordered to pay $580,000 fine for each day coal mine remains open, The Guardian, 20 September 2021: Poland: Warsaw vows to keep coalmine open despite €500,000-a-day ECJ fine, Politico.eu, 30 September 2021: Poland faces blowback over its migrant policy, Politico.eu, 1 October 2021: Commission pushing Poland to accept rule of law milestones in recovery plan, Haaretz, 8 October 2021: How Netanyahu’s Polish Pandering Paved the Way for the Restitution Crisis, Politico.eu, 8 October 2021: Polish opposition sounds Polexit alarm and calls for protests, The Times, 8 October 2021: Poland ‘risks EU exit’ for defying Brussels over laws, Politico.eu, 8 October 2021: Polish ruling puts Ursula von der Leyen under pressure (the EU-hostile PiS was elected by a majority and thus the majority of Poles chose their foreseeable fate themselves. The only worrying thing is that investors have not yet looked for replacement locations, as they are threatened with a very unpleasant awakening in Poland), The Guardian, 8 October 2021: Poland: Brussels vows swift response to country’s ruling against EU law, DW, 10 October 2021: Poles rally to defend EU membership, Politico.eu, 11 October 2021: After slapping down top EU court, Poland asks for its help, Irish Times, 11 October 2021: Polish ruling represents far greater threat to the EU than Brexit, Politico.eu, 14 October 2021: If the Commission won’t act on rule of law, the Parliament will, Politico.eu, 15 October 2021: Polish parliament approves law for migrant pushbacks at Belarus border, The Times, 16 October 2021: Poland builds £300m wall to keep out migrants sent from Belarus, DW, 17 October 2021: Poland: Thousands protest against migrant pushbacks at Belarus border, Politico.eu, 18 October 2021: Polish PM warns of ‘dangerous’ EU effort to control members, Irish Times, 19 October 2021: EU ready to fight back against Polish attack on bloc’s legal order (Parliament and the Commission have now shown more than enough forbearance with Poland. Now is the time to take action. First freeze all payments to Poland and then withdrawal the voting rights. Warsaw then has time to think about the pros and cons of a Polexit, while the EU can devote itself to other issues), Politico.eu, 19 October 2021: Ursula von der Leyen, Mateusz Morawiecki clash in European Parliament, The Times, 19 October 2021: EU threatens to strip Poland of voting rights in legal supremacy row, Politico.eu, 19 October 2021: Warsaw and Brussels wage no-win battle over rule of law, The Guardian, 19 October 2021: Poland: Prime minister escalates war of words with EU over rule of law, BBC, 19 October 2021: Polish PM accuses EU of blackmail in law row, DW, 19 October 2021: Polish leader blasts EU over rule of law dispute, France24, 19 October 2021: Polish PM accuses EU of ‘blackmail’ in escalating dispute over rule of law, CNN, 19 October 2021: EU warns Poland it will pay for challenging common law, The National, 19 October 2021: Poland almost doubles troop numbers on Belarus border, Politico.eu, 20 October 2021: Germany proposes joint border patrols on Polish territory, The Guardian, 21 October 2021: EU summit: Merkel calls for compromise amid row over Polish ECJ snub, Irish Times, 21 October 2021: Poland’s challenge to EU law a ‘slap in the face’, Taoiseach says, DW, 21 October 2021: EU stands firm in the face of Polish defiance, Politico.eu, 21 October 2021: Poland’s ‘Russian roulette’ with the EU, The Times, 25 October 2021: Poland warns EU against starting ‘third world war’ in row over justice reforms (the Polish government is one big freak show, but not the funny type of freaks. These knee jerk gave up on universial rights and the independence of judges, and therefore are fully responsible for alle consequenzes coming from Brussels, including freezing the budget. It’s high time to create a mechanism to kick out “members” like that, who are in the real world full blown EU hostil. They clearly don’t belong to the Union), DW, 25 October 2021: EU calls Polish PM out for ‘war rhetoric’, The New York Times, 26 October 2021: Poland’s Heartland Would Rather Keep E.U. Money Than Break With Bloc, DW, 26 October 2021: Poland plans to bolster military amid threats from Belarus, Russia, France24, 27 October 2021: EU court fines Poland $1.2 million per day as rule-of-law row escalates, DW, 27 October 2021: EU fines Poland €1 million per day over judicial reforms (long overdue, but still just a start. The EU will have to come up with a lot of measures and mechanisms to better and lastingly protect the EU from right-wing and left-wing nationalist attacks from within the EU states), BBC, 27 October 2021: Poland told to pay €1m a day in legal row with EU, CNN, 27 October 2021: EU’s top court fines Poland 1 million euros a day over judiciary spat, Politico.eu, 27 October 2021: Poland hit with record €1M daily fine in EU rule-of-law dispute, The Guardian, 27 October 2021: Poland: Country fined €1m a day over controversial judicial changes, Irish Times, 27 October 2021: Poland accuses EU of blackmail over €1m daily fine (just as ridiculous as typical PiS speech. No wonder that many inside and outside Poland would like to see the Polexit happen as soon as possible), The Times, 27 October 2021: Poland to double size of army under threat from Russia, Politico.eu, 28 October 2021: Brussels offers Poland a bitter pill to get its recovery funds, DW, 28 October 2021: Poland: Parliament to debate bill banning LGBTQ pride parades, Politico.eu, 29 October 2021: Donald Tusk says Warsaw ‘retreating’ on rule of law, Al Arabiya, 29 October 2021: EU parliament sues European Commission over inaction on the rule of law, Politico.eu, 29 October 2021: Parliament sues Commission for not using new rule-of-law power, CNN, 29 October 2021: European Parliament sues Commission over ‘failure’ to apply rule of law powers, France24, 29 October 2021: Poland MPs approve Belarus border wall amid tensions with EU over migrants, The Guardian, 31 October 2021: ‘People treated like weapons’: More deaths feared at Poland-Belarus border, The Guardian, 2 November 2021: Poland: Activists protest after first death in wake of stricter abortion law, Politico.eu, 2 November 2021: Pregnant woman’s death renews abortion ban controversy in Poland, DW, 3 November 2021: Poland summons Belarus envoy over armed border incursion, DW, 6 November 2021: Poland: Protests erupt over abortion law after woman dies, Politico.eu, 7 November 2021: Polish protests erupt against abortion law after woman’s death, France24, 8 November 2021: ‘Never again’: The death of a pregnant woman reignites pro-choice movement in Poland, The Times, 8 November 2021: Belarusian soldiers ‘escorting hundreds of migrants’ towards Polish border, The Guardian, 8 November 2021: Belarus: Border guards escort hundreds of migrants towards Polish border, CNN, 8 November 2021: Crisis worsens on Poland-Belarus border, DW, 8 November 2021: Poland says Belarus ‘fully’ controls migrant convoy, BBC, 8 November 2021: Poland fears huge migrant breach on Belarus border, DW, 9 November 2021: Poland seals Belarus border crossing in migrant standoff, Politico.eu, 9 November 2021: The politics behind Poland’s border crisis, The National, 9 November 2021: Poland fears ‘armed’ escalation of Belarus border crisis, Saudi Gazette, 9 November 2021: Crisis worsens on Poland-Belarus border as troops are mobilized, Politico.eu, 9 November 2021: Poland blames Putin for instigating border crisis, The Times, 9 November 2021: Putin accused of pulling strings in border crisis, Al Arabiya, 9 November 2021: EU presses 13 countries to stem Belarus migrant route, Politico.eu, 9 November 2021: European Parliament set to condemn Poland’s abortion rules, The Guardian, 9 November 2021: Belarus: EU condemns ‘gangster-style’ tactics in Polish border crisis, BBC, 9 November 2021: EU accuses Belarus of gangster-style migrant abuse, CNN, 9 November 2021: EU accuses Belarus of acting like ‘gangster regime’ as thousands of freezing migrants camp on Polish border, BBC, 9 November 2021: Hundreds of migrants at Belarus’ border with Poland, France24, 9 November 2021: Poland MPs approve Belarus border wall amid tensions with EU over migrants, DW, 9 November 2021: How will EU react to Poland-Belarus border crisis?, France24, 10 November 2021: Poland accuses Putin of orchestrating Belarus border crisis to destabilise EU, BBC, 10 November 2021: Belarus accused of terrorism over migrant crisis, The New York Times, 10 November 2021: Unlike Before, Poland Gets Support From Europe on Tough Borders, France24, 11 November 2021: Polish far-right Independence Day march goes ahead despite court ban, The Guardian, 11 November 2021: Poland: Far right leads Warsaw march of ‘patriots’ as border crisis simmers, The Times, 11 November 2021: Huge far-right protest as Belarus threatens to cut off Europe’s gas, Politico.eu, 11 November 2021: Lukashenko threatens EU with gas cutoff as border tensions rise, The New York Times, 11 November 2021: Migrants in Peril, and Raw Emotions, in European Border Standoff, France24, 12 November 2021: Woman’s death attributed to Poland’s near-total ban on abortion, The Guardian, 12 November 2021: Belarus: Team of 10 UK troops sent to Poland to assist on border, The Times, 12 November 2021: British troops deployed to Polish border as tensions with Russia rise, Arab News, 12 November 2021: Turkey bans Syrians, Iraqis and Yemenis from flights to Belarus, The National, 12 November 2021: Russia sends paratroopers to Belarus-EU border for ‘war games’ amid escalating crisis, Haaretz, 13 November 2021: Poland Condemns Far-right Independence Rally Where Hundreds Chanted ‘Death to Jews’, France24, 14 November 2021: Polish police say group of 50 migrants broke through border with Belarus, The Guardian, 14 November 2021: Belarus: Polish PM urges ‘concrete steps’ by Nato to address border crisis, DW, 15 November 2021: Belarus crisis: Poland says migrants marching to border, The Times, 16 November 2021: Belarus border crisis escalates with tear gas and water cannon fired at migrants (in view of the late summer temperatures in the border region, the Polish defense should rely more on the use of water anyway. Well-watered guests of Lukashenko (and indeed everyone and not only those who are directly involved in attempting to storm the Polish border fortifications) simply freeze better to the ground and of course also commit fewer crimes. On the one hand a very humane and efficient problem solution, on the other hand even very environmentally friendly and therefore sustainable. Incidentally, Lukashenko is also entrusting the full care and entertainment of his guests. They will then be returned to their home countries within two weeks), BBC, 16 November 2021: Polish forces tear-gas migrants at Belarus border, DW, 17 November 2021: Belarus: Lukashenko agrees to EU talks on ending migrant standoff, The Times, 17 November 2021: Belarus border crisis ‘could last years’, Poland warns, as violent clashes continue, Politico.eu, 19 November 2021: Lukashenko on migrants: ‘They’re not coming to my country, they’re going to yours’ (no, they are his guests, so that he has to take care of them), BBC, 19 November 2021: Belarus’s Lukashenko tells BBC: We may have helped migrants into EU, Politico.eu, 19 November 2021: British, Estonian troops to be sent to Poland amid border crisis, France24, 19 November 2021: Migrants try to cross Polish border after camps evacuated by Belarus, DW, 21 November 2021: Poland: Belarus crisis is ‘greatest attempt to destabilize Europe’ since Cold War, Gulf Times, 23 November 2021: ‘Great scope to boost Qatar-Poland ties’, Politico.eu, 24 November 2021: Outrage over Polish government plan to register each pregnancy, DW, 24 November 2021: Poland court says European rights pact ‘incompatible’ with constitution, Foreign Policy, 26 November 2021: How the Belarus Crisis Boosted Poland’s Ruling Party, Politico.eu, 9 December 2021: British troops deployed to help Poland guard border with Belarus, DW, 10 December 2021: Germany’s new foreign minister makes inaugural visit to Poland (instead of wasting more time and, above all, more German tax money on Warsaw (even after several decades of German development aid worth billions, it is not clear that Poland will ever become a democratic state that would be viable on its own), Baerbock and Scholz would instead do well by visiting EU partner countries such as e.g. Italy, Spain, Portugal, the Netherlands, Denmark and Ireland, and to stay in good contact with the United Kingdom. The Visegrád states are not EU partner states, and not only when it comes to issues relating to the rule of law and democracy, and they do not even want to be. Just like the African recipients of German and EU development aid, they are only concerned with tapping the funds with which the heavily corrupted elites fill their pockets. These are not new findings, but practice that has been known for years. Nevertheless, the EU only initiates puppet theater instead of taking a clear line against it and a) blocking all budget funds from Brussels for the east and b) withdrawing voting rights. And what if the Polexit and/or Hungarexit should result from this? All the better. Hungary’s leadership has been deep in the pockets of Moscow and Bejing for years. It remains to be seen from which anti-EU source the Polish leadership is being lubricated. In either case, it would not be a loss for the EU. This is already clear from the public discussions about Polexit and Hungarexit (after Orbán and his severely corrupt gang, following the Russian example, are illegally snatching one company after the other and even increased the pace in the process, the likelihood of an exit is increasing. Why Brussels didn’t took action there isn’t really understandable. Perhaps the exit shall be supported in this way): the markets and/or the euro exchange rate react positively to this outlook. No wonder, because after all, the EU would benefit from being able to invest money sensibly and in a future-oriented manner, instead of having to send it to the Eastern Bloc to just burn money without real results, which is then no longer available for sensible expenditure and investments. After all, it will be funny when Polish nationalists have to dissolve the country in order to be able to assert imaginary reparation fantasies in a court at all. It will of course be a huge failure for them, while Germany and Russia grow unexpectedly. At the same time, that would be a nice signal to the rest of the world, namely that states can pursue a successful expansion policy even without wars: all that is required is a bunch of simple-minded nationalists on the other side. That would be a very nice knowledge gain for the international community), Politico.eu, 13 December 2021: Leaders of Poland, Germany call for ‘swift’ solution to Warsaw’s rule of law row with EU, DW, 17 December 2021: Poland: Parliament approves controversial media reform bill, Politico.eu, 17 December 2021: Poland races through media law seen as targeting US broadcaster, The Hill, 19 December 2021: Thousands in Poland protest law that would force Discovery to sell channel, DW, 19 December 2021: Poland: Protesters urge president to veto media law, Politico.eu, 20 December 2021: Poland rakes in the carbon cash it pretends to hate, France24, 21 December 2021: Belarus, Poland block UN team from accessing border amid migrant crisis, Politico.eu, 21 December 2021: Polish spyware scandal stokes tensions with Brussels (that’s what you get if you choose Israel as your role model: a pseudo-democratic, semi-authoritarian police state), DW, 21 December 2021: Belarus, Poland deny UN access to border as migrants wait, Politico.eu, 22 December 2021: Brussels starts legal action against Poland over ruling questioning primacy of EU law, DW, 22 December 2021: EU launches new legal action against Poland, The Guardian, 22 December 2021: Poland: Brussels launches legal action over country’s rulings against EU law, DW, 22 December 2021: Poland aims to establish pregnancy register, Times fo Israel, 23 December 2021: Polish opposition senator hacked with spyware from Israel’s NSO Group, The Guardian, 24 December 2021: Poland: Deputy PM says Germany wants to turn EU into ‘fourth reich’ (stupid as bread but very proud of it. The Pole Kaczynski makes it clear again and again that Poland will remain an intellectually developing country. It is high time to help the country to finally leave the EU and NATO in order to join Putin’s empire, as is obviously the wish of the self-appointed country leadership), DW, 24 December 2021: Poland accuses Germany of trying to form ‘Fourth Reich’, Politico.eu, 27 December 2021: Poland’s Duda looks to avert US clash by vetoing media law, The Guardian, 27 December 2021: Poland: President vetoes media law criticised by US and EU, The Guardian, 28 December 2021: Poland: Claims government used spyware is ‘crisis for democracy’, says opposition, Politico.eu, 29 December 2021: Poland digs in over mine spat with EU, Politico.eu, 30 December 2021: ‘Poland has crossed the Rubicon.’ Tusk’s lawyer slams government over alleged spyware use., Jerusalem Post, 3 January 2022: Poland bought NSO hacking tools shortly after Netanyahu met Polish PM – report, Haaretz, 3 January 2022: Poland Purchased NSO’s Pegasus After Netanyahu Meeting, Report Says, DW, 7 January 2022: Polish leader admits government bought spyware, Politico.eu, 7 January 2022: Poland’s Watergate: Ruling party leader admits country has Pegasus hacking software, DW, 7 January 2022: Warsaw to recall ambassador to Prague after Poland criticism, Jerusalem Post, 10 January 2022: Warsaw sacks envoy who lambasted law against blaming Poles for Holocaust, Times of Israel, 10 January 2022: Polish envoy to Jews fired after calling Holocaust law ‘one of stupidest ever’, Forward, 11 January 2022: Poland appointed an envoy to repair relations with Jews. Less than 6 months later, he was fired., Jerusalem Post, 13 January 2022: Europe at greatest risk of war in 30 years, Poland warns, Politico.eu, 14 January 2022: Majority of Polish medical panel quits in protest at government inaction on COVID, Politico.eu, 17 January 2022: Polish envoy’s bid for top EU post sparks Brussels backlash, Times of Israel, 18 January 2022: Polish chief auditor seeks to question leader over NSO-aided illegal surveillance, Politico.eu, 18 January 2022: Polish leader under fire over Pegasus hack scandal, DW, 19 January 2022: EU to withhold funds for Poland over Turow coal mine, Politico.eu, 20 January 2022: Brussels to Warsaw: Pay up!, The Guardian, 27 January 2022: Poland: Protests flare across country after death of young mother denied an abortion, The Times, 31 January 2022: Poland ready for million refugees from Ukraine, Politico.eu, 31 January 2022: Poland’s bison-unfriendly border barrier, DW, 3 February 2022: Poland: President seeks closure of court body to end EU row, Politico.com, 3 February 2022: Ceasefire in Polish-Czech coal mine border dispute, Al Arabia, 5 February 2022: First US reinforcement troops arrive in Poland, more expected, France24, 5 February 2022: First US troops intended to reinforce NATO allies in Eastern Europe arrive in Poland, DW, 5 February 2022: US troop reinforcements arrive in Poland, Politico.eu, 7 February 2022: Poland takes half step back to cool legal conflicts with EU, Politico.eu, 8 February 2022: Poland braces for ‘up to a million people’ fleeing war in Ukraine, DW, 8 February 2022: Turow coal mine: EU to withhold Poland funds over dispute, Politico.eu, 8 February 2022: Commission moves to cut Polish funds over unpaid coal mine fine, The Times, 9 February 2022: Ukraine crisis: Poles stand alone in military support if Russia invades, poll finds (of course, after all, the majority of Ukrainian refugees will end up in Poland if Putin invades further parts of Ukraine), Politico.eu, 14 February 2022: EU power to slash funds will face fresh fights after court verdict, France24, 16 February 2022: EU’s top court ‘on right track’ to cut funds to Poland, Hungary for violating democratic rights, CNN, 16 February 2022: EU top court paves way to cut billions to Poland and Hungary, The Times, 16 February 2022: EU court dismisses challenge by Hungary and Poland in ‘rule of law’ row, Politico.eu, 16 February 2022: The EU got its legal OK to cut funds. Now what?, France24, 19 February 2022: Poland: Where ‘women pay a high price’ for populist laws, Times of Israel, 26 February 2022: Israel moves to end rift with Poland amid Ukraine fighting, sends envoy to Warsaw, DW, 1 March 2022: On German-Polish border, residents rally to help Ukrainians, The New Yorker, 2 March 2022: A Ukrainian Exodus at the Polish Border, France24, 4 March 2022: ‘If not us, then who?’: Polish postal workers risk their lives to bring aid into Ukraine, DW, 4 March 2022: In U-turn on migrant policy, Poland rolls out welcome mat for Ukrainians, CNN, 5 March 2022: US working with Poland on the possibility of providing fighter jets to Ukraine, Politico.eu, 5 March 2022: White House weighs 3-way deal to get fighter jets to Ukraine, DW, 5 March 2022: Ukraine: US top diplomat visits Poland amid refugee crisis, Jerusalem Post, 6 March 2022: US working with Poland to provide Ukraine with fighter jets, Politico.eu, 8 March 2022: Polish mayor confronts Italy’s Salvini over friendship with Putin, Los Angeles Times, 8 March 2022: Polish plan to get fighter jets to Ukrainian military complicates Harris’ visit to Warsaw (the vehemence with which President Selenskyj presents his demands for fighter jets is of course absolutely understandable. Nobody would do it differently in his position. On the other hand, in the event of the delivery of the Polish jets, the security of 450 million EU citizens would be in danger. Therefore, for the time being, the answer can only be negative. Of course, it cannot be completely ruled out, especially since Putin could of course escalate further at any time, so that NATO would have to intervene and then additionally equip Ukraine considerably), Al Arabiya, 9 March 2022: US sends Patriot missile defense systems to Poland: Pentagon, The Hill, 9 March 2022: US, Poland still discussing possible jet deal, Politico.com, 9 March 2022: U.S. closes door on sending fighter jets to Ukraine, BBC, 9 March 2022: Kamala Harris heads to Poland amid Nato fighter jet rift, France24, 9 March 2022: Polish offer to donate MiG-29 jets to Ukraine took US officials by surprise, DW, 9 March 2022: Scholz: Sending Polish jets to Ukraine via US base in Germany ‘certainly’ not an option, DW, 11 March 2022: Debate about Polish fighter jets for Ukraine was divisive — and distracting, Politico.eu, 12 March 2022: Poland tries to wean itself off Russian energy, The Hill, 15 March 2022: Lawmakers raise pressure on White House to back Poland plan, The Times, 19 March 2022: In big-hearted Poland they hate only one man: the new Hitler, DW, 20 March 2022: Poland’s open-door policy helps Ukrainian refugees build new lives, The New York Times, 25 March 2022: Long on Europe’s Fringe, Poland Takes Center Stage as War Rages in Ukraine, DW, 25 March 2022: Poland and the United States: Warsaw and its ‘big brother’, Politico.eu, 25 March 2022: Ukraine war turns Poland into America’s ‘indispensable’ ally (finally, Germany is no longer the front state like during the cold war. Great news!), DW, 25 March 2022: Biden arrives in Poland to see Ukraine refugee response, The Guardian, 28 March 2022: Polish woman is first activist to face trial for violating strict abortion law, Irish Times, 29 March 2022: Ukrainians rush for jobs in Poland as return remains uncertain, Politico.eu, 29 March 2022: Poland to ban Russian coal imports, Politico.eu, 30 March 2022: Poland to EU: Follow our lead on scrapping Russian energy, NPR, 30 March 2022: Poland says its ban on all Russian oil and gas imports is the most radical in Europe, Politico.eu, 1 April 2022: Eastern Europeans push for new penalties as EU sanctions fail to end Putin’s war (in the short term, this certainly makes sense from a Polish and Baltic point of view, but what will come of it in the medium and long term? After all, Russia will not disappear overnight, but will remain a neighboring country. The country is already Europe’s Iran. If they want to turn it into Europe’s North Korea, it will have negative consequences for decades. Are the Baltics and Poland willing to pay the price for this, or will it be just another welcome reason to demand even more development aid from Brussels? Germany will only be able to gradually phase out Russian energy supplies in exchange for substitute suppliers, because otherwise the economy would collapse. Poland would like to see that, but in the end they would also have to do without German development aid via Brussels, which makes up a not inconsiderable part of their national budget), Politico.eu, 2 April 2022: The end of the Budapest–Warsaw axis, DW, 3 April 2022: German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier under fire for Russia ties (“taking fire” from extremely questionable figures from the EU’s eastward enlargement is at best a bad joke. No one should ever adopt positions of nationalist EU opponents and undemocrats), Jerusalem Post, 3 April 2022: Poland ‘open’ to nukes stationed in country amid Russia-Ukraine war, Politico.eu, 3 April 2022: Poland’s Kaczynski criticizes Germany’s refusal to cut energy ties with Russia, Politico.eu, 5 April 2022: Poland vetoes EU tax reform again, dismisses ulterior motives (another country for the list of “tax havens”), Politico.eu, 5 April 2022: Poland ‘not there yet’ in backtracking on judicial reforms to get EU cash, DW, 8 April 2022: Polish economy braces for impact of Ukrainian influx, Politico.eu, 8 April 2022: Macron calls Polish PM an ‘extreme-right anti-Semite who bans LGBT people’ (the truth hurts), BBC, 8 April 2022: Macron calls Polish PM ‘a far-right anti-Semite’ in row over Putin talks, DW, 8 April 2022: Poland summons French ambassador after Macron insults prime minister (*hahaha*), Jerusalem Post, 11 April 2022: Macron calls Polish PM ‘far-right antisemite’ after criticism of his Putin talks, The National, 11 April 2022: Russia-Ukraine live: Poland vulnerable to Russian attack as it supplies arms to Ukraine, DW, 11 April 2022: Poland: Warsaw hands over Russian ‘spy nest’ to Ukrainians, The National, 12 April 2022: Fear is contagious as Poles ask: ‘Are we next?’, The National, 13 April 2022: Poland fears Russia will test Nato resolve with ‘accidental’ missile strike, Politico.eu, 14 April 2022: Poland’s two very different borders (so what? Poland, Lithuania and Latvia cannot give in to dictator Lukashenko’s blackmail attempts. Lukashenko’s international guests also know that they have no chance of receiving a positive asylum decision within the EU, so that they are illegals from the start but try anyway. We have more than enough criminals within the EU, so that there is no reason to import additional ones), The National, 15 April 2022: Ukraine war leads to Poland doubling size of army, Politico.eu, 19 April 2022: Poland reneges on coronavirus vaccine contracts, DW, 20 April 2022: Ukraine invasion evokes WWII traumas in Poland, Haaretz, 21 April 2022: For Poles, the Ukrainian Refugee Crisis Is a Do-over, The Economist, 23 April 2022: Poland’s prime minister says the West’s appeasement of Vladimir Putin must stop, Politico.eu, 26 April 2022: Poland prepares to limit flights to and from Warsaw, The National, 26 April 2022: Russia suspends gas supplies to Poland and Bulgaria, CNN, 26 April 2022: Russia will shut off gas supplies to Poland, state-run company says, Politico.eu, 26 April 2022: Russia to halt gas shipments to Poland and Bulgaria, BBC, 26 April 2022: Ukraine war: Russia halts gas exports to Poland and Bulgaria, France24, 26 April 2022: Russia’s Gazprom to halt gas supplies to Poland, Bulgaria, DW, 26 April 2022: Russia’s Gazprom to halt gas supplies to Poland, Bulgaria, Los Angeles Times, 27 April 2022: Russia cuts gas to Poland and Bulgaria as West mounts new arms push, Politico.eu, 27 April 2022: Poland and Bulgaria start life with no Russian gas, CNN, 27 April 2022: Poland and Bulgaria are receiving gas from EU neighbors, European Commission president says, DW, 27 April 2022: Russia’s Gazprom halts gas supplies to Poland, Bulgaria, Los Angeles Times, 28 April 2022: A staggering refugee burden evokes a haunting history in Polish capital, The Atlantic, 3 May 2022: ‘You Cannot Host Guests Forever’, Politico.eu, 5 May 2022: Warsaw to host meeting on help for Ukrainian refugees, CNN, 9 May 2022: Russian Ambassador doused with red paint at Soviet cemetery, The Times, 9 May 2022: Russian ambassador pelted with red paint at Victory Day in Warsaw, DW, 9 May 2022: Russian ambassador to Poland hit with red liquid by anti-war protesters, Politico.eu, 17 May 2022: Milan hits back at Poland and Hungary’s curbs on LGBTQ+ rights, Politico.eu, 22 May 2022: Ukraine must ‘decide its own future,’ Poland’s Duda tells MPs in Kyiv, Politico.eu, 24 May 2022: Polish president accuses Germany of breaking promises on tanks for Ukraine (the federal government has never made the alleged promises that the Polish liars have falsified – and should not make them in the future either, since the Polish government is increasingly positioning Poland as an enemy country. Over the past few years, it has become abundantly clear that it is pointless to negotiate with the historically revisionist right-wing extremists of the PiS. Either a new approach is found or negotiations should be stopped all together to stop this waste of time and efforts), Politico.eu, 24 May 2022: Poland accused of hostage diplomacy as global tax debate scrapped (once again it is becoming clear that Hungary and Poland were accepted into the EU far too quickly. With the exception of the religious orientations, both countries resemble Turkey far more than a western democracy), Politico.eu, 25 May 2022: Germany ‘flabbergasted’ at Poland’s accusation of broken promise on tanks, The Guardian, 26 May 2022: Poland: Controversial legal body condemned by EU removed (wait and see what nonsense they will come up with instead), Politico.eu, 26 May 2022: Poland’s parliament partially rolls back judicial changes to get EU cash, DW, 1 June 2022: Poland: European Commission unlocks COVID funding, Politico.eu, 1 June 2022: EU gives Poland route to pandemic recovery cash, France24, 2 June 2022: Poland must enact judicial reforms to receive Covid aid, says EU chief (that’s a bad joke. The PiS government is already working on a replacement for the disciplinary body for judges. No one should put any trust in this government. They are anti-democratic and anti-EU)). Now, the Polish government wants to renegotiate, Berlin, however, doesn’t, because everything is already finally regulated, so that Poland would have to terminate all agreements, which are build up on each other, and thus virtually dissolve Poland as a country in order to pave the way for renegotiations. If that were so, it would be at least questionable whether Russia and Germany would agree to new agreements, instead of just growing their countries by including parts of the then former Poland without own contributions. Not only would that be extremely amusing, it would even be a European precedent that a right-wing national government would dissolve itself and the country just to negotiate about imaginary claims. With regard to the facts, the claims made little sense, because if Berlin would offset the previous payments to Poland, whether directly or indirectly via the EU development aid, Warsaw would have to arrange money re-transfers to Berlin. It is more likely that the Polish government would like to entertain the local audience without the claims actually being pursued. After all, the country wants to remain the largest recipient of EU development aid in the future and to score points with its voters with the resulting growth rates instead of having to justify itself for the otherwise clearly visible structural weaknesses and a noticeably sagging economy. Overall, this nonsense weighs on German-Polish diplomacy, friendship and reconciliation. So far, German companies haven’t let their spirits off because of this, along with other unpleasant developments in Poland, and are still investing heavily, but it’s only a matter of time before the tensions will show effects here as well (Economy of the Czech Republic, Economy of Hungary, Economy of Poland, Economy of Slovakia (BBC, 30 March 2019: Zuzana Caputova becomes Slovakia’s first female president, Politico.eu, 20 December 2019: In Slovakia, a corrupt state goes on trial, Der Spiegel, 25 February 2020: Neo-Nazis in Plain View: Right-Wing Extremists Could Win Big in Slovak Election, Politico.eu, 29 February 2020: Anti-corruption opposition wins Slovakia election, France24, 29 February 2020: Slovakia’s anti-graft opposition party wins parliamentary elections by wide margin, The Guardian, 1 March 2020: Slovakia election: seismic shift as public anger ousts dominant Smer-SD party, Politico.eu, 14 October 2021: Slovenia’s Janša pushes far-right conspiracy about visiting MEP, DW, 14 October 2021: EU calls on Slovenian PM to stop ‘provocations’ against MEPs), Economy of Slovenia, The National, 7 February 2021: Central Europe aspires to being a centre of civilisation, Politico.eu, 11 April 2022: Slovakia in talks over possible transfer of MiG jets to Ukraine, Jerusalem Post, 14 April 2022: Ukraine’s stand against Russia makes it part of the West, Slovakian FM says, Politico.eu, 20 April 2022: Former Slovak PM, allies charged with organized crime, The Times, 23 April 2022: Populist Slovakian leader Robert Fico ran crime gang from his office, say prosecutors, Politico.eu, 20 April 2022: Slovenia saw sharpest democratic decline in Eastern Europe, Central Asia in 2021, report says, The Guardian, 24 April 2022: Slovenia: Opposition liberal party on course for landslide win, say exit polls, The National, 24 April 2022: Slovenia’s populist PM in tough election fight, DW, 24 April 2022: Slovenia: Newcomer set to oust right-wing premier Jansa, Politico.eu, 4 May 2022: Russian oil ban: Slovakia can’t accept EU’s current sanctions plan, Politico.eu, 4 May 2022: Former Slovak PM narrowly avoids police custody in organized crime case, Politico.eu, 4 May 2022: EU’s Russian oil ban hits trouble as countries argue over key details, Cooperation between China and Central and Eastern European Countries).
- Denmark, Finland and Sweden (Scandinavia): Denmark has a developed mixed economy that is classed as a high-income economy by the World Bank. It ranks 16th in the world in terms of gross national income (PPP) per capita and 10th in nominal GNI per capita. Denmark’s economy stands out as one of the most free in the Index of Economic Freedom and the Economic Freedom of the World. It is the 10th most competitive economy in the world, and 6th in Europe, according to the World Economic Forum in its Global Competitiveness Report 2018 (Economy of Denmark, Economy of the Faroe Islands and Economy of Greenland). The economy of Finland has a per capita output equal to that of other European economies such as those of France, Germany, Belgium, or the UK. The largest sector of the economy is the service sector at 66% of GDP, followed by manufacturing and refining at 31%. Primary production represents 2.9%. With respect to foreign trade, the key economic sector is manufacturing. The largest industries in 2007 were electronics (22%); machinery, vehicles, and other engineered metal products (21.1%); forest industry (13%); and chemicals (11%). The gross domestic product peaked in 2008. As of 2015, the country’s economy is at the 2006 level (Reuters, 3 December 2019: Finland’s PM resigns after losing trust of coalition partner). Sweden is the seventh-richest country in the world in terms of GDP (gross domestic product) per capita and a high standard of living is experienced by its citizens. Sweden is an export-oriented mixed economy. Timber, hydropower and iron ore constitute the resource base of an economy with a heavy emphasis on foreign trade. Sweden’s engineering sector accounts for 50% of output and exports, while telecommunications, the automotive industry and the pharmaceutical industries are also of great importance. Sweden is the ninth-largest arms exporter in the world. Agriculture accounts for 2% of GDP and employment. The country ranks among the highest for telephone and Internet access penetration (DW, 22 May 2019: Biker gang raid: What do we know about Al-Salam-313?, Bloomberg, 26 September 2019: Rising Crime Is a Threat to Swedish Businesses, Group Warns, The Spectator, 26 October 2019: Bomb attacks are now a normal part of Swedish life, CNN, 9 December 2019: Finland’s Sanna Marin to become world’s youngest prime minister at 34, NPR, 9 December 2019: At 34, Finland’s Sanna Marin Set To Become World’s Youngest Sitting Prime Minister, Politico.eu, 9 December 2019: EU gets another female leader with 34-year-old Finnish PM, The Guardian, 23 January 2020: Bombs and blood feuds: the wave of explosions rocking Sweden’s cities, The Guardian, 29 May 2020: Norway and Denmark drop mutual border controls – but exclude Sweden, The Guardian, 26 June 2020: Swedes rapidly losing trust in Covid-19 strategy, poll finds, BBC, 26 June 2020: Coronavirus: Sweden says WHO made ‘total mistake’ by including it in warning, The Guardian, 26 June 2020: Swedish exceptionalism has been ended by coronavirus, Politico.eu, 9 July 2020: Sweden’s ex-ambassador to China awaits verdict in historic trial, DW, 19 August 2020: Coronavirus digest: Sweden records most deaths in 150 years in first 6 months of 2020, BBC, 4 December 2020: Denmark set to end all new oil and gas exploration, CNN, 18 April 2021: In its latest lurch to the far right, Denmark plans to send some refugees back to Syria, France24, 28 June 2021: Swedish PM Lofven resigns following no-confidence vote, Politico.eu, 28 June 2021: Swedish PM Löfven resigns following no-confidence vote, DW, 7 July 2021: Sweden: Stefan Lofven reelected as prime minister , Politico.eu, 8 July 2021: Sweden’s Stefan Löfven, the Harry Houdini of European politics, escapes again, DW, 22 August 2021: Sweden: Prime Minister Stefan Lofven to quit, The Guardian, 22 August 2021: Sweden: Stefan Löfven steps down as prime minister after 7 years, Politico.eu, 22 August 2021: Swedish PM Löfven to resign in November, The National, 23 August 2021: Race begins to take on Sweden’s challenges after PM quits, Politico.eu, 23 August 2021: Swedish PM Löfven takes rare gamble with decision to quit, The Times, 28 August 2021: Sweden, Europe’s gun crime hotspot, Jerusalem Post, 17 October 2021: Swedish foreign minister in Israel marking thaw in relations, Times of Israel, 17 October 2021: Swedish foreign minister en route to Israel in major step in rebuilding ties, Politico.eu, 19 October 2021: Sweden’s new border headache: Drug boats, Haaretz, 7 November 2021: ‘Brown Shirts in Suits’: How the Far Right ‘pro-Israel’ Sweden Democrats Dishonestly Deny Their Antisemitism, Politico.eu, 24 November 2021: Swedish PM Magdalena Andersson resigns hours after taking job, Irish Times, 24 November 2021: Sweden’s prime minister resigns just hours after taking office, The Guardian, 24 November 2021: Sweden: First female prime minister resigns after less than 12 hours, CNN, 24 November 2021: Sweden’s first female prime minister resigns hours after being voted in, BBC, 24 November 2021: Sweden’s first female PM resigns on day one, France24, 24 November 2021: Sweden’s Magdalena Andersson resigns hours after appointment as first female PM, The National, 24 November 2021: Magdalena Andersson steps down hours after becoming Sweden’s first woman leader, NPR, 24 November 2021: Sweden’s first female prime minister resigns hours after she was appointed, CNN, 29 November 2021: Sweden’s lawmakers elect the country’s first female Prime Minister — again, Politico.eu, 29 November 2021: Magdalena Andersson named Swedish prime minister (again), France24, 29 November 2021: Sweden elects Andersson as first female PM for second time in a week, Politico.eu, 30 November 2021: The long wait for Sweden’s first female prime minister, Politico.eu, 3 December 2021: Sweden backs EU minimum wage after longtime opposition, Politico.eu, 13 December 2021: Ex-Danish minister convicted over 2016 asylum ruling, The National, 13 December 2021: Denmark convicts ex-immigration minister over asylum separations, Irish Times, 13 December 2021: Norway to ban serving of alcohol in bars and restaurants amid Omicron fears, The National, 27 February 2022: Danish PM says volunteers can join Ukraine fight, BBC, 10 March 2022: Denmark opens its arms to Ukrainians, while trying to send Syrian refugees home, The Economist, 16 April 2022: Finland is hurtling towards NATO membership, The Times, 17 April 2022: Hardline Denmark ‘has spent 20 years deterring migrants’, France24, 17 April 2022: New clashes over anti-immigration rally in Sweden, BBC, 17 April 2022: Dozens arrested at Sweden riots sparked by planned Quran burnings, Arab News, 17 April 2022: New clashes over anti-Islam rally in Sweden, DW, 17 April 2022: Swedish police shoot 3 during fresh riots, NPR, 18 April 2022: Riots erupt in Sweden over rallies by an anti-Islam group, Arab News, 18 April 2022: Saudi Arabia condemns ‘abuse of Holy Qur’an’ by extremists in Sweden, The Guardian, 18 April 2022: Sweden: three injured during protest against far-right rally, CNN, 18 April 2022: Dozens injured in riots in Sweden after Quran burnings, France24, 18 April 2022: Swedish police arrest dozens after clashes at anti-immigrant rally, Arab News, 19 April 2022: UAE summons Swedish ambassador to protest against Qur’an burning by extremists, Arab News, 19 April 2022: Saudi Arabia, other Islamic countries condemn Swedish far-right group’s plan to burn copies of the Qur’an, DW, 20 April 2022: Sweden: Far-right anti-Islam politician taps into backlash against immigration, Politico.eu, 22 April 2022: Sweden’s NATO debate enters decisive phase, Haaretz, 27 April 2022: Far-right Provocateur Is Burning the Koran, Setting Sweden on Fire, The National, 28 April 2022: Sweden’s failure to integrate vast numbers of immigrants ‘led to gang violence’, France24, 28 April 2022: Finland and Sweden could join NATO quickly, Stoltenberg says, Politico.eu, 28 April 2022: EU Council in limbo as top official departs before successor appointed, Al Arabiya, 30 April 2022: Russian spy plane violates Swedish air space, Politico.eu, 3 May 2022: Finland and Sweden ‘can count’ on Germany for protection and NATO membership support, CNN, 3 May 2022: Finnish group ditches Russian-built nuclear plant plan, DW, 3 May 2022: Scholz: Finland, Sweden can count on German support if they seek NATO access. Al Arabiya, 4 May 2022: Sweden says it received US security assurances if it hands in NATO application. The National, 5 May 2022: Sweden’s landmark war crimes trial of Hamid Nouri wraps up ahead of jury verdict, DW, 5 May 2022: Scandinavian allies support Finnish, Swedish NATO bids, Politico.eu, 6 May 2022: Sweden, Finland collect NATO assurances as application decision looms, The National, 10 May 2022: Sweden ‘must join Nato or risk stabbing Finland in the back’, CNN, 10 May 2022: Finland is on the verge of asking to join NATO. Here’s why that’s bad news for Putin, France24, 11 May 2022: Finland joining NATO ‘would not be against anyone’: president, The National, 11 May 2022: Sweden stockpiles against possible Russia attack over Nato application, BBC, 11 May 2022: UK agrees to support Sweden and Finland if attacked, France24, 11 May 2022: Britain signs security deal vowing to defend Sweden in case of attack, The National, 11 May 2022: ‘You caused this’: Finland’s president blames Russia for Nato alliance move, Irish Times, 11 May 2022: Finland expected to indicate intention to join Nato, DW, 12 May 2022: NATO: New challenges for the alliance as Finland and Sweden inch closer to membership?, The Hill, 12 May 2022: US, allies look to fast-track Finland and Sweden joining NATO, The National, 12 May 2022: Finland prepares its bunkers designed for nuclear attack, DW, 12 May 2022: Finland must join NATO ‘without delay,’ say Finnish leaders, BBC, 12 May 2022: Ukraine invasion changed our minds on Nato – Finland, France24, 12 May 2022: Finland’s leaders back joining NATO in policy shift triggered by Ukraine war, CNN, 12 May 2022: Finland’s leaders announce support for NATO membership, moving nation closer to joining alliance, BBC, 12 May 2022: Finland Nato: Russia threatens to retaliate over membership move, Irish Times, 12 May 2022: ‘You caused this’: Finnish president not concerned by Russian opposition to Nato membership, Politico.eu, 12 May 2022: Putin’s war backfires as Finland aims to join NATO, The Guardian, 12 May 2022: Full report: Finland must apply to join Nato without delay, say president and PM, Politico.eu, 12 May 2022: If Finland and Sweden join NATO, it’s on Russia, The Times, 12 May 2022: Finland announces intention to join Nato, Politico.eu, 12 May 2022: Finnish leaders announce backing for NATO membership, Irish Times, 12 May 2022: Finland’s leaders want to join Nato ‘without delay’, Politico.eu, 12 May 2022: Russia threatens ‘military-technical’ retaliation over Finland’s NATO bid, DW, 13 May 2022: Sweden: NATO membership reduces conflict risk — policy review, The Guardian, 13 May 2022: Nato: Erdogan: Turkey ‘not positive’ about Sweden and Finland joining Nato (as if it is actually about Finland and Sweden. Ridiculous. The sultan will no doubt continue to play his usual annoying extortion games in order to strengthen his buddy Putin and to be able to buy more Russian missile systems at a bargain price. Apparently he also wants to blackmail the US into supplying weapon systems and in particular F-35 fighter jets, which currently aren’t delivered because of the given security risk posed by Erdogan’s Turkey. In addition, the sultan is currently driving Turkey economically against the wall at great speed. The country has already reached unbelievable rates of inflation and unemployment. In addition to Erdogan’s isolation of Turkey in NATO, from the EU, the USA and parts of the Gulf States, this should not increase his chances in the upcoming elections in Turkey. All in all, the usual and typical BS bingo from Ankara that has absolutely nothing to do with Finland and/or Sweden), Politico.eu, 13 May 2022: Turkey not ‘positive’ about Finland, Sweden bids to join NATO, Erdogan says, NPR, 13 May 2022: Turkey’s president opposes letting Finland, Sweden join NATO, The Hill, 13 May 2022: Biden speaks to leaders of Finland, Sweden about NATO membership, Arab News, 13 May 2022: Swedish policy review says joining NATO would reduce conflict risk, DW, 14 May 2022: Finland’s ruling party backs NATO bid, France24, 14 May 2022: Live: Turkey says it is ready to discuss NATO membership with Finland, Sweden, BBC, 14 May 2022: Putin warns Finland joining Nato would be ‘mistake’ (the mistakes here have been made by the Kremlin in every respect. Even in Ukraine, Putin was completely wrong with his assessments. This now also applies to the membership in NATO applied for by Finland and Sweden. For years, Putin has threatened the two countries militarily and, in fact, assumed that they would not fight back. Instead, he finally broke the camel’s back and pushed Finland and Sweden to join NATO), CNN, 14 May 2022: What you need to know about Finland, Sweden and NATO, Politico.eu, 14 May 2022: Putin to Finns: NATO instead of neutrality would be ‘wrong’, The Hill, 14 May 2022: Finland, Sweden’s NATO moves prompt fears of Russian cyberattacks, Los Angeles Times, 14 May 2022: Ukraine appears to drive Russians from Kharkiv; Finland, Sweden draw closer to NATO, Politico.eu, 14 May 2022: Finland ‘prepared’ for threats but open to talks with Russia, CNN, 14 May 2022: What you need to know about Finland, Sweden and NATO, France24, 15 May 2022: Finland announces ‘historic’ NATO bid, Sweden expected to follow suit, CNN, 15 May 2022: Finland will seek to join NATO, leaders say, ditching decades of neutrality despite Russia’s threats of retaliation, France24, 15 May 2022: Live: Blinken ‘confident’ Finland and Sweden will join NATO despite Turkey’s concerns, BBC, 15 May 2022: Sweden joining Finland in Nato membership bid, Politico.eu, 15 May 2022: Dramatic U-turns by Social Democrats in Sweden, Finland paved way to NATO, BBC, 15 May 2022: Ukraine war: Sweden and Finland confirm Nato plans in historic shift, Politico.com, 15 May 2022: Sweden’s governing party backs NATO membership, Al Arabiya, 15 May 2022: NATO expects Turkey not to hold up Finland, Sweden membership bids, DW, 16 May 2022: Sweden will apply for NATO membership, Finnish parliament vote pending, Al Arabiya, 16 May 2022: France says will defend Sweden, Finland against any attack amid Russian threats, Arab News, 16 May 2022: Putin says new military infrastructure in Finland, Sweden would demand reaction, Politico.eu, 16 May 2022: Putin says Russia has ‘no problems’ with Finland, Sweden in NATO, Al Arabiya, 16 May 2022: Turkey’s Erdogan says will not approve Sweden and Finland joining NATO, The National, 17 May 2022: Turkey’s Erdogan ‘cannot say yes’ to Nato bid from Sweden and Finland, DW, 17 May 2022: Finland’s Parliament approves NATO membership application, Politico.eu, 17 May 2022: Finland and Sweden sign off on NATO bids — now the waiting game begins, The New Yorker, 17 May 2022: A “New Era” of NATO Expansion Deepens the Divide Between Russia and the West, The Times, 18 May 2022: Nato hails applications from Finland and Sweden to join security alliance, DW, 18 May 2022: NATO: Turkey blocks early talks on Finland and Sweden joining, Politico.eu, 18 May 2022: Turkey holds firm against NATO bids by Finland and Sweden, France24, 19 May 2022: Finland brews up NATO-themed beer, CNN, 19 May 2022: Still room for a ‘peacemaker’: Hear from civilians on Sweden’s NATO application, The National, 19 May 2022: Coming in from the cold: What Sweden and Finland bring to Nato, The New York Times, 20 May 2022: Ukraine Live Updates: Russia Vows to Halt Gas Exports to Finland as War’s Fallout Spreads, The Hill, 20 May 2022: Russia to cut off gas to Finland, NPR, 20 May 2022: Two versions of history collide as Finland and Sweden seek to join NATO, Politico.eu, 20 May 2022: Sweden blasts Turkish ‘disinformation’ as Erdogan delays NATO accession, The Guardian, 20 May 2022: ‘A historic change’: How Sweden and Finland trod separate paths to Nato, BBC, 20 May 2022: Russia halts gas supplies to Finland, CNN, 20 May 2022: Russia is about to cut off Finland’s natural gas, The Hill, 21 May 2022: Russia cuts off natural gas supply to Finland amid NATO dispute, France24, 21 May 2022: Live: Russia cuts off gas exports to Finland after payments dispute, NPR, 21 May 2022: Russia has cut off its natural gas exports to Finland in a symbolic move, Los Angeles Times, 21 May 2022: Russia cuts off gas to Finland amid wider push into Ukraine’s east, Al Arabiya, 21 May 2022: Russia stops Finland gas flow over payments dispute, Politico.eu, 21 May 2022: Russia halts gas supply to Finland amid payments, NATO rows, Irish Times, 21 May 2022: Russia stops delivering gas to Finland as Zelenskiy says only diplomacy will end war, DW, 21 May 2022: Erdogan sets conditions for Sweden, Finland NATO bids, France24, 22 May 2022: Turkey’s Erdogan sets conditions for Finland, Sweden’s NATO bids, Politico.eu, 24 May 2022: NATO bid reignites Sweden’s dispute with Turkey over Kurds, DW, 25 May 2022: Turkey threatens to stall Sweden, Finland in NATO talks (why not simply pausing Turkey’s NATO membership, to give Erdogan some time to think about the question if he really want Turkey to become a playball for Russia and Iran?), The Guardian, 25 May 2022: ‘Zero asylum seekers’: Denmark forces refugees to return to Syria, The National, 26 May 2022: Nato commander nominee: Finland and Sweden accession shifts ‘geometry’ against Russia, France24, 26 May 2022: Macron urges Turkey to respect ‘sovereign choice’ of Finland, Sweden on NATO, Politico.eu, 30 May 2022: Dutch and Danish gas buyers warn of Russian shutoff, Politico.eu, 31 May 2022: The in crowd? Denmark votes on joining EU defense cooperation, DW, 1 June 2022: Denmark votes to join the EU’s common defense policy, Politico.eu, 1 June 2022: Denmark votes to scrap EU defense opt-out, France24, 1 June 2022: Denmark votes to join EU common defense after 30 years of opting out, Politico.eu, 1 June 2022: Switzerland reportedly blocks Danish request to send tanks to Ukraine, DW, 4 June 2022: NATO chief talks Sweden, Finland membership with Erdogan, Politico.com, 4 June 2022: NATO chief to meet with Finnish, Swedish, Turkish officials in Brussels, Politico.eu, 5 June 2022: US warship calms Sweden’s NATO nerves). Sweden, Denmark and Finland are ranking 5th, 9th und 10th among the largest EU net payer countries.
- Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania (Baltic States): Estonia (Politico.eu, 2 December 2020: Estonia’s techies fear the far right (Conservative People’s Party of Estonia, Startup Estonia), DW, 13 January 2021: Estonian prime minister quits over corruption probe, The Guardian, 26 January 2021: Estonia: First female PM sworn in as new government takes power, DW, 7 July 2021: Lithuania to build wall along Belarus border, Irish Times, 7 July 2021: Lithuania accuses Belarus of flying in migrants to send on to EU, DW, 9 July 2021: Lithuania starts building Belarus border anti-migrant fence (obviously the Belarusian border guards are just as incompetent as dictator Lukashenko himself), DW, 11 July 2021: EU border agency Frontex vows additional support for Lithuania amid migrant crisis, DW, 12 July 2021: Lithuanian FM: Belarus using refugees as ‘hybrid weapon against EU’, DW, 13 July 2021: Lithuania passes new asylum laws to deter migrants, The New York Times, 19 July 2021: In Lithuania, Migrants Find Themselves Caught in a Geopolitical Battle, The Times, 4 August 2021: Lithuania seeks EU help as Belarus increases flights of Iraq migrants, Politico.eu, 4 August 2021: Belarus migrant arrivals could reach 10,000 in weeks, warns Lithuanian minister, DW, 5 August 2021: EU summons Belarus envoy over ‘instrumentalization’ of migrants, Balkan Insight, 6 August 2021: Lithuania Stems Flow of Migrants Lured to Border by Belarus in its War with EU, Bloomberg, 6 August 2021: Migrants Find New Path to EU as Lithuania Plugs Belarus Border, BBC, 10 August 2021: Lithuania to build fence on Belarus border to stop migrants, Arab News, 11 August 2021: 370 Iraqi would-be migrants to EU flown home from Belarus, France24, 12 August 2021: Ukraine sends barbed wire to Lithuania for Belarus border, France24, 10 August 2021: Latvia declares state of emergency over Belarus migrant influx (the butcher of Minsk uses every opportunity to make himself popular with Tsar Vladimir of Russia and to hand Belarus over to him), The Guardian, 10 August 2021: Latvia and Lithuania act to counter migrants crossing Belarus border, Reuters, 11 August 2021: Latvia and Lithuania move to stop migrants arriving via Belarus, DW, 11 August 2021: Latvia, Lithuania take action to stop migrant influx from Belarus) is considered a high-income economy by the World Bank. The GDP (PPP) per capita of the country was $29,312 in 2016 according to the International Monetary Fund. Because of its rapid growth, Estonia has often been described as a Baltic Tiger beside Lithuania and Latvia. Beginning 1 January 2011, Estonia adopted the euro and became the 17th eurozone member state. Latvia is a member of the World Trade Organization (1999) and the European Union (2004). On 1 January 2014, the Euro became the country’s currency, superseding the Lats (Al Arabiya, 30 November 2020: US welcomes Latvia’s decision to designate Lebanon’s Hezbollah as terrorist group, DW, 17 August 2021: Germany’s Merkel slams Belarus over refugee treatment, Der Spiegel, 17 August 2021: Lukashenko’s Revenge: How Belarus Is Funneling Refugees into the EU, DW, 18 August 2021: Meet the Middle Eastern migrants trapped in Lithuania, CNN, 21 August 2021: What’s causing the crisis on the Belarus-Lithuania border?, DW, 26 August 2021: Court tells Poland, Latvia to aid migrants on Belarus border, Politico.eu, 1 September 2021: Lithuania slams shut the door to the EU for irregular migrants, Politico.eu, 6 October 2021: How little Lithuania dragged the EU into its showdown with China, Politico.eu, 21 November 2021: China downgrades Lithuania’s diplomatic status over Taiwan row (all EU states should help Taiwan to open embassies on their soil), DW, 21 November 2021: China downgrades diplomatic ties with Lithuania, The National, 29 November 2021: Latvia calls for permanent US troops to guard against Russian threat, Al Arabiya, 29 November 2021: Latvia calls for permanent US troops to guard against Russia threat, Politico.eu, 11 January 2022: Lithuania secures extra $1B pledge from Taiwan amid China blockade, Politico.eu, 27 January 2022: EU gives China a nudge rather than a slap over Lithuania, Politico.eu, 28 January 2022: ‘If a war starts, they will come here first’: Latvia mounts a wary border watch, The Washington Post, 29 January 2022: Lithuania stood with Taiwan against China. Europe and the U.S. should stand with Lithuania., CNN, 30 January 2022: Vilnius stands up to Beijing, Politico.eu, 7 February 2022: Germany to deploy 350 troops to Lithuania to try to reassure allies, DW, 7 February 2022: Germany to send additional troops to Lithuania, DW, 11 February 2022: Volunteers are ready to defend Estonia, too, DW, 14 February 2022: German troop reinforcements arrive in Lithuania amid Russia tensions, Al Arabiya, 16 February 2022: UK will double the number of troops in Estonia as part of NATO mission, Politico.eu, 17 February 2022: EU unity is vexing Putin, Estonian prime minister says, Politico.eu, 18 February 2022: West must brace for years of Putin pressure on Ukraine, Latvian PM says, The New York Times, 14 March 2022: Lithuania, a Vulnerable NATO Link, Readies for Putin (Foreign Policy, 3 March 2022: NATO Must Prepare to Defend Its Weakest Point—the Suwalki Corridor), Time, 31 March 2022: ‘Putin’s Appetite Will Only Grow.’ Estonia’s Prime Minister Says We’re Not Doing Enough to Stop Russia, The Guardian, 11 April 2022: Nato’s ‘achilles heel’: alliance conducts war games in nervous Lithuania, Politico.eu, 14 April 2022: Poland’s two very different borders (so what? Poland, Lithuania and Latvia cannot give in to dictator Lukashenko’s blackmail attempts. Lukashenko’s international guests also know that they have no chance of receiving a positive asylum decision within the EU, so that they are illegals from the start but try anyway. We have more than enough criminals within the EU, so that there is no reason to import additional ones), Politico.eu, 18 April 2022: How Lithuania cut its ties to ‘toxic’ Russian gas). According to statistics in late 2013, 45% of the population supported the introduction of the euro, while 52% opposed it. Following the introduction of the Euro, Eurobarometer surveys in January 2014 showed support for the Euro to be around 53%, close to the European average. Lithuania has open and mixed economy that is classified as high-income economy by the World Bank. According to data from 2016, the three largest sectors in Lithuanian economy are – services (68.3% of GDP), industry (28.5%) and agriculture (3.3%). World Economic Forum’s Global Competitiveness Report ranks Lithuania 41st (of 137 ranked countries, Politico.eu, 26 April 2022: It’s time to be bolder to help Ukraine, Politico.com, 26 April 2022: EU backs Lithuania’s plan to aid firms amid China’s embargo, DW, 10 May 2022: How Lithuania is freeing itself from Russian energy, The Times, 13 May 2022: Eastern Europe puts boots on the ground to stamp out Putin’s bounceback, Politico.eu, 30 May 2022: Latvian PM: ‘Russia has to lose’, The Guardian, 3 June 2022: Estonia: PM calls for new government talks as coalition collapses). Lithuania joined NATO in 2004, EU in 2004, Schengen in 2007 and OECD in 2018. Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia are ranking 8th, 11th and 12th among the largest EU net beneficiary countries.
- France: The economy has had a long struggle to gain momentum and has created some uncertainty because necessary reforms have been delayed for a long time. Since 2016, however, the economy has been growing steadily (The New York Times, 1 December 2018: Macron Inspects Damage After ‘Yellow Vest’ Protests as France Weighs State of Emergency, France24, 2 December 2018: Shock at attack on Paris’ Arc de Triomphe during ‘Yellow Vest’ protest, The New York Times, 2 December 2018: ‘Yellow Vests’ Riot in Paris, but Their Anger Is Rooted Deep in France, France24, 2 December 2018: The elusive face of the Paris rioters, The Guardian, 2 December 2018: Warnings of latest crisis facing Macron were in plain sight, France24, 2 December 2018: Hundreds arrested as police clash with ‘Yellow Vest’ protesters in Paris, The Guardian, 3 December 2018: Who are the gilets jaunes and what do they want?, The Washington Post, 3 December 2018: The Latest: Macron cancels Serbia trip after clashes, The Guardian, 3 December 2018: Never before have I seen blind anger like this on the streets of Paris, The Guardian, 6 December 2018: Gilets jaunes protests: stay shut, police tell shopkeepers on Champs-Élysées, The Guardian, 7 December 2018: ‘Macron’s arrogance unites us’ – on the barricades with France’s gilets jaunes, France24, 9 December 2018: All eyes on Macron after fresh Yellow Vest protests hit Paris, France24, 9 December 2018: Yellow Vests: Erdogan and Trump pile in on Macron, The Washington Post, 8 December 2018: Why are the ‘yellow vests’ still protesting in France? His name is Macron., France24, 10 December 2018: Macron raises minimum wage to appease Yellow Vest protesters, The Guardian, 10 December 2018: Macron bows to protesters’ demands and says: I know I have hurt some of you, The New York Times, 10 December 2018: Macron, Confronting Violence and Anger, Promises Tax Cuts and Wage Increases for France’s Working Class, The Guardian, 17 February 2019: Macron condemns antisemitic abuse during gilets jaunes Paris protest, France24, 17 February 2019: Politicians condemn anti-Semitic abuse and anti-police attacks at Yellow Vest protests, The Guardian, 19 February 2019: Thousands take to streets of France after antisemitic attacks, France24, 19 February 2019: French politicians unite to march against anti-Semitism, France24, 20 February 2019: Bill equating anti-Zionism with anti-Semitism sparks debate in France, Times of Israel, 21 February 2019: Anti-Semitism worst since WWII, Macron tells French Jewish group, The Guardian, 22 February 2019: France has an antisemitism problem – and not just from the gilets jaunes, France24, 16 March 2019: Looting, clashes as Yellow Vests seek new momentum, Washington Post, 17 March 2019: Macron hoped a ‘grand debate’ would curb the yellow vests. It may or may not have worked., France, 25 March 2019: France, China sign multibillion trade deals as Xi Jinping meets Macron, France24, 30 March 2019: French Yellow Vests stage ‘Act 20’ of protest despite bans, injuries, France24, 25 April 2019: Macron promises ‘significant’ tax cuts, reforms after months of Yellow Vest protests, BBC, 25 April 2019: France’s Macron responds to yellow vests with promise of reforms, France24, 26 April 2019: Key points of Macron’s plans after ‘Great National Debate’, France24, 27 April 2019: Unconvinced by Macron’s promises, Yellow Vests keep up the pressure, France24, 25 June 2019: France’s rising debt level ‘worrying’, says govt auditor, France24, 28 June 2019: France sinks deeper into debt, France24, 30 July 2019: French growth stagnates in second quarter, Arab News, 6 September 2019: Macron bounces back following G7 summit, Politico.eu, 17 October 2019: The Macron method, Politico.eu, 4 November 2019: Macron, Europe’s wannabe president, The Guardian, 15 November 2019: France braces for gilets jaunes anniversary marches, Der Spiegel, 15 November 2019: Paris Soloist: Macron Plays Fox in the EU Hen House, The Guardian, 16 November 2019: Paris police fire teargas on anniversary of gilets jaunes protests, France24, 16 November 2019: France’s Yellow Vests set for nationwide protests to mark anniversary, The Guardian, 16 November 2019: Black-clad youths clash with police as gilets jaunes mark anniversary, France24, 23 November 2019: France’s Yellow Vest protests have reached Reunion Island, France24, 5 December 2019: Strike snarls France in showdown over pension reforms, BBC, 5 December 2019: Macron pension reform: France paralysed by biggest strike in years, CNN, 5 December 2019: Strikes set to paralyze France as protesters take to streets, Politico.eu, 5 December 2019: France’s existential pension-reform battle, France24, 5 December 2019: ‘Where is everyone?’ Paris’s Gare du Nord eerily empty as travellers avoid national strike, France24, 7 December 2019: Turmoil continues in France as nationwide strike extends through weekend, France24, 7 December 2019: ‘Everyone is very worried’: Paris shops hit by ongoing strike, Politico.eu, 9 December 2019: Face-off with unions spells trouble for France’s reformer-in-chief, Gulf Times, 15 December 2019: Tensions mount over French transport strike, France24, 17 December 2019: France braces for mass protests on 13th day of pension-reform strike, France24, 17 December 2019: French crowds march as government stands firm on pension reform, BBC, 24 December 2019: France strike: Families face Christmas travel misery, France24, 24 December 2019: France national strike and travel chaos continue, as no christmas truce to be declared, The Guardian, 1 January 2020: Macron’s new year address falls flat as pension row deepens, France24, 1 January 2020: Divide and conquer: Macron’s plan to defeat French pension strikes, Politico.eu, 2 January 2020: Why detached Macron thinks he’s winning, France24, 2 January 2020: French union leader calls for strikes against pension reform to continue, The Guardian, 5 January 2020: Macron was the great hope for centrists. Despite his struggles, the hope is not lost, France24, 11 January 2020: French PM ‘willing’ to temporarily shelve plans to raise age for full pension benefits, The Guardian, 11 January 2020: French PM makes major concession to unions over pension age, France24, 13 January 2020: France, Sahel nations pledge to bolster anti-jihadist fight, urge US to maintain support, France24, 14 January 2020: France’s pension reform compromise: The light at the end of the metro tunnel?, The Guardian, 14 January 2020: The Guardian view on Macron’s pensions retreat: one step forward, two steps back, France24, 16 January 2020: France’s central bank says historic pension reform strike has stunted growth, The Washington Post, 17 January 2020: In France, an iconic restaurant loses its third Michelin star — pushing national strikes and Iran off the front page, France24, 18 January 2020: Paris protesters try to enter theatre attended by Macron, France24, 18 January 2020: Louvre reopens after being blocked by strikers, France24, 21 January 2020: France’s Macron aiming to avoid predecessors’ mishaps in first visit to Israel, The Guardian, 22 January 2020: Emmanuel Macron in row with Israel security in Jerusalem, France24, 24 January 2020: Thousands protest as Macron’s government adopts pension reform plan, France24, 25 January 2020: ‘They’re killing Paris’: Restaurants count the cost of ‘catastrophic’ strikes, Politico.eu, 27 January 2020: Macron wins a battle, but faces long war over reforms, The New York Times, 25 February 2020: As Emmanuel Macron’s Impact Grows, So Does French Disdain, France24, 11 March 2020: Macron presides over ceremony to honour victims of terrorism (European Commission, 11 March 2019: European Remembrance Day for Victims of Terrorism: European Commission statement), France24, 12 March 2020: Coronavirus is France’s ‘greatest health crisis in a century’, says Macron, France24, 17 March 2020: France’s coronavirus lockdown: What you can and can’t do, The Guardian, 17 March 2020: France ‘at war’: how Parisians are coping with life under lockdown, Arab News, 17 March 2020: French city-dwellers flee for countryside in virus lockdown, France24, 19 March 2020: France’s Cannes Film Festival postponed due to coronavirus outbreak, The Guardian, 19 March 2020: Cannes film festival postpones 2020 edition over coronavirus restrictions, The New York Times, 19 March 2020: Cannes Film Festival Postponed Over Coronavirus Concerns, France24, 21 March 2020: EU backs France’s €300 billion in aid to businesses hurt by virus, France24, 8 April 2020: French economy enters recession with 6% drop in first quarter, its worst since 1945, The National, 11 April 2020: Germany condemns anti-French virus insults in border zone (sometimes you just can’t believe what kind of idiots are allowed to hold a German passport), France24, 20 April 2020: Police and residents clash over heavy-handed lockdown enforcement in Paris suburbs, France24, 23 April 2020: New Caledonia: The French island where lockdown is already over, Politico.com, 30 April 2020: Berlin tries to cool coronavirus tensions near French border, The Washington Post, 30 April 2020: France is blaming the poor for their own deaths. But look at how it treats them., France24, 1 May 2020: In May Day address, Macron warns that life won’t return to ‘normal’ after lockdown ends, CNN, 1 May 2020: French resident: Covid-19 has suspended our rights, France24, 3 May 2020: Eiffel Tower lights up in ‘Heroes Shine Bright’ tribute to healthcare workers, France24, 5 May 2020: France to limit international travel this summer, Macron says, Politico.com, 5 May 2020: French farmers sound alarm in cheese market meltdown amid pandemic. France24, 6 May 2020: Macron announces extra aid for French arts sector battered by Covid-19 crisis, France24, 9 May 2020: France prepares to ease Covid-19 lockdown: What you need to know, Politico.com, 9 May 2020: France’s ‘strange defeat’, France24, 10 May 2020: Commemorating the abolition of slavery in France: “This is our history”, France24, 10 May 2020: No ‘Silence, s’il vous plaît’? French Open could take place without fans, France24, 11 May 2020: ‘Everyone needs to meet to talk’: Parisians enjoy coffee, company and haircuts as lockdown lifted, France24, 12 May 2020: Paris police bans alcohol along Seine river as crowds revel in new-found freedom, France24, 12 May 2020: ‘Shop till you drop?’ Luxury stores back in business as France eases lockdown, Politico.eu, 13 May 2020: France gives final green light to law cracking down on hate speech online, France24, 13 May 2020: French pharma giant Sanofi to give US preference on future Covid-19 vaccine, Politico.eu, 14 May 2020: Sanofi faces more heat in France after CEO’s vaccine comments, France24, 17 May 2020: France’s medieval chateaus reopen to tourists after two months of lockdown, France24, 17 May 2020: Covid-19: French toll exceeds 28,000, with 483 new deaths reported, CNN, 18 May 2020: Germany and France try to break deadlock over how to rescue the EU, France24, 18 May 2020: Covid-19: France and Germany propose €500 billion EU recovery fund (in the end, the Federal Constitutional Court’s political judgment, which was influenced by lobbyists, did something good by strengthening the EU and financing the corona recovery funds through the EU budget instead of the ECB, which gives full democratic legitimacy. Some nationalists will now suffer heart attacks (a classic win-win situation. With Corona, they have already found the next field in which they can and will lose in the future), especially since their whining, complaining and howling of the past few years has only led to one thing, namely to an even stronger integration of the EU and especially the Eurozone and that is a good thing), BBC, 18 May 2020: Coronavirus: France and Germany propose €500bn recovery fund, The Guardian, 18 May 2020: Merkel and Macron propose €500bn EU rescue fund, The New York Times, 18 May 2020: Germany and France Propose $545 Billion Coronavirus Fund for Europe: Live Coverage (Merkel and Macron have now delivered a very respectable, solidary and future-oriented solution. Now the 25 others are about to do the same. It was also a tactical highlight: if the plan works as suggested, Merkel and Macron are the saviors of the euro. If it doesn’t work, the others have screwed it up. It remains exciting and interesting), Politico.eu, 18 May 2020: Berlin buckles on bonds in €500B Franco-German recovery plan, France24, 19 May 2020: Macron deprived of outright majority as party defectors form new parliamentary group, BBC, 19 May 2020: France’s Macron loses majority as defectors form new party, The Washington Post, 19 May 2020: Macron’s party loses absolute majority in French Parliament, Politico, 20 May 2020: Italian PM: Franco-German recovery deal is not enough, France, 26 May 2020: Macron announces plan to rescue French auto industry, BBC, 26 May 2020: France announces €8bn rescue plan for car industry, France24, 2 June 2020: French economy to shrink record 11% this year after ‘brutal’ coronavirus shock, The Guardian, 3 June 2020: ‘We will survive’: life after lockdown in resilient Marseille, France24, 10 June 2020: ‘Black and treated as such’: France’s anti-racism protests expose myth of colour-blind Republic, France24, 13 June 2020: Thousands rally in fresh Paris protest against racism and police brutality, France24, 14 June 2020: France’s Macron accelerates lifting of lockdown after ‘first victory’ against Covid-19, The Guardian, 15 June 2020: Germany and France reopen borders as Europe emerges from lockdown, France24, 17 June 2020: ‘Victory’ at what cost? How Covid-19 exposed cracks in France’s cherished healthcare system, CNN, 23 June 2020: This major European economy is growing again, Politico.eu, 3 July 2020: 5 things to know about France’s new PM Jean Castex, France24, 4 July 2020: Paris’s Louvre reopens on Monday after lockdown losses of ‘over €40 million’, France24, 4 July 2020: ‘Our pride is political’: Thousands march in Paris for LGBT rights, France24, 6 July 2020: Second Act: Will Macron reshuffle set a new course?, France24, 9 July 2020: Warning of possible virus resurgence, France rules out another ‘total lockdown’, France, 13 July 2020: Bastille Day: Muted celebrations in France under shadow of Covid-19, France24, 14 July 2020: France honours military and heroes of Covid-19 response at Bastille Day parade, Politico.eu, 14 July 2020: Macron needs an economic miracle to save his presidency, DW, 18 July 2020: Arson suspected in major fire at Nantes Cathedral, France24, 18 July 2020: French authorities open criminal investigation into Nantes cathedral fire, The Guardian, 18 July 2020: Arson suspected in blaze at 15th-century Nantes cathedral, Reuters, 22 July 2020: Exclusive: French limits on Huawei 5G equipment amount to de facto ban by 2028, DW, 24 July 2020: France: The long shadow of the Saint-Michel terrorist attacks, DW, 26 July 2020: Suspect in Nantes Cathedral arson attack confesses, lawyer says, France24, 31 July 2020: French economy sees record drop in wake of coronavirus lockdowns, France24, 3 August 2020: A strange August in Paris: How the city is adapting to keep visitors safe during the pandemic, DW, 5 August 2020: Thousands evacuated in France as forest fires rage near Marseille, France24, 5 August 2020: France to splash out €250 million on struggling wine sector, France24, 6 August 2020: ‘Closed for vacation’: France faces new Covid-19 testing woes, France24, 8 August 2020: France offers aid as Mauritius declares emergency over oil leak from grounded ship, CNN, 8 August 2020: A stricken ship is leaking tonnes of fuel into the ‘pristine lagoons’ of the Indian Ocean, Politico.eu, 10 August 2020: Emmanuel Macron’s French language lessons, BBC, 12 August 2020: France’s champagne industry goes flat amid pandemic, The National, 12 August 2020: France to boost Mediterranean military presence as standoff with Turkey deepens, Al Arabiya, 12 August 2020: Macron hits out at Turkey, says France to increase military presence in Mediterranean, Arab News, 13 August 2020: Destabilization in eastern Med continues amid tension between France and Turkey, France24, 13 August 2020: France to bolster Mediterranean military presence over Turkish gas exploration in disputed waters, Politico.eu, 13 August 2020: Mask rebels, no tourists and a heatwave: Paris’ coronavirus summer, France24, 14 August 2020: Covid-19: French government declares Paris, Marseille high-risk zones, BBC, 17 August 2020: The two students who took on Coke and Pepsi, France24, 18 August 2020: French Covid-19 infections dip but hospital admissions still rising, Politico.eu, 18 August 2020: France makes masks compulsory at work, France24, 19 August 2020: France daily Covid-19 cases hit new post-lockdown high, Politico.eu, 19 August 2020: Why the Mali coup matters to Europe and the world, France, 27 August 2020: Covid-19: Face masks set to be compulsory outdoors in Paris, French PM says, BBC, 27 August 2020: France Covid-19: Mask rule for Parisians amid ‘undeniable surge’, France, 27 August 2020: France records more than 6,000 new Covid-19 cases, highest figure since March, France24, 1 September 2020: France’s Charlie Hebdo reprints Mohammed cartoons for trial, The Guardian, 2 September 2020: Charlie Hebdo reprints cartoons of prophet ahead of terror trial, CNN, 2 September 2020: Charlie Hebdo terror trial begins in Paris, five years after deadly attacks, The New York Times, 2 September 2020: Trial Over January 2015 Attacks Opens in Paris, France24, 3 September 2020: Charlie Hebdo terror trial: Widow of cartoonist Wolinski speaks to FRANCE 24, The National, 12 September 2020: Erdogan warns Macron not to ‘mess with Turkey’ over eastern Mediterranean, France24, 12 September 2020: Erdogan warns Macron ‘not to mess with Turkey’ amid Mediterranean tensions, The Guardian, 12 September 2020: Erdoğan warns Macron: ‘Don’t mess with Turkey’, France24, 23 September 2020: Covid-19: France to shut bars and restaurants in hard-hit Marseille, France24, 24 September 2020: ‘Paris thinks we’re small fry’: Marseille seething over order to shut bars and restaurants, Jerusalem Post, 25 September 2020: French trial of 2015 terror attacks in Paris: Testimonies of survivors, France24, 25 September 2020: Coronavirus cases pass 500,000 in France, restaurant owners in Marseille protest closures, The Guardian, 25 September 2020: Two injured in knife attack near Charlie Hebdo’s former offices in Paris, France24, 25 September 2020: Knife attack outside Charlie Hebdo’s former offices: A Paris district resigned to violence, DW, 25 September 2020: Paris: Knife attack near former Charlie Hebdo office ‘clearly’ act of terrorism, France24, 25 September 2020: Journalist Paul Moreira witnesses knife attack outside Charlie Hebdo’s former building, BBC, 25 September 2020: Paris attack: Stabbing near Charlie Hebdo office ‘an act of terror’, Politico.eu, 25 September 2020: Two injured in knife attack near Charlie Hebdo’s old offices, France24, 25 September 2020: French police detain main suspect in ‘symbolic’ attack outside Charlie Hebdo’s former office, Arab News, 25 September 2020: Man held on terror charges after two wounded in Paris cleaver attack, Al Jazeera, 25 September 2020: Parisians react to attack near Charlie Hebdo’s former offices, The National, 25 September 2020: Paris knife attack suspect says Charlie Hebdo intended target, DW, 26 September 2020: Charlie Hebdo: Suspect in Paris knife attack confesses, France24, 26 September 2020: Suspect in Paris knife attack confesses to stabbings, Al Jazeera, 26 September 2020: Paris stabbing suspect says he aimed to target Charlie Hebdo, Politico.eu, 29 September 2020: Emmanuel Macron: EU is ‘screwed’ if Parliament doesn’t meet in Strasbourg, DW, 2 October 2020: Emmanuel Macron’s plans to protect French values alienate Muslims, Politico.eu, 2 October 2020: Macron vows to fight radical Islam with crackdown on foreign influence, France24, 2 October 2020: Macron outlines plan to fight ‘Islamist separatism’ in France, BBC, 2 October 2020: France’s Macron vows to fight ‘Islamist separatism’, The Guardian, 2 October 2020: Macron outlines new law to prevent Islamic ‘separatism’, The Washington Post, 2 October 2020: Macron outlines new law to prevent Islamic ‘separatism’ in France, Times of Israel, 2 October 2020: Macron calls Islam a religion ‘in crisis,’ unveils plan to fight radicalism, Al Jazeera, 2 October 2020: Macron says Islam ‘in crisis’, prompting backlash from Muslims, France24, 3 October 2020: At least one dead, some 20 missing as storms lash southern France, Italy, DW, 3 October 2020: Floods sweep southeast France and northern Italy, several missing, BBC, 3 October 2020: Storm Alex: Heavy rains cause severe flooding in France, Italy, CNN, 3 October 2020: At least one dead, 19 missing in floods in France and Italy, The Guardian, 3 October 2020: Extreme weather Two dead and 24 missing after floods in France and Italy, DW, 4 October 2020: Flooding in France, Italy: Rescue crews step up search efforts, France24, 4 October 2020: France, Italy step up rescue efforts after deadly Storm Alex, DW, 4 October 2020: New Caledonia rejects independence from France, France24, 4 October 2020: New Caledonia rejects independence from France, France24, 6 October 2020: Turkey’s Erdogan slams Macron’s plan to defend France’s secular values, view of Islam ‘in crisis’ (so, Erdogan is uncomfortable with Macron’s plan to protect France against radical Islam and Islamic terrorists. Not that big of a surprise, as Muslim Brother Erdogan is a business partner of Daesh), France24, 9 October 2020: France’s anti-maskers: the faces behind the movement, France24, 10 October 2020: French health workers ‘traumatised’ as Covid-19 resurges, Arab News, 12 October 2020: Muslim World League chief denounces extremists in response to Macron’s ‘Islamist separatism’ speech, France24, 12 October 2020: France warns Turkey against redeploying research ship at heart of row with Greece, France24, 12 October 2020: French intensive care patients for coronavirus surpass May peak, DW, 14 October 2020: Coronavirus: France’s Macron announces curfew for Paris and Marseille, France24, 15 October 2020: France imposes curfew on Paris and other cities as Europe ramps up Covid-19 restrictions, DW, 16 October 2020: Teacher decapitated in gruesome ‘Islamist terror attack’ near Paris (sooner or later these terror acts will affect all Muslims in the EU by being collectively perceived and treated as potential terrorists. If that is the Islamists’ goal, then they are on the right track. The resulting exclusions they have to ascribe entirely to themselves. At the same time, question remains why these fundamentalist idiots ran away from their religious-dictatorial countries of origin in the first place, when they actually need precisely these environments to survive, especially since they are far too stupid to deal with all kinds of freedoms. As a countermeasure, the Muhammad cartoons should be placarded across Europe. If that doesn’t suit them, they have the freedom to leave Europe any time, to hide in some medieval Islamist cave #JeSuisProf ), France24, 17 October 2020: Police detain nine people over beheading of French teacher in Paris suburb (Murder of Samuel Paty, Chechnya, The Washington Post, 2 June 2016: Chechnya: Russia’s Islamic State?, DW, 25 january 2018: Chechnya: Islamic State’s fertile Russian recruiting ground), BBC, 17 October 2020: France teacher attack: Suspect ‘asked pupils to point Samuel Paty out’, The Guardian, 17 October 2020: Teacher decapitated in Paris named as Samuel Paty, France24, 17 October 2020: For a teacher in France, a lesson on freedom of expression was followed by death, Politico.eu, 17 October 2020: French authorities detain 9 in connection with teacher’s beheading, France24, 17 October 2020: French prosecutor says murdered teacher had been target of threats, The Guardian, 17 October 2020: Macron: President speaks of ‘existential’ fight against terrorism after teacher killed, Arab News, 17 October 2020: Saudi Arabia’s foreign ministry strongly condemns Paris terrorist attack, NPR, 17 October 2020: 9 People Detained Over Beheading Of Teacher In Paris Suburb, Arab News, 17 October 2020: Muslim World League leader condemns ‘horrific terrorist attack’ in French suburb, Al Arabiya, 17 October 2020: France’s President Macron calls killing of teacher ‘Islamist terrorist attack’, DW, 18 October 2020: France holds defiant rallies after murder of teacher, France24, 18 October 2020: ‘We are all Samuel’: Thousands gather in Paris to pay respects to murdered teacher, BBC, 18 October 2020: France teacher attack: Rallies held to support beheaded Samuel Paty, DW, 18 October 2020: Tunisian MP probed for allegedly glorifying beheading of French teacher, CNN, 18 October 2020: Samuel Paty beheading: Teacher’s slaying spurs protests across France, The Guardian, 18 October 2020: France: Thousands rally across country in tribute to murdered schoolteacher, Arab News, 18 October 2020: French premier joins nationwide tributes to beheaded teacher, The National, 18 October 2020: Thousands rally to honour teacher killed in France terrorist attack, France24, 19 October 2020: Age of intolerance? Outrage in France after beheading of schoolteacher, France24, 20 October 2020: ‘Liberty, I teach your name’: French papers pay tribute to slain teacher, The Hill, 20 October 2020: French mosque closed in crackdown after teacher’s beheading, Politico.eu, 20 October 2020: French minister requests closure of mosque that denounced murdered teacher, Reuters, 20 October 2020: Beheaded teacher Paty will get France’s highest honour – minister, France24, 20 October 2020: The brutal murder of a history teacher and France’s ‘Islamist grey zone’, The Guardian, 20 October 2020: Police to close mosque in Paris in clampdown on extremism, Al Arabiya, 20 October 2020: After teacher beheading, France to dissolve pro-Hamas Muslim group: Macron, France24, 20 October 2020: France to ‘intensify’ actions against Islamist extremism after teacher beheaded, Al Arabiya, 20 October 2020: France, Russia to increase joint efforts against terrorism after teacher decapitated (it is amazing how often Putin’s terrorists are involved in terrorist attacks in Europe), Arab News, 20 October 2020: France closes Paris mosque in clampdown over teacher’s beheading, Al Jazeera, 20 October 2020: France closes mosque in crackdown following teacher’s killing, Politico.com, 21 October 2020: French government blocks U.S. LNG deal as too dirty, France24, 21 October 2020: France pays homage to slain teacher Samuel Paty at Sorbonne ceremony, DW, 21 October 2020: France awards Legion of Honor to slain schoolteacher, France24, 21 October 2020: Teacher’s killer paid students to identify him, French prosecutor says, CNN, 21 October 2020: A teacher is beheaded, and France’s war over secularism, freedom of speech and religious equality reignites, The Guardian, 21 October 2020: Samuel Paty posthumously awarded Légion d’Honneur, The National, 22 October 2020: Macron pays tribute to murdered French school teacher at memorial, France24, 22 October 2020: French prosecutors charge seven, including two teens, over teacher’s killing, DW, 22 October 2020: Opinion: France’s difficult struggle against Islamism, France24, 22 October 2020: Anger at beheading of French teacher ‘must not override rule of law’, France24, 23 October 2020: French PM seeks new law to improve protection of civil servants against threats, France24, 23 October 2020: After teacher’s murder, a hunt for appeasers who ‘disarmed’ French secularism, DW, 24 October 2020: As France mourns slain teacher Samuel Paty, some question secular values, Politico.eu, 24 October 2020: Killing darkens shadow over France’s teachers, Al Araby, 24 October 2020: Erdogan tells Macron to undergo ‘mental checks’ over his policies towards Muslims, France24, 24 October 2020: France recalls ambassador from Turkey after ‘unacceptable’ Erdogan comments, Al Araby, 24 October 2020: Palestinian Israelis protest against France’s Macron, CNN, 25 October 2020: France condemns ‘unacceptable’ comments from Turkey’s Erdogan and recalls ambassador, France24, 25 October 2020: France calls on Arab countries to stop boycott of French products (people, who boycott French products, actively promote Islamic terrorism and should be treated accordingly), Politico.eu, 25 October 2020: EU officials hit out at Ankara after Erdogan attacks Macron, Al Arabiya, 25 October 2020: French FM accuses Turkey of trying to ‘whip up hatred’ against France, Al Jazeera, 25 October 2020: ‘Boycott French products’ launched over Macron’s Islam comments (“He also described Islam as a religion “in crisis” worldwide” – and he is rightly pointing at the fact. Over the past centuries Muslims are fighting Muslimns. If this isn’t a crisis, what else is?), Al Arabiya, 25 October 2020: Macron tweets in Arabic that France ‘will never give in’ amid Prophet cartoon storm, Arab News, 25 October 2020: EU condemns Erdogan’s Macron comments as ‘unacceptable’, Al Arabiya, 25 October 2020: Saudi Arabia’s Council of Senior Scholars: Insulting prophets only serves extremists, France24, 26 October 2020: Erdogan calls for boycott of French goods, EU calls his comments ‘unacceptable’, Business Insider, 26 October 2020: France pulled its ambassador from Turkey, and Arab states are boycotting French products, after Macron said he wanted to regulate Islam, Qantara, 26 October 2020: Emmanuel Macron leads France in fight against Islamism, BBC, 26 October 2020: Turkey’s Erdogan urges French goods boycott amid Islam row, CNN, 26 October 2020: Calls to boycott French products grow in Muslim world after Macron backs Mohammed cartoons, France24, 26 October 2020: Muslims ‘not persecuted’ in France, says country’s Muslim council, The Guardian, 26 October 2020: Anger spreads in Islamic world after Macron’s backing for Muhammad cartoons, The Guardian, 26 October 2020: Analysis: Macron’s clash with Islam sends jolt through France’s long debate about secularism, Palestine Chronicle, 26 October 2020: Gaza Scholars Protest Macron’s Anti-Islam Provocation (PHOTOS) (that Hamas is actively promoting Islamic terrorism isn’t really news), Times of Israel, 26 October 2020: Turkey’s Erdogan invokes Holocaust to condemn French crackdown on radical Islam, Al Jazeera, 26 October 2020: Turkey’s Erdogan and French President Macron butt heads – again, The National, 26 October 2020: Jack Lang: end the boycotts to build trust with France, The National, 26 October 2020: Extremists seize on French boycott to promote terrorist attacks, DW, 27 October 2020: France Muhammad cartoon row: What you need to know, The Hill, 27 October 2020: Chechen leader: Macron’s stance on Muhammad cartoons ‘forcing people into terrorism’ (a Islamist terrorist isn’t becoming a Islamist terrorist because of free speech, but because of Islamist indoctrination), DW, 27 October 2020: Boycott call tests France-Turkey trade relations, The Observers, 27 October 2020: Cheese and cosmetics: Stores in Muslim countries boycott French products, DW, 27 October 2020: Anti-French sentiment grows in Muslim countries, France24, 27 October 2020: French firms urged to ‘resist blackmail’ as Turkey’s Erdogan joins calls for boycott, DW, 27 October 2020: Opinion: Erdogan and Khan are hypocritical about Macron’s France, France24, 27 October 2020: France encourages EU allies to take measures against Turkey after Erdogan’s boycott calls (the custom union Turkey should be put on hold and additonal 10% tariffs placed on all products from Turkey into the EU), Al Jazeera, 27 October 2020: Saudi Arabia condemns attempts to ‘link Islam with terrorism’ (does these guys understand that Islamic terrorism isn’t feed by free speech, but by Islamic indoctrination?), France24, 27 October 2020: France tightens security, facing ‘very high’ terror risk after teacher beheading, The Guardian, 28 October 2020: Anger towards Emmanuel Macron grows in Muslim world (pretty simple: You don’t like the free spirit of Europe? Than you better stay away or learn to live with it!), DW, 28 October 2020: Erdogan slams ‘scoundrels’ over Charlie Hebdo cartoon (the only thing that is more amusing than the caricature are the theatrical whining reactions of the Sultan and his courtiers to it – priceless :-D ), The Guardian, 28 October 2020: Charlie Hebdo: Turkey threatens legal action over caricature of president, France24, 29 Ocotober 2020: Stabbing attack in French city of Nice kills three people, wounds several, France24, 29 Ocotober 2020: LIVE: Three people killed, several hurt in knife attack at church in Nice, France24, 29 October 2020: Analysis: Nice attack hardens French resolve on freedom of expression, DW, 29 October 2020: Deadly knife attack near church in French city of Nice leaves three dead, Politico.eu, 28 October 2020: Why Erdogan’s attacks on France will backfire, France24, 28 October 2020: The ‘weaponisation’ of French secularism, BBC, 29 October 2020: France attack: Deadly stabbing in Nice ‘is terrorism’, says mayor, France24, 29 October 2020: Analysis: Deadly attack unlikely to change French stance on freedom of expression, France24, 29 October 2020: Saudi man arrested after stabbing guard at French consulate in Jeddah, DW, 29 October 2020: The French-Turkish spat that could ‘widen the civilizational divide’, Al Arabiya, 29 October 2020: Beheading in Nice church the latest in France’s recent history of attacks, France24, 29 October 2020: Saudi man arrested after stabbing guard at French consulate in Jeddah, Al Jazeera, 29 October 2020: Saudi wounds guard at French consulate in knife attack, The Guardian, 29 October 2020: Man arrested in Saudi Arabia after alleged knife attack at French consulate, Al Jazeera, 29 October 2020: French Muslims express ‘anger, sadness’ after Nice attack, DW, 30 October 2020: Muhammad cartoon row: Anti-France protests erupt across Muslim world, Times of Israel, 30 October 2020: ‘Death to France:’ Tens of thousands of Muslims protest against Macron, DW, 30 October 2020: German President Steinmeier cautions against ‘hate and xenophobia’ after Nice attack, Arab News, 30 October 2020: Security forces keep radical protesters away from French Embassy in Beirut, Al Jazeera, 30 October 2020: Shock, mourning and far-right protests after Nice church attack, France24, 30 October 2020: A day after the fatal church attack in Nice, here’s what we know so far, Arab News, 30 October 2020: Middle East leaders join world in condemnation of deadly France attack, France24, 30 October 2020: ‘Islam is being hyper-politicised in France, but Muslims are not part of the debate’, The National, 30 October 2020: Nice mourns after attack by ‘warped terrorist’, France24, 30 October 2020: France on maximum alert after deadly church stabbing in Nice, CNN, 30 October 2020: Terror in France reignites a national debate on the right to offend, Politico.eu, 30 October 2020: France beefs up security at diplomatic posts and schools abroad, Al Arabiya, 31 October 2020: Hezbollah chief: France dragged itself into battle with Muslims over Prophet cartoons (surprisingly, the chief of a Islamist terror organization threatens France with more Islamist terror attacks), France24, 31 October 2020: Macron says he understands Muslims might be ‘shocked’ by caricatures of the Prophet Mohammad, BBC, 31 October 2020: Macron ‘can understand’ Muslims’ Muhammad cartoons shock, Jerusalem Post, 1 November 2020: Muslim organizations of New York to protest in front of French consulate, France24, 31 October 2020: Suspect detained after Orthodox priest wounded in shooting in Lyon, French authorities say, Al Jazeera, 1 November 2020: Muslim groups urge Macron end ‘divisive rhetoric, reject hatred’, The Sunday Times, 1 November 2020: We lack Macron’s courage to call this savagery what it is: Islamist terrorism, France24, 2 November 2020: France to ban Turkish ‘Grey Wolves’ after defacement of Armenian memorial, Politico.eu, 2 November 2020: France’s secularism means freedom and protection for all, Al Jazeera, 2 November 2020: French minister’s comments on ‘separatism law’ spark backlash, France24, 2 November 2020: France’s schools reopen with national homage to slain teacher Samuel Paty, Al Arabiya, 2 November 2020: UAE’s Mohammed bin Zayed condemns violence, hate speech in call to France’s Macron, Haaretz, 2 November 2020: The Only Way France Can Defeat Islamic Extremism, Al Jazeera, 2 November 2020: UAE minister backs Emmanuel Macron’s remarks on Muslims, Al Arabiya, 2 November 2020: Not in our name: French Muslim leaders slam anti-French boycott, Palestine Chronicle, 3 November 2020: Macron’s Incitement: ‘Crisis in Islam’ or French Politics?, The Guardian, 3 November 2020: Macron wants to fix France’s social ills – but he won’t do it by ‘reforming’ Islam, DW, 4 November 2020: France bans Turkish ultra-nationalist Grey Wolves group, Politico.eu, 5 November 2020: Macron calls for a ‘refoundation of the Schengen area’, Jerusalem Post, 6 November 2020: Palestinian Islamic scholar: Emmanuel Macron promotes ‘Zionist agenda’, The Guardian, 9 November 2020: Concern over French bill that cracks down on photos identifying police, France24, 11 November 2020: Several injured in ‘bomb attack’ on Armistice Day ceremony at Saudi cemetery, DW, 11 November 2020: Saudi Arabia: ‘Several’ wounded in blast at WWI memorial, The Guardian, 11 November 2020: Jeddah: Several injured after explosion at Armistice Day ceremony, Arab News, 11 November 2020: Saudi police launch manhunt for Jeddah cemetery bomber, DW, 12 November 2020: Islamism: How terror attacks have shocked France, The New York Times, 15 November 2020: The President vs. the American Media, The Hill, 16 November 2020: Macron says English-language media legitimizing violence in France amid Muslim protests, France24, 17 November 2020: ‘Legitimising’ violence? Macron takes on the Anglo-American press, Politico.eu, 17 November 2020: German defense minister to Macron: EU depends on US security guarantee, BBC, 19 November 2020: France’s Macron issues ‘republican values’ ultimatum to Muslim leaders (a pretty interesting approach, as it can help and protect those imams who are interested in further developing the moderate Euro-Islam, while routing out those who are using the political Islam for spreading hate and violence), Middle East Eye, 19 November 2020: Macron tells French Muslim leaders to produce charter of ‘republican values’, Al Jazeera, 20 November 2020: Press freedom, civil liberties concerns over French security bill, France24, 21 November 2020: Thousands protest French security bill that would ban police images, increase surveillance, The Guardian, 22 November 2020: Nicolas Sarkozy in dock as ‘historic trial’ over corruption finally begins, Jerusalem Post, 22 November 2020: Pakistan minister deletes tweet containing Macron Nazi jibe, France24, 23 November 2020: Trial of former French president Nicolas Sarkozy over corruption opens in Paris, BBC, 23 November 2020: Trial of ex-president Sarkozy a landmark for France, France24, 23 November 2020: Trial of former French president Sarkozy postponed over co-defendant’s health, DW, 23 November 2020: Sarkozy bribery trial postponed for days, France24, 24 November 2020: French parliament gives initial approval to controversial security bill, France24, 26 November 2020: Paris police officers suspended over brutal beating of Black man, The Guardian, 26 November 2020: France: Paris police filmed beating music producer in studio, France24, 27 November 2020: Beaten by police: The images of music producer’s assault that have shocked France, France24, 27 November 2020: Macron says police brutality video ‘shames us’ as pressure on govt mounts, DW, 28 November 2020: France must ratify Brexit deal in English, Barnier tells MEPs, France24, 28 November 2020: Anger at police beating galvanises French protests against security bill, Arab News, 28 November 2020: Police fire tear gas at Paris protest against police violence, France24, 29 November 2020: Paris police officers to remain in custody over beating of Black man, The Hill, 29 November 2020: 3 Paris police officers in custody over beating of Black music producer, Arab News, 30 November 2020: France must reconnect with its citizens of Arab origin, Arab News, 30 November 2020: France would not be France without Arab, Muslim contribution, Arab News, 30 November 2020: French youth of Arab origin mistrust secularism, national symbols, finds poll, DW, 30 November 2020: France’s Macron under fire for political lurch to the right, France24, 30 November 2020: French parliament drops controversial draft law curtailing right to film police, BBC, 30 November 2020: France to rewrite police security bill after huge protests, Politico.eu, 30 November 2020: Macron’s MPs backtrack on controversial security bill, CNN, 30 November 2020: France’s ruling party promises change in controversial proposed security law, France24, 30 November 2020: Iranian official blames Paris-based opposition, Israel for death of nuclear scientist (the Iranian leadership is playing a dangerous game here. If, on the one hand, it takes on Netanyahu’s Israel and Trump’s America, the bitter opponents of the JCPOA, and, on the other hand, on France and the EU, the clear supporters of the JCPOA, then the country threatens to end up empty-handed), Politico.eu, 30 November 2020: What Macron forgot about ‘Islamist separatism’, Arab News, 1 December 2020: French Muslims of Arab origin feel their faith is viewed negatively: Poll, DW, 2 December 2020: Coronavirus: Former French President Valery Giscard d’Estaing dies of COVID at 94, Politico.eu, 2 December 2020: Former French President Valéry Giscard d’Estaing dead at 94, France24, 3 December 2020: ‘The president who modernised France’: political leaders remember Valéry Giscard d’Estaing, The Washington Post, 3 December 2020: Macron’s centrist and tolerant facade is crumbling, France24, 3 December 2020: French press bids ‘adieu’ to former president Valéry Giscard d’Estaing, The Guardian, 4 December 2020: Security law incompatible with human rights, say UN experts, France24, 4 December 2020: Remembering Giscard d’Estaing, fighting to ski despite Covid-19 & decoding ‘The Crown’, Politico.eu, 4 December 2020: France won’t rule out vetoing a ‘bad’ Brexit deal, says Europe minister, The Times, 4 December 2020: France threatens to veto Brexit deal, France24, 4 December 2020: Giscard grasped the 70s mood, but French women won their own rights, Politico.eu, 4 December 2020: Lessons from Giscard d’Estaing for the EU’s future, Al Jazeera, 4 December 2020: Erdogan hopes France ‘gets rid of Macron trouble’ (of course Erdogan knows at the same time that there are quite a number of people in the EU who would be very happy if the Muslim Brother and backer of radical and political Islam drops dead, but unfortunately not all wishes and hopes can be materialize), Arab News, 4 December 2020: Erdogan hopes France will ‘get rid of Macron’ as soon as possible, The National, 4 December 2020: Erdogan calls on France to ‘get rid’ of Emmanuel Macron, The Times, 4 December 2020: France launches crackdown on radical mosques, The National, 4 December 2020: Emmanuel Macron urged to back words with tough action against political Islamism, Al Arabiya, 4 December 2020: Lebanese businessman detained in Beirut over alleged Sarkozy-Gaddafi corruption, Politico.eu, 4 December 2020: Macron on authoritarian claims: ‘We’re not Hungary, Turkey’, DW, 5 December 2020: Renowned imam calls on Muslims to engage with France, France24, 5 December 2020: France charges suspect in deadly 1982 Paris Jewish restaurant attack, DW, 5 December 2020: Police and protesters clash at security law rally, France24, 5 December 2020: Violence erupts in new Paris protest against security law, BBC, 5 December 2020: France police security bill: Protests turn violent again, The Guardian, 5 December 2020: Paris Thousands march over police violence and security bill, France24, 8 December 2020: French prosecutors seek prison term for ex-president Sarkozy in graft trial, Al Arabiya, 8 December 2020: French prosecutors seek long jail terms for Charlie Hebdo attack suspects, France24, 8 December 2020: France seeks long sentences for suspected accomplices in Charlie Hebdo attack, DW, 8 December 2020: New French law may increase discrimination, France24, 9 December 2020: French government unveils new law tackling Islamist extremism, The Guardian, 9 December 2020: Emmanuel Macron announces police reform consultation, France24, 9 December 2020: Teaching secularism in France: Mission impossible?, Politico.eu, 9 December 2020: 5 things to know about France’s bill to combat Islamist radicalism, Arab News, 9 December 2020: Anti-extremism plan is law of freedom, says France PM, France24, 12 December 2020: Dozens arrested at new Paris protest against security law, Al Jazeera, 12 December 2020: More than 100 arrested at Paris protest against security bill, The National, 12 December 2020: Water cannon fired at rally demanding French security bill is thrown out, The Guardian, 16 December 2020: Charlie Hebdo trial: French court convicts 14 over 2015 terror attacks, France24, 16 December 2020: Charlie Hebdo verdict: Closure for victims of January 2015 attacks?, DW, 16 December 2020: French court finds 14 people guilty of complicity in Charlie Hebdo, supermarket attacks, The Guardian, 17 December 2020: Terrorist behind foiled 2015 Thalys train attack receives life sentence, France24, 17 December 2020: Thalys train gunman sentenced to life in jail over foiled 2015 terror attack, The National, 17 December 2020: French court jails Moroccan for life over foiled 2015 train attack that inspired Clint Eastwood film, The New York Times, 17 December 2020: An Elixir From the French Alps, Frozen in Time, France24, 19 December 2020: Four placed under formal investigation in France for suspected links to Paris cleaver attack, Politico.eu, 15 December 2020: Dishonorable: Italians return top French award over Macron’s Egypt ties, BBC, 25 December 2020: Notre-Dame: Choir sings inside cathedral for first time since fire, France24, 27 December 2020: France begins Covid-19 vaccinations as 78-year-old woman receives first dose, France24, 31 December 2020: Macron calls for ‘hope’ in New Year’s Eve address to French nation, France24, 1 January 2021: Alarm in France after 2,500 mass for illegal rave, Al Jazeera, 6 January 2021: Why are so many in France hesitant to take the COVID-19 vaccine?, France24, 12 January 2021: French gastronomy: The origins of haute cuisine, France24, 15 January 2021: French prosecutors open probe into influence-peddling by ex-president Sarkozy, France24, 18 January 2021: Macron hails French Muslim council charter to combat extremism, Arab News, 18 January 2021: Macron hails French Muslim charter against extremism, The National, 18 January 2021: French Muslim councils agree ‘charter’ for Emmanuel Macron’s religious reforms, France24, 21 January 2021: French Muslim groups at odds over Macron’s anti-extremism charter, CNN, 22 January 2021: France has passed a law protecting the sounds and smells of the countryside, Al Jazeera, 22 January 2021: Can France move on from colonial past in Algeria without apology?, France24, 26 January 2021: ‘Humiliation’: French see Covid-19 vaccine flops as sign of decline, The Guardian, 26 January 2021: Self-esteem hit after Pasteur Institute abandons Covid vaccine, France24, 29 January 2021: Covid-19 pandemic pushes French economy into deep recession, The Guardian, 30 January 2021: Tens of thousands of people protest against new security bill, France24, 30 January 2021: New protests in France against security bill, Jerusalem Post, 30 January 2021: Jewish man gives EUR 2m. to French village for hiding family during WWII, The National, 17 February 2021: ‘Anti-separatism’ bill may worsen tears in France’s social fabric, Al Jazeera, 23 February 2021: France summons Pakistan envoy over criticism of ‘separatism’ bill, Foreign Policy, 23 February 2021: Why Has France’s Islamist Separatism Bill Caused Such Controversy?, France24, 26 February 2021: Understanding ‘laïcité’, France’s special brand of state secularism, DW, 1 March 2021: French ex-president Nicolas Sarkozy sentenced to prison over corruption case, France24, 1 March 2021: France’s former president Nicolas Sarkozy sentenced to prison in corruption trial, BBC, 1 March 2021: Sarkozy: Former French president sentenced to jail for corruption, CNN, 1 March 2021: Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy sentenced to jail in historic ruling, Times of Israel, 1 March 2021: Former French president Sarkozy convicted of corruption, jailed for a year, The Washington Post, 1 March 2021: Former French leader Sarkozy gets one-year prison term for corruption, France24, 2 March 2021: After guilty verdict, Sarkozy faces more trials and tribulations, The Guardian, 2 March 2021: Sarkozy’s conviction shows, at last, French presidents may no longer be above the law, France24, 2 March 2021: Sarkozy says could take corruption appeal to European human rights court, CNN, 5 March 2021: Paris Fashion Week: How to watch the virtual shows, The Guardian, 7 March 2021: In France, there’s no escape from Covid vaccine sceptics. What would Pasteur think?, BBC, 15 March 2021: Viewpoint: France’s President Macron doesn’t get the impact of colonialism on Algeria, Politico.eu, 18 March 2021: EU-China deal spells trouble for Macron at home, France24, 20 March 2021: Paris enters new month-long partial lockdown amid soaring Covid-19 cases, DW, 23 March 2021: Coronavirus: Police break up carnival in Marseille, France24, 24 March 2021: Row erupts in France over plans to use state funds to build Strasbourg mosque, The Algemeiner, 25 March 2021: French City of Strasbourg, Scarred by Anti-Jewish Outrages, Rejects IHRA Definition of Antisemitism at Council Meeting, Al Jazeera, 25 March 2021: ‘Islamo-leftism’: France enters its McCarthyist era, Politico.eu, 25 March 2021: It’s a bird! It’s a plane! It’s Emmanuel Macron., France24, 26 March 2021: ‘Blind’ France bears responsibility on Rwanda genocide, historical commission reports, The Guardian, 26 March 2021: French monks locked down with 2.8 tonnes of cheese pray for buyers, France24, 26 March 2021: Bread of heaven: France submits the baguette as candidate for UNESCO heritage status, Politico.eu, 27 March 2021: France ‘blind’ to Rwandan genocide, says report, The New York Times, 30 March 2021: A Painful Project for France: A Museum on the Ravages of Terrorism, DW, 31 March 2021: Coronavirus: French President Emmanuel Macron extends lockdown nationwide, France24, 31 March 2021: France to close schools and extend Covid-19 lockdown to all of the country, Macron says, BBC, 31 March 2021: Covid: France schools to close under third lockdown, CNN, 31 March 2021: France risks ‘losing control’ over Covid-19 spread without stricter national measures — Macron, The Guardian, 2 April 2021: Lockdown will hit economic growth, finance minister warns, Foreign Policy, 7 April 2021: French Secularism Isn’t Illiberal, France24, 8 April 2021: Macron announces closure of ENA, the elite ‘school for presidents’ that France loves to hate, Al Jazeera, 9 April 2021: ‘Law against Islam’: French vote in favour of hijab ban condemned, Politico.eu, 12 April 2021: Vandalism of mosque raises fears over France’s secular push, BBC, 12 April 2021: France moves to ban short-haul domestic flights, Arab News, 15 April 2021: France should mobilize rather than marginalize its Muslims, The National, 16 April 2021: French mosque drops subsidy request in controversy over Turkey links, France24, 17 April 2021: Islamist party Tehreek-e-Labbaik fuels anti-France violence in Pakistan (France is absolutely right in rejecting these terrorists), France24, 18 April 2021: Police taken hostage by Pakistani Islamists after days of anti-France protests, France24, 20 April 2021: Pakistan parliament to consider French envoy’s expulsion after anti-France protests, BBC, 23 April 2021: French police station stabbing: Terror inquiry into Rambouillet knife attack, France24, 23 April 2021: France will ‘never give in to Islamist terrorism,’ says Macron after policewoman’s killing, DW, 26 April 2021: Germany, France praise European solidarity against COVID, The Telegraph, 26 April 2021: Retired generals’ warning of impending ‘civil war’ in France sparks political storm, The Times, 26 April 2021: Generals call for military rule to halt France ‘disintegrating with Islamists’, Times of Israel, 27 April 2021: For many French Jews, Halimi murder a ‘watershed moment’ of distrust in France, The National, 27 April 2021: Retired French generals boost Marine Le Pen as Emmanuel Macron is warned of divided country, France24, 28 April 2021: Ex-generals face sanctions after they warn of ‘civil war’ in France, Arab News, 28 April 2021: French officer behind ‘coup’ letter warns of civil war in France if message ignored, DW, 29 April 2021: French soldiers who warned of ‘civil war’ to face sanctions, The Algemeiner, 3 May 2021: French Jews Demand Action Against Facebook ‘Support Committee’ for Accused Antisemitic Murderer of Sarah Halimi, BBC, 4 May 2021: Belgian farmer accidentally moves French border, The Guardian, 4 May 2021: Fears of a coup in France are exaggerated, but a far-right president is a real possibility, Al Arabiya, 4 May 2021: Seven on trial in France for 2014 attack on Saudi prince’s convoy in Paris, The Guardian, 4 May 2021: France threatens to cut off power to Jersey in post-Brexit fishing row, France24, 5 May 2021: ‘Napoléon is a part of us’, French President Macron says, Arab News, 5 May 2021: Iran diplomat’s 20-year sentence for France bomb plot confirmed, CNN, 5 May 2021: UK sends patrol ships to British island amid row with France over fishing rights, The Guardian, 5 May 2021: Brexit: UK sends navy vessels to Jersey amid fishing row with France, Politico.eu, 5 May 2021: Macron strides into cultural battle over Napoleon’s memory, France24, 6 May 2021: UK sends Navy ships to Jersey as post-Brexit fishing dispute deepens, The National, 6 May 2021: UK sends two navy boats to Jersey after France threatens blockade, France24, 6 May 2021: Flotilla of French fishing ships sails for home after protest over Jersey fishing grounds, Irish Times, 6 May 2021: Jersey fishing row: French fear drastic cuts to fishing rights after post-Brexit restrictions, Politico.eu, 6 May 2021: Boris Johnson orders naval vessels back from Jersey amid fishing row, The Guardian, 7 May 2021: The Jersey fishing standoff shows Brexit has only just begun, The Times, 7 May 2021: Johnson and Macron plan peace talks in Jersey fishing dispute, The Guardian, 7 May 2021: ‘We’re piggy in the middle’: Brexit has made life impossible, say Jersey fishers, The Guardian, 9 May 2021: Brexit: From the Normandy coast, the Jersey whelk wars look like sabotage, France24, 13 May 2021: Pro-Palestinian rally in Paris banned amid rising Israel-Gaza tensions, The National, 14 May 2021: France asks police to ban pro-Palestinian Paris protest, Politico.eu, 17 May 2021: Marine Le Pen under pressure over EU ‘fake jobs’ report, France24, 19 May 2021: Sipping in the rain, Parisians flock to cherished cafés after Covid-19 shutdown, France24, 22 May 2021: ‘Revival of the occult’: French youth turn to tarot, astrology during Covid-19, Al Arabiya, 23 May 2021: Heavy metal rocks France’s Elysee palace after YouTube bet over social distancing, Politico.eu, 27 May 2021: Macron’s recipe for fair-trade food, France24, 28 May 2021: From Algeria to Rwanda, Macron adopts policy of confronting France’s past, Politico.eu, 31 May 2021: France to send US new Statue of Liberty, The Guardian, 4 June 2021: Nicolas Sarkozy case: ‘Paparazzi queen’ in custody over alleged witness tampering, France24, 6 June 2021: British memorial opens in Normandy to commemorate D-Day fallen, The Guardian, 6 June 2021: ‘France is for ever grateful’: Normandy memorial for British D-day troops unveiled, France24, 7 June 2021: ‘Covid terraces’ become permanent summer fixtures in Paris, The Guardian, 8 June 2021: France: Emmanuel Macron slapped in the face during walkabout, DW, 8 June 2021: Protester slaps French President Emmanuel Macron in face, France24, 8 June 2021: French President Macron slapped during trip to south, two people arrested, France24, 10 June 2021: Man who slapped Macron sentenced to 18 months, 14 suspended, France24, 10 June 2021: Macron announces the end of France’s anti-Islamist Operation Barkhane in the Sahel, The Guardian, 14 June 2021: Marine Le Pen sets sights on territory of traditional right, France24, 18 June 2021: Explainer: In France’s regional elections, 2022 presidential race looms large, DW, 18 June 2021: Merkel, Macron: ‘Russia is a big challenge for us’, The Guardian, 20 June 2021: ‘Slap in the face’ for Macron as voters shun local elections, France24, 20 June 2021: Liveblog: Centre-right leads French regional elections marred by record-low turnout, The Sunday Times, 20 June 2021: Far-right rallies on France’s fringe as Macron cements the centre ground, BBC, 21 June 2021: France regional election: Macron and Le Pen fail to make ground – exit poll, Politico.eu, 21 June 2021: Who are the winners and losers from France’s local elections?, The Guardian, 21 June 2021: Macron and Le Pen to review strategies after poor election results, Politico.eu, 22 June 2021: ‘French democracy is sick.’ Low election turnout sparks grave concern, The Guardian, 26 June 2021: Le Pen looks to Provence for last hope of victory in regional elections, DW, 27 June 2021: France regional vote enters round 2 after record-low turnout, France24, 27 June 2021: France goes to the polls for second round of regional elections, The Guardian, 27 June 2021: Macron and Le Pen face new test as nation votes again in regional polls, DW, 27 June 2021: Le Pen’s far-right party set for election loss, France24, 27 June 2021: Le Pen’s far right fails to win breakthrough in French regional vote, BBC, 27 June 2021: France elections: Far-right National Rally loses key battleground states, The Guardian, 27 June 2021: Le Pen’s far-right party suffers blow in regional elections, France24, 28 June 2021: Le Pen’s far right defeated in local elections shunned by two-thirds of French voters, France24, 28 June 2021: Regional elections offer vote of confidence for French conservatives, France24, 2 July 2021: Bolstering its transatlantic ties, France announces new cultural residency in the US, France24, 3 July 2021: France’s far-right Marine Le Pen under fire for going mainstream, The Guardian, 5 July 2021: Shampanskoye: French champagne industry in a fizz over Russian law, Politico.eu, 5 July 2021: Free traders buckle up for French EU presidency, The Times, 7 July 2021: Right turn ahead: Macron woos nationalist voters to safeguard his future, Gulf Times, 13 July 2021: Bastille Day: Wounds still raw in Nice, half a decade after horror attack, The Guardian, 13 July 2021: France reports rush for vaccines after Macron tightens Covid rules, Reuters, 13 July 2021: Rush for COVID vaccines as France may ask for proof of immunization, France24, 14 July 2021: France’s Bastille Day parade takes place in the shadow of Covid-19 (Bastille Day), Reuters, 14 July 2021: Protests in France against COVID-19 ‘health pass’ rules, France24, 14 July 2021: Five years on, Nice remains haunted by memory of Bastille Day truck attack (2016 Nice truck attack), DW, 15 July 2021: Coronavirus digest: Thousands protest in France over vaccine requirements, France24, 15 July 2021: French protesters clash with police on Bastille Day amid anger over Covid rules, The Guardian, 15 July 2021: France protests: Bastille Day clashes with police amid anger at tighter Covid rules – video, France24, 18 July 2021: Conspiracy theories fuel French opposition to Covid-19 ‘health pass’, France24, 20 July 2021: Phones of Macron and some French ministers targeted in Pegasus affair, French media reports, The Guardian, 20 July 2021: The Pegasus project: French minister’s phone shows traces linked to NSO spyware, Irish Times, 20 July 2021: Macron targeted in project Pegasus spyware case on behalf of Morocco, The Washington Post, 20 July 2021: France voices anger over world leaders’ presence on list, orders spyware probe, Haaretz, 21 July 2021: Macron Calls for Probe After Being Targeted by Israeli Spyware Pegasus, Politico.eu, 20 July 2021: Macron’s phone identified for Pegasus spyware targeting: Report, DW, 21 July 2021: Pegasus — the favorite cyber weapon of dictators, France24, 22 July 2021: Pegasus Affair: Macron changes phone, reinforces security in wake of spyware allegations (Anyone can count the result of the “investigation” on one finger, especially since it is already clear beforehand what will come of it in the end, namely “We are totally innocent and have done everything right”. Here, too, Israel acts like Russia and China: Deny it until the facts are so overwhelming that they can no longer deny them), Politico.eu, 22 July 2021: Pegasus: Macron changes one of his numbers and cellphones, France24, 23 July 2021: France’s lower house approves anti-separatism bill to battle Islamist extremism (very understandable decision of the parliament. The Bundestag should follow suit), France24, 24 July 2021: UNESCO to add France’s ‘king of lighthouses’ to world heritage list, DW, 25 July 2021: France: Macron calls for ?unity? after COVID protests, France24, 25 July 2021: In French Polynesia, Macron tackles nuclear test legacy, China dominance, The Guardian, 25 July 2021: The Pegasus project: Emmanuel Macron ‘pushes for Israeli inquiry’ into NSO spyware concerns, France24, 27 July 2021: French Polynesians seek a reckoning on nuclear testing as Macron visits islands, Times of Israel, 27 July 2021: Gantz heads to Paris to discuss NSO Group with French counterpart (the damage has already been done. In Israel they wanted to talk about Ben & Jerry’s instead of talking about the fact that the (former) Israeli government poses a serious security risk, especially for the EU), France24, 27 July 2021: Israel minister to discuss Pegasus scandal in France visit, Al Arabiya, 27 July 2021: Israel Defense Minister Gantz to visit France to discuss NSO, Iran, Politico.eu, 29 July 2021: Taking liberties: French fume at Macron’s vaccination push, Haaretz, 30 July 2021: French Intelligence Confirms Findings of NSO Investigation, France24, 5 August 2021: France’s top court says Covid ‘health pass’ largely complies with constitution, DW, 6 August 2021: France forecasts historic fall in wine production, France24, 7 August 2021: Covid-19: Thousands march against French health pass for fourth week in row (like in Germany: A bunch of weirdos would like to distract from the fact that 75% of the French think the measures ordered are good and correct), France24, 7 August 2021: Martine Wonner, the pro-Macron MP turned French Covid conspiracy ‘figurehead’, The New York Times, 13 August 2021: French leaders call for vigilance amid vandalism at vaccine sites., The Times, 13 August 2021: Bitter harvest for French winemakers, France24, 14 August 2021: Thousands march against French Covid health pass for fifth week in a row, France24, 16 August 2021: Macron says that Afghanistan must not be ‘sanctuary of terrorism’ again, Politico.eu, 16 August 2021: Macron calls for European plan to manage Afghan migration, France24, 16 August 2021: Hundreds of firefighters tackle wildfire in southern France, CNN, 17 August 2021: French military aircraft lands in Kabul carrying special forces, The Guardian, 17 August 2021: France: Thousands forced to evacuate by wildfire near Saint-Tropez, DW, 17 August 2021: France: Wildfire forces thousands to evacuate, France24, 17 August 2021: Thousands evacuated in southern France as wildfire spreads, The Guardian, 18 August 2021: France: One person found dead in wildfire near Saint-Tropez, The National, 18 August 2021: Two dead as France battles Riviera wildfire, France24, 19 August 2021: Third French flight of evacuees from Kabul touches down in Paris, France24, 19 August 2021: As winds diminish, hope grows for French firefighters battling Riviera blaze, The Guardian, 22 August 2021: France: Josephine Baker to become first Black woman to enter Pantheon, Al Arabiya, 22 August 2021: ‘Afghan lives matter’: Hundreds of people, including Afghanis, demonstrate in Paris, The National, 23 August 2021: Sheikh Mohamed meets French foreign and defence ministers in Abu Dhabi, Khaleej Times, 23 August 2021: France says time needed beyond Aug. 31 for Afghan evacuations, Politico.eu, 24 August 2021: Afghan refugee with suspected links to the Taliban in custody in France, The National, 25 August 2021: French police reveal cat-and-mouse games with people smuggling gangs, Politico.eu, 25 August 2021: France, UK’s Kabul evacuation to end days before August 31 US withdrawal, The Guardian, 26 August 2021: Michel Barnier to run in French presidential election, Politico.eu, 26 August 2021: Michel Barnier announces French presidential bid, Bloomberg, 26 August 2021: Brexit Negotiator Barnier Is Running for French President, Reuters, 26 August 2021: Ex-EU Brexit negotiator Barnier to run in French presidential centre-right primary, France24, 26 August 2021: France cannot continue Afghanistan evacuations past Friday, says PM Castex, Saudi Gazette, 27 August 2021: Brexit negotiator Barnier to run in French presidential primary, The Times, 27 August 2021: Conservatives split in crowded contest to take on Macron, France24, 28 August 2021: France in ‘preliminary talks’ with Taliban over Afghan evacuations, says Macron, Arab News, 28 August 2021: 160,000 protest in France against COVID-19 health pass rules, Jerusalem Post, 28 August 2021: Macron to visit Kurdistan region, Iraq to show commitment to region, Politico.eu, 28 August 2021: Michel Barnier, the EU big cheese who wants to be France’s next president, France24, 28 August 2021: France, UK end civilian evacuations from Afghanistan, Politico.eu, 29 August 2021: French islands overwhelmed by the coronavirus pandemic’s fourth wave, BBC, 30 August 2021: The French take on a trendy ‘superfood’, France24, 30 August 2021: Afghanistan, Sahel, Iraq: Already on the campaign trail, Macron seeks to boost his global image, France24, 1 September 2021: Macron in Marseille to unveil ‘urgent’ plan to tackle violence, poverty, The Guardian, 3 September 2021: Paris attack survivors await start of France’s biggest ever criminal trial, The Sunday Times, 5 September 2021: Ghosts of Bataclan stir at beginning of France’s long-awaited megatrial, France24, 5 September 2021: How the November 2015 attacks marked a turning point in French terror laws, France24, 6 September 2021: November 2015 attacks: Parisians remember a night of terror as criminal trial opens (Part 1 of 2), Politico.eu, 7 September 2021: Who’s who in the race to find a conservative candidate to run for French president, France24, 7 September 2021: November 2015 attacks: Parisians remember a night of terror as criminal trial opens (Part 2 of 2), DW, 7 September 2021: Paris: Can a trial help heal victims of the Bataclan terror attacks?, France24, 7 September 2021: Paris attacks of 2015: The logistics behind a historic trial, The Guardian, 7 September 2021: Paris terror attacks: Belgian broadcaster releases interview with on-the-run terror suspect, The Times, 7 September 2021: Paris on high alert as Bataclan terror attack trial starts, NPR, 7 September 2021: The Paris Trial For The November 2015 Attacks Is Set To Begin On Wednesday, BBC, 8 September 2021: Paris attacks: Historic day of reckoning for night of terror, Politico.eu, 8 September 2021: Paris terror trial: France relives 2015 attacks, France24, 8 September 2021: Chief suspect defiant on first day of landmark 2015 Paris attacks trial, Times of Israel, 8 September 2021: Marathon trial of 20 suspects in 2015 Paris attacks to begin, France24, 8 September 2021: November 2015 attacks: A timeline of the night that shook the French capital, The Guardian, 8 September 2021: 2015 Paris attacks: Security high as 20 suspects go on trial, France24, 8 September 2021: November 2015 attacks: Trial marks a ‘crucial’ step in the grieving process, CNN, 8 September 2021: Main suspect tells Paris attacks trial he’s ‘an Islamic State soldier’, The Times, 8 September 2021: Terrorist shows no remorse for Paris attacks that killed 130, Politico.eu, 8 September 2021: Paris terror trial: France relives 2015 attacks, Times of Israel, 8 September 2021: In court, surviving Paris attacker shouts defendants are ‘treated like dogs’, The Algemeiner, 9 September 2021: Paris Bataclan Attacks Trial Disrupted After Main Defendant Defies Judge, The Guardian, 9 September 2021: Migration: France accuses UK home secretary of blackmail in row over Channel migrants, France24, 9 September 2021: November 2015 Paris attacks: A trial like no other in France’s history, The Times, 9 September 2021: French accuse Patel of migrant ‘blackmail’, Politico.eu, 10 September 2021: French twist: EU and UK reunite to slam Barnier, France24, 12 September 2021: Wrapping of Paris’s Arc de Triomphe in fabric begins, a tribute to late artist Christo, The National, 12 September 2021: Wrapping of Arc de Triomphe begins in Paris art installation, France24, 15 September 2021: Paris attacker rants in trial that France ‘knew risks’ of striking jihadists in Syria, BBC, 15 September 2021: Paris attack jihadist blames France for bombing IS, France24, 16 September 2021: France suspends 3,000 unvaccinated health workers without pay, The Guardian, 16 September 2021: France: 3,000 unvaccinated health workers suspended without pay, France24, 16 September 2021: Australia riles France with sudden US-UK nuclear submarine pact, CNN, 17 September 2021: France recalls its ambassadors to the US and Australia over new national security partnership, France24, 17 September 2021: France recalls its ambassadors to US and Australia in submarine deal backlash, The New York Times, 17 September 2021: France recalls its ambassadors to the U.S. and Australia to protest Biden’s submarine deal. (behaving like a pussy won’t solve the underlying problem. The UK is little more but a poodle to the US. If and when France and the EU want to be taken seriously on the international stage, both have to invest in its militaries. Talking is one part of problem solvings. The other is to be in the position to force problem solvings. Only when the later is given, you are in the position to play on the international stage. France and the Eu are fare away from it), BBC, 17 September 2021: Aukus: France recalls envoys amid security pact row, The Times, 17 September 2021: Snubbing the French is a foolish mistake, Irish Times, 17 September 2021: France recalls ambassadors from US, Australia over submarine deal, The Washington Post, 17 September 2021: France recalls its ambassadors to the United States and Australia over submarine dispute, The New York Times, 17 September 2021: The Secret Talks Behind the U.S. Deal That France Called a ‘Betrayal’, Arab News, 18 September 2021: Franco-American tension over submarine deal puts fresh strain on trans-Atlantic ties, Irish Times, 18 September 2021: Australia made ‘huge’ error in cancelling submarine deal – French envoy, The Times, 18 September 2021: France accuses Australia of ‘treason’ over submarine deal, The Guardian, 18 September 2021: Aukus: France’s ambassador recall is ‘tip of the iceberg’, say analysts, CNN, 18 September 2021: Explainer: Australia’s nuclear-powered submarine deal is fueling anger in the country. Here’s why, BBC, 18 September 2021: Aukus: France recalls envoys amid security pact row, France24, 18 September 2021: Australia made ‘huge mistake’ by cancelling submarine deal, French ambassador says (above all, France should slowly step on its own brakes, because France cannot cope without NATO either), The Washington Post, 18 September 2021: As France escalated its submarine dispute, it decided to go a bit lighter on Britain. Here’s why., Politico.eu, 18 September 2021: French ambassador likens submarine deal cancellation to ‘treason’ (if France would have been in Australia’s position, it would had made the same decission), The Atlantic, 18 September 2021: France Is Mad, DW, 19 September 2021: France accuses US, Australia of ‘duplicity’ over submarine deal collapse, BBC, 19 September 2021: Aukus: Australia defends role in security pact amid French condemnation, France24, 19 September 2021: PM Morrison rejects France’s accusation that Australia lied over cancelled submarine deal, CNN, 19 September 2021: Australia had ‘deep and grave’ concerns about French submarines, The Guardian, 19 September 2021: Aukus: UK-France defence summit cancelled in row, Al Arabiya, 19 September 2021: Australia PM on US submarine deal: I don’t regret prioritizing our national interests, BBC, 19 September 2021: Aukus: Australia defends role in security pact amid French condemnation, The Times, 19 September 2021: Submarine ‘treason’ shows Britain is vassal state of US, say fuming French, Al Arabiya, 19 September 2021: West imploding over submarines deal: What is going on with US, UK, Australia, France?, The Washington Post, 19 September 2021: Biden seeks a phone call with France’s Macron to calm the waters, France24, 20 September 2021: Biden requests phone call with Macron amid submarine spat, The Times, 20 September 2021: France calls off meeting with Britain in AUKUS submarine dispute, Politico.eu, 19 September 2021: EU-Australia trade deal runs aground over submarine furor, Al Arabiya, 20 September 2021: US will not back out of Australia submarine deal, Biden to speak with Macron soon: WH, Politico.eu, 20 September 2021: France cancels defense summit with UK over submarine row, Al Arabiya, 20 September 2021: France could block EU-Australia trade deal in retaliation for submarine crisis, The Times, 20 September 2021: France threatens to block EU trade deal with Australia, CNN, 20 September 2021: French submarine dispute could torpedo EU-Australia trade talks, Al Arabiya, 20 September 2021: EU Chief says France’s treatment in Australia, US, UK submarine deal ‘unacceptable’, The Guardian, 20 September 2021: Aukus: France tries to delay EU-Australia trade deal amid fallout, France24, 20 September 2021: France seeks EU support in submarine row with US, UK, Australia, Haaretz, 21 September 2021: EU Backs France in Submarine Dispute: ‘Is America Back? We Don’t Know’, France24, 21 September 2021: Perception that France is ‘too soft’ on China fed Australia submarine dispute, France24, 21 September 2021: Macron and Modi vow to ‘act jointly’ in Indo-Pacific as submarine row intensifies, NPR, 22 September 2021: France To Send Its Ambassador Back To The U.S. Following A Macron-Biden Call, The National, 22 September 2021: Biden and Macron seek calmer waters after row over Australia submarines, France24, 22 September 2021: Submarine dispute: France has ‘every right to be angry,’ says ex-Australian PM, The Guardian, 22 September 2021: Aukus pact: France to send ambassador back to US after Macron-Biden call, France24, 22 September 2021: French ambassador will return to US as Biden, Macron seek to restore ‘confidence’, The Atlantic, 24 September 2021: Why Britain and France Hate Each Other, The Sunday Times, 26 September 2021: Macron has a golden chance to switch axis of the EU from Berlin to Paris, Politico.eu, 27 September 2021: France to ink Greek defense deal after losing sub contract, Al Arabiya, 27 September 2021: Greece set to boost military cooperation with France: Greek PM Mitsotakis, Arab News, 28 September 2021: France slashes visas for Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia in migrant row, The Guardian, 28 September 2021: France: Survivors of 2015 Paris attacks begin to relive the horror in court, France24, 28 September 2021: Survivors of the November 13 Paris attacks to testify at landmark French trial, The Times, 28 September 2021: ‘Stop being naive’ about US military commitment, Macron tells Europe, The Guardian, 28 September 2021: ‘An audacious first step’: Greece to buy French warships in multibillion-euro defence deal, France24, 28 September 2021: France cuts back on visas granted to Maghreb nationals over immigration policy, France24, 29 September 2021: France slams UK’s ‘unacceptable’ decision to deny French boats fishing licenses, BBC, 29 September 2021: Fishing rights row: France threatens retaliation over permit rebuff, The Guardian, 29 September 2021: Aukus: France cool on efforts by Australia to repair rift damage, DW, 29 September 2021: UK-France fishing wars flare in Channel, France24, 29 September 2021: Morocco, Algeria slam France’s ‘unjustified’ decision to slash visas, BBC, 30 September 2021: Sarkozy: Ex-French president gets jail sentence over campaign funding, France24, 30 September 2021: Former French President Sarkozy sentenced to one year for illegal campaign financing, CNN, 30 September 2021: Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy guilty of illegal campaign financing, receives 1-year sentence, The New York Times, 30 September 2021: Ex-President Sarkozy Convicted for Campaign Spending Violations, The National, 30 September 2021: France’s Sarkozy sentenced to one year in detention over illegal campaign funding, France24, 1 October 2021: Blinken to visit Paris in effort to mend ties following submarine dispute, Khaleej Times, 2 October 2021: ‘Alien’ stilt walkers, air shows: How France will celebrate National Day at Expo 2020, DW, 2 October 2021: Algeria recalls ambassador from France amid tensions (Paris’ answer should be clear and stop entry from Algeria completely and indefinitely. In addition, there could be economic constraints that will give the Algerian superpower some headaches), BBC, 2 October 2021: Haunting survivors’ memories shake Paris terror trial, France24, 2 October 2021: Algeria recalls ambassador to France amid mounting diplomatic tensions, Al Arabiya, 3 October 2021: Algeria closes airspace to French military, French army says, amid growing tensions, The Guardian, 3 October 2021: Algeria: French military planes banned as diplomatic row deepens, CNN, 3 October 2021: French military aircraft banned from Algerian airspace amid diplomatic row, France24, 3 October 2021: Algeria escalates France diplomatic row with flight ban, CNN, 4 October 2021: Blinken in France for AUKUS damage control, Al Arabiya, 5 October 2021: French clergy sexually abused over 200,000 children since 1950, report finds, Politico.eu, 5 October 2021: French Catholic clergy sexually abused 216,000 children, report finds, The Times, 5 October 2021: French Catholic church covered up abuse of 330,000 children, BBC, 5 October 2021: Victims demand action after clergy abuse report, France24, 5 October 2021: French Catholic Church inquiry finds 216,000 paedophilia cases since 1950, BBC, 5 October 2021: Fishing rights row: France warns that agreements with the UK are at risk, The Times, 6 October 2021: French skippers threaten to scupper Christmas dinner, The Times, 6 October 2021: Will the French cut off our electricity over fishing row?, Politico.eu, 8 October 2021: Abuse report on the Catholic Church in France — a shock, but not a surprise, France24, 8 October 2021: Macron seeks to rejuvenate relationship with Africa at revamped summit, The National, 13 October 2021: Macron’s Algeria remarks seen as threat to its ruling military class, France24, 13 October 2021: Foreign victims of Bataclan attack seek solace in testifying at Paris trial, Politico.eu, 13 October 2021: Slippery business: Of fish, France and Britain, France24, 14 October 2021: France threatens to retaliate against Britain in post-Brexit fishing licence dispute, France24, 15 October 2021: ‘The violence shook me profoundly’: Teachers, students remember Samuel Paty’s murder, Politico.eu, 15 October 2021: With a push from Poland, French politicians line up to bash EU, France24, 16 October 2021: October 17, 1961: A massacre of Algerians in the heart of Paris, DW, 16 October 2021: France: Macron condemns 1961 Paris massacre of pro-Algerian protesters, France24, 16 October 2021: Macron condemns ‘inexcusable’ police crackdown on 1961 Paris protest of Algerians, France24, 16 October 2021: French PM pays tribute to slain teacher Samuel Paty on anniversary of his death, The Guardian, 17 October 2021: Emmanuel Macron: Crackdown on 1961 Algerian antiwar protest ‘unforgivable’, says French president, France24, 18 October 2021: Belarus expels French ambassador amid tensions with EU, France24, 18 October 2021: France eyes petrol vouchers for low-income households to ease spike in energy prices, The Guardian, 19 October 2021: Paris attacks: Bataclan survivors recall being held hostage as gunmen fired on crowd, France24, 19 October 2021: Former French president Sarkozy has to testify in polling fraud trial, judge rules, Arab News, 20 October 2021: Macron’s path to a second term littered with thorns, France24, 21 October 2021: France unveils €100 fuel inflation subsidy for low-, middle-income earners, Arab News, 23 October 2021: Turkish defense minister warns against alliances that harm NATO, The National 23 October 2021: Turkey warns that France-Greece defence pact weakens Nato, Politico.eu, 26 October 2021: Marine Le Pen aims for Budapest boost from Orbán meeting, France24, 26 October 2021: France’s far-right leader Le Pen backs Hungary’s Orban, lambasts EU, Politico.eu, 26 October 2021: Sacking of French foreign ministry’s Mideast chief shocks diplomats, France24, 27 October 2021: France threatens to block British fishing boats from ports in post-Brexit row, Jerusalemn Post, 27 October 2021: The Alfred Dreyfus Museum opens in France, The Times, 27 October 2021: Macron takes aim at far right with ‘promotion’ for wronged Dreyfus, Politico.eu, 27 October 2021: France retaliates against UK in fishing spat, The Atlantic, 27 October 2021: The Trump Playbook Hits France, Jerusalem Post, 28 October 2021: A far-right Jew could make political history in France. French Jews say he’s dangerous., Politico.eu, 28 October 2021: Fishing wars flare as Britain summons French ambassador, CNN, 28 October 2021: France shuts its ports to UK fishing boats (in the end it is a shadow fight. The “fishing war” is above all an emotional and ideological issue with very little economic relevance on either side of the English Channel. On the island, the Brexit propaganda put the pseudo-issue so high as if it had existential importance, which in fact could hardly be further from the truth. Ultimately, however, London signed the Brexit agreement and is therefore bound by it, including when it comes to fishing. As far as the Northern Ireland issue is concerned, the BoJo administration shows that contractual loyalty is not their thing. This has now become evident again in the fisheries question. In this respect, France is of course absolutely right to vigorously implement the rights and obligations arising from the Brexit agreement. It may be that London believes it can get away with the Northern Ireland issue with a clear breach of contract. With the French, they will certainly not succeed and that is the right thing to do), The Guardian, 28 October 2021: Brexit: UK summons French ambassador as fishing rights row escalates, Irish Times, 28 October 2021: Britain condemns France’s ‘unjustified’ threat to block fishing boats, The Times, 28 October 2021: French ambassador to be summoned after trawler seized, France24, 28 October 2021: UK summons French ambassador as post-Brexit fishing row heats up, The Times, 29 October 2021: Britain threatens ‘rigorous’ checks on EU boats (Experience in recent years shows that the BoJo would actually initiate this and thus initiate a full blown economic war with the EU, which will lead to the complete collapse of the supply chains on the island. The British will love him for it. The crucial question is still how it could have happened that the pragmatic British elected a clown and fool like BoJo as prime minister?), The Guardian, 29 October 2021: Brexit fishing row: PM vows to do ‘whatever is necessary’ to protect UK fishers, CNN, 29 October 2021: France closes nearly all ports to UK trawlers, France24, 29 October 2021: UK threatens more checks on EU fishing boats amid deepening row with France, Gulf Times, 29 October 2021: US was ‘clumsy’ in sub deal, Biden tells Macron, The Guardian, 29 October 2021: Aukus: Biden admits to Macron the US was ‘clumsy’ in submarine deal, CNN, 29 October 2021: Biden admits to Macron: US was ‘clumsy’ on AUKUS deal, France24, 29 October 2021: UK threatens trade dispute action in fishing row with France, BBC, 29 October 2021: Biden: We were clumsy over France submarine row, France24, 29 October 2021: Biden tells Macron US was ‘clumsy’ over Australian submarine deal, The Times, 30 October 2021: French are breaking Brexit deal in fishing dispute, says Johnson, Politico.eu, 30 October 2021: France requests tougher EU action over UK fishing row in private letter, The Guardian, 30 October 2021: Brexit fishing row: Johnson tells Von der Leyen French threats are ‘unjustified’, Irish Times, 30 October 2021: G20 summit: Johnson says UK relationship with France has hit ‘turbulence’, The Guardian, 30 October 2021: France: Rise of far right puts Dreyfus affair into spotlight in French election race, BBC, 30 October 2021: Turbulence has hit relations with France, PM says, The Scotsman, 31 October 2021: No deal: Downing Street denies accord with France over fishing rights, The Sunday Times, 31 October 2021: French fishing dispute: Rift deepens despite Boris Johnson and Emmanuel Macron meeting at G20, The Guardian, 31 October 2021: Brexit: UK rejects French claim of steps towards agreement over fishing rights row, France24, 31 October 2021: Macron-Johnson meeting on G20 sidelines only deepens fishing rights dispute, Al Arabiya, 31 October 2021: UK’s Johnson, France’s Macron set for collision during UN climate summit, Politico.eu, 1 November 2021: France postpones retaliation against Britain over fishing permits, The Guardian, 1 November 2021: UK-France row: Macron backs down over threat to block UK exports from midnight in fishing row, France24, 1 November 2021: UK gives France 48 hours to back down in fishing row or Britain will ‘seek compensation’, The Hill, 1 November 2021: France extends deadline for sanctions on Britain in fishing dispute, The Guardian, 1 November 2021: Salty language: Why are UK and France fighting over fishing licences?, Politico.eu, 2 November 2021: Why Britain and France can’t stop fighting about fish, Irish Times, 2 November 2021: Downing Street insists Britain has not changed its approach on fishing licences, The Times, 2 November 2021: France fishing row: Paris delays tough new checks at ports after UK legal threat, Gulf Times, 2 November 2021: Messages from Macron to Morrison leaked amid submarine deal row, Politico.eu, 2 November 2021: Leaked SMS fuels French feud with Australia, The Guardian, 2 November 2021: Aukus: French officials vent fury over Australian leak of Macron text message, France24, 2 November 2021: France accuses Australia of ‘inelegant methods’ after Macron SMS leaked to press, Jerusalem Post, 2 November 2021: France chief rabbi calls Jewish presidential candidate an ‘antisemite’, The Guardian, 2 November 2021: France: Sarkozy refuses to answer questions at trial of former aides, France24, 2 November 2021: Sarkozy slams ‘unconstitutional’ summons to testify as witness in trial of ex-aides, Politico.eu, 3 November 2021: French ambassador: Leak of Macron text by Australia an ‘unprecedented new low’, The Guardian, 3 November 2021: Brexit: UK being ‘constructive’ in fishing row talks, says France, Politico.eu, 3 November 2021: EU hints at resolution to post-Brexit fishing dispute, France24, 3 November 2021: Ahead of critical talks, France says ‘all options on the table’ in UK fishing row, The Guardian, 4 November 2021: Brexit: British and French talks to settle fishing row end in stalemate, France24, 4 November 2021: France and Britain agree to more talks on fishing row, Politico.eu, 4 November 2021: French and British agree to ‘restart political dialogue’ on fishing rights, Forward, 4 November 2021: Retrying the Dreyfus case, France flirts with a Jewish candidate’s antisemitism, Jerusalem Post, 4 November 2021: Meet the far-right Jew who’s set to seek the French presidency – analysis, The Times, 5 November 2021: Fish licence talks continue despite threats by French, Politico.eu, 5 November 2021: Aukus row: Minister blames media for deepening Australia’s rift with France, France24, 5 November 2021: French hotel industry ‘on its knees’ due to staff shortage, CEO says, Politico.eu, 7 November 2021: French get political frisson with Oprah-style TV show starring Le Pen, The Sunday Times, 7 November 2021: Finally we see the real price of Brexit — we can’t afford to bash the French any more, France24, 9 November 2021: France calls for ‘rapid solution’ to fishing dispute with Britain, Politico.eu, 9 November 2021: French police arrest three suspects in Cannes stabbing case, France24, 9 November 2021: French police arrest three people linked to suspect in Cannes knife attack, media report, DW, 12 November 2021: France: Far-right TV star shakes up presidential race, CNN, 12 November 2021: Harris refutes discussing submarine deal with Macron, The Guardian, 15 November 2021: Channel row: UK calls on France to do more to stop migrants crossing Channel, Politico.eu, 15 November 2021: France ‘needs no lesson from the British’ over Calais migrant crisis, Arab News, 19 November 2021: France needs to ask: ‘What does it mean to be French?’, France24, 19 November 2021: Macron refuses to ‘abandon’ French fishermen in post-Brexit row with UK, Politico.eu, 20 November 2021: French firebrand Zemmour gets muted welcome in London, CNN, 20 November 2021: Fire breaks out near Place de L’Opera in central Paris, The Guardian, 23 November 2021: Brexit: French fishers plan to block freight to UK in licences dispute, Politico.eu, 24 November 2021: Italy and France heal their rift with a treaty, France24, 26 November 2021: Riots rock Solomon Islands capital for third day despite peacekeepers, CNN, 26 November 2021: French politician reacts to Boris Johnson’s plan after Channel deaths, France24, 26 November 2021: Several police injured as French Caribbean rocked by Covid-19 vaccine protests, The Guardian, 26 November 2021: Channel deaths: Macron tells Johnson to ‘get serious’ on Channel crisis after tweeted letter, France24, 26 November 2021: French fishermen block Channel traffic in post-Brexit licences row, The Times, 26 November 2021: You’re not serious, Macron tells PM after migrant demands, The Guardian, 26 November 2021: Analysis: On Channel crossings, France is sick of UK ‘outsourcing’ problems, France24, 26 November 2021: Darmanin scraps migrant crisis meeting with UK counterpart after Johnson letter, The National, 26 November 2021: Post-Brexit protest by French fishermen adds to Channel tensions, Der Spiegel, 26 November 2021: The Bataclan Trial: Salah Abdeslam and the Banality of Terror, The Times, 26 November 2021: French fishermen shut off port before Channel tunnel blockade, The Guardian, 26 November 2021: £335bn: Boris Johnson’s plan for Irish Sea bridge rejected over cost, France24, 27 November 2021: French forces face violent protests after crossing into Niger from Burkina Faso, Politico.eu, 27 November 2021: The Channel blame game, France24, 28 November 2021: France says it will not be ‘held hostage’ by Britain over migrant crisis, The Guardian, 29 November 2021: The Channel: Crossings are ‘an English issue’, says French minister, France24, 29 November 2021: Caught between Macron and the far right, French conservatives pick 2022 candidate, The Guardian, 30 November 2021: Josephine Baker: Music hall star and civil rights activist enters Panthéon, France24, 30 November 2021: Josephine Baker becomes first Black woman to enter France’s Panthéon (Dancer, singer, activist, spy: The extraordinary life of Josephine Baker), DW, 30 November 2021: First Black woman with burial honor in Paris Pantheon, The Washington Post, 30 November 2021: Josephine Baker is the first Black woman inducted into France’s Panthéon, France24, 30 November 2021: Zemmour’s fall in polls signals ‘lack of presidential credibility’ amid campaign launch, DW, 30 November 2021: Far-right TV star Eric Zemmour shakes up presidential race, The Times, 1 December 2021: I’ll make France great again, vows Zemmour, Forward, 1 December 2021: How a right-wing Jewish presidential candidate is channeling de Gaulle, X-Men and ‘The King’s Speech’, The Times, 1 December 2021: French firebrand Éric Zemmour is a danger to Britain too, France24, 2 December 2021: French conservatives choose final two in presidential nomination race, Politico.eu, 2 December 2021: Hardliner Eric Ciotti narrowly ahead in French conservative primary, Michel Barnier ousted, France24, 2 December 2021: France’s Macron heads to UAE, aiming to secure major Rafale fighter jet sale, Khaleej Times, 3 December 2021: Sale of 80 Rafale jets to UAE is France’s ‘largest-ever weapons export deal’, Gulf News, 3 December 2021: UAE, France sign multiple MoUs in energy, aviation, Khaleej Times, 3 December 2021: UAE, France ink 13 major agreements, MoUs, The National, 3 December 2021: UAE and France sign strategic deals as Macron visits Expo, Politico.eu, 3 December 2021: France signs €17B defense contract with the United Arab Emirates, Arab News, 3 December 2021: UAE, France sign $18 billion deal for 80 Rafale jets as Macron starts Gulf tour, France24, 3 December 2021: UAE signs ‘historic’ deal to buy 80 French-made Rafale fighter jets, Politico.eu, 3 December 2021: France’s Eric Zemmour is running a campaign à la Donald Trump — in theory, The New Yorker, 3 December 2021: The Ultra-Nationalist Éric Zemmour Makes a Bizarre Bid for the French Presidency, France24, 4 December 2021: French Champagne houses raise a toast to expected record sales in 2021, Politico.eu, 4 December 2021: French conservatives’ first female candidate spells trouble for Macron, France24, 4 December 2021: France’s Les Républicains choose Pécresse as 2022 presidential candidate, The Guardian, 4 December 2021: France: Pécresse chosen as centre-right’s first female candidate for presidency, France24, 4 December 2021: Khashoggi’s shadow looms over Macron’s talks with Saudi Crown Prince, The Algemeiner, 4 December 2021: Macron in Saudi to Talk Regional Stability with Crown Prince, France24, 4 December 2021: Macron announces Saudi-French initiative to solve diplomatic crisis with Lebanon, Gulf Times, 4 December 2021: Macron stresses importance of Qatar-France relations, Arab News, 4 December 2021: French President Macron meets Saudi crown prince in final Gulf stop, Khaleej Times, 4 December 2021: Macron announces Saudi-French initiative to solve crisis with Lebanon, The National, 4 December 2021: Macron says Saudi Arabia committed to supporting Lebanon, Arab News, 4 December 2021: Saudi, French firms sign 27 MoUs as Macron visits the Kingdom, France24, 5 December 2021: With billions in new deals, France’s Rafale fighter makes a comeback, The Guardian, 5 December 2021: Valérie Pécresse: The ‘bulldozer’ who would be France’s first female president, France24, 5 December 2021: French far-right candidate Zemmour’s first presidential campaign rally puts police on alert, France24, 6 December 2021: France to close nightclubs, extend use of face masks in schools amid Covid-19 surge, Politico.eu, 6 December 2021: How France pivoted to the right, The Guardian, 6 December 2021: France: Investigation launched into brawl at far-right rally, France24, 6 December 2021: Iran slams France for selling arms to UAE, ‘destabilising’ region, The Times, 7 December 2021: Valérie Pécresse: the woman who wants to take Macron’s job, Politico.eu, 8 December 2021: Macron enters presidential campaign fray in Vichy, France24, 8 December 2021: As social unrest explodes in French West Indies, chlordecone is key to the crisis, Politico.eu, 8 December 2021: Le Pen and Zemmour hate each other. Can they join forces?, France24, 8 December 2021: French foreign minister makes surprise visit to Algeria, urges eased Paris-Algiers tensions, Haaretz, 9 December 2021: Eric Zemmour and Benjamin Netanyahu: Two Jews With a Shared Dream, France24, 9 December 2021: France will not join ‘insignificant’ boycott of Beijing Olympics, says Macron, Politico.eu, 9 December 2021: French election permeates Macron’s EU presidency priorities, France24, 9 December 2021: Recovery, power, belonging: Macron details ambitious plan for France’s EU presidency, France24, 10 December 2021: Macron hails ‘convergence of views’ with ‘dear Olaf’ in first meeting with Germany’s Scholz, Politico.eu, 10 December 2021: Macron urges Scholz to ‘invent’ new financial solutions for EU, France24, 11 December 2021: France-Greece frigate deal ‘signed,’ says Paris after US makes rival offer, Irish Times, 10 December 2021: France threatens EU legal action if UK does not issue more fishing licences, The Guardian, 11 December 2021: New Caledonia: Fears of unrest as polls open for vote on independence from France, France24, 11 December 2021: UK gives 23 more post-Brexit permits to French fishermen after EU deadline, The Guardian, 11 December 2021: Brexit fishing row: UK and Jersey issue more licences to French boats, France24, 11 December 2021: New Caledonia votes in tense final referendum on independence from France, NPR, 11 December 2021: New Caledonia might be about to break from France. Here’s why the world is watching, The National, 11 December 2021: French presidential candidate Pécresse vows to end Macron’s centrism, Politico.eu, 11 December 2021: UK grants 23 extra licenses to French fishermen amid post-Brexit spat, France24, 12 December 2021: ‘Tonight France is more beautiful’: Macron hails New Caledonia’s rejection of independence, Politico.eu, 12 December 2021: ‘New Caledonia will stay French’: Macron welcomes vote in Pacific territory, The Times, 13 December 2021: Macron seizes his chance to take the reins in Europe, BBC, 13 December 2021: France resists US challenge to its values, France24, 13 December 2021: Macron seeks common ground with Orban on EU security during Hungary visit, DW, 13 December 2021: Macron, Orban focus on common ground in Budapest, France24, 15 December 2021: Macron steps into campaign mode as conservative rival Pécresse climbs in polls, Politico.eu, 17 December 2021: Darling of the French left opens door to presidential run, France24, 17 December 2021: Former left-wing justice minister Taubira considering run for French presidency, Politico.eu, 17 December 2021: Weird war on migrants and the Great British F*** Off, The National, 17 December 2021: Tourists race to beat French travel ban with last-minute flights and ferries, France24, 18 December 2021: Paris cancels New Year’s Eve firework display over Omicron fears, France24, 18 December 2021: Paris venues prepare for social festive season despite Omicron, Israel Hayom, 19 December 2021: Complex interplay of French patriotism, Jewish identity behind Zemmour’s presidential run (the real question behind it, what implications it will have for the Jewish community in France if a right-wing extremist Jew fails completely in the desired office? Right-wing extremists generally fail when they have to take responsibility. Religion doesn’t really play a role here. In this case, however, it can be different), Politico.eu, 21 December 2021: Zemmour’s money man at the heart of the European Commission, CNN, 22 December 2021: France’s $19 billion weapons deal is sweet revenge, Politico.eu, 22 December 2021: EU and UK reach deal on shared fishing stocks for 2022, The Times, 23 December 2021: Give us more fishing permits or EU will retaliate, France warns, France24, 24 December 2021: France’s daily Covid-19 cases set national record at over 90,000 as deaths rise, CNN, 24 December 2021: Echoes of Trump and Fox News host seen in French presidential candidate, France24, 26 December 2021: Daily Covid-19 infections top 100,000 in France, France24, 27 December 2021: French PM Castex announces new steps to slow Omicron, but schools to stay open, BBC, 28 December 2021: France shuts mosque for sermons ‘defending jihad’, France24, 30 December 2021: Wearing masks outdoors mandatory in Paris as new cases top 200,000, France24, 31 December 2021: Germany backs France for ‘more sovereign’ Europe as Paris set for turn at EU presidency, France24, 31 December 2022: Macron warns of ‘difficult’ weeks ahead but encourages ‘optimism’ in New Year’s speech, DW, 1 January 2022: France takes over EU presidency with push for ‘strategic autonomy’, Gulf Times, 1 January 2022: Macron takes over EU presidency amid looming national election, Arab News, 1 January 2022: France takes the EU helm at a crucial time, France24, 1 January 2022: France takes over EU presidency as national election looms, BBC, 1 January 2022: French car-burning returns for New Year’s Eve, France24, 1 January 2022: Happy Green Year! French eco-friendly packaging laws go into effect, Reuters, 2 January 2022: EU flag removed from Arc de Triomphe after causing stir, Politico.eu, 2 January 2022: EU flag under the Arc de Triomphe comes down as culture war boils, The Guardian, 2 January 2022: France: EU flag removed from Arc de Triomphe after rightwing anger, BBC, 2 January 2022: EU flag removed in Paris after right-wing outrage, DW, 2 January 2022: France removes EU flag from Arc de Triomphe after right-wing outrage, The National, 3 January 2022: French flag row hangs over start of Macron’s EU presidency, Politico.eu, 3 January 2022: EU flag is collateral damage as French presidential campaign heats up, France24, 3 January 2022: French election year kicks off with EU flag fracas at Paris’s Arc de Triomphe, Politico.eu, 3 January 2022: A wonk’s guide to the French EU presidency policy agenda, The Times, 3 January 2022: Macron ally warns bitter election will cost lives, Politico.eu, 3 January 2022: What the French think of the EU presidency, in charts, The Guardian, 3 January 2022: Why Europe’s Muslims are braced for France’s stint running the EU presidency, France24, 4 January 2022: France’s daily Covid-19 cases top 270,000 as Omicron sweeps Europe, The Guardian, 4 January 2022: Macron declares his Covid strategy is to ‘piss off’ the unvaccinated (good thing, as logic, understanding and good persuasion doesn’t help with Covidiotes. Clearer signals must be sent instead, and that is exactly what he is doing), France24, 5 January 2022: Macron’s vow to ‘piss off’ the unvaccinated sparks outrage (you simply gotta love him! :-D ), BBC, 5 January 2022: Covid: French uproar as Macron vows to ‘piss off’ unvaccinated, France24, 5 January 2022: France reports new record of more than 332,000 new Covid-19 cases in 24 hours, The Guardian, 5 January 2022: ‘I want to show France who we are’ The slum influencer with his sights on parliament, France24, 5 January 2022: New French election poll shows Macron would beat main conservative challenger Pécresse, Politico.eu, 5 January 2022: Omicron puts Macron’s grand EU presidency plan at risk, The Times, 6 January 2022: Macron’s ‘coarse’ attack on antivaxers tightens grip on re-election, France24, 7 January 2022: Macron says he stands by remarks pledging to ‘piss off’ France’s unvaccinated, The National, 10 January 2022: French election focus on crime puts Marseille’s ganglands in the frame, The Guardian, 14 January 2022: Emmanuel Macron: Election battle lines set as president pits himself against France’s unvaccinated, The New York Times, 14 January 2022: France’s Economy Is Having a Good Pandemic, The Guardian, 15 January 2022: France: Divided leftwing candidates called on to back ‘people’s primary’, France24, 15 January 2022: Former justice minister Christiane Taubira joins France’s presidential race, The New York Times, 15 January 2022: Marine Le Pen, Kicking Off Her Campaign, Tries to Embody Credibility, France24, 16 January 2022: Valérie Pécresse: ‘The Bulldozer’ conservative who vows to restore French pride, France24, 17 January 2022: French far-right presidential candidate Zemmour convicted for racist hate speech, Times of Israel, 17 January 2022: France’s far-right presidential contender Zemmour convicted of hate speech, Politico.eu, 17 January 2022: French far-right presidential candidate Eric Zemmour convicted of hate speech, The Guardian, 17 January 2022: France: Far-right presidential candidate found guilty of racist hate speech, Politico.eu, 18 January 2022: Marine Le Pen bangs the drum on Europe but has lost her edge, The National, 19 January 2022: France moves closer to banning headscarves in sport competitions, Politico.eu, 19 January 2022: Macron’s EU speech descends into French campaign brawl, France24, 19 January 2022: France’s EU presidency: Macron calls for European ‘collective security’ pact, dialogue with Russia, DW, 19 January 2022: Macron proposes security pact to make Europe a ‘power of the future’, France24, 20 January 2022: FRANCE 24 reports on the growing anti-French sentiment in Mali, Politico.eu, 20 January 2022: French parliament puts pressure on Macron by declaring Chinese treatment of Uyghurs a ‘genocide’, France24, 21 January 2022: France’s Constitutional Council approves controversial vaccine pass with conditions, Times of Israel, 23 January 2022: Israel-Europe ties may not get much warmer with Macron as president of EU Council, The Times, 25 January 2022: One in four French voters happy for the army to run the country, France24, 26 January 2022: Macron calls 1962 Isly ‘massacre’ in Algiers ‘unforgiveable for the Republic’, The Guardian, 26 January 2022: Why are Germany and France at odds with the Anglosphere over how to handle Russia?, The Times, 27 January 2022: French presidential hopeful must ‘unbutton herself’ to challenge Macron, Politico.eu, 28 January 2022: Macron’s party launches campaign efforts … without Macron, The Times, 28 January 2022: Le Pen tells of pain as niece weighs switch to Zemmour, The Guardian, 28 January 2022: France: Le Pen feud deepens as far-right leader’s niece withdraws support, The National, 29 January 2022: France and Germany send envoys to help ease Ukraine-Russia border tensions, DW, 29 January 2022: Is France ready for a female president?, The New York Times, 29 January 2022: Analysis: Emmanuel Macron Walks a Fine Line on Ukraine, France24, 1 February 2022: Macron said to be waiting for crises to ease before declaring candidacy, Politico.eu, 1 February 2022: It’s the (French) economy, stupid. But whose economy?, Jerusalem Post, 2 February 2022: French police arrest 16 teachers at Orthodox school for abusing students, The Guardian, 2 February 2022: France: Pupils at Jewish school taken into care after abuse allegations, France24, 4 February 2022: Ukraine crisis highlights stark divisions among France’s presidential candidates, France24, 5 February 2022: French far-right presidential candidates compete for limelight with same-day rallies, The National, 5 February 2022: UK and France agree to fight against ‘malicious Russian activity’, France24, 5 February 2022: Floating carpet of dead fish highlights France’s ‘lax’ attitude to overfishing, CNN, 5 February 2022: France launches inquiry after spill of over 100,000 dead fish off Atlantic coast, The Guardian, 5 February 2022: France: Shock after giant trawler sheds 100,000 dead fish off coast, Politico.eu, 5 February 2022: Marine Le Pen and Eric Zemmour face off in rival rallies, CNN, 5 February 2022: France is on a dangerous collision course with its Muslim population, DW, 5 February 2022: France launches new body aiming to reshape Islam, The Sunday Times, 6 February 2022: Hatchet job or brave reporting? French town torn apart by TV documentary, The New York Times, 6 February 2022: Ukraine Crisis Enters Critical Phase as Macron Seeks to Mediate, Politico.eu, 7 February 2022: Putin welcomes Macron into his lair, France24, 7 February 2022: Watch live: Macron holds press conference with Putin in Moscow, CNN, 7 February 2022: Macron takes lead on Europe’s efforts to defuse crisis, The Guardian, 7 February 2022: France: Far-right presidential hopeful likens himself to Boris Johnson, France24, 7 February 2022: Battle for the French far right: Zemmour, Le Pen try to steal each other’s thunder, Politico.eu, 8 February 2022: Top French minister: Europe shouldn’t be ‘dragged’ into following US on Nord Stream 2, France24, 9 February 2022: French ‘freedom convoy’ gets under way in protest at Covid-19 restrictions, The Guardian, 9 February 2022: France: I did not kill anyone, says main suspect in Paris attacks trial, France24, 9 February 2022: ‘I didn’t kill anyone,’ says key suspect at Paris attacks trial, DW, 11 February 2022: Ottawa-style convoy is headed right for Paris, France24, 11 February 2022: Macron urges calm as French ‘Freedom Convoy’ motorists close in on Paris, CNN, 11 February 2022: France announces plans to build up to 14 nuclear reactors, Politico.eu, 11 February 2022: France’s Bruno Le Maire tells Germany not to ‘close doors’ on EU budget reforms, France24, 13 February 2022: Conservative Pécresse holds crucial rally after defections, Sarkozy criticism, Politico.eu, 14 February 2022: France’s Pécresse comes under fire for reference to far-right conspiracy theory, France24, 14 February 2022: A ‘Titanic’ flop: lacklustre rally turns up the heat on conservative front-runner Valérie Pécresse, The Times, 14 February 2022: french election: Éric Zemmour is a token Jew, says poll rival, France24, 15 February 2022: ‘Hang in there’: French far-right candidate Zemmour touts encouragement from Trump, France24, 16 February 2022: Macron hosts African leaders ahead of France’s expected withdrawal from Mali, France24, 16 February 2022: With French troops poised to withdraw, Mali will have free rein to negotiate with jihadists, CNN, 17 February 2022: French-led forces to withdraw from Mali, France24, 17 February 2022: Announcing withdrawal, Macron refuses to call France’s military operations in Mali a ‘failure’, Politico.eu, 17 February 2022: France announces Mali troop pullout and rethink of counterterrorism plan for Sahel, BBC, 17 February 2022: France and allies to withdraw troops from Mali, The Times, 17 February 2022: Macron blames mercenaries for withdrawal from Mali, France24, 18 February 2022: Niger becomes France’s partner of last resort after Mali withdrawal, France24, 18 February 2022: Low blows and a Royal snub: Struggling French left bemoans ‘ugly’ campaign, France24, 18 February 2022: Mali’s ruling junta asks France to withdraw troops ‘without delay’, The Times, 21 February 2022: Macron rivals fail to win backing for place in race, France24, 23 February 2022: Macron expected to kick off re-election bid with March rally in Marseille, The Times, 23 February 2022: Macron poised to fire starting gun on campaign, France24, 24 February 2022: Pushing far-right agenda, French news networks shape election debate, The Times, 25 February 2022: French election 2022: Presidential hopefuls forced into U-turns on Russia after Ukraine invasion, France24, 25 February 2022: Political animals: Paris Agricultural Fair is time-honoured ritual for presidential candidates, The Guardian, 25 February 2022: With Macron’s eyes on Ukraine, the far right is dominating the French election, The Times, 26 February 2022: French presidential hopefuls forced to backtrack on Russia, The Guardian, 27 February 2022: France: Macron to launch re-election race, as rivals face pro-Russia allegations, Jerusalem Post, 28 February 2022: France’s Macron comes out against claims of Israeli apartheid, France24, 28 February 2022: ‘Take oligarchs’ Riviera villas’: Ukraine war hijacks French presidential campaign, Arab News, 2 March 2022: France stops foreign legionnaires heading toward Ukraine, France24, 2 March 2022: Far-right Le Pen, Zemmour clear ‘500 signature’ hurdle to compete for French presidency, Philip Stephens, 2 March 2022: Putin’s bloody war on Ukraine should remake the West’s mindset, France24, 3 March 2022: Spirited, disruptive, impotent? Five years of Macron on the international stage, The Washington Post, 3 March 2022: After call with Putin, Macron is convinced ‘worst is yet to come’ and Russia wants all of Ukraine, French official says, France24, 3 March 2022: Macron officially declares his candidacy in 2022 French presidential election, CNN, 3 March 2022: France seizes superyacht owned by sanctioned Russian oligarch, The Guardian, 3 March 2022: France: Emmanuel Macron declares re-election bid: ‘I am seeking your trust again’, Politico.eu, 3 March 2022: French volunteers rally to Zelenskyy’s call to join war in Ukraine, France24, 4 March 2022: Macron sees Ukraine war boost in polls as he throws his hat in the ring, France24, 4 March 2022: Ukraine war puts France’s NATO-sceptic presidential candidates in a tight spot, France24, 4 March 2022: Far-right Zemmour guilty of copyright infringement in presidential campaign video, Arab News, 5 March 2022: Why Ukraine may clear Macron’s path to power, France24, 7 March 2022: France narrows presidential field to 12 official candidates, The National, 8 March 2022: France’s Macron criticises Putin’s ‘moral cynicism’, France24, 8 March 2022: The 12 candidates standing in France’s presidential election, The National, 8 March 2022: Will Macron push through rebirth of European defence?, France24, 9 March 2022: French far-right candidate Zemmour says Ukrainians welcome, but not Arab refugees, France24, 9 March 2022: France jails three over links to 2016 jihadist killing of priest, Politico.eu, 11 March 2022: Macron delays eurobond debate amid frugal pushback, The Times, 11 March 2022: Emmanuel Macron dares to tell French they have to work until 65, France24, 11 March 2022: Trickle-down in drips and drops: The French economy after five years under Macron, The Guardian, 12 March 2022: ‘Falklands effect’: Macron revels in wartime role and boosts re-election chances, Los Angeles Times, 12 March 2022: France’s Macron wins praise for Russia diplomacy, but is Putin playing him?, The Algemeiner, 13 March 2022: French Politicians Call Time on Anti-Zionist Provocation, The Times, 13 March 2022: Rising popularity of France’s Corbyn may sink the far right, The Guardian, 13 March 2022: France to lift most Covid controls as Macron rides high in polls, The Times, 14 March 2022: France lifts strict Covid rules before presidential election, France24, 15 March 2022: France’s Corsica, the ‘Island of Beauty’ rocked by nationalist unrest, France24, 16 March 2022: French government floats Corsican ‘autonomy’ as unrest jolts election campaign, France24, 17 March 2022: Macron to unveil programme as election looms, Politico.eu, 17 March 2022: Macron goes big on state interventionism in plan to reboot France, France24, 17 March 2022: Macron unveils re-election manifesto, vows stronger France in time of crisis, France24, 18 March 2022: Inflation and the French election: How serious is the cost of living crisis?, France24, 18 March 2022: France’s first-time voters: ‘Women fought for the right to vote, we must not forget it’, France24, 19 March 2022: Thousands protest racism, police brutality, in French cities, France24, 19 March 2022: France marks 60 years since Evian Accords ended the Algerian war, France24, 21 March 2022: A new Republic: Leftist Mélenchon promises to topple France’s ‘presidential monarchy’, Politico.eu, 21 March 2022: Marine Le Pen flip-flops on attending Zelenskyy’s speech to French parliament, France24, 21 March 2022: Leftist Mélenchon hopes to reach election run-off as the anti-Macron candidate, France24, 22 March 2022: War in Ukraine pushes French presidential candidates to rethink their positions on refugees, DW, 22 March 2022: Renault resumes car production in Russia as rivals withdraw, France24, 23 March 2022: Far-right Zemmour faces lawsuit for denying Nazi deportation of homosexuals, DW, 24 March 2022: Renault suspends Russia operations after backlash, France24, 24 March 2022: Far-right Zemmour threatens to seize African leaders’ assets if they don’t take back immigrants, France24, 25 March 2022: Live: Russia signals scaled-back war aims, France summons envoy over dead body tweet, The National, 25 March 2022: France’s Macron: no reason to accept Russia demands for gas payments in roubles, France24, 25 March 2022: France opens inquiry into Interpol chief for alleged torture, acts of barbarism, Arab News, 25 March 2022: France, Turkey, Greece working on ‘humanitarian operation’ for Mariupol evacuations: Macron, France24, 25 March 2022: Turnout concerns loom large for French presidential election frontrunners, Politico.eu, 25 March 2022: Macron says France will spearhead operation to evacuate Mariupol, Forward, 25 March 2022: American Jews ignore a far-right Jewish presidential candidate at their peril, France24, 26 March 2022: Solidarity and French bureaucracy: the Ukrainian refugees of Paris, Politico.eu, 27 March 2022: Macron warns against escalation after Biden’s criticism of Putin, The Sunday Times, 27 March 2022: Macron guilty of ‘having his Danone and eating it’ as French brands refuse to quit Russia, The Guardian, 27 March 2022: Macron warns against inflammatory words after Biden’s Putin remark, Politico.eu, 27 March 2022: Thousands cheer on firebrand Eric Zemmour at ‘show of force’ rally in Paris, The Sunday Times, 27 March 2022: Arrogant and unpopular — but Macron is on track for re-election, France24, 27 March 2022: Macron remains clear favourite – but rivals turn up volume two weeks from vote, The Guardian, 27 March 2022: French urged to vote in presidential election as outcome ‘not guaranteed’, France24, 28 March 2022: French president responds to ‘Killer Macron’ chants at rally for far-right rival Zemmour, NPR, 28 March 2022: A Jewish, far-right politician is being sued for Holocaust denial in France, Politico.eu, 28 March 2022: From war president to man of the people: Macron (finally) hits the campaign trail, France24, 29 March 2022: French far-right leader Le Pen closing gap on Macron: polls, France24, 29 March 2022: Spooked by immigration, Islam and ‘woke’ ideas: Who are Éric Zemmour’s supporters?, The Guardian, 30 March 2022: Paris attacks defendant refuses to answer suicide vest questions, The Times, 30 March 2022: Macron’s performance on global stage draws lukewarm applause in France, Politico.eu, 30 March 2022: 5 charts to help you read the French presidential election, France24, 30 March 2022: Five years of Macron: A gap between words and action on presidential priorities (Part 4 of 4), The Times, 31 March 2022: Military spy chief forced out after France fails to predict invasion, Arab News, 31 March 2022: France’s identity crisis key to presidential vote, BBC, 31 March 2022: French intelligence chief Vidaud fired over Russian war failings, The Times, 31 March 2022: Macron has dragged France off its sick bed, The Guardian, 31 March 2022: Belgian man accused of helping terrorist escape Paris denies involvement, Haaretz, 31 March 2022: Macron Needs the Young Muslim Vote to Get Reelected, and He Knows It, France24, 1 April 2022: Will France’s Yellow Vests come back to haunt Macron on election day?, The Times, 1 April 2022: French election 2022: Nicolas Sarkozy sells himself to President Macron as kingmaker, France24, 1 April 2022: McKinsey affair ‘galvanises’ Macron’s opponents – but gives them a ‘weak weapon’, Politico.eu, 1 April 2022: France Election Playbook: The final countdown — Marine silence — Masks off, The National, 2 April 2022: Macron rallies in Paris eight days from presidential vote, The Guardian, 2 April 2022: Emmanuel Macron’s novices rally to hear how their elusive leader plans to win a second term, France24, 2 April 2022: Macron warns of dangers of extremism at election rally as French polls tighten, The Guardian, 2 April 2022: Lower inflation, better jobs … in France la vie est belle, The Times, 2 April 2022: Can Emmanuel Macron stop France tearing itself apart?, DW, 2 April 2022: France: Macron vows inflation relief at election rally, France24, 3 April 2022: Macron seeks to fire up voters, coax leftists onside amid far-right challenge, DW, 3 April 2022: What’s next for Russian art loans in France?, The Guardian, 3 April 2022: Far-right politician booted out of Zinedine Zidane’s football club, France24, 4 April 2022: Macron and Le Pen spar over pension reform as French presidential race tightens, Politico.eu, 4 April 2022: Zelenskyy calls out Angela Merkel, Nicolas Sarkozy for blocking Ukraine’s NATO bid (even if it may seem cynical, Ukraine’s NATO accession would still be out of the question based on objective criteria, even more than 10 years after the Bucharest decisions. With all due respect for Ukraine’s desire for admission, this was and is not the fault of Merkel or Sarkozy, but the responsibility of the Ukrainian governments – NATO, 3 April 2008:Bucharest Summit Declaration , The Guardian, 2 December 2008: Nato allies divided over Ukraine and Georgia), France24, 4 April 2022: ‘Macron looks right through you!’: Socialist Hidalgo calls on progressives to return to the fold, Arab News, 4 April 2022: Anti-Muslim sentiment rampant as French elections approach, France24, 4 April 2022: France to expel 35 Russian diplomats after Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine, The Guardian, 4 April 2022: The rise and rise of France’s far-right Marine Le Pen, France24, 4 April 2022: French presidential election: Focus turns to tackling abstention as first round looms, Politico.eu, 4 April 2022: Germany, France to expel Russian envoys after reports of atrocities in Ukraine, France24, 5 April 2022: What economic policies are France’s presidential candidates proposing?, CNN, 5 April 2022: France’s presidential election race is tighter than expected. Here’s what you need to know, France24, 5 April 2022: France’s Macron targets poll rival Le Pen over ties to Russia, The Times, 5 April 2022: France elections 2022: Marine Le Pen closes gap on Emmanuel Macron in presidential race, DW, 5 April 2022: French politicians campaign on anti-immigrant sentiments, France24, 5 April 2022: ‘Wrong about Putin’: Did Germany and France turn blind eye to threat from Russia?, Politico.eu, 6 April 2022: How Marine Le Pen closed the gap on Emmanuel Macron, The Times, 6 April 2022: Marine Le Pen: I’m ready to be French president, Politico.eu, 6 April 2022: France spooked by intelligence failures, France24, 6 April 2022: ‘McKinsey Affair’: Prosecutors probe French state’s use of private consultancy firms, The Guardian, 6 April 2022: Tax fraud inquiry into consultancy firms launched as French election looms, Politico.eu, 6 April 2022: French financial prosecutor opens probe linked to ‘McKinseygate’, France24, 7 April 2022: Le Pen shrugs off market ‘doom-mongering’ as French election race tightens, Times of Israel, 7 April 2022: Young French Jew dating Zemmour is also managing the far-right candidate’s campaign, The Guardian, 7 April 2022: Macron steps up warnings over French far right before first-round vote, France24, 7 April 2022: Jean-Luc Mélenchon, the veteran leftist standing in the way of a Macron-Le Pen rematch, The Times, 7 April 2022: French presidental election: Macron attacks ‘pro-Russian’ Le Pen as race narrows, France24, 7 April 2022: Race for the Élysée 2022: Macron’s lead narrows ahead of first round of French election, Politico.eu, 7 April 2022: France’s Le Maire calls for ban on Russian oil in ‘a few weeks’, The New York Times, 7 April 2022: The Man at the Center of the French Election Isn’t Even on the Ballot, Politico.eu, 8 April 2022: Macron calls Polish PM an ‘extreme-right anti-Semite who bans LGBT people’ (the truth hurts), BBC, 8 April 2022: Macron calls Polish PM ‘a far-right anti-Semite’ in row over Putin talks, DW, 8 April 2022: Poland summons French ambassador after Macron insults prime minister (*hahaha*), The Guardian, 8 April 2022: Putin still has friends in the west – and they’re gaining ground, The Times, 8 April 2022: Whoever wins the election, France’s pressure cooker is at risk of exploding, The Guardian, 8 April 2022: Get ready for a scary fortnight in French politics: a Le Pen presidency really is possible, CNN, 8 April 2022: Emmanuel Macron has a grand vision for the West. Putin has exposed the limits of his influence, Politico.eu, 8 April 2022: Macron struggles to play Russia card in tight race against Le Pen, The Guardian, 8 April 2022: France elections: Macron’s lead over Le Pen narrowing as vote nears, The New York Times, 9 April 2022: Emmanuel Macron Is Playing a Dangerous Game, France24, 9 April 2022: Explainer: What you need to know about France’s presidential election, Times of Israel, 9 April 2022: French Jewish voters divided as Zemmour makes Jewish man’s death a national issue, Arab News, 9 April 2022: Why far right Le Pen is surging in French presidential polls, Politico.eu, 9 April 2022: How to watch the French presidential election like a pro, The Times, 9 April 2022: French election 2022: Marine Le Pen spies her chance to prove mightier than Macron’s status quo, The Guardian, 9 April 2022: French election: Turnout could be historically low, pollsters say, Politico.eu, 9 April 2022: Macron’s campaign problem: Too much president, not enough candidate, The Guardian, 9 April 2022: Marine Le Pen: Why it’s now or never for the National Rally leader, France24, 9 April 2022: French voters in Covid-hit Shanghai barred from casting presidential ballots, DW, 9 April 2022: France’s election is a tight race between Macron and Le Pen, France24, 10 April 2022: French Socialist, Green, conservative candidates back Macron in election run-off against Le Pen, Los Angeles Times, 10 April 2022: Macron challenged by far right as French vote for president, France24, 10 April 2022: REPLAY: French far-left candidate Melenchon urges supporters not to vote Le Pen, BBC, 10 April 2022: French election: Macron faces stiffest test as France votes, The Washington Post, 10 April 2022: Macron projected to finish ahead of far-right leader Le Pen in first round of French presidential election, France24, 10 April 2022: Live: 2022 French presidential election – first-round results, The New York Times, 10 April 2022: French Election: Emmanuel Macron Projected to Face Marine Le Pen in Runoff, Arab News, 10 April 2022: France’s Macron and Le Pen head to April 24 election runoff, France24, 10 April 2022: Live: Macron leads first round of French election, to face Le Pen in run-off, Politico.eu, 10 April 2022: Live blog: First round of French presidential election, Al Arabiya, 10 April 2022: Macron or Le Pen: Why it matters for France, the EU and the West, Politico.eu, 10 April 2022: Macron, Le Pen qualify for second round of French presidential election, DW, 10 April 2022: French election: Macron and Le Pen set to face off in second round, exit polls show — live updates, BBC, 10 April 2022: Macron and Le Pen through to second round – projections, CNN, 10 April 2022: Emmanuel Macron and Marine Le Pen on track to advance to French presidential runoff, data shows, Irish Times, 10 April 2022: French election: Macron to face off against far-right leader Le Pen in presidential run-off, The Hill, 10 April 2022: Accusation of tax fraud in France is latest black eye for McKinsey, France24, 11 April 2022: Explainer: How does France’s two-round presidential election work?, Jerusalem Post, 11 April 2022: If Marine Le Pen wins in France, French Jews mull aliyah to Israel, The Times, 11 April 2022: French election results 2022: exit poll shows Macron facing Le Pen in run-off, Jerusalem Post, 11 April 2022: Macron calls Polish PM ‘far-right antisemite’ after criticism of his Putin talks, The National, 11 April 2022: The many shades of racism that could get France its first female president, Haaretz, 11 April 2022: ‘Our Future Is at Stake’: French Jewish Leaders Urge Voters to Stop Le Pen, France24, 11 April 2022: Mélenchon’s defeat leaves the left in a lurch before second round of French presidential elections, The National, 11 April 2022: France expels six suspected Russian spies, Arab News, 11 April 2022: Extremists seek electoral victory in Paris and Beirut, France24, 11 April 2022: As it happened: Le Pen calls for ‘unity govt’ as Macron campaigns in her heartland, DW, 11 April 2022: France’s runoff between Macron and Le Pen is a stark choice, France24, 11 April 2022: With traditional parties on the wane, French political landscape has become a ‘three-way split’, The New York Times, 11 April 2022: Macron Sets Out to Build a ‘Dam’ Against Le Pen. Can It Hold?, France24, 11 April 2022: France expels six suspected Russian spies ‘operating under diplomatic cover’, DW, 11 April 2022: France is facing an attack on its democracy, Politico.eu, 11 April 2022: France kicks out Russian spies working ‘under diplomatic cover’, France24, 11 April 2022: Why Macron will need to work his socks off to beat Le Pen this time, CNN, 11 April 2022: Emmanuel Macron to face Marine Le Pen in French presidential election runoff, The Guardian, 11 April 2022: French elections: Macron and Le Pen restart campaigns with Mélenchon a potential ‘kingmaker’, The Times, 11 April 2022: Can Marine Le Pen win the 2022 French presidential election?, Politico.eu, 11 April 2022: Marine Le Pen’s narrow path to victory, The Guardian, 11 April 2022: Here’s the truth about Emmanuel Macron: he helped create this far-right monster, The Times, 11 April 2022: French election results 2022: Macron to face Le Pen in run-off, Irish Times, 11 April 2022: Macron and Le Pen hit campaign trail as run-off looms, France24, 12 April 2022: Macron softens on controversial pension reform as he heads into tight run-off, Politico.eu, 12 April 2022: After the French presidential election, the deluge, Haaretz, 12 April 2022: Putin Admirer Marine Le Pen Is Closer Than Ever to Destroying French Democracy, France24, 12 April 2022: France’s former president Sarkozy endorses Macron, touting ‘experience’, Politico.eu, 12 April 2022: Sarkozy calls on supporters to back Emmanuel Macron, Irish Times, 12 April 2022: Fintan O’Toole: Threat to democracy alive and well in West, France24, 12 April 2022: How Zemmour’s storm in a teacup hijacked French campaign – and helped Le Pen, Politico.eu, 12 April 2022: Macron gets the jitters in Le Pen land, France24, 12 April 2022: French election 2022: Marine Le Pen has secret plan for ‘Frexit’, Macron says, The Algemeiner, 12 April 2022: French Jewish Leadership Urges ‘Massive’ Voter Turnout for Macron to Keep Far Right Out of Power, France24, 12 April 2022: ‘We’re exhausted’: Macron faces angry voters as he campaigns against Le Pen, Politico.eu, 13 April 2022: ‘Rich man’ Macron faces contempt on home turf , Irish Times, 13 April 2022: Far-right presidential candidate Le Pen promises ‘referendum revolution’, France24, 13 April 2022: Le Pen wants France out of NATO integrated command, backs NATO-Russia links, Politico.eu, 13 April 2022: Marine Le Pen plays down her Russia ties ahead of election runoff, France24, 13 April 2022: ‘Screwed’ either way: Macron-Le Pen presidential duel leaves young Mélenchon voters cold, The Guardian, 13 April 2022: French presidential elections: Marine Le Pen proposes closer Nato-Russia ties after Ukraine war, France24, 13 April 2022: Paris attacks suspect says he changed his mind at last minute, DW, 13 April 2022: France: Le Pen’s Russia ties could lower her chances, The New York Times, 13 April 2022: Le Pen Backs NATO-Russia Reconciliation and Reduced French Role in Alliance, Haaretz, 14 April 2022: ‘The French Were Always Grumpy. Now They’re Angry’: Why Le Pen Could Win, France24, 14 April 2022: France’s Macron and Le Pen lay out rival plans to boost workers’ earnings, Arab News, 14 April 2022: ‘Neither Macron nor Le Pen’, the rallying cry of disillusioned French students, France24, 14 April 2022: Macron says Le Pen’s far-right views are coming to the fore, Politico.eu, 14 April 2022: What the French election reveals about young Euroskeptics, France24, 14 April 2022: French students block schools to protest choice between Macron and Le Pen, The Times, 14 April 2022: French election 2022: Marine Le Pen says Nato should seek closer ties to Putin, France24, 14 April 2022: Le Pen tries to ‘take the politics out’ of her image in new campaign poster, The Guardian, 15 April 2022: ‘Frexit in all but name’: What a Marine Le Pen win would mean for the European Union, France24, 15 April 2022: The highs and lows of Macron’s five years in office, The National, 15 April 2022: In France’s election, old faces are grappling with new identities, France24, 15 April 2022: Ex-president Hollande calls for Macron vote to keep Le Pen out of power, The Guardian, 15 April 2022: France: Macron wants cap on ‘shocking and excessive’ executive pay, France24, 15 April 2022: Main Paris attacks suspect apologises to ‘all victims’ at the end of testimony, DW, 15 April 2022: Ukraine war: Germany boosts military aid budget to €2 billion — live updates, Politico.eu, 15 April 2022: Macron goes green to attract red voters, The Times, 15 April 2022: French presidential election: voters divided in city crucial to France’s fate, DW, 15 April 2022: Macron clashes with Le Pen over Islamic headscarf ban, France24, 15 April 2022: Macron backs EU-wide pay cap for CEOs in nod to left-wing voters, Politico.eu, 15 April 2022: Marine Le Pen in her own words, DW, 15 April 2022: Main Paris attacks suspect apologizes to ‘all victims’, Irish Times, 16 April 2022: Macron’s grand experiment faces defining test, CNN, 16 April 2022: Macron vs. Le Pen: The French presidential election runoff explained, The National, 16 April 2022: Macron courts green voters with eight days of French campaign to go, France24, 16 April 2022: ‘Like choosing between the plague and cholera.’ Mélenchon’s young fans face runoff dilemma, Irish Times, 16 April 2022: Fintan O’Toole: The political centre cannot hold – we need a new consensus, Politico.eu, 16 April 2022: Macron uses climate change to attack Le Pen, The Guardian, 16 April 2022: Macron and Le Pen battle to win over ‘politically orphaned’ French voters, DW, 16 April 2022: French election: Macron leads Le Pen, but warns ‘nothing is decided’, Arab News, 16 April 2022: Macron courts Marseille voters; Climate activists in Paris, France24, 16 April 2022: Opponents of French far right stage protests as election campaign enters final week, Irish Times, 16 April 2022: Anti-far right protests in France as election campaign enters final week, France24, 16 April 2022: Will older voters be enough to carry Macron to victory over Le Pen?, The Times, 16 April 2022: What would France look like after a Le Pen victory?, France24, 16 April 2022: Macron uses climate change to attack Le Pen, Irish Times, 16 April 2022: Pat Leahy: Election of Le Pen would destroy EU, France24, 16 April 2022: Borrowing from the left, Macron signals greener pitch at Marseille rally, Jerusalem Post, 17 April 2022: Jewish group demands Le Pen remove ‘white supremacist dog whistle’, France24, 17 April 2022: Keen to be ‘close to the people’, Macron ventures into hostile territory, Arab News, 17 April 2022: Le Pen and Macron seek to marginalize French society for electoral edge, France24, 17 April 2022: Leftist party consultation shows majority will abstain, vote blank in Macron-Le Pen run-off, The Times, 17 April 2022: Banlieues hold fate of Macron in their hands, DW, 17 April 2022: France: Le Pen faces embezzlement claims ahead of election runoff, Reuters, 17 April 2022: French prosecutor studying EU anti-fraud agency report on Le Pen, The Guardian, 17 April 2022: EU anti-fraud body accuses Marine Le Pen of embezzlement, ABC News, 18 April 2022: France: EU fraud agency investigating candidate Le Pen, The National, 18 April 2022: French election: Macron widens lead over Le Pen, Politico.eu, 18 April 2022: Headscarf ban dogs Le Pen’s bid for the French presidency, The National, 18 April 2022: Marine Le Pen says ‘I’m ready’ as French rivals prepare for TV debate, Arab News, 18 April 2022: If Le Pen wins, it will be Macron’s fault, France24, 18 April 2022: In France’s unhappy democracy, voting for ‘lesser evil’ is a bitter pill to swallow, Politico.eu, 18 April 2022: Le Pen vows to keep Russia close to prevent an alliance with China, The Guardian, 18 April 2022: Macron lead over Le Pen stabilises as election scrutiny intensifies, France24, 18 April 2022: ‘Voting for Marine Le Pen is not an option for women’, France24, 19 April 2022: Suspected 2015 Paris attacks accomplices go on trial in Belgium, Irish Times, 19 April 2022: Le Pen determined to avoid repeat of five years ago in pivotal debate, France24, 19 April 2022: EU fraud agency accuses Marine Le Pen of misusing public funds, The Guardian, 19 April 2022: Macron allies warn victory not certain as poll lead over Le Pen grows, France24, 19 April 2022: 2015 Paris attacks: 14 alleged jihadist accomplices go on trial in Brussels, France24, 19 April 2022: French presidential election: Candidates prep for high-stakes televised debate, France24, 19 April 2022: Macron, Le Pen accused of vetoing ‘tenacious’ reporter from moderating high-stakes debate, France24, 19 April 2022: Why Marine Le Pen’s far-right political agenda has taken hold in French Mayotte, Irish Times, 20 April 2022: Marseilles left cold by Macron’s overtures to ‘city of the heart’, France24, 20 April 2022: Macron – Le Pen, the Debate: “In what way would you be a better president than your opponent?”, The National, 20 April 2022: French leaders’ television debate – live updates, France24, 20 April 2022: Ukraine’s Zelensky, Kremlin critic Navalny call on France to vote for Macron in presidential race, CNN, 20 April 2022: Macron flirted with the far-right. And France lost, The New York Times, 20 April 2022: Marine Le Pen Looks Like the Mainstream Because the Mainstream Looks Like Her, France24, 20 April 2022: Macron and Le Pen clash on Russia, economy in feisty debate ahead of presidential run-off, Politico, 20 April 2022: ‘Unthinkable’ vs. ‘Arrogant.’ Le Pen and Macron prepare for crunch TV clash, DW, 20 April 2022: France: A Le Pen victory a burden on France’s budget?, The Times, 20 April 2022: Emmanuel Macron and Marine Le Pen prepare to face off in TV debate, Irish Times, 20 April 2022: Macron and Le Pen clash over Putin and cost of living in key debate, The Guardian, 21 April 2022: Macron and Le Pen go head-to-head in French presidential debate, BBC, 21 April 2022: French election: Macron and Le Pen clash in TV presidential debate, Politico.eu, 21 April 2022: The roots of anger in rural France, France24, 21 April 2022: French presidential election: ‘People in Brussels are quite worried’, DW, 21 April 2022: France elections: What would a Le Pen victory mean for India?, The Atlantic, 21 April 2022: Why Marine Le Pen Is So Close to Power, Politico.eu, 21 April 2022: Macron accuses Le Pen of being on Putin’s payroll, BBC, 21 April 2022: French election: Macron and Le Pen clash in TV presidential debate, Politico.eu, 21 April 2022: Marine Le Pen and the end of the EU as we know it, The Times, 21 April 2022: French presidential election: Macron torments Le Pen over Kremlin links in TV debate, France24, 21 April 2022: Macron – Le Pen : Who won the French presidential debate?, Foreign Policy, 21 April 2022: Is Marine Le Pen a Fascist?, Jerusalem Post, 22 April 2022: Marine Le Pen and her family’s ties to Russia’s Orthodox and oligarchs, Haaretz, 22 April 2022: Ahead of France’s Election Sunday, Marine Le Pen Has a Putin Problem, Arab News, 22 April 2022: The far right takes Europe down a perilous path, DW, 22 April 2022: A divided France votes amid a ‘shift to the right’, The New York Times, 22 April 2022: Le Pen Closer Than Ever to the French Presidency (and to Putin), The Atlantic, 22 April 2022: A Macron Victory Isn’t Enough, DW, 22 April 2022: France: Voters face difficult choice between Macron, Le Pen, The Guardian, 22 April 2022: Le Pen is bad, but many French Muslims like me don’t want to vote for Macron either, The New Yorker, 22 April 2022: The French Far Right Comes on Little Cat Feet, DW, 22 April 2022: Macron or Le Pen: a tough choice for Africans in France, NPR, 22 April 2022: Why France’s presidential election matters far beyond its borders, The Guardian, 22 April 2022: France’s candidates make final pitches as Macron extends poll lead over Le Pen, DW, 22 April 2022: France elections: What you need to know, Politico.eu, 22 April 2022: Anger over France’s diplomatic corps overhaul as war rages in Ukraine, France24, 22 April 2022: France says mercenaries from Russia’s Wagner Group staged ‘French atrocity’ in Mali, Politico.eu, 22 April 2022: The greens would love Macron, if he weren’t so easy to hate, Irish Times, 22 April 2022: Anxious times as Macron and Le Pen fight over France, Politico.eu, 22 April 2022: Macron: Keep talking to Putin to avoid ‘new world war’, The Economist, 23 April 2022: Emmanuel Macron remains the strong favourite to win France’s presidency, The National, 23 April 2022: France prepares to vote in presidential election, The New York Times, 23 April 2022: In Le Pen Territory, as France Votes, Anger at a Distant President, San Francisco Chronicle, 23 April 2022: Bay Area French expats cast votes in high stakes presidential election, The New Yorker, 23 April 2022: Beauty and Uprising in the Working-Class Suburbs of Paris, The Hill, 23 April 2022: Why the French election matters so much in US, The Guardian, 23 April 2022: Forget the presidency, I can lead France as its PM, insists Mélenchon, Politico.eu, 23 April 2022: Macron taks French rap and ‘Web 3’ to court disenchanted youth vote, BBC, 23 April 2022: French election: Macron and Le Pen trade taunts as campaigning ends, The Atlantic, 23 April 2022: ‘If Macron Loses, Putin Wins.’, The Algemeiner, 24 April 2022: Macron or Le Pen: France Faces Stark Choice for President, Arab News, 24 April 2022: Why Sunday’s French election matters to the world, The Guardian, 24 April 2022: France: Victorious Macron vows to unite France after fending off Le Pen threat, Jerusalem Post, 24 April 2022: Macron supporters take to the streets of Paris to celebrate victory, Times of Israel, 24 April 2022: Israeli politicians hail Macron win: ‘A good night for France, Europe and the world’, Haaretz, 24 April 2022: France Election Results: Macron Beats Le Pen in Presidential Runoff, Projections Show, The National, 24 April 2022: Macron beats Le Pen in French election, Arab News, 24 April 2022: France’s Macron beats Le Pen to win second term, Al Arabiya, 24 April 2022: France’s Macron beats Le Pen in presidential election to win second term, The New York Times, 24 April 2022: Live Updates: Macron Holds Off Far-Right Push in France, Los Angeles Times, 24 April 2022: French exit polls show victory for President Macron, CNN, 24 April 2022: Emmanuel Macron will win France’s presidential election, pollsters project, The Atlantic, 24 April 2022: Emmanuel Macron’s Win Offers Him a Chance to Be Great, DW, 24 April 2022: Emmanuel Macron, unpopular, but president again, Irish Times, 24 April 2022: Re-election of French president Emmanuel Macron hailed by European leaders, CNN, 24 April 2022: Reporter: EU breathing sigh of relief with projected Macron victory, DW, 24 April 2022: Emmanuel Macron wins French presidential election, exit polls show — live updates, France24, 24 April 2022: France’s Macron is reelected but far-right rival raises game, NPR, 24 April 2022: French President Emmanuel Macron beats his far-right rival and wins reelection, Politico.eu, 24 April 2022: Macron reelected but Le Pen’s big score shows France increasingly divided, France24, 24 April 2022: France’s Emmanuel Macron addresses supporters after election victory, CNN, 24 April 2022: Macron’s win is a relief to the West, but a historic far-right vote signals a looming threat, BBC, 24 April 2022: Macron vows to govern for all after election victory, France24, 24 April 2022: European leaders congratulate Macron on re-election, Irish Times, 24 April 2022: European leaders congratulate Macron in EU sigh of relief, The Sunday Times, 24 April 2022: French election results 2022: Macron defeats Le Pen and vows to reunite country, France24, 24 April 2022: Emmanuel Macron: A meteoric rise and a rocky road to re-election, CNN, 24 April 2022: Why Macron’s win is a big blow to Putin, BBC, 24 April 2022: Historic win but Macron has polarised France, France24, 24 April 2022: As it happened: Macron beats far-right rival Le Pen to win second term as president with 58.8% of votes, The National, 25 April 2022: Macron’s second term is not without its challenges, The Atlantic, 25 April 2022: Macron Won. And So Did the Far Right., The New Yorker, 25 April 2022: The Real Meaning of Emmanuel Macron’s Victory, Al Arabiya, 25 April 2022: Russia’s Putin congratulates Macron on French election victory: Kremlin, Politico.eu, 25 April 2022: Now that Macron has won, it’s time to fix French politics, The National, 25 April 2022: Emmanuel Macron’s challenge to heal divided France after re-election victory, The Atlantic, 25 April 2022: Emmanuel Macron’s Win Offers Him a Chance to Be Great, Politico.eu, 25 April 2022: EU celebrates, and frets, over Macron’s victory, Al Arabiya, 25 April 2022: Saudi King and Crown Prince congratulate Macron on reelection, Arab News, 25 April 2022: Macron’s victory prompts conflicting reactions in Dubai, from detachment to relief and dismay, The Times, 25 April 2022: How Macron won the French election in maps and charts, France24, 25 April 2022: ‘Victory’ in defeat? Le Pen raises the far right’s glass ceiling, fails to crack it, Politico.eu, 25 April 2022: Don’t expect Macron’s win to reset UK-France ties, France24, 25 April 2022: France’s Le Pen far from finished despite new defeat, The Times, 25 April 2022: I’m ready to listen to the people, says Emmanuel Macron after election victory, France24, 25 April 2022: As it happened: World hails Macron victory as French rivals vow fight over June legislative vote, Irish Times, 25 April 2022: No honeymoon period for Macron after election victory, France24, 25 April 2022: Despite re-election of France’s Macron, ‘nothing is settled’, The Times, 25 April 2022: No respite for Team Macron in French elections as parliamentary race looms, France24, 25 April 2022: Le Pen, leftist Mélenchon eye June legislative polls to counter Macron, BBC, 25 April 2022: France election: Macron faces immediate challenges to power after victory, France24, 25 April 2022: Five takeaways from France’s presidential vote, DW, 25 April 2022: Macron needs to bring France back together, The New York Times, 26 April 2022: France Is Still in Trouble, Politico.eu, 26 April 2022: France allows exceptions to food labeling rules amid war in Ukraine, France24, 26 April 2022: Le Pen, Mélenchon want ‘third round’ win – but Macron favoured to win parliamentary majority, Arab News, 27 April 2022: Populism to remain a thorn in France’s side despite Macron’s win, Politico.eu, 27 April 2022: Macron left red-faced after tomato attack, The Guardian, 27 April 2022: French presidential election: Macron dodges tomatoes in post-election walkabout, France24, 27 April 2022: How France’s parliamentary elections play a crucial role in party funding, The Guardian, 28 April 2022: France: Marine Le Pen’s party has high hopes for parliament elections, Jerusalem Post, 28 April 2022: Gulf states see Macron victory as positive development, The Guardian, 28 April 2022: What the presidential election really revealed about fractured France, Politico.eu, 29 April 2022: Macron’s victory raises hopes of an EU free-trade boom, Arab News, 29 April 2022: Macron and the French establishment are safe… for now, Politico.eu, 29 April 2022: French judges question EU Commissioner Reynders’ ‘impartiality’ in rule-of-law row, The Guardian, 29 April 2022: When voters abstain, France takes notice – the UK should learn to do the same, Politico.eu, 29 April 2022: France’s ‘sad’ rural towns pose real challenge for Macron’s second term, France24, 29 April 2022: French far-right rivals Le Pen, Zemmour settle scores after bitter presidential race, France24, 1 May 2022: Violence erupts in Paris as thousands of May Day protesters raise pressure on Macron, The Guardian, 1 May 2022: France: May Day marches send pensions message to Macron, France24, 1 May 2022: France: Low growth and inflation increase risk of stagflation, DW, 1 May 2022: May Day violence flares in France, Turkey, France24, 1 May 2022: May 1, International Workers’ Day: A brief history of resistance, The Times, 2 May 2022: Humbled French Socialists set to join Mélenchon pact, Politico.eu, 2 May 2022: French Greens vow to ‘disobey’ EU rules in electoral pact with far left, France24, 2 May 2022: French Greens, leftist Mélenchon form alliance ahead of parliamentary elections, The Times, 2 May 2022: Emmanuel Macron struggles to fill cabinet jobs as violence erupts in France, DW, 2 May 2022: France: Melenchon forms anti-Macron alliance with the Greens, France24, 3 May 2022: French left ‘a few steps’ from broad alliance to counter Macron in parliamentary polls, Politico.eu, 3 May 2022: French Greens’ deal with far left riles Green MEPs, France24, 4 May 2022: French left strikes deal on broad alliance to take on Macron in parliamentary polls, The Guardian, 5 May 2022: France: Macron rebrands party as Renaissance to fight parliamentary elections, France24, 5 May 2022: Modi, Macron call for ‘immediate’ end to Ukraine hostilities, but differences remain, Politico.eu, 5 May 2022: Macron’s party changes name to ‘Renaissance’, France24, 6 May 2022: French Socialists approve ‘leftist union’ to challenge Macron in legislative elections, DW, 6 May 2022: France: Socialist Party joins leftist coalition against President Emmanuel Macron, Arab News, 6 May 2022: France’s left agrees to largely campaign together against Macron, Politico.eu, 6 May 2022: Top French minister blasts left-wing coalition’s plan to ‘disobey’ EU rules, The Hill, 6 May 2022: Russia snubbed from attending commemorative WWII victory events in France, ambassador says, Arab News, 6 May 2022: Why that vote in France should worry us all, The National, 7 May 2022: French presidential elections: Emmanuel Macron inaugurated for second five-year term, CNN, 7 May 2022: Michelin menus in turmoil as France faces foie gras crisis, DW, 7 May 2022: France: Emmanuel Macron sworn in for second term, Politico.eu, 7 May 2022: Macron urges French to work together in inauguration speech, France24, 8 May 2022: Ukraine conflict overshadows France’s World War II commemorations, The Guardian, 9 May 2022: France: Macron calls for new European body and warns Ukraine of EU wait, France24, 9 May 2022: Macron says would take ‘decades’ for Ukraine to join EU, DW, 9 May 2022: Germany’s Scholz hosts Macron in Berlin, France24, 9 May 2022: Macron calls for ‘European political community’ that could include Ukraine, UK, Politico.eu, 9 May 2022: Macron floats European ‘community’ open to Ukraine and UK, France24, 10 May 2022: Doubts emerge over Macron’s proposal for new EU ‘community’ of aspiring states, The National, 10 May 2022: France’s Macron joins push for EU oil embargo on Russia, France24, 10 May 2022: Historic coalition marks changing of the guard for French left ahead of legislative elections, Politico.eu, 11 May 2022: French prosecutors probe Interpol boss over torture claims, France24, 11 May 2022: Explainer: How do France’s legislative elections work?, France24, 12 May 2022: French far-right pundit Zemmour seeks parliamentary seat in Saint-Tropez constituency, The Guardian, 13 May 2022: The left has finally got its act together – in France. Watch out, Macron and Le Pen, Politico.eu, 13 May 2022: Zelenskyy: Macron asked Ukraine to make concessions to help Putin save face, France24, 15 May 2022: French presidential race: Macron clashes with Le Pen over Islamic veil ban, Arab News, 15 May 2022: Macron’s confederation for democracy, France24, 15 May 2022: Plan to allow burkinis in Grenoble swimming pools reignites French culture wars, DW, 16 May 2022: Macron appoints Elisabeth Borne as France’s new prime minister, France24, 16 May 2022: Who is France’s new Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne?, Al Arabiya, 16 May 2022: France says will defend Sweden, Finland against any attack amid Russian threats, The Guardian, 16 May 2022: France: Élisabeth Borne becomes first female prime minister in 30 years, Politico.eu, 16 May 2022: Macron appoints Labor Minister Elisabeth Borne as his prime minister, The Guardian, 17 May 2022: Paris attacks: Eagles of Death Metal tell terror trial how band ‘ran for their lives’, France24, 17 May 2022: ‘I knew that death was coming’: Bataclan band member recalls attack before French court, The Guardian, 17 May 2022: Élisabeth Borne: France’s new PM faces immediate pressure to act on climate, The Times, 17 May 2022: PM’s feminine title stokes war over French language, France24, 19 May 2022: New French Prime Minister Élisabeth Borne, daughter of a stateless Auschwitz survivor, France24, 19 May 2022: France’s crop yields will be ‘very poor’ due to unprecedented drought, Politico.eu, 20 May 2022: France’s UK ambassador promoted to foreign minister in Macron reshuffle, France24, 20 May 2022: Macron revamps cabinet under new PM Élisabeth Borne, France24, 21 May 2022: In pictures: the faces of France’s new government, France24, 22 May 2022: Newly appointed French minister Damien Abad denies rape accusations, France24, 22 May 2022: Veteran diplomat Catherine Colonna takes the helm at France’s troubled foreign ministry, Politico.eu, 23 May 2022: Macron’s new (not so) green team, France24, 24 May 2022: ‘Government of shame’: Another French minister accused of rape, sparking calls for protest, France24, 24 May 2022: Police search consultancy McKinsey’s office in Paris in tax fraud investigation, The Guardian, 25 May 2022: Exclusive: France hopes to rebuild relationship with Australia after Coalition’s ‘deceitful’ behaviour, Politico.eu, 25 May 2022: The historic echoes of France’s new left alliance, Arab News, 25 May 2022: France charges 18-yr-old over Daesh attack plot: judicial source, France24, 26 May 2022: Macron urges Turkey to respect ‘sovereign choice’ of Finland, Sweden on NATO, The Guardian, 26 May 2022: France: Grenoble takes on French state as burkini legal row reaches highest court, Politico.eu, 26 May 2022: Why Macron is failing on strategic autonomy, Al Arabiya, 28 May 2022: French citizen kidnapped in Haiti: Police, France24, 31 May 2022: French economy shrank unexpectedly in first quarter amid surging inflation, France24, 2 June 2022: ‘Diplomacy is for pros, not improvisers’: French diplomats strike over reforms, budget cuts, Politico.eu, 3 June 2022: Macron’s party proposes new European centrist alliance, BBC, 4 June 2022: Ukraine anger as Macron says ‘Don’t humiliate Russia’ (Macron is right, of course, because no one wants to experience what the world would face in the form of nuclear warheads if Russia were to lose too clearly. As expected, people will see things differently in Kyiv, but this is no longer just about Ukraine’s security and revenge, but about the livability of Europe as a whole), Politico.com, 4 June 2022: Macron: Putin shouldn’t be humiliated over ‘historic’ mistake). The country ranks 2nd among the largest EU net payer countries.
- Germany: The German economy has been growing steadily for 10 years and thus remains the economic engine of the EU. Unemployment fell to its lowest level since 1991. At the same time, the national debt was noticeably reduced and the federal government runs billions in surpluses every year – the refugees have really gotten us into something! ;-) Due to changed economic conditions, Germany’s capital share in the ECB will increase from the current 25.6% to 26.4% as of 1 January 2019. The biggest challenge for the country will be the UEFA Euro 2024. Since the organizers haven’t been able to build an airport for years (BER), the EM organization is likely to be the next big thing. The country ranks 1st among the largest EU net payer countries.
On October 29, 2018, Angela Merkel declared her gradual withdrawal from federal politics. For this reason, she would first like to give up her position as CDU party chairwoman and isn’t available for a fifth term as Federal Chancellor. Overall, it is no surprise, especially since this was already announced by her before the 2017 general election. What is more surprising is the timing chosen, which allows Angela Merkel to continue to decide on her own career. At the same time, she doesn’t aspire to new offices – neither nationally nor internationally. She wants to remain Federal Chancellor until the end of the legislative period in October 2021, to ensure an orderly transfer of official duties. As leader of the party, she has successfully managed to transfer the national-conservative orientation towards an EU-conservative orientation. Internal critics saw this as an attempt to orient the party to the left, whereby the new party lines are actually given due to the changed national and internatonal conditions, within which German politics always have to consider international aspects and therefore have to bear its own share of responsibility. As a convinced European, the Chancellor lives up to these guidelines by implementing the consistent and in-depth integration of Germany into international processes, which at the same time has considerably boosted Germany’s reputation in the world. In addition, the CDU isn’t governing alone, but together with the SPD in a grand coalition, so that both coalition partners bring in their respective important topics in the government work. Ms. Merkel has been the party leader for 18 years, the Chancellor for 13 years, and she herself has remained completely scandal-free, which is almost uncommon today. She has been repeatedly voted “The Most Powerful Woman in Europe and the World”, above all because she is the voice of reason and stability in a national and international sea of nationalists and populists. Since the end of the second term of office of US President Barack Obama, she was celebrated and honored as the “Leader of the Free World”, especially in the international press (Boston Herald, 30 May 2019: Angela Merkel awarded with Harvard honorary degree, Bloomberg, 30 May 2019: Merkel Has Harvard Cheering Attack on Trump’s Politics of Deceit, The New York Times, 30 May 2019: In Harvard Speech, Merkel Rebukes Trump’s Worldview in All but Name, CNN, 31 May 2019: Angela Merkel to Harvard grads: ‘Tear down walls of ignorance and narrow-mindedness’, DW, 31 May 2019: Opinion: Merkel’s Harvard speech is noteworthy for what she didn’t say). During her tenure as Chancellor, Germany experienced almost uninterrupted economic growth (excluding 2009, as a result of the global financial crisis) and successfully counteracted the effects of the global financial crisis of 2007/2008 (the help and assistance for coping with the crisis within the EU by Ms. Merkel and her Federal Minister of Finance Wolfgang Schäuble are rated very different nationally and internationally), a public debt ratio below 60% of GDP since 2018, the lowest unemployment rate since reunification and at the same time the highest employment rate since recorded. Wage and salary growth was consistently positive, except in the year of the assumption of office in 2005, only 0.1% in 2009 as a result of the global financial crisis and 4.7% in the peak in 2011. With effect from 1 July 2011, general compulsory military service was abolished and, as a result of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster, the energy transition was initiated in the same year (withdrawal of nuclear and coal power, expansion of electricity grids and renewable energies, in particular offshore wind farms). Since January 1, 2015, there is a nationwide minimum wage in Germany. The decision to increase the number of war refugees from Syria coming to Germany from 2015 onwards hasn’t earned Merkel positive reviews only, both nationally and internationally, even though this step wasn’t only a humanitarian one, but above all meant the implementation of existing law. At the same time, solidarity with and relief of the “new Eastern Bloc” and Austria was exercised. In October 2017, the same-sex marriage law (“marriage for all”) came into force. Some other tasks are still to be solved. The energy transition is progressing slowly, in environmental technology and automation/robotics/artificial intelligence Germany threatens to fall back dramatically (China), the digitization as a whole is stagnating (nationwide expansion of broadband), the expansion of the state funding of affordable housing is falling short as well (nationwide especially with regard to the supply of suitable land), the complete operational readiness of the Bundeswehr isn’t still given yet, and there is a backlog in public infrastructure for refurbishment, new and replacement investments in the hundreds of billions. The economic alignment of East Germany and West Germany will take decades for several reasons, although much has already been achieved (DW, 11 January 2016: German-Polish relations are in free fall (it will be 50 years or more before some kind of “partnership” can emerge between the countries. The question remains whether the meager results justifies the considerable effort. There may be civil society approaches that work here and there, but compared to its northern, western and southern neighbors, Poland is not a priority in Germany. The PiS government ensures that it stays that way on a daily basis. The considerable political disagreements are now even leading to the fact that Chancellor Merkel sees herself forced to cancel the official government consultations for 2021. A broken relationship cannot be expressed much more clearly. The economic relations are currently not affected by this, but it is of course only a matter of time before that changes too), The Guardian, 29 October 2018: German chancellor Angela Merkel will not seek re-election in 2021, France24, 29 October 2018: Merkel says she will step down as German chancellor at end of term in 2021, The Washington Post, 29 October 2018: Angela Merkel says she won’t run again for party leader or German chancellor, The New York Times, 29 October 2018: Angela Merkel Won’t Seek Re-election in Germany, The New York Times, 29 Ocotober 2018: In Merkel, Europe Loses a Leader, The Guardian, 31 October 2018: Rightwinger leads race to succeed Angela Merkel as party chair, The New York Times, 6 December 2018: Already an Exception’: Merkel’s Legacy Is Shaped by Migration and Austerity, The New York Times, 7 December 2018: It Doesn’t Matter Who Replaces Merkel. Germany Is Broken., The Guardian, 7 December 2018: Merkel bows out to applause as CDU to vote on successor, The New York Times, 2 May 2019: Why Is Socialism Coming Back in Germany?, The Guardian, 7 May 2019: Pompeo scraps Merkel talks citing global ‘security issues’, The New York Times, 7 May 2019: Pompeo Abruptly Cancels Berlin Trip Over ‘Pressing’ Issues, The Washington Post, 7 May 2019: In Germany, questions swirl after Pompeo cancels Berlin meeting, France24, 24 June 2019: German business confidence ebbs further in June, Gulf News, 3 August 2019: The secret of German success, CNN, 7 August 2019: The trade war is part of a ‘perfect storm’ hitting Europe’s biggest economy, Arab News, 10 August 2019: Export malaise hits Germany as EU economic heavyweights struggle, Bavarian Herald, 13 August 2019: Corruption : Germany’s deficient progress leads to “non-compliance procedure”, BBC, 14 August 2019: German economy slips back into negative growth, BBC, 15 August 2019: Germany steels itself to face recession threat, The New York Times, 19 August 2019: The World Has a Germany Problem, Gulf News, 22 August 2019: Nothing is going right for Germany, Der Spiegel, 22 August 2019: Economic Downturn: Germany May Abandon Its Beloved Black Zero, DW, 26 August 2019: German business confidence plunges amid recession fears, The Guardian, 1 September 2019: Far-right AfD makes big gains but fails to topple mainstream parties, France24, 1 September 2019: Anti-migrant backlash sees gains for far-right AfD in German state elections (30 years of freedom, democracy and prosperity let to the situation that in Brandenburg and Saxony in the state elections of 2019, 24% and 28% have decided against it and instead voted for the AfD, which rejects and is hostile to democracy and the constitution. Some AfD politicians and voters are rejecting the social model of a free, social market economy at all. At the same time, fortunately, 76% and 72% of voters have opted for democratic parties), Politico.eu, 1 September 2019: German far right surges in eastern elections, Politico.eu, 2 September 2019: 5 takeaways from Germany’s regional elections, The Guardian, 3 September 2019: The AfD is gaining strength in Germany. A reformed EU can stop it, Gulf Times, 11 September 2019: China threatens Germany over foreign minister’s meeting with activist, Politico.eu, 24 September 2019: The end of the German-American affair, Politico.eu, 1 October 2019: US embassy in Germany scales back spending amid diplomatic tensions, The Guardian, 26 October 2019: Monument to German reunification faces new setback: bats, Times of Israel, 26 October 2019: 30 years later, Berlin Wall comes back to life with virtual reality, The New York Times, 31 October 2019: Is Angela Merkel Still in Charge?, Politico.eu, 1 November 2019: Merkel aims to boost trade during India visit, Politico.eu, 4 November 2019: Germany risks losing EU clout if governing coalition collapses: Oettinger, DW, 6 November 2019: Mike Pompeo carries divisive US messages to Germany, BBC, 13 November 2019: ‘Berlin rocks,’ says Elon Musk as he chooses European factory, Politico.eu, 13 November 2019: Tesla charges into Germany, The Guardian, 17 November 2019: The Guardian view on political turbulence in Germany: can the centre hold?, The Guardian, 22 November 2019: Angela Merkel must go – for Germany’s sake, and for Europe’s, Politico.eu, 22 November 2019: Germany’s Kramp-Karrenbauer calls to set up digital ministry, Der Spiegel, 22 November 2019: Hunkering Down: Germany Is Shirking Its EU Responsibilities, Pew Research Center, 25 November 2019: Despite some improvements, Americans and Germans remain far apart in views of bilateral relations, The Guardian, 26 November 2019: Germany is damaging the European economy. The answer? Raise German wages, Politico.eu, 25 November 2019: Germany’s von der Leyen problem, NPR, 26 December 2019: How The 2010s Were Angela Merkel’s Decade, The Guardian, 8 January 2020: Germany’s abortion law: made by the Nazis, upheld by today’s right, The New York Times, 8 January 2020: The Tragedy of Germany’s Energy Experiment, Der Spiegel, 6 January 2020: Europe’s Reluctant Leader: Germany Searches for Its Role in the World, Gulf Times, 15 January 2020: German growth slows sharply in 2019 as trade disputes bite, Politico.eu, 15 January 2020: German former EU diplomat suspected of spying for China: report, DW, 15 January 2020: Germany investigates 3 people suspected of spying for China, Politico.eu, 16 January 2020: Spy probe shakes up Brussels lobbying culture, The New York Times, 16 January 2020: Germany Investigates 3 Suspected of Spying for China, The washington Post, 16 January 2020: Former senior E.U. diplomat investigated over China spying claims, Politico.eu, 18 January 2020: Spy suspect had security clearance withdrawn while serving as EU ambassador, Politico.eu, 22 January 2020: The man at the center of Brussels spy probe, France24, 5 February 2020: Regional gubernatorial candidate wins with far-right backing, shocking Germany (one Enabling Act should have been more than enough in German history so that every democrat shall know that one does not work with fascists – at no point and in no way. Even though the AfD repeatedly tries in vain to assert that it is not a fascist party, among others, the head of the Thuringian club branch, Björn Höcke, is even a state-certified fascist), Politico.eu, 5 February 2020: Cries of Faustian far-right bargain rattle German politics, The Guardian, 6 February 2020: German politician elected with help from far right to step down, France24, 6 February 2020: German regional governor quits, calls for new polls after ‘stain’ of far-right support, Times of Israel, 6 February 2020: Merkel says German governor’s election with far-right help is ‘inexcusable’, BBC, 6 February 2020: Germany AfD: Thuringia PM quits amid fury over far right, Politico.eu, 6 February 2020: Regional German premier to step down after backlash over far-right support, France24, 8 February 2020: Merkel’s coalition shaken by east German vote, The Washington Post, 11 February 2020: National Security: ‘The intelligence coup of the century’, The New York Times, 13 February 2020: How Dresden Looked After a World War II Firestorm 75 Years Ago, France24, 13 February 2020: Germany marks 75th anniversary of Dresden bombing as far right seeks to downplay Nazi crimes, The Guardian, 14 February 2020: Fears grow that CDU crisis in Germany could spread across EU, BBC, 14 February 2020: German economy barely grows at end of 2019, The Guardian, 14 February 2020: German economy stagnates as eurozone growth hits seven-year low – business live, The Guardian, 15 February 2020: Germany is weakened by doubt just as Europe looks to it for a strong lead, The New York Times, 19 February 2020: Trump Names Richard Grenell as Acting Head of Intelligence (so the lap dog, the most unsuccessful US ambassador to Germany of the past century, falls further up the stairs in Trump’s incompetence team. It should be easy for the Trump administration to find an at least as incompetent successor, because they have more than enough of them), The Washington Post, 20 February 2020: Trump to name Richard Grenell, U.S. ambassador to Germany, as acting head of intelligence, The Guardian, 20 February 2020: Trump to reportedly appoint loyalist Richard Grenell to oversee spy agencies, NPR, 20 February 2020: White House Appoints Outspoken Ambassador As New Acting Head Of Intelligence, CNN, 20 February 2020: Trump names loyalist with ‘zero intelligence experience’ as acting intelligence chief (what is at least cautiously amusing is that Trump weakens US intelligence agencies with the appointment of Grenell. After ruining the US State Department, national security is now on the brink. Trump’s boss and most important campaign helper, Vladimir Putin, and his buddies in Iran will take good note of it), The New York Times, 20 February 2020: Germany’s Conservatives Are in a Mess, The New York Times, 21 February 2020: Will Richard Grenell Destroy the Intelligence Community?, The New York Times, 21 February 2020: Cripple the Intelligence Agencies? Not Smart, Foreign Policy, 21 February 2020: The Death of Truth to Power, CNN, 22 February 2020: Intelligence community feels immediate impact of Trump’s diplomatic ‘disruptor’, The New York Times, 22 February 2020: Intelligence Office Overhaul Begins, Prompting Fears of Partisanship, Irish Times, 22 February 2020: David McWilliams: Germany needs a new business model, Politico.eu, 23 February 2020: Social Democrats cruise to victory in Hamburg election (apart from the fact that the CDU has always had a hard time in my hometown, not least because the parties in the city-state face identical challenges that must be tackled with similar approaches, the SPD and CDU are very similar in their solutions. Added to this is the self-image of the Hanseatic citizens (“There is no master above you and no servant below you”). Some call it “Hanseatic understatement”, the others “arrogant classiness”. Whichever way you look at it, election results can still be derived from this self-image today, although of course external influences have an effect, which then can lead to strategic voting behavior (which is why the SPD and CDU are losing steam, while the Greens were able to grow very well).), The Guardian, 24 February 2020: German centre-left victorious in Hamburg state elections, BBC, 24 February 2020: Beyond the 9-to-5; Can Germans’ right to switch off survive the digital age?, BBC, 26 February 2020: Germany overturns ban on professionally assisted suicide (anyone who has led a (mostly) self-determined life should of course also determine when it is enough), The Guardian, 26 February 2020: German court repeals ban on assisted suicide services, The Guardian, 3 March 2020: Boycott threats after AfD fascist stands for Thuringia premier, Politico Magazine, 11 March 2020: How Trump’s New Intelligence Chief Spread Misinformation About Bowe Bergdahl, Politico.eu, 11 March 2020: Merkel expects two-thirds of Germans will get coronavirus, Politico.eu, 13 March 2020: Germany offers unlimited help to keep coronavirus-battered economy afloat, Gulf Times, 13 March 2020: Germany unleashes biggest post-war aid package against virus, BBC, 15 March 2020: Coronavirus: Germany to impose border controls over coronavirus, Politico.eu, 15 March 2020: Germany to partially close borders with neighbors, BBC, 16 March 2020: Germany shuts borders to try to slow virus, Times of Israel, 17 March 2020: Germany bans gathering in synagogues as part of sweeping curbs on public life, DW, 18 March 2020: Merkel: Coronavirus is Germany’s greatest challenge since World War Two, Politico.eu, 19 March 2020: Germany will plunge into recession amid coronavirus crisis, economic institute says, The Guardian, 19 March 2020: Former London bankers convicted after Germany’s ‘greatest tax robbery’, Politico.eu, 21 March 2020: Germany to ditch balanced budget commitment to prevent coronavirus slump, Al Arabiya, 21 March 2020: Coronavirus: Germany preparing $160 bln supplementary budget, BBC, 22 March 2020: Coronavirus: Germany tightens curbs and bans meetings of more than two (because a bunch of morons cannot adhere to the simplest rules, an entire country is now being held hostage. So much for “reason and solidarity”), Politico.eu, 22 March 2020: Merkel bans meetings of more than 2 people to slow coronavirus, The New York Times, 28 March 2020: Germany Has Relatively Few Deaths From Coronavirus. Why?, Politico.eu, 30 March 2020: German recession inevitable, say government advisers, The National, 11 April 2020: Germany condemns anti-French virus insults in border zone (sometimes you just can’t believe what kind of idiots are allowed to hold a German passport), DW, 17 April 2020: Coronavirus in Germany: No end in sight for travel restrictions, Reuters, 19 April 2020: Germany may rein in coronavirus debt if economy improves – finance minister, Politico.eu, 20 April 2020: Merkel backs EU bonds to fight coronavirus crisis, Bloomberg, 21 April 2020: Germany Cancels Oktoberfest Over Coronavirus Fears, The Guardian, 21 April 2020: ‘Bitter pill’: Bavaria cancels Oktoberfest over fears of coronavirus spread, The New York Times, 3 April 2020: ‘Stress-Free’: Coronavirus Aid Flows Quickly to Berlin’s Self-Employed, DW, 23 April 2020: How the coronavirus impacts the book industry (it would be easy to create a common platform. You don’t need 2,000 people for this, just 20 and a data center. The connected publishers can do the rest themselves, thus keeping the costs low. However, there are probably once again single interests that prevent this step. Above all, the corona crisis shows that the German retail sector is hopelessly lagging behind in terms of digitalization. Individuals were well positioned before, but the majority were not. “Traditional retail” in particular will decline because of the crisis while it still believes that “personal advice” would be unbeatable compared to “this Internet that will go away anyway”. A remarkable misjudgment), DW, 25 April 2020: Germans protest coronavirus restrictions in Berlin, Stuttgart, DW, 26 April 2020: German labor minister calls for right to work from home, The Guardian, 26 April 2020: Germany’s Covid-19 expert: ‘For many, I’m the evil guy crippling the economy’, CNN, 27 April 2020: The world’s biggest car factory just reopened. Here’s what Volkswagen had to do, CNN, 27 April 2020: Germans face fines of up to $5,000 as wearing a face mask becomes mandatory, The Guardian, 28 April 2020: Germans urged to stay at home amid fears Covid-19 infection rate is rising again, Federal Ministry for Economic Affiars and Energy, 29 April 2020: Economic Situation and Cyclical Development, Haaretz, 30 April 2020: After U.S., Israeli Pressure, Germany Bans Hezbollah Activity, Raids Mosques (no other European country should follow this alarmingly disgraceful and ill-led step of the German government – pressured by racist, right-wing and serial criminal Israeli and American “governments” (and to a small extent by the Saudis as well), which, according to the Democracy Index, are not even democratic, is an extremely embarrassing move, especially since the whole credibility of the “decision” is taken away as it is a result of successful blackmail attempts. That could and should have been solved much better because self-initiative should have been in the foreground. There are triumphant reports in the Israeli, US and Saudi press about who blackmailed the federal government and how they did it. Another important question is how the Federal Government wants to achieve positive negotiation results with the Lebanese government in the future, although Hezbollah is part of it), Times of Israel, 30 April 2020: Germany outlaws all Hezbollah activities, including by political wing, Arab News, 30 April 2020: Saudi Arabia welcomes Germany’s decision to designate Hezbollah as a terrorist organization, The National, 30 April 2020: Germany outlaws Hezbollah with dawn raids on ‘terror group’, France24, 30 April 2020: Germany designates Hezbollah as terrorist group, conducts raids on suspects, Politico, 30 April 2020: Germany announces total ban on Hezbollah, CNN, 30 April 2020: Germany bans Lebanese militant group Hezbollah and raids mosques and homes, Politico.eu, 30 April 2020: German ‘corona presidency’ plan pivots to crisis management, Politico.com, 30 April 2020: Berlin tries to cool coronavirus tensions near French border, France24, 1 May 2020: Iran says Germany to face consequences over Hezbollah ban, Times of Isreal, 1 May 2020: Iran: Germany will face consequences for caving to Israel, US with Hezbollah ban, Jerusalem Post, 2 May 2020: US intelligence director urges France to ban Hezbollah (having to read the absolute nonsense these pathological Germany and EU hating self-serving nutjobs are spewing is pretty hard, but then: we are living in a democracy where even conspiracy theorists are allowed to speak out while they’re probably wearing shapely tinfoil hats. That’s the prize we have to pay), Times of Israel, 2 May 2020: Mossad gave Berlin intel on Hezbollah ops on German soil ahead of ban — report, Jerusalem Post, 4 May 2020: ‘Merkel worse than Hitler, envoy Israeli spy,’ says antisemitic Iran paper (“Israel’s security interests are part of Germany’s security interests and Israel’s national security is “non-negotiable” for her government” – rigth it is about the security of the State of Israel, but not about to please the wet dreams of some islamphobes, conspiracy theorists and/or nutjobs from thr right-wing (extremist) Netanyahu camp), France24, 4 May 2020: Germany mostly returns to work, despite fears of a second wave, Jerusalem Post, 4 May 2020: Mossad makes inroads with Israeli diplomacy in EU – analysis, France24, 4 May 2020: Hezbollah slams German ban as ‘submission to America’s will’, DW, 4 May 2020: Hezbollah accuses Germany of giving in to US, Israel with ban, The Guardian, 4 May 2020: Coronavirus live news: cases in Germany likely to be 10 times higher than official count, say researchers, DW, 4 May 2020: 1.8 million people in Germany could be infected with coronavirus, researchers find, Al Arabiya, 4 May 2020: Iran newspaper calls for action against German envoy after Hezbollah designation, Politico.eu, 4 May 2020: Europe’s economic future in German judges’ hands, Times of Israel, 4 May 2020: Hezbollah chief lashes out at Israel, US over ban by Germany, Politico.eu, 5 May 2020: German court lays down EU law, Al Arabiya, 5 May 2020: Now is the time for the EU to put all of Hezbollah on its terror list, Politico.eu, 5 May 2020: German high court warns ECB that bond buying could be illegal, Jerusalem Post, 5 May 2020: Lebanon summons German ambassador over Hezbollah ban, Politico.eu, 6 May 2020: Hogan: Brussels will ensure ‘supremacy’ of EU law after German ruling, France24, 7 May 2020: Merkel says Germany’s re-opening will have ’emergency brake’ in case Covid-19 spikes, CNN, 7 May 2020: How Angela Merkel went from lame duck to global leader on coronavirus, Jerusalem Post, 8 May 2020: German politician: Nazi surrender shouldn’t be a national holiday, France24, 8 May 2020: Nazi defeat that ended WWII is a ‘day of gratitude’, President Steinmeier says, Foreign Policy, 8 May 2020: Germany’s Angst Is Killing Its Coronavirus Tracing App, BBC, 10 May 2020: Coronavirus: Germany infection rate rises as lockdown eases, Politico.eu, 10 May 2020: Von der Leyen considers infringement proceedings after German court ruling, Politico.eu, 11 May 2020: Poll: Germans pin coronavirus blame on China, Israel National News, 12 May 2020: Rivlin speaks with German president to mark 55 years of diplomatic relations, France24, 13 May 2020: Germany to begin easing border restrictions, wants ‘free travel’ by mid-June, BBC, 15 May 2020: Coronavirus pushes German economy into recession, CNN, 15 May 2020: German cafe tells customers to wear pool noodles to enforce social distancing, NPR, 15 May 2020: Germany, Europe’s Largest Economy, Enters Recession Due To Coronavirus, Al Arabiya, 16 May 2020: German police launches probe after mock tombstone found at Merkel’s poll office, Politico.eu, 18 May 2020: Fewer Germans prioritize relationship with US over China: report, France24, 18 May 2020: Covid-19: France and Germany propose €500 billion EU recovery fund (in the end, the Federal Constitutional Court’s political judgment, which was influenced by lobbyists, did something good by strengthening the EU and financing the corona recovery funds through the EU budget instead of the ECB, which gives full democratic legitimacy. Some nationalists will now suffer heart attacks (a classic win-win situation. With Corona, they have already found the next field in which they can and will lose in the future), especially since their whining, complaining and howling of the past few years has only led to one thing, namely to an even stronger integration of the EU and especially the Eurozone and that is a good thing), CNN, 18 May 2020: Germany and France try to break deadlock over how to rescue the EU, BBC, 18 May 2020: Coronavirus: France and Germany propose €500bn recovery fund, The Guardian, 18 May 2020: Merkel and Macron propose €500bn EU rescue fund, The New York Times, 18 May 2020: Germany and France Propose $545 Billion Coronavirus Fund for Europe: Live Coverage (Merkel and Macron have now delivered a very respectable, solidary and future-oriented solution. Now the 25 others are about to do the same. It was also a tactical highlight: if the plan works as suggested, Merkel and Macron are the saviors of the euro. If it doesn’t work, the others have screwed it up. It remains exciting and interesting), Politico.eu, 18 May 2020: Berlin buckles on bonds in €500B Franco-German recovery plan, Politico.eu, 19 May 2020: Merkel’s milestone moment, The National, 19 May 2020: Coronavirus: Is Angela Merkel’s solution to EU’s problems feasible?, Politico.eu, 19 May 2020: Ischinger: German-French recovery plan could transform EU and seal Merkel’s legacy, Politico.eu, 20 May 2020: German conservatives’ eurobond awakening, Politico, 20 May 2020: Italian PM: Franco-German recovery deal is not enough, Politico, 20 May 2020: Merkel warns against protectionism in face of coronavirus recession, BBC, 21 May 2020: ‘Cash is king’ has long been the motto of German consumers and small business owners – but Covid-19 is bringing rapid change., The Guardian, 21 May 2020: Germany braced for more protests against coronavirus policies, The New York Times, 22 May 2020: Germany’s Lessons for China and America, Politico.com, 24 May 2020: U.S. ambassador to Germany reportedly stepping down (as ambassador, he only achieved the considerable deterioration in German-American diplomacy – nothing else. For a member of the Trump entourage, however, this is already a success, although competence is not only not a recruitment criterion, but rather an exclusion criterion. As a fan of the United States, the Trump administration’s all-encompassing incompetence is causing almost physical pain. As predicted 1.5 years ago, the farewell party for Grenell is very different from that for Obama’s ambassador Philip D. Murphy. While Germany celebrated a wistful farewell rock star party in the Berlin Olympic Stadium with Philip D. Murphy, Germany celebrates the farewell to Grenell effusively and, above all, with great joy and foremost and most importantly without Grenell. But when putting the incompetent, corrupt, criminal, racist, small minded, unsuccessful Republican Trump administration and politics in general aside, then you have a country with an incredible cultural diversity (in the New York borough of Queens there are people with over 180 nationalities alone who, through their diversity, contribute to what characterizes and is New York, namely the capital of the world ), with sometimes dramatically beautiful landscapes and cities that have been among the super coolest places on the planet for years and are mostly inhabited by liberal, cosmopolitan, friendly people. You have to make a lot of effort not to be enthusiastic about it and not to be magically attracted to it. However, when looking at the political playground, it is much easier to identify weaknesses and problems. Europe owes a lot to the United States, especially after the two world wars. Conversely, America would not exist today without European settlers. So we are connected and interwoven in many ways and at different levels. Trump cannot change that permanently, even if he tries hard, by ensuring from the very beginning of his term in office that there was no international trust in him and his administration at any time and that this also damaged basic trust in the United States, especially since the Trump government behave like that of any other rogue state. Only the future will show how sustainable the damage caused will be for international relations. There were always great upsets between the two sides, which in the end could all be overcome. This will also be the case after the total failure in the White House has left office. However, there will probably not a “back to normal”, as was the case before Trump took office, but there will be closer cooperations again. Change can start quickly (President Tweety voted out of office in November 2020) or take four more long years to come, but it will come. In this sense: The United States: Bon appétit! and The United States: Bon voyage!), Al Arabiya, 24 May 2020: Germany tries to trace people who attended church service at which coronavirus spread, The National, 24 May 2020: Germany tries to trace people who attended church service at which Covid-19 spread, CNN, 25 May 2020: Outgoing acting director of national intelligence will also step down as US ambassador to Germany (above all, what he promoted was growing anti-Americanism in Germany. Trump would have been enough for that, but it got even worse with the Grenell amplifier. Even when he hasn’t been able to achieve any positve results, he was at least able to achieve dubious results in light of the current survey results here), CBS News, 25 May 2020: Staunch Trump ally Richard Grenell to end tumultuous tenure as U.S. Ambassador to Germany, Irish Times, 31 May 2020: National Courts Cannot Override CJEU Judgments, The National, 31 May 2020: German foreign ministry praises UAE’s ‘innovative’ diplomatic approach, DW, 3 June 2020: Coronavirus latest: Germany to scrap EU travel warnings by mid-June, Politico.eu, 3 June 2020: Germany to greenlight tourist travel to 31 European countries from mid-June, DW, 3 June 2020: The 10 most popular holiday destinations for Germans, DW, 3 June 2020: Record number of Britons becoming German citizens, DW, 3 June 2020: Germany unveils stimulus package to kickstart economy, France24, 4 June 2020: Germany unveils 130-bn stimulus to kickstart virus-hit economy (that’s a really good signal for Germany), Politico.eu, 4 June 2020: German coalition agrees €130B economic rescue package, Der Spiegel, 4 June 2020: A Foreign Policy Conundrum: Merkel and the EU Trapped between China and the U.S., France24, 5 June 2020: US planning to slash troops in Germany: report (it is not surprising that Trump is an enemy of free democracies and the West as a whole. Instead, he prefers dictatorships. In this respect, this step follows his long-term strategy to transform the United States into a Russian-style dictatorship. Stationing the troops in Poland is just another building block. “The West” now only consists of Western Europe, Canada, Australia and New Zealand), The Guardian, 5 June 2020: Trump orders 9,500 US troops to leave Germany, The Guardian, 6 June 2020: Europe’s big two kiss and make up for pandemic rescue deal, Politico.eu, 6 June 2020: German court ruling could tear EU apart, warns senior judge, Politico.eu, 6 June 2020: German court ruling could tear EU apart, warns senior judge, DW, 6 June 2020: German conservatives slam reported US troop withdrawal (of course it is a mistake, but above all a gift for Trump’s campaign aid Putin by further weakening NATO. At the same time, it is the ultimate wake-up call for the EU to organize its own security independently. As a counter reaction, the order for the 45 F-18 jets should be canceled and instead the European projects should be significantly strengthened and expanded (Eurofighter and others). This also includes the fleet of armable drones from European productions. The same applies to the army and navy. On the one hand, the 2% NATO spending target will be achieved, on the other hand, the money remains in the family. It should also be considered to replace the US nuclear warheads stored in Germany with European models. The topic of “security” is just too sensitive to be dependent on the daily-based mood of Trump. In any case, the EU must become much more independent from China and the United States anyway if it wants to successfully overcome the emerging challenges not only in the military area at all levels and in all areas), The Guardian, 6 June 2020: ‘Regrettable’: Germany reacts to Trump plan to withdraw US troops, Politico.eu, 6 June 2020: Trump orders large withdrawal of US forces from Germany, Politico.com, 6 June 2020: Trump orders large withdrawal of U.S. forces from Germany, The New York Times, 6 June 2020: Has ‘America First’ Become ‘Trump First’? Germans Wonder, DW, 7 June 2020: German foreign minister laments decline of US ties, France24, 7 June 2020: Is Germany’s ‘colossal’ recovery plan a role model for other coronavirus-hit economies?, DW, 7 June 2020: Opinion: Trump is playing election games with US troops in Germany, Haaretz, 7 June 2020: Stop the Annexation Fanatics. Impose Sanctions on Israel (United Nations Security Council Resolution 2334 – it would be a clear case of double standards if Germany on the one hand sanctioned Russia for the land grab of parts of Ukraine, but at the same time continued to give free rein to Israel over the land grab of Palestinian and Syrian land), Haaretz, 8 June 2020: West Bank Annexation Will Harm Israel’s Relations With Germany but Berlin Will Oppose Sanctions, Officials Believe, Times of Israel, 8 June 2020: Germany won’t sanction Israel over annexation – Jerusalem official, Haaretz, 8 June 2020: Israel Prevented German Foreign Minister’s West Bank Visit, Citing Coronavirus Regulations, The Washington Post, 10 June 2020: Trump pulling troops from Germany is yet another decision made from petulance, Politico.eu, 11 June 2020: US to pull troops from Germany, ex-ambassador Grenell confirms (Trump’s lapdog couldn’t get done anythng in Germany and is now weakening America’s vital security interests by removing stuff from U.S. infrastructures, needed to takle challenges in the Middle East and Africa. Germany doesn’t need a single of these soldiers for its security. Good riddance and enjoy your stay in eastern Poland. What a joke he is! :-D ), Arab News, 14 June 2020: Plan to withdraw US troops from Europe a mistake, Der Spiegel, 15 June 2020: Withdrawal of U.S. Troops: Trump’s Former Ambassador to Germany Gets His Revenge, France24, 15 June 2020: German tourists fly in to Mallorca in post-COVID test, Der Spiegel, 15 June 2020: Wolfgang Schäuble on Germany and Europe: “We Germans Have Reached Agreements with NATO and We Must Adhere to Them”, The Guardian, 15 June 2020: Germany and France reopen borders as Europe emerges from lockdown, Politico.com, 15 June 2020: Trump confirms he wants to pull thousands of U.S. troops from Germany (Trump obviously need once again need urgent campaign support from Moscow for the presidential election. On the other hand, American isolationism has only weakened the United States. Russia and China will thank Trump and make further gains. At the same time, Trump believes that more than 200,000 corona-dead Americans are perfectly acceptable for his campaign), Military Times, 15 June 2020: Trump confirms plans to pull some US troops out of Germany, CNN, 16 June 2020: Trump indicates he’s not budging on reducing number of US troops in Germany, The Guardian, 16 June 2020: Nato chief: no firm plan agreed for pulling US troops from Germany, Politico.eu, 16 June 2020: After blindsiding allies, US gives no details on Trump’s troop plan, DW, 16 June 2020: Opinion: Resisting Trump, with grace and dignity, DW, 16 June 2020: Berlin says Washington benefits from US troops in Germany, DW, 16 June 2020: US military in Germany: What you need to know, DW, 17 June 2020: German court says US woman wrongly refused citizenship, BBC, 17 June 2020: Why Trump’s plan to withdraw US troops has dismayed Germany, The Guardian, 17 June 2020: German ministers hit back at Trump plan to withdraw US troops, DW, 17 June 2020: Coronavirus: Over 600 people test positive at German slaughterhouse, CNN, 18 June 2020: German prosecutor accuses Russia of ordering murder in Berlin park, The Guardian, 18 June 2020: Germany warned of reaction after Russia blamed for Berlin murder, Politico.eu, 18 June 2020: German prosecutors accuse Moscow over contract killing of Georgian man, DW, 18 June 2020: Berlin-Neukölln: Low income and migrant families in coronavirus lockdown, DW, 20 June 2020: Coronavirus latest: Fresh clusters raise Germany’s reproduction rate, DW, 20 June 2020: Quarantined housing block residents attack police, BBC, 21 June 2020: Germany riot: Gangs smash shops and attack police in Stuttgart, DW, 21 June 2020: Riots and looting grip Stuttgart, France24, 23 June 2020: Germany reimposes local lockdowns after regional coronavirus outbreak, BBC, 23 June 2020: Coronavirus: German outbreak sparks fresh local lockdowns, DW, 23 June 2020: NATO chief Stoltenberg: World needs more German leadership, The Washington Post, 23 June 2020: The Daily 202: Trump faces mounting GOP blowback over order to pull troops out of Germany, The Guardian, 24 June 2020: On different planets: how Germany tackled the pandemic, and Britain flailed, Politico.eu, 24 June 2020: Trump says he will ‘probably’ reassign troops from Germany to Poland (for Western Europe, this decision is a definite turning point in time, which moves the original line of defense from the Cold War, the former German-German border, finally to Poland’s eastern border with Russia. Basically, this was already clear when Poland joined the EU, but is now being formalized by the transfer of the US troops to Poland, so that with the transfer, Poland will form the buffer zone between Russia and Western Europe. Could be worse), DW, 25 June 2020: Germany promises record contribution to WHO, Arab News, 25 June 2020: Trump tears up traditional US approach to Europe, DW, 25 June 2020: Lufthansa bailout package overwhelmingly backed by shareholders (it is certainly extremely painful for the head of Ryanair to have to recognize how important the German government considers Lufthansa to be, while at the same time even the Irish government sees Ryanair as what it is: not systemically relevant and therefore meaningless. You can sometimes complain and complain. Good reasons to lament and to complain), France24, 25 June 2020: Trump says US moving some troops from Germany to Poland after Duda meeting, The Guardian, 26 June 2020: Do not assume US still aspires to be a world leader, Merkel warns, Politico.eu, 26 June 2020: Merkel: Europe must set ‘good example’ and fight protectionism, The Guardian, 26 June 2020: ‘For Europe to survive, its economy needs to survive’: Angela Merkel interview in full, Politico.eu, 28 June 2020: German labor minister pledges to better protect migrant workers, DW, 30 June 2020: Opinion: Angela Merkel’s moment to define the EU’s future, Politico.eu, 30 June 2020: The EU’s most powerful Germans, DW, 1 July 2020: Angela Merkel’s last EU Council Presidency — what to expect, The National, 1 July 2020: Germany to disband special forces unit over ‘toxic’ far-right members, DW vom 01.07.2020: Donald Trump approves plan to pull 9,500 troops from Germany, France24, 1 July 2020: Germany assumes EU presidency as Merkel pushes for massive bloc-wide recovery plan (it is becoming increasingly clear that it is once again time for big pictures and visions of an integrated EU and that real leaders must courageously go ahead, take the EU population with them, animate them, cheer them up – just as outstanding coaches in team sports have to do it in order to ultimately win the trophy. Because of and through Corona, the EU has once again been “given” a time window for major changes. This means that the most important basic requirements are already in place: money is there, there is general consensus, there is a spirit of optimism right up to impatience, and there is pressure to change for years. There is a lot to do, but it can be taken as a very positive challenge because it means work for everyone. What does it start with? Development clear specifications and requirements for the individual departments (economy, education, social issues, environment, digitization, EU defense etc.). After that, only one thing is missing, namely the starting shot! It is actually very simple and only needs to be done), Politico.eu, 1 July 2020: Germans need to stop with the finger-wagging, Times of Israel, 1 July 2020: German parliament warns against annexation, but doesn’t threaten sanctions, DW, 2 July 2020: Germany takes helm of EU presidency, Merkel urges resolve on virus recovery plan, Politico.eu, 3 July 2020: Germany to introduce lobbying register for MPs, DW, 4 July 2020: Germany: Bring back conscription to fight extremism, ombudswoman says, The New York Times, 7 July 2020: How Germany Fell Back in Love With Angela Merkel, Financial Times, 7 July 2020: Merkel comes under fire at home for China stance, Politico.eu, 8 July 2020: Merkel looks east as ties fray between Germany and US, Politico.eu, 9 July 2020: European Parliament clashes with Merkel over rule of law in budget talks, DW, 11 July 2020: German students in US urge Berlin to take stand against new visa rules, Arab News, 17 July 2020: Germany plays peacemaker in dispute between Greece and Turkey, DW, 26 July 2020: Coronavirus: German farm locked down amid infection spike, DW, 26 July 2020: Germany has no Karen, but it has the Alman, DW, 27 July 2020: Trump nominates army veteran Douglas Macgregor as ambassador to Germany (it is now less than 100 days until the US presidential election. In this respect, personnel decisions are now only cosmetics), Politico.com, 27 July 2020: Trump taps renegade retired colonel for Germany ambassador post (Douglas Macgregor), CNN, 27 July 2020: Trump names retired Army colonel and Fox News regular as nominee for US ambassador to Germany, The Hill, 27 July 2020: Trump taps retired Army Col. Douglas Macgregor as next ambassador to Germany, BBC, 28 July 2020: Coronavirus: German officials ‘very concerned’ by rising cases, DW, 29 July 2020: US to withdraw or relocate more troops in Germany than previously thought (with his election defeat in sight, he wants to do his boss in the Kremlin a favor and follow the suggestions of the running gag Richard Grenell to cushion the expected crushing defeat. It will cost the U.S. billions and reputation in the international community. A minority of Americans voted for the old fool, so they wanted the result), France24, 29 July 2020: US to withdraw 11,900 troops from Germany, about half to be redeployed in Europe, CNN, 29 July 2020: US to withdraw nearly 12,000 troops from Germany in move that will cost billions and take years, BBC, 29 July 2020: US to withdraw 12,000 troops from Germany in ‘strategic’ move, Politico.eu, 29 July 2020: US to pull 12,000 troops from Germany after Trump calls country ‘delinquent’ (DW, 26 April 2020: SIPRI: Germany significantly increases military spending), NPR, 29 July 2020: Defense Secretary Esper Says U.S. Plans To Cut Troops In Germany By A Third, Al Arabiya, 29 July 2020: US to pull 11,800 troops from hub of Middle East operations: Officials, DW, 29 July 2020: Former US commander: Troop withdrawal from Germany ‘gift to Kremlin’, The National, 30 July 2020: US to take 6,400 troops home from Germany and move 5,600 more, DW, 31 July 2020: Germany’s Bundeswehr to help German states after US pullout (we can only hope that Minister Kramp-Karrenbauer will be successful. The negotiations so far have not been very promising. However, since the general conditions have changed, Trump could have accidentally pushed a positive development so that the EU becomes more militarily independent and, above all, capabilities are developed and produced in Europe), Politico.eu, 31 July 2020: Germany suspends extradition agreement with Hong Kong, France24, 1 August 2020: Berlin protest against coronavirus curbs draws thousands, DW, 1 August 2020: China criticizes Germany’s suspension of extradition treaty with Hong Kong, France24, 1 August 2020: Protest against coronavirus curbs draws crowds in Berlin, DW, 2 August 2020: Germany: 45 officers injured at Berlin rally against coronavirus curbs, CNN, 2 August 2020: Trump’s Germany troops pullout may be his last gift to Putin before the election, Politico.eu, 2 August 2020: German leaders warn of coronavirus resurgence, condemn protest, Jerusalem Post, 3 August 2020: Berlin rally against coronavirus rules features neo-Nazi supporters, DW, 3 August 2020: Germany debates curbing freedom of assembly after coronavirus protests, Politico.eu, 3 August 2020: Why post-Merkel Germany will change its tune on China, DW, 3 August 2020: Germany should not ban protests by coronavirus deniers, DW, 4 August 2020: Nearly half of Germans support withdrawal of US troops: survey, Foreign Policy, 4 August 2020: Ask What You Can Do for Your Country, DW, 6 August 2020: Turkey criticizes Germany on enforcing Libya arms embargo, CNN, 6 August 2020: Los Angeles can cut off power and water at properties hosting parties during the pandemic, DW, 6 August 2020: German diplomat confirmed killed in Beirut explosion, CNN, 6 August 2020: German ambassador pick disparaged immigrants and refugees, called for martial law at US-Mexico border, CNN, 6 August 2020: German ambassador pick disparaged immigrants and refugees, called for martial law at US-Mexico border, The Guardian, 7 August 2020: You swine! German nudist chases wild boar that stole laptop (at least some funny news during the otherwise not so funny summer 2020), Jerusalem Post, 8 August 2020: Jewish groups take aim at Trump’s pick for ambassador to Germany, Arab News, 8 August 2020: Merkel, and Germany, show the world what leadership means, DW, 11 August 2020: Germany warns Russia of ‘consequences’ over Berlin Chechen murder, DW, 14 August 2020: Foreign students on online courses are denied visas to Germany (if you think that only the intellectually overwhelmed Donald Trump can come up with such a seldom silly idea, a federal agency comes around the curve and draws level. Instead of removing the entry barriers for researchers from all over the world, they are being raised, only to be wondering why Germany is losing ground on the world stage), The Guardian, 15 August 2020: Why Germany would be especially happy to see the back of Trump (the only winner is Putin, who made sure that his White House employee at least seriously damages the German-American partnership, so that Europe’s largest economy has to look for reliable partners), DW, 18 August 2020: Germany sees record spike in money laundering cases — report, The Guardian, 18 August 2020: Country to extend coronavirus furlough to 24 months, Politico.eu, 19 August 2020: Coronavirus could help Germany hit its emissions goals, DW, 23 August 2020: Germans expect better EU-US relations if Biden wins, DW, 23 August 2020: Coronavirus digest: Not enough Germans using alert app, experts say, Reuters, 23 August 2020: Hungary summons German ambassador over EU minister’s anti-Semitism criticism (the Soviet propaganda is still having an effect, according to which there were or would not have been fascists and / or anti-Semites in the Eastern bloc. Against their better judgment, the governments of Hungary and Poland still claim that today. Freedom House has also recently made clear that Hungary is no longer a democracy, but is developing back into an autocracy, so that what the regime has to say on a wide range of topics is certainly not relevant. Poland is on the same path), DW, 25 August 2020: German economy plunges by record 9.7%, DW, 5 September 2020: German president mulls memorial service for coronavirus victims, CNN, 5 September 2020: Germany’s virus response won plaudits. But protests over vaccines and masks show it’s a victim of its own success, DW, 5 September 2020: Teutonic Tesla: Elon Musk’s busy week in Germany, Politico.eu, 10 September 2020: How Germany opened the door to China — and threw away the key, DW, 12 September 2020: Germany gets tough in the fight against mafia clans, DW, 12 September 2020: Coronavirus: Germany to draft new law amid rise in working from home, Politico.eu, 15 September 2020: Germany to take in additional 1,500 refugees from Greek islands, DW, 21 September 2020: German military launches space junk tracking system, Der Spiegel, 21 September 2020: The Tesla Factory Near Berlin: Elon Musk Shows the Germans How to Move Quickly, Arab News, 22 September 2020: German economy to shrink by 5.2% this year, grow by 5.1% next year, Politico.eu, 23 September 2020: German Cabinet approves plan to borrow €96.2B to fight coronavirus crisis, The Guardian, 30 September 2020: Germans embrace fresh air to ward off coronavirus, DW, 2 October 2020: Everything you need to know about German reunification, Arab News, 2 October 2020: German-Saudi relations will continue to flourish, DW, 3 October 2020: German Unity Day: Steinmeier hails ‘joy and courage’, The New York Times, 3 October 2020: Germany’s Far Right Reunified, Too, Making It Much Stronger, DW, 3 October 2020: Germany faces old problems 30 years after reunification, The New York Times, 3 October 2020: After 30 Years, East and West Germans Wonder: How United Are We?, DW, 3 October 2020: Germany before and after reunification, Arab News, 3 October 2020: Changing of the guard in Germany, The National, 3 October 2020: German Unity Day: Celebrations 30 years after reunification, DW, 6 October 2020: German astrophysicist shares Nobel Prize in physics, The Guardian, 6 October 2020: Three scientists share Nobel prize in physics for work on black holes, The New York Times, 6 October 2020: Nobel Prize in Physics Awarded to 3 Scientists for Work on Black Holes, France24, 6 October 2020: Nobel Prize for Physics goes to Briton, German and American for research of black holes, Politico.eu, 6 October 2020: Germany’s balancing act: Fighting online hate while protecting free speech, Palestine Chronicle, 7 October 2020: German Hypocrisy: The Left and Israel, The Guardian, 7 October 2020: ‘We were a laughing stock’: Berlin airport finally finished as Covid bites, The National, 7 October 2020: Germany criticised for not listing more far-right groups as terrorist entities, Politico.eu, 8 October 2020: Germany overcame its history. Why can’t Poland?, DW, 10 October 2020: Coronavirus: Berlin’s first curfew in 70 years kicks in, DW, 10 October 2020: Cologne exceeds key coronavirus threshold, joining Berlin and Frankfurt, Israel Hayom, 11 October 2020: ‘Without real change, Jews won’t have a future here’, The New York Times, 11 October 2020: QAnon Is Thriving in Germany. The Extreme Right Is Delighted.).How are the German parties reacting to the “Report of the economic research institutes: Joint Economic Forecast 2/2020: Recovery Loses Momentum – Economy and Politics Still Shaped by the Pandemic“? Of course, just as they have responded to all challenges of the past 50 years:
The FDP has its patent recipe for all weather conditions: lower taxes for companies and the super-rich and additional tax gifts to their clientele, at the expense of the society, small and medium-sized taxpayers and end customers. Of course, further reduction of the state quota and the welfare state. All measures that, in the medium and long-term, have led to Germany losing and continuing to lose innovative power, the public infrastructure has an investment backlog in the three-digit billion range (most clearly visible in the broken railroad, the Bundeswehr, the slowed expansion of renewables and the smart grid, digitization, etc.), so that the country is at best still mediocre in many areas.
The SPD considers its solution to be the most feasible solution, which essentially contains the exact opposite of the above, i.e. higher taxes for companies and the super-rich, relief for lower and middle incomes while at the same time expanding the “nanny state”, accompanied by innovation and competition preventive bureaucracy. The economy is irrelevant, because after all, it’s about people and the environment and the best thing about the concept: After all, money just comes out of the ATM! If you think that through to the end, Germany would be transformed into an over-regulated, mental retirement home in a vegetative state. The disadvantage of the concept is that the SPD will run out of other people’s money again too quickly. The advantage is that all citizens will feel equally bad, which would end the various debates of envy. The topics of “international responsibility” or “leadership responsibility based on economic strength” would also be ended in favor of the SPD. After all, Germany will fall back on the level of Poland or Hungary and thus also out of the TOP 10 in the world. After all, no international responsibility can be derived from the lack of substance and you can continue to celebrate allotment garden parties in the allotment garden association “Zum Gartenzwerg”.
The Greens are currently ambivalent about their role. In addition to its three most important topics “Environment, the environment and anything with the environment”, the party wants to position itself more broadly and diversify its topics. The Greens does this voluntarily only to a limited extent, owing to the fact that they have experienced a considerable upturn in electoral favor in recent months. As expected, this leads to distortions between the two core groups, i.e. those who are close to the autonomous and those who prefer pragmatic approaches. One will see which of the groups will be able to prevail. A CDU-Greens coalition after the federal election not only seems possible, but would also be a very interesting first at federal level, also because the Greens party is the only one of the four democratic parties in the Bundestag that is clearly and completely pro-EU and in favor of joint solutions. The three other parties pursue more economic than strategic goals, although these are much more important, especially since no EU federal state can survive alone in global competition. Where she still has to come to terms with herself and make herself honest is the subject of “security”, which is becoming increasingly important. This applies both to the Bundeswehr, which must be equipped with greater capabilities and fully operational in order to be able to meet the international responsibility of Europe’s largest economy, and to the European army, which is yet to be created, i.e. a common defense structure.
As usual, the CDU waited and then did something amazing: Instead of following old dogmas and “wisdoms”, they were thrown overboard and the opposite was done. Usually one would have pursued an austerity policy and cut budgets in several rounds, so that the crisis would have intensified until it was finally found out that this approach was not a good idea. Instead, this time money has been taken into hand, thus ensuring that the economic cycle is not completely interrupted, so that economic damage is significantly reduced. Of course, you can’t keep that up forever, but the majority will get through the winter.
The radical left and right (Die Linke and AfD (and the previous events)) also have their decade-old recipe: to “free” Germany from its ties to the West, NATO and the EU and thus deal their hated home country the economic and political death blow, coupled with the greatest possible anti-Americanism. This will be followed by a realignment towards Moscow and/or China with a simultaneous rapid dismantling of democracy so that the Germans collectively are just as bad off as Russians and/or Chinese. Completion of the dictatorship and with it the economic, political and military isolation of Germany. The results of the two world wars instigated by Germany show how well this ultimately works. But enemies of democracy and constitution traditionally don’t care about it.
When you read through it, you have to be happy that the country is still functioning quite well despite politics. At the same time, it is becoming increasingly clear how the crisis is affecting market participants, sometimes significantly differently. Right from the start it was clear that food retailing, online retailing and the digital economy would be among the winners, while retail (excluding groceries), pubs, restaurants, hotels and the cultural sector would suffer major setbacks. This can already be seen to some extent in the increasingly orphaned retail spaces in the city centers, although the corona-related bankruptcies will become more clearly visible in 2021. So far, 24,000 bankruptcies have been assumed, which will change the city centers and the nightlife.DW, 14 October 2020: Coronavirus: Germany toughens restrictions as it enters ‘decisive’ phase, DW, 15 October 2020: Coronavirus: Germany sees record daily increase in new cases, DW, 17 October 2020: Coronavirus in Germany: Angela Merkel urges people to stay home ‘whenever possible’, DW, 17 October 2020: German police: 91 Islamist returnees from Mid East ‘threats to society’, Politico.eu, 20 October 2020: Reporter’s Notebook: Trump, Biden and the ‘f****** Germans’ (one can probably assume that the German government would have even voluntarily let Nord Stream 2 disappear into oblivion, if the nutjobs of the governments of the EU eastward expansion and the Trump administration had not so vehemently demanded it. Instead, completing the project has now become a matter of credibility. After Trump’s dealings with the EU and individual EU states over the past four years, it is of course also about not making a single political success possible for him before the presidential elections, no matter how small, and that works surprisingly well. Although the Trump administration is currently trying desperately to promote the “Three Seas Initiative” in order to increase its influence on the EU eastward expansion along the way, the USA can directly bury its economic goals without the cooperation of the EU core countries. Neither Paris, Rome nor Berlin will submit to the Trump dictation. This, of course, against the background that Trump’s policies are just as insane as Putin’s policies. However, this cannot hide the fact that neither Berlin, Paris nor Brussels have any convincing counter-strategies. “We wait for the next US president” is neither sufficient nor a strategy at all. All current and many future challenges are already known, so that appropriate concepts for investments can be developed, which in the end should lead to much more European self-sufficiency in order to, among other things, decouple from Trump’s trade war with China. Also in other areas, such as NATO / Common Security (the EU sees itself as “soft power”, but without appropriate armament and defense structures that take part in solving problems in Europe, the Levant and North Africa with credible clout, from “soft power” only “chat room” remains) or international treaties (e.g. the Iran deal), it is clear that the EU has to develop its own lines and solutions in order to be able to keep up with future global competition), France24, 20 October 2020: Germany issues international arrest warrant for founders of Panama Papers firm, DW, 21 October 2020: Dresden knife attack likely motivated by Islamic extremism, The National, 22 October 2020: Deadly stabbing in Germany investigated as terrorist attack, Daily Sabah, 23 October 2020: Police raid on Berlin mosque fed by racism, anti-Islam policies, Erdoğan says (of course, it annoys him when German security authorities searches his apparently criminal and certainly Islamist Muslim Brothers and, unlike in Turkey, punish their wrongdoings instead of promoting it. He is free to order them all back to Turkey. After having converted churches into mosques in Turkey, the neo-ottoman is also the very last person allowed to speak out on the subject of religious freedom. On the other hand, what else should one expect from Daesh business partner Erdoğan?), DW, 23 October 2020: Germany’s coronavirus app goes international and gets a boost, DW, 24 October 2020: Coronavirus: Merkel in fresh plea to stay at home amid record infection tally, DW, 26 October 2020: Maas slams ‘unacceptable’ attack by Erdogan on Macron, DW, 28 October 2020: Coronavirus: Germany to impose one-month partial lockdown (thank you, Covidiots! Since spring you have had time to adjust to the situation. It was clear to everyone that the numbers would rise significantly again by autumn if sufficient caution were not implemented by everyone. Instead of exercising caution, you idiots have escalated the situation through negligence and pure stupidity so that we are now almost before the second complete lockdown and now you start to complain, because the “bad” federal government and the federal states have implemented a catalog of measures that you were too stupid to implement on your own initiative. So much for the subject of “personal responsibility of society and each individual”. A not inconsiderable part of society has to be kept in check with coercive measures, because they are too stupid to be able to adhere to the simplest rules of the game on their own, that a healthy common sense would develop even without reprimands), France24, 28 October 2020: German officials agree on partial lockdown to curb mounting Covid-19 cases, DW, 28 October 2020: Coronavirus: Germany to impose one-month partial lockdown, DW, 29 October 2020: Coro1navirus: Angela Merkel defends lockdown, warns of ‘difficult winter’ in Germany, CNN, 30 October 2020: Nearly a decade late, Berlin’s Brandenburg Airport finally opens (during a pandemic), DW, 31 October 2020: Berlin’s new airport finally opens: A story of failure and embarrassment, DW, 2 November 2020: Angela Merkel urges Germans to cooperate on coronavirus lockdown, DW, 3 November 2020: US election: German-US relationship hangs in the balance, DW, 7 November 2020: German lawmakers urge ban on extreme-right Turkish Gray Wolves, DW, 8 November 2020: US election is an ‘urgent warning’ for Germany, says finance minister, DW, 9 November 2020: German pharma company BioNTech nears coronavirus vaccine, France24, 9 November 2020: Pfizer says its Covid-19 vaccine is 90 percent effective, DW, 9 November 2020: US election: Merkel says Germany will stand ‘side by side’ with US on world issues, The Guardian, 10 November 2020: Hopes rise for end of pandemic as Pfizer says vaccine is 90% effective, DW, 10 November 2020: Germany’s imams seen as key in combating radicalization, Jerusalem Post, 11 November 2020: Sa’ar 6: The new backbone of Israel Navy (Jerusalem Post, 5 November 2020: Israel’s Navy to receive first German-made Sa’ar 6 ship, Times of Israel, 11 November 2020: Navy takes helm of first new warship from Germany to guard gas rigs – in contrast to the submarines gifted zo Israel, Netanyahu has not yet found guilty of any corruption concerning the corvettes), DW, 12 November 2020: Designated Berlin ambassador gets Pentagon job instead, DW, 15 November 2020: Germany’s famed church tax income plummets during pandemic, DW, 15 November 2020: UK’s Prince Charles praises friendship with Germany during Berlin visit, DW, 16 November 2020: Germany hails couch potatoes as heroes of coronavirus pandemic, DW, 17 November 2020: Germany remains optimistic after EU budget veto, Politico.eu, 17 November 2020: German defense minister to Macron: EU depends on US security guarantee, DW, 23 November 2020: Turkey slams ‘unauthorized’ German search of Libya-bound ship (of course, after all, they don’t want their illegal arms deliveries to be endangered), France24, 24 November 2020: Turkey protests German search of Libya-bound ship, Al Arabiya, 24 November 2020: Turkey summons EU, Italy, Germany envoys over weapons search of its ship to Libya, DW, 25 November 2020: Germany sees high numbers in femicide, DW, 27 November 2020: German minister wants ‘criminals’ expelled to Syria, despite asylum safeguards, Politico.eu, 28 November 2020: Greece blasts Berlin for shunning plea for Turkey arms embargo (and he has every reason to do so. Instead of delivering the submarines to Turkey, Federal Minister of Defense Kramp-Karrenbauer should take over the submarines for the German Navy, whose fleet is already weakened and are deploying them in the eastern Mediterranean, especially since Turkey is obviously less and less a NATO partner country), DW, 28 November 2020: Protesters demonstrate at start of AfD conference, DW, 30 November 2020: Coronavirus: Germany to create 19 medical storage facilities for future emergencies, Politico.eu, 30 November 2020: Europe must step up on defense, German Greens leader says, The National, 30 November 2020: German MP calls for inquiry into Islamic Relief to nip ‘seditious sentiments in the bud’, Al Arabiya, 2 December 2020: Israel receives its most advanced warship as tensions with Iran rise, ArAb News, 3 December 2020: ‘I’m not striving for world domination!’: Adolf Hitler namesake wins Namibia election, DW, 4 December 2020: US defense bill challenges Trump’s Germany troop withdrawal, DW, 4 December 2020: Opinion: Germany never took Trump’s troop threat seriously, DW, 6 December 2020: Poland and Germany: 50 years since Willy Brandt’s historic gesture, CNN, 7 December 2020: How German Autobahns changed the world, Jerusalem Post, 8 December 2020: US Supreme Court hears World War Two-era Jewish property claims, Irish Times, 9 December 2020: Beethoven: ‘Happy birthday, Maestro, and thank you for the beauty you have left us’, DW, 11 December 2020: Ban on Syria deportations will be allowed to expire, DW, 13 December 2020: German lockdown: Merkel announces tough new COVID curbs, France24, 13 December 2020: Covid-19: Germany to close most shops, schools as infection rate surges, The Hill, 13 December 2020: Germany closing stores, tightening restrictions, BBC, 13 December 2020: Coronavirus: Germany to go into lockdown over Christmas, CNN, 13 December 2020: Germany to go into national lockdown over Christmas to stem surge in Covid-19 cases, DW, 14 December 2020: No armed drones for the German army — for now, DW, 14 December 2020: German shoppers relaxed about stricter lockdown, DW, 15 December 2020: Dresden Green Vault heist: Police make key arrest, DW, 17 December 2020: Angela Merkel ‘incredibly proud’ of BioNTech founders, DW, 18 December 2020: Toy village of Seiffen in the German Ore Mountains, Politico.eu, 18 December 2020: German SPD under attack after shooting down armed drones, DW, 18 December 2020: Japan calls on Germany to send warship to East Asia, DW, 19 December 2020: Anti-vaxxers should forgo ventilators, German doctor says, Politico.eu, 21 December 2020: Germany, stop worrying about boosting military spending, Reuters, 22 December 2020: ‘Good riddance,’ China says as Germany leaves U.N. Security Council (that the two injustice regimes would prefer to see further dictatorships represented in the UN Security Council is of course understandable from their point of view. It is all the more important to regularly confront them with reality. It’s nice to see that they still jump over every stick that you hold out to them. It shows how much they are under pressure. Ambassador Heusgen obviously did everything right), DW, 23 December 2020: Can Dundar: Turkey sentences journalist to 27 years in jail (so Dundar is supposed to serve a prison sentence that is actually intended for Erdogan because he made arms deals with IS terrorists. However, it can hardly be assumed that he will actually serve the sentence, while he has been living in German asylum since 2016 and Germany is currently not even extraditing to Poland due to concerns about the rule of law), DW, 23 December 2020: German President Steinmeier’s Christmas message of hope, solidarity, France24, 26 December 2020: In Germany, 101-year-old woman first to receive Covid-19 vaccine, DW, 30 December 2020: Germany gets mixed scorecard for EU presidency, DW, 31 December 2020: Coronavirus: Germany faces €1.3 trillion COVID bill, DW, 1 January 2021: Germany 2021: Fighting COVID and replacing Angela Merkel, DW, 3 January 2021: Politicians call for 3-week lockdown extension, DW, 3 January 2021: German parliament has rowdiest year in decades, Der Spiegel, 4 January 2021: BioNTech Founders Türeci and Sahin on the Battle against COVID-19: “To See People Finally Benefitting from Our Work Is Really Moving”, DW, 5 January 2021: Celebrating 1700 years of Jewish life in Germany, France24, 5 January 2021: Merkel confirms Germany will extend coronavirus lockdown until January 31, DW, 5 January 2021: German labor market remains stable despite lockdown pressures, DW, 7 January 2021: Germany reviews parliament security after US Capitol mob, Politico.eu, 7 January 2021: Thanks to deep pockets, Germany snaps up extra coronavirus jabs, Politico.eu, 8 January 2021: Commission lets Germany off the hook for coronavirus vaccine solidarity breach, Arab News, 10 January 2021: Algerian president returns to Germany to be treated for COVID-19 complications, Al Arabiya, 10 January 2021: Algerian president returns to Germany to be treated for COVID-19 complications, DW, 12 January 2021: ‘Largest illegal darknet marketplace’ DarkMarket taken offline, DW vom 10.01.2021: Anti-Semitism commissioner calls for removal of Nazi law leftovers, DW, 14 January 2021: German economy shrank by 5% in 2020, DW, 19 January 2021: Record German debt due to pandemic, but less than expected, DW, 25 January 2021: Berlin State Library reopens after long pause, Arab News, 4 February 2021: Syrian refugee to stand in German election, DW, 5 February 2021: Syrian Tareq Alaows aims to be voice for refugees in German Bundestag, DW, 7 February 2021: Germany reports record €53 billion in NATO defense spending, DW, 10 February 2021: BioNTech starts vaccine production at new site in Germany, Politico.eu, 13 February 2021: EU foreign policy RIP, Politico.eu, 16 February 2021: German election fever has EU sweating on vaccines, DW, 18 February 2021: EU takes Germany to court for breaching environment laws, Arab News, 22 February 2021: Germany and EU will badly miss Merkel’s leadership, The Algemeiner, 23 February 2021: Israel, Germany Ink Deal to Equip Leopard 2 Tanks With Israeli Protection Systems, The Guardian, 23 February 2021: Coronaangst ridden? Overzoomed? Covid inspires 1,200 new German words, DW, 23 February 2021: EU questions German COVID border closures, Politico.eu, 24 February 2021: Coronavirus pushes Germany to first deficit in nearly a decade, DW, 26 February 2021: BioNTech founders receive one of Germany’s highest honors, DW, 27 February 2021: What should be Germany’s role in the world?, Times of Israel, 28 February 2021: Interfaith worship center for Jews, Christians, Muslims to be built in Berlin, DW, 2 March 2021: Morocco cuts contact with German embassy – reports (it is shocking how much the incompetent and corrupt fools Netanyahu and Trump have weakened international law), DW, 2 March 2021: Behind Moroccan-German diplomatic crisis, a list of grudges, The National, 3 March 2021: Half of Covid ICU patients in Germany are Muslim, CNN, 7 March 2021: Germany should have led the world at handling the pandemic. But experts slam Merkel’s vaccine response as a disaster, Politico.eu, 7 March 2021: German MP to quit, leave ruling party group amid face mask scandal , DW, 8 March 2021: German lawmaker resigns over face mask scandal, BBC, 8 March 2021: German MP Nikolas Löbel resigns over face mask scandal, The Washington Post, 8 March 2021: German mask profiteering scandal rocks Merkel’s party as elections loom, DW, 9 March 2021: Russian disinformation mainly targets Germany: EU report (nothing new. Russia’s propaganda and fake news machinery was never shut down after the Cold War 1.0. What else should the Putin regime do? Russia’s notorious economic, social and political weakness under a severely criminal and completely incompetent leadership can only survive if it can credibly sell its own henchmen that the “guilty” are abroad), The Guardian, 9 March 2021: Corruption claims threaten to damage CDU party, Politico.eu, 10 March 2021: How to watch Germany’s (unexpectedly exciting) super election year like a pro, Al Arabiya, 11 March 2021: Saudi Arabia, Germany sign MoU to produce hydrogen, DW, 12 March 2021: Germany’s COVID management: World wonders what’s gone wrong (in retrospect one has to state that Germany’s federalism has brought about a series of small and large catastrophes, which then led to the overall situation. Added to this are the political statements and contributions, some of which are fatal, from which no party can acquit itself. In the future there must be emergency ordinances for pandemic cases, which ensure that the decision-making powers are concentrated on the federal government only. in this, Germany is the miniature version of the EU: The prime ministers of the federal states thought that they can do what they want and thus contributed to the expansion and exacerbation of the problems. Overall, however, there are two positive aspects: 1. With the exception of the Federal Minister of the Interior, Horst Seehofer, Germany acts in solidarity and not egotistically nationalistically within the EU. 2. Never before has it been so largely clear how high and extensive the urgent needs and demands for renovation of almost the entire public infrastructure and the largely neglected digitization is. The resulting investment requirements and pressures should give the economic upturn, to be expected after Corona, additional wings. Overall, however, it must also be stated that a not small minority of German citizens are contributing to the exacerbation of the corona crisis through their grossly negligent behavior. Responsible action is completely alien to these Covidiotes and, like small children, must be constantly reminded to follow the simplest rules), DW, 12 March 2021: Merkel bloc seeks to tidy mask scandal mess, The New York Times, 12 March 2021: His Ancestors Were German Kings. He Wants Their Treasures Back., DW, 13 March 2021: Opinion: COVID-19 challenges German efficiency cliche, DW, 13 March 2021: Germany seeks to be vaccine self-sufficient by next year, DW, 14 March 2021: Young Turkish people seek fresh start in Germany amid repression at home, France24, 14 March 2021: Merkel’s CDU suffers heavy losses in German regional elections, exit polls say (even as a long-time CDU voter, one has to recognize that the CDU / CSU have scored veritable own goals through their previous refusal to set up a transparent lobby register and the failures during the corona crisis. Accordingly, the results of the elections during the current super election year will be. It is unmistakable that the CDU has to rebuild after such a long time in the federal government. The fact that MPs apparently regard their mandate as a license for self-enrichment underscores the need for renewal and realignment outside of government responsibility. In addition, of course, the Chancellor herself chose to end her career, leaving behind such big shoes that none of the traded successors could fill them, especially since the transition would almost inevitably have to end with a belly landing, because a realignment and renewal of the party while running the government simply does not work. In this respect, it even makes sense to go into the opposition for a legislative period so that others can burn their fingers. Given the current SPD leadership, the chances for the CDU to celebrate a triumphant return to the Chancellery after four years would be very good), DW, 14 March 2021: Angela Merkel’s CDU takes major hit in regional elections, The Guardian, 15 March 2021: Questions over new CDU leader as Angela Merkel’s party slumps to defeats, Politico.eu, 15 March 2021: Regional defeats spell national trouble for Merkel’s party, DW, 15 March 2021: Syrian refugees find a safe haven in Germany, Politico.eu, 15 March 2021: Johnson & Johnson picks German site for coronavirus vaccine production, DW, 15 March 2021: Merkel’s CDU pens new ethics rules after mask scandal, DW, 16 March 2021: German and Israeli presidents discuss Middle East and the coronavirus (it is remarkable how very different the views on the Iran deal are. Here it becomes clear once more), Times of Israel, 16 March 2021: In Germany, Rivlin says he trusts Europe will ‘stand by us’ against ICC probe, DW, 16 March 2021: China gets German children’s book about COVID withdrawn, Jerusalem Post, 16 March 2021: Rivlin heads for diplomatic trip to Europe, warning of Iranian danger, DW, 19 March 2021: BioNTech vaccine inventors receive Germany’s Knight Commander’s Cross, Times of Israel, 19 March 2021: Scientist behind Pfizer vaccine: mRNA shots for cancer coming ‘in couple years’, The National, 19 March 2021: BioNTech founder stresses vaccine safety amid new focus fighting cancer, Süddeutsche Zeitung, 19 March 2021: Israel: Below the Surface (The New York Times, 7 April 2019: Will the Israeli ‘King’ Be Recrowned?), Politico.eu, 19 March 2021: Germany’s Greens are coming for the car (and the chancellery), DW, 20 March 2021: Transfer of Stasi records agency closes a chapter of East German history, Politico.eu, 21 March 2021: Another German conservative politician resigns amid corruption allegations, DW, 22 March 2021: Germany imposes strict lockdown over Easter, BBC, 23 March 2021: Coronavirus: Germany imposes Easter lockdown to curb new surge, DW, 23 March 2021: Germany summons Chinese ambassador over EU sanctions, BBC, 24 March 2021: Coronavirus: Germany’s Merkel reverses plans for Easter lockdown (every responsible German citizen knew what is in store for us from the previous year. Anyone who has not yet learned how to use foresighted self-stocking will no longer learn it anyway. Therefore, the opening hours of the shops doesn’t matter. Anyone who also thinks they have to be on the road even though the “Corona high season” is running will hopefully at least be infected with Covid-19, because that keeps the unemployment rate at an acceptable level), Times of Israel, 24 March 2021: Germany funds plan to help Holocaust survivors around world access vaccines, Politico.eu, 25 March 2021: Merkel perfects the art of the political apology, Bloomberg, 26 March 2021: German Court Temporarily Holds Law on EU Covid Recovery Fund (hard to believe that, after Poland and Hungary have been calmed down and support the special budget, now of all people those who made sure that a Nazi party sits in numerous state parliaments and in the Bundestag are allowed to file an EU-hostile complaint with the Federal Constitutional Court), Politico.eu, 26 March 2021: Constitutional complaint against EU recovery fund filed in Germany, France24, 26 March 2021: Berlin toughens MP rules as graft scandal sees Merkel party slump, Foreign Policy, 26 March 2021: We All Live in Germany’s World, DW, 28 March 2021: German submarines fitted with Russian technology: report, The National, 29 March 2021: Hip-hop star’s evidence threatens to bring down mighty Berlin crime gang, DW, 30 March 2021: Syrian refugee withdraws bid for German parliament seat after threats (death threats against him from German right-wing terrorists and also from Syrian terrorists against his family members living there, in the event that he would continue to participate in the democratic process. It is actually almost incomprehensible how many seriously disturbed people are allowed to live in freedom), France24, 30 March 2021: Berlin, Munich suspend AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccines for under-60s, BBC, 30 March 2021: Covid: Germany warns against AstraZeneca for under-60s, CNN, 30 March 2021: German vaccine experts recommend AstraZeneca only be given to people over 60, DW, 1 April 2021: 6 facts about Catholic and Protestant influence in Germany, DW, 3 April 2021: German president makes rare national plea amid COVID pandemic, DW, 3 April 2021: Opinion: If Tareq Alaows can’t be a candidate, we are all the losers, Politico.eu, 3 April 2021: German president warns of pandemic ‘crisis of trust’, DW, 3 April 2021: Coronavirus digest: Over 10 million vaccinated in Germany, The Algemeiner, 5 April 2021: German Athletics Officials Urge Joint Berlin-Tel Aviv Bid for 2036 Olympic Games, One Century After Nazi Regime Hosted Them (DW, 3 June 2019: Interior Minister dismisses 2036 Olympic bid, France24, 3 June 2019: ‘Unthinkable’: German interior minister rules out 2036 Olympic bid, Saudi Gazette, 4 June 2019: ‘Unthinkable’: German interior minister rules out 2036 Olympic bid, Gulf News, 6 April 2021: Germany considers joint bid with Israel for 2036 Olympics), DW, 6 April 2021: Germany launches new voluntary military service program, Der Spiegel, 7 April 2021: Campaign Kicks Into High Gear: All Who Want Access To Vaccine in Germany Could Get It By July, DW, 9 April 2021: Germany: Federal government plans new powers over states to battle virus surge, The National, 9 April 2021: German firms unveil $7.2bn proposal to revamp Beirut port, DW, 13 April 2021: Germany, US revive security cooperation, CNN, 13 April 2021: Austin announces increase to US military presence in Germany, Politico.eu, 13 April 2021: US to deploy 500 additional troops to Germany this year, DW, 14 April 2021: Japan seeks German help to counter China’s clout in Indo-Pacific, DW, 18 April 2021: Germany mourns 80,000 COVID dead in national service, The Guardian, 19 April 2021: Germany: Greens name Annalena Baerbock as chancellor candidate, Politico.eu, 19 April 2021: German Greens pick Annalena Baerbock to run for chancellor, DW, 19 April 2021: Could Green Party leader Annalena Baerbock become Germany’s next Angela Merkel?, The National, 20 April 2021: Tackling next generation of Arab crime clans key to German gangland breakthrough, DW, 22 April 2021: Coronavirus: Steinmeier signs off on nationwide COVID restrictions, France24, 23 April 2021: In the race for chancellor, Greens’ rising star may be Merkel’s ‘natural successor’, Der Spiegel, 23 April 2021: The Green Kingmaker: Annalena Baerbock Holds the Keys to Germany’s Next Election, Politico.eu, 23 April 2021: Germany falls in line with EU on Huawei, Der Spiegel, 23 April 2021: The Green Kingmaker: Annalena Baerbock Holds the Keys to Germany’s Next Election, DW, 24 April 2021: Greens’ Annalena Baerbock urges hard line on Russia, China, DW, 26 April 2021: Merkel: Germany to let everyone apply for vaccine by June, The National, 27 April 2021: Germany to open coronavirus vaccinations to all adults in June, Politico.eu, 28 April 2021: China tells Germany to focus on trade, not human rights, DW, 29 April 2021: German climate law is partly unconstitutional, top court rules, France24, 29 April 2021: Legal blow for Merkel’s climate plan as German Greens surge, Politico.eu, 29 April 2021: POLITICO China Direct: Eyes on Germany — Subsidy showdown — Progress report, Arab News, 29 April 2021: German political flux grows ahead of Merkel’s departure, Politico.eu, 29 April 2021: Top German court rules the country’s climate law is partly ‘unconstitutional’, DW, 30 April 2021: Oktoberfest in the desert? Dubai eyes German festival, Politico.eu, 30 April 2021: Everyone loves Germany’s Greens (for now), The National, 30 April 2021: Germany sets European record with one million Covid vaccine injections in a day, DW, 1 May 2021: Germany’s CDU under fire over nomination of controversial ex-spy chief, The Guardian, 2 May 2021: Germany: Stand up to China and Putin? Foreign policy at heart of vote, DW, 3 May 2021: Germany’s Oktoberfest canceled again in 2021 due to coronavirus, France24, 3 May 2021: Germany’s Oktoberfest cancelled again over Covid, The Guardian, 3 May 2021: Polls put Green party in lead five months before election, DW, 4 May 2021: Germany’s COVID vaccine campaign ‘showing effect’, Naval News, 4 May 2021: TKMS Hand Over Second SA’AR 6 Corvette to the Israeli Navy (Sa’ar 6-class corvette), Defense Brief, 4 May 2021: Germany’s TKMS hands over second SA’AR 6 corvette INS Oz to Israel, DW, 4 May 2021: Germany eyes new Afghanistan role after troop withdrawal, DW, 5 May 2021: WHO to set up pandemic early warning center in Germany, DW, 6 May 2021: Germany, Russia and the Sputnik V vaccine — a tale of soft power, DW, 7 May 2021: Morocco recalls ambassador in Germany over Western Sahara (Western Sahara conflict), DW, 7 May 2021: Holocaust remembrance site in Terezin is crumbling (Theresienstadt Ghetto), The New York Times, 8 May 2021: Was Nazi Germany Defeated or Liberated? Germans Can’t Decide., DW, 8 May 2021: ‘Keep alive memory’ of WWII victims, urges Germany’s Merkel, DW, 8 May 2021: Tensions rise between Morocco and Germany, DW, 9 May 2021: COVID: Berliners go out as Germany lifts restrictions for vaccinated and recovered, DW, 12 May 2021: Social inequality in Germany is on the rise, DW, 14 May 2021: Germany stands by Israel — despite the Holocaust, and because of the Holocaust, DW, 17 May 2021: Hamas ‘needs to cease rocket fire,’ says Israeli ambassador (Bundestag election campaign or not: Supporting the Israeli Crime Minister of all things has a remarkable after taste. It will also be interesting to see whether the International Criminal Court (ICC) will come to the same assessment of the situation), DW, 18 May 2021: Middle East seeks a mediator as Israel strikes Gaza, Arab News, 20 May 2021: German FM expresses ‘solidarity’ with Israel, calls for cease-fire, DW, 25 May 2021: German economy hit harder than expected by COVID crisis, DW, 25 May 2021: Disinformation campaigns could derail Germany’s election, Haaretz, 27 May 2021: Germany Gave Israel Unwavering Support During the Latest Gaza War. Here’s Why, DW, 28 May 2021: Germany officially recognizes colonial-era Namibia genocide (Herero and Namaqua genocide), BBC, 28 May 2021: Germany officially recognises colonial-era Namibia genocide, CNN, 28 May 2021: Germany will pay Namibia $1.3bn as it formally recognizes colonial-era genocide, NPR, 28 May 2021: Germany Officially Recognizes It Committed Genocide In Present-Day Namibia, DW, 29 May 2021: How North Korea uses Berlin universities for propaganda, Haaretz, 31 May 2021: Germany Appoints First Military Rabbi in Nearly a Century, The Times, 2 June 2021: €1bn for genocide is insulting, Namibians tell Germany, France24, 2 June 2021: Germany-Russia flights resume after tit-for-tat cancellations, DW, 2 June 2021: Germany-Russia flights resume after air traffic suspension, Reuters, 4 June 2021: Ukraine must show good will if it wants Russian gas transit, Putin says (is Nord Stream 2 just an economic project? Obviously not. It is a political weapon of the Kremlin. The partner countries’ warnings about Russian reprisals are becoming true. Berlin has to take countermeasures here and shouldn’t even start gas deliveries through the pipeline), France24, 6 June 2021: British memorial opens in Normandy to commemorate D-Day fallen, The Guardian, 6 June 2021: ‘France is for ever grateful’: Normandy memorial for British D-day troops unveiled, Jüdische Allgemeine, 7 June 2021: Saxony-Anhalt elections: Schuster warns to be too casual about results, The Times, 8 June 2021: Russia’s meddling in Germany ‘returns to Cold War levels’, Politico.eu, 9 June 2021: Commission threatens to sue Germany over EU law supremacy dispute, Politico.eu, 9 June 2021: European Commission declares war on German arrogance, DW, 11 June 2021: German Bundestag passes new law on supply chain ethics, The Guardian, 11 June 2021: Holidaymania strikes Germany as Covid travel restrictions ease, CNN, 12 June 2021: Heroes of laziness, a Hamas supporter and David Hasselhoff. The stars of Germany’s absurd Covid vaccination publicity campaign, DW, 16 June 2021: Germany, Poland mark 30 years of Good Neighbourship treaty (it will take another 30 to 50 years, before some sort of “partnership” between the countries can be created. The question remains whether the meager results justifies the considerable efforts), DW, 16 June 2021: Ukraine upset by German plans to mark anniversary of Nazi Soviet invasion, BBC, 16 June 2021: Germany withdraws platoon from Nato mission in Lithuania, DW, 16 June 2021: Remembering a forgotten German-Jewish heritage, The Guardian, 16 June 2021: Greenpeace Euro 2020 parachutist lucky not to be shot down, says politician, DW, 16 June 2021: German police probe failed Greenpeace Euro 2020 protest, Al Jazeera, 16 June 2021: Euro 2020 paraglider protest leaves several injured, DW, 18 June 2021: Germany to widen refuge for Afghan Bundeswehr helpers, Politico.eu, 18 June 2021: Voter fraud misinformation gains momentum in Germany (the right-wing losers around the world have found a common cause), DW, 18 June 2021: Merkel, Macron: ‘Russia is a big challenge for us’, World Politics Review 21 June 2021:Germany’s Plain-Speaking ‘Man in New York’ Had a Good Run at the U.N., DW, 23 June 2021: US has ‘no better friend’ than Germany, says US top diplomat Antony Blinken, DW, 25 June 2021: Germany lifts restrictions for descendants of Nazi victims?to get citizenship, Haaretz, 30 June 2021: German President Steinmeier to Haaretz: Concern Over Iran Is Justified, DW, 30 June 2021: German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier visits Israel, The Times, 1 July 2021: Boris Johnson and Angela Merkel play the same wily game, Arab News, 2 July 2021: ‘A new chapter:’ Merkel aims for UK-Germany relations reset, Politico.eu, 2 July 2021: Johnson and Merkel look past Brexit (and football) with treaty plan, DW, 2 July 2021: Germany’s Angela Merkel makes last official visit to UK — as it happened, DW, 4 July 2021: Coronavirus: Hamburg’s fish market reopens after 15 months, DW, 5 July 2021: Afghan Bundeswehr helpers arrive in Germany for asylum: report, DW, 7 July 2021: Germans see better ties with US since Biden took office: poll, Politico.eu, 8 July 2021: EU fines German car cartel €875M over clean emissions technology (finally some normality again in a seemingly completely out of joint world: Three companies commit a joint crime, are caught doing it and punished for it. Refreshing!), DW, 8 July 2021: Erk Acarer: Exiled Turkish journalist attacked in Berlin (another reminder that it is long time to put an end to Erdogan’s terrorists), DW, 9 July 2021: Hanno Berger: Alleged ‘cum-ex’ fraud architect detained, DW, 14 July 2021: Angela Merkel meets Joe Biden: The message is harmony, France24, 15 July 2021: Merkel, Biden stress friendship but remain at odds over pipeline after meeting, Politico.eu, 15 July 2021: Why Merkel can’t stop apologizing, DW, 15 July 2021: Germany and digitalization: Why can’t Europe’s richest country get up to speed?, France24, 16 July 2021: Hundreds missing in Germany after massive floods leave scores dead, CNN, 16 July 2021: Germany mounts huge rescue effort after floods leave dozens dead and many more missing, France24, 16 July 2021: Europe floods: Officials warn such disasters to become more common, The Guardian, 16 July 2021: Climate scientists shocked by scale of floods in Germany, Reuters, 16 July 2021: At least 44 dead, dozens missing as floods sweep through western Europe, Jerusalem Post, 16 July 2021: Floods in Germany claim 103 victims, more than 1,000 missing – watch, Der Spiegel, 16 July 2021: Did Climate Change Cause This? Flood Disaster Could Become a Major Issue in German Election, DW, 16 July 2021: Germany’s floods bring climate policy into focus in election year, The Guardian, 16 July 2021: Death toll exceeds 120 as Germany and Belgium hit by devastating floods, Irish Times, 16 July 2021: Germany triggers military disaster alert after catastrophic flood kills at least 100 (2021 European floods and St. Mary Magdalene’s flood), DW, 16 July 2021: Shipping container shortage inflicts pain on German shoppers, Politico.eu, 18 July 2021: Merkel pledges stronger post-flood focus on ‘climate protection’, DW, 19 July 2021: Germany’s know-it-all attitude after the floods helps no one (of course, it is initially a tightrope act or as it is called: “keep measure and balance”. From a distance, the topic can be divided into four phases: First of all, it is about giving consolation and support to those affected (some communities will only be able to be supplied temporarily for months, have mobile toilet and washing facilities and fresh water tanks in the village squares, until the infrastructure (water, sewage, electricity, telephone, internet, television, etc.) is restored and something like normal returns). As was to be expected during election campaign times, this is currently mixed, unfortunately, with blame that has been shot from the hip and just as unsustainable. Here, too, it is urgent and prompt to find “measure and balance” in order not to escalate the situation any further. Then it is about raising tax money in unbelievable amounts for the renewal and repair of the public infrastructure (traffic and transport infrastructure, supply and discharge of drinking and service water, electricity, telephone, etc.). The previously announced 300 million euros can only be a start. Phases 3 and 4 are much more positive because they are about reconstruction. For city planners, architects, project developers and construction companies this is “a dream”, because in many cases they now have white sheets in front of them and can thus avoid the bad planning of the past and at the same time implement sustainable, future-oriented new building measures that take climate change into account. The only downer is the partial loss of old and historical buildings, with the majority of the loss being attributable to post-war buildings, which are not significant in terms of architecture and building history. So it is a mixed balance, the successful implementation of which will take 10 to 15 years and depends to a large extent on the timely provision of public funds/subsidies and permits), DW, 19 July 2021: How can we prepare for extreme flooding?, DW, 20 July 2021: Berlin’s controversial Humboldt Forum opens its doors, France24, 21 July 2021: ‘More money will be made available if needed’: German Cabinet approves some $472 million in first flood aid, DW, 21 July 2021: Germany floods: Government announces financial aid for victims, Irish Times, 21 July 2021: Irishman suspected of planning attack in Germany could face 10 years in prison, CNN, 22 July 2021: More than 150 people still missing in German floods unlikely to be found, officials fear, DW, 22 July 2021: How do you insure yourself against climate change?, The New York Times, 23 July 2021: Germany Is in Shock. Its Politicians Are on Autopilot, Der Spiegel, 23 July 2021: The End of Safety: Germany Must Learn To Live with Uncertainty, The Guardian, 23 July 2021: ‘We need a lot of help’: Germans sift through debris after devastating floods, The Times, 23 July 2021: Germany’s poshest store sets sights on Bowie’s Berlin Jungle, DW, 24 July 2021: Showing solidarity after the floods: People helping people, DW, 25 July 2021: Less freedom for the unvaccinated, Merkel’s top aide warns (very good. It cannot be that Covidiotes and other troublemakers receive rewards and recognition for their anti-social and anti-German behavior and thus being the main reason for the fourth wave to be expected in autumn/winter 2021), DW, 27 July 2021: Germany: UNESCO makes Jewish centers World Heritage Sites, France24, 27 July 2021: Deadly explosion at industrial park in German city of Leverkusen, DW, 27 July 2021: Deadly blast hits Leverkusen chemical site, BBC, 27 July 2021: Leverkusen blast: German chemical plant explosion leaves one dead, The Washington Post, 28 July 2021: German court dismisses bankers’ appeal in tax evasion case, US News, 28 July 2021: German Court Dismisses Bankers’ Appeal in Tax Evasion Case, The Algemeiner, 28 July 2021: In First, UNESCO Grants World Heritage Status to ‘Jerusalem on the Rhine,’ Jewish Cultural Sites in Germany, Jerusalem Post, 29 July 2021: INS Magen: Israel’s newest ship changes how the IDF combats naval threats, The Guardian, 29 July 2021: Syrian doctor charged in Germany with crimes against humanity, DW, 29 July 2021: Why are German chemical plants located near big cities?, Jerusalem Post, 31 July 2021: Jewish groups slam Brazilian president’s warm welcome of Nazi descendant (After all, thinking ahead: In the event of an election victory for the AfD and an overall result that is likely to be similar to that of the model party, the old escape routes and hiding places of the NSDAP thugs in South America will be reactivated at an early stage to be on the safe side. You never know what it can be good for …), Times of Israel, 31 July 2021: Brazil’s welcome to granddaughter of Hitler’s finance minister draws Jewish ire, DW, 31 July 2021: German ‘flood wine’ sold to combat fallout of flood disaster, DW, 2 August 2021: German warship sets sail for Indo-Pacific region, DW, 2 August 2021: Germany mulls manslaughter probe into deadly floods, DW, 4 August 2021: Summer, vacation and COVID: German Baltic resorts stretched to their limits, DW, 4 August 2021: Germany arrests alleged Syrian war criminal, The Guardian, 5 August 2021: Government urged to do more to help rebuild flood-hit communities, DW, 6 August 2021: Germany’s ‘flood of the century’ cripples tourism, DW, 6 August 2021: Rebuilding Germany’s flood-ravaged towns and villages, Al Arabiya, 6 August 2021: US drops plan to vacate troop bases in Germany, Belgium, DW, 7 August 2021: German vaccination campaign saved thousands of lives: study, DW, 9 August 2021: Afghanistan: Germany rejects calls to return troops as Taliban seizes cities, DW, 9 August 2021: German floods: Up to €30 billion needed for recovery fund, Politico.eu, 10 August 2021: German rail union announces nationwide strike (the GDL around Claus Weselsky are just annoying, who, in the usual manner, take all taxpayers as owners of the Bundesbahn, parts of the economy and all rail travelers hostage for their dubious actions. The faster the Bundesbahn completely automates its trains, the better, especially for taxpayers and/or rail customers), DW, 10 August 2021: German floods: Leaders agree on €30-billion reconstruction fund, Politico.eu, 10 August 2021: Germany to end free coronavirus tests, ups pressure on vaccine skeptics, DW, 10 August 2021: Germany to end free COVID testing in October, DW, 10 August 2021: German army veterans feel ‘anger and grief’ at fall of Kunduz , DW, 10 August 2021: Opinion: Afghan civil war guilt lies with Germany, too, NPR, 11 August 2021: Thousands In Germany Thought They Had Their Vaccine. It May Have Been Saline Instead, The New York Times, 11 August 2021: Thousands in Germany get extra shots after a nurse is suspected of tampering with the vaccine., DW, 11 August 2021: Coronavirus digest: Germany’s ‘fourth wave is coming’, DW, 16 August 2021: Enough with Western hypocrisy over Afghanistan, Arab News, 16 August 2021: Merkel says Germany may need to rescue 10,000 people from Afghanistan (Germany’s credibility has suffered badly, and not just in Afghanistan. The EU, and above all Germany, want to take on more responsibility in the world. Nice, but with the troop that is currently in charge, it will definitely not work. This is now clearly visible and, above all, has become recognizable worldwide. A bunch of armchair jerks stand in their own way, play their intrigues and, in times of greatest need, prefer to think about which forms have to be filled out instead of saving human lives. Incompetence cannot be expressed more clearly or visibly, but it is now documented on the world stage and for all eternity in the media and state archives. Good job. If you have watched the dramatic escape scenes at the airport in Kabul, then this must lead to personnel and organizational consequences in Germany as well. Hundreds of panicked Afghans clinged to the outside of starting military planes and ultimately fall to their deaths. What form is there for that? In retrospect, however, one must clearly state that this catastrophe is part of the highly toxic legacy of “stable genius” #45, who has signed an uncoordinated withdrawal agreement with the Taliban in Doha. Like everything that Trump has touched, of course that could only end in chaos and that’s how it finally happened. Whoever frees terrorists from Pakistani custody in order to do business with them afterwardsbefreit (Doha Agreement (2020), Joint Declaration between the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and the United States of America for Bringing Peace to Afghanistan (PDF), Agreement for Bringing Peace to Afghanistan between the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan which is not recognized by the United States as a state and is known as the Taliban and the United States of America (PDF)), is presented with the corresponding invoice at the end. Joe Biden can be blamed for the consequences of the hasty withdrawal. Everything that has led to it, however, goes to the account of the autocrat, dictator and terrorist friend Donald Trump. At the same time, the majority of Americans (Democrats and Republicans) consider the withdrawal from Afghanistan is the right thing to do, even in the face of the latest developments, because “the right time to withdrawal” would not exist. Not only since the corona pandemic has it been abundantly clear that Germany has a serious problem with digitization, organization and structure, especially in the management structure. The flood disaster on the Ahr also showed that lack of planning is no alternative to reporting and management structures. Without the massive commitment of volunteers, there would still be “land under” today. In the case of the “retreat”, more appropriately “on the run”, from Afghanistan this has now been underlined again and again with immediately fatal consequences. That an army that has been involved in a major combat mission for the first time in decades makes mistakes, as it did at the beginning, is understandable and ultimately also forgivable, especially since the mission itself was of course completely correct (even if, as it turned out, often without sufficient knowledge about the country, people and culture or that in a country that does not see itself as a nation, that nation-building takes much longer than two decades or that the civilian population, who stand between the Stone Age Islamists and the “liberators”, ultimately be worn out by both sides or that the Bundeswehr was/is not in Afghanistan to drill wells, build schools or plant flowers). That the civil administration behind this army, their local helpers (and their families), the numerous development workers and teachers who have contributed to the improvement of the situation with the commitment of their lives, then be that inactive and thus dishonors at the same time those soldiers and helpers, is not forgivable and a national shame. Obviously, a viable exit strategy was not even considered, let alone implementing one. If that is not a very urgent wake-up call to purge official Germany, to de-bureaucratize, to organize and structure differently, so that the country can finally be prepared for changed tasks, to make it fit for the future, to bring it out of the comatose deep sleep and at the same time to counteract self-dwelling then the country cannot be helped. Because one thing becomes abundantly clear here too: “German bureaucracy is killing!” Practically currently on site in Afghanistan, in the medium and long term the German economy and finally also the EU itself. This naturally also applies to the EU’s common security and defense policy as a whole. Other nations participating in the Afghanistan mission will have to take a look at their own (in)actions. The cooperation between the EU states was once again inadequate because there are once again “more chiefs than Indians”, which at least brings a bit of irony to the matter, because that is exactly what the Afghan government has been accused of for years when it still existed. In view of this dilettantism, how do you want to build a credible EU defense structure when the civil administrations fail? Just for a better understanding: Behind every front soldier with a rifle in hand there are between 20 and 40 officials and employees from various civil administrations), DW, 16 August 2021: Afghans in Germany terrified at situation back home, DW, 17 August 2021: German president laments ‘human tragedy’ in Afghanistan, Der Spiegel, 18 August 2021: Local Hires Stranded in Afghanistan: “They Don’t Care About Me. They Don’t Care About My Life!”, Der Spiegel, 18 August 2021: Legal Loggerheads: Stewing Conflict Between German High Court and the EU Could Boil Over, DW, 19 August 2021: Afghan debacle for German intelligence services, Irish Times, 20 August 2021: The Prussian prince, the compensation claim and the humble pie, DW, 20 August 2021: Germany enters 4th coronavirus wave, Der Spiegel, 20 August 2021: “Takeover of Kabul Unlikely Before 9/11”: A Chronicle of German Failures in Afghanistan, DW, 21 August 2021: Merkel’s fruitless Moscow trip, Politico.eu, 22 August 2021: Ukraine insists Nord Stream 2 is ‘dangerous’ despite German reassurances, DW, 22 August 2021: Ukraine: Nord Stream 2 a ‘dangerous geopolitical weapon’, Irish Times, 22 August 2021: Russia warned not to use pipeline as ‘geopolitical weapon’ against Ukraine, France24, 22 August 2021: Merkel vows to prevent Putin from using Nord Stream 2 pipeline as a ‘geopolitical weapon’, NPR, 23 August 2021: A Pilgrimage To Meet Germany’s Last Beer-Brewing Nun, CNN, 23 August 2021: Climate change made Germany’s deadly floods up to 9 times more likely, study says, The Guardian, 23 August 2021: Germany: Climate crisis made deadly floods ‘up to nine times more likely’, DW, 23 August 2021: Merkel leaves Ukraine with a difficult legacy, DW, 24 August 2021: Afghanistan: Aid workers in need, France24, 24 August 2021: Deadly flooding in Germany, Belgium fueled by climate change, study finds, DW, 25 August 2021: Merkel: Kabul evacuations will ‘end in a few days’, DW, 25 August 2021: Coronavirus digest: Germany administers 100 million vaccine doses, DW, 25 August 2021: Looking back on Germany’s involvement in Afghanistan, DW, 26 August 2021: Afghanistan: Final German evacuation flight leaves Kabul airport (that is one big oath of disclosure. Not even 1/3 of those who campaigned for German interests in Afghanistan in many ways were flown out. The time window for evacuations by airlift does not end until 31 August 2021, but the Federal Minister of Defense surrenders a week earlier), The National, 27 August 2021: The Afghan who swapped high office for food delivery bike in Germany, DW, 27 August 2021: Germany unworthy of Afghans’ trust, The National, 27 August 2021: Germany to offer African nations up to 70 million Covid vaccine doses, DW, 27 August 2021: Merkel wants more investment in Africa, ‘fair’ vaccine distribution, Irish Times, 27 August 2021: For better or for Wurst — VW to stop making sausages, DW, 28 August 2021: German leaders join memorial service for flood victims, DW, 28 August 2021: Germany: Protesters decry new assembly law, The Times, 30 August 2021: Europe risks irrelevance unless it muscles up, DW, 30 August 2021: China eyes Germany’s famous ‘hidden champions’ model, Politico.eu, 30 August 2021: Battle over the future of Germany’s cut-price version of Camp David, DW, 30 August 2021: German inflation jumps to its highest level in a quarter-century, DW, 31 August 2021: Afghanistan pullout chills US-German relations, DW, 31 August 2021: Germany’s Merkel, Austria’s Kurz talk Afghanistan in Berlin, Politico.eu, 1 September 2021: WHO, Berlin float sanctions if countries suppress information on pandemics, DW, 1 September 2021: Germany’s Afghanistan vets grapple with ‘second war’, The National, 3 September 2021: German election seen failing voters on migration policy, DW, 4 September 2021: 9/11: 20 years on, Germany still grapples with militant Islamists, DW, 5 September 2021: Merkel, Laschet return to flood-damaged German state, DW, 5 September 2021: Yiddish words still common in the German language, DW, 6 September 2021: Disinformation, fake news plague German election campaign, Haaretz, 7 September 2021: Germany’s ‘FBI’ Bought Israeli NSO’s Spyware Despite Knowledge of Rights Abuses, Report Says, Jüdische Allgemeine, 9 September 2021: German federal elections: Jewish organizations warn against the AfD, DW, 10 September 2021: Germany ‘unimaginable’ without immigrants, says President Steinmeier, DW, 11 September 2021: Merkel: Belarus migrant push at EU border ‘unacceptable’, DW, 11 September 2021: 9/11: 20 years on, Germany still grapples with militant Islamists, Der Spiegel, 13 September 2021: Egypt Picks Europe Over China: High-Speed Rail to Connect Red Sea and Mediterranean, DW, 15 September 2021: Germany says it will grant visas to 2,600 Afghans, The Guardian, 15 September 2021: In Germany’s election, the fate of the EU is at stake, DW, 15 September 2021: China denies port visit by German warship, Der Spiegel, 17 September 2021: A Third Betrayal: Many of Germany’s Local Hires Are Still Waiting To Be Rescued from Afghanistan, DW, 17 September 2021: Germany awards Order of Merit to Afghanistan airlift general, France24, 18 September 2021: Dubbed ‘World’s most powerful women’, is Angela Merkel a role model for German women? (the federal election campaign in 2021 is considered by some media to be “exciting” (which can actually only refer to the completely open result), but is actually a boring mixture of German fuss and folklore, while the existential questions for Germany, namely European and foreign policies, are largely left out. The new federal government will therefore be excellently suited as city council in Torfmoorholm (a non-existing village somewhere countryside), but the international issues and the resulting national strategies lack the pragmatic, forward-looking and progressive, offensive and courageous answers that are of outstanding importance for Germany’s viability. Angelika Merkel is aäready missing before the elections have even taken place. She is certainly not the one whose drive for innovation can hardly be stopped, but for her European and foreign policies and strategies have always had great weight. It is certainly the case that the Chancellor leaves some need for reform, but that is no wonder and could have been expected against the background of the numerous external crises that characterized the Chancellorship, and of course tied up capacities and resources that could not be used elsewhere. In view of the growing European and international challenges, the new federal government will have to invest a lot of time and money in reforms and restructuring), DW, 18 September 2021: Is Germany about to take a big step into the digital future?, The Washington Post, 20 September 2021: What you need to know about Germany’s election, Khaleej Times, 20 September 2021: Europe and the world need a steady hand in Germany, DW, 20 September 2021: German election: EU-Turkey relations hang in the balance, Al Arabiya, 21 September 2021: German FM calls US submarine actions ‘irritating,’ ‘disappointing’, Politico.eu, 21 September 2021: How Germany learned to stop worrying and love EU bailouts, CNN, 22 September 2021: Germany’s election will decide what life after Merkel looks like. Here’s what you need to know, DW, 23 September 2021: German election basics: From the vote to replacing Angela Merkel, CNN, 23 September 2021: Angela Merkel saw Germans through crisis after crisis. Now they wonder who’ll fill the void, The New York Times, 24 September 2021: Germany After Angela Merkel, DW, 24 September 2021: UN General Assembly: Germany struggles to define its place in the world, The Guardian, 24 September 2021: Germany: Election too close to call as polls find SPD has lost its lead, Politico.eu, 24 September 2021: German parties make final push in tight contest to succeed Merkel, The Economist, 24 September 2021: German election diary: Laschet’s hope; avian alarm; your TV guide, The Guardian, 24 September 2021: The Guardian view on Europe’s centre-left: new grounds for optimism, Times of Israel, 25 September 2021: After Merkel: Antisemitism and Israel ties on Jewish minds as Germany votes, NPR, 25 September 2021: Germans Head To The Polls To Decide Who Will Succeed Angela Merkel, Politico.eu, 25 September 2021: German election: The essential guide, Irish Times, 25 September 2021: Germany votes: The election that could change Europe’s future, CNN, 25 September 2021: Germany is the biggest economy in Europe. What if it shifts left?, BBC, 25 September 2021: Germany elections: Merkel backs ‘bridge-builder’ Laschet as successor, France24, 25 September 2021: Could far-left Die Linke become part of next German government?, DW, 25 September 2021: German election: The party programs, Politico.com, 25 September 2021: Being a Woman in German Politics Still Isn’t Easy. Annalena Baerbock’s Rise and Fall Shows Why., BBC, 25 September 2021: German frontrunner Olaf Scholz: ‘EU and UK will have to work together as friends’, DW, 26 September 2021: Projections give Social Democrats narrow election lead, France24, 26 September 2021: Live: SPD makes strong gains in Germany as CDU marks worst election result post-war, BBC, 26 September 2021: German rivals neck and neck to succeed Merkel, The Sunday Times, 26 September 2021: Macron has a golden chance to switch axis of the EU from Berlin to Paris, Politico.eu, 25 September 2021: Germany can no longer avoid its responsibility to European defense, DW, 26 September 2021: Germany votes: Big gains for center-left parties, heavy losses for conservatives — live updates, CNN, 26 September 2021: Center-left SPD has slight lead in Germany: exit poll, The Sunday Times, 26 September 2021: Exit poll puts Scholz and Laschet neck and neck, Irish Times, 26 September 2021: Germany tilts towards centre-left victory as SPD edges ahead in election, The Guardian, 26 September 2021: German election SPD in wafer-thin lead as results come in, Politico.eu, 26 September 2021: Live blog: German election too close to call, exit polls show, Haaretz, 26 September 2021: A Gay ex-IDF Soldier Is Running for German Parliament — for the Far-right, Jerusalem Post, 26 September 2021: German elections have some Jewish officials in the country worried, Al Arabiya, 26 September 2021: German CDU/CSU conservatives, Social Democrat tied in national election: Exit poll, The New York Times, 26 September 2021: German Election Results Hint at Messier Politics After Angela Merkel, The Hill, 26 September 2021: Social Democrats win German election, beating Merkel’s conservatives, NPR, 26 September 2021: Social Democrats Beat Merkel’s Bloc In German Elections, DW, 27 September 2021: German election 2021: Both CDU and SPD aim to form coalitions — live updates, The National, 27 September 2021: Germany’s SPD takes narrow lead in post-Merkel election, DW, 27 September 2021: International media reacts to German election results, France24, 27 September 2021: Germans reject political extremes as centre-left SPD takes the lead, DW, 27 September 2021: German business leaders react to election result, The Guardian, 27 September 2021: German election 2021: SPD intends to form coalition with Greens and liberals, France24, 27 September 2021: Live: What will Germany’s post-Merkel government look like?, The Times, 27 September 2021: German frontrunner woos Greens for three-party coalition, DW, 27 September 2021: German election 2021: How world leaders reacted, BBC, 27 September 2021: Germany elections: Centre-left claim narrow win over Merkel’s party, The Times, 27 September 2021: Scholz or Laschet: Who will be the next chancellor?, CNN, 27 September 2021: Key takeaways from Germany’s historic election, Politico.eu, 27 September 2021: Germany’s coalition bazaar opens for business, The Guardian, 27 September 2021: EU reaction: Brussels expects poll results to mark German change of direction, Politico.eu, 27 September 2021: Election leaves Germany in limbo, Times of Israel, 27 September 2021: Uncertain start to post-Merkel era after close German vote, The Atlantic, 27 September 2021: How Clinton’s ‘Basket of Deplorables’ Taught Germany a Lesson, Politico.com, 27 September 2021: What Germany’s Election Results Mean for U.S. Foreign Policy, The New York Times, 27 September 2021: Winner but Not Chancellor, Yet: The Race to Replace Angela Merkel, The Times, 28 September 2021: Green and liberal kingmakers set terms for possible deal, Politico.eu, 28 September 2021: After historic loss, Germany’s Armin Laschet begins to accept the inevitable, The Times, 28 September 2021: ‘Bad loser’ Laschet told to accept defeat as rivals seek early coalition talks, The Guardian, 28 September 2021: German election: How coalition wrangling could affect Cop26 mood, France24, 28 September 2021: Focus shifts to Germany’s Green and liberal kingmakers after SPD tops polls, DW, 28 September 2021: Germany’s election results: Facts and figures, The New York Times, 28 September 2021: German Election Leaves Angela Merkel’s Conservatives in Disarray, Politico.eu, 28 September 2021: Germany’s car industry braces for a new government, Gulf Times, 29 September 2021: Business council keen to bolster Qatar-Germany ties, Arab News, 29 September 2021: Merkel ‘has congratulated Scholz on his election win’, DW, 29 September 2021: German election: Greens and FDP meet for preliminary two-way talks, The Times, 29 September 2021: Merkel’s successor Armin Laschet urged to quit after dismal election, DW, 29 September 2021: New German government must focus on central Europe, BBC, 29 September 2021: German coalition talks: Where Brits see a crisis, Germans find unity, DW, 29 September 2021: Merkel congratulates Scholz on election success, Politico.eu, 30 September 2021: Where Germany’s Greens and FDP agree — and where they don’t, Der Spiegel, 1 October 2021: The Success of the AfD: Why Is the Right Wing So Strong in Eastern Germany?, The Times, 1 October 2021: German election: Olaf Scholz would turn his back on America as chancellor, warns critic, DW, 1 October 2021: South Korea looks to Germany for reunification pointers, DW, 3 October 2021: Unity goes beyond German reunification, DW, 3 October 2021: German reunification: Angela Merkel urges country to overcome East-West divide, Khaleej Times, 3 October 2021: Merkel urges compromise at start of tough coalition talks, DW, 3 October 2021: German parties extend coalition talks, Der Spiegel, 4 October 2021: The Global Challenges Facing Germany’s Next Chancellor, Jerusalem Post, 4 October 2021: The message in Merkel’s swan-song trip to Israel – analysis, DW, 5 October 2021: The German-Turkish Recruitment Agreement 60 years on, Times of Israel, 6 October 2021: Holocaust survivors from Leningrad among 6,500 now eligible for German pensions, DW, 6 October 2021: Looking back at Germany’s involvement in Afghanistan, Palestine Chronicle, 8 October 2021: ‘We Will Appeal’: German Court Dismisses Palestine Activists’ Efforts aimed at Reversing Anti-BDS Law, The National, 9 October 2021: Out of Afghanistan: New life awaits refugees in Germany, DW, 9 October 2021: Germany’s flood-hit regions brace for winter, DW, 11 October 2021: How will a new German government shape its relations with the United States?, Arab News, 13 October 2021: Germany pays tribute to troops who served in Afghanistan, DW, 13 October 2021: Germany honors soldiers who fought in Afghanistan mission, Jerusalem Post, 13 October 2021: A message to Israelis, Palestinians, Germans about Palestinian statehood – opinion, DW, 14 October 2021: Görlach Global: Germany must not be blackmailed by Turkey, The Jewish Chronicle, 15 October 2021: When the British Legion cosied up to Hitler and praised Dachau, Jerusalem Post, 17 October 2021: IAF, Luftwaffe fly over Knesset in Jerusalem as Blue Flag drill launches (what a waste of tax money, just to perform a laughable and useless show somewhere in the desert. As if European countries would be stupid enough to engage militarily in the endless Middle East conflicts. Israel has just been transferred from EUCOM to CENTCOM. Perhaps this shall create the wrong impression as if this isn’t the case, but that Israel is now being looked after by both EUCOM and CENTCOM), Times of Israel, 17 October 2021: German military planes fly over Jerusalem for 1st time since WWI in show of ties, Politico.eu, 17 October 2021: German Greens vote to start formal coalition talks with SPD, liberals, DW, 17 October 2021: Germany: Green Party agrees to start formal coalition talks, New York Times, 17 October 2021: At Politico’s New Owner, Allegations of Sex, Lies and a Secret Payment, Jerusalem Post, 17 October 2021: Don’t base Israeli-German ties only on the Holocaust – opinion, The New York Times, 18 October 2021: Axel Springer Ousts Editor After Times Report on Workplace Behavior, DW, 19 October 2021: After the flood in Erftstadt-Blessem, The Washington Post, 19 October 2021: Top German tabloid Bild removes leading editor over abuse-of-power allegations, Gulf Times, 19 October 2021: Bild editor sacked over affair at work, Politico.eu, 20 October 2021: The future of Europe is at stake in the fight for Germany’s finance ministry, Haaretz, 20 October 2021: Four Israelis Arrested for Defrauding Millions of Euros From Germans, Politico.eu, 20 October 2021: Germany proposes joint border patrols on Polish territory, DW, 20 October 2021: Germany’s Bundesbank chief Jens Weidmann quits years before the end of his term, The Atlantic, 20 October 2021: Germany Found a Way to Reduce Polarization. Could It Work in the U.S.?, DW, 21 October 2021: German cybersecurity office issues warning, DW, 22 October 2021: Nuclear power: Are energy price hikes prompting a German rethink?, DW, 23 October 2021: Germany sees new refugee arrivals via Poland and Belarus, The Washington Post, 23 October 2021: Germany portrays itself as a climate leader. It’s razing villages for coal mines., DW, 23 October 2021: Merkel calls on women to get more active in politics, Times of Israel, 24 October 2021: Israel, Germany agree to add NIS 20 million to Holocaust survivors’ stipends, DW, 25 October 2021: 60 years of German-Turkish Recruitment Agreement, Hürriyet Daily News, 26 October 2021: Turkish-German dialogue celebrated with art, Politico.eu, 26 October 2021: New German parliament opens with words of caution from departing president, Neue Zürcher Zeitung, 26 October 2021: What would Germany’s military do if Israel were in a fight for survival?, France24, 26 October 2021: Germany’s first post-Merkel parliament meets, breaks new ground for diversity, Politico.eu, 26 October 2021: Germany Inc.’s China syndrome, DW, 27 October 2021: German economy minister slashes 2021 growth forecast, Politico.eu, 27 October 2021: Germany’s parties jockey over fate of Bundesbank’s top job, The National, 28 October 2021: Israeli gang caught after theft of millions from German clients in scam, Times of Israel, 29 October 2021: In major shift, Germans begin targeting platforms driving Israel’s online fraud, Times of Israel, 29 October 2021: October surprise: Who’s who in the unprecedented wave of investment scam raids, The Algemeiner, 1 November 2021: Israel and Germany Kick Off Digital Cooperation to Boost Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare, Gulf Times, 3 November 2021: Germany experiencing ‘massive’ pandemic of unvaccinated, The Guardian, 3 November 2021: Covid: Germany enveloped in ‘massive’ pandemic of the unvaccinated, The National, 3 November 2021: Historic Arabic dictionary unveiled in UAE, Politico.eu, 4 November 2021: Sprechen Sie woke? Meet the Bundestag’s new progressives, DW, 4 November 2021: Majority of Germans in favor of mandatory COVID vaccine, CNN, 5 November 2021: Germany in the grips of a ‘very worrying’ spike in Covid cases, DW, 6 November 2021: German engine technology found in Chinese warships — report, DW, 8 November 2021: German businesses glad US entry ban is over, DW, 9 November 2021: German president marks November 9 pogrom against Jews (Proclaiming of the Weimar Republic (9 November 1918), Night of Broken Glass (9 November 1938) and Fall of the Berlin Wall (9 November 1989)), The New York Times, 11 November 2021: Germany’s Fourth Covid Wave: ‘A Pandemic of the Unvaccinated’ (this is now more than well known. There are countless vaccination options. Anyone who choose to remain unvaccinated, although there are no concerns on the part of the treating doctors, deserves no compassion. On the contrary, their demise would be more of a contribution to the “nicer and better living” section. In the end, they made their fundamental social incompatibility more than clear. The full sympathy and total empathy therefore goes to the medical staff, who are clearly overloaded while having to deal with these anti-vaxxers), DW, 12 November 2021: Germany’s dilemma: How to deal with Belarus?, Der Spiegel, 12 November 2021: A Federation of Imbeciles: Anti-Vaxxers and Politicians Push Germany to the Brink, DW, 12 November 2021: Merkel says unvaccinated have duty to get jab, France24, 12 November 2021: A century after German rule, genocide compensation deal divides Namibia, DW, 15 November 2021: Germany: Building back sustainably after a flood, Politico.eu, 19 November 2021: Germany’s nuclear option: No nukes (as the role of “Gas-Gerd” shows, the SPD leadership is a big fan of Russia’s dictator Putin. They would totally prefer to handing over Germany and the EU to him. NATO is of course an obstacle on the way, which is why it should be abolished. An important component for this is to reduce the spendings on the Bundeswehr so badly that it can no longer function as an army, so that Germany would be completely defenseless. The exact opposite would be necessary, however, so that Germany could finally live up to its international role and responsibility, which has been demanded by all NATO partners for years. But that cannot be achieved with “Olaf and the traffic light men” and their love for the Soviet Union. They prefer to dwarf Germany and the EU even further, only to wonder why half the world does not take them seriously and instead, quite rightly, laughs at them), DW, 21 November 2021: COVID highlights a geographic split in Germany, Politico.eu, 22 November 2021: Germans warm to US again under Biden: Report, The Guardian, 22 November 2021: Germany: Most people to be ‘vaccinated, cured or dead’ within months, says minister, Politico.eu, 22 November 2021: Germans will be ‘vaccinated, cured or dead’ by spring, warns health minister, DW, 22 November 2021: Spahn tells Germans not to be picky about jabs, The National, 22 November 2021: Belarus calls for German intervention in migrant crisis (no single EU country will take in Lukaschenko’s guests. They are his problems), Arab News, 22 November 2021: Belarus says it does not want confrontation, wants EU to take migrants, Haaretz, 22 November 2021: Vaccines, Violence and the Far-right: A Visit to Germany’s COVID Infection Capital, BBC, 22 November 2021: Germany Covid: Health minister’s stark warning to get jabbed, DW, 22 November 2021: Germans more optimistic about US relations, Politico.eu, 23 November 2021: Merkel’s husband: Some Germans are too lazy to get vaccinated, The Times, 23 November 2021: Is Germany ready for a culture war?, Politico.eu, 23 November 2021: German conservatives vie to preserve European Parliament power, The Guardian, 23 November 2021: Germany Merkel’s husband hits out at ‘laziness’ of unvaccinated Germans, DW, 23 November 2021: Where now for the post-Merkel CDU?, France24, 23 November 2021: Merkel’s husband calls unvaccinated Germans ‘lazy’, DW, 24 November 2021: German COVID incidence rate hits record of 400, DW, 24 November 2021: Germany mourns 100,000 COVID-19 dead, DW, 24 November 2021: Post-Merkel coalition promises progressive agenda, DW, 25 November 2021: Germany mourns 100,000 COVID-19 dead, DW, 25 November 2021: Germany: Caught by the fourth wave, The Times, 26 November 2021: Berlin State Ballet bans The Nutcracker over Chinese stereotypes, France24, 26 November 2021: German air force transfers patients as clinics fill up, DW, 27 November 2021: Germany sees increase in fake vaccination certificates, Der Spiegel, 27 November 2021: How Stable Is Germany’s New Coalition? The First Fractures Become Apparent in Berlin, DW, 27 November 2021: COVID: Germany confirms first two cases of omicron variant, Politico.eu, 28 November 2021: New German government should change tack over Nord Stream 2, Poland’s PM says, The Times, 28 November 2021: Germany’s new foreign minister, Annalena Baerbock, has eye on Putin, The Guardian, 28 November 2021: Germany A new era dawns, but collisions lie in wait for coalition, Gulf Times, 30 November 2021: IPA Qatar, BVMW pact to bolster Qatari-German economic, commercial ties, DW, 30 November 2021: COVID: Top German court rules ’emergency brake’ measures legal, Der Spiegel, 30 November 2021: German Foreign Minister-Designate Annalena Baerbock: “I Don’t Believe in Applying Old Labels To New Geopolitical Developments”, The National, 1 December 2021: Saudi Arabia’s Neom teams up with Germany’s Volocopter for urban air mobility system, The National, 1 December 2021: Second World War bomb explodes near German train station, CNN, 2 December 2021: Nationwide lockdown for unvaccinated in Germany, Politico.eu, 2 December 2021: Germany imposes coronavirus lockdown for unvaccinated people, The Times, 2 December 2021: Germany announces severe restrictions on unvaccinated, Irish Times, 3 December 2021: Jam for all promised as Germany enters post-Merkel era, The Times, 3 December 2021: Great expectations: why the West is looking to Germany to counter Russian aggression, DW, 4 December 2021: Germany struggles to save its middle class, DW, 4 December 2021: Germany: Torchlit rally against COVID measures prompts outcry, DW, 6 December 2021: German factory orders go into reverse in Oct slump, Politico.eu, 7 December 2021: On cusp of chancellery, Scholz warns Russia, goes softer on China, DW, 7 December 2021: ‘Vaccination or nothing’ — 150 major German companies launch social media offensive, The Guardian, 7 December 2021: New faces, policies – and accents The shape of Germany’s next coalition, Politico.eu, 7 December 2021: Germany’s new climate minister aims for green economic miracle, DW, 7 December 2021: Germany’s Olaf Scholz pushes for stronger EU, issues warning to Russia, CNN, 8 December 2021: Germany records highest daily Covid deaths since February, Politico.eu, 8 December 2021: New German Chancellor Scholz vows continuity with Merkel, Irish Times, 8 December 2021: Olaf Scholz realises 51 year-old childhood ambition, Politico.eu, 8 December 2021: 7 early signals from Olaf Scholz, The Times, 8 December 2021: Olaf Scholz voted in as German chancellor, Politico.eu, 8 December 2021: Meet Germany’s new government, France24, 8 December 2021: Greener, fairer, but no new debt: What to expect from Germany’s incoming govt, BBC, 8 December 2021: Scholz becomes German leader as Merkel bows out, France24, 8 December 2021: Olaf Scholz sworn in as Germany’s new chancellor, replaces Merkel with promise of ‘new beginning’, The National, 8 December 2021: Olaf Scholz confirmed as German chancellor, DW, 9 December 2021: What are the main tasks for Olaf Scholz and Germany’s new government?, Arab News, 9 December 2021: Pandemic, diplomacy: Germany’s new govt takes charge, DW, 9 December 2021: Who is Germany’s Annalena Baerbock?, Irish Times, 9 December 2021: Fall on walk from bed to desk is workplace accident, German court rules, DW, 10 December 2021: Germany’s new foreign minister makes inaugural visit to Poland (instead of wasting more time and, above all, more German tax money on Warsaw (even after several decades of German development aid worth billions, it is not clear that Poland will ever become a democratic state that would be viable on its own), Baerbock and Scholz would instead do well by visiting EU partner countries such as e.g. Italy, Spain, Portugal, the Netherlands, Denmark and Ireland, and to stay in good contact with the United Kingdom. The Visegrád states are not EU partner states, and not only when it comes to issues relating to the rule of law and democracy, and they do not even want to be. Just like the African recipients of German and EU development aid, they are only concerned with tapping the funds with which the heavily corrupted elites fill their pockets. These are not new findings, but practice that has been known for years. Nevertheless, the EU only initiates puppet theater instead of taking a clear line against it and a) blocking all budget funds from Brussels for the east and b) withdrawing voting rights. And what if the Polexit and/or Hungarexit should result from this? All the better. Hungary’s leadership has been deep in the pockets of Moscow and Bejing for years. It remains to be seen from which anti-EU source the Polish leadership is being lubricated. In either case, it would not be a loss for the EU. This is already clear from the public discussions about Polexit and Hungarexit (after Orbán and his severely corrupt gang, following the Russian example, are illegally snatching one company after the other and even increased the pace in the process, the likelihood of an exit is increasing. Why Brussels didn’t took action there isn’t really understandable. Perhaps the exit shall be supported in this way): the markets and/or the euro exchange rate react positively to this outlook. No wonder, because after all, the EU would benefit from being able to invest money sensibly and in a future-oriented manner, instead of having to send it to the Eastern Bloc to just burn money without real results, which is then no longer available for sensible expenditure and investments. After all, it will be funny when Polish nationalists have to dissolve the country in order to be able to assert imaginary reparation fantasies in a court at all. It will of course be a huge failure for them, while Germany and Russia grow unexpectedly. At the same time, that would be a nice signal to the rest of the world, namely that states can pursue a successful expansion policy even without wars: all that is required is a bunch of simple-minded nationalists on the other side. That would be a very nice knowledge gain for the international community), Arab News, 10 December 2021: Scholz meets with Macron in 1st trip as German chancellor, Der Spiegel, 10 December 2021: Resurrection of the SPD: The Unexpected Rise of Germany’s New Chancellor, Olaf Scholz, Politico.eu, 10 December 2021: Macron urges Scholz to ‘invent’ new financial solutions for EU, France24, 10 December 2021: Macron hails ‘convergence of views’ with ‘dear Olaf’ in first meeting with Germany’s Scholz, Jerusalem Post, 11 December 2021: ‘Time is running out,’ new German FM warns as Iran talks deadlocked, DW, 12 December 2021: Germany’s Scholz visits Poland amid growing differences, DW, 12 December 2021: The myth of a divided German society, Politico.eu, 13 December 2021: Leaders of Poland, Germany call for ‘swift’ solution to Warsaw’s rule of law row with EU, CNN, 14 December 2021: German health minister says there are not enough vaccines for start of 2022 (with the flimsy chatter about alleged vaccine shortages (stocks are reduced to a level X and then refilled, as it is in logistics), Health Minister Lauterbach ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karl_Lauterbach ) has certainly not made any new friends or gained credibility, except for the ones who said from the start that he isn’t fit for a ministerial position), The Guardian, 15 December 2021: If Olaf Scholz is serious about progress, he must back a patent waiver for Covid vaccines (A proposal that raises more questions than answers: Who will compensate Biontech for the lost profits? German taxpayers certainly not. What would British companies say if they had to release their patents for free use? The most important question, however, is who should ever be so stupid again in the future to finance the most extensive research work with an uncertain outcome at all if you know from the start that if you are successful you will not be able to earn any money with it?), The Times, 15 December 2021: ‘Russian agent’ jailed for murder of Chechen dissident in Berlin, The Guardian, 15 December 2021: Germany: Russian government ordered murder of Chechen in Berlin, court rules, The Times, 15 December 2021: Germans send warship through South China Sea, The Guardian, 15 December 2021: Germany: Olaf Scholz condemns Covid ‘truth denial’ in inaugural speech, France24, 15 December 2021: German police conduct raids over death threats from anti-vaccine groups, Al Arabiya, 15 December 2021: Germany expels Russian diplomats over state-ordered killing, DW, 15 December 2021: Germany expels two Russian diplomats after Tiergarten murder conviction, The National, 15 December 2021: Germany expels two Russian diplomats after murder conviction, DW, 15 December 2021: German court points finger at Kremlin after Berlin murder verdict, Jerusalem Post, 16 December 2021: The future challenges of the German-Israel relationship, DW, 18 December 2021: Who’s in charge of German foreign policy?, Haaretz, 19 December 2021: How Israel Expelled Me, a German Ph.D. Student, for Something I Had No Intention of Doing, DW, 20 December 2021: Russia expels two German diplomats over Berlin park assassination (they won’t be unhappy about being allowed to return home – especially, unlike the victim killed by the Kremlin in Tiergarten, unharmed), Politico.eu, 20 December 2021: Germany and Italy want unity — if money doesn’t get in the way, DW, 21 December 2021: Germany’s Scholz and Russia’s Putin discuss Ukraine in first call, The Times, 21 December 2021: Selfridges’ billionaire suitors close to sealing takeover deal (interesting. The same guys who are asking for the support by German taxpayers to run their “Galeria” business are on shopping tour elsewhere), DW, 21 December 2021: Xi urges Germany’s Scholz to stay pragmatic with China, Reuters, 21 December 2021: European gas prices hit record as Russian flows via Yamal reverse (so much for “Nord Stream 2 is a purely economic project”. The Kremlin terrorist tries to secure his only reliable source of income through blackmail and military aggression and at the same time wants to prevent the energy transition. It is time to turn to other, albeit more expensive, alternatives and at the same time to devote more time to the energy transition), Politico.eu, 21 December 2021: Scholz tells Xi he wants to ‘deepen’ economic ties with China (I didn’t vote for him so that’s not my fault), DW, 21 December 2021: Omicron: Germany to limit private gatherings after Christmas, France24, 22 December 2021: Germany urges dialogue with Russia, says ‘greatly concerned’ by Putin military threat, Arab News, 22 December 2021: Morocco sees return to normal diplomatic ties with Germany, Jerusalem Post, 22 December 2021: German university ends program with Iran uni. calling to destroy Israel, DW, 23 December 2021: German flood victims find Christmas cheer amid loss, DW, 23 December 2021: Steinmeier: Onus on individuals to end pandemic, DW, 23 December 2021: German import prices see highest jump in almost 50 years, The Guardian, 24 December 2021: Poland: Deputy PM says Germany wants to turn EU into ‘fourth reich’ (stupid as bread but very proud of it. The Pole Kaczynski makes it clear again and again that Poland will remain an intellectually developing country. It is high time to help the country to finally leave the EU and NATO in order to join Putin’s empire, as is obviously the wish of the self-appointed country leadership), DW, 24 December 2021: Poland accuses Germany of trying to form ‘Fourth Reich’, DW, 25 December 2021: Germany: Asylum applications rebound as COVID fears wane (in that case, that’s even a godsend. Since the West has increasingly forgotten how to reproduce, immigration is urgently needed to close the gaps. It’s almost like after the Second World War, when massive labor migration was needed to keep the country going at all), Arab News, 26 December 2021: Germany hits goal in push for 30 million new vaccine shots, DW, 26 December 2021: Germany must face up to Russia’s aggression, Gulf Times, 26 December 2021: Mega cruise ship Mein Schiff 6 makes its maiden call to Qatar, The Guardian, 27 December 2021: Germany: Pfizer/BioNTech tax windfall brings Mainz an early Christmas present, Politico.eu, 28 December 2021: Germany must protect people with disabilities in COVID triage, top court rules, The Guardian, 28 December 2021: Germany: Court rules disabled people must be protected in Covid triage cases, DW, 28 December 2021: Putin’s gas weaponization hits a hot spot in Berlin, Jerusalem Post, 28 December 2021: Ron Prosor to be Israel’s ambassador to Germany (at least one positive note is that things cannot get much worse after the very difficult Netzanyahu years (Ron Prosor, Jeremy Issacharoff, Gilad Erdan). However, one shouldn’t have greater expectations of positive developments), i24news, 28 December 2021: Ron Prosor appointed Israel’s ambassador to Germany, DW, 28 December 2021: Coronavirus: Germany’s omicron cases jump 45% in one day, Arab News, 28 December 2021: Post-Merkel Germany cannot afford any further stagnation, DW, 29 December 2021: Germany sees battle over cheap meat flare up (the German version of “Groundhog Day”. The discussion takes place at least once a year, especially intensified after a change of government, and has meanwhile become an ideological struggle for interpretative sovereignty and large budgets. It has little to do with the realities of life in the majority society. If you want to eat vegan, you can do it and if you don’t want it, you don’t do it. In between there are then the flexitarians (that should be the majority, who simply eat what they want to eat at the very moment or whatever is on the table, without any drama, campaigns, hatred and hate speech and without having to post about it three times a day on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram) – very simple), The National, 29 December 2021: Germany enters final phase of nuclear switch-off, Politico.eu, 29 December 2021: Baerbock demands forced-labor ban, won’t attend Olympics, The Washington Post, 29 December 2021: Germany’s health minister: COVID cases much higher than data show, The Hill, 29 December 2021: Germany will likely miss 2022 climate targets, official says, DW, 31 December 2021: Germany’s Olaf Scholz urges unity in first New Year’s address, France24, 31 December 2021: Germany backs France for ‘more sovereign’ Europe as Paris set for turn at EU presidency, DW, 1 January 2022: Germany takes over G7 presidency, Jerusalem Post, 3 January 2022: Israel’s Mossad bombed German, Swiss firms to stop Pakistani nukes – report, Politico.eu, 3 January 2022: Germany downplays coalition anger over ‘dangerous’ EU nuclear push, Foreign Policy, 3 January 2022: Germany Nervously Tests the Indo-Pacific Waters, Al Arabiya, 5 January 2022: Top US, German diplomats reiterate warning to Russia over Ukraine, DW, 6 January 2022: German inflation hits highest rate since 1993, The Times, 10 January 2022: Germany should arm Ukraine to atone for Nazi crimes, ambassador says (Kiev is neither completely wrong nor completely right, especially since there are a whole lot of shades of gray between black and white, which is why even experts can come to quite controversial or diametrically opposing assessments. It’s always a question of perspective. That Ukraine has now come to this assessment and reaches for every straw is understandable in view of the threat posed by Putin’s hordes. Whether or not the argument will work is of course an entirely different question. In the interests of common security in the EU, however, it is correct that the delivery of defensive weapons should have taken place a long time ago. Nord Stream 2 is one thing, territorial integrity something else and much higher in importance. One cannot gild the butt of the war criminal Putin on the one hand and leave his victims out in the cold. Where is the “values-led foreign policy approach” or does it take a vacation on certain issues?: Germany–Ukraine relations, Reichskommissariat Ukraine, Ukraine during World War II, War in Donbas, Annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation. At the same time, nobody should be fooled. The Scholz administratio (Putin’s 5th column shows in the first test that neither the EU nor the USA can rely on them, but instead waits subservient for the orders and instructions from the miniature dictator from Moscow. Anyone who acts so completely irresponsibly instead of taking a clear and unambiguous position in favor of Ukraine poses an intentional danger for the European project. If this comes from the leadership of Europe’s largest economy, then it even actually poses a serious security threat to Europe) will pursue the same appeasement strategy towards Putin’s dictatorship as Neville Chamberlain did towards Hitler (and at the same time inadvertently allowing states friendly to Ukraine to bring in weapons and materials to increase resistance to Russian aggressions). In addition, there is shockingly strong sympathy among the German public for Putin’s regime, stronger than for the democratic USA. It was the USA who brought Germany freedom, democracy and prosperity and Russia the exact opposite. After all, economic interests also play a major role. The “Eastern Committee of the German Economy” is a lobby association to which, among other things, the largest German stock corporations belong. From there, business contacts to Eastern Europe, among others, are strengthened and maintained. They are largely indifferent to the rule of law and territorial integrity. As long as they can conduct their business, the despot Putin can do what he wants from their point of view. If that means that entire states lose their freedom, so that the dwarf with the Napoleon complex from the Kremlin can advance his great power fantasies (even the Soviet Union 2.0 will never become a world power again), then that’s how it should be. The problem with this is not only that the association sees the world this way, but above all that it can enforce this world view due to economic power. This also applies to dealing with the procedures of the Communist Party dictatorship in China), Politico.eu, 11 January 2022: Germany spells out ‘gigantic’ effort to cut emissions and boost renewables, Reuters, 11 January 2022: Germany’s chancellor must show leadership on Russia – Ukraine envoy (in fact, Ukraine has had a so-called “accession perspective” for quite a while. So the key to joining NATO lies entirely with Ukraine itself, which must first meet the entry requirements. However, it is still very far from that, among other things because reforms are being unnecessarily delayed and sub-issues such as corruption have deteriorated instead of improving. The Ukrainian government cannot delegate the responsibility of “putting things in order”, but has to take it on itself if one day, from the accession perspective, an actual accession is to become. The hurdles for membership in the EU are even higher. The sooner the Ukrainian government starts working on it, the sooner accession can take place. To insist that Russia’s German gas customers should pay Ukraine 2 billion euros annually for doing nothing is either pure provocation or pure cheek. Definitely to be rejected in both cases. In addition, the ambassador should think about how Ukraine will raise the 9.5 billion euros (or half the amount for the EU companies involved) to compensate the Nord Stream 2 consortium in the event that the pipeline should not go into operation), Politico.eu, 11 January 2022: New Bundesbank boss warns high inflation could last longer than expected, DW, 12 January 2022: Germany extends Bundeswehr mission in Iraq, The Guardian, 12 January 2022: Syria: German court expected to accuse Assad regime of torture, DW, 13 January 2022: German court finds Syrian ex-colonel guilty of crimes against humanity, France24, 13 January 2022: Syrian ex-colonel gets life sentence in German torture trial, The Guardian, 13 January 2022: Germany Court jails former Syrian intelligence officer for life, DW, 14 January 2022: Germany bounces back into growth, but not too much, Jerusalem Post, 14 January 2022: Syria’s rebels hail ex-officer’s conviction, want justice to go higher, CNN, 15 January 2022: Syrian torture survivors finally came face to face with their tormentor. But the reckoning took place far from home, Arab News, 17 January 2022: German journalist acquitted of terror charges in Turkey, Haaretz, 17 January 2022: Germans Received Compensation for Property Taken From Jews, Documents Reveal, DW, 17 January 2022: German conservatives slam ‘coalition of willing’ EU asylum policy plan, Politico.eu, 17 January 2022: Germany set to lift ban on abortion advertising, justice minister says (high time. While any anti-abortion nutcase is allowed to spread any kind of nonsense, doctors are prohibited under Section 219a from providing qualified information to patients. An intolerable situation), DW, 17 January 2022: Germany proposes scrapping Nazi-era abortion law, Politico.eu, 17 January 2022: Russian test for Scholz: Ukraine crisis exposes divisions in Berlin, The National, 17 January 2022: Germany vows to do everything in its power to guarantee Ukraine’s safety, Jerusalem Post, 17 January 2022: Israel could sign deal to buy three submarines from Germany, Haaretz, 18 January 2022: Israel to Pay Double for German Submarines in Light of Sudden Price Hike, Politico.eu, 18 January 2022: Scholz: Germany will discuss Nord Stream 2 penalties if Russia attacks Ukraine, France24, 18 January 2022: Germany may consider halting Nord Stream 2 if Russia attacks Ukraine, Scholz says, Politico.eu, 18 January 2022: Germany’s Baerbock faces down top Russian diplomat Lavrov in Moscow (based on what has been learned so far about the talks, it was a very decent first appearance by the Federal Foreign Minister in Russia. She passed the first big test well), The Guardian, 18 January 2022: Germany: New government to scrap Nazi-era abortion law, DW, 19 January 2022: COVID: Germany logs more than 100,000 cases for first time, The Times, 19 January 2022: Syrian doctor goes on trial in Germany on torture charges, DW, 19 January 2022: Germany tries Syrian doctor for torture, Politico.eu, 20 January 2022: Germany’s pivot from America, DW, 19 January 2022: Why Germany refuses weapons deliveries to Ukraine (Dear Ukrainians, I can only apologize for this irresponsible federal government. I didn’t voted for the Putin fan club SPD, but have to live with their unbelievable decisions as well. Fortunately, there are responsible governments that will provide you with the equipment you need to successfully resist Putin’s aggression), Times of Israel, 20 January 2022: Israel signs scandal-ridden €3 billion deal with Germany to buy new submarines, DW, 21 January 2022: Germany blocks Estonian arms exports to Ukraine: report, Gulf News, 21 January 2022: Germany wants to attract 400,000 skilled workers from abroad each year, DW, 22 January 2022: German navy chief quits after Putin, Crimea gaffes, Politico.eu, 22 January 2022: German navy chief comments spark row with Kyiv, France24, 22 January 2022: German navy chief resigns over controversial comments on Putin, Crimea, Wall Street Journal, 23 January 2022: Is Germany a Reliable American Ally? Nein, Haaretz, 23 January 2022: Why Is Germany Appeasing Putin on Ukraine?, The National, 24 January 2022: Gunman injures four in German lecture theatre attack, Arab News, 24 January 2022: Several wounded in shooting in German city; gunman dead, Politico.eu, 24 January 2022: Germany vows financial aid for Ukraine after diplomatic row, DW, 24 January 2022: Germany: Fatal shooting at Heidelberg University, The Times, 24 January 2022: Gunman opens fire at German university, BBC, 24 January 2022: Several injured by gunman in German lecture hall, CNN, 24 January 2022: Gunman dead after shooting at University of Heidelberg in Germany, The Guardian, 24 January 2022: Germany: Heidelberg shooting: one killed and three injured in lecture hall attack, DW, 24 January 2022: Germany seeks mediating role as Ukraine tensions rise, The Times, 24 January 2022: Germany faces an epidemic of disobedience, DW, 25 January 2022: Germany’s goal of a European federal state proves elusive, CNN, 25 January 2022: How Putin’s $11 billion pipeline split NATO and the EU at a time of crisis, The New YOrk Times, 25 January 2022: Where Is Germany in the Ukraine Standoff? Its Allies Wonder., The New York Times, 25 January 2022: Germany Wavers in the Ukraine Standoff, Worrying Its Allies, Al Arabiya, 26 January 2022: Germany offers Ukraine helmets, Kyiv’s Klitschko ‘speechless’, The Guardian, 26 January 2022: Why are Germany and France at odds with the Anglosphere over how to handle Russia?, Wall Street Journal, 26 January 2022: Germany Slips Away From the Western Alliance, The Times, 26 January 2022: When Kiev wants guns, Berlin sends helmets, The Guardian, 26 January 2022: Germany: Offer of 5,000 helmets is ‘joke’, says Vitali Klitschko, Jerusalem Post, 27 January 2022: Germany charges Russian suspected of space tech espionage (how else could poor by any measure Russia obtain first world technologies?), Politico.eu, 27 January 2022: German prosecutors say university researcher passed rocket secrets to Russia, The Times, 27 January 2022: Russian scientist charged with spying on German rocket technology, Haaretz, 27 January 2022: This German Historian Is Rejecting the ‘Easy’ Explanation for the Holocaust, Politico.eu, 27 January 2022: The Netherlands’ earthshaking gas deal with Germany, CNN, 28 January 2022: Inside the $128 million heist that shocked the world — and the police chase that followed, Politico.eu, 28 January 2022: Ex-German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder mocked for Ukraine comments (“Putin’s gas man” is a textbook example of a corrupt politician whose bank account is apparently far more important to him than the interests of his home country, without which he would never have become chancellor. In retrospect it would obviously have been better if this had not happened. However, it is hardly less disturbing that a large number of German politicians and business leaders are still listening to him), Politico.eu, 28 January 2022: German industry bosses to meet with Putin this year (they beg for an audience with the war criminal), France24, 28 January 2022: US calls Security Council meeting over Ukraine, steps up pipeline warnings alongside Germany, Politico.com, 28 January 2022: Biden admin blocks military aid to Egypt over human rights concerns (interesting, right? While the Biden administration is freezing military aid to Egypt because of massive violations of human rights, Germany has arms deals worth billions with the regime and thinks that it’s a really good idea At the same time, the Scholz administration is undermining Ukraine’s right to self-defense against the war criminal and state terrorist Putin and his hordes by banning the sale of defensive weapons, and thinks that’s a really good idea, too. Apparently not only the Putin regime is at war with Western values), The Times, 28 January 2022: Germany: conflict leaves Europe’s ‘good cop’ at the crossroads (the German government is not a “good cop” but a bunch of Putin fans who, out of cowardice, refrain from selling defensive weapons to Ukraine), Arab News, 28 January 2022: We must stop pretending the EU is a great power (absolutely right and spot on), The Guardian, 28 January 2022: Germany: Trial opens of six men accused of daring £95m Dresden jewellery heist, DW, 28 January 2022: Dresden Green Vault jewelry heist trial starts, The National, 29 January 2022: France and Germany send envoys to help ease Ukraine-Russia border tensions, CNN, 29 January 2022: See inside German-led NATO base near Ukraine, France24, 29 January 2022: German workers hail minimum wage hike, but employers worry about inflation, The Guardian, 30 January 2022: Ghosts of Germany’s past rise as Olaf Scholz seeks strategy for Ukraine, DW, 31 January 2022: Germany: Police arrest suspects after deadly shooting, The Times, 31 January 2022: Two held after German police officers shot dead, BBC, 31 January 2022: Suspect arrested after two German police shot dead, The Washington Post, 31 January 2022: Germany isn’t turning its back on NATO. It only looks that way., DW, 31 January 2022: Germany’s battle against online hate speech, The National, 1 February 2022: Why Germany isn’t turning its back on Nato (the current federal government is hoping to bring about a solution by appeasement of Putin and by dancing their names. Spoiler: It won’t work. International trust in the Scholz administration’s loyalty to the alliance has already eroded so much that no one seriously expects any serious support from Berlin. At the same time, of course, this also sends signals beyond Europe to Israel and what one can expect of “the security of Israel is German reason of state”. Should Israel need urgent military support, Berlin will send the country 5,000 orange juice presses, which it considers “a strong signal of solidarity with Israel” and will communicate it this way. After all, vitamin C is essential for life. Of course, the presses are delivered in sustainably produced jute bags so that the oranges can be transported home from the plantations. The bags are of course delivered with batik works by a well-known name dancer and peace movement participant to brighten up the grumpy mood a little), Wall Street Journal, 1 February 2022: U.S., Allies Wonder if They Can Count on Germany in Russia-Ukraine Crisis, Politico.eu, 2 February 2022: Germany bans Russian broadcaster RT’s German-language channel, DW, 2 February 2022: Russia’s RT channel blocked by German regulators, France24, 2 February 2022: Russia to target German media in response to German ban on RT, DW, 3 February 2022: Russia shuts DW’s Moscow bureau, withdraws staff credentials (that was of course to be expected, especially since the Napoleon miniature edition (Homunculus) from the Kremlin has to try to give his lemmings, his fifth columns in the west, fanboys and -girls the impression as if the Russian state propaganda organ RT would be in some ways comparable with free media and press such as the Deutsche Welle. This is of course not the case, but this example also shows how little freedom and democracy the Russian population has to get by with. Russia has never been a beacon of democracy, but at least there was hope that a hybrid form could be established. These hopes have since been dashed. Instead, Russian dissidents are now talking about a “North Koreanization of Russia.” Even if there is still a long way to go before successful implementation, the path has been mapped out), Politico.eu, 3 February 2022: Kremlin bans Deutsche Welle from operating in Russia, The Guardian, 3 February 2022: Russia: Moscow to expel German broadcaster after RT banned in Germany, BBC, 4 February 2022: German anger as Russia shuts global broadcaster DW, DW, 4 February 2022: Germany’s former Chancellor Gerhard Schröder to join Gazprom board (that makes it easier at least, because now we can tell Gazprom in German where they can stick their Nord Stream 2 pipes), Politico.eu, 4 February 2022: Former German Chancellor Schröder nominated for Gazprom board, DW, 4 February 2022: Why Deutsche Welle is not the same as RT, Arab News, 5 February 2022: Biden looks for a European anchor in Berlin, Al Arabiya, 6 February 2022: Scholz says Germany open to boosting troops in Baltics, The New York Times, 6 February 2022: Germany’s “invisible” chancellor, Olaf Scholz, will meet President Biden amid criticism over Berlin’s Ukraine approach., DW, 6 February 2022: Germany’s Olaf Scholz goes to Washington amid criticism, The Washington Post, 6 February 2022: Scholz says response to Russia will be ‘united and decisive’ if Ukraine is invaded, Politico.eu, 7 February 2022: Germany to deploy 350 troops to Lithuania to try to reassure allies, Foreign Policy, 7 February 2022: The Gold Medal for Foreign Policy Goes to Germany, Politico.com, 7 February 2022: Biden vows to shut down Nord Stream 2 if Russia invades, as U.S. and Germany pledge unity (after the press conference one can only feel even more ashamed of German politics. The only thing that comes to mind is “Oh, if only he had stayed silent”. At least that wouldn’t have made it worse. It would have been better if he had kept the wishy-washy stuff that the Chancellor said to himself and had not attended the press conference at all. Doesn’t give clear answers, evades questions, says something that has nothing to do with the questions at all and thus continues to play into Putin’s hands. Any student would have gotten a straight F for such a performance), The Washington Post, 7 February 2022: Biden vows to stop natural gas pipeline to Europe if Russia invades Ukraine, Politico.eu, 7 February 2022: Olaf Scholz’s hard lessons in German leadership, DW, 7 February 2022: Biden promises no Nord Stream 2 if Russia invades Ukraine, CNN, 7 February 2022: US and Germany still split on Russian pipeline, DW, 7 February 2022: Germany to send additional troops to Lithuania, The New York Times, 7 February 2022: A Russia-to-Germany gas pipeline project would not go forward if Moscow invades Ukraine, President Biden said., DW, 7 February 2022: Baerbock: Germany ‘ready to pay high economic price’ for Ukraine peace, CNN, 7 February 2022: Nord Stream 2 pipeline proves to be a sticking point in Biden and new German chancellor’s show of unity, The Algemeiner, 8 February 2022: Israel’s Future Submarines Seen as Key Development Towards Regional Naval Ascendency, The New York Times, 8 February 2022: Europe Is on the Brink of War, and Germany Has Gone Missing, DW, 9 February 2022: Amy Gutmann: Senate confirms next US ambassador to Germany, Politico.eu, 9 February 2022: Greenpeace chief: German government is place to ‘make biggest difference’, DW, 10 February 2022: German foreign minister commemorates Holocaust victims, Haaretz, 10 February 2022: Germany, Israel to Explore Funding Options for Projects by Outlawed Palestinian NGOs, DW, 11 February 2022: Nord Stream 2 approval depends on geopolitical developments, vice chancellor says, Politico.eu, 11 February 2022: France’s Bruno Le Maire tells Germany not to ‘close doors’ on EU budget reforms, France24, 13 February 2022: Germany’s President Steinmeier re-elected for second five-year term, DW, 13 February 2022: Frank-Walter Steinmeier elected to second term as German president, DW, 13 February 2022: Who is German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier?, DW, 13 February 2022: ‘Thank you for the helmets’: Ukrainians demand more from Germany, DW, 14 February 2022: DW exclusive: Nazarbayev family owns German luxury real estate, The National, 14 February 2022: Glimmer of hope in Ukraine talks as Scholz prepares for Moscow showdown, DW, 14 February 2022: Ukraine crisis: What can the US expect from Germany? (how Olaf Scholz managed to gamble away so much international trust in such a short time is remarkable. It’s just unbelievable how he could stumble like that, and this after being world champ in crisis management Angela Merkel’s student and vice chancellor for years. It will take years to put things right again, quite independently from if Ukraine is joining NATO, which itself knows that it is far from being ready to meet the admission requirements and that the significantly higher EU access requirements are even harder fulfill. Overall, however, as after Afghanistan, the considerable weaknesses of the EU security and defense policy are becoming all too clear. Nevertheless, there are still incorrigible people who believe that they would do better on their own than in a group – they just won’t, but on the contrary, contribute to further self-dwarfing and the loss of importance of Europe on the world stage – self-chosen fate. However, the $1 million question over the next few years will also be how to bring Ukraine closer to the EU so that it can be included in the “Common Security and Defense Policy”. That will also depend on how the EU manages to set up a joint, active EU army to complement NATO. This step, which has been overdue for 20 years and is becoming ever more urgent in view of the mounting challenges, can no longer be ignored even by the simple-minded peace movement and name dancers. Neither Germany’s ever-increasing responsibility in the military defense of European interests against ongoing and escalating Russian aggression. Not to mention the challenges in the Eastern Mediterranean and North Africa. If Europe doesn’t want to be overwhelmed by crises all the time, it has no choice but to invest heavily in defense. Otherwise, Germany and Europe’s future prospects will crumble before our very eyes. There are, of course, those in Europe that would be only too happy to see this happen, but they also fell for Russian and Chinese state propaganda and see Putin and Xi Jinping as democrats suffering from military aggression from NATO. However, the simpletons cannot credibly explain why they didn’t finally move to Russia, China or Saudi Arabia, even though in their views everything is terrible in the democratic West. So Europe’s decision makers can completely ignore their voices and instead focus on securing the future of Europe), Arab News, 14 February 2022: German leader heads to Kyiv and Moscow to calm ‘critical’ Russia war threat, France24, 14 February 2022: Russia using Nord Stream 2 as ‘geopolitical weapon’, Zelensky warns Germany’s Scholz, NPR, 14 February 2022: German chancellor warns of far-reaching sanctions if Russia moves on Ukraine, The National, 15 February 2022: Russia and Germany keep Ukraine peace talks alive after partial troop withdrawal, The Times, 16 February 2022: Coronavirus: Germany to drop Covid restrictions next month, Politico.eu, 16 February 2022: In diplomacy, Europe’s most powerful ambassador means business, DW, 17 February 2022: Germany relaxes COVID measures, even as risks remain, DW, 17 February 2022: Germany and Ukraine: Trade and aid, but no weapons, DW, 20 February 2022: Munich Security Conference boosts transatlantic ties for Germany in a crisis, Politico.eu, 22 February 2022: Germany shelves Nord Stream 2 pipeline (now the same ones will be crawling out from under their rocks and out of their caves who were already of the opinion in 2014 that Russia would be able to cope even if the West stopped buying oil and gas at all, especially since one could finally sell to China. Sure, just like in 2014, you could also sell to China in 2022, but then as now at significantly reduced purchase prices than those paid by the West. Since the Russian state budget is dependent on the income, it will have the already known consequences: Real wages continue to fall, investments cannot or only partially take place, Russian in-house production, including in the food sector, is of ridiculous quality and the Russian economy is still decoupling further away from the world market than it has already done. As a small foretaste, the Russian stock exchanges reacted to the “positive prospects” with a price drop of 17%. As usual, Putin’s far-sightedness extends to the tip of his own nose), Al Arabiya, 24 February 2022: Germany’s chancellor: Russia is trying to wipe Ukraine off the map, Irish Times, 24 February 2022: Shock and shame in Berlin as Russians and Ukrainians face reality of war, DW, 24 February 2022: Germany has to wake up to Russia, The New York Times, 24 February 2022: Some, but not all, former European leaders quit Russian boards., The National, 26 February 2022: Germany lifts block on sending lethal weapons to Ukraine, Politico.eu, 26 February 2022: Germany to send Ukraine weapons in historic shift on military aid, NBC News, 26 February 2022: Germany sends weapons to Ukraine after criticism, BBC, 26 February 2022: Germany to send weapons directly to Ukraine, Daily Mail, 26 February 2022: Germany will send 1,000 anti-tank weapons and 500 missiles to help Ukraine defend itself against Russia – after overruling its own weapons transfer policy dating back to WWII, The Washington Post, 26 February 2022: Germany abandons muted approach to aid for Ukraine, sending weapons and green-lighting sanctions, Al Arabiya, 26 February 2022: Germany to supply Ukraine with anti-tank weapons, missiles: Chancellor Scholz, DW, 27 February 2022: Germany’s reversal on Ukraine weapons policy ‘response to Putin’s aggression’, France24, 27 February 2022: Germany to raise defence spending sharply in response to ‘Putin’s aggression’, DW, 27 February 2022: German Chancellor holds speech on Russian invasion of Ukraine, The Guardian, 27 February 2022: Germany: Defence spending to rise by €100bn to boost its military strength, Politico.eu, 27 February 2022: In historic shift, Germany ramps up defense spending due to Russia’s Ukraine war, DW, 27 February 2022: Germany finally stands up to Putin’s Russia, The Sunday Times, 27 February 2022: Germany hikes defence spending as allies expel Russia from Swift banking system (the announcement of expenditures of 100 billion euros for the Bundeswehr had hardly been made before the unbelievably mendacious (pro-)Russian propaganda of the SED successor party Die Linke and other actors from the “Putin’s useful idiots” faction began, fabricated and swaggered about “arming the Bundeswehr”. This is, of course, completely factual nonsense. Instead of “armament”, it is of course actually about the (basic) equipment of the Bundeswehr. As for all armies in the world, there are also TARGET specifications for the Bundeswehr, its branches and organizational areas, i.e. specifications for the minimum equipment of the Bundeswehr. The actual status is so far behind these targets that the 100 billion euros will only be enough to approximate the targets. Even this large amount will not be enough for an ACTUAL = TARGET status, because there has been a lack of funding everywhere for years, which has finally led to the current situation, namely that the Bundeswehr isn’t even able to protect Germany against an Russian attack, let alone to full fulfill their tasks within the NATO. Here are just four examples: 1. We send Bundeswehr soldiers to support NATO partners in the eastward expansion of the EU, but we cannot even provide them with adequate winter clothing because the Bundeswehr does not have sufficient funds for the personal equipment of all soldiers – not even for flak jackets or the like. The irradiated Putin understanders call the purchase of personal equipment for soldiers so that they can do their duty “armament” and are surprised that fewer and fewer people are falling for their Russian propaganda babble. Correctly it should of course be called “minimum inventory”. 2. The branches of the armed forces should have a minimum stock of ammunition which should not be undershot. In the meantime, however, the actual stock has bled dry to such an extent that even target practice for training purposes can no longer be carried out reliably. Additional purchases worth 20 billion euros have to be made just to replenish the minimum stock, i.e. to reach the lower limit of what should be in the depots anyway and to which Germany has committed itself to NATO. And again: The irradiated Putin understanders call the replenishment of the minimum ammunition stock “armament”, although it should correctly be called “minimum stock replenishment”. 3. Tank battalions should be equipped with x tanks. In practice, this means that if a battalion is supposed to have 40 tanks TARGET stock, the ACTUAL stock is 20 and half of them are not ready for use due to a lack of spare parts. The missing tanks should now be procured and the maintenance backlog quickly reduced. And again: The irradiated Putin understanders call the desired replacement purchases to achieve the TARGET condition and the production of operational readiness “armament”, although it should correctly be called “minimum stock replenishment”. 4. The Luftwaffe Tornados should have been replaced with newer models years ago. Meanwhile, the maintenance effort for the machines is greater and more expensive than training and deployment times. This is not only absurd but absolutely counterproductive. Since the European follow-up project is still a long way off, it makes sense to obtain at least half of the new fleet from the USA in order to have replacement machines available relatively quickly. And again: The irradiated Putin understanders call the intended replacement purchases to achieve the TARGET state and to create operational readiness “armament”. Max Liebermann was right: “I can’t eat as much as I want to throw up”. These are just four of hundreds of examples of the Bundeswehr’s economy of shortages, which of course also includes the modernization of the armed forces, which has so far been completely absent, or the adaptation of the procurement system or the (further) development of our own capabilities in research & development, etc. etc. pp . So we all urgently need to pay attention to the language we use to describe the absolutely and urgently necessary expenditure for the Bundeswehr. Half-truths, lies and propaganda have found their way into public debate for far too long. This has to stop. What needs to be developed much more strongly for this is the general public’s self-understanding of the security of Germany and the EU and the crystal-clear realization that democracy, security, peace, freedom and the rule of law do not come for free or without the Bundeswehr. The Bundeswehr is the guarantor that we have been able to live in democracy, security, peace, freedom and the rule of law over the past decades. It is therefore high time to acknowledge and promote this accordingly by enabling the highly motivated soldiers of the Bundeswehr to carry out their tasks with very good equipment that is always ready for use. What would make sense as a result of the replenishment would be the permanent stationing of troops in the EU border states. That would strengthen the defense to the outside and the togetherness to the inside. In addition, Germany would not only easily reach the 2%, but also let other EU states benefit from it. A win-win situation), DW, 28 February 2022: No more deals with Putin’s cronies!, Der Spiegel, 28 February 2022: Chancellor Scholz Takes the Plunge: Germany Completes Historic Foreign Policy About-Face, DW, 28 February 2022: Ukraine-Russia war triggers major German policy changes, DW, 1 March 2022: Ukraine-Russia war overshadows German chancellor’s Israel visit, The Atlantic, 1 March 2022: Europe’s Sleeping Giant Awakens, DW, 1 March 2022: Munich Philharmonic drops star conductor Valery Gergiev over Putin ties, DW, 1 March 2022: On German-Polish border, residents rally to help Ukrainians, Philip Stephens, 2 March 2022: Putin’s bloody war on Ukraine should remake the West’s mindset, DW, 3 March 2022: Germany to ship anti-aircraft missiles to Ukraine — reports (shortly before the impact, the pilots who were shot at will think “Wait a minute, I know them!” .. sort of “friendly fire”), DW, 3 March 2022: Does Germany really need LNG terminals?, Jerusalem Post, 3 March 2022: The significance of Germany’s Olaf Scholz’s Israel visit, DW, 3 March 2022: Refugees fleeing Ukraine arrive in Berlin, DW, 3 March 2022: Germany: Fridays for Future activists rally against war in Ukraine, The Hill, 4 March 2022: Tesla gigafactory in Germany gets conditional approval for facility, Miami Herald, 4 March 2022: Russia told Germany to hand over a U.S. citizen. After invasion, he was sent home to Miami, DW, 4 March 2022: Russia restricts access to DW’s website, France24, 4 March 2022: Volkswagen plans 2 bn euro electric car plant in Germany, Politico.eu, 4 March 2022: For Ukraine’s envoy to Germany, a bittersweet vindication (you can think what you like of the Ukrainian ambassador, but he does his job, conveys the situation in his home country in sometimes drastic language, points out the challenges and risks and thus enables even the last German sleepyhead to understand what’s going on. Of course, his words spoke and speak of pure fear, desperation and the urgent call for help. Who can blame him? While many Putin fetishists in the cozy West wanted to convince themselves that Putin “just want to play”, Ukraine prepared for the worst and as it turned out even that wasn’t enough. Against this background, the Ukrainian ambassador calls for unlimited solidarity from Europe’s largest economy. In view of the situation, importance and scope of the fighting for all of Europe, this is hardly asking too much and in this case it doesn’t matter in which form the ambassador makes his requests, especially since Ukraine is fighting for its very survival. There is no time left for the “perfect form”. Anyone in Germany who thinks they can get upset about it can do something useful instead by picking up a gun and join the fighters at the frontline. It remains to be seen whether those who might come back one day then still feel the need for the “perfect choice of words” when the situation on site is to be described. It can be assumed that other things will have priority. At the same time, it can be assumed that the general public in Germany has now taken note of how severely limited the capabilities of the Bundeswehr have become, so that people are filled with anger and shame for not being able to do much more for Ukraine, than what has been provided in terms of material aid so far. This is of course very embarrassing and unpleasant, but no reason to blame the ambassador, because those responsible for the intolerable situation all have German citizenship and (had) a seat in the Bundestag – Andriy Melnyk, Der Spiegel, 21 January 2022: A War of Nerves: Germany Has Little Maneuvering Room in Ukraine Conflict, The New York Times, 25 January 2022: Where Is Germany in the Ukraine Standoff? Its Allies Wonder., Bloomberg, 6 February 2022: The West Is Waiting for Germany’s Chancellor to Take Charge, CNBC, 7 February 2022: Ukraine ambassador to Germany: Diplomacy must be backed up by military action, DIP, 21 February 2022: “Ukrainians will never forget this betrayal by the Germans.” Ambassador of Ukraine: Berlin continues to deny us weapons, BBC, 27 February 2022: Ukraine conflict: Putin’s war prompts dramatic German U-turn), France24, 4 March 2022: Femicide in Germany: A silent epidemic, DW, 4 March 2022: Germans approve of government U-turn on Ukraine, Politico.eu, 5 March 2022: Inside Olaf Scholz’s historic shift on defense, Ukraine and Russia, CNN, 5 March 2022: Suddenly the US and Germany have a chance to be effective partners, The National, 6 March 2022: How Germany is facing a reckoning for relying on Russia for cheap energy, Times of Israel, 6 March 2022: Bennett returns to Israel after whirlwind trip to meet Putin, Germany’s Scholz (probably the only one who still has effective access to Putin is China’s President Xi Jinping), Haaretz, 6 March 2022: Ukraine-Russia Updates: Bennett Meets Putin in Moscow as Cease-fire Attempt Fails, DW, 6 March 2022: Israel’s Naftali Bennett informs Berlin after meeting with Vladimir Putin, DW, 7 March 2022: Ukrainian refugees arrive in Germany’s far west, Politico.eu, 7 March 2022: Germany’s Scholz rejects calls to ban Russian oil and gas, DW, 7 March 2022: Annalena Baerbock: Germany’s first female foreign minister flourishes in a crisis, Al Arabiya, 8 March 2022: Germany calls on OPEC to increase oil output, DW, 9 March 2022: Ukraine-Russia conflict has German teens terrified, DW, 9 March 2022: COVID digest: Germany draws up framework to ease rules, Der Spiegel, 9 March 2022: Standing Up to Putin: Inside Germany’s Foreign and Security Policy Revolution, DW, 9 March 2022: Scholz: Sending Polish jets to Ukraine via US base in Germany ‘certainly’ not an option, DW, 10 March 2022: Germany: New daily COVID-19 infections pass 250,000 for first time, The New York Times, 11 March 2022: ‘We Live in a Different World Now’: Dispatch From a Changed Germany, DW, 11 March 2022: COVID digest: Germany’s situation ‘critical,’ Lauterbach says, The New Yorker, 11 March 2022: How Putin’s Invasion of Ukraine Upended Germany, DW, 11 March 2022: Germany marks first-ever National Remembrance Day for Victims of Terrorist Violence, Arab News, 12 March 2022: Germany discussed energy cooperation with Qatar, Politico.eu, 12 March 2022: Germany to take 2,500 Ukrainian refugees from Moldova, DW, 13 March 2022: Germany: 1 in 5 children at risk of falling into poverty, DW, 14 March 2022: German Chancellor Olaf Scholz meets with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan amid Ukraine crisis, Politico.eu, 14 March 2022: Germany to buy fighter jets from US amid Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, DW, 14 March 2022: Germany to buy US F-35 stealth fighters, Politico.eu, 14 March 2022: Ukraine presses the EU to get real about trading with the enemy, CNN, 15 March 2022: Germany will buy US-made F-35 fighter jets as it ramps up military spending after Russia’s Ukraine invasion, DW, 15 March 2022: Where is Germany’s military budget going?, DW, 15 March 2022: Intel announces multibillion investment plan for Europe, The Times, 16 March 2022: Why €100 billion just isn’t enough for Germany’s armed forces, Politico.eu, 16 March 2022: German defense investment will double country’s 2022 debt, DW, 16 March 2022: Ukraine war: German ‘dual-use exports’ to Russia under scrutiny, The Times, 16 March 2022: Germany accused of trying to water down Russia sanctions, DW, 17 March 2022: Ukrainian president tells Bundestag ‘help came too late’, Politico.eu, 17 March 2022: Invoking the Holocaust, Zelenskyy hammers Germany for failing Ukraine, DW, 17 March 2022: Germany and Ukraine — solidarity without action is not enough (an accountant has never been a good leader. In Germany, the EU and the Ukraine, people in this legislative period will wait in vain for Germany to live up to its role in Europe and the world. In view of the unbelievable and undignified behavior in the Bundestag after Zelenskyy’s speech, one has to ask oneself what this undisciplined bunch can actually achieve. Acting responsibly is obviously not in reach or even in sight), Politico.eu, 17 March 2022: Sorry Zelenskyy, Germany’s hooked on that Russian oil and gas, Jerusalem Post, 18 March 2022: Germany shuts Hezbollah entity promoting terrorism against Israel, DW, 18 March 2022: Germany lifts most COVID-19 restrictions after ‘difficult compromise’, Politico.eu, 18 March 2022: Zelenskyy speech sparks soul-searching in Germany, DW, 18 March 2022: German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock presents Germany’s national security strategy, Haaretz, 18 March 2022: Why Jewish Refugees From Ukraine Are Choosing Germany Over Israel, Politico.eu, 18 March 2022: Free to disagree: German ‘Freedom Day’ heralds more coronavirus quarrels, France24, 20 March 2022: Reliant on Russian gas, Germany concerned over winter fuel supplies, DW, 20 March 2022: German minister calls for new EU-US trade deal — report, The Guardian, 20 March 2022: Germany agrees gas deal with Qatar to help end dependency on Russia, DW, 20 March 2022: Qatar to help Germany cut reliance on Russian gas, says minister, DW, 21 March 2022: Germany strikes green energy deals in UAE and Qatar, Politico.eu, 21 March 2022: What Germany’s turning point means for its feminist foreign policy, DW, 21 March 2022: German pop stars rally for peace in Ukraine, DW, 21 March 2022: German anxieties grow as Ukraine war continues, DW, 22 March 2022: Tesla opens Giga Berlin factory in Germany, Arab News, 22 March 2022: Germany requires philosophical debate amid promise to rearm, DW, 22 March 2022: Germany’s ruling SPD faces the ruins of its Russia policy, The National, 23 March 2022: Why Germany’s pavilion is one of the most talked about at Expo 2020 Dubai, Jerusalem Post, 24 March 2022: German soldiers wanted to fight in Yemen’s civil war because of fortune teller, Politico.eu, 24 March 2022: Germany’s Scholz rejects Putin’s rubles-for-gas demand, DW, 25 March 2022: Germany looks set to cut development aid, The Times, 25 March 2022: Germany announces ‘massive’ effort to wean itself off Russian energy, DW, 25 March 2022: Will Germany reduce its security role in Southeast Asia?, Politico.eu, 25 March 2022: Ukraine war turns Poland into America’s ‘indispensable’ ally (finally, Germany is no longer the front state like during the cold war. Great news!), DW, 25 March 2022: Germany seeks to wean itself off Russian energy imports, Times of Israel, 27 March 2022: Germany mulls purchasing Israel’s Arrow 3 anti-missile shield, Globes, 27 March 2022: German delegation in Israel to discuss Arrow procurement, Jerusalem Post, 27 March 2022: Germany eyes Arrow 3 missile defense system from Israel, Politico.eu, 28 March 2022: Germany to prosecute use of ‘Z’ symbol to support Russia’s war, DW, 28 March 2022: Germany considering new missile defense system, Politico.eu, 28 March 2022: Russia brands Germany’s Deutsche Welle ‘foreign agent’, Irish Times, 28 March 2022: Germany poised to acquire missile defence system, Politico.eu, 28 March 2022: Germany debates buying Israeli missile defense system, DW, 28 March 2022: Russia labels Deutsche Welle a ‘foreign agent’, Politico.eu, 28 March 2022: Putin’s useful German idiots (unfortunately, this has been true for a few years now. Who, in his right mind, would ever trust East Block governments? No one, e.g. not even Russians trust Russians. How one can then come up with the idea in the West that everything is actually completely different eludes clear common sense), NPR, 28 March 2022: German states outlaw displays of the letter ‘Z,’ a symbol of Russia’s war in Ukraine, Times of Israel, 28 March 2022: In twist of history, Holocaust survivors fleeing Ukraine find safety in Germany, The Washington Post, 29 March 2022: Germany, urged to ‘stop Putin’s war machine,’ resists Russian energy embargo, DW, 28 March 2022: Environment: The true cost of fracked US ‘freedom gas’, Politico.eu, 29 March 2022: Germany’s imported energy prices more than doubled in February, DW, 29 March 2022: Germany to invest €4 billion in ‘natural climate protection’, The New York Times, 29 March 2022: Germany’s New Muscular Foreign Policy ‘Lies in the Hands of Strong Women’, DW, 29 March 2022: Can Germany survive without Russian gas?, Politico.eu, 29 March 2022: Annalena Baerbock: Germany knew about Russian energy risks — and did nothing, DW, 29 March 2022: Will Germany spend big on an Israeli missile defense shield?, The National, 29 March 2022: Germany sees Russian fossil fuel purge as ‘de facto embargo’, DW, 29 March 2022: Ukraine war makes German seniors relive their WWII trauma, Politico.eu, 30 March 2022: German inflation surges above expectations to 7.6 percent in March, DW, 30 March 2022: German economy minister raises warning level for gas supplies, The Guardian, 30 March 2022: Germany close to gas rationing as it activates emergency fuel plan, DW, 30 March 2022: War in Ukraine: Germany faces consequences of ‘new reality’, Politico.eu, 30 March 2022: Germany calls for people to cut energy use as response to Russian threat, DW, 30 March 2022: Germany inflation hits 30-year high at 7.3%, growth outlook dims, CNN, 30 March 2022: Germany issues ‘early warning’ of possible gas shortages as Russia threatens supplies, DW, 30 March 2022: German industry: Gas rationing plan would cripple economy, BBC, 30 March 2022: Germany and Austria take step towards gas rationing, DW, 30 March 2022: Germany says Putin agreed to keep payments for gas in euros, The New York Times, 30 March 2022: Germany moves toward gas rationing in a standoff over ruble payments., DW, 31 March 2022: Germany: Jewish musician charged over ‘false’ antisemitism claim (as a hotel operator, I would sue everyone, including the Federal Commissioner for Jewish Life in Germany and the Central Council of Jews, to the bone so that they would never recover. At the same time, it becomes clear once again how much the entire anti-Semitism debate has gotten out of hand when everyone who walks along thinks they can sneak an overnight stay in a luxury hotel with an “anti-Semitism” allegation), Times of Israel, 31 March 2022: German-Israeli singer charged with lying about antisemitism at hotel, BBC, 31 March 2022: Germany condemns Putin gas supply “blackmail”, Jewish Chronicle, 31 March 2022: Let Germany buy arms for the sake of world peace, says Israeli ambassador, The Guardian, 31 March 2022: Germany to pay for gas in euros despite Russia’s rouble decree, says Scholz, DW, 1 April 2022: Germany heads to summer with few COVID-19 rules, Reuters, 1 April 2022: Russia’s Gazprom exits German business amid row over pricing, DW, 1 April 2022: Germany encourages Serbia to choose EU over Russia, Politico.eu, 1 April 2022: Germany works to cut Russian control of critical energy facilities, DW, 1 April 2022: Germany charges ex-army reservist with spying for Russia, DW, 1 April 2022: Putin’s war in Ukraine puts Germany’s Greens in a tight spot, DW, 2 April 2022: German man got COVID jab 87 times — report, The Algemeiner, 2 April 2022: Germany Looks to Buy Israeli or US Missile Defense System, DW, 2 April 2022: Are German companies in Russia war collaborators?, Politico.eu, 3 April 2022: EU warns of tougher sanctions after reports of civilian executions in Russia-held Ukrainian towns (Instead of insisting on the complete exit from Russian natural gas, which is currently not possible at all, it would make sense to first reduce imports of Russian oil and coal to zero in order to then gradually follow suit on the subject of natural gas. As long as there are not enough replacement supplies, there is no point in thinking about “quick exits”.), The Algemeiner, 3 April 2022: Fabricating Antisemitism: The Case of Gil Ofarim, DW, 3 April 2022: German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier under fire for Russia ties (“taking fire” from extremely questionable figures from the EU’s eastward enlargement is at best a bad joke. No one should ever adopt positions of nationalist EU opponents and undemocrats), Politico.eu, 4 April 2022: Zelenskyy calls out Angela Merkel, Nicolas Sarkozy for blocking Ukraine’s NATO bid (even if it may seem cynical, Ukraine’s NATO accession would still be out of the question based on objective criteria, even more than 10 years after the Bucharest decisions. With all due respect for Ukraine’s desire for admission, this was and is not the fault of Merkel or Sarkozy, but the responsibility of the Ukrainian governments – NATO, 3 April 2008:Bucharest Summit Declaration , The Guardian, 2 December 2008: Nato allies divided over Ukraine and Georgia), Irish Times, 4 April 2022: Holocaust survivors find refuge from Ukraine war in Germany, Politico.eu, 4 April 2022: EU weighs ban on Russian oil over war crimes as pressure builds on Berlin, Der Spiegel, 4 April 2022: War Crimes in Ukraine: Peace in Europe Must Now Be Defended Against Putin’s Russia, Politico.eu, 4 April 2022: Germany puts Gazprom subsidiary temporarily under state control, DW, 4 April 2022: Ukraine: Germany expels Russian diplomats with Bucha deaths in focus — live updates, Politico.eu, 4 April 2022: ‘Mistake’ not to object to Nord Stream 2, says German president, Politico.eu, 4 April 2022: Germany, France to expel Russian envoys after reports of atrocities in Ukraine, Jerusalem Post, 5 April 2022: Germany gets approval for Israel’s Arrow 3 missile defense system, The National, 5 April 2022: Germany’s president admits mistakes amid Russia reckoning, The Algemeiner, 5 April 2022: Holocaust Survivors Find Refuge From Ukraine War in Germany, The New York Times, 5 April 2022: Why Germany Can’t Just Pull the Plug on Russian Energy, DW, 5 April 2022: Germany closes Russian darknet market Hydra, The Guardian, 5 April 2022: ‘Motorcade of shame’: outrage over pro-Russia displays at Berlin rally (these scumbags live in safe, democratic, liberal Germany and glorify the war criminal Putin and his war of aggression and annihilation on Ukraine. They should all have been taken into custody pending deportation and deported to Putinstan), DW, 5 April 2022: Germany sees drop in overall crime, rise in online crime and child sex abuse images, France24, 5 April 2022: ‘Wrong about Putin’: Did Germany and France turn blind eye to threat from Russia?, Arab News, 6 April 2022: Gaza, Ukraine, Germany: From one home to another, Times of Israel, 6 April 2022: Turning to Israel, Germany to get weaponized drones for the first time, Politico.eu, 6 April 2022: British man charged with passing information to Russia, DW, 6 April 2022: Germany conducts nationwide raids on neo-Nazi groups, Arab News, 6 April 2022: UK security guard extradited from Germany over Russia spy charges, DW, 6 April 2022: Germany needs a new business model, The Algemeiner, 6 April 2022: Germany Acquires 140 Israeli-Made Armed Drones, DW, 6 April 2022: German term ‘Putinversteher’ goes international (the SPD is increasingly becoming a security risk for Germany and the EU. At least Orban is blunt and straightforward, while the SPD is characterized by full-bodied announcements by Chancellor Scholz and subsequent blocking of their own announcements. It is true that the SPD continues to sag and that Annalena Baerbock from the Greens in particular is gaining support because, unlike many SPD cadres, she is obviously interested in the security of Ukraine, the EU and NATO, but is repeatedly thwarted. It is neither understandable nor communicable why apparently parts of the SPD are still on the side of the serial war criminal Putin. Donald Trump and his admiration and love for Putin was already a catastrophe for the western alliance, but it was relatively easy to slow it down due to his clumsiness. In contrast, the excessive mendacity of the SPD in dealing with the Ukraine and Russia simply leaves observers speechless behind), The Times, 6 April 2022: German police raid homes of neo-Nazis in far-right crackdown, DW, 6 April 2022: Russia must not win the war, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz tells Bundestag (the SPD is still stuck in the loop of glasnost, perestroika and “Gas-Gerd” Schröder and cannot free itself from it, so it remains trapped between forget-me-nots and garden gnomes in its bowling club and allotment club idyll. For decades, German politics can no longer be thought of as a solitaire and it is becoming less and less so from year to year, which is why the SPD is less and less eligible for government responsibility. Their regular voters are obviously seeing this more and more clearly. German politics must always be thought of in connection with European politics and acted accordingly, which is currently particularly evident in the case of “security and defense policy”. In order for this to succeed, there must be constant, largely ideology-free planning and action for 10, 20 or 20 years in advance, so that every government that comes into office can work with it. So “long lines” have to be planned and prepared, regardless of legislative periods or party-political small small. The SPD does not succeed (anymore). Neither did other parties, however, which is shown not least by the complete lack of a plan in dealing with Corona, digitization, Putin’s war of aggression against Ukraine or civil defense. The country is being driven to attrition without doing even a modicum of future planning and resource allocation – that goes well beyond the meaning of the word “irresponsible.” What is tragic in itself and for the SPD has consequences for the whole country and causes serious international damage. The members of the Bundestag must decide when the times for a vote of no confidence and new elections are given. In any case, it won’t go well like this for much longer. With its indifferent approach to containing and, in particular, preventing and blocking measures against Putin’s war of aggression and annihilation against Ukraine, the SPD even promotes Putin’s will to escalate. At the same time, of course, it sends out a devastating signal in terms of self-defense ability and willingness to defend), The Guardian, 6 April 2022: German police raid neo-Nazi cells across country, DW, 6 April 2022: Germany presents new Ukraine-accelerated renewables plan, BBC, 6 April 2022: British embassy guard charged with spying for Russia, Politico.eu, 7 April 2022: Scholz holds up German tank deliveries to Ukraine, The Times, 6 April 2022: ‘Merkel’s toxic legacy’: Germany nears a reckoning over ties to Russia (of course, Ambassador Melnyk can demand whatever he wants. At the end of the day, however, it is not any foreign envoy who make politics in Germany, but politicians who have been legitimized by German voters. It is becoming apparent that Melnyk will soon only be the darling of the tabloid press, but will no longer have access to party headquarters or the Federal Chancellery. In addition, former Chancellor Angela Merkel is no longer in office. So whether she’ll even comment on the matter is entirely her own decision, regardless of what any people ask for. Of course, wanting to criticize her decisions in hindsight is very easy. In fact, she made decisions based on the prevailing political zeitgeist and situation. As it is with the zeitgeist: it gets things wrong every now and then), The New York Times, 7 April 2022: How Germany Became Putin’s Enabler, DW, 7 April 2022: Ukraine war sparks major shift in Germany’s energy opinions, Reuters, 7 April 2022: EU’s full ban on Russian coal to be pushed back to mid-August – sources, DW, 7 April 2022: Germany agrees €2 billion in financial support for Ukrainian refugees, Politico.eu, 7 April 2022: German parliament rejects mandatory coronavirus vaccination, DW, 8 April 2022: German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier calls for Putin war crimes probe after Bucha killings, The Washington Post, 8 April 2022: After 77 years in timeout, Germany is crucial to the fascist resistance, DW, 8 April 2022: Germany could be off Russian gas by winter says economic think tank, Politico.eu, 8 April 2022: UK and Germany won’t send tanks to Ukraine, DW, 8 April 2022: Germany checks one NATO box, leaves another open, DW, 9 April 2022: Germany: Bundeswehr arms deliveries to Ukraine ‘reached a limit’, DW, 10 April 2022: Germany’s vaccine mandate was a disaster in the making, Jerusalem Post, 11 April 2022: Russia-Ukraine war: ‘Germany made an obligation to support Ukraine with weapons’ – Habeck, DW, 11 April 2022: Mali: EU to reduce security training operations, The National, 11 April 2022: Russian journalist who protested against war on TV is hired by German media group, DW, 11 April 2022: War in Ukraine: German foreign policy under fire, Politico.eu, 11 April 2022: German family minister resigns amid floods scandal, DW, 11 April 2022: Living with the enemy? Ukrainians and Russians find common ground in Germany, The Times, 12 April 2022: Germany’s coalition split over sending weapons to Ukraine, The New York Times, 12 April 2022: Ukraine War Pushes Germans to Change. They Are Wavering., Politico.eu, 12 April 2022: Ukraine rejects visit by German President Steinmeier (that was anything but intelligent. Federal President Steinmeier is the first man in the state and the most important diplomat in the country. If you insult him, you insult Germany as a whole. The Scholz administration apparently intends to support Ukraine with only minimal measures, instead of what is necessary to do, while keeping Germany secure at the same time. The affront to Steinmeier will now ensure that the Scholz administration’s support for Ukraine will slow down rather than accelerate. That’s what you do in Germany by chasing decisions through the bureaucracy jungle until they are completely bogged down, because at some point no one knows who is actually supposed to do what or who is responsible and what it was originally about. Ukraine provided the appropriate justification for this today. The only winner in this situation is Putin and if the Russian war criminal should win against Ukraine, Germany’s political (in)actions will fall on the country’s toes very badly. The international reputation is already badly damaged, domestically anyway, and it will take years to put things right again. A “political turning point” cannot be achieved through a dynamic Bundestag speech, but only through dynamic and timely implementation. The governing coalition is still light years away from this, although the only party that shows any stature here is the Greens, of all people. The implementation of the “turning point” is not only vital for Ukraine, but also for the governing coalition itself. Mistakes have been made in assessing Putin’s Russia. It can happen. Where wood is chopped, splinters will fall. To ponder this and any consequences for those involved can be done later. Instead of sulking, it is now much more important to do the right thing immediately and that means maximum immediate material aid, better yesterday than tomorrow, for Ukraine), The National, 12 April 2022: Ukraine snubs German president over Russia ties, The Guardian, 12 April 2022: Frank-Walter Steinmeier: Ukraine snubs German president over past ‘close ties to Russia’, DW, 12 April 2022: German President Steinmeier’s visit to Kyiv ‘not wanted’, France24, 12 April 2022: ‘Not wanted in Kyiv’: Pressure mounts on Germany after Ukraine snub, DW, 12 April 2022: Russian nickel, palladium, chromium exports a headache for Germany, DW, 12 April 2022: Germany: Over 1 in 4 people have ‘migrant background’, DW, 12 April 2022: Germany’s Baerbock visits Mali as EU ends training mission, DW, 13 April 2022: Ukraine: Germany’s Scholz vows to send more weapons — live updates, Politico.eu, 13 April 2022: Gas embargo to plunge Germany into ‘sharp recession,’ according to experts, DW, 13 April 2022: Germany tries to mend Ukraine relations after Steinmeier snub, Arab News, 13 April 2022: Scholz ‘irritated’ by Kyiv’s snub to German president (with that, Ukraine shot itself in the foot. As might be expected, it will slow down the aid process instead of speeding it up, as apparently mistakenly assumed in Kyiv), DW, 13 April 2022: Ukraine’s snub to the German president is wrong, Politico.eu, 13 April 2022: Zelenskyy’s Steinmeier snub triggers backlash in Germany, DW, 13 April 2022: Germany set for bumper pension hike amid inflation surge, Politico.eu, 13 April 2022: How Germany Inc. played Russian roulette — and lost, DW, 13 April 2022: Germany tells Mali to halt work with Russian mercenaries, The Guardian, 14 April 2022: German chancellor ‘stalling on heavy weaponry to Ukraine’, DW, 14 April 2022: How Germany manages EU funds in Africa, The Times, 14 April 2022: Four arrested over far-right plot to kidnap Germany’s health minister, DW, 14 April 2022: Ukraine war: How Germany pays for refugees, DW, 14 April 2022: Germany earmarks €3 billion for floating LNG terminals, DW, 15 April 2022: Baerbock: “No cooperation with Russian actors” in Mali, DW, 15 April 2022: Germany’s best-loved Easter traditions, Irish Times, 16 April 2022: David McWilliams: Germany has sealed Ukraine’s fate. Putin’s gamble has paid off, DW, 16 April 2022: Germany holds Easter peace marches in shadow of Ukraine war (a bunch of out-of-time weirdos. The mere cheekiness of recommending that the Ukrainians lay down their arms so that the war would supposedly end faster, but in fact of course to be slaughtered by the mercenaries of the Russian serial war criminal Putin, completely discredits the bunch), The National, 16 April 2022: Germany to provide over €1bn in military aid to Ukraine, DW, 16 April 2022: Learning in the ‘welcome class’: Ukrainian students attend German schools, DW, 16 April 2022: Why climate action holds the key to German security, The Times, 18 April 2022: German state leader Manuela Schwesig ‘colluded with Russians on gas pipeline’, DW, 18 April 2022: German police probe displays of support for Russian invasion of Ukraine, DW, 19 April 2022: Germany, scapegoat of the Ukraine war, The New York Times, 19 April 2022: They Are the Heirs of Nazi Fortunes, and They Aren’t Apologizing, Der Spiegel, 19 April 2022: The Scholz Problem: Discontent Grows in Berlin over Chancellor’s Ukraine Response (the “German solo effort” has been going on for quite a while. While other NATO partners are providing what they can, the Scholz government is refusing help where it can and could. Germany is once again on the wrong side of history. The consequences are thousands of dead Ukrainians and a triumphant serial war criminal Putin. This will not be forgotten either nationally or internationally: While the Scholz government is “thinking about making heavy equipment available to Ukraine,” other NATO partners are making the heavy weapons provided to them by Germany available to Ukraine as a matter of course. It doesn’t get any more absurd than that. On the other hand, this of course answers questions: by refraining from action, those who have relied on military support from an SPD-led Germany in times of dire need are made aware that they are abandoned as soon as the SPD darling Putin is at stake . The SPD had eight weeks to deliver heavy weapons to Ukraine. Not one was actually delivered in that period. The analysis is as simple as it is devastating: the SPD would rather sacrifice Ukraine, Ukrainians, Eastern Europe, democracy and freedom than defend Ukraine and Europe against the war criminal Putin), Politico.eu, 19 April 2022: German Social Democrats face more heat over Russian energy ties, DW, 19 April 2022: Germany’s Scholz tries to dodge criticism over Ukraine heavy weapons deliveries, The New York Times, 20 April 2022: A German software giant is unplugging its Russia business., The Times, 20 April 2022: Germany refuses request to send weapons to Ukraine, BBC, 20 April 2022: Germany rules out immediate end to Russian oil imports, Jerusalem Post, 20 April 2022: Germany needs to do more for Ukraine to implement ‘never again’ (unfortunately, that’s the way it is, and as a German, one can only be ashamed of the federal government’s “too late and too little”. Some members of the government are apparently in shock because of Putin’s war of annihilation against Ukraine, so that they are unable to act. Apparently, this also affects Chancellor Scholz himself. It also seems to be overlooked that the expansion of the invasion after 2014 threatens freedom and democracy (beginnings) in Eastern Europe as a whole. Ultimately, Putin’s clearly defined goal is to re-establish the Soviet Union), France24, 20 April 2022: Taciturn Scholz under fire for hesitant Ukraine stance, DW, 20 April 2022: German Foreign Minister Baerbock begins Baltic tour with promise of stronger support, Irish Times, 20 April 2022: Scholz makes new Ukraine weapons pledge after series of PR disasters, DW, 21 April 2022: Energy crisis: What role can Germany’s oil and gas sector play?, Foreign Policy, 21 April 2022: Germany’s Security Revolution Is Already Stalling, DW, 21 April 2022: Germany plans workaround for arms deliveries to Ukraine, Politico.eu, 22 April 2022: Olaf Scholz cites risk of nuclear war in refusal to send tanks to Ukraine (in real life, Scholz and the SPD’s Putin fan club apparently don’t want to spoil things entirely with the tsar. Finally, the Kremlin hands out lucrative consultancy contracts), DW, 22 April 2022: Germany’s Baerbock calls for stronger NATO strategy in Baltics, Politico.eu, 22 April 2022: From doves to über-hawks: Ukraine war recasts Germany’s Greens, DW, 22 April 2022: Why isn’t ?Germany supplying Ukraine with heavy weapons?, DW, 22 April 2022: Germany’s Social Democrats, Russia, and the failures of the past, DW, 22 April 2022: Why isn’t Germany supplying Ukraine with heavy weapons?, The New York Times, 23 April 2022: The Former Chancellor Who Became Putin’s Man in Germany, The Sunday Times, 24 April 2022: Gerhard Schröder defends lucrative work for Russian energy giants, The National, 25 April 2022: German coalition divide over heavy weapons supplies to Ukraine deepens (actually, one would have to laugh at the naive ignorance and stupidity of “Olaf und den Ampelmännchen” (chancellor Scholz’s coalition) if the consequences weren’t so dramatic: 1. so far, one has obviously learned far too little from the completely failed appeasement policy towards Putin, and it even gives the impression that one wants to return to it in order to satisfy the love for Putin and the passionate anti-Americanism of the left wing of the SPD, 2. turning a blind eye to facts and figures out of sheer cowardice is exactly what spurs on bar thugs like serial war criminal Putin even further. They start small (Georgia and Moldova) and, after realizing that the West only wets itself anyway and at most gives Sunday speeches, then really get going. Assuming that Putin would cease warfare after he might take Ukraine is as likely as Easter and Christmas on the same day. In fact, in that case he would move on to Georgia and Moldova, target Finland and the Baltics, and finally attack at least Poland. This is also why it is of the utmost importance that he is not allowed to win in the Ukraine and that this must therefore be prevented by all means, regardless of whether German Putinversteher, who are now apparently completely disconnected from reality, “do not want to inflict humiliation on the poor, little serial war criminal Putin “, 3. Putin wants to achieve Russian imperialism with the complete destruction of Western values and ways of life. According to his ideas, all European states should be militarily subdued, democracy, freedom and the rule of law should be abolished, NATO should be abolished and, of course, the American security umbrella for Western and Central Europe should be cleared. The German government is making his efforts easier for him by shining through active passivity, instead of doing what would be right better yesterday than tomorrow, by helping Ukraine to create the best defensive possible, while at the same time draining Putin’s coffers and putting up an effective European security architecture (if the Visegrad states still don’t want to participate, they can stay out and take care of their own security – which of course won’t succeed, although Hungary’s Orban apparently can’t wait to finally become part of the Soviet Union again) as quickly as possible. This is grossly negligent and thus violates the oath of office taken to avert damage to Germany. In fact, the federal government has already caused massive damage to Germany in the few months it has been in office, 4. in Putin’s troubled world, all states south and west of Russia’s true borders are already warring parties. Berlin’s attempt to use the excuse “Moscow could see us as a war party” to avoid having to deliver has thus become obsolete. Putin has viewed Germany as a war party for weeks. There are no longer any credible excuses for Berlin to continue refusing to work. Organizing any nonsense or making untenable statements to distract from the topic no longer work as smokescreens either, 5. What has apparently also remained completely unconsidered is that President Biden in the USA could certainly be replaced in the next election by #45 and, even after the start of Putin’s war of annihilation against Ukraine, he positioned himself very clearly in favor of Putin and against NATO. The significant security risks for Germany and the EU would then come from two sides (not even considering China)), Politico.eu, 25 April 2022: Top German Social Democrats want Gerhard Schröder out of party, DW, 25 April 2022: Why Ukrainians distrust Germany’s president, Arab News, 25 April 2022: Frankfurt mosque extends Ramadan charity to Ukraine refugees, DW, 25 April 2022: Russia announces expulsion of 40 German diplomats in tit-for-tat move — live updates, Haaretz, 26 April 2022: History and Energy: Understanding Germany’s Shameful Russia Policy, Politico.eu, 26 April 2022: Germany says Russia oil embargo would be ‘manageable’, The Times, 26 April 2022: Nervous Germany agrees to send anti-aircraft guns, DW, 26 April 2022: Germany will deliver anti-aircraft tanks to Ukraine, Al Arabiya, 26 April 2022: Germany to supply Ukraine with heavy weaponry for first time, Politico.eu, 26 April 2022: Germany approves tank sales to Ukraine, bowing to pressure, Irish Times, 26 April 2022: World is ‘galvanised’ against Russian invasion, says US at talks in Germany, CNN, 26 April 2022: Germany agrees to send heavy weapons to Ukraine after major policy U-turn, BBC, 26 April 2022: Germany to send tanks to Ukraine in U-turn, DW, 26 April 2022: Germany will deliver anti-aircraft tanks to Ukraine, Politico.eu, 27 April 2022: It’ll take more than tanks to ease Germany’s guilt, DW, 28 April 2022: Germany top buyer of Russian energy since Ukraine invasion began: report, CNN, 28 April 2022: Soaring costs and shortages push German industry to the brink, Politico.eu, 28 April 2022: Why Germany won’t give up on giving up nuclear, DW, 28 April 2022: Germany’s Scholz praises Japan’s Ukraine aid, Politico.eu, 28 April 2022: Germany signals more Ukraine support, wavers on defense spending, DW, 28 April 2022: Ukraine: German lawmakers overwhelmingly approve heavy weapons deliveries, Politico.eu, 29 April 2022: Russia faces threat of sanctions on nuclear power industry as Germany backs uranium ban, DW, 29 April 2022: Germany: Oktoberfest festival to take place again in Munich, DW, 29 April 2022: US training Ukrainian troops in Germany, DW, 30 April 2022: Germany’s ‘can’t do’ chancellor, DW, 30 April 2022: Germany takes Italy to court over Nazi reparations, DW, 30 April 2022: Germany: Feminists and squatters kick off early May Day protests in Berlin, BBC, 1 May 2022: Germany takes Italy to UN court over Nazi-era compensation claims, DW, 1 May 2022: Germany to support Russian oil embargo: sources, The Times, 1 May 2022: Olaf Scholz defends Germany’s Ukraine policy: I’m suspicious of hasty action, Politico.eu, 1 May 2022: Scholz hits out at critics who oppose sending arms to Ukraine, DW, 1 May 2022: Germany: May Day marches draw attention to Ukraine, The Hill, 2 May 2022: Germany, India sign $10.5B green development deal, DW, 2 May 2022: Germany ready to support EU ban on Russian oil, The National, 2 May 2022: Indian PM Modi offers Ukraine war warning as he visits Germany, DW, 2 May 2022: Open letter about weapons deliveries to Ukraine draws criticism (of course people can express that they are afraid, but fear is not a good advisor. Twenty years of attempts at dialogue with Russia and unilateral disarmament by the EU have contributed to the situation as it is today. More seating circles will not change that. Hard currency now counts, namely as many dead Russian soldiers as possible, in order to bring Putin’s war of aggression and annihilation afainst Ukraine directly into as many Russian living rooms as possible and thus break up Russian propaganda bit by bit and familiarize more and more Russians with the realities so that the pressure grows from within Russia towards Putin’s regime. At the same time, the Ukrainians must of course first be enabled to liberate their country from the Russian occupiers. That doesn’t work with posters and sparklers, only with a wide arsenal of weapons. One day we will have to negotiate with Russia again, but that can only happen if and when Putin wants serious negotiations, and he is obviously still far away from that point), CNN, 2 May 2022: Germany will support an EU oil embargo on Russia, DW, 2 May 2022: Germans split over heavy weapons deliveries to Ukraine, The National, 3 May 2022: German opposition leader visits Kyiv as Scholz refuses to go, DW, 3 May 2022: German Chancellor Olaf Scholz faces unusual criticism from Ukraine’s ambassador (after Ambassador Melnyk apparently intends to deepen the pit he has already dug for himself, Chancellor Scholz could now let his spokesman publicly consider when the time is right for a visit to President Putin in Moscow to discuss the improvement of bilateral relations between Germany and Russia. Then the Ukrainian ambassador will probably run amok *hahaha* Anyone who publicly bullies those on whom he actually depends on a daily basis will at some point be left empty-handed. Some only learn this during operation. What is apparently also underestimated on the Ukrainian side is that public opinion in Germany can very quickly turn against Ukraine, as it has already started in Poland, especially with regard to the Ukrainian refugees. The Ukrainian representatives, knowingly or unknowingly, provoke situations in Western Europe that are overall anything but good for them and their country. Even before Putin’s war escalated in February, the EU pumped over 17 billion euros into Ukraine. The motivation to continue providing development aid can decrease very quickly and even turn into the opposite), Politico.eu, 3 May 2022: Finland and Sweden ‘can count’ on Germany for protection and NATO membership support, DW, 3 May 2022: Ukraine: German opposition leader meets Zelenskyy after Scholz snub, DW, 3 May 2022: Scholz: Finland, Sweden can count on German support if they seek NATO access, DW, 3 May 2022: Germany: Top court upholds Syrian’s conviction as accessory to torture, The National, 4 May 2022: Germany will train Ukrainian gunners despite escalation warning, DW, 4 May 2022: Scholz stands firm on Ukraine visit amid criticism at home and abroad, Politico.eu, 4 May 2022: Head of Germany’s Russophile business lobby group resigns, DW, 4 May 2022: Why does Germany now support an embargo on Russian oil?, DW, 4 May 2022: Ukraine: German opposition leader meets Zelenskyy after Scholz snub, DW, 4 May 2022: German Overshoot Day: ‘We cannot continue like this’, DW, 4 May 2022: Ukrainian troops get training in Germany, Politico.eu, 5 May 2022: Zelenskyy invites Scholz and Steinmeier to Kyiv after weeks of tension, Arab News, 5 May 2022: Why Europe is engaging emerging powers in Africa and Asia-Pacific, Politico.eu, 5 May 2022: 12 Germans who got played by Putin, DW, 5 May 2022: China’s COVID curbs rattle EU business confidence, Politico.eu, 5 May 2022: Germany’s Annalena Baerbock to visit Ukraine, Politico.eu, 5 May 2022: It’s time Germany abandons its foreign policy la-la land, DW, 6 May 2022: Germans are worried about an EU ban on Russian oil, The Guardian, 6 May 2022: ‘We had to do this’: Berlin museum to drop ‘Russian’ from name, DW, 6 May 2022: Germany to send self-propelled howitzers to Ukraine, Politico.eu, 6 May 2022: Berlin bans Russian and Ukrainian flags during WWII commemoration, The Times, 6 May 2022: Olaf Scholz faces reckoning in key state elections, Politico.eu, 6 May 2022: Germany sends seven howitzers to Ukraine, Arab News, 6 May 2022: An unlikely defense of German foreign policy, DW, 7 May 2022: Russia’s war in Ukraine: Germany faces a reckoning (hardly to assume that the Ukraine will soon disappear from the western agenda. The representatives of Ukraine will take care of that. The more important question is how the Russia networkers can be prevented from doing business with the regime for an as yet unclear period of time, in order to ensure that the country is placed in an economic situation that precludes further foreign policy adventures for a longer period of time. Opinions can obviously differ about the rejection of Ukraine’s membership to the NATO in 2008. In view of the situation at the time, I still think the decision was okay, but there are different points of view. Since then, the starting position has changed several times. Recently even so dramatic that a complete reassessment is required. While Ukraine’s NATO membership was refrained from in 2008 to prevent Putin from invading Ukraine, this argument has been obsolete since February 2022 at the latest (actually since the Russian invasion of Crimea and eastern Ukraine from 2014), so that only some formal aspects against Ukraine’s admission to NATO are left. The priority is that the party to be admitted is not at war. This is another reason why it is important that Ukraine wins the war against the aggressor Russia. Admission to the EU should be easier, but not much easier. Taking Cyprus as an example, the entire country, including the territory occupied by Turkey in the north, was admitted to the EU. The same could be done with Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia, in a way that does not damage or devalue the “normal admission procedure” to the EU. Of course, it is also clear that the admission processes will not be a question of months but of years), DW, 7 May 2022: Germany expects pro-Russia activities on May 9, Politico.eu, 8 May 2022: Germany’s Scholz: Russia can’t dictate peace deal in Ukraine, DW, 8 May 2022: Scholz: Ukraine won’t accept Russian dictatorship, Palestine Chronicle, 9 May 2022: Germany’s Position on Palestine: Twice on the Wrong Side of History? (on the one hand, an interesting contribution because it tries to clearly exaggerate Germany’s role in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. On the other hand, some intellectual errors have crept in here, which contributes to wrong basic assumptions are made. The Bundestag resolution on the BDS movement is not binding. No obligations for municipalities can be derived from this to prohibit BDS events in public buildings. Several German courts have already confirmed this. However, it is also true that there is a big difference between “justified objections” and “antisemitic nonsense”. The latter is a punishable offense in Germany. As a result of the Holocaust, the industrialized murder of 6 million Jews and thus the almost complete annihilation of European Jews, Germany is committed to support Israel with significant economic and military aid. In the meantime, “the security of Israel has become Germany’s reason of state.” This means that Germany helps to secure the continued existence of the State of Israel as such. However, this does not include influencing the policies pursued by Israel. It is of course understandable that many other countries in the world would like to have a similar arrangement so that Germany would sort out their often self-inflicted problems, but that will not happen. Not even for Palestine. The Israeli occupation of Palestine (East Jerusalem, West Bank and the Syrian Golan Heights) and the blockade of Gaza are made up of two parts: The military occupation, which is perfectly legal under martial law and still exists today because the warring parties cannot or do not want to agree on any peace agreements. This contrasts with the very illegal settlements in Palestinian East Jerusalem, the West Bank and the Syrian Golan Heights. This is a war crime under international law. The West, including Germany, always condemns these actions and therefore Israel faces ever greater challenges in international bodies. But that is only one part of the truth. As the occupied party, the Palestinians have two duties: to negotiate and to resist, but there hasn’t been any negotiations for years. At the end of the day, it should be said that both sides have played their part in leading to the current situation. Therefore, only the two parties to the dispute can resolve the conflict. Attempts to involve other parties, while understandable, will fail), DW, 9 May 2022: Germany’s Scholz hosts Macron in Berlin, DW, 9 May 2022: On Victory Day, past and present collide in Berlin, DW, 9 May 2022: Chancellor Olaf Scholz finds clear words on Ukraine, DW, 9 May 2022: Russian ambassador to Poland hit with red liquid by anti-war protesters, DW, 9 May 2022: Germany braces for pro-Russian Victory Day rallies, The National, 10 May 2022: UAE and Germany to focus on strengthening sustainable economic growth, DW, 10 May 2022: Germany: Ukraine war and COVID pandemic fuel cybercrime, Politico.eu, 10 May 2022: Germany tells Ukraine ‘no shortcut’ to EU membership as Baerbock meets Zelenskyy, DW, 10 May 2022: German Foreign Minister Baerbock visits Ukraine, DW, 10 May 2022: What weapons Germany is sending to Ukrainem, The National, 11 May 2022: We will fight them in the playgrounds: Can Germany abandon pacifism?, DW, 11 May 2022: Ukrainian troops arrive in Germany for howitzer training, Reuters, 12 May 2022: In Berlin, Ukraine’s Kuleba welcomes positive changes in Germany’s position, Politico.eu, 12 May 2022: Liberal MEPs push to add Gerhard Schröder to EU’s Russia sanctions list, DW, 13 May 2022: Ukraine: Germany’s Scholz and Russia’s Putin discuss stalled peace talks — live updates, The Times, 13 May 2022: EU nuclear envoy to Iran detained by German police, Politico.eu, 13 May 2022: German border police detain EU’s Iran talks negotiator, DW, 13 May 2022: G7: Germany seeks ‘powerful sign of unity’ for Ukraine, Politico.eu, 13 May 2022: Olaf Scholz’s reputation on the line in big German vote, DW, 16 May 2022: German state election leaves Chancellor Scholz reeling, Politico.eu, 16 May 2022: No laughs for Olaf: 3 bitter election lessons for Germany’s Scholz, The Guardian, 16 May 2022: Germany: State elections show populism in decline on left and right, DW, 16 May 2022: Germany’s Green ‘superheros’: Habeck and Baerbock, Daily Mail, 17 May 2022: Is Germany’s leader so soft on Russia because he’s an ex-Marxist who savaged Nato and bowed to Moscow, asks leading historian DR HUBERTUS KNABE, Politico.eu, 19 May 2022: Olaf Scholz dismisses EU Parliament call to sanction Gerhard Schröder over Russia ties, The Guardian, 19 May 2022: Germany: Gerhard Schröder to be stripped of privileges for not cutting ties with Russia, Politico.eu, 19 May 2022: EU treaty change ‘not a taboo,’ says Scholz, Al Arabiya, 19 May 2022: ‘No shortcuts’ to Ukraine EU membership: German chancellor Scholz, DW, 19 May 2022: Chancellor Olaf Scholz tells German parliament ‘Russia must not win this war’, The National, 20 May 2022: Germany signs energy pact with Qatar in race to ditch Russian gas, DW, 20 May 2022: War in Ukraine: Is Germany losing its EU leadership role?, Politico.eu, 20 May 2022: Gerhard Schröder to leave Rosneft (that’s a funny story, after all: for years he has been the great Putin Versteher, which even goes so far that he has lost all reputation and credibility and now that everything is too late and he has completely crashed his career and along with it his legacy, he resigns. Of course, he does not do this out of insight, but because he would lose access to his assets if he ended up on the sanctions list), The New York Times, 20 May 2022: Ukraine Live Updates: Russia Vows to Halt Gas Exports to Finland as War’s Fallout Spreads, Politico.eu, 20 May 2022: Germany passes €9 nationwide monthly transit pass plan, The Guardian, 20 May 2022: Germany: Country eases cost of living crisis with €9 a month public transport ticket, DW, 21 May 2022: Difficult trip to Africa for German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, France24, 21 May 2022: Deadly tornado sweeps through western Germany, dozens injured, DW, 21 May 2022: Germany: Violent weather, tornadoes ravage western towns, DW, 21 May 2022: Monkeypox: Berlin records first cases of rare virus, Politico.eu, 22 May 2022: German finance chief calls for more fiscal discipline across EU, DW, 22 May 2022: Germany: Fatal shooting at funfair in Lüdenscheid, DW, 22 May 2022: Olaf Scholz: Germany will work to restart Ukrainian grain exports to Africa, The National, 23 May 2022: US flight brings tonnes of baby formula from Germany, DW, 24 May 2022: German chancellor woos allies in Africa, Politico.eu, 24 May 2022: Polish president accuses Germany of breaking promises on tanks for Ukraine (the federal government has never made the alleged promises that the Polish liars have falsified – and should not make them in the future either, since the Polish government is increasingly positioning Poland as an enemy country. Over the past few years, it has become abundantly clear that it is pointless to negotiate with the historically revisionist right-wing extremists of the PiS. Either a new approach is found or negotiations should be stopped all together to stop this waste of time and efforts), DW, 24 May 2022: Olaf Scholz in Africa – mission accomplished, Politico.eu, 24 May 2022: German election should be rerun in parts of Berlin, ballot supervisor tells MPs , DW, 24 May 2022: Germany’s Scholz decries Putin’s ‘imperialistic’ war in Ukraine, DW, 24 May 2022: Ex-German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder turns down role on Gazprom board, DW, 24 May 2022: Monkeypox ‘not the start of a new pandemic’ says German health minister, Politico.eu, 25 May 2022: Germany ‘flabbergasted’ at Poland’s accusation of broken promise on tanks, DW, 25 May 2022: Germany: 1 in 10 people are ‘addicted’ to work, study finds, DW, 25 May 2022: COVID travel restrictions: Germany, DW, 25 May 2022: Tired of democracy? What’s behind the low voter turnout in Germany?, The National, 26 May 2022: Germany’s Chancellor Olaf Scholz says Russia will not win its war in Ukraine, DW, 27 May 2022: The China shock: Germany turns away from its biggest trading partner, Politico.eu, 27 May 2022: Olaf Scholz’s Ukrainian tank battle, DW, 27 May 2022: Berlin museum returns artifacts to Namibia, DW, 27 May 2022: Scholz: Putin’s war not just against Ukraine, but European values too, Politico.eu, 28 May 2022: Germany scraps Xinjiang investment guarantees amid rights concerns, DW, 28 May 2022: What attracts German companies to South Africa?, The Times, 30 May 2022: Germany ‘breaks its promise’ to give Kyiv more heavy weapons (the worst case has now occurred. What has been discussed in this blog for years has now happened and in this situation of all things we have a Putin-affine, latently anti-American, little EU-affine, inward-looking SPD-led government (with the exception of the Green’s). It couldn’t have been much worse. If we get through this unscathed, then that has a lot to do with luck, because due to weaknesses inherent in the SPD, “Olaf and the traffic light men” are obviously not in a position to react appropriately to the multiple crises – apart from the fact that they doesn’t want to at all, but instead prefer to continue playing “nationalist allotment garden club” and thus sacrifices thousands of Ukrainians on the one hand, just to give their favorite dictator and war criminal Vladimir Putin an advantage on the other. For Germany’s reputation, this is already an outright catastrophe, for the EU and NATO it is an ordeal, also brought about with German help. Apart from a vote of no confidence and new elections, there will soon be no other options for action to at least not further escalate the considerable damage that has already occurred), The Algemeiner, 30 May 2022: Top German Antisemitism Official Expresses Concern That Major Art Show Is Boycotting Israel (because they were not able to place an Israeli artist at the Venice Biennale, attempts are now being made to force the participation of an Israeli artist at the documenta with the help of dubious “anti-Israel/anti-Semitism” allegations. Art in general and the documenta in particular have never been apolitical. However, what Israeli lobby organizations are trying to achieve with their constant fire against the German cultural sector and scene has now become, even when viewed benevolently, impertinent), DW, 30 May 2022: War in Ukraine: What is Germany’s strategy?, Politico.eu, 30 May 2022: German government and opposition agree on €100B defense spending bill, DW, 30 May 2022: Germany to ease visa procedure for at-risk Russians, DW, 30 May 2022: German inflation rate jumps to 7.9% in May, Politico.eu, 31 May 2022: Germany announces new deal with Greece to send tanks to Ukraine, DW, 31 May 2022: Germany: Deutsche Bank raided in ‘greenwashing’ probe, The Times, 31 May 2022: Let Germany lead the rebuilding of Ukraine (yes, that should indeed be imposed on Germany, simply because deliveries of heavy weapons are constantly being announced but are not happening, even though the industry could have been delivering for eight weeks. Thousands of Ukrainian civilians have already died as a result. Subsequent generations in Germany will have to listen to this and have no choice but to agree to the allegations. In the meantime, one can no longer even hope that it won’t become more dramatic, because it is not only foreseeable but already clearly recognizable that things will get worse. All this apparently just so that the SPD can help its favorite dictator and serial war criminal, Tsar Vladimir, to secure the throne at any price and even overtake the AfD on the right and the SED successor club, Die Linke, on the left. Completely irresponsible and absolutely unworthy of a German federal government), CNN, 31 May 2022: Russia is about to shut off some of Germany’s gas, The Guardian, 1 June 2022: Live Russia-Ukraine war: Moscow warns US over rocket shipments to Kyiv; Ukraine losing up to 100 soldiers a day, Politico.eu, 1 June 2022: Olaf Scholz’s Kaiser complex leaves Ukraine in the lurch, DW, 1 June 2022: Germany’s Olaf Scholz defends record on arms to Ukraine, Politico.eu, 1 June 2022: Germany loses EU sway as Eastern Europe turns away over Russia (as was to be expected. The new governing coalition, particularly the SOPD, is not up to the task), DW, 2 June 2022: Netherlands green lights North Sea gas production with Germany, BBC, 2 June 2022: Germans get €9-a-month travel in response to energy price rises, The Guardian, 2 June 2022: ‘We were all wrong’: How Germany got hooked on Russian energy, DW, 3 June 2022: German lawmakers approve €12 minimum wage, DW, 3 June 2022: How will the German military spend €100 billion?, The National, 3 June 2022: Germany votes for $100bn military spending splurge, DW, 4 June 2022: Germany: Death toll rises after train crash in Bavaria, DW, 4 June 2022: Russia plans to restart German telescope without permission, DW, 5 June 2022: German Economy Minister Robert Habeck seeks new partnerships with Israel and Jordan (it is remarkable that the EastMed pipeline fantasy is still haunting, although it is as clear as day that it would be a purely political project with no economic benefits. Since neither Israel nor Cyprus can afford the adventure, one can count on one finger who would have to pay for the billion dollar grave. So it’s no wonder that Italy and the USA have since dropped out of the project. On the other hand, Israel could ship to Egypt, where there are LNG terminals, so Israeli-Lebanese gas could be liquefied and shipped to Europe. That would even be economically viable. In parts of Israeli politics, people are also trying to get rich in other energy fields by making wild speculations, such as using a pipeline that has been embezzled from Iran to transport oil from the Arab Gulf States to Ashdod and ship it to Europe from there. However, neither the suppliers nor the recipients of the oil are enthusiastic about the idea), DW, 6 June 2022: Germany hopes to find alternatives to Russian gas in Middle East, DW, 6 June 2022: Germany and Africa forge energy ties, DW, 7 June 2022: Germany’s military upgrade hampered by bureaucracy.
15952-embargo_-_us_germany_report-_not_for_publication_until_5pm_washington_time_on_monday_march_9
Due to the decision of the Chancellor to step down from the party chairmanship, a new party leader will be elected during the party congress of the CDU on 07. and 08. December 2018 in Hamburg. This is not a peculiarity, especially since personnel issues are resolved in the context of votes. Nevertheless, it is of great importance for Germany and the EU, as as of the election results the CDU is currently the only remaining major party in Germany, whose future orientation can have a significant impact on the positive or negative development of Germany and the EU. The party congress is also interesting because there is currently no one in the government or the opposition in Germany who is even close (most aren’t even fit when it’s only about the EU) to the international competence (also with regard to crisis management situations) and reputation of the Chancellor. In light of the new challenges and crises that are looming on the horizon, everyone can be happy that Mrs Merkel wants to remain active as Chancellor until 2021. If one desperately wants to look for Merkel’s weakness, then one finds it in her communication weakness (which of course can be a strategy as well, who knows), which makes it difficult for political friends and enemies alike to classify the Chancellor’s individual approaches and requests, so that it is often some kind of guesswork, to find out what she really wants and asks for, resulting in time delays until concrete approaches and calls to action are given (Reuters, 13 March 2014: Merkel warns Russia of ‘massive damage’ if it persists, Politico.com, 30 May 2020: Merkel rebuffs Trump invitation to G-7 summit, DW, 30 May 2020: Angela Merkel rejects Trump’s G7 summit invite: report, The Guardian, 30 May 2020: Merkel won’t attend Trump’s G7 ‘unless pandemic changes’, Business Insider, 30 May 2020: Trump reportedly ‘furious’ that Germany’s Angela Merkel turned down his G7 Summit invitation over coronavirus concerns, France24, 31 May 2020: Trump postpones ‘outdated’ G7 summit, seeks to extend the invitation list (Trump apparently wants to hand out another gift to his most important campaign assistant from Moscow before the US presidential election in November), CNN, 31 May 2020: Trump postponing the G7 to at least September, The Guardian, 31 May 2020: Trump cancels summit but says he will invite Putin to later G7 event, Politico.eu, 31 May 2020: Trump postpones G7, plans to invite more countries, including Russia, Politico.com, 1 June 2020: G-7 members reject Trump’s bid to bring Russia in from the cold, The New York Times, 7 July 2020: How Germany Fell Back in Love With Angela Merkel, Foreign Policy, 8 July 2020: Angela Merkel Is Back, The National, 25 July 2020: Does Angela Merkel deserve a musical like Alexander Hamilton?, Politico.eu, 28 October 2020: How the race to inherit Merkel’s mantle got dirty, DW, 22 November 2020: Angela Merkel: 15 years as German chancellor, France24, 22 November 2020: Germany’s ‘eternal chancellor’ Angela Merkel marks 15 years in office, DW, 30 December 2020: Angela Merkel’s New Year’s speech: ‘Toughest year’ of chancellorship, Politico.eu, 31 December 2020: Merkel’s report card: Grading Germany’s EU presidency, Foreign Policy, 31 December 2020: What Merkel Really Thinks About China—and the World, DW, 15 January 2021: Germany’s ruling CDU set to elect new leader, DW, 16 January 2021: Armin Laschet, Angela Merkel loyalist, is new CDU leader, France24, 16 January 2021: Merkel ally Armin Laschet elected new leader of Germany’s CDU party, BBC, 16 January 2021: Armin Laschet elected leader of Merkel’s CDU party, The Guardian, 16 January 2021: Angela Merkel’s party chooses Armin Laschet as leader, The Times, 16 January 2021: Merkel’s party elects centrist heir with unity mission, Irish Times, 16 January 2021: Centrist succeeds Merkel as head of Germany’s Christian Democrats, Politico.eu, 16 January 2021: Merkel era may only just be beginning, CNN, 17 January 2021: Angela Merkel endured as others came and went. Now world’s crisis manager steps down, Arab News, 12 March 2021: Security to top Merkel successor’s list of concerns, BBC, 24 March 2021: Coronavirus: Germany’s Merkel reverses plans for Easter lockdown (every responsible German citizen knew what is in store for us from the previous year. Anyone who has not yet learned how to use foresighted self-stocking will no longer learn it anyway. Therefore, the opening hours of the shops doesn’t matter. Anyone who also thinks they have to be on the road even though the “Corona high season” is running will hopefully at least be infected with Covid-19, because that keeps the unemployment rate at an acceptable level), Politico.eu, 25 March 2021: Merkel perfects the art of the political apology, DW, 1 May 2021: Germany’s CDU under fire over nomination of controversial ex-spy chief, NPR, 28 April 2021: These Are The Top Politicians Vying To Succeed Angela Merkel As Germany’s Chancellor, Politico.eu, 25 June 2021: The post-Merkel era begins in Brussels, Arab News, 7 July 2021: Merkel’s UK visit proves she will be much missed by the West, DW, 14 July 2021: Merkel sets off for farewell US visit as chancellor, Politico.eu, 14 July 2021: From Bush to Biden: Angela Merkel’s American presidents, The Washington Post, 14 July 2021: Merkel’s 16-year roller-coaster ride with U.S. presidents is coming to an end, DW, 15 July 2021: Angela Merkel’s US farewell tour — live updates, The Washington Post, 15 July 2021: Biden meets with Merkel in first White House session with a European leader, Politico.eu, 15 July 2021: Why Merkel can’t stop apologizing, DW, 22 July 2021: Angela Merkel’s last federal press conference: ‘It was a pleasure’, DW, 22 July 2021: Nord Stream 2 — Angela Merkel’s damaging legacy, Politico.eu, 9 August 2021: Armin Laschet wants to lead Europe. Not everyone thinks he’s up to it, Arab News, 19 August 2021: Merkel looks toward her legacy with intervention in Russia-Ukraine standoff, France24, 20 August 2021: Merkel urges Putin to free Kremlin critic Navalny on farewell Russia visit, Politico.eu, 20 August 2021: Merkel confronts Putin about Navalny on 1st anniversary of poisoning, DW, 23 August 2021: Merkel leaves Ukraine with a difficult legacy, DW, 25 August 2021: Merkel is letting herself off too lightly on Afghanistan, The Guardian, 26 August 2021: Angela Merkel scores higher approval ratings than any other world leader, Haaretz, 29 August 2021: Merkel’s Israel Legacy: A True Friend – Despite the Fights With Netanyahu, The Times, 4 September 2021: Angela Merkel is retiring. What did the world’s most powerful woman achieve?, The Sunday Times, 5 September 2021: Merkel’s exit strategy deprives her party of key advantages, The Times, 14 September 2021: Europeans favour Merkel as next EU leader, DW, 15 September 2021: What does the end of the Merkel era mean for Southeast Asia?, DW, 15 September 2021: DW Documentary ‘Angela Merkel – Navigating a World in Crisis’, DW, 16 September 2021: The end of the Merkel-Macron era — a mediocre legacy?, France24, 18 September 2021: Dubbed ‘World’s most powerful women’, is Angela Merkel a role model for German women? (the federal election campaign in 2021 is considered by some media to be “exciting” (which can actually only refer to the completely open result), but is actually a boring mixture of German fuss and folklore, while the existential questions for Germany, namely European and foreign policies, are largely left out. The new federal government will therefore be excellently suited as city council in Torfmoorholm (a non-existing village somewhere countryside), but the international issues and the resulting national strategies lack the pragmatic, forward-looking and progressive, offensive and courageous answers that are of outstanding importance for Germany’s viability. Angelika Merkel is already missing before the elections have even taken place. She is certainly not the one whose drive for innovation can hardly be stopped, but for her European and foreign policies and strategies have always had great weight. It is certainly the case that the Chancellor leaves some need for reform, but that is no wonder and could have been expected against the background of the numerous external crises that characterized the Chancellorship, and of course tied up capacities and resources that could not be used elsewhere. In view of the growing European and international challenges, the new federal government will have to invest a lot of time and money in reforms and restructuring), The Washington Post, 14 July 2021: Merkel makes last visit as chancellor to White House, Foreign Policy, 15 July 2021: Merkel’s Washington Visit Hints at Challenges Ahead, The New York Times, 19 September 2021: Merkel’s Children: Living Legacies Called Angela, Angie and Sometimes Merkel, Khaleej Times, 20 September 2021: Europe and the world need a steady hand in Germany, The Economist, 20 September 2021: After Merkel, Politico.eu, 21 September 2021: The stain on Merkel’s legacy, The Atlantic, 21 September 2021: The World Won’t Miss Angela Merkel, Politico.eu, 21 September 2021: Missing Merkel already: German CDU loses chancellor’s voter base, The Guardian, 21 September 2021: Brexit made an unlikely hero of Angela Merkel for Britain’s remainers, France24, 22 September 2021: The Merkel era – 16 years at Germany’s helm, DW, 22 September 2021: Germany’s Angela Merkel to leave office with high global rating, The Wall Street Journal, 22 September 2021: Angela Merkel’s International Legacy: Cooler Trans-Atlantic Relations, The Times, 24 September 2021: The Times view on Angela Merkel’s Legacy, Haaretz, 24 September 2021: Angela Merkel – a True Leader and Friend of Israel , France24, 24 September 2021: A tireless crisis manager: The legacy of Angela Merkel, DW, 25 September 2021: Farewell, Frau Merkel, The Times, 25 September 2021: Merkel: I mastered world’s crises, now it’s over to you, DW, 25 September 2021: Germany’s Angela Merkel: What has she achieved for women?, The Sunday Times, 26 September 2021: Merkel’s success rested on reassuring Germans in a changing world, The New York Times, 26 September 2021: As Angela Merkel prepares to step down, she leaves behind a country profoundly changed — and anxious about changing more., The Washington Post, 26 September 2021: Tight exit polls in Germany point to long battle to form government, The National, 26 September 2021: Will Europe miss Merkel?, DW, 27 September 2021: End of an era: A look back at Merkel’s most memorable moments, DW, 27 September 2021: What will Angela Merkel do when she retires?, Arab News, 29 September 2021: Women’s empowerment and the ‘Merkel effect’, Jerusalem Post, 1 October 2021: Angela Merkel deserves the Nobel Prize for Peace, Jerusalem Post, 4 October 2021: The message in Merkel’s swan-song trip to Israel – analysis, France24, 7 October 2021: Merkel meets pope, Draghi in farewell visit to Rome, Reuters, 7 October 2021: Merkel and pope discuss climate change in farewell visit, DW, 9 October 2021: Angela Merkel leaves lasting legacy in Israel, Jerusalem Post, 9 October 2021: Merkel in Israel Sunday for farewell visit, Gulf Times, 10 October 2021: Israel security will remain German priority: Merkel on farewell tour, Al Arabiya, 10 October 2021: Merkel and Israeli PM Bennett differ on key issues of Iran, Palestine, Israel Hayom, 10 October 2021: ‘Israel’s security will always be of central importance to every German government’, Times of Israel, 10 October 2021: Merkel on farewell trip: Israel’s security will always be a priority for Germany, Haaretz, 10 October 2021: While Bennett Smiled With Merkel, Kurz Made Netanyahu Look Bad, The Algemeiner, 10 October 2021: Israel’s ‘True Friend’ Angela Merkel Honored With Female Scientist Fellowship During Farewell Visit, DW, 10 October 2021: Merkel touts Germany-Israel relations at Bennett meeting, The Algemeiner, 10 October 2021: Germany’s Angela Merkel in Israel for Final Visit as Chancellor, Palestine Chronicle, 10 October 2021: In Farewell Visit, Merkel Vows German Commitment to Israel, Arab News, 11 October 2021: Germany’s Merkel tells Israel not to ‘lose sight’ of deal with Palestinians, Times of Israel, 11 October 2021: Bennett said to tell Merkel Israel wants to advance controversial submarine deal, Haaretz, 11 October 2021: Merkel, What About the Submarines?, Politico.eu, 13 October 2021: Merkel joins Castro, Nixon in ranks of China’s ‘old friends’, DW, 13 October 2021: Germany’s Angela Merkel holds farewell call with Chinese President Xi, Jerusalem Post, 13 October 2021: A message to Israelis, Palestinians, Germans about Palestinian statehood – opinion, DW, 14 October 2021: Germany’s Angela Merkel receives Spain’s Carlos V European Award, Foreign Policy, 15 October 2021: There’s a Merkel-Sized Hole in European Conservatism, DW, 16 October 2021: Merkel meets Erdogan during farewell stop in Istanbul, Politico.eu, 22 October 2021: European Council bids adieu to Angela Merkel, The Guardian, 22 October 2021: ‘You are a monument’ EU leaders hail Angela Merkel at ‘final’ summit, BBC, 22 October 2021: EU leaders give Merkel an ovation at final summit, The New York Times, 22 October 2021: Angela Merkel Was Right, The Guardian, 22 October 2021: ‘A role model’: Obama pays tribute to Angela Merkel – video, The Hill, 22 October 2021: Obama pays tribute to Merkel, The Times, 23 October 2021: The Chancellor by Kati Marton review — Angela Merkel, the life of an obsessively private politician, Politico.eu, 23 October 2021: Merkel warns hardening politics threaten EU, The New York Times, 25 October 2021: ‘The Chancellor’ Portrays Angela Merkel as a Droll Source of Sanity in a Mad World, DW, 27 October 2021: World leaders weigh in as Merkel era comes to an end, DW, 28 October 2021: Germany’s Merkel arrives in Greece for last official trip, DW, 3 November 2021: France’s Macron pays tribute, bids ‘adieu’ to Merkel, Arab News, 5 November 2021: A grateful Afghanistan says goodbye to Germany’s Merkel, DW, 7 November 2021: Angela Merkel discusses climate change, refugees and legacy in DW interview, Politico.eu, 7 November 2021: Merkel vows not to become political ‘troubleshooter’ in retirement, Politico.eu, 26 November 2021: Red roses for Merkel: Outgoing chancellor’s musical picks for goodbye ceremony, The Guardian, 30 November 2021: ‘She defined modern Germany’: Blair, Barroso and Prodi on Angela Merkel, DW, 1 December 2021: Angela Merkel leaves a mixed legacy in Africa, The Guardian, 1 December 2021: ‘Long reigns often leave long shadows’: Europeans on Angela Merkel, Politico.eu, 2 December 2021: Busting the Merkel Myth, France24, 2 December 2021: Between pomp and punk: German military bids Angela Merkel farewell, BBC, 2 December 2021: Germany: Angela Merkel’s military farewell features punk singer’s hit, The Guardian, 2 December 2021: Angela Merkel bows out to the sound of Beethoven and an East German pop hit, CNN, 3 December 2021: Angela Merkel gets a grand send-off with her own pick of music, The Economist, 4 December 2021: What should Angela Merkel do in retirement?, DW, 7 December 2021: Cool, calm and collected — Merkel leaves but her political style remains, The National, 8 December 2021: Farewell to the ‘Queen of Europe’: Angela Merkel era ends in Germany, DW, 8 December 2021: Merkel bids farewell after 16 years in office, DW, 9 December 2021: Typo reveals German leaders not ready to fully let go of Merkel, The New Yorker, 13 December 2021: What Angela Merkel Left Behind, Haaretz, 14 December 2021: ‘Merkel Entered Israelis’ Hearts, but She Had No Trust in Netanyahu’ (of course, she didn’t. Who, in his right mind, did so? No single trustworthy person on this planet. He’s a shameless liar), The National, 19 January 2022: Retired Angela Merkel turns down UN role, Politico.eu, 19 January 2022: Angela Merkel turns down UN job offer, Politico.eu, 4 April 2022: Zelenskyy calls out Angela Merkel, Nicolas Sarkozy for blocking Ukraine’s NATO bid (even if it may seem cynical, Ukraine’s NATO accession would still be out of the question based on objective criteria, even more than 10 years after the Bucharest decisions. With all due respect for Ukraine’s desire for admission, this was and is not the fault of Merkel or Sarkozy, but the responsibility of the Ukrainian governments – NATO, 3 April 2008:Bucharest Summit Declaration , The Guardian, 2 December 2008: Nato allies divided over Ukraine and Georgia), The Times, 6 April 2022: ‘Merkel’s toxic legacy’: Germany nears a reckoning over ties to Russia (of course, Ambassador Melnyk can demand whatever he wants. At the end of the day, however, it is not any foreign envoy who make politics in Germany, but politicians who have been legitimized by German voters. It is becoming apparent that Melnyk will soon only be the darling of the tabloid press, but will no longer have access to party headquarters or the Federal Chancellery. In addition, former Chancellor Angela Merkel is no longer in office. So whether she’ll even comment on the matter is entirely her own decision, regardless of what any people ask for. Of course, wanting to criticize her decisions in hindsight is very easy. In fact, she made decisions based on the prevailing political zeitgeist and situation. As it is with the zeitgeist: it gets things wrong every now and then), DW, 11 April 2022: War in Ukraine: German foreign policy under fire, DW, 7 June 2022: Germany’s former Chancellor Angela Merkel to speak out, The Guardian, 7 June 2022: Germany: No regrets over handling of Vladimir Putin, says Angela Merkel (very nice interview. The “feel good appointments” will also be remembered. The interview could have lasted three to five hours longer. It was to be expected that she explained her Russia policy and the still correct “No” to Ukraine’s NATO accession from the point of view of the time, but it was probably only addressed to those who are currently applying for the “smart ass and afterwards you’re always smarter”-Award 2022), Irish Times, 7 June 2022: Merkel defends her personal record in dealings with Russia, DW, 7 June 2022: Angela Merkel opens up on Ukraine, Putin and her legacy). At the CDU party congress three future party lines are available for election:- The national-conservative wing: Represented here by Friedrich Merz, head of the Atlantic Bridge e. V. and for a few years chief lobbyist of the US asset manager BlackRock Inc. in Germany and Federal Health Minister Jens Spahn, who so far has attracted attention mainly through speeches outside his duties and the proximity to alt-right activist and Trump’s legman in Germany, US ambassador Richard Grenell (Der Spiegel, 11 January 2019: Isolated in Berlin: Trump’s Ambassador Finds Few Friends in Germany). The probable consequence for the CDU can be described as “back from the future and back to the past” or the “renationalization of German politics” demanded by the right-wing national camp, associated with all negative consequences for Germany and the EU. In this way it might be possible to win back some voters from the AfD, but certainly will lose a large number of voters to the Greens (the then only remaining full-scale European party in the Bundestag) and some to the SPD. The increase in votes from the right-wing national camp couldn’t nearly compensate for the outflow of votes. At the same time, the possible choice of Friedrich Merz to the CDU party chairman stokes clear fears in the AfD (The Guardian, 11 February 2020: AKK’s resignation sparks battle for soul of German conservatism, Politico.eu, 11 February 2020: Merkel’s next successor might be a bust, DW, 21 September 2020: Germany: CDU leadership hopeful slammed for comments on homosexuality, DW, 26 September 2020: German politician ‘regrets’ controversial gay chancellor remarks, Politico.eu, 27 November 2020: Meet the German Donald Trump (should Germany’s mini Trump actually be elected party chairman of the CDU, the party would be out of the race. After all, instead you could then choose the original, the AfD. Surprisingly, the only remaining choice would be the Greens, which would be the only German party that can offer European solutions to European questions), DW, 18 December 2020: Angela Merkel’s coronavirus address honored as ‘Speech of the Year’, Politico.eu, 18 December 2020: Angela Merkel’s rule-of-law legacy: A divided Europe, Politico.eu, 15 January 2021: Friedrich Merz’s revenge, Politico.eu, 17 December 2021: Germany’s oldest comeback kid: Friedrich Merz wins CDU leadership (when speaking of “renewal”, “rejuvenation” and “the dawn of a new era” on the one hand, but then make a backward-looking dinosaur head of the party, you not only make yourself untrustworthy, but are even ineligible for parts of the previous voters. After all, conservatism does not mean backward-looking clinging to old braids, but rather preserving the tried and tested and replacing the traditional with contemporary solutions. With the choice of personnel that has now been made, this is largely ruled out and is apparently even wanted by the majority of CDU members), Irish Times, 17 December 2021: CDU members choose Merkel rival Friedrich Merz as new leader, The Times, 17 December 2021: Merkel’s party shifts right as old rival wins leadership, The Guardian, 17 December 2021: Germany: Rightwinger chosen as CDU leader by members, DW, 17 December 2021: Friedrich Merz to lead Germany’s CDU, Times of Israel, 18 December 2021: Merkel’s former party, now in German opposition, elects conservative Merz as leader, France24, 22 January 2022: Germany’s CDU elects longtime Merkel rival Friedrich Merz as leader (that says everything about the near future of the party: if you issue the slogan “renewal” and then elect a fossil like Merz as party chair, who stands for every “old, white men” aspects, then things can only go south. There is no room for anything renewal, but a lot that says “backwards”. This is apparently what the majority of members want), DW, 22 January 2022: Who is Friedrich Merz, the new CDU head?).
- The liberal-conservative wing: Here represented by the General Secretary of the CDU Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer, who would presumably continue the line of Angela Merkel, with the possible consequence of further migrations from the national-conservative voters camp to the AfD (The Guardian, 7 December 2018: Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer elected Merkel’s successor as CDU leader, The New York Times, 7 December 2018: Picking Kramp-Karrenbauer as Leader, German Conservatives Choose Continuity, The Guardian, 7 December 2018: Who is Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer, the new leader of Germany’s CDU?, The Guardian, 10 February 2020: Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer to quit as CDU leader amid far-right ‘firewall’ row, France24, 10 February 2020: Designated Merkel successor Kramp-Karrenbauer won’t run for chancellor role, Politico.eu, 10 February 2020: Merkel’s job and Germany’s future up for grabs again, Irish Times, 10 February 2020: AKK departure is a humiliation for Angela Merkel, The Guardian, 10 February 2020: Demise of AKK throws Merkel’s placid path to retirement off course, CNN, 10 February 2020: Angela Merkel’s succession plan is in tatters. Who runs Germany next is anyone’s guess, Arab News, 21 February 2020: In Germany, candidates to replace AKK need to learn from her mistakes, Politico.eu, 25 February 2020: The wannabe Merkels, France24, 25 February 2020: Merkel’s crisis-hit CDU party to elect new leader in April, Politico.eu, 25 February 2020: Laschet and Merz launch bids to lead German conservatives, Arab News, 27 February 2020: Why Germany’s political machinations matter to the world, Politico.com, 19 July 2020: Everybody loves Merkel. Her likely successors? Not so much., The Guardian, 27 July 2020: Germany by far most admired country, with US, China and Russia vying for second – global poll (Gallup, 27 July 2020: U.S. Leadership Remains Unpopular Worldwide)).
- The moderator and conciliator: Here represented by the North Rhine-Westphalian Prime Minister and Deputy CDU Chairman Armin Laschet, who could act as a reconciler between the two aforementioned wings. What specific consequences this would have in elections isn’t yet clear (Saudi Gazette, 16 January 2021: Armin Laschet elected new leader of Germany’s CDU party, Politico.eu, 16 January 2021: 5 things to know about German CDU chief Armin Laschet, DW, 16 January 2021: Armin Laschet, Angela Merkel loyalist, is new CDU leader, The Washington Post, 16 January 2021: Head of Germany’s biggest state takes helm of Angela Merkel’s party — and shot to succeed her as chancellor, The Guardian, 17 January 2021: Merkel’s successor faces an uphill struggle to unite his party, The Times, 17 January 2021: Miner’s son takes over Merkel’s party but faces battle to be chancellor, DW, 18 January 2021: Poll shows low support for new CDU head as Merkel successor, DW, 19 April 2021: Germany: CDU party board backs Armin Laschet as chancellor candidate, BBC, 20 April 2021: Germany CDU: Armin Laschet backed by Merkel party in chancellor race, DW, 20 April 2021: Armin Laschet: The man set to be the CDU’s chancellor candidate, France24, 20 April 2021: Laschet wins battle to lead Merkel’s party into German election, The Algemeiner, 26 May 2021: Armin Laschet, Candidate to Lead Germany as Chancellor, Affirms Support for Israel’s Security and the Protection of Jewish Life, Politico.eu, 17 June 2021: German chancellor hopeful Laschet: I’m a Merkel-Macron mix, France24, 7 Ocotober 2021: Germany’s Laschet signals he is ready to step down as head of Merkel’s CDU, The Guardian, 7 Ocotober 2021: Germany’s CDU leader poised to step down after election defeat, DW, 25 Ocotober 2021: Germany: Armin Laschet steps down as NRW state premier).
- Surprisingly, the former environment minister and eloquent as well as open-minded chairman of the Bundestag’s Foreign Affairs Committee, Norbert Röttgen, threw his hat in the ring to win the CDU party chairmanship. This makes things even more interesting in that Friedrich Merz and Jens Spahn are two anglers on the right wing, Armin Laschet is a man from the middle of the party and with Röttgen’s chosen focus on “Environment and Climate”, which activated during Merkel’s tenure urban and more center-left voters are addressed (both, Laschet and Röttgen, could be the first CDU chancellor for a coalition with the Greens). At the same time, Röttgen is a so-called friend of the transatlantic bridge, is very concerned about the integration of the EU, pays strong attention to EU security/defense and economic aspects. He thus offers an actually very interesting mix that should be clearly eligible for large parts of the party (The Guardian, 18 February 2020: Senior CDU figure announces surprise leadership candidacy, The Times, 22 September 2020: The fight to succeed Merkel is hotting up, Politico.eu, 28 September 2020: German chancellor hopeful says Trump win risks transatlantic collapse, Politico.eu, 28 September 2020: Q&A: German leadership candidate Norbert Röttgen).
- Greece: Due to uncertainties in Italy, Greece had to stop selling bonds differently than planned for a while, but successfully started the program again at the end of July at an 4.63% interest rate (Reuters, 18 July 2018: Greece prepares to fly solo on bond markets). Even though the crisis mode has been slowed down a bit and the overall situation has been seen through pink glasses in recent months, the country is far from overcoming the economic difficulties. The public debt is still at 180%. With the reforms of the past few years, the Greek people have indeed been paid a hard price, whether that was useful or helpful at least remains at doubts, because the “lawnmower method” may be fair at first glance, but at the second glance had been rather short-sighted. In addition, contrary to the agreements, many reforms have not been implemented, and the basic problems (which are inherent in the state system itself, encouraging corruption and nepotism, while the inefficiencies of the administration continue to discourage western investors from engaging in the country) have been addressed only in part, so that the Greek drama can be repeated in the future because insufficient countermeasures have been taken and structural reforms are implemented at best in homeopathic doses. In August 2018, aid programs for Greece ended, with creditors continuing to monitor compliance with the rules. The country is now exempt from the loan repayments for 10 years and then has 50 years to repay its liabilities at a reduced interest rate. The repayment package already includes three debt cuts at the expense of the taxpayers of the donor countries: Reduced interest rates despite increased default risk, 10 years without repayments and the most costly: The extension of the repayment terms to 50 years, whereby the credit sums are eaten up by inflation. And here is another interesting point: BBC, 7 April 2015: Does Germany owe Greece wartime reparations money?, DW, 18 April 2019: Greek parliament demands Berlin pays WWII reparations, World War II reparations Germany Greece, DW, 4 June 2019: Greece calls on Germany to negotiate over war reparations (in return, all claims of Germany against Greece should be made immediately due and, of course, as a precautionary measure, travel and investment warnings for Greece and Poland must be increased significantly). If Germany would offset against all payments that had flown to Greece since the end of the Second World War, the sum would amount to some 100 billion inflation-adjusted in credit, out of which much of the investments in digitization or school renovations could be financed in Germany. But, of course, that is just a play of ideas. When looking more closely at the bailout packages, they could have been formulated in two sentences: “You pay back 1/4 of today’s value at best and while the rest is inflated away. In this way you’ll get your very generous debt cut and our taxpayers don’t go crazy, because they don’t even understand this shell game trick anyway.” In this respect, with its recently presented reparation claims, the Tsipras government now helps to shed light on the whole issue once again (The Guardian, 10 January 2018: Angela Merkel on ‘victory tour’ visit to Athens, The Guardian, 7 July 2019: Greek elections: landslide victory for centre-right New Democracy party, France24, 7 July 2019: Greek conservatives return to power with decisive election win, CNN, 7 July 2019: Greek elections: Victory for New Democracy party signals end of left-wing populism, BBC, 8 July 2019: Greek elections: Mitsotakis promises change after New Democracy win, The New York Times, 8 July 2019: Greece Liked to Underestimate Kyriakos Mitsotakis. Now He’s Prime Minister., The National, 9 July 2019: Greece’s Alexis Tsipras became a victim of his own budget cuts, Arab News, 19 July 2019: The EU has destroyed Greece beyond repair, Jerusalem Post, 28 July 2019: Greek Foreign Minister: Israel must understand our problems with Turkey, Politico.eu, 26 August 2019: Greece moves to end capital controls, DW, 29 August 2019: Greek PM Kyriakos Mitsotakis calls for new era of German relations, The Guardian, 21 September 2019: After murder, defections and poll defeat: the sun sets on Greece’s Golden Dawn, The Guardian, 6 October 2019: Pompeo hails ‘new era’ with Greece after signing revised defense deal, Politico.eu, 7 October 2019: Greece presents ‘radical’ pro-business budget, CNN, 10 October 2019: Greece was broke four years ago. Now investors are paying to lend it money, New Greek Television, 20 November 2019: Court delivers guilty verdict for 22 in Siemens-OTE bribery case, Times of Israel, 1 December 2019: Greece to ask for NATO’s help in maritime dispute with Turkey, Politico.eu, 8 January 2020: Donald Trump snubs Greece’s diplomatic overtures, Politico.eu, 21 January 2020: Greece’s reverse brain drain, Bloomberg, 17 March 2020: Greece’s Reliance on Tourism Is a Weakness in the Corona Age, NPR, 5 April 2020: The Coronavirus Is Hurting Travel, So Greece Has Begun Offering Virtual Tourism, The Guardian, 14 April 2020: How Greece is beating coronavirus despite a decade of debt, BBC, 29 April 2020: Greeks ponder ban on fax machines in state offices (Coronavirus: the best and most efficient structural reform helper ever. Great! Italy (and Germany as well) should watch carefully and learn), France24, 24 May 2020: Greece dismisses reports Turkey occupied border strip, Times of Israel, 29 May 2020: Greece to allow entry to tourists from Israel, 28 other countries from June 15, Reuters, 9 July 2020: Greek economy to shrink up to 10.5% as COVID-19 impact deepens: IOBE, Arab News, 22 July 2020: Greek navy on ‘heightened readiness’ over Turkish activities: official, DW, 24 July 2020: Europe warns Turkey against natural gas mission near Greece, France24, 25 July 2020: Greece, Turkey argue over controversial move to make Hagia Sophia a mosque, Arab News, 2 August 2020: ‘New’ Turkey must resolve standoff with Greece, Politico.eu, 6 August 2020: Greece signs maritime border deal with Egypt amid spat with Turkey, The National, 6 August 2020: Egypt and Greece sign deal on maritime zones, Politico.eu, 10 August 2020: Tensions escalate as Turkish vessel arrives in waters claimed by Greece, Israel Hayom, 10 August 2020: EU: Turkey’s naval operations in eastern Med ‘extremely worrying’, Arab News, 10 August 2020: Turkey drives Muslim Brotherhood campaign against Egyptian and Greek maritime demarcation, DW, 12 August 2020: France to increase Mediterranean troop presence over Turkey gas explorations, Haaretz, 12 August 2020: Greek FM to Arrive in Israel for Surprise Visit Thursday Amid Tensions With Turkey, The National, 12 August 2020: France to boost Mediterranean military presence as standoff with Turkey deepens, Al Arabiya, 12 August 2020: Macron hits out at Turkey, says France to increase military presence in Mediterranean, Haaretz, 13 August 2020: In Surprise Visit, Greece Tries to Enlist Israel in Its Gas War With Turkey, Arab News, 13 August 2020: Destabilization in eastern Med continues amid tension between France and Turkey, France24, 13 August 2020: France to bolster Mediterranean military presence over Turkish gas exploration in disputed waters, DW, 15 August 2020: Erdogan: Turkey ‘won’t back down’ in Mediterranean drilling row, Arab News, 16 August 2020: Turkey vows to extend hunt for gas in east Mediterranean, The National, 17 August 2020: US calls to ‘reduce tension’ after Turkey announces extended mission in Mediterranean, Al Arabiya, 17 August 2020: US supports Cyprus, wants closer eastern Mediterranean gas cooperation, Arab News, 18 August 2020: Turkey’s Mediterranean disputes should be settled peacefully in court, Foreign Policy, 18 August 2020: How Did the Eastern Mediterranean Become the Eye of a Geopolitical Storm?, Al Arabiya, 20 August 2020: Europe must resist Erdogan in eastern Mediterranean, Politico.eu, 21 August 2020: Greece irked by Germany in standoff with Turkey (“Greek politicians used Germany as a scapegoat during the economic crisis and this tactic finds now resonance in foreign policy” – that pretty much sums it up. In the end, the question arises as to what is more important: to keep NATO member Turkey in the Western coalition or to drive it further in the direction of Russia, China and Iran, just to pacify an insignificant political sideshow (economicaly it’s even more insignificant. Italy, among other potential partners, has already withdrawn from the production and pipeline projects because of significant economic concerns) in favor of Greece. Since it is ultimately “only” about territorial claims, the easiest way would be to appeal to the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea and thus bring about a judgment. Both sides shy away from it, because the starting position is anything but clear, so that both sides could well lose), DW, 21 August 2020: Turkey discovers large natural gas reserve off Black Sea (an almost as obvious diversionary maneuver as in the alleged “coup” in 2016), Times of Israel, 22 August 2020: Erdogan claims Turkey’s ‘greatest’ gas discovery; analysts doubt significance, Jerusalem Post, 24 August 2020: UAE sends F-16 jets to Crete for joint drills with Greece, Der SPiegel, 25 August 2020: Border Conflict Escalates: Erdoğan Risks War with Greece, DW, 25 August 2020: Germany’s Maas calls on Greece and Turkey to avoid ‘catastrophe’, BBC, 25 August 2020: The Eastern Mediterranean tinderbox: Why Greek-Turkish rivalries have expanded, France, 26 August 2020: Erdogan warns Greece that Turkey will ‘never compromise’ on Mediterranean energy reserves, DW, 27 August 2020: Germany urges end to military exercises in the Mediterranean as Turkey announces drills, France, 27 August 2020: Greece nods to de-escalation as NATO powers split over Mediterranean dispute, The Guardian, 27 August 2020: Germany: Country urges halt to naval exercises to defuse Greece-Turkey tensions, Arab News, 27 August 2020: Turkey extends gas exploration in Mediterranean crisis, DW, 28 August 2020: EU threatens Turkey with sanctions over Mediterranean drilling, Reuters, 28 August 2020: EU set to sanction Turkey over ships in disputed east Med exploration area, DW, 3 September 2020: NATO signals Turkey-Greece breakthrough, Athens denies deal, Haaretz, 4 September 2020: Analysis: Turkey and Greece Ramp Up Their Cold War Over the Mediterranean’s Gas Reserves, The National, 5 September 2020: Turkey calls for diplomacy from Greece and warns of ‘painful experiences’, Arab News, 5 September 2020: What is the US aiming for by lifting the Cyprus arms embargo?, The National, 5 September 2020: Beyond the Headlines: How Mediterranean gas exploration is pitting Turkey against Europe, Arab News, 5 September 2020: NATO sets up talks in search for solution to Turkey-Greece conflict, Jerusalem Post, 5 September 2020: Russia, US, Turkey and EU have military tensions that border Middle East, DW, 5 September 2020: Turkey threatens Greece over disputed Mediterranean territorial claims, France24, 6 September 2020: Turkey raises rhetoric in Greece standoff ahead of military drill, Haaretz, 6 September 2020: Turkey and Greece in Explosive Battle Over the Mediterranean’s Gas Reserves, Times of Israel, 7 September 2020: Greece opens to Israeli tourists, lifts restrictions on numbers and destinations, Politico.eu, 7 September 2020: Greece goes arms shopping as Turkey tension rises, The National, 12 September 2020: Is Erdogan interested in a deal with Europe?, DW, 12 September 2020: Greece announces ‘robust’ arms purchase amid tension with Turkey, The National, 12 September 2020: Erdogan warns Macron not to ‘mess with Turkey’ over eastern Mediterranean, France24, 13 September 2020: Greece hails Turkish survey ship’s return to Mediterranean port as a ‘positive sign’, Politico.eu, 15 September 2020: Ship’s return home raises hopes of Greece-Turkey tensions cooling, Arab News, 17 September 2020: Erdogan ordered to back down in eastern Med, Arab News, 18 September 2020: Pressure piles up on Turkey ahead of EU leaders’ meeting, Arab News, 20 September 2020: Turkey may resume talks with Greece, warns against EU sanctions, Arab News, 20 September 2020: Twitter poll: Turkey’s intimidation of Greece won’t stop poll respondents say, Arab News, 22 September 2020: Turkey, Greece agree to resume talks to resolve disputes, Arab News, 25 September 2020: Greek PM to Erdogan: ‘Let’s give diplomacy a chance’, Al Jazeera, 25 September 2020: ‘Give diplomacy a chance’: Greece PM invites Turkey for talks, Arab News, 22 September 2020: Turkey, Greece agree to resume talks to resolve disputes, Arab News, 25 September 2020: Greek PM to Erdogan: ‘Let’s give diplomacy a chance’, Al Jazeera, 25 September 2020: ‘Give diplomacy a chance’: Greece PM invites Turkey for talks, DW, 5 October 2020: Greece and Turkey: A difficult friendship, Al Jazeera, 6 October 2020: Greece says onus on Turkey to ease tensions in East Mediterranean, Politico.eu, 7 October 2020: Greece’s Golden Dawn leaders guilty of running a criminal gang, The Guardian, 7 October 2020: Golden Dawn guilty verdicts celebrated across country, BBC, 8 October 2020: Varosha: Turkey reopens deserted Cyprus resort but tourists will wait, Al Arabiya, 12 October 2020: Turkey to send ship at center of Greece row to East Mediterranean again: Navy, DW, 13 October 2020: Germany warns Turkey against ‘provocation’ in Mediterranean over gas exploration, Arab News, 13 October 2020: US demands Turkey end ‘calculated provocation’ of ship, Arab News, 18 October 2020: Greece, Turkey cannot rely on EU to resolve crisis, The Guardian, 20 October 2020: Country extends wall on Turkish border as refugee row deepens, Arab News, 21 October 2020: Greece accuses Turkey of ‘imperialist fantasies’, Arab News, 21 October 2020: Egyptian-Cypriot-Greece summit discusses Turkey’s provocations, Jerusalem Post, 22 October 2020: Why is the EU silent in the face of Turkish provocations toward Greece?, Al Jazeera, 23 October 2020: Greece and Turkey agree to cancel war games: NATO chief, The Times, 30 October 2020: Tsunami warnings after earthquake crushes parts of Greece and Turkey, Iirish Times, 30 October 2020: Earthquake death toll in Turkey rises to 12 with 419 people injured, Arab News, 1 November 2020: Greece: Turkey encroaching on continental shelf with new hydrocarbon search, Al Jazeera, 1 November 2020: Turkey extends disputed East Med gas exploration mission again, The National, 3 November 2020: Eastern Mediterranean: tension increases as Turkey tells ‘spoiled and selfish’ Greece to back down, France24, 6 November 2020: The Greek island of Kastellorizo, a symbol of tensions with Turkey, Jerusalem Post, 6 November 2020: Athens’ first mosque in nearly 200 years opens for Friday prayers, Politico.eu, 28 November 2020: Greece blasts Berlin for shunning plea for Turkey arms embargo (and he has every reason to do so. Instead of delivering the submarines to Turkey, Federal Minister of Defense Kramp-Karrenbauer should take over the submarines for the German Navy, whose fleet is already weakened and are deploying them in the eastern Mediterranean, especially since Turkey is obviously less and less a NATO partner country), Al Arabiya, 4 December 2020: Greek FM: Turkey’s moves to ease tensions ‘unconvincing’, Al Jazeera, 7 December 2020: Turkey: Erdogan denounces ‘threats and blackmail’ over sea rights, Arab News, 8 December 2020: Athens accuses Turkey of facilitating Somali migration to Greece, France24, 11 December 2020: EU Summit: Turkey says European sanctions plan is ‘biased, unlawful’, The Guardian, 11 December 2020: EU leaders approve sanctions on Turkish officials over gas drilling, Politico.eu, 11 December 2020: EU leaders move toward sanctioning Turkey, Al Jazeera, 11 December 2020: Europe’s stance on Turkey toughens with sanctions, weapons talk, The National, 11 December 2020: EU agrees to map out sanctions on Turkey over Mediterranean drilling, Arab News, 12 December 2020: Facing US, EU sanctions, Erdogan calls for dialogue and cooperation, The New York Times, 19 December 2020: Greece Wants Him in Prison. Instead, He’s in the E.U. Parliament., eKathimerini, 19 December 2020: Multiple projects proposed for EU subsidy, DW, 23 December 2020: New memorial highlights Nazis’ overlooked crimes in Greece, Times of Israel, 5 January 2021: Greece okays $1.68 billion defense deal with Israel, Haaretz, 18 January 2021: Germany, Turkey Seek Better EU-Turkish Ties as Tensions Ease, France24, 25 January 2021: Greece, Turkey resume talks on maritime disputes after years of strife, The Guardian, 25 January 2021: Greece and Turkey: Talks resume to try to avert military escalation, France24, 25 January 2021: Greece to buy French fighter jets in message to Turkey, Jerusalem Post, 30 January 2021: The EastMed Pipeline is a win-win for Israel, Cyprus and Greece, Arab News, 24 February 2021: Tensions rising between Athens, Ankara, Politico.eu, 27 February 2021: Greeks behaving badly during lockdown, Jerusalem Post, 8 March 2021: Israel, Cyprus and Greece agree to link power grids via subsea cable (European taxpayers therefore not only pay for the electricity that Israel taps, but even for the cable itself with which Israel taps into the European electricity grid), DW, 8 March 2021: Longest and deepest subsea power cable to be connected between Cyprus, Greece, and Israel, Arab News, 12 March 2021: EU worried by shooting incidents near Turkey-Greece border, Times of Israel, 15 March 2021: With gas alliance moored to Turkey tensions, Israel tacks toward energy security, Jerusalem Post, 16 March 2021: Turkey prepares to clash with Israel, Greece and EU over East Med, Arab News, 17 March 2021: Saudi and Greek air forces begin joint exercise in Greece, Arab News, 25 March 2021: Greece celebrates 200 years of independence, Arab News, 26 March 2021: EU extends olive branch to Ankara with key conditions, DW, 15 April 2021: Turkey and Greece hold talks on Mediterranean gas row, Times of Israel, 15 April 2021: Foreign ministers of Israel, UAE, Greece, Cyprus to meet Friday, Al Arabiya, 15 April 2021: Turkish, Greek foreign ministers trade accusations as news conference turns sour, Arab News, 16 April 2021: Paphos summit: Israel will do ‘whatever it takes’ to stop Iran on nuclear front, Al Arabiya, 18 April 2021: Israel and Greece sign record defence deal, Jerusalem Post, 18 April 2021: Israel, UAE, Greece, Cyprus summit sends message to Turkey – analysis, Al Arabiya, 20 April 2021: Greece signs deal to provide Saudi Arabia with Patriot air defense system: Greek FM, Arab News, 21 April 2021: Exclusive: Patriot missile deal to help boost Saudi defenses, secure world energy supplies, says Greek FM, Arab News, 25 May 2021: Saudi, Greek forces begin joint air drill, Al Arabiya, 31 May 2021: Turkey, Greece to start taking steps to improve ties, work on differences: FM, DW, 31 May 2021: Greece, Turkey agree to work on relationship, France24, 12 June 2021: Greek PM discusses relations with Turkey, migrants and summer tourism, Arab News, 14 June 2021: At NATO, Turkey hails its revival of dialogue with Greece, Politico.eu, 18 June 2021: Restoration of Greece’s Acropolis causes uproar, DW, 4 August 2021: Greece: Thousands flee homes as fires rage outside Athens, The Times, 4 August 2021: Thousands flee Athens wildfires as Greek heatwave continues, Politico.eu, 4 August 2021: Smoke suffocates Athens as EU scientists label Mediterranean a ‘wildfire hotspot’, The National, 6 August 2021: ‘Critical situation’ as fires rage in Greece, DW, 6 August 2021: Global wildfires: Greece a ‘powder keg’ as thousands flee their homes, France24, 6 August 2021: Thousands evacuated as wildfires rage near Athens, DW, 7 August 2021: Greece wildfires: Germany to send firefighters to help battle blazes, BBC, 7 August 2021: Greece wildfires spread, causing mass evacuations, DW, 8 August 2021: Greece wildfires: Residents return to cinders, France24, 8 August 2021: Residents say ‘nothing left’ after wildfires engulf Greece’s Evia island, BBC, 8 August 2021: Greece wildfires: Hundreds more evacuated as uncontrolled fires rage, The Guardian, 8 August 2021: Evia: Thousands flee Greek island as wildfires raze forest and homes, BBC, 10 August 2021: Greece fires: PM apologises as blazes rage on Evia island, CNN, 10 August 2021: Greece faces ‘disaster of unprecedented proportions’ as wildfires ravage the country, The Guardian, 10 August 2021: Evia: Firefighters battling wildfires to save homes on Greek island, DW, 11 August 2021: Global wildfires: Greece surveys damage from fires of “exceptional magnitude”, The Guardian, 21 August 2021: Europe: Greece extends border wall to deter Afghans trying to reach continent (after the country has not overcome the consequences of the wave of refugees from Syria to this day and especially the Eastern European EU states are refusing to accept their share of refugees for racist reasons, Greece’s reaction is very understandable. It becomes even more understandable when you look at how Turkey tries to use refugees as weapons against Greece), The National, 21 August 2021: Greece gears up for Afghan refugee wave with new fence on Turkish border, The Hill, 28 August 2021: Afghans in Greece demonstrate for peace amid Kabul chaos, Politico.eu, 9 September 2021: Afghan takeover fuels Greece-EU border patrol spat, DW, 17 September 2021: Greece tightens its border with Turkey amid ‘tough but fair migration policy’, DW, 18 September 2021: Greece opens first refugee holding camp on Samos island, Politico.eu, 27 September 2021: France to ink Greek defense deal after losing sub contract, Al Arabiya, 27 September 2021: Greece set to boost military cooperation with France: Greek PM Mitsotakis, The Guardian, 28 September 2021: ‘An audacious first step’: Greece to buy French warships in multibillion-euro defence deal, DW, 17 October 2021: Golden Dawn is down, but far right rises again in Greece, Politico.eu, 18 October 2021: Street brawls and Nazi salutes: Greece grapples with far-right resurgence, Arab News, 23 October 2021: Turkish defense minister warns against alliances that harm NATO, The National 23 October 2021: Turkey warns that France-Greece defence pact weakens Nato, The National, 25 October 2021: UK and Greece sign deal to bolster defence and trade ties, Arab News, 25 October 2021: Greece can be European market ‘entry point’ for Middle East solar power: PM Mitsotakis, Times of Israel, 27 October 2021: Greece’s top court nixes ritual slaughter permit, calls for solution to be found, DW, 28 October 2021: Germany’s Merkel arrives in Greece for last official trip, Israel Hayom, 28 October 2021: Jewish groups alarmed as Greece poised to ban kosher slaughter, DW, 31 October 2021: Turkish ship carrying Afghan migrants towed to Greek port (like the state terrorist from Belarus, Erdogan is turning Turkey in an EU hostile country that will most likely never become a EU member state), Gulf Times, 31 October 2021: Migrants from Turkish-flagged ship disembark in Greece, Jerusalem Post, 1 November 2021: Banning kosher shechita is a direct attack on Jews – opinion, Jerusalem Post, 3 November 2021: Greek Jewish community seeking legislation to legalize ‘shechita’, Arab News, 5 November 2021: US needs to walk a fine line between Turkey and Greece, DW, 9 November 2021: Greece says Turkey is pushing migrants into its waters, The National, 19 November 2021: Greek economy set to grow 4.5% in 2022 on tourism rebound, France24, 11 December 2021: France-Greece frigate deal ‘signed,’ says Paris after US makes rival offer, DW, 17 December 2021: Fears of threat to media freedom in Greece, Politico, 29 December 2021: Greece follows US lead in halving coronavirus quarantine, Jerusalem Post, 18 January 2022: US informs Israel it no longer supports EastMed pipeline to Europe, Politico.eu, 18 January 2022: EastMed: A pipeline project that ran afoul of geopolitics and green policies, Jerusalem Post, 19 January 2022: US views on EastMed pipeline have ripples for Israel-Greece ties, Jerusalem Post, 26 January 2022: US Reps question withdrawal of US support for EastMed pipeline from Israel, Israel Hayom, 28 January 2022: EU earmarks $736M for power cable connecting Israel, Greece, Cyprus, Arab News, 13 March 2022: Greek, Turkish leaders seek common ground over Ukraine war, Times of Israel, 20 March 2022: Israeli fighter jets to join large international exercise in Greece, DW, 27 March 2022: Ukraine or the Middle East? Greece applies varying rules on refugees, ABS News, 4 April 2022: Greece completes early repayment of bailout loans to IMF (IMF, 30 September 2019: The IMF and the Greek Crisis: Myths and Realities), Reuters, 4 April 2022: Greece pays off final tranches of IMF loans, Politico.eu, 10 April 2022: Russian bombs rupture a Greek community fighting for its history, DW, 26 April 2022: Ukraine-Russia war: Greek government and public don’t see eye to eye, Al Arabiya, 28 April 2022: Turkey rejects Greece’s charges of illegal military flights: Athens ‘started tension’, Al Arabiya, 12 May 2022: Greek parliament approves defense pact change on eve of PM’s visit to US, Politico.eu, 13 May 2022: Greek transparency agency removes migration report over data breach, The National, 17 May 2022: Putin ‘must be defeated’ in Ukraine, Greek PM tells US Congress, Al Arabiya, 26 May 2022: Greece tells UN that Turkey is challenging its sovereignty, France24, 27 May 2022: Greece accuses Iran of ‘piracy’ following seizure of two oil tankers in Gulf, The National, 27 May 2022: Iran seizes two Greek oil tankers in Arabian Gulf, The Guardian, 27 May 2022: Iran: Tehran seizes two Greek tankers amid rising tensions in the Gulf, DW, 27 May 2022: Iran says it has seized two Greek tankers in Persian Gulf, Politico.eu, 31 May 2022: Germany announces new deal with Greece to send tanks to Ukraine, The Guardian, 4 June 2022: Greece: Residents evacuated as wildfire on outskirts of Athens threatens homes, Arab News, 7 June 2022: PM says Greece has experienced unprecedented barrage of Turkish violations of airspace, Arab News, 7 June 2022: Ankara calls on Greece to demilitarize Aegean islands). The country ranks 3rd among the largest EU net beneficiary countries.
- Ireland: The country was the first country under the EU rescue package in 2010, but was able to leave it in 2013 and has since then growth rates of over 7% per year. Ireland is popular with overseas investors mainly because of its often criticized tax model. Currently, Brexit hangs like the sword of Damocles over the Irish economy (BBC, 12 July 2019: Boris Johnson vows to end ‘unfair’ prosecutions of Army veterans, Irish Times, 30 September 2019: Number of people homeless in Ireland rises again, Politico.eu, 6 February 2020: Ireland’s never been more alone in the EU, Politico.eu, 6 February 2020: Leo Varadkar struggles to reap Brexit dividend, Irish Times, 8 February 2020: Danger lurks in complacency about Ireland’s place in the EU, France24, 9 February 2020: Sinn Fein demands place in Irish government after election surge, The Guardian, 9 February 2020: Sinn Féin to try to form ruling coalition after Irish election success, Irish Times, 9 February 2020: Election 2020: Mary Mitchell O’Connor, Ruth Coppinger both lose seats amid SF surge, Politico.eu, 9 February 2020: 5 takeaways from the Irish election, Jerusalem Post, 9 February 2020: Will Sinn Féin’s ascent hurt Israel-Ireland relations? – analysis, Al Arabiya, 10 February 2020: Irish nationalists Sinn Fein wins big in poll, demand share in government, Politico.eu, 9 February 2020: Sinn Féin surge makes Irish political history, The Guardian, 10 February 2020: Sinn Féin declares victory in Irish general election, Irish Times, 10 February 2020: Election 2020: Wins for smaller left parties as FF and FG suffer high profile losses, CNN, 10 February 2020: Sinn Fein surged in Ireland’s election. Here’s why that’s so controversial, The Guardian, 11 February 2020: Sinn Féin begins efforts to form leftwing coalition in Ireland, Politico.eu, 11 February 2020: Ireland’s next government: What are the options?, The Guardian, 15 February 2020: Mary-Lou McDonald: violent dissident republicans should disband, Irish Times, 15 February 2020: Fintan O’Toole: The enigma of Mary Lou McDonald, The Guardian, 20 February 2020: Irish parliament set for stalemate in attempt to form new government, CNN, 20 February 2020: Irish leader Varadkar to resign, as parliament fails to find new leader, The Guardian, 25 February 2020: Hysteria over Sinn Féin entering government is about power, not the past, Irish Times, 25 February 2020: Fintan O’Toole: If murderous dissidents are wrong, so was Provisional IRA, Irish Times, 6 March 2020: Irish economy grew 5.5% last year, outpacing European peers, Irish Times, 7 March 2020: The Irish Times view on Sinn Féin: getting used to scrutiny, Irish Times, 5 April 2020: Coronavirus: Varadkar returns to practising medicine to help during crisis, Irish Times, 10 May 2020: Irishman is now sole survivor of Winston Churchill’s second World War “Few”, Politico.eu, 14 June 2020: Irish party leaders agree coalition deal, The Guardian, 15 June 2020: Fine Gael, Fianna Fáil and Greens agree deal to form Irish coalition, The Guardian, 16 June 2020: If Ireland is to unite, it must reclaim its common past and build a shared future, Irish Times, 26 June 2020: New government to be formed as Greens, Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael ratify deal, Irish Times, 7 July 2020: The Irish Times view on the dual threat of coronavirus and Brexit, NPR, 15 July 2020: Ireland Delays Further Reopening, Keeping Bars Closed As Case Numbers Grow, Irish Times, 16 July 2020: Coronavirus in Ireland: Further reopening delayed amid ‘worrying’ rise in infection rates, Irish Times, 20 July 2020: Irish economy to get injection of up to €7bn in stimulus measures, Irish Times, 7 September 2020: Ireland now officially in recession as economy shrinks by 6.1%, Irish Times, 11 September 2020: Covid-19 mid-term plan: What’s in the Government strategy?, Irish Times, 11 September 2020: Ireland could suffer ‘multiple economic hits’, warns Varadkar, The Guardian, 15 September 2020: Boris Johnson’s Brexit has always been a swindle. Now Ireland will pay the price, The National, 18 September 2020: Irish terrorists in Hezbollah weapons sting met with Iranian embassy officials (The National, 17 September 2020: Hezbollah has explosives stored across Europe, says US official), Irish Times, 10 October 2020: Coronavirus: Number of people in hospital and ICU with Covid-19 surges over last month, Irish Times, 10 October 2020: Budget 2021: Government to spend extra €6 billion in largest budget in history of the State, Irish Times, 10 October 2020: Coronavirus spread in North continues with 902 new cases reported, France24, 20 October 2020: Ireland to introduce six-week lockdown as Covid-19 cases surge, Irish Times, 20 October 2020: Six weeks of Level 5: Non-essential shops to close, no visitors to homes and a 5km travel limit, Irish Times, 28 November 2020: Direct sea routes to Europe offer certainty in choppy Brexit waters, Irish Times, 28 November 2020: The kitchen smells of rum. Either my old dear is over or Sorcha’s baking a Christmas cake, Politico.eu, 9 December 2020: Ireland’s Varadkar accuses Sinn Féin of defending homophobia, racism, sexism, Irish Times, 30 December 2020: Level 5 restrictions to remain in place until January 31st, says Taoiseach, Independent.ie, 30 December 2020: Micheál Martin confirms ‘full-scale’ Level 5 lockdown, Irish Times, 1 January 2021: ‘Rampant’ coronavirus now spreading out of control across Ireland, health officials say, Irish Times, 2 January 2021: Fintan O’Toole: Why 2021 can be Ireland’s great year of cultural recovery, The Irish Times, 2 January 2021: 2021’s truce, treaty and Northern Ireland commemorations will test our goodwill, Irish Times, 18 January 2021: Irish officials raise queries with EU over disruptive post-Brexit ‘rules of origin’, The National, 30 January 2021: EU seeks to restrict vaccine supplies to Northern Ireland in ‘incredible act of hostility (BoJo wanted to mess with the EU and now some Brits might face the consequences of his irresponsible behavior), France24, 30 January 2021: EU backtracks over plan to limit Covid-19 vaccine exports to N. Ireland, BBC, 30 January 2021: Covid: EU ‘made a mistake’ over vaccines, Gove says, CNN, 30 January 2021: A fight between the EU and UK reveals the ugly truth about vaccine nationalism, The Times, 30 January 2021: Tim Shipman: ‘That was when things started to get weird’, Irish Times, 30 January 2021: EU move on NI protocol in ‘very bitter’ vaccine row a mistake, says Martin, Politico.eu, 30 January 2021: EU, UK commit to ‘redoubling’ efforts following Irish border row, CNN, 14 March 2021: There are Irish pubs all over the world. In Ireland they’re in big trouble, Irish Times, 17 March 2021: Irish share of €5bn EU Brexit fund would be slashed by French proposals, BBC, 26 March 2021: Irish make final repayment on UK emergency ‘bailout’ loan, Irish Times, 15 April 2021: Brexit and pandemic combine for big hit to Irish trade with Britain, Irish Times, 15 April 2021: Property prices up by 3% across State, by 1.2% in Dublin, Politico.eu, 16 April 2021: Ireland feels loss of British ally in corridors of Brussels, BBC, 19 April 2021: Biden tax changes could be ‘significant’ for Ireland, Irish Times, 24 April 2021: What could go wrong when Ireland reopens? Quite a bit, Irish Times, 24 April 2021: An act of cultural homicide in Dublin’s south docklands, Irish Times, 27 April 2021: Brexit sees big decline in food trade between Ireland and UK, DW, 29 April 2021: Amid Northern Ireland’s chaos, is there an economic argument for a United Ireland?, Politico.eu, 1 May 2021: Poll shows Irish support unification but don’t want to pay for it, Irish Times, 4 May 2021: Irish unity would trigger financial shock in Republic, economist says, Reuters, 11 May 2021: Britain to introduce laws to protect N.Ireland army veterans, Politico.eu, 12 May 2021: Boris Johnson apologizes for British army’s 1971 killing of Belfast civilians (Bloody Sunday and List of chronologies of Provisional Irish Republican Army actions), Irish Times, 13 May 2021: Israeli ambassador accuses some TDs of spewing ‘hate’ towards Jewish state (you are seeking for friends within the EU? Then this absolutely isn’t the way to accomplish it), Politico.eu, 13 May 2021: Boris Johnson accused of shielding ex-soldiers from justice after Belfast killings apology, Irish Times, 28 May 2021: Ireland had to rely on EU ship to patrol fishing waters due to Naval shortages, Times of Israel, 4 June 2021: Belfast City Council calls for expelling Israeli ambassadors from UK and Ireland, Jerusalem Post, 5 June 2021: Belfast calls for Israeli ambassadors to be expelled from UK, Ireland, Irish Times, 5 June 2021: Global tax rate: Ireland could lose €2bn a year under proposed reforms, says Donohoe, Politico.eu, 11 June 2021: Ireland: UK-EU food safety deal wouldn’t stop UK-US trade pact, BBC, 15 June 2021: No one group can have a veto on Ireland’s future – Varadkar, Irish Times, 15 June 2021: Leo Varadkar believes Irish unification ‘can happen in my lifetime’, The Guardian, 16 June 2021: Ireland UK criticises Leo Varadkar over united Ireland comments, Irish Times, 16 June 2021: Irish Times poll: Sinn Féin hits record high as Fine Gael drops among voters, BBC, 20 June 2021: United Ireland: Varadkar defends timing of Irish unity comments, Irish Times, 29 June 2021: Brexit: Irish bakeries turn from Britain and look to EU and NI, Politico.eu, 29 June 2021: After Brexit, Ireland can’t have it both ways, Politico.eu, 9 July 2021: Housing crisis spurs opposition win in Irish by-election, Belfast Telegraph, 11 July 2021: UK Government to reveal Troubles amnesty plan for soldiers and paramilitaries – report, The Guardian, 12 July 2021: Boris Johnson apologises ‘unreservedly’ for Ballymurphy deaths, Irish Times, 12 July 2021: Ireland may support global tax deal, Donohoe says, The Guardian, 24 July 2021: Government to introduce statute of limitations on Troubles prosecutions, Irish Times, 24 July 2021: Jennifer O’Connell: ‘Watching the Brits self-destruct’ is high-risk fun, Der Spiegel, 3 August 2021: Holding a Match to the Powder Keg: Proposed Northern Ireland Amnesty Law Faces Massive Critique (the weirdo is on the path to break and dissolve the Good Friday Agreement), Forbes, 4 August 2021: Why The U.K. Government Still Needs To Acknowledge Its Role In Northern Ireland’s ‘Troubles’, Irish Times, 7 August 2021: Northern Ireland’s refugees 50 years on: ‘I can still see him standing there waving’, Irish Times, 7 August 2021: My life has changed immeasurably… Ireland and the UK have changed too, Irish Times, 7 August 2021: Loyalist marching season was quiet, but trouble over Northern protocol may lie ahead, Irish Times, 7 August 2021: Debate on united Ireland can’t wait until unionists are ready, Irish Times, 9 August 2021: Davy doubles projection for Irish economic growth to 10% this year, Irish Times, 17 August 2021: Gerry Hutch was carrying fake documents when arrested, say police, Al Arabiya, 17 August 2021: Irish organized crime boss ‘The Monk,’ wanted for murder back home, arrested in Spain (Hutch–Kinahan feud), Irish Times, 23 August 2021: Government to send special forces to Kabul to aid in evacuation of Irish citizens, Irish Times, 27 August 2021: Army Ranger Wing team arrives home to Ireland after Kabul mission, Irish Times, 28 August 2021: The inside story of Ireland’s Kabul rescue mission, Irish Times, 28 August 2021: Between Two Hells: Charting the Irish Civil War and its aftermath, Irish Times, 29 August 2021: Fintan O’Toole: Sinn Féin must acknowledge the disaster it helped inflict on the Irish people, DW, 30 August 2021: Ireland’s vaccine program nears completion thanks to high uptake, Irish Times, 31 August 2021: Births and migration boost Ireland’s stock of human capital, The Guardian, 31 August 2021: Ireland: Population surpasses 5m for first time since 1851, Irish Times, 6 September 2021: Ireland is no longer viewed as a credible voice on key issues in Brussels, Politico.eu, 17 September 2021: Irish president won’t mark Northern Ireland’s 100th birthday (why should he anyway? There is no a reason to celebrate. It’s a tragedy), Irish Times, 20 September 2021: The truth about Ireland’s monster €240bn debt: it wasn’t the banks, Irish Times, 25 September 2021: Cliff Taylor: Government is losing control of budget narrative, Irish Times, 2 October 2021: David McWilliams: It’s not money we lack, it’s vision, Irish Times, 2 October 2021: Supply-chain shock: ‘Do your Christmas shopping early’, Irish Times, 4 October 2021: New multibillion euro plan for infrastructure is ‘not a wish list’, Taoiseach says, Palestine Chronicle, 5 October 2021: Ireland Urges Israel to Apply International Laws and Conventions on Palestinian Prisoners, Irish Times, 10 October 2021: Ireland’s greatest economic failing: poor public services, Politico.eu, 13 October 2021: Ireland: British ‘bad faith’ on protocol sends warning to the world, Irish Times, 13 October 2021: Varadkar warns states over striking deals with Britain ‘until you’re confident they keep promises’ (that would be a totally new experience .. oh, wait!), BBC, 13 October 2021: UK might not keep its word, Irish deputy PM warns, Israel Hayom, 15 October 2021: Israel must stand up to Ireland’s antisemitism, Irish Times, 21 October 2021: What is cum-ex trading and what is Ireland’s role in it?, Irish Times, 21 October 2021: Irish banks and funds used in multibillion-euro tax fraud by hedge funds, traders, Irish Times, 21 October 2021: Poland’s challenge to EU law a ‘slap in the face’, Taoiseach says, Politico.eu, 25 October 2021: ‘No role’ for EU court in Northern Ireland disputes, says UK Brexit minister, Arab News, 26 October 2021: Brussels and London remain tangled up in Brexit, The Guardian, 27 October 2021: Brexit: Freight traffic between Britain and Dublin drops by a fifth, Irish Times, 27 October 2021: UK diplomat asked to ‘peddle half-truths’ about Brexit’s impact on Ireland, The Guardian, 29 October 2021: Brexit: Northern Ireland protocol talks stuck in deadlock, Irish Times, 31 October 2021: ‘Do they want a solution at all?’: O’Neill questions UK government’s stance on NI protocol, Jerusalem Post, 1 November 2021: Irish FM to visit Israel amid tensions on settlements, NGO terror labeling, Irish Times, 5 November 2021: Households and private sector to bear most of Climate Action Plan cost, Politico.eu, 5 November 2021: EU tells UK: It’s your turn to compromise on Northern Ireland, Irish Times, 6 November 2021: Major warns against ‘colossally stupid’ triggering of Article 16 in Brexit row, The Guardian, 6 November 2021: Ireland: Police arrest British man on suspicion of threatening to kill MP, Irish Times, 7 November 2021: EU may shelve free-trade pact with UK if article 16 deployed – Coveney, The Guardian, 7 November 2021: Brexit: EU could shelve trade deal if UK triggers article 16, Irish minister warns, BBC, 7 November 2021: Brexit: UK -EU trade deal could collapse over NI row, says Coveney, Jerusalem Post, 8 November 2021: Irish Embassy tweets, then deletes, anger at 2010 Mossad operation, Irish Times, 8 November 2021: Q&A: What is Article 16 and what could happen if it is triggered by the UK?, The Guardian, 8 November 2021: Northern Ireland is the loser in Boris Johnson’s badly played Brexit game, Irish Times, 8 November 2021: ‘Significant gaps remain’ between UK and EU on NI protocol, Donaldson says, Politico.eu, 9 November 2021: Irish ‘making preparations’ for possible EU-UK trade war, Irish Times, 9 November 2021: Fintan O’Toole: Boris Johnson is running out of people to betray, The Guardian, 9 November 2021: Brexit: Ireland starts making contingency plans for UK trade war with EU, Irish Times, 9 November 2021: Brexit contingency plans being dusted down, Varadkar says, The Guardian, 10 November 2021: Brexit: Biden supports EU position on Northern Ireland, says Von der Leyen, Irish Times, 10 November 2021: Northern Ireland’s access to single market may be ‘jeopardised’, says Taoiseach, The Guardian, 11 November 2021: Brexit: EU to tell Frost talks will fail unless he ditches ECJ demand, Irish Times, 11 November 2021: Article 16 loses power as UK negotiating tool as EU hardens approach, Politico.eu, 11 November 2021: EU countries urge hard line toward UK over Northern Ireland, The Guardian, 12 November 2021: Brexit: EU welcomes ‘change in tone’ from UK at Northern Ireland talks, Irish Times, 13 November 2021: Brexit: Protests to be held along Border over Britain’s handling of NI protocol, Irish Times, 17 November 2021: North’s parties urge Brexit minister to reach deal with EU on protocol, The Guardian, 17 November 2021: Brexit: Minister says UK not trying to move checks to Irish border, Irish Times, 17 November 2021: The less talk about triggering Article 16 ‘the better’, Coveney says, The Atlantic, 17 November 2021: An Unlikely Threat to the Western Alliance, Irish Times, 19 November 2021: Urgent solution needed for North in post-Brexit arrangements – Sefcovic, Irish Times, 20 November 2021: Ireland badly needs fresh thinking on its place in Europe, Irish Times, 20 November 2021: Johnson will probably cut a deal on the protocol – but Ireland must be wary, Irish Times, 20 November 2021: Fintan O’Toole: EU knows making political polluter Britain pay for actions is vital, Irish Times, 21 November 2021: Taoiseach plays down Ahern comments on loyalist understanding of NI protocol, Irish Times, 21 November 2021: Brexit: Coveney rules out European court compromise in NI protocol talks, Irish Times, 22 November 2021: We need to stop talking about a united Ireland, Irish Times, 23 November 2021: A UK Labour government would stay neutral in a Border poll – shadow NI secretary, The Guardian, 26 November 2021: £335bn: Boris Johnson’s plan for Irish Sea bridge rejected over cost, Irish Times, 26 November 2021: Cost of £335bn bridge from NI to Scotland not justifiable, UK government says, Politico.eu, 26 November 2021: Johnson ‘not serious’ on solving Channel crossings, says Macron, Irish Times, 26 November 2021: Dublin City Council pulls out of deal with British arms manufacturer, Irish Times, 26 November 2021: Sefcovic calls for ‘decisive push’ on talks with UK over Northern Ireland, Irish Times, 27 November 2021: China, the UN Human Rights Office and the Irish whistleblower, Irish Times, 27 November 2021: Ireland likely to follow UK move on PCR tests for passengers – Government source, Irish Times, 28 November 2021: Donaldson calls for focus on efforts to remove ‘Irish Sea border’, Politico.eu, 1 December 2021: Macron says Brexit rules matter of ‘war and peace’ for Ireland amid UK spats, Irish Times, 1 December 2021: EU calls on UK to ‘reciprocate’ efforts at finding protocol solutions, Irish Times, 2 December 2021: Irish families’ wealth is surging, helped by house prices, Irish Times, 2 December 2021: State’s tax receipts surge to record €63bn as economy rebounds, Irish Times, 2 December 2021: Delay in law aimed at ending prosecutions over Troubles-related crimes, The National, 3 December 2021: Ireland introduces new Covid restrictions after ‘stark advice’ from health officials, Irish Times, 4 December 2021: Michael Collins dismissed death threat three days before he was shot, The Economist, 4 December 2021: The quest for respectability—and votes—has transformed Sinn Fein, Irish Times, 6 December 2021: EU approves over €920m for Ireland under Brexit fund, Irish Times, 6 December 2021: Irexit leader wages war on Covid-19 certs in role paid by EU, Politico.eu, 7 December 2021: Northern Ireland violence spurred by Brexit ‘a clear and present danger,’ say experts, Irish Times, 7 December 2021: Paramilitarism a ‘clear and present danger’ in North, reporting body finds, The Guardian, 9 December 2021: Brexit: UK proposes US-style waivers for EU citizens crossing Irish border, Irish Times, 15 December 2021: UK delays introduction of new Brexit checks on imports from Ireland, The Guardian, 17 December 2021: Explainer Northern Ireland: what are EU and UK proposing and will deal be done?, Politico.eu, 17 December 2021: Brexit talks head into 2022 as UK softens Northern Ireland governance demands, The Guardian, 18 December 2021: Lord Frost: Brexit minister’s shock resignation leaves Boris Johnson reeling (neither in Northern Ireland nor in Ireland will he be missed. For some he was too lax, for others not lax enough. It is unpleasant for the kingdom that he was one of the brighter candles on the darkened Brexit cake), Irish Times, 18 December 2021: Irish in Asia: ‘Last year I realised they don’t see me as part of this society’, BBC, 18 December 2021: Lord Frost resigns as Brexit minister, The Times, 18 December 2021: Lord Frost profile: he oozed red, white and blue, Irish Times, 19 December 2021: Frost replacement will ‘need to find solutions’ to make Northern Ireland protocol work, The Sunday Times, 19 December 2021: Crisis deepens for PM as key Brexit ally quits, Irish Times, 19 December 2021: David Frost’s resignation introduces dangerous uncertainty into Brexit negotiations, The Guardian, 19 December 2021: European Union: France urges Johnson to use Frost’s exit to rebuild trust with EU, France24, 19 December 2021: UK Brexit negotiator Frost resigns in further blow to PM Johnson, BBC, 19 December 2021: Liz Truss replaces Lord Frost in post-Brexit talks, Politico.eu, 20 December 2021: The case for Liz Truss, Irish Times, 21 December 2021: Brexit has seen Irish food exports to Britain decline by a quarter, Politico.eu, 21 December 2021: Brexit slashes Britain’s market share in Ireland, Irish Times, 21 December 2021: Liz Truss to hold Brexit talks with EU over Northern Ireland protocol, Politico.eu, 21 December 2021: UK to EU: Our position on Northern Ireland is unchanged, Irish Times, 22 December 2021: Helping businesses reap the benefits of EU trade agreements, Irish Times, 1 Janauary 2022: A ghost estate and an empty grave: ‘I don’t think Northern Ireland was worth one life’, The Guardian, 2 January 2022: Northern Ireland: Peace architect accuses Boris Johnson of ‘casual political vandalism’, Irish Times, 3 January 2022: Eurocontrol says Irish air travel ‘worst affected’ in Europe last year, Irish Times, 5 January 2022: Government tax receipts surge to record €68bn in 2021 as economy rebounds, The Times, 5 January 2022: Selective memory shapes British ignorance about Ireland, Irish Times, 6 January 2022: One in eight staff in health service off work due to Covid issues, HSE chief says, The Guardian, 7 January 2022: Brexit: UK and Irish foreign secretaries meet over Northern Ireland impasse, Irish Times, 7 January 2022: Sacrificing Ireland’s single market membership to prevent Border would be dramatic change in policy, Irish Times, 14 January 2022: Is Ireland starting to lose its attraction for international investors?, Politico.eu, 14 January 2022: EU, UK to step up Northern Ireland talks amid ‘cordial’ atmosphere, Irish Times, 14 January 2022: ‘Deal to be done’ on Northern Ireland protocol, says Truss, Irish Times, 16 January 2022: The Irish Times view on European defence: impetus for ‘Strategic Compass’ sought (the EU has incredible potential, but at the same time is far from realizing it. In view of Putin’s continued aggression against Ukraine, but also against Poland, the Baltic States, Sweden and Finland, this becomes particularly clear again. In this case, this has to do with the military self-districting of the EU states, which are individually defenseless against Russia, but also with the fact that the EU, as a result of a lack of foresight, is ignorant of the importance of security policy (security policy takes effect when nothing else does. Fair-weather politicians consistently ignore this aspect until it is too late) and, guided by short-sighted, mostly rather dull nationalism, has decreed military impotence. All serious mistakes. For years this blog has also been pointing out the consequences, but a simple “you see, I’ve been telling you for years!” of course doesn’t do the trick right now. As in many other cases, it would have been nicer to have been taught something else instead of being confronted with what was already to be expected. In order to be better positioned in the future, one first has to look at the “misconstructions” of western political systems in order to be able to understand why the EU fails time and time again and is therefore completely ignored when it comes to existential security issues (even if one tries to cushion this with a cosmetic-diplomatic concealer so that the credibility of the EU is not damaged even further internationally than the state decision-makers are already doing). By far the biggest problem is that state leaders do not pursue medium and long-term strategies, but think in terms of election periods. That may be logical and correct in and of itself, but it always deals a blow to the EU’s viability, especially since the leaders are committed to their own state, but not to the same extent to the EU. Unlike politicians, constructs like the EU thrive on medium- and long-term development strategies, which are in general supported by the large party blocs in the center, even if there are different views on the details. If politician X in EU state Y now makes decision Z for tactical reasons, which may seem sensible for partisan reasons, he simultaneously undermines the medium and long-term prospects of the EU. It is particularly explosive when it comes to politicians and parties who have little or nothing to do with the rule of law and democracy, but instead have a lot of sympathy for senseless, small-minded nationalism (about the dull nationalism that has prevailed over the centuries repeatedly led to devastating wars in Europe, the EU and its predecessor organizations were once founded). At first glance, they are only dwarfing their own EU states, which at least has some ironic aspects. Instead of “restoring their great, heroic nations” to their supposed “old glory”, they achieve the exact opposite: they isolate their allotments, devalue them, diminish their future prospects and thus look more like break clowns than serious EU member states. Unfortunately, it does not stop there, but also has a negative impact on the EU. The weaker the individual EU states are or become, the weaker the EU itself becomes. However, the EU and its member states will only be fit for the future and able to survive if the EU is perceived as a strong, unified, united community, which is currently the case almost exclusively in economic terms. In many other areas, a lot of improvements have to be made in order to be able to keep up at all. The EU likes to see itself in the role of a “soft power”. In times like the present, this is a romantic-sentimental idea, albeit a partially understandable one, but it simply does not meet the actual challenges. No one needs a “soft power” when at the same time a “hard power” is holding a pistol to their head, while pulling the safety pin of a hand grenade. The EU must be both and be able to do both at the same time in order to be fit for the future and capable of surviving. Of course, this only works with extensive inner unity. If a “downsize” should first be necessary for the EU to become fully capable of acting again, then this should be pushed accordingly, in order to build an “EU 2.0” around the founding states, while at the same time “EU 1.0” is rolled back and terminated. After all, it makes no sense to work on a construct that is only supported by some of the members, while another part is only member to tap into funds and at the same time work massively against the success of the EU. The latter can also do this outside the EU, but would not be rewarded with massive financial aid from Brussels for their subversive and destructive activities), Irish Times, 17 January 2022: Irish traders on a year of Brexit: ‘It is a pain in the backside’, Irish Times, 20 January 2022: EU plans three-year extension to UK clearing system access, Irish Times, 21 January 2022: Brexit ends ‘landbridge’ route as Dublin Port records sharp fall in lorry freight, CNN, 24 January 2022: Russian naval exercises off Ireland’s coast ‘not welcome,’ says Foreign Minister, Irish Times, 24 January 2022: Groceries set to cost €780 more over next year, Irish Times, 24 January 2022: Rosslare Europort sees post-Brexit boom in European freight volumes, Irish Times, 26 January 2022: Fishing group to meet Russian ambassador over naval drills, Politico.eu, 26 January 2022: Irish want Russia to cancel offshore war games in ‘Europe’s blind spot’, Irish Times, 26 January 2022: Russian warship flotilla spotted off Norway ‘probably’ bound for Irish coast, Irish Times, 27 January 2022: Russian naval manoeuvres reveal Irish neutrality is untenable, Irish Times, 28 January 2022: Post-Brexit checks for goods moving into North are ‘not fit for purpose’ – EU officials, The New York Times, 29 January 2022: 50 Years On, Bloody Sunday’s Wounds Are Still Felt, Irish Times, 29 January 2022: Russia moves naval exercises outside Ireland’s Exclusive Economic Zone, The Guardian, 30 January 2022: It’s 50 years since Bloody Sunday, but sectarian tensions are running high (Bloody Sunday and The Troubles), Irish Times, 30 January 2022: ‘We honour the men who died’ – thousands walk in remembrance of Bloody Sunday massacre, The Guardian, 30 January 2022: Bloody Sunday: Hundreds pay respects in Derry 50 years after atrocity, Irish Times, 30 January 2022: Bloody Sunday families: ‘The memory of that day will never leave me’, BBC, 30 January 2022: Families remember Bloody Sunday victims 50 years on, DW, 30 January 2022: Northern Ireland marks 50 years since Bloody Sunday, France24, 30 January 2022: ‘No British justice’: Northern Ireland marks 50 years since ‘Bloody Sunday’, DW, 30 January 2022: Northern Ireland’s peace faces new Brexit threats, Irish Times, 2 February 2022: Poots orders halt to post-Brexit checks on goods from Britain to North, The Guardian, 2 February 2022: Brexit: Northern Ireland minister orders halt to agri-food checks, Politico.eu, 3 February 2022: EU confirms Brexit checks continue in Northern Ireland, Irish Times, 3 February 2022: Russian, US, French and UK warships spotted off south coast by Defence Forces, The Guardian, 3 February 2022: Northern Ireland: First minister Paul Givan resigns over Brexit checks on goods, Irish Times, 4 February 2022: DUP may not re-enter government after election, says Donaldson, Politico.eu, 4 February 2022: Belfast court blocks DUP bid to stop Brexit checks at Northern Irish ports, Irish Times, 4 February 2022: Order issued suspending Edwin Poots move to halt post-Brexit checks, Irish Times, 5 February 2022: DUP leader urges Johnson to focus on Northern Ireland not partygate, Irish Times, 6 February 2022: No political stability in North until protocol issues resolved, warns DUP leader, Politico.eu, 7 February 2022: No return to Belfast power-sharing unless Brexit protocol goes, DUP warns, The Times, 8 February 2022: Rees-Mogg given Brexit job as PM courts Tory right, Politico.eu, 8 February 2022: Boris Johnson names Jacob Rees-Mogg as Brexit minister in mini-reshuffle (this is another disaster within the Brexit disaster), BBC, 8 February 2022: Rees-Mogg in new Brexit role as PM reshuffles team (Jacob Rees-Mogg becomes “Minister for Brexit Opportunities”. Most people say that it is the only job Brexit ever created), The Guardian, 8 February 2022: UK: Rees-Mogg becomes minister for Brexit opportunities in Boris Johnson reshuffle, Irish Times, 9 February 2022: MPs highlight concern about post-Brexit surge in north-south Irish trade, Irish Times, 11 February 2022: Brexit: UK signals it could accept checks on goods for Northern Ireland, Politico.eu, 15 February 2022: All-Ireland trade booming in post-Brexit economy, The Guardian, 15 February 2022: Brexit: Huge jump in trade between Northern Ireland and republic, Jerusalem Post, 17 February 2022: Why does Ireland hate Israel? (“One might have expected there be a natural friendship between the Republic of Ireland and the State of Israel” – that is a wrong assumption. Because of the British occupation of Ireland, nationalist Irish have sympathies for the Palestinians. They don’t hate Israel, they despise it as much as they do Britain. This is a big and significant difference. This is particularly true of Sinn Féin, the political arm of the IRA. Just as some nationalist Israelis whitewash their country’s history with the help of historical revisionism, so do some Irishmen), Irish Times, 18 February 2022: Ulster Bank’s withdrawal from Republic to cost €900m, Irish Times, 28 February 2022: Over one-third of North’s population hold Irish passport, Irish Times, 1 March 2022: Money for nothing? Ireland’s first basic income scheme on the way, Irish Times, 5 March 2022: ‘My family have been bombed’: Emotional Ukrainians protest in Dublin, Irish Times, 5 March 2022: Pat Leahy: War in Ukraine will change Irish politics, Irish Times, 7 March 2022: Protective barriers erected at Russian embassy after truck drives through gates, Irish Times, 7 March 2022: Irish businesses seek to reduce dependency on UK ahead of more Brexit red tape, Irish Times, 8 March 2022: Ireland ‘won’t shut Border’ over British concerns about Ukranian refugees – Ryan, Irish Times, 11 March 2022: Covid hit some incomes, this crisis will hit everyone’s, Irish Times, 12 March 2022: Dublin 8 is ‘primed for prosperity’, alongside four other global neighbourhoods, Irish Times, 13 March 2022: Ireland ‘naive’ about Russian influence – Defence Forces ex-chief, Irish Times, 14 March 2022: British and Irish relationship should be based on equal respect, says Starmer, The Guardian, 14 March 2022: Northern Ireland protocol is lawful, court of appeal rules, Irish Times, 15 March 2022: Conor Pope: Bord Gáis Energy first with ‘astronomical’ price hikes but others will soon follow, Irish Times, 15 March 2022: More than 6,600 Ukrainian refugees now in Ireland, France24, 17 March 2022: St Patrick’s Day returns to Ireland after two-year hiatus, Irish Times, 18 March 2022: Stephen Collins: Irish-US links crucial in keeping Johnson to his word, Irish Times, 18 March 2022: Biden administration signals greater mobility between Ireland and US, Irish Times, 19 March 2022: Union says 60 Irish employees among the 800 crew sacked by P&O Ferries, Irish Times, 19 March 2022: Want to understand the Northern Ireland Protocol? Just read these 25 essays, Irish Times, 22 March 2022: Up to 40,000 Ukrainian refugees expected in Ireland by end of April, Irish Times, 22 March 2022: Covid: Ireland lifted controls too ‘brutally’, says WHO, as case numbers hit near-record, Politico.eu, 23 March 2022: Bloody Sunday murder charges revived in rebuff to Boris Johnson’s ‘amnesty’ plans, Irish Times, 23 March 2022: Major cost-of-living shock expected in months with inflation forecast to hit 8.5%, The Guardian, 24 March 2022: ‘A freeze frame death in front of the world’: the police killing of Sean Downes at the height of the Troubles, Irish Times, 24 March 2022: Europe facing ‘long haul’ over Russian invasion, says Taoiseach, The National, 25 March 2022: Irish foreign minister pulled from stage after hijacked van bomb alert, The Guardian, 25 March 2022: Loyalist paramilitaries suspected as hoax device disrupts Irish minister’s Belfast speech, Politico.eu, 25 March 2022: Belfast bomb threat disrupts Irish foreign minister’s peace speech, Irish Times, 25 March 2022: Were Zelenskiy’s comments about Ireland lost in translation?, Irish Times, 26 March 2022: Ireland was caught off guard by the latest full-blown Covid wave, Irish Times, 29 March 2022: Four senior Russian diplomats expelled from State following ‘security advice’, Irish Times, 30 March 2022: Expulsion of Russian diplomats marks low-point in Irish relations with Moscow, Irish Times, 30 March 2022: More than 15,000 people have fled Ukraine to Ireland, Minister says, Irish Times, 30 March 2022: Electric Ireland prices to rise 23-25% from May, Irish Times, 2 April 2022: Threat of violence rises as loyalists vent frustrations with protocol, Irish Times, 2 April 2022: The uncertain future and complex history of Ireland’s military neutrality, Irish Times, 3 April 2022: Russian ambassador to be invited to attend Zelenskiy address to Dáil, Irish Times, 3 April 2022: Volunteers serve up Ukrainian comfort food to refugees in Dublin, Irish Times, 3 April 2022: ‘You’re checking the price of everything now’ – cost of living hits home, Irish Times, 6 April 2022: Ukraine war should be ‘catalyst’ for ‘honest rethink’ about Irish security and defence policy – Coveney, Irish Times, 6 April 2022: People Before Profit TDs defend decision not to clap for Zelenskiy Oireachtas address, Irish Times, 7 April 2022: Two Irish diplomats expelled from Moscow, Irish Times, 7 April 2022: European Parliament backs rule change to ensure flow of medicines to Northern Ireland, Irish Times, 9 April 2022: Ireland’s asylum limbo: ‘We are beginning to say home was better’, Irish Times, 9 April 2022: Those hosting Ukrainian refugees are not virtue-signalling do-gooders, Irish Times, 10 April 2022: Coal-burning Moneypoint might be key to Ireland’s energy future, Irish Times, 10 April 2022: DUP ‘whipping up hysteria’ over united Ireland before election, says Beattie, Irish Times, 11 April 2022: VAT on gas and electricity face cuts under proposals to tackle price hikes, Irish Times, 11 April 2022: Ukrainian embassy condemns ‘disgusting’ pro-Russian rally in Dublin, Irish Times, 15 April 2022: Leading Irish architects present their vision for Galway in the future, Foreign Policy, 21 April 2022: Will Russia’s War End Irish Neutrality?, Irish Times, 22 April 2022: Covid-19 death toll in Ireland to pass 7,000 in coming days, Irish Times, 24 April 2022: No limit on Ukrainian refugees entering State, says Taoiseach, Irish Times, 25 April 2022: Vacant social homes to be made available for Ukrainian refugees in Ireland, Irish Times, 25 April 2022: Covid-19 death toll passes 7,000 two years into pandemic, Irish Times, 26 April 2022: Ireland backs reform of UN Security Council veto, Irish Times, 26 April 2022: Fintan O’Toole: Unionists should see through Tories’ latest cynical protocol gambit, Irish Times, 26 April 2022: ‘Loophole’ sees Russian trawlers threaten lucrative Irish fishing sector, The National, 29 April 2022: Ireland says Britain causing renewed tension over Northern Ireland protocol, The Economist, 30 April 2022: Nationalists are set for a historic win in Northern Ireland’s vote, The Times, 1 May 2022: A united Ireland… pursued by stealth, Irish Times, 2 May 2022: The Northern Ireland protocol: ‘It’s been mentioned twice on the doors’, France24, 4 May 2022: Sinn Fein expected to top N. Ireland polls – but only thanks to greater DUP decline, Politico.eu, 4 May 2022: UK still wants deal with EU on Northern Ireland Brexit rules — minister, Irish Times, 4 May 2022: Northern Ireland election could fundamentally alter the political landscape, Politico.eu, 5 May 2022: What Northern Ireland is really voting for, Irish Times, 5 May 2022: Ukrainian families given 15 hours to remove children from schools, The National, 6 May 2022: Sinn Fein claims crown as Northern Ireland’s largest party, DW, 6 May 2022: Sinn Fein eyes historic victory in Northern Ireland election, Irish Times, 6 May 2022: Sinn Féin on track to be largest party at Stormont after ‘the election of a generation’, NPR, 7 May 2022: Sinn Fein celebrates an historic election win in Northern Ireland, CNN, 7 May 2022: Irish nationalist Sinn Fein earns historic Northern Ireland election win, DW, 7 May 2022: Northern Ireland: Sinn Fein secures historic election win, France24, 7 May 2022: Sinn Fein leader hails ‘new era’ as early results point to historic N. Ireland win, Irish Times, 7 May 2022: Significantly and symbolically damaging election for unionism, The Times, 7 May 2022: Michelle O’Neill: from IRA man’s daughter to Northern Ireland’s next leader?, BBC, 7 May 2022: NI election results 2022: Sinn Féin wins most seats in historic election, DW, 7 May 2022: What Sinn Fein’s win could mean for Northern Ireland, UK, Irish Times, 7 May 2022: Assembly election: Sinn Féin wins most seats as parties urged to form Executive, Politico.eu, 7 May 2022: Belfast results show unionists can’t win vote on Brexit protocol, DW, 8 May 2022: Sinn Fein hails ‘new era’ in Northern Ireland, The Guardian, 8 May 2022: Northern Ireland: DUP to warn Boris Johnson it will stall power-sharing until Christmas, Irish Times, 8 May 2022: Unionist heartland reacts: ‘I feel sick she will be running our country’, The Times, 8 May 2022: Britain ready to rip up Northern Ireland protocol in weeks, Irish Times, 8 May 2022: Michelle O’Neill’s election as NI’s next first minister unlikely to be swift, The Guardian, 9 May 2022: Northern Ireland: DUP to block formation of power-sharing executive, DW, 9 May 2022: Sinn Fein upset over ‘game of chicken’ preventing formation of executive in Northern Ireland, The Guardian, 9 May 2022: Sinn Féin’s victory won’t bring a united Ireland right away – but it’s getting closer, The Times, 10 May 2022: Don’t touch Northern Ireland protocol, EU leaders warn Boris Johnson, Irish Times, 10 May 2022: Fintan O’Toole: The old Northern Ireland is dead, but the new cannot be born, Politico.eu, 10 May 2022: EU rejects UK queen’s speech demand to change Northern Ireland protocol, The Times, 11 May 2022: Joe Biden urges Boris Johnson not to rip up Northern Ireland protocol, Irish Times, 11 May 2022: Northern Ireland election sets stage for more protocol brinkmanship, The Economist, 11 May 2022: The Northern Ireland protocol could soon spark a new row between Britain and Europe, The Guardian, 12 May 2022: Northern Ireland: Stormont stalemate risks patients’ lives, medical leaders warn, The Times, 12 May 2022: Liz Truss tells EU: We have no choice but to rip up Northern Ireland protocol, Politico.eu, 12 May 2022: EU and UK trade barbs as Northern Ireland Brexit row intensifies, The Guardian, 12 May 2022: Live Brexit: EU warns against unilateral action by UK over Northern Ireland protocol, Irish Times, 12 May 2022: UK will have ‘no choice but to act’ if EU not flexible on NI protocol – Truss, The Guardian, 13 May 2022: Johnson blames today’s Brexit woes on Brussels – that’s a load of old bull, Irish Times, 13 May 2022: NI Assembly unable to function after DUP blocks vote for speaker, The National, 13 May 2022: Northern Ireland assembly collapses after DUP pulls speaker vote, Politico.eu, 13 May 2022: Boris Johnson to travel to Belfast amid Brexit protocol crisis, The Guardian, 13 May 2022: Northern Ireland: DUP condemned for paralysing Stormont as protocol row deepens, Politico.eu, 13 May 2022: Fury in Belfast as DUP vetoes power-sharing and shuts Stormont, CNN, 14 May 2022: Boris Johnson is picking a Brexit fight at a very risky moment, Irish Times, 14 May 2022: Main block to protocol deal is British government, not DUP, says Taoiseach, Arab News, 14 May 2022: Northern Ireland Protocol must be renegotiated to preserve peace, Irish Times, 14 May 2022: Fintan O’Toole: Don’t avoid the united Ireland issue. Make it real, The Times, 14 May 2022: Liz Truss was sent to stop a trade war — now No 10 fears she could start one, Irish Times, 15 May 2022: Boris Johnson looking to dial down the rhetoric in Belfast, Politico.eu, 15 May 2022: Boris Johnson vows Northern Ireland protocol plan ‘in coming days’ as EU clash looms, The Guardian, 15 May 2022: Northern Ireland: Boris Johnson poised to give green light to bill on protocol, Irish Times, 15 May 2022: Martin urges ‘real and professional’ engagement by British on NI protocol, France24, 16 May 2022: Proposed unilateral action on N. Ireland is ‘wrong’, Sinn Fein tells UK’s Johnson, Irish Times, 16 May 2022: UK government ‘placating the DUP’, says McDonald after ‘fairly tough’ meeting with Johnson, The Guardian, 16 May 2022: Boris Johnson created this Brexit mess in Northern Ireland – and he should own it, Irish Times, 16 May 2022: Q&A: What is the problem with the Northern Ireland protocol?, Politico.eu, 16 May 2022: Here we go again: The latest UK-EU Brexit row unpicked, The National, 17 May 2022: UK unveils plan to rip up Northern Ireland protocol, DW, 17 May 2022: EU vows response if UK scraps Northern Ireland Brexit rules, The Times, 17 May 2022: Johnson insists on scrapping Northern Ireland protocol after Stormont talks, France24, 17 May 2022: Dublin says concerned over UK’s decision to unilaterally alter terms of post-Brexit trade deal, Irish Times, 17 May 2022: NI protocol: Johnson’s shaky grip on power means EU may just sit and wait, Politico.eu, 17 May 2022: Victims ‘want no amnesty’ for Troubles-era killers, Irish tell UK, DW, 17 May 2022: Explainer: Northern Ireland Protocol continues to cast its shadow, Irish Times, 17 May 2022: Q&A: How does the UK want to change Northern Ireland’s Brexit deal?, The Guardian, 17 May 2022: Brexit: EU raises spectre of trade war if UK rewrites Northern Ireland protocol, Irish Times, 17 May 2022: Fintan O’Toole: Truss’s latest take on NI protocol reveals what is really going on, The Times, 17 May 2022: Northern Ireland: Tory rebels threaten year’s delay to law revoking Brexit protocol, Irish Times, 17 May 2022: Johnson dismisses risk of EU retaliation over plans to change Northern Ireland protocol, Politico.eu, 18 May 2022: Leo Varadkar: British war on Brexit protocol fuels support for Irish unity, Irish Times, 18 May 2022: Plans to scrap parts of NI protocol do not breach international law, Truss says, Irish Times, 19 May 2022: Boris Johnson’s true purpose in NI protocol dispute is wrapped in contradictions, Politico.eu, 20 May 2022: DUP chief dismisses Irish and US calls to drop veto on Belfast power-sharing, Irish Times, 20 May 2022: Taoiseach condemns UK ‘get out of jail’ plan for Troubles crimes, The Guardian, 20 May 2022: Northern Ireland: Unacceptable for one party to block Stormont, says Irish PM, Irish Times, 21 May 2022: Large crowds take to Belfast streets in support of Irish language legislation, Irish Times, 21 May 2022: Violence in Dublin: ‘There’s an edge to the city. You feel it walking around’, Irish Times, 22 May 2022: Irish MEPs on delegation blocked by Israel from entering Gaza, Politico.eu, 24 May 2022: US congressman: British ‘ultimatums’ can’t solve Irish border dilemma, Irish Times, 24 May 2022: Command and control: How would Sinn Féin navigate government in the Republic?, Irish Times, 24 May 2022: London to give Irish language official recognition in North, Irish Times, 24 May 2022: Dispute over NI protocol appears ‘manufactured’ – Richard Neal, Politico.eu, 25 May 2022: UK to make Irish an official language in Northern Ireland, Irish Times, 25 May 2022: Liz Truss: The problems of the Northern Ireland protocol are baked into the text, The Times, 30 May 2022: Former Irish soldier Lisa Smith guilty of Isis membership, Irish Times, 30 May 2022: Full story of the Lisa Smith trial: How did a former Irish soldier end up a member of Isis?, Politico.eu, 1 June 2022: Northern Ireland economy outpacing post-Brexit Britain), as the United Kingdom is the second largest export partner after the United States and the largest import partner of the Green Isle. The country ranks 14th among the largest EU net beneficiary countries.
- Italy: In the light of the new EU-skeptical government, the word Quitaly has been established. Due to the huge public debt (over 130% of GDP), Italy currently is the greatest threat to the eurozone, especially since the country, unlike Greece, could not be rescued by a bailout fund. One will first have to wait and see how the whole topic develops. The doomsday prophet and ex-president of the Ifo Institute for Economic Research, Hans-Werner Sinn, will be just as wrong with his repeated euroincussion theory as the Italian right and left-wing populists and extremists of Lega Nord and Movimento 5 Stelle who promise Italy flourishing landscapes but can not finance it (DW, 1 October 2018: Italy and the EU clash over budget plan, Reuters, 1 October 2018: CORRECTED-EU’s Juncker warns Italy not to go ahead with proposed 2019 budget, The Guardian, 2 October 2018: Italian deputy PM threatens to sue EU boss over budget criticism, Financial Times, 8 October 2018: Italy’s Salvini attacks Brussels as bonds sell off, The Guardian, 8 October 2018: Stock markets stage sharp sell-off amid fear of Italy-EU budget fight and Reuters, 20 October 2018: Moody’s downgrades Italy’s debt rating, says outlook stable, The Guardian, 13 November 2018: Italy defies EU request to present revised budget, The Guardian, 9 January 2019: Matteo Salvini says Italy and Poland could build new Europe, BBC, 31 January 2018: Italy in recession amid sluggish eurozone, The Guardian, 7 February 2019: France recalls Rome ambassador after worst verbal onslaught ‘since the war’, France24, 5 March 2019: Macron’s declaration of love an awkward scoop for Italy’s state TV, France24, 9 March 2019: Italy’s government unravels further over high-speed rail dispute, The Guardian, 19 March 2019: Wake up, Italians – our country is in a state of democratic emergency, The Guardian, 20 March 2019: Italy rattles US and EU with likely support for China’s Belt and Road, BBC, 23 March 2019: Italy joins China’s New Silk Road project, The New York Times, 23 March 2019: Defying Allies, Italy Signs On to New Silk Road With China, and China–Italy relations. After all, the positive thing about this is that the EU no longer need to talk to China’s puppets in Italy, Greece, Poland or Hungary, but instead can call China’s president directly to find out how the countries mentioned have to decide on all topics China. The Guardian, 4 April 2019: Salvini aims to forge far-right alliance ahead of European elections, France24, 18 May 2019: Cheers and jeers as Europe’s far-right rallies in Milan, Reuters, 2 June 2019: Italy says it won’t seek fight with EU, amid talk of government crisis, France24, 5 June 2019: EU commission urges legal action against Italy over debt, Reuters, 5 June 2019: EU prepares the ground for disciplinary procedure over Italy debt, The Guardian, 6 June 2019: Italy’s far-right interior minister, Matteo Salvini, escalates attack on judges, The Guardian, 11 June 2019: The populist right is forging an unholy alliance with religion, The Guardian, 17 June 2019: Matteo Salvini: Italy wants to be Washington’s closest partner in Europe (Mussolini “Duce del Fascismo” 2.0 on road show in the U.S.), Arab News, 7 July 2019: Putin’s Rome trip highlights Italy’s importance to Russia, BBC, 9 July 2019: Could the next euro crisis come from Italy?, The Guardian, 24 July 2019: Italian PM to address claims League sought money from Russia, The Guardian, 7 August 2019: Matteo Salvini embarks on ‘beach tour’ amid election speculation, France24, 8 August 2019: Salvini pulls support for Italian coalition, calls for snap election, The Guardian, 9 August 2019: Italy moves closer to fresh elections that could bolster far right, Politico.eu, 9 August 2019: Can anyone stop Matteo Salvini? (which means that the 65th cabinet since the end of World War II, 74 years ago, would be scrapped. Should it come to new elections, a possible and very unpleasant result could be, that the great-grandson of Benito “Duce” Mussolini, Gaio Giulio Cesare Mussolini, with his party Fratelli d’Italia, against which even the extreme right Lega Nord seems almost moderate, strives for power, while the project “Fascist Italy 2.0” is already carefully prepared), Saudi Gazette, 9 August 2019: Italy’s League seeks to trigger elections, files censure motion, Politico.eu, 9 August 2019: Matteo Salvini calls confidence vote in Italian PM, Arab News, 10 August 2019: Oh, Italy, what a time to have a government crisis, DW, 12 August 2019: Italy’s Salvini faces mounting opposition to snap election plans, The Guardian, 17 August 2019: Back me to stop Salvini: Renzi casts himself as Italy’s saviour, France24, 20 August 2019: Italian PM Conte quits, condemns ‘reckless’ far-right Salvini for triggering crisis, BBC, 20 August 2019: Italy government crisis: PM Conte quits amid coalition row, Politico.eu, 21 August 2019: A no-Salvini alliance is Italy’s best hope, France24, 22 August 2019: Italy’s Five Star head says ready to negotiate for parliamentary majority, France24, 29 August 2019: Italy’s deal on a new government sidelines right-wing Matteo Salvini, Politico.eu, 3 September 2019: Salvini era is over as Italy moves toward pro-EU government, BBC, 3 September 2019: Italian vote backs Five Star-PD government under Conte, France24, 4 September 2019: Italy’s Conte forms new government with Di Maio as foreign minister, Politico.eu, 4 September 2019: Italy’s Conte presents Cabinet list, with MEP Gualtieri as finance minister, France24, 5 September 2019: Italy’s Conte forms coalition of bitter rivals, booting far-right from power, Politico.eu, 5 September 2019: Italy’s ‘demolition man’ re-enters the fray, The Guardian, 26 September 2019: The far right in Italy is blocked but not banished). In the light of the previous statements of the coalition partners, some of whom are completely opposite and would devour enormous sums if they were to be implemented, it is initially questionable whether the government will even survive the entire legislative period. For Italy as a whole, especially for the Italian economy, but also for the Eurozone, it would be better if it weren’t so and instead a technocrats government would be implemented, which restructures the budget, introduces long overdue structural reforms and clean up the cronyism in the administration (Economy of Italy, Politico.eu, 13 August 2019: Crisis and chaos (even by Italian standards), France24, 14 August 2019: Italy senate delays no-confidence vote amid political crisis, NPR, 14 August 2019: Long A Bastion Of The Left, Tuscany Is Turning Hard Right, The Guardian, 22 November 2019: Secret bunkers and mountain hideouts: hunting Italy’s mafia bosses, Politico.eu, 26 November 2019: Sardines put the squeeze on Salvini, Politico.eu, 5 December 2019: ‘Italexit’ returns as League official renews euro exit campaign, France24, 14 December 2019: Italy’s ‘Sardines’ anti-fascist movement rose in december with rallies against the far right, BBC, 14 December 2019: Matteo Salvini: ‘Sardines’ pack in for Rome protest, France24, 14 December 2019: Italy’s ‘Sardines’ to bring protest movement against far right to Rome, The Guardian, 14 December 2019: ‘Sardines’ against Salvini: Italy’s fight against the far right, Politico.eu, 17 December 2019: Italy sees red over food labels, Politico.eu, 30 December 2019: Matteo Salvini plans return as PM, wants alliance with Trump, Politico.eu, 22 January 2020: The end of Italy’s 5Star Movement, Politico.eu, 27 January 2020: 4 takeaways from Italy’s regional elections, France24, 12 February 2020: Italian Senate votes to lift Salvini’s immunity, paving way for trial over migrant detentions, CNN, 12 February 2020: Salvini loses immunity, and could face trial over alleged treatment of migrants, DW, 12 February 2020: Italy’s Senate lifts Salvini’s immunity, paves way for trial, Arab News, 8 March 2020: Travel chaos erupts as Italy quarantines north to halt virus, CNN, 8 March 2020: Italy prohibits travel and cancels all public events in its northern region to contain coronavirus, Politico.eu, 8 March 2020: Rome locks down northern Italy amid surge in coronavirus cases, Arab News, 8 March 2020: Czech Prime Minister says Italy should ban all citizens from travelling to Europe, CNN, 9 March 2020: All of Italy is in lockdown as coronavirus cases rise, BBC, 10 March 2020: Coronavirus: Italy extends emergency measures nationwide, The Guardian, 17 March 2020: ‘Nothing less than a catastrophe’: Venice left high and dry by coronavirus, CNN, 28 March 2020: Italy’s coronavirus death toll passes 10,000. Many are asking why the fatality rate is so high, Politico.eu, 13 April 2020: Italy’s coronavirus farmworker shortage fuels debate on illegal migration, The Guardian, 27 April 2020: Inside the Bergamo hospital where Russia has planted a flag, The New York Times, 28 April 2020: Genoa’s New Bridge Nears Completion, Turning Tragedy Into Hope, Der Spiegel, 28 April 2020: Fixing the Economic Damage: Italy Enters Chapter Two of the Corona Crisis, Gulf Times, 28 April 2020: Inauguration of final section of rebuilt Morandi bridge after collapsing in 2018, Genoa, Italy, Politico.com, 4 May 2020: In Italy, Conte’s coronavirus honeymoon comes to a close, Politico.eu, 7 May 2020: Italy’s Mafia prisoner releases spark political fight, The Washington Post, 8 May 2020: Italy has long been Europe’s wild card. Coronavirus upped the risk., France24, 14 May 2020: Italy approves long-awaited €55 billion bailout package after two-month lockdown, CNN, 16 May 2020: Deserted Venice contemplates a future without tourist hordes after Covid-19, The Guardian, 17 May 2020: How will we ever make people feel at home again, ask Italy’s fearful trattorias, France24, 17 May 2020: Young Cuban doctor helps with Italy’s battle against Covid-19, Politico, 20 May 2020: Italian PM: Franco-German recovery deal is not enough, CNN, 21 May 2020: Covid-19 ‘tsunami’ overwhelmed a whole generation in northern Italy. Now their families want answers, France24, 16 June 2020: Italy’s Conte says EU virus recovery funds will be spent wisely, Politico.eu, 22 July 2020: No triumph for Conte in Rome, The Washington Post, 25 July 2020: With American tourists banned from Italy, Amalfi Coast workers are sliding into poverty, Politico.eu, 30 July 2020: The political battle to take down Italy’s motorway dynasty, Politico.eu, 1 August 2020: Italian far right uses migrants to push coronavirus fears, France24, 7 August 2020: Forced evacuations as glacier the size of a football pitch threatens Italian valley, NPR, 12 September 2020: In Tuscany, Renaissance-Era Wine Windows Are Made For Social Distancing, DW, 3 October 2020: Floods sweep southeast France and northern Italy, several missing, BBC, 3 October 2020: Storm Alex: Heavy rains cause severe flooding in France, Italy, CNN, 3 October 2020: At least one dead, 19 missing in floods in France and Italy, The Guardian, 3 October 2020: Extreme weather Two dead and 24 missing after floods in France and Italy, Politico.eu, 27 October 2020: Mafia stokes violent anti-lockdown protests in Italy, DW, 20 November 2020: Stories of heartbreak in Italy as hospitals struggle to cope, Al Jazeera, 11 December 2020: Activists, experts hope for justice as Salvini trial resumes, DW, 12 December 2020: Criminal clans seek to tap into EU funds, Politico.eu, 15 December 2020: Dishonorable: Italians return top French award over Macron’s Egypt ties, The Times, 13 January 2021: Mafia trial of the century opens in courtroom with seats for 1,000, The Guardian, 13 January 2021: Largest mafia trial in three decades to begin against ‘Ndrangheta, France24, 13 January 2021: Italy targets ‘Ndrangheta crime group in biggest mafia trial in decades, DW, 13 January 2021: Former boss of Italy’s Mafia-style ‘ndrangheta to testify, France24, 13 January 2021: Italy’s government plunged into crisis as former PM Renzi pulls support, The Guardian, 13 January 2021: Country facing political crisis after ex-PM withdraws party from coalition, The Guardian, 14 January 2021: ‘Now is not the time’: Italians angry and perplexed as government teeters, Saudi Gazette, 14 January 2021: Italy’s government faces crisis after junior coalition partner quits, The Guardian, 18 January 2021: PM battles for coalition’s survival over Covid recovery plan, Politico.eu, 18 January 2021: Italy’s Conte calls for support ahead of crucial vote on government’s future, DW, 19 January 2021: Italian PM Giuseppe Conte faces next confidence vote in Senate, France24, 19 January 2021: Italian PM wins confidence vote, but faces tougher challenge in upper house, Politico.eu, 19 January 2021: Italy’s Conte wins confidence vote by narrow margin, DW, 26 January 2021: Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte resigns, France24, 26 January 2021: Italy PM quits in bid to form new govt amid pandemic and political turmoil, Politico.eu, 26 January 2021: Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte resigns, Al Jazeera, 29 January 2021: Italy permanently halts arms sales to Saudi Arabia, UAE, France24, 2 February 2021: Italy’s president calls on Draghi to form new government, solve political crisis, The Guardian, 3 February 2021: Mario Draghi accepts mandate to form new government, NPR, 3 February 2021: Mario Draghi, Credited With Saving The Euro, Tapped To Form A New Government In Italy, France24, 3 February 2021: Former ECB chief Mario Draghi to form new Italian government, The Guardian, 3 February 2021: Enter the Draghi: Can ‘Super Mario’ save Italy as he did the euro?, DW, 6 February 2021: PM-designate Draghi secures support of two rival parties, Al Jazeera, 12 February 2021: Mario Draghi forms new government, unveils cabinet, France24, 12 February 2021: Mario Draghi formally accepts Italian premiership, unveils new cabinet, BBC, 12 February 2021: Italy’s Mario Draghi to be sworn in as prime minister, Politico.eu, 12 February 2021: Mario Draghi forms Italian government, France24, 12 February 2021: Italy’s Mario Draghi sworn in as prime minister, taking the reins of a country in crisis, DW, 13 February 2021: Ex-EU bank chief Mario Draghi sworn in as PM, The Guardian, 5 February 2021: Carnival time in empty Venice: ‘Nobody’s thinking about celebrating’, DW, 22 February 2021: Italian ambassador to Congo dies in attack on UN convoy, France24, 22 February 2021: Italian ambassador among three killed in attack on UN convoy in DR Congo, France24, 8 March 2021: Italy’s coronavirus death toll passes 100,000, with cases rising, BBC, 13 March 2021: Covid-19 pandemic: Italy to shut shops and schools amid infection spike, CNN, 13 March 2021: Italy prepares for an Easter lockdown as Covid-19 cases grow exponentially, DW, 18 March 2021: COVID: Italy honors dead with living monument in Bergamo, US News, 18 March 2021: Italy Honors COVID Dead With Living Monument on Anniversary, CNN, 1 April 2021: Venice finally bans cruise ships from its lagoon, The Guardian, 27 April 2021: Mafia: UK to come under scrutiny in Italy’s largest mafia trial in decades, Politico.eu, 1 May 2021: Italian police arrest two anti-vaxxers for fire bombing of vaccination hub, The National, 2 June 2021: Mafia boss behind 150 killings Giovanni Brusca released from jai, The Guardian, 5 June 2021: Venice: Angry protests at shock return of cruise ships, France24, 5 June 2021: Cruise ships’ return to Venice reignites tensions, BBC, 6 June 2021: Venice residents in environmental protest against first post-Covid cruise ship, France24, 7 June 2021: ‘Hit-and-run tourism’: Anger as large cruise ships return to Venice, The Times, 16 June 2021: Italy is warned against pulling out of China’s new silk road, Politico.eu, 29 June 2021: Italy’s Di Maio says ties to US more important than those to China , Irish Times, 11 July 2021: Football almost comes home, before booking a ticket to Rome, DW, 11 July 2021: Euro 2020: ‘Football comes to Rome’ as Italy break English hearts at Wembley, France24, 13 July 2021: Italy to ban large cruise ships in centre of Venice to protect lagoon, DW, 13 July 2021: Italy bans large cruise ships from Venice, DW, 4 August 2021: Why Italy is struggling to contain wildfires, The Guardian, 10 August 2021: Italy: Success of far-right Brothers of Italy raises fears of fascist revival, DW, 12 August 2021: Italy fights hundreds of blazes as anticyclone sends temperatures soaring, Arab News, 25 August 2021: Dubai Police arrest Italian drug baron Raffaele Imperiale, Gulf News, 25 August 2021: Dubai Police arrest Italian organised crime syndicate kingpin Raffaele and his right-hand man Mauriello, Arab News, 27 August 2021: Italy’s last flight leaves Kabul, ending evacuation mission, The Times, 5 October 2021: Italy turns its back on anti-establishment politics, DW, 6 October 2021: Granddaughter of Mussolini wins seat in Rome municipal vote (*hahaha* a far-right politician who clearly isn’t profiting from her surname! :-D ), The Guardian, 6 October 2021: Italy: Rachele Mussolini wins most votes in Rome city council election, The Times, 21 October 2021: Sacked Alitalia flight crew bare their feelings with strip in Rome square, CNN, 27 October 2021: Storm dumps one year’s worth of rain in two days in southern Italy, The Times, 27 October 2021: Deadly Sicilian cyclone drops a year’s rain in 48 hours, Politico.eu, 29 October 2021: Mario Draghi’s new mission: Saving the multilateral order, Politico.eu, 24 November 2021: Italy and France heal their rift with a treaty, The Guardian, 27 November 2021: ‘Extraordinary’: The Sicilian town where the Covid vaccination rate hit 104%, CNN, 3 December 2021: Man in Italy uses fake silicone arm to try to get vaccine certificate, DW, 6 December 2021: Unvaccinated face new restrictions in Italy, France24, 6 December 2021: Covid-19: Italy tightens restrictions on unvaccinated ahead of year-end holidays, The Times, 17 December 2021: Aged 85, Berlusconi wants to be president of Italy, Politico.eu, 20 December 2021: Germany and Italy want unity — if money doesn’t get in the way, The National, 1 January 2022: Hundreds of migrants arrive in Italy, The Times, 11 January 2022: Berlusconi’s cunning plan to foil rival’s presidential bid, The Guardian, 11 January 2022: Italy: Silvio Berlusconi steps up presidential campaign with threat to coalition, The Times, 19 January 2022: Berlusconi ‘ready to quit race for president’, Arab News, 22 January 2022: Berlusconi pulls out of Italian presidential race, France24, 22 January 2022: Italy’s Silvio Berlusconi pulls out of Italian presidential race, DW, 22 January 2022: Italy: Berlusconi drops presidential bid, Politico.eu, 26 January 2022: Putin’s meeting with Italian business leaders turns into political battlefield, CNN, 29 January 2022: Italy’s ruling parties agree Mattarella should remain president, France24, 29 January 2022: Italy’s President Mattarella re-elected for second term after vote in parliament, BBC, 29 January 2022: Sergio Mattarella: At 80, Italy president re-elected on amid successor row, DW, 29 January 2022: Italy’s President Sergio Mattarella reelected, Politico.eu, 4 February 2022: Italy chose a president for stability. It may not last long., Politico.eu, 8 February 2022: Italy’s 5Star Movement in disarray after judge suspends leader, The Guardian, 25 February 2022: Italy: Covid recovery funding pits dying towns against each other, The Times, 3 March 2022: Bleak future for Italian farmers as climate change dries up Po River, Politico.eu, 25 March 2022: Russian envoy sues Italian newspaper over Putin murder article, The Times, 2 April 2022: Work-at-home Britons lured to Italy with ‘digital nomad’ visas, Arab News, 11 April 2022: Italy to increase Algerian natural gas imports by nearly 50%, Politico.eu, 17 April 2022: Diversification from Russian gas ‘possible and feasible,’ says Draghi, Politico.eu, 28 April 2022: Operation Thermostat! Italy turns down air conditioning in bid to reduce dependence on Russian gas, Politico.eu, 29 April 2022: Italy faces uphill bid for EU bailout fund’s top job, DW, 30 April 2022: Germany takes Italy to court over Nazi reparations, BBC, 1 May 2022: Germany takes Italy to UN court over Nazi-era compensation claims, Politico.eu, 3 May 2022: Draghi: EU needs ‘pragmatic federalism,’ more integration, The New York Times, 6 May 2022: Italy seizes a superyacht tied to Putin., Financial Times, 12 May 2022: Italy’s PM Draghi floats creation of oil consumer ‘cartel’ after Biden talks, Politico.eu, 17 May 2022: Milan hits back at Poland and Hungary’s curbs on LGBTQ+ rights, Politico.eu, 19 May 2022: Italian police raid climate activists over Gazprom protest, Politico.eu, 20 May 2022: Infowars: Putin’s propaganda permeates Italian media).
- Malta: Malta is classified as an advanced economy together with 32 other countries according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Until 1800 Malta depended on cotton, tobacco and its shipyards for exports. Once under British control, they came to depend on Malta Dockyard for support of the Royal Navy, especially during the Crimean War of 1854. The military base benefited craftsmen and all those who served the military. In 1869, the opening of the Suez Canal gave Malta’s economy a great boost, as there was a massive increase in the shipping which entered the port. Ships stopping at Malta’s docks for refuelling helped the Entrepôt trade, which brought additional benefits to the island. However, towards the end of the 19th century the economy began declining, and by the 1940s Malta’s economy was in serious crisis. One factor was the longer range of newer merchant ships that required less frequent refuelling stops. Currently, Malta’s major resources are limestone, a favourable geographic location and a productive labour force. Malta produces only about 20 per cent of its food needs, has limited freshwater supplies because of the drought in the summer and has no domestic energy sources, aside from the potential for solar energy from its plentiful sunlight. The economy is dependent on foreign trade (serving as a freight trans-shipment point), manufacturing (especially electronics and textiles) and tourism. The government is investing heavily in education, including college. In preparation for Malta’s membership in the European Union, which it joined on 1 May 2004, it privatised some state-controlled firms and liberalised markets. For example, the government announced on 8 January 2007 that it was selling its 40 per cent stake in MaltaPost, to complete a privatisation process which has been ongoing for the past five years. In 2010, Malta managed to privatise telecommunications, postal services, shipyards and shipbuilding. Malta does not have a property tax. Its property market, especially around the harbour area, has been in constant boom, with the prices of apartments in some towns like St Julian’s, Sliema and Gzira skyrocketing. The country ranks 15th among the largest EU net beneficiary countries (The New York Times, 28 November 2019: Maltese Businessman Accuses Top Government Officials in Murder of Journalist, BBC, 29 November 2019: Daphne Caruana Galizia: The key figures in Malta’s crisis over her murder, The Guardian, 29 November 2019: Malta’s PM expected to quit in crisis over journalist’s murder, BBC, 30 November 2019: Daphne Caruana Galizia: Malta suspect will not get immunity, France24, 30 November 2019: Malta prosecutors charge businessman in 2017 murder of journalist, BBC, 30 November 2019: Daphne Caruana Galizia: Malta businessman charged with complicity in murder, The Guardian, 30 November 2019: Maltese businessman charged over murder of investigative journalist, ABC News, 3 December 2019: EU Mission in Malta Expresses Credibility Doubts, The Guardian, 3 December 2019: Malta’s corruption is not just in the heart of government, it’s the entire body, France24, 4 December 2019: EU politicians voice ‘serious concern’ about Malta PM over murdered journalist probe, The Guardian, 5 December 2019: Integrity of murder inquiry at risk while Maltese PM in charge, say MEPs, Politico.eu, 18 December 2019: European Parliament requests rule-of-law talks with Malta, The Guardian, 18 December 2019: EU parliament calls on Malta PM to resign now over Caruana Galizia, The Guardian, 12 January 2020: Malta gets new PM after Muscat departs over Daphne Caruana Galizia murder, The National, 12 January 2020: Political newcomer to become Malta’s prime minister, The Guardian, 15 October 2020: Justice on trial: Three years after the murder of Daphne Caruana Galizia, Politico.eu, 20 October 2020: EU launches legal action against Malta, Cyprus over ‘golden passports’, The Guardian, 20 October 2020: ‘Golden passports’: EU launches legal action against Cyprus and Malta, DW, 4 December 2020: Caruana Galizia ‘politically irrelevant’ when she was killed, says Maltese ex-PM, DW, 23 February 2021: Journalist killer jailed for 15 years, France24, 23 February 2021: Suspect sentenced to 15 years for murder of Maltese anti-corruption journalist, BBC, 23 February 2021: Daphne Caruana Galizia murder: Suspect pleads guilty, The Guardian, 11 March 2021: Daphne Caruana Galizia: Killer lays out murder plot in court, The Guardian, 20 March 2021: Daphne Caruana Galizia: Ex-aide to former Malta PM charged with corruption, The Guardian, 23 March 2021: Accused brothers seek pardon in Daphne Caruana Galizia case, The Guardian, 29 July 2021: Daphne Caruana: Galizia Malta government bears responsibility for journalist’s murder, inquiry finds, DW, 29 July 2021: Malta failed to protect murdered journalist, says inquiry, France24, 29 July 2021: Maltese state bears responsibility for journalist’s murder, inquiry finds, The Times, 29 July 2021: Maltese state blamed for murder of journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia, The National, 29 July 2021: Maltese state responsible for journalist’s assassination, The Guardian, 18 August 2021: Daphne Caruana Galizia murder: Life term sought for alleged mastermind, DW, 18 August 2021: Businessman could face life in prison for journalist’s murder, Politico.eu, 18 January 2022: Roberta Metsola elected European Parliament president, CNN, 18 January 2022: New EU President immediately questioned on her views on abortion, The Guardian, 18 January 2022: European Union: EU parliament elects anti-abortion Maltese MEP as president, France24, 18 January 2022: Malta’s Roberta Metsola elected EU Parliament’s third woman president, The National, 18 January 2022: Maltese woman becomes youngest EU Parliament president, DW, 18 January 2022: Roberta Metsola wants to ‘truly reform the European Parliament’, DW, 27 March 2022: Malta’s Labour party claims election victory, DW, 6 April 2022: EU threatens legal action over Malta’s ‘golden passport’ scheme).
- Portugal and Spain: Both countries are recovering more and more from their crises. The economy is growing and unemployment rates are falling. However, as a result of the developments in Italy, both countries had to grant higher interest premiums for government bonds (Economy of Spain (France24, 31.03.2019: With Spain vote looming, 50,000 march over ’emptying’ countryside, The Guardian, 10 November 2019: Spanish election: deadlock remains as centre left tops poll and far right surges – live updates, The Guardian, 16 March 2020: Spain’s king renounces inheritance and cuts father’s income over ‘offshore fund’, BBC, 9 April 2020: Coronavirus: Spain PM sees ‘fire coming under control’, Politico.eu, 30 April 2020: Spain’s economy suffers record 5.2 percent lockdown slump, Politico.eu, 1 May 2020: Spain predicts unemployment will hit 19 percent, The Guardian, 11 May 2020: Barcelona without the tourists: ‘We’ve reclaimed our city but inherited a ghost town’, France24, 29 May 2020: Spain’s government pushes through basic income guarantee to fight poverty, France24, 15 June 2020: German tourists fly in to Mallorca in post-COVID test, Politico.eu, 3 July 2020: European Parliament leaders in Spanish spat, DW, 5 July 2020: Coronavirus: Spain’s young lose out again, CNN, 11 July 2020: ‘Please help us, we are abandoned here.’ Thousands of Moroccan seasonal workers stranded in Spain, BBC, 25 July 2020: Spain drives fears of European ‘second wave’, BBC, 26 July 2020: Spain says outbreaks under control after UK orders quarantine, France24, 14 August 2020: Germany puts most of Spain on Covid-19 quarantine list, BBC, 18 September 2020: Covid-19: Parts of Madrid to lockdown amid virus spike, The Guardian, 18 September 2020: Lockdown measures and rising anger in Madrid as Covid takes hold again, DW, 28 September 2020: Spain’s top court suspends Catalan leader from office, BBC, 25 October 2020: Covid: Spain imposes national night-time curfew to curb infections, Politico.eu, 1 November 2020: Spain rocked by second night of clashes over coronavirus measures) and Economy of Portugal (Forbes, 28 February 2018: Lisbon 2018: Why Startups Are Booming In The Portuguese Capital (Startup Lisboa, Startup Portugal), Tech.eu, 5 November 2018: An insider’s view of Lisbon’s rapidly growing tech scene, Sifted.eu, 1 February 2019: Insider view: Lisbon’s scaleup challenge, Reuters, 15 February 2019: Portugal’s economy – an express train at risk of derailing, DW, 12 March 2019: Portugal: A China-friendly EU nation driven by need, Seedtable, 26 December 2019: 89 Lisbon Startups to Watch in 2020, Politico.eu, 18 March 2020: Portugal declares state of emergency over coronavirus, Politico.eu, 13 June 2020: Portugal can’t shake the virus, even at the beach, Jerusalem Post, 2 July 2020: EJC calls on Portugal not to damage Jewish descendants citizenship law, The National, 30 October 2020: Holidaymakers returning from Spain spread new strain of coronavirus across Europe, BBC, 6 November 2020: The Templars’ hidden ‘palace of power’, The New York Times, 18 February 2021: ‘You Are Not Alone’: Spanish Rapper’s Arrest Sparks Free Speech Protests, BBC, 19 February 2021: Pablo Hasél protests: Violence in Spanish cities over rapper’s jailing, NPR, 19 February 2021: Protests Continue In Spain Against Jailing Of Rapper Over Tweets, Politico.eu, 4 March 2021: Portugal’s ‘ghost’ EU presidency racks up in-person expenses, DW, 9 March 2021: European Parliament strips Carles Puigdemont of immunity (it was about time. After all, the EU claims to stand for law and justice. Against this background it is of course not possible to help Spanish criminals evade prosecution), The Guardian, 9 March 2021: Spain EU parliament strips Carles Puigdemont and two other Catalans of immunity, France24, 28 March 2021: 5,000 people attend Barcelona rock concert after taking Covid-19 rapid tests, Palestine Chronicle, 10 April 2021: Mossad Reportedly Interrogates Palestinian Journalist in Spain (when something like that can happen within the EU, organized by an EU-hostile foreign government from the Middle East, the EU has lost the war on terror), The Guardian, 7 June 2021: Catalonia: Jailed separatist leader signals support for pardon from Madrid, The Guardian, 20 June 2021: Spain Public and government at odds over pardons for Catalan leaders, France24, 21 June 2021: Spain’s Sanchez announces pardons for jailed Catalan separatist leaders, BBC, 21 June 2021: Spain confirms plans to pardon Catalan separatists, DW, 22 June 2021: Spain pardons 9 Catalan separatist leaders, The Guardian, 22 June 2021: Catalonia Spanish government pardons nine jailed leaders, France24, 22 June 2021: Spain approves pardons for jailed Catalan separatist leaders, Politico.eu, 22 June 2021: Spain pardons nine Catalan independence leaders as PM Sánchez seeks to calm tensions, The Guardian, 23 June 2021: Catalonia Freed leader calls on Spain to ‘think about future generations’, The Algemeiner, 29 July 2021: Portuguese Town to Sponsor Country-Wide Initiative Marking Routes Taken by Jews Fleeing 15th Century Persecution, The Guardian, 18 August 2021: Spain: Bullfighting festival axed after bulls named ‘Feminist’ and ‘Nigerian’ slain, The Guardian, 20 August 2021: Spain: Offer to act as as hub for Afghans who collaborated with EU, BBC, 25 August 2021: Mar Menor: Tonnes of dead fish wash up on Spanish lagoon’s shores, The Guardian, 26 August 2021: Spain: Government bans fertilisers near saltwater lagoon after dead fish wash up, DW, 28 August 2021: Spain: Thousands form human chain around crisis-hit lagoon, DW, 20 October 2021: How Spain seeks to prop up its young and desperate generation, Al Arabiya, 31 October 2021: Algeria to halt gas exports to Spain via Morocco, Politico.eu, 4 November 2021: Portugal heads for snap election in January, DW, 5 November 2021: Portugal sets date for snap election after budget failure, Forward, 5 November 2021: 500 years after the Inquisition, Spain finally has a vibrant kosher wine industry, Politico.eu, 23 December 2021: Yolanda Díaz and Spain’s new ‘new left’, DW, 25 December 2021: Spain declares end to La Palma volcano eruption, BBC, 25 December 2021: Spain’s La Palma volcano eruption declared over after three months, The Times, 3 January 2022: Spain’s exiled king grows restless in his gilded cage, Forward, 3 January 2022: Spain and Portugal have naturalized more than 90,000 descendants of Sephardic Jews since 2015, Times of Israel, 4 January 2022: Over 90,000 descendants of Sephardic Jews naturalized by Spain, Portugal, The Times, 28 January 2022: Portugal’s political stability put to the test in knife-edge election, Politico.eu, 28 January 2022: Portugal’s election goes down to the wire — now with added cats!, The Guardian, 30 January 2022: Portugal: Country votes in snap election with far right hoping to gain ground, DW, 30 January 2022: Portugal: Polls open in snap election, The Guardian, 30 January 2022: Portugal: Fruit pickers lured by the dream of a ‘raspberry passport’, Politico.eu, 31 January 2022: António Costa wins big in Portugal’s general election, The Guardian, 31 January 2022: Portugal: Socialists win surprise outright majority, France24, 31 January 2022: Portugal’s ruling Socialists win re-election with outright majority, The National, 19 March 2022: Algeria recalls Spain envoy in protest at Western Sahara policy change, DW, 20 March 2022: Morocco’s envoy to Spain returns after Madrid’s shift on Western Sahara, Politico.eu, 25 March 2022: Spain, Portugal get ‘special treatment’ from EU leaders to keep power prices down, France24, 27 March 2022: Thousands protest against abortion in Madrid, Politico.eu, 18 April 2022: Pegasus spyware targets top Catalan politicians and activists, The Guardian, 19 April 2022: Catalan president calls for investigation as spyware targets pro-independence leaders, Politico, 19 April 2022: Catalan spyware scandal prompts soul searching in Madrid, Brussels, The Times, 20 April 2022: Catalans freeze relations with Madrid over spyware claims, Politico.eu, 20 April 2022: Catalonia calls for EU ‘protection’ from Pegasus cyber snooping, France24, 2 May 2022: Spanish PM’s mobile phone infected by Pegasus malware, Politico.eu, 2 May 2022: Spanish PM Pedro Sánchez had phone hacked with Pegasus spyware, Times of Israel, 2 May 2022: Spain: Israeli spyware used to infect phones of PM, defense minister, Politico.eu, 2 May 2022: Hack of Spanish PM’s phone deepens Europe’s spyware crisis, The Times, 2 May 2022: Spanish PM, Pedro Sánchez, victim of Pegasus hacking, The Guardian, 2 April 2022: Spain Prime minister’s phone ‘targeted with Pegasus spyware’, DW, 2 May 2022: Spain says PM Sanchez’ phone hacked with Pegasus, The Guardian, 3 May 2022: Spain: Over 200 mobile numbers ‘possible targets of Pegasus spyware’, The Guardian, 5 May 2022: Spain: Catalans demand answers after Spanish spy chief confirms phone hacking, DW, 10 May 2022: Spain sacks spy chief amid Pegasus scandal, The Guardian, 10 May 2022: Spain: Spy chief sacked after Pegasus spyware revelations, Los Angeles Times, 12 May 2022: Welcome to Portugal, the new expat haven. Californians, please go home, The Guardian, 12 May 2022: Spain: Country to ease abortion limits for over-16s and allow menstrual leave, DW, 17 May 2022: Spain: Cabinet approves menstrual leave bill, BBC, 17 May 2022: Spain to allow girls over 16 to opt for abortions, Politico.eu, 21 May 2022: Portugal’s Costa in Kyiv for talks on aid, EU accession, BBC, 21 May 2022: Spain heatwave brings record May temperatures, Jerusalem Post, 22 May 2022: Israel bans European parliamentarian who worked with terror supporters, CNN, 22 May 2022: Spain experiences record-breaking heatwave for May, Politico.eu, 24 May 2022: EU court reinstates immunity of former Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont (only in the EU: a Spanish criminal under protection of the Court of Justice of the European Union), The Guardian, 26 May 2022: Spain: Parliament approves ‘only yes means yes’ consent bill, Al Arabiya, 28 May 2022: Spain adding missiles, troops to NATO Latvia mission: Report). Spain and Portugal are ranking 6th and 9th of the largest EU net beneficiary countries.
- United Kingdom: After Brexit, already incomprehensible in the matter itself, has since developed into a very bad play in several absurd acts, a separate blog entry has now been dedicated to the topic: The European Union: The Brexit.
- Turkey: Recently, the country is added as a wobbly candidate. The misguided financial and economic policies of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in recent years and the associated excessive indebtedness to foreign banks and investors are the cause for this (Economy of Turkey, BBC – Turkish lira crisis, The New York Times, 10 July 2018: Turkey’s Economy Is So Hot That It May Face a Meltdown, The Washington Post, 13 July 2018: Turkey’s economy looks like it’s headed for a big crash and The Guardian, 12 August 2018: Q&A: Why is the Turkish lira in freefall and should we worry?). While it is clear that Turkey needs foreign capital in the medium and long term as well, this can only be successfully achieved if the country itself is judged to be politically stable, constitutional, transparent and democratic. At present, the opposite can be assumed, which then led to corresponding turbulences which will continue. The lira is in freefall, and rating agencies have further devalued Turkey, making it increasingly difficult to repay loans by Turkish companies, which is why a lot of corporate insolvencies are to be expected. No good prospects for a speedy recovery of the economy. In addition to a tangible recession already in place, a collapse of the economy can not be ruled out without corresponding countermeasures, which would pose a risk of contagion to other emerging economies. It can be assumed that Turkey will soon have to stock up on other foreign loans in order to be able to refinance old loans. Since a small three-digit billion amount is to be assumed, one can create conditions for the allocation of funds to lead the Turkish autocracy back to democratic structures. It would therefore make sense for the EU, possibly in partnership with the US, to put together a financial package, instead of watching Turkey move closer to Russia, and China, with the result that Turkey’s withdrawal from NATO would become more likely, what the EU in particular can not be interested in (DW, 3 September2018: Turkish central bank to act on record inflation, Bloomberg, 3 September 2018: Turkish Central Bank Pledges Policy Action to Stem Inflation, Reuters, 10 September 2018: Turkish economic growth dips, lira crisis darkens outlook, The New York Times, 26 September 2018: Turkey’s Erdogan Changes His Tune, Seeking Support and Cooperation in Germany (on 5 March 2019, Turkish Interior Minister Süleyman Soylu recently announced that government-critical tourists will be arrested on entry into Turkey. The tourism associations in Spain, Italy, Portugal, France and Greece will certainly take happily notice of this announcement and increase their capacities further), Daily Sabah, 7 December 2018: EU cuts Turkey’s pre-accession funds by 146.7M euros, Reuters, 6 March 2019: Turkey cannot become an EU member, says EPP’s Weber (a rather silly idea that would also close the doors to potential EU candidates from the Levant and North Africa), The Guardian, 27 March 2019: Turmoil in Turkey’s financial markets after currency crackdown, Hürriyet Daily News, 28 March 2019: Hagia Sophia’s status to be changed to mosque: Erdoğan, The Guardian, 31 March 2019: Turkey votes in local elections seen as key test of Erdoğan’s rule, The Washington Post, 31 March 2019: Erdogan faces challenge in local elections as Turkey’s economy struggles, France24, 1 April 2019: Erdogan suffers election setback in Turkey’s big cities, The Guardian, 1 April 2019: Is Turkish poll shock the beginning of the end for Erdoğan?, The Guardian, 1 April 2019: Erdoğan’s party loses Ankara in Turkish local elections blow, France24, 24 April 2019: France marks first national commemoration of Armenian genocide, The New York Times, 6 May 2019: Turkey Orders New Election for Istanbul Mayor, in Setback for Opposition, Bloomberg, 6 May 2019: Lira Falls Past 6 Per Dollar as Istanbul Vote Hangs Over Market, The Guardian, 7 May 2019: Istanbul election being rerun to save grants, say Erdoğan opponents, France24, 7 May 2019: Erdogan defends controversial re-run of Istanbul vote, The New York Times, 18 May 2019: Risk to Turkey’s Economy Deepens With New Istanbul Election, Haaretz, 23 June 2019: Erdogan Just Suffered a Humiliating Defeat. And Thanks to Istanbul, Turkey’s Democracy Just Won a Famous Victory, CNN, 23 June 2019: Istanbul election rerun set to be won by opposition, in blow to Erdogan, BBC, 23 June 2019: Istanbul mayoral re-run: Erdogan’s ruling AKP lose again, France24, 23 June 2019: Erdogan’s party loses controversial mayoral re-run in Istanbul, BBC, 12 July 2019: Turkey defies US as Russian S-400 missile defence arrives, CNN, 12 July 2019: Russia starts delivery of S-400 missile system to Turkey, setting up standoff with US, The Gurdian, 12 July 2019: Russian missile delivery to Turkey strains ally’s relations with US, France24, 12 July 2019: Despite US warnings, Russian S-400 missile systems arrive in Turkey, Jerusalem Post, 12 July 2019: Over US objections, Chinese frims step up their involvement in Israel, CNN, 13 July 2019: Turkey bought Russian S-400 missiles designed to down NATO planes. For the US, that’s a problem, France24, 10 JUly 2019: Turkey slams EU claim that drilling off Cyprus is illegal, The Guardian, 11 July 2019: Turkey rejects claims it is drilling illegally for gas off Cyprus, DW, 14 July 2019: Turkey urges Greek Cypriots to accept oil drilling plan, Reuters, 14 July 2019: Turkey will drill for gas until Greek Cypriots accept plan: minister, Arab News, 14 July 2019: Turkey reacts to threat of US sanctions with military deployment near Syria, Arab News, 16 July 2019: Turkey: EU sanctions over gas drilling ‘worthless’, Reuters, 16 July 2019: Turkey says EU funding cuts will not affect its drilling off Cyprus, Haaretz, 16 July 2019: Trump Reluctant to Punish Turkey Over S-400 Deal With Russia: ‘It’s Not Really Fair’, Arab News, 16 JUly 2019: Erdogan may come to regret his Russian gambit, Haaretz, 16 July 2019: Turkey and Russian S-400s: Erdogan Just Made a Strategic Blunder of Epic Proportions, France24, 18 July 2019: US blocks Turkey from NATO’s fighter jet programme after Russian missile purchase, The National, 18 July 2019: Turkey cannot forge defence ties with Russia and remain part of Nato, Saudi Gazette, 18 July 2019: Turkey brands US move to bar Ankara from F-35 program ‘unfair’, Arab News, 18 July 2019: Ankara faces new wave of biting sanctions, now from Europe, Jerusalem Post, 19 July 2019: Gas pains in the Eastern Mediterranean, Cyprus Mail, 20 July 2019: On 45th anniversary of invasion, Erdogan says Turkey would not hesitate to do it again if TCs threatened, Arab News, 22 July 2019: Turkey will retaliate if US imposes sanctions over S-400s, South EU Summit, 22 July 2019: Offshore Energy is both a Boon and a Bane for Cyprus, Haaretz, 23 July 2019: Erdogan Faces Growing Threat From Within His Own Party, Arab News, 25 July 2019: Turkey hit by EIB lending freeze, Saudi Gazette, 26 July 2019: Erdogan says Russian S-400 operational by April 2020, Arab News, 28 July 2019: Turkish students given text books justifying 9/11 attacks, slamming ‘weak’ EU – mirroring Erdogan views, Jerusalem Post, 28 July 2019: Russia and Turkey are becoming allies, overshadowing Israel – analysis, Jerusalem Post, 28 July 2019: Turkey’s Erdogan. Whoever is on Israel’s side, we are against them, Jerusalem Post, 1 August 2019: Behind the lines: Turkey sets course against the West in the Mediterranean, Saudi Gazette, 30 August 2019: Saudi tourists to Turkey drop by 17 percent, Reuters, 4 September 2019: Erdogan says it’s unacceptable that Turkey can’t have nuclear weapons, Arab News, 5 September 2019: Turkey: Caught between a rock and a hard place, Israel Hayom, 27 October 2019: Turkey’s nuisance value, Jerusalem Post, 30 October 2019: U.S. House recognizes Armenian genocide, backs Turkey sanctions (Armenian Genocide), France24, 30 October 2019: “Washington has used the Armenian genocide as a bargaining chip with Turkey”, Politico.eu, 30 October 2019: Turkey summons US ambassador over Armenian genocide resolution, Politico.eu, 10 November 2019: Trump to confront Erdoğan on purchase of Russian air defense system, France24, 4 December 2019: Macron says ‘no consensus’ with Turkey over definition of terrorism, France24, 12 December 2019: US Senate passes resolution recognising Armenian genocide, infuriating Turkey, Al Jazeera, 12 December 2019: US Senate adopts resolution recognising ‘Armenian genocide’, The National, 12 December 2019: US Senate unanimously passes resolution recognising Armenian genocide, Al Jazeera, 13 December 2019: ‘Political show’: Turkey slams US Senate ‘Armenia genocide’ vote, Al Jazeera, 14 December 2019: Turkey says S-400 system ‘vital’, will retaliate any US sanctions, DW, 15 December 2019: Turkey’s Erdogan threatens to close strategic bases to US military, Reuters, 15 December 2019: Turkey could close Incirlik air base in face of U.S. threats: Erdogan, Arab News, 16 December 2019: Turkish women decry state inaction in the face of femicide, Arab News, 19 December 2019: Turkey — between NATO, Europe and Russia, The Guardian, 20 December 2019: Libyan government activates cooperation accord with Turkey, Al Jazeera, 21 December 2019: Turkish parliament ratifies security deal with Libya: State media, Al Jazeera, 22 December 2019: Erdogan: Turkey will increase military support to GNA if needed, BBC, 23 December 2019: Syria war: Turkey can’t handle new ‘refugee wave’, says Erdogan, Arab News, 23 December 2019: US sanctions bring fresh trouble for Turkey, Arab News, 25 December 2019: Erdogan and the regional leadership ambitions, Al Jazeera, 26 December 2019: Erdogan announces plan to send troops to Libya, BBC, 2 January 2020: Libya conflict: Turkish MPs approve bill to send troops, Politico.com, 2 January 2020: Trump warns Turkey’s Erdogan against military intervention in Libya, Arab News, 2 January 2020: Turkey parliament approves Libya military deployment, Arab News, 4 January 2020: Libya’s Haftar makes ‘call to arms’ over possible Turkey intervention, Arab News, 5 January 2020: Saudi Arabia condemns Turkey’s military interference in Libya, Arab News, 5 January 2020: Turkey’s political isolation continues to grow, Arab News, 8 January 2020: Muslim World League condemns Turkish intervention in Libya, Politico.eu, 8 January 2020: As EU stumbles, Putin and Erdogan take charge in Libya, Arab News, 10 January 2020: Turkey treads a fine line amid US-Iran tensions, France24, 11 January 2020: Forces loyal to Libyan strongman Haftar announce ceasefire, Gulf Times, 14 January 2020: Berlin summit to build on shaky Libyan ceasefire, France24, 16 January 2020: Turkey’s Erdogan says country sending troops to Libya, France24, 16 January 2020: Turkey’s Erdogan says country sending troops to Libya, Politico.eu, 17 January 2020: The Libyan conflict explained, Arab News, 17 January 2020: Chances of ‘Berlin breakthrough’ in doubt after Turkish threat, France24, 17 January 2020: Libya strongman Haftar in Greece for talks ahead of Berlin peace conference, DW, 18 January 2020: EU cuts pre-accession aid to Turkey by 75%, Taiwan News, 18 January 2020: EU cuts pre-accession aid to Turkey by 75%, France24, 18 January 2020: Europe will face terror threat if Tripoli govt falls: Erdogan, Politico.eu, 18 January 2020: Erdogan: Road to peace in Libya goes through Turkey, Arab News, 18 January 2020: UN Libya mission ‘deeply concerned’ over disruption in oil production, urges restraint, Gulf Times, 18 January 2020: Putin to attend Berlin’s Libya peace talks as Russia expects progress, France24, 18 January 2020: Can Europe, caught scrapping or napping, mend its credibility at Berlin talks on Libya?, The Guardian, 18 January 2020: Libya: blockade of oil ports threatens Berlin ceasefire plan, Politico.eu, 18 January 2020: Borrell suggests EU military mission to protect cease-fire in Libya, Al Arabiya, 19 January 2020: Leaders vow to form multilateral committee at Berlin summit on Libya, Arab News, 19 January 2020: Turkish, Syrian forces must leave Tripoli, Macron tells Libya peace summit, France24, 19 January 2020: World powers agree to strengthen arms embargo in Libya’s war, France24, 19 January 2020: World powers agree to strengthen arms embargo in Libya’s war, Arab News, 19 January 2020: Leaders in pledge to stay out of Libya war, The National, 19 January 2020: Libya Berlin summit ends in pledge to enforce weapons embargo, Al Arabiya, 20 January 2020: EU must consider ways to support ceasefire in Libya: Borrell, Jerusalem Post, 21 January 2020: Berlin confab on Libya ends with call to enforce arms embargo, France24, 29 January 2020: Turkey blames France for instability in Libya, Arab News, 31 January 2020: France-Turkey dispute escalates over Libya and Mediterranean, The National, 5 February 2020: UN Secretary General calls Libya situation a ‘scandal’, Arab News, 8 February 2020: US court dismisses Turkey’s attempt to shut down Erdogan bodyguard attack cases, Politico.eu, 10 February 2020: Europe needs boots on the ground in Libya, Politico.eu, 15 February 2020: In Libya, EU faces a civil war of its own, France24, 17 February 2020: EU foreign ministers agree on new mission to strengthen Libya arms embargo, BBC, 17 February 2020: Libya conflict: EU agrees new patrols to stop arms flow, Politico.com, 28 February 2020: Pentagon, State Department envoy clash over sending Patriot missiles to Turkey, France24, 1 March 2020: Greece blocks thousands of migrants trying to enter from Turkey, BBC, 1 March 2020: South Carolina primary: Joe Biden wins decisively, CNN, 1 March 2020: Greece stands firm on migrants, as Turkey opens floodgates to Europe, The Guardian, 1 March 2020: Thousands gather at Turkish border to cross into Greece, Arab News, 1 March 2020: Turkey needs international support for new Idlib plan, Haaretz, 1 March 2020: Turkey-Russia Clashes in Syria Spell Trouble for Erdogan’s Political Future, France24. 4 March 2020: Wave of violence breaks out against Syrians in Turkey, NPR, 13 March 2020: ‘I Thought It Would Be Safe’: Uighurs In Turkey Now Fear China’s Long Arm, The National, 17 March 2020: Why Europe should practise social distancing with Turkey, Al Arabiya, 2 April 2020: Turkey’s leak of Istanbul killing shows unlikely marriage with Iran under strain, Gulf Times, 11 April 2020: Turkey said to seek FX swaps with G20 members including US, Al Arabiya, 7 May 2020: Turkey bans 3 banks from transactions as lira hits record low against the dollar, The Guardian, 10 May 2020: Coronavirus economic shocks could prove catalyst for Erdoğan’s political decline, The National, 21 May 2020: UK, Germany and France press Ankara for Libya ceasefire, France24, 24 May 2020: Greece dismisses reports Turkey occupied border strip, Jerusalem Post, 2 June 2020: Turkey orders 118 people detained over suspected Gulen links, Times of Israel, 16 June 2020: In Israel, Greek PM brands Turkey a ‘threat to regional peace’, Politico.eu, 24 June 2020: Rough seas for NATO as Turkey clashes with allies, Arab News, 25 June 2020: EU’s Borrell says Turkish gas drills off Cyprus ‘must stop’, The National, 25 June 2020: France presses allies for Nato censure of Turkey over Mediterranean naval incident, France24, 1 July 2020: France suspends role in NATO naval mission over tensions with Turkey, France24, 2 July 2020: Turkey demands apology from France over naval incident claim, Politico.eu, 2 July 2020: Turkey demands French apology over description of naval incident, France24, 3 July 2020: Turkey challenges allies and enemies alike in quest for ‘larger role on world stage’, The National, 6 July 2020: Turkey warns EU it will respond if bloc takes new measures against it, Arab News, 9 July 2020: Turkey-Russia cease-fire negotiations for Libya: Any hope for durability?, Arab News, 10 July 2020: Battle looms for Sirte as Erdogan accused of targeting ‘oil crescent’, Politico.eu, 10 July 2020: Turkey reconverts Hagia Sophia from museum to mosque, France24, 10 July 2020: Erdogan reopens Hagia Sophia for Muslim worship, angering Christian leaders, DW, 10 July 2020: Hagia Sophia: Turkish court ruling paves way to turn museum back into mosque, BBC, 10 July 2020: Iconic Istanbul museum ‘could return to mosque’, France24, 10 July 2020: The many lives of Hagia Sophia, Istanbul’s ‘wonder of wonders’, Al Arabiya, 10 July 2020: Turkey’s Erdogan may be seriously pursuing his nuclear ambitions: Expert, BBC, 11 July 2020: Hagia Sophia: World Council of Churches appeals to Turkey on mosque decision, The Guardian, 11 July 2020: Country’s ‘last Armenian village’ displays heritage that survived genocide, Jerusalem Post, 11 July 2020: Turkey vows to ‘liberate Al-Aqsa’ after turning Hagia Sophia to mosque, Haaretz, 12 July 2020: Erdogan Turns Hagia Sophia Into a Mosque: Islamists Rejoice, Trump Is Silent and Turkey’s Opposition Won’t Be Distracted, The Guardian, 12 July 2020: Hagia Sophia is too complex for Erdogan’s cleansing, Politico.eu, 13 July 2020: EU calls on Turkey to end ‘unilateral actions’ in Eastern Mediterranean, The National, 13 July 2020: EU tasked with drawing up new sanctions on Turkey over regional aggression, Al Arabiya, 13 July 2020: Turkey will inform UNESCO about Hagia Sophia changes, says Cavusoglu, Saudi Gazette, 13 July 2020: Hagia Sophia and Erdogan’s stupidity!, The New York Times, 14 July 2020: Turkey’s Islamist Dream Finally Becomes a Reality, Jerusalem Post, 15 July 2020: Turkey is increasingly becoming a threat to Israel, Al Arabiya, 16 July 2020: Hagia Sophia move shows nothing is off-limits for Erdogan’s populist Islamist project, DW, 17 July 2020: Erdogan trying to ‘even the score’ with Yücel verdict, Haaretz, 17 July 2020: Erdogan Has a New Mosque and the Turks Will Pay for It, France24, 19 July 2020: Turkey’s Erdogan visits Hagia Sofia after controversial reconversion to mosque, Arab News, 19 July 2020: Turkey’s Erdogan ignores international opposition to Hagia Sophia mosque conversion (how little support Erdogan himself has in the Arab world (with the exception of his Islamist mercenaries, Qatar, Iran) has recently become clear, along with numerous other publications, due to a contribution in the “Saudi Gazette”: Saudi Gazette, 13 July 2020: Hagia Sophia and Erdogan’s stupidity!), Arab News, 19 July 2020: Blow to Erdogan as US boots Turkey out of F-35 strike fighter program, Al Arabiya, 19 July 2020: Erdogan’s Hagia Sophia conversion shows ‘conqueror mentality’: Christian Archbishop, Times of Israel, 20 July 2020: Turkey’s Erdogan visits Hagia Sofia after reconversion to mosque, Al Arabiya, 20 July 2020: The ‘law of the sword’ of Turkey’s neo-sultan Erdogan, The New York Times, 20 July 2020: Would the Prophet Muhammad Convert Hagia Sophia?, Politico.eu, 23 July 2020: EU can’t have it both ways with Turkey, Arab News, 23 July 2020: Macron wants EU to punish Turkey, DW, 24 July 2020: Europe warns Turkey against natural gas mission near Greece, Saudi Gazette, 24 July 2020: Qatar, Turkey, Brotherhood leading smear campaigns against UAE: Gargash, France24, 25 July 2020: Greece, Turkey argue over controversial move to make Hagia Sophia a mosque, Arab News, 25 July 2020: Turkey ‘re-conquers’ Hagia Sophia amid international disapproval, Times of Israel, 26 July 2020: As Erdogan joins Hagia Sophia Muslim prayers, ‘2nd conquest of Istanbul’ hailed, DW, 28 July 2020: Germany: Court jails 10 Turkish communists (“The defense and supporters of the group members argue that the German justice system was conducting a trial on behalf of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.” – however, this has a flavour, especially since the Sultanate Turkey considers everyone a “terrorist” who does not share the views of the sultan and his courtiers and eunuchs), Jerusalem Post, 28 July 2020: Turkish social media bill presages ‘new dark era’ of censorship – critics, Al Arabiya, 29 July 2020: ‘It would strengthen Turkey’: Editor of Turkish magazine defends call for caliphate, Arab News, 2 August 2020: ‘New’ Turkey must resolve standoff with Greece, DW, 6 August 2020: Turkey criticizes Germany on enforcing Libya arms embargo, Politico.eu, 6 August 2020: Greece signs maritime border deal with Egypt amid spat with Turkey, The National, 6 August 2020: Egypt and Greece sign deal on maritime zones, Al Arabiya, 8 August 2020: Turkish lira collapses to new low: ‘Soon we will be like Syria or Libya’, Jerusalem Post, 10 August 2020: Radical Turkish publication calls for a neo-caliphate, Politico.eu, 10 August 2020: Tensions escalate as Turkish vessel arrives in waters claimed by Greece, Israel Hayom, 10 August 2020: EU: Turkey’s naval operations in eastern Med ‘extremely worrying’, Arab News, 10 August 2020: Turkey drives Muslim Brotherhood campaign against Egyptian and Greek maritime demarcation, DW, 11 August 2020: Why the Turkish lira is in free fall, DW, 12 August 2020: France to increase Mediterranean troop presence over Turkey gas explorations, The National, 12 August 2020: France to boost Mediterranean military presence as standoff with Turkey deepens, Al Arabiya, 12 August 2020: Macron hits out at Turkey, says France to increase military presence in Mediterranean, DW, 13 August 2020: Turkey’s Erdogan threatens Greece over energy dispute in Mediterranean, Arab News, 13 August 2020: Destabilization in eastern Med continues amid tension between France and Turkey, France24, 13 August 2020: France to bolster Mediterranean military presence over Turkish gas exploration in disputed waters, DW, 15 August 2020: Erdogan: Turkey ‘won’t back down’ in Mediterranean drilling row, Arab News, 15 August 2020: Ankara burns bridges with UAE but maintains ties with Israel: Why?, The National, 16 August 2020: Turkey defiant against threats of sanctions and fear of conflict over Mediterranean Sea mission, Arab News, 16 August 2020: Turkey vows to extend hunt for gas in east Mediterranean, The National, 17 August 2020: US calls to ‘reduce tension’ after Turkey announces extended mission in Mediterranean, Al Arabiya, 17 August 2020: US supports Cyprus, wants closer eastern Mediterranean gas cooperation, Arab News, 18 August 2020: Turkey’s Mediterranean disputes should be settled peacefully in court, Foreign Policy, 18 August 2020: How Did the Eastern Mediterranean Become the Eye of a Geopolitical Storm?, Al Arabiya, 20 August 2020: Europe must resist Erdogan in eastern Mediterranean, Politico.eu, 21 August 2020: Greece irked by Germany in standoff with Turkey (“Greek politicians used Germany as a scapegoat during the economic crisis and this tactic finds now resonance in foreign policy” – that pretty much sums it up. In the end, the question arises as to what is more important: to keep NATO member Turkey in the Western coalition or to drive it further in the direction of Russia, China and Iran, just to pacify an insignificant political sideshow (economicaly it’s even more insignificant. Italy, among other potential partners, has already withdrawn from the production and pipeline projects because of significant economic concerns) in favor of Greece. Since it is ultimately “only” about territorial claims, the easiest way would be to appeal to the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea and thus bring about a judgment. Both sides shy away from it, because the starting position is anything but clear, so that both sides could well lose), DW, 21 August 2020: Turkey discovers large natural gas reserve off Black Sea (an almost as obvious diversionary maneuver as in the alleged “coup” in 2016), Times of Israel, 22 August 2020: Erdogan claims Turkey’s ‘greatest’ gas discovery; analysts doubt significance, Haaretz, 24 August 2020: Erdogan’s Crumbling Superpower Dreams Make Turkey Even More Dangerous, Arab News, 24 August 2020: Experts skeptical about Turkey’s latest gas discovery, The National, 25 August 2020: Turkey’s Erdogan refuses to back down in Mediterranean, Der SPiegel, 25 August 2020: Border Conflict Escalates: Erdoğan Risks War with Greece, DW, 25 August 2020: Germany’s Maas calls on Greece and Turkey to avoid ‘catastrophe’, BBC, 25 August 2020: The Eastern Mediterranean tinderbox: Why Greek-Turkish rivalries have expanded, Times of Israel, 25 August 2020: US State Department slams Turkey for hosting Hamas heads, Jerusalem Post, 25 August 2020: US shifts Turkey strategy as it condemns Erdogan-Hamas meeting, Arab News, 26 August 2020: Why cash-strapped Turkey’s gas grab is a lot of hot air, France24, 26 August 2020: Erdogan warns Greece that Turkey will ‘never compromise’ on Mediterranean energy reserves, DW, 27 August 2020: Germany urges end to military exercises in the Mediterranean as Turkey announces drills, France, 27 August 2020: Greece nods to de-escalation as NATO powers split over Mediterranean dispute, The Guardian, 27 August 2020: Germany: Country urges halt to naval exercises to defuse Greece-Turkey tensions, Al Jazeera, 27 August 2020: Black Sea gas strengthens Turkey’s hand in geopolitics, Arab News, 27 August 2020: Turkey extends gas exploration in Mediterranean crisis, DW, 28 August 2020: EU threatens Turkey with sanctions over Mediterranean drilling, Reuters, 28 August 2020: EU set to sanction Turkey over ships in disputed east Med exploration area, Bloomberg, 30 August 2020: Turkey Raises Taxes to Discourage Car Imports Amid Virus Slump (after the Erdo gang plundered Turkey, that won’t help them either. The country is facing the economic abyss), Haaretz, 4 September 2020: Analysis: Turkey and Greece Ramp Up Their Cold War Over the Mediterranean’s Gas Reserves, Arab News, 5 September 2020: What is the US aiming for by lifting the Cyprus arms embargo?, The National, 5 September 2020: Turkey calls for diplomacy from Greece and warns of ‘painful experiences’, Arab News, 5 September 2020: NATO sets up talks in search for solution to Turkey-Greece conflict, The National, 5 September 2020: Beyond the Headlines: How Mediterranean gas exploration is pitting Turkey against Europe, Jerusalem Post, 5 September 2020: Russia, US, Turkey and EU have military tensions that border Middle East, France24, 6 September 2020: Turkey raises rhetoric in Greece standoff ahead of military drill, Haaretz, 6 September 2020: Turkey and Greece in Explosive Battle Over the Mediterranean’s Gas Reserves, DW, 10 September 2020: EU to consider sanctions on Turkey over Mediterranean gas drilling, Politico.eu, 10 September 2020: Macron criticizes Turkey but raises prospect of dialogue, France24, 10 September 2020: Mediterranean leaders ready for EU sanctions on ‘confrontational’ Turkey, Arab News, 11 September 2020: Pompeo to visit Cyprus, calls on Turkey to withdraw forces from Mediterranean, Arab News, 11 September 2020: Turkey says EU Mediterranean statement biased, open to talks with Greece, The National, 12 September 2020: Is Erdogan interested in a deal with Europe?, DW, 12 September 2020: Greece announces ‘robust’ arms purchase amid tension with Turkey, The National, 12 September 2020: Erdogan warns Macron not to ‘mess with Turkey’ over eastern Mediterranean, France24, 12 September 2020: Erdogan warns Macron ‘not to mess with Turkey’ amid Mediterranean tensions, The Guardian, 12 September 2020: Erdoğan warns Macron: ‘Don’t mess with Turkey’, DW, 13 September 2020: Turkish gas exploration ship leaves contested waters in Mediterranean, U.S. News, 13 September 2020: Turkey’s Oruc Reis Survey Vessel Back Near Southern Shore, Ship Tracker Shows, France24, 15 September 2020: Attacks on Kurdish seasonal workers in Turkey highlight continued racism, Politico.eu, 15 September 2020: Ship’s return home raises hopes of Greece-Turkey tensions cooling, Arab News, 17 September 2020: Erdogan ordered to back down in eastern Med, Arab News, 18 September 2020: Pressure piles up on Turkey ahead of EU leaders’ meeting, Al Arabiya, 18 September 2020: Gas standoff: France backs Cyprus calls for EU sanctions on Turkey as an option, Arab News, 20 September 2020: Turkey may resume talks with Greece, warns against EU sanctions, Arab News, 20 September 2020: Twitter poll: Turkey’s intimidation of Greece won’t stop poll respondents say, Al Arabiya, 21 September 2020: Taken & Tortured: Turkey increasingly abducts political opponents, says report, Jerusalem Post, 22 September 2020: Turkey bashes UN, EU and Armenia in latest statements, Arab News, 22 September 2020: Turkey, Greece agree to resume talks to resolve disputes, Politico.eu, 22 September 2020: France’s EU minister urges Cyprus to stop linking Belarus sanctions to action on Turkey, Politico.eu, 22 September 2020: EU must use hard power with ‘not so nice’ Russia and Turkey, says French minister, Arab News, 23 September 2020: How Erodgan-led Turkey went from NATO ally to liability, The National, 24 September 2020: US ambassador threatens Turkey over pharmaceutical debt, Arab News, 25 September 2020: Greek PM to Erdogan: ‘Let’s give diplomacy a chance’, Al Jazeera, 25 September 2020: ‘Give diplomacy a chance’: Greece PM invites Turkey for talks, The National, 25 September 2020: Turkish foreign minister threatens US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Arab News, 29 September 2020: US intensifying plans to move military assets from Incirlik to Greece, Arab News, 30 September 2020: Turkish lira slides to record low amid Armenian tensions, France24, 2 October 2020: ‘Turkey has a clear objective of reinstating the Turkish empire’, Armenian PM says, Al Arabiya, 3 October 2020: Saudis must boycott ‘everything Turkish,’ says commerce head after Erdogan remarks, DW, 5 October 2020: Greece and Turkey: A difficult friendship, Reuters, 5 October 2020: Saudi business leader urges boycott of goods from ‘hostile’ Turkey, Al Jazeera, 6 October 2020: Greece says onus on Turkey to ease tensions in East Mediterranean, France24, 6 October 2020: Turkey’s Erdogan slams Macron’s plan to defend France’s secular values, view of Islam ‘in crisis’ (so, Erdogan is uncomfortable with Macron’s plan to protect France against radical Islam and Islamic terrorists. Not that big of a surprise, as Muslim Brother Erdogan is a business partner of the IS), Arab News, 6 October 2020: Turkey’s rising role as a regional disrupter, BBC, 8 October 2020: Varosha: Turkey reopens deserted Cyprus resort but tourists will wait, Politico.eu, 10 October 2020: Ghost town reopening in Northern Cyprus sparks fears of Turkish election interference, Middle East Monitor, 10 October 2020: Saudi Prince calls for boycotting Turkey imports, Arab News, 11 October 2020: Turkey backs down after international outcry over inaccurate COVID-19 figures, Arab News, 11 October 2020: EU continues to slam Turkey over Mediterranean conflict, Al Arabiya, 12 October 2020: Turkey to send ship at center of Greece row to East Mediterranean again: Navy, France24, 12 October 2020: France warns Turkey against redeploying research ship at heart of row with Greece, DW, 13 October 2020: Germany warns Turkey against ‘provocation’ in Mediterranean over gas exploration, CNN, 13 October 2020: Turkey issues detention warrants for 167 over suspected Gulen links, state media reports, The New York Times, 13 October 2020: Turkish Defector Says He Was Ordered to Kill a Politician in Austria, Arab News, 13 October 2020: US demands Turkey end ‘calculated provocation’ of ship, Israel Hayom, 15 October 2020: Turkey is the next Iran, Arab News, 15 October 2020: France and Germany tell Turkey to stop provocations, The Arab Weekly, 15 October 2020: Unofficial but effective Saudi boycott strikes blow at Turkey, DW, 17 October 2020: Turkey says ‘miracle’ Black Sea gas field larger than first estimated, Arab News, 18 October 2020: Campaign to boycott Turkish products gains momentum, DW, 18 October 2020: Turkish Cypriot hardliner ousts incumbent president in northern Cyprus vote, France24, 18 October 2020: Turkey-backed hardliner beats left-wing incumbent in Turkish Cypriot runoff, The Guardian, 18 October 2020: Rightwing hardliner wins Turkish Cypriot presidential runoff, Arab News, 18 October 2020: Greece, Turkey cannot rely on EU to resolve crisis, The Guardian, 20 October 2020: Greece; Country extends wall on Turkish border as refugee row deepens, Haaretz, 20 October 2020: Turkey Seeks to Replace Egypt in Palestinian Arena – and Israel Should Be Worried, Arab News, 21 October 2020: Greece accuses Turkey of ‘imperialist fantasies’ (Mavi Vatan (“Blue Homeland”) and Wikipedia Mavi Vatan), Arab News, 21 October 2020: Egyptian-Cypriot-Greece summit discusses Turkey’s provocations, Jerusalem Post, 22 October 2020: Why is the EU silent in the face of Turkish provocations toward Greece?, Arab News, 22 October 2020: Turkey holds rates in surprise that sends lira to new low, Al Jazeera, 23 October 2020: Erdogan defends testing Russian S-400, shrugs off US criticism, Arab News, 23 October 2020: US suspends Turkey visa services after reports on potential attacks, Daily Sabah, 23 October 2020: Police raid on Berlin mosque fed by racism, anti-Islam policies, Erdoğan says (of course, it annoys him when German security authorities searches his apparently criminal and certainly Islamist Muslim Brothers and, unlike in Turkey, punish their wrongdoings instead of promoting it. He is free to order them all back to Turkey. After having converted churches into mosques in Turkey, the neo-ottoman is also the very last person allowed to speak out on the subject of religious freedom. On the other hand, what else should one expect from Daesh business partner Erdoğan?), Al Jazeera, 23 October 2020: Greece and Turkey agree to cancel war games: NATO chief, Al Jazeera, 23 October 2020: The Turkish lira is on its worst losing streak since 1999, CNN, 25 October 2020: France condemns ‘unacceptable’ comments from Turkey’s Erdogan and recalls ambassador, Politico.eu, 25 October 2020: EU officials hit out at Ankara after Erdogan attacks Macron, Al Jazeera, 25 October 2020: ‘Boycott French products’ launched over Macron’s Islam comments (“He also described Islam as a religion “in crisis” worldwide” – and he is rightly pointing at the fact. Over the centuries Muslims are fighting Muslimns. If this isn’t a crisis, what else is?), Al Arabiya, 25 October 2020: French FM accuses Turkey of trying to ‘whip up hatred’ against France, Arab News, 25 October 2020: EU condemns Erdogan’s Macron comments as ‘unacceptable’, Al Arabiya, 25 October 2020: Macron tweets in Arabic that France ‘will never give in’ amid Prophet cartoon storm, France24, 26 October 2020: Erdogan calls for boycott of French goods, EU calls his comments ‘unacceptable’, BBC, 26 October 2020: Turkey’s Erdogan urges French goods boycott amid Islam row, Business Insider, 26 October 2020: France pulled its ambassador from Turkey, and Arab states are boycotting French products, after Macron said he wanted to regulate Islam, CNN, 26 October 2020: Calls to boycott French products grow in Muslim world after Macron backs Mohammed cartoons, The Guardian, 26 October 2020: France: Anger spreads in Islamic world after Macron’s backing for Muhammad cartoons, The Guardian, 26 October 2020: Analysis: Macron’s clash with Islam sends jolt through France’s long debate about secularism, Politico.eu, 26 October 2020: By sea and land, Turkey raises tensions with EU (Erdogan might finally have realized by now that Turkey will not be a member of the EU because of him, so he has nothing to lose in that regard. At the same time, he has successfully driven Turkey against the wall economically and isolates the country more and more in the Arab world. Hardly anyone takes his self-chosen role as “spokesman for all Muslims” seriously), Haaretz, 26 October 2020: Turkey Doesn’t Have the Economic Bite to Back Up Erdogan’s Bark, The National, 26 October 2020: Macron urged to avoid ‘chicanery’ as France is target of boycott campaign, Times of Israel, 26 October 2020: Turkey’s Erdogan invokes Holocaust to condemn French crackdown on radical Islam, Al Jazeera, 26 October 2020: Turkey’s Erdogan and French President Macron butt heads – again, The National, 26 October 2020: Extremists seize on French boycott to promote terrorist attacks, DW, 27 October 2020: Boycott call tests France-Turkey trade relations, France24, 27 October 2020: French firms urged to ‘resist blackmail’ as Turkey’s Erdogan joins calls for boycott, DW, 27 October 2020: Opinion: Erdogan and Khan are hypocritical about Macron’s France, France24, 27 October 2020: France encourages EU allies to take measures against Turkey after Erdogan’s boycott calls (the custom union with Turkey should be put on hold and additonal 10% tariffs placed on all products from Turkey into the EU), Politico.eu, 27 October 2020: EU mulls trade action against Turkey, Al Jazeera, 27 October 2020: Saudi Arabia condemns attempts to ‘link Islam with terrorism’ (does these guys understand that Islamist terrorism isn’t feed by free speech, but by Islamist indoctrination?), France24, 27 October 2020: France tightens security, facing ‘very high’ terror risk after teacher beheading, Arab News, 27 October 2020: How Erdogan steered Turkey from ‘zero problems’ to zero friends, DW, 28 October 2020: Erdogan slams ‘scoundrels’ over Charlie Hebdo cartoon (the only thing that is more amusing than the caricature are the theatrical whining reactions of the Sultan and his courtiers to it – priceless :-D ), The Guardian, 28 October 2020: Charlie Hebdo: Turkey threatens legal action over caricature of president, Politico.eu, 28 October 2020: Why Erdogan’s attacks on France will backfire, DW, 29 October 2020: The French-Turkish spat that could ‘widen the civilizational divide’, Jerusalem Post, 29 October 2020: Is Turkey awaiting US election to threaten Israel? – analysis, Al Arabiya, 29 October 2020: How might a potential Biden win change US policy on Turkey?, The Times, 30 October 2020: Tsunami warnings after earthquake crushes parts of Greece and Turkey, Iirish Times, 30 October 2020: Earthquake death toll in Turkey rises to 12 with 419 people injured, Haaretz, 30 October 2020: In Erdogan and Imran Khan’s Hypocritical War on ‘anti-Muslim’ Blasphemy, the Body Count Rises, Arab News, 1 November 2020: Greece: Turkey encroaching on continental shelf with new hydrocarbon search, Al Jazeera, 1 November 2020: Turkey extends disputed East Med gas exploration mission again, Jerusalem Post, 1 November 2020: Turkey’s unfinished war with the West, Arab News, 1 November 2020: Erdogan ‘trying to start a war in the Med’, France24, 2 November 2020: France to ban Turkish ‘Grey Wolves’ after defacement of Armenian memorial, Politico.eu, 2 November 2020: France to ‘dissolve’ Turkish ultranationalist group, The National, 2 November 2020: Turkey’s Erdogan more dangerous than Covid-19, says former ally, Jerusalem Post, 3 November 2020: Thousands commit to boycott Turkish products in French petition, The National, 3 November 2020: Eastern Mediterranean: tension increases as Turkey tells ‘spoiled and selfish’ Greece to back down, Politico.eu, 3 November 2020: Peace activists see hopes for unified Cyprus fading, DW, 4 November 2020: France bans Turkish ultra-nationalist Grey Wolves group, France24, 6 November 2020: The Greek island of Kastellorizo, a symbol of tensions with Turkey, Haaretz, 10 November 2020: The Turkish Economy’s Problem Isn’t Interest Rates, It’s Erdogan, Al Jazeera, 11 November 2020: Erdogan rhetorical shift sparks rally in embattled Turkish lira, Al Arabiya, 11 November 2020: ‘Not the actions of an ally’: Close Biden ally blasts Turkey’s foreign involvement, Haaretz, 14 November 2020: Biden Win May Be the Straw to Break Erdogan’s Back, The Guardian, 15 November 2020: Cyprus: Erdoğan met by protests from Turkish Cypriots during visit, Politico.eu, 15 November 2020: Erdoğan calls for ‘two-state’ solution for Cyprus, Politico.eu, 19 November 2020: Germany to Turkey: Calm tensions or face EU sanctions, Arab News, 19 November 2020: Turkey’s behaviour ‘widening its separation’ from EU, Borrell says, The National, 19 November 2020: Germany says Turkey faces EU sanctions over Mediterranean aggression, Arab News, 20 November 2020: Ankara sanctions loom ahead of EU summit, Al Jazeera, 21 November 2020: Erdogan calls on EU for dialogue, says Turkey’s future in Europe (how economic problems can change a political course and tone is astonishing. For the EU it is now less important what Turkey wants, but much more interesting what the EU doesn’t want, which is a bully on its doorsteps), The National, 21 November 2020: Why Biden must not fall for Erdogan’s promised reforms, Al Jazeera, 21 November 2020: Turkey’s President Erdogan, Saudi king discuss improving ties, Politico.eu, 22 November 2020: Erdogan insists Turkey is part of Europe, but won’t tolerate ‘attacks’, DW, 23 November 2020: Turkey slams ‘unauthorized’ German search of Libya-bound ship (of course, after all, they don’t want their illegal arms deliveries to be endangered), France24, 24 November 2020: Turkey protests German search of Libya-bound ship, Al Arabiya, 24 November 2020: Turkey summons EU, Italy, Germany envoys over weapons search of its ship to Libya, DW, 25 November 2020: Laws against domestic abuse fail to protect women, Arab News, 25 November 2020: Political cracks in Turkish govt. deepen in nationalist’s favor, Al Arabiya, 25 November 2020: Turkey’s Erdogan preparing for worst during 4 years of US incoming president Biden, France24, 26 November 2020: Turkish court jails more than 300 people for life over failed 2016 coup, BBC, 26 November 2020: Turkey court jails hundreds for life for 2016 coup plot against Erdogan, The Guardian, 26 November 2020: Turkey Court jails hundreds for life over 2016 coup attempt (the question that has not been answered at all is that of the actual events: Was it a very amateur coup attempt or was it a bad staging that enabled Erdogan to grab more power to become an autocratic/dictatorial leader?), DW, 26 November 2020: Turkey issues life sentences over failed 2016 coup, Arab News, 27 November 2020: Will Turkey revise its foreign policy?, Politico.eu, 28 November 2020: Greece blasts Berlin for shunning plea for Turkey arms embargo (and he has every reason to do so. Instead of delivering the submarines to Turkey, Federal Minister of Defense Kramp-Karrenbauer should take over the submarines for the German Navy, whose fleet is already weakened and are deploying them in the eastern Mediterranean, especially since Turkey is obviously less and less a NATO partner country), Arab News, 2 December 2020: Wary Turks aren’t buying Erdogan’s economic promise yet, Jerusalem Post, 4 December 2020: Turkish lira slips as US moves closer to sanctions over S-400s, Al Jazeera, 4 December 2020: Erdogan hopes France ‘gets rid of Macron trouble’ (of course Erdogan knows at the same time that there are quite a number of people in the EU who would be very happy if the Muslim Brother and backer of radical and political Islam drops dead, but unfortunately not all wishes and hopes can be materialize), Arab News, 4 December 2020: Erdogan hopes France will ‘get rid of Macron’ as soon as possible, The National, 4 December 2020: Erdogan calls on France to ‘get rid’ of Emmanuel Macron, Al Arabiya, 4 December 2020: Greek FM: Turkey’s moves to ease tensions ‘unconvincing’, Arab News, 5 December 2020: New report shows extent of Turkey’s oppression of free press, Arab News, 5 December 2020: Istanbul turns to foreign funding as state banks close their doors to city, Israel Hayom, 7 December 2020: EU mulls making good on sanctions threat against Turkey, Al Jazeera, 7 December 2020: Turkey: Erdogan denounces ‘threats and blackmail’ over sea rights, DW, 8 December 2020: Turkey orders the arrest of hundreds of military over alleged coup ties (now that Erdogan has had sanctions imposed on several 100,000 Turks (from dismissals to long prison sentences), one must now assume that Erdogan was the only Turk who knew nothing about the so-called “coup attempt” (the real coup lies in the seizure of power by Erdogan and the simultaneous massive dismantling of democracy). When looking at the consequences for Turkey and the Turks, then it is more likely that Erdogan was the only one who knew anything about the so-called “coup attempt” upfront and no one else), Arab News, 8 December 2020: Athens accuses Turkey of facilitating Somali migration to Greece, Arab News, 9 December 2020: EU to toughen sanctions on Turkish drilling — draft statement, Politico.eu, 9 December 2020: EU leaders to line up new sanctions on Turkey at summit, Arab News, 9 December 2020: Turkey brushes off any EU sanctions over east Med crisis, France24, 11 December 2020: EU Summit: Turkey says European sanctions plan is ‘biased, unlawful’, The Guardian, 11 December 2020: EU leaders approve sanctions on Turkish officials over gas drilling, Politico.eu, 11 December 2020: EU leaders move toward sanctioning Turkey. Haaretz, 11 December 2020: U.S. vs. Turkey: The 7 Rifts That Divide the Key NATO Allies, Al Jazeera, 11 December 2020: Europe’s stance on Turkey toughens with sanctions, weapons talk, The National, 11 December 2020: EU agrees to map out sanctions on Turkey over Mediterranean drilling, Arab News, 12 December 2020: Facing US, EU sanctions, Erdogan calls for dialogue and cooperation, Haaretz, 13 December 2020: As Israel Normalizes Ties With Arab Countries, Signs of Renewed Friendship With Turkey, France24, 14 December 2020: US imposes sanctions on Turkey over purchase of Russian air defence system, Times of Israel, 14 December 2020: US sanctions NATO ally Turkey for buying Russian S-400 air defense system, The National, 15 December 2020: Turkey left ‘shaken’ by US sanctions over S-400 missile system, Haaretz, 17 December 2020: With Biden and Troubles in Europe, U.S. Sanctions on Turkey Are Only the Beginning, Al Jazeera, 17 December 2020: What do US sanctions on Turkey mean for NATO?, The Guardian, 17 December 2020: Unlike Trump, Europe’s far-right leaders haven’t been damaged by the pandemic, DW, 18 December 2020: Rights leader Osman Kavala faces new trial, Al Arabiya, 20 December 2020: Turkey conducts exercises in Eastern Mediterranean amid tensions with neighbors, Al Arabiya, 22 December 2020: Israel-Turkey relations could be on the brink of full normalization: Reports, DW, 23 December 2020: Can Dundar: Turkey sentences journalist to 27 years in jail (so Dundar is supposed to serve a prison sentence that is actually intended for Erdogan because he made arms deals with IS terrorists. However, it can hardly be assumed that he will actually serve the sentence, while he has been living in German asylum since 2016 and Germany is currently not even extraditing to Poland due to concerns about the rule of law), The Guardian, 23 December 2020: Press freedom: Turkey sentences journalist Can Dündar to 27 years in jail, France24, 25 December 2020: Turkey seeks closer ties with Israel, says Erdogan, but Palestinian policy a ‘red line’, Al Arabiya, 26 December 2020: European Union warns Turkey over journalist Can Dundar jail sentence, DW, 30 December 2020: Ex-generals jailed for life over 2016 coup attempt, Arab News, 30 December 2020: Turkey is no longer an option for Saudi tourists, Al Arabiya, 1 January 2021: Turkey’s economy still cool 2018 halted Erdogan’s strong growth streak, DW, 6 January 2021: Dozens arrested as students protest Erdogan university pick, Jerusalem Post, 9 January 2021: Turkey pro-government media claims ‘Jews’ control America, Jerusalem Post, 12 January 2021: Turkey’s blank check to invade countries may end with Trump – analysis, Al Arabiya, 15 January 2021: Erdogan says high rates will not get Turkey anywhere as Turkish lira slides, Politico.eu, 15 January 2021: Turkish university protests continue over Erdogan-appointed rector, Haaretz, 18 January 2021: Germany, Turkey Seek Better EU-Turkish Ties as Tensions Ease, Politico.eu, 23 January 2021: Turkish foreign minister: New EU sanctions ‘will ruin everything’, Jerusalem Post, 23 January 2021: Turkey pro-government media: ‘Jews overrepresented in Biden Cabinet’, France24, 25 January 2021: Greece, Turkey resume talks on maritime disputes after years of strife, The Guardian, 25 January 2021: Greece and Turkey: Talks resume to try to avert military escalation, France24, 25 January 2021: Greece to buy French fighter jets in message to Turkey, BBC, 30 January 2021: Turkey LGBT: Four students arrested over artwork, Arab News, 2 February 2021: Erdogan using deniable private militias to destabilize the Middle East, France24, 2 February 2021: Turkey arrests dozens of students at peaceful protest over LGBT rights, Jerusalem Post, 3 February 2021: Turkey state media marks Jews in Biden administration with Israeli flag, PBS, 4 February 2021: Turkey rejects criticism of its handling of student protest, Al Jazeera, 4 February 2021: Erdogan compares Turkish student protesters to ‘terrorists’, The Guardian, 4 February 2021: Student protests grow as Turkey’s young people turn against Erdogan, NPR, 5 February 2021: Turkish Authorities Face Backlash As Students Protest University Appointment, Al Jazeera, 6 February 2021: Turkey’s student protests: New challenge for Erdogan, Al Jazeera, 9 February 2021: Turkey signals compromise with US over Russian S-400 missiles, The Algemeiner, 9 February 2021: Turkey: Antisemitism Was Widespread in 2020, Arab News, 14 February 2021: Erdogan’s two-state demand puts the jinx on planned UN-led Cyprus meeting, Arab News, 24 February 2021: Tensions rising between Athens, Ankara, Politico.eu, 25 February 2021: UN calls meeting for talks on Cyprus reunification, Al Jazeera, 2 March 2021: Erdogan tells Macron cooperation has ‘very serious potential’, Israel Hayom, 5 March 2021: Turkey wants maritime border with Israel, Erdogan confidante says, The National, 8 March 2021: Boris Johnson rejects Turkey’s two-state Cyprus solution, DW, 12 March 2021: Turkey starts first diplomatic contact with Egypt since 2013, Arab News, 12 March 2021: Unjust detentions make a ‘mockery’ of Turkey human rights plan: Amnesty, France24, 12 March 2021: A tale of two Turkeys: Society torn between religion and secularism, Arab News, 12 March 2021: EU worried by shooting incidents near Turkey-Greece border, DW, 14 March 2021: Young Turkish people seek fresh start in Germany amid repression at home, Times of Israel, 15 March 2021: With gas alliance moored to Turkey tensions, Israel tacks toward energy security, Jerusalem Post, 16 March 2021: Turkey prepares to clash with Israel, Greece and EU over East Med, DW, 17 March 2021: Opinion: EU-Turkey migration deal is a humanitarian failure, France24, 20 March 2021: Turkey quits landmark Istanbul Convention protecting women from violence (after all, the Muslim Brotherhood has no other means of asserting itself against women), CNN, 20 March 2021: Turkey withdraws from Istanbul convention to combat violence against women, DW, 20 March 2021: Turkey quits European accord on violence against women, The Times, 20 March 2021: Turkey’s rising Covid infection rates could dash summer holiday hopes, Jerusalem Post, 21 March 2021: Iran, Russia and Turkey signal growing alliance, The Guardian, 21 March 2021: ‘As bad as Brexit’: Turkey faces currency crisis after Erdogan sacks bank chief, The National, 22 March 2021: Turkish lira plunges after Erdogan sacks central bank chief, The Guardian, 22 March 2021: Economy in turmoil following sacking of central bank head, Arab News, 23 March 2021: Erdogan supporters accused of sending death threats to French journalist, Politico.eu, 25 March 2021: EU leaders will relaunch Turkey cooperation — with caveats, Hurriyet Daily News, 26 March 2021: Turkey welcomes EU rhetoric, urges concrete action, Arab News, 26 March 2021: Turkey, China place economic ties ahead of ideology, Arab News, 26 March 2021: EU extends olive branch to Ankara with key conditions, France24, 27 March 2021: Women in Turkey rally against Erdogan decision to exit domestic violence treaty, Jerusalem Post, 27 March 2021: Turkish women protest Erdogan’s call to exit domestic violence treaty, Al Arabiya, 27 March 2021: Women protest in Istanbul over Erdogan’s decision to exit domestic violence treaty, Israel Hayom, 31 March 2021: Erdogan is the first to blink, Foreign Policy, 31 March 2021: China Wants a ‘Rules-Based International Order,’ Too, DW, 6 April 2021: Turkey jails 4 over attack that killed German tourists, DW, 6 April 2021: EU to Turkey: Human rights issues are nonnegotiable, DW, 7 April 2021: Turkey convicts dozens in mass trial over failed 2016 coup, Der Spiegel, 12 April 2021: Joining the Wolves: Erdogan’s Pact with the Ultra-Nationalists, Israel Hayom, 16 April 2021: For Biden and the West, it’s ‘take 2’ on Turkey, Haaretz, 17 April 2021: Erdogan’s ‘Crazy’ Canal Project Challenges Russia and Threatens to Shake Up the Region, Jerusalem Post, 18 April 2021: Israel, UAE, Greece, Cyprus summit sends message to Turkey – analysis, Al Arabiya, 18 April 2021: Israel and Greece sign record defence deal, CNN, 23 April 2021: President Biden told Turkish President Erdogan he’s planning to recognize Armenian genocide, The New York Times, 24 April 2021: Breaking With Predecessors, Biden Declares Mass Killings of Armenians a Genocide, Politico.com, 24 April 2021: ‘Of course it’s genocide’: How Biden fulfilled a promise to Armenians that Obama wouldn’t, France24, 24 April 2021: US President Biden calls 1915 massacres of Armenians by Ottoman Empire a ‘genocide’, BBC, 24 April 2021: Biden says Armenian mass killing was genocide (Armenian genocide), CNN, 24 April 2021: Biden officially recognizes the massacre of Armenians in World War I as a genocide, Al Arabiya, 24 April 2021: Turkey ‘entirely rejects’ US recognition of 1915 Armenian genocides, France24, 25 April 2021: ‘Erdogan, Assassin,’ shout French Armenians on genocide anniversary amid security concerns, Politico.eu, 25 April 2021: Turkey warns of ‘wound’ to relations after Biden recognizes Armenian genocide, France24, 25 April 2021: Turkey summons US ambassador over Biden’s genocide recognition, Arab News, 25 April 2021: Turkey-US relations in the spotlight again after Biden’s Armenia statement, The National, 26 April 2021: Cyprus peace talks to resume after four-year break but fault lines remain, Haaretz, 29 April 2021: America No Longer Considers Turkey a Strategic Partner (if someone behaves like a wild boar, he will be treated as such. That simple), France24, 1 May 2021: Istanbul police detain over 200 defying May Day protest ban, Gulf Times, 7 May 2021: Turkish central bank sticks to high interest rates after inflation rise, Gulf Times, 8 May 2021: Turkey accuses Israel of ‘terror’ over Palestinian clashes at Al-Aqsa (if anyone can judge, then the Sultan of Turkey), Arab News, 10 May 2021: Turkey wants to start a fresh chapter with EU despite obstacles, Jerusalem Post, 15 May 2021: Turkey’s media radicalizes anti-Israel voices – analysis, DW, 18 May 2021: Erdogan slams US, Austria over Israel response, DW, 21 May 2021: Turkish mafia scandal threatens Erdogan government, The Guardian, 25 May 2021: Mafia boss’s YouTube claims rattle government, Jerusalem Post, 26 May 2021: Turkey bombs Christian villages in Iraq’s Kurdish region – analysis, France24, 31 May 2021: Turkish secret agents snatch Fethullah Gulen’s nephew in Kenya, BBC, 31 May 2021: Nephew of Fetullah Gulen seized and brought back to Turkey, Al Arabiya, 31 May 2021: Turkey, Greece to start taking steps to improve ties, work on differences: FM, Al Jazeera, 31 May 2021: Sedat Peker: YouTube videos grip Turkey, rattles gov’t, DW, 31 May 2021: Greece, Turkey agree to work on relationship, Arab News, 1 June 2021: Most Turks believe mob boss’s corruption claims, survey shows, Arab News, 2 June 2021: Russia plays ‘tourist card’ against Turkey amid political standoff, Al Jazeera, 6 June 2021: ‘Sea snot’ on Turkey’s shores alarms residents, Arab News, 14 June 2021: At NATO, Turkey hails its revival of dialogue with Greece, DW, 18 June 2021: Merkel, Macron: ‘Russia is a big challenge for us’, France24, 26 June 2021: Turkey’s Erdogan launches work on controversial Black Sea canal, The National, 27 June 2021: Turkey’s Erdogan starts construction of ‘crazy’ Istanbul canal project, France24, 29 June 2021: Turkey’s ‘crazy’ and controversial Istanbul Canal project, Reuters, 2 July 2021: Erdogan says Turkey will carry on searching for gas in Mediterranean, Finanical Times, 4 July 2021: Economic slide sends support for Erdogan to all-time low, Arab News, 4 July 2021: Turkey’s difficult choices after NATO, EU summits, DW, 8 July 2021: Erk Acarer: Exiled Turkish journalist attacked in Berlin (another reminder that it is long time to put an end to Erdogan’s terrorists), Times of Israel, 11 July 2021: Hosting Abbas, Erdogan says he won’t stay silent on ‘Israeli oppression’, Al Arabiya, 12 July 2021: Turkey, Israel presidents hold rare telephone talks, Times of Israel, 12 July 2021: In possible sign of thaw, Turkey’s Erdogan talks with new Israeli president, Haaretz, 14 July 2021: Erdogan’s Big Lie: Why Turkey’s President Rewrote the History of the 2016 Coup, Times of Israel, 15 July 2021: Turkey’s ruling party says ties with Israel to improve after presidents’ call, DW, 15 July 2021: Turkey’s Erdogan has reached the event horizon, The Guardian, 18 July 2021: Unease in the air as Cyprus ‘ghost town’ rises from the ruins of war, Politico.eu, 20 July 2021: In Cyprus, Erdogan provokes on anniversary of Turkish invasion, DW, 21 July 2021: Backlash as Northern Cyprus reopens ghost resort (just another nail in the coffin for Turkish EU ambitions. Turkish war crimes do not get any better by trying to cement them), The National, 21 July 2021: Erdogan angers US and EU with plan to formally split Cyprus, France24, 21 July 2021: France slams Erdogan ‘provocation’ after Cyprus two-state comments, The National, 21 July 2021: US pushes for UN resolution rebuffing Turkey over Cyprus ghost town Varosha, Al Arabiya, 21 July 2021: More sanctions on Turkey if they purchase new arms from Russia: Senior US diplomat, The National, 22 July 2021: Erdogan weaponises anniversary of the Cyprus conflict, Arab News, 24 July 2021: What Turkey and EU’s conflicting visions mean for Cyprus’ future, DW, 24 July 2021: Turkey hits back at UNESCO concern over Hagia Sophia (as has been emphasized in the last few years, you should never leave anything of (cultural) value (Hagia Sophia) to any Islamist regime, because you run the constant risk that in the end only ruins and scorched earth will be left. Therefore one can understand the assessment of UNESCO very well), The National, 24 July 2021: Unesco expresses ‘grave concern’ over Hagia Sophia conversion, Al Arabiya, 24 July 2021: Turkey says UNESCO criticism of Hagia Sophia conversion ‘biased and political’, The Times, 26 July 2021: Turkish Cypriots fear the heavy hand of Erdogan, Arab News, 30 July 2021: Jordan, Greece, and Cyprus send firm message to Ankara over actions in the Med, DW, 30 July 2021: Turkey wildfires: Death toll rises as blazes rage on, The Times, 31 July 2021: Tourists watch from beaches as Turkey’s sunshine coast burns, Jerusalem Post, 31 July 2021: Hate crimes against Kurds rise in Turkey, Al Arabiya, 31 July 2021: Turkey evacuates tourists by boat from wildfires raging in Aegean resort of Bodrum, CNN, 1 August 2021: ‘The animals are on fire,’ say devastated farmers as wildfires sweep Turkey, Los Angeles Times, 1 August 2021: Tourists, villagers flee as wildfires ravage Turkish resorts, DW, 2 August 2021: Deadly wildfires in Turkey: Surveying the devastation, The Algemeiner, 4 August 2021: Turkey Goes After Israel and Its Allies in the Eastern Mediterranean, The New York Times, 4 August 2021: Fires in Turkey Turn Political as Erdogan Comes Under Attack, Politico.eu, 6 August 2021: Forest fires raise calls for new climate policies in Turkey, The Times, 7 August 2021: Turkish infernos raze graveyard and turn forests into hills of ashes, DW, 12 August 2021: Turkey flooding leaves at least 9 dead, BBC, 12 August 2021: Northern Turkey hit by severe flash flooding, The Times, 12 August 2021: Wildfires expose the weaknesses of Erdogan’s regime, DW, 13 August 2021: Turkey: Death toll mounts in devastating floods, The National, 19 August 2021: Erdogan says Turkey is not Europe’s ‘refugee warehouse’, Jerusalem Post, 21 August 2021: Turkey accused of bombing medical workers, anti-ISIS fighters, Arab News, 22 August 2021: Why Erdogan is keeping a close eye on Afghanistan, Jerusalem Post, 22 August 2021: Turkey sees Afghanistan as lever for global agenda – analysis, Al Arabiya, 22 August 2021: President Erdogan says Turkey cannot bear Afghan refugee burden for EU, Arab News, 23 August 2021: Russia, Turkey close to signing new S-400 missile contract – Ifax, The National, 23 August 2021: Cyprus to strip passports from Turkish Cypriot officials, Arab News, 23 August 2021: Cyprus to revoke passports of Turkish Cypriot officials, Middle East Eye, 24 August 2021: S-400: Turkey ‘not ready’ to sign deal to purchase new supply of Russian missiles, Arab News, 25 August 2021: Russia is playing S-400 card in Turkey for strategic purposes, say experts, Arab News, 27 August 2021: Erdogan weighing risks of Kabul airport deployment amid Turkey-Taliban talks, DW, 1 September 2021: Afghanistan: Turkey moves into the spotlight, BBC, 2 September 2021: Afghanistan: Qatar and Turkey become Taliban’s lifeline to the outside world, DW, 9 September 2021: Turkish government increases pressure on social media, DW, 20 September 2021: German election: EU-Turkey relations hang in the balance, The National, 26 September 2021: Turkey’s Erdogan eyes more Russian missiles, Al Arabiya, 29 September 2021: Biden’s nominee for US envoy to Turkey threatens more sanctions over Russia , Al Arabiya, 29 September 2021: Cyprus’ top diplomat: Turkey is creating new Ottoman empire, Al Arabiya, 8 October 2021: US President Biden singles out Turkey for undermining fight against ISIS in Syria, Arab News, 10 October 2021: Erdogan, Putin and a mystery closed-door summit, Reuters, 11 October 2021: Turkish lira touches record low level against dollar, DW, 16 October 2021: Merkel meets Erdogan during farewell stop in Istanbul, Arab News, 16 October 2021: Turkey avoids dealing unilaterally with Afghanistan dossier, DW, 22 October 2021: Turkey to declare 10 ambassadors ‘persona non grata’ (whenever you think that the criminal sultan and his gang of robbers can not become more nuts, they prove the exact opposite. At the same time, of course, it also proves that they have no place in the EU. Apparently he was incited to this matter during the Friday hatred prayer with his Muslim Brotherhood. It is time to take tougher countermeasures against Turkey, e.g. bans on the Directorate of Religious Affairs and their vassal organizations and the Justice and Development Party in Germany and the EU, tightening the visa programs for Turks, massive travel warnings for Turkey issued by the EU and the USA, tighten regulations for the customs union, and some more economic sanctions, etc. For the ambassadors concerned, it is of course like being awarded the Medal of Freedom and Medal of Honor when they were declared undesirable by the dictator. The countries concerned should also think hard about closing their embassies. After all, you don’t negotiate with Islamist despots), The National 23 October 2021: Turkish President Erdogan moves to expel ambassadors from 10 countries, including US, Arab News, 23 October 2021: Turkish defense minister warns against alliances that harm NATO, Al Arabiya, 23 October 2021: EU: Turkey expelling 10 ambassadors will not intimidate, sign of authoritarian drift, The New York Times, 23 October 2021: Erdogan Threatens to Expel 10 Western Ambassadors, The National, 23 October 2021: Turkey warns that France-Greece defence pact weakens Nato, The New York Times, 23 October 2021: Turkish Opposition Begins Joining Ranks Against Erdogan, Al Arabiya, 23 October 2021: Turkish opposition parties join ranks to push out Erdogan: Report, The Guardian, 23 October 2021: Turkey President Erdogan threatens to eject 10 western diplomats over support for activist, BBC, 23 October 2021: Turkey moves to throw out US envoy and nine others, France24.com, 23 October 2021: Turkey’s Erdogan wants US, French ambassadors declared ‘persona non grata’, The National, 23 October 2021: Turkish President Erdogan moves to expel ambassadors from 10 countries, Politico.eu, 23 October 2021: Turkey calls 10 western ambassadors ‘persona non grata’ over civil rights criticism, CNN, 23 October 2021: Turkey’s president has ordered 10 ambassadors to be declared ‘persona non grata’ for backing jailed activist, The National, 25 October 2021: Erdogan’s move could bring about grave economic consequences, France24, 25 October 2021: Turkey’s Erdogan U-turns on threat to expel Western ambassadors, The Guardian, 25 October 2021: Turkey backs down on threat to expel foreign ambassadors, DW, 25 October 2021: Erdogan walks back threat to expel diplomats, Al-Monitor, 25 October 2021: Erdogan backpedals on threat to expel 10 Western ambassadors, DW, 25 October 2021: 60 years of German-Turkish Recruitment Agreement, Hürriyet Daily News, 26 October 2021: Turkish-German dialogue celebrated with art, DW, 26 October 2021: Explained: Why Turkish President Erdogan is backpedaling in diplomatic row, The Hill, 31 October 2021: Biden raises concerns over Russian missile system with Turkey’s Erdogan, DW, 31 October 2021: Turkish ship carrying Afghan migrants towed to Greek port (like the state terrorist from Belarus, Erdogan is turning Turkey in an EU hostile country that will most likely never become a EU member state), Gulf Times, 31 October 2021: Migrants from Turkish-flagged ship disembark in Greece, The National, 31 October 2021: Erdogan and Biden seek to repair ties at G20 bilateral meeting, Arab News, 31 October 2021: Turkey narrowly averts a new crisis with the West, The Algemeiner, 3 November 2021: Israel Participates in Cyprus Oil Rig Drills Amid Turkey Tensions, Israel Hayom, 4 November 2021: Amid Cyprus-Turkey tensions, Israel joins Cypriot oil rig drills, France24, 5 November 2021: Syrian refugees in Turkey face deportation over viral banana videos, Arab News, 5 November 2021: US needs to walk a fine line between Turkey and Greece, Politico.eu, 6 November 2021: EU’s looming carbon tax nudged Turkey toward Paris climate accord, envoy says, The Atlantic, 8 November 2021: Erdogan’s War on Truth, Jerusalem Post, 8 November 2021: Belarus is using refugees for politics. Turkey did the same thing – analysis, DW, 9 November 2021: Greece says Turkey is pushing migrants into its waters, DW, 12 November 2021: Turkey bars some Mideast nationals from flying to Belarus, France24, 12 November 2021: EU sees ‘progress’ as Turkey curbs Belarus flights, Russia dismisses gas threats, Arab News, 12 November 2021: Turkey bans Syrians, Iraqis and Yemenis from flights to Belarus, Al Arabiya, 23 November 2021: Turkish lira in historic 15 percent crash after Erdogan stokes fire sale, Haaretz, 23 November 2021: Turkish Lira Sees Historic 15% Crash as Erdogan Defends Interest Rate Cuts, CNN, 24 November 2021: What a Crown Prince’s trip to Turkey tells us about the post-American Middle East, The National, 24 November 2021: UAE visit to Turkey ‘marks new era’ in relations, says Dr Sultan Al Jaber, Arab News, 24 November 2021: UAE announces $10 billion fund for investments in Turkey, Al Arabiya, 24 November 2021: Lira eases back from historic 15 pct crash as Turkey stumbles into unknown, Foreign Policy, 24 November 2021: Erdogan Has Never Been in This Much Trouble, Der Spiegel, 25 November 2021: Imagining Life after Erdogan: Turkish Economic Woes Fuel Speculation of Early Elections, France24, 26 November 2021: Turkey court rules to keep Kavala in jail during trial, Al Arabiya, 27 November 2021: Erdogan orders probe into ‘currency manipulation’ after Turkish lira’s slump (*hahaha* he himself ordered the “manipulation” and is now “seeking for the idiot who did that” ?!?), The National, 27 November 2021: Closing the distance between the UAE and Turkey, Arab News, 28 November 2021: UAE, Turkey deepen economic ties with investment deals, The Times, 28 November 2021: Middle classes abandon Erdogan as rising prices and repression take toll, Arab News, 29 November 2021: Turkey’s Erdogan says he will visit UAE in February, Al Arabiya, 29 November 2021: Erdogan says also plans steps with Egypt, Israel after UAE visit, Arab News, 29 November 2021: Region at risk due to divisive water policies, Jerusalem Post, 29 November 2021: Erdogan planning steps to improve relations with Israel, Times of Israel, 29 November 2021: Erdogan says Turkey seeking to mend troubled ties with Israel, Al Arabiya, 1 December 2021: Analysis: President Erdogan’s rate cuts are high-risk gamble ahead of 2023 elections, Politico.eu, 3 December 2021: Turkey faces disciplinary action for failing to release jailed activist, says Council of Europe, Al Arabiya, 9 December 2021: Turkey won’t confront Russia in event of war in ally Ukraine, The Guardian, 13 December 2021: Turkey: Country faces threat of financial crisis after lira plunges against dollar, DW, 13 December 2021: Turkish lira tumbles to new record low, The National, 15 December 2021: Foreigners buy Turkish homes at record pace as lira slides, DW, 17 December 2021: Turkey’s Erdogan is scoring points in Africa, France24, 17 December 2021: Turkey-Africa summit comes amid Ankara’s rising defence exports to continent, Al Arabiya, 17 December 2021: Turkey working to ease banks’ capital strains amid lira crash: Sources, DW, 17 December 2021: As prices soar in Turkey, poverty and discontent deepen, Al Arabiya, 18 December 2021: Major Turkish business group calls for an end to Erdogan’s low-rates policy, The Algemeiner, 18 December 2021: Turkish Business Group Calls for an End to Erdogan’s Low-Rates Policy, The Guardian, 19 December 2021: ‘There’s jobs but no money’: Turkey’s economic crisis begins to bite, Al Arabiya, 20 December 2021: Russia suspends fruit imports from some Turkish, Iranian suppliers, Arab News, 26 December 2021: Turkey’s EU hopes are quietly unraveling, Arab News, 2 January 2022: How Turkey can overcome its economic challenges, The National, 3 January 2022: Distressed lira pushes Turkish inflation to 19-year high, Arab News, 3 January 2022: Turkey flies in the face of economic orthodoxy, Al Arabiya, 3 January 2022: Turkey’s inflation soars to 36 percent, highest in Erdogan era, Haaretz, 8 January 2022: Even the Turkish Lira Stopped Believing President Erdogan, Arab News, 14 January 2022: Is this the dawn of a new era for relations between Turkey and Armenia?, Arab News, 17 January 2022: German journalist acquitted of terror charges in Turkey, DW, 17 January 2022: Turkish activist Osman Kavala to remain in prison pending trial, Arab News, 18 January 2022: Turkey’s Erdogan, Serbia’s Vucic agree to broker Bosnia crisis talks, Jerusalem Post, 20 January 2022: Israeli, Turkish foreign ministers talk for first time in 13 years, Khaleej Times, 21 January 2022: UAE, Turkey to ink new agreements during Erdogan’s upcoming visit, Al Arabiya, 21 January 2022: UAE, Turkey to bolster ties with new agreements, renew commitments: Report, Al Arabiya, 24 January 2022: Iran gas flow to Turkey cut by technical failure: Officials, Jerusalem Post, 27 January 2022: Israel-Turkey reconciliation is important, but won’t be easy, France24, 29 January 2022: Turkey’s Erdogan fires statistics chief after inflation data shows 19-year high, DW, 29 January 2022: Erdogan fires statistics agency chief amid inflation spike, Jerusalem Post, 4 February 2022: Erdogan says Turkey, Israel can jointly bring gas to Europe, Arab News, 9 February 2022: Iranian refugees face deportation after attending protest in Turkey, Al Arabiya, 14 February 2022: UAE, Turkey sign 13 agreements during Erdogan’s meeting with Mohammed bin Zayed, The National, 15 February 2022: Turkey’s Erdogan concludes UAE trip with visit to Expo 2020 Dubai, Arab News, 15 February 2022: Turkish delegation heads to Israel to prepare for Israeli president’s meeting with Erdogan, The National, 28 February 2022: Turkey blocks warships from Bosphorus and Dardanelle straits, Arab News, 28 February 2022: Turkey blocks warships from Bosphorus, Dardanelles, CNN, 28 February 2022: How a 1936 treaty could force Turkey to take sides in the Ukraine war, DW, 28 February 2022: Could Turkey close the Bosporus to the Russian navy?, Al Arabiya, 1 March 2022: Erdogan to EU over bloc membership: Show same ‘sensitivity’ for Ukraine to Turkey, Haaretz, 2 March 2022: The Biggest Winner in Ukraine So Far: Turkey’s Erdogan, Politico.eu, 2 March 2022: Turkey, between a rock and a hard place on Russia, Jerusalem Post, 6 March 2022: Can Israel and Turkey’s renewed relations lead to a new Middle East?, Jerusalem Post, 8 March 2022: Herzog heads to Turkey for rapprochement with Erdogan, The National, 9 March 2022: Erdogan marks ‘turning point’ for Turkey and Israel as Herzog visits, Arab News, 9 March 2022: Israel’s president arrives in Turkey as countries heal rift, Jerusalem Post, 9 March 2022: Herzog advances Israel-Turkey ties in meeting with Erdogan, Times of Israel, 9 March 2022: Hosting Herzog in landmark visit, Erdogan lauds ‘turning point’ in relations, Haaretz, 9 March 2022: Historic Summit in Ankara: Alongside Israeli President Herzog, Turkey’s Erdogan Says Believes Visit Heralds a New Era in Ties, Jerusalem Post, 10 March 2022: Erdogan’s interests and Israel’s morality paradigm, Times of Israel, 11 March 2022: Behind Israel’s rekindled flame with Turkey, a rabbi with a penchant for matchmaking, The New York Times, 11 March 2022: Over Ukraine, Lumbering Turkish-Made Drones Are an Ominous Sign for Russia, DW, 12 March 2022: Turkish, Armenian foreign ministers meet in bid to normalize ties, Arab News, 13 March 2022: Greek, Turkish leaders seek common ground over Ukraine war, Haaretz, 13 March 2022: Could the Ukraine War End Turkey’s Dependence on Russia?, DW, 14 March 2022: German Chancellor Olaf Scholz meets with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan amid Ukraine crisis, Arab News, 15 March 2022: Israel-Turkey marriage of interests depends on stability, Jerusalem Post, 20 March 2022: US suggests Turkey to transfer Russian-made missile defense system to Ukraine, Los Angeles Times, 23 March 2022: A ‘blood money’ betrayal: How corruption spoiled reparations for Armenian genocide victims, Jerusalem Post, 24 March 2022: Israel and Turkey: A new beginning for strained ties?, Arab News, 25 March 2022: Riyadh and Ankara move to repair their relations, Al Arabiya, 27 March 2022: In call with Putin, Turkey’s Erdogan stresses need for ceasefire, CNN, 29 March 2022: Why Turkey is in a unique position to mediate, DW, 30 March 2022: Turkey targets Balkans and EU renewables markets, Arab News, 31 March 2022: Ukraine war gives Turkey a way in from the European cold, Politico.eu, 31 March 2022: Russia crisis gives EU a grim sense of what’s to come with China, The Guardian, 31 March 2022: Turkish prosecutor asks to halt trial for the murder of Saudi critic Jamal Khashoggi, Haaretz, 1 April 2022: In Phone Call With Israeli President, Turkey’s Erdogan Condemns Terror Wave, Times of Israel, 1 April 2022: Erdogan calls Herzog to ‘sharply condemn’ recent terror attacks against Israelis, Jerusalem Post, 1 April 2022: Turkey’s Erdogan ‘strongly condemns’ terror attacks in Israel, The Washington Post, 2 April 2022: Turkey betrays Jamal Khashoggi. Biden must not., The Algemeiner, 2 April 2022: Erdogan Tells Israel’s Herzog Synergy in Energy Mutually Beneficial, Politico.eu, 5 April 2022: Black Sea balancing act: Turkey’s Erdogan treads a fine line on Russia, The Washington Post, 6 April 2022: Turkey, no friend of press freedom, finally sells out Khashoggi, Jerusalem Post, 6 April 2022: Turkey detonates stray naval mine in Black Sea amid Ukraine war, NPR, 6 April 2022: Turkish court rules that Khashoggi trial should be transferred to Saudi Arabia, The Guardian, 7 April 2022: Turkey to send case against Khashoggi’s alleged killers to Saudi Arabia, Arab News, 8 April 2022: Can Turkey and Syria rebuild their relationship?, CNN, 11 April 2022: Turkish drones have become a symbol of the Ukrainian resistance, Times of Israel, 13 April 2022: Turkish foreign minister says ties with Israel dependent on Palestinian rights, Haaretz, 13 April 2022: Turkey Says Renewed Ties With Israel Will Be Impacted by Palestinian Issue, The Algemeiner, 13 April 2022: Turkish FM: Palestinian Issue Could Affect ‘Sustainable’ Relations With Israel, Haaretz, 15 April 2022: How Erdogan Became the Middle East’s Favorite Human Rights Abuser, Arab News, 16 April 2022: Turkish envoy attracts attention with veiled criticism of Iran in article for Israeli think tank, Jerusalem Post, 17 April 2022: Erdogan ‘strongly condemns’ Israel over Al-Aqsa policing, Jerusalem Post, 19 April 2022: Turkey’s Erdogan ramps up Jerusalem defender role, to speak with Herzog, Arab News, 22 April 2022: Turkey’s refugee record: From warm welcome to grave concern, Arab News, 23 April 2022: Turkey closes airspace to Russian planes carrying troops to Syria, Politico.com, 24 April 2022: Biden remembers Armenian genocide with seeming nod to Ukraine, DW, 25 April 2022: Turkey: Rights activist Osman Kavala sentenced to life in prison, France24, 25 April 2022: Turkey sentences rights campaigner Osman Kavala to life in jail, DW, 26 April 2022: Turkey’s judiciary does government’s bidding in Osman Kavala trial, Al Arabiya, 28 April 2022: Saudi King, Crown Prince receive Turkey’s Erdogan during his first visit since 2017, Arab News, 28 April 2022: Saudi king, crown prince receive Turkish president in Jeddah, DW, 28 April 2022: Cashing in: No payment problems for Russian tourists in Turkey, Al Arabiya, 28 April 2022: Turkey rejects Greece’s charges of illegal military flights: Athens ‘started tension’, The National, 28 April 2022: Turkish President Erdogan’s visit to Saudi Arabia seeks to restore strained relations, Times of Israel, 28 April 2022: Turkish President Erdogan visits Saudi Arabia, in first since Khashoggi killing, France24, 28 April 2022: Erdogan meets Saudi crown prince on first visit since Khashoggi’s killing, The Guardian, 29 April 2022: Analysis: Khashoggi goes unmentioned as Erdogan seeks to boost Saudi trade ties, DW, 29 April 2022: Osman Kavala: Germany summons Turkish envoy over verdict, Arab News, 29 April 2022: Time for Saudi Arabia and Turkey to reset the clock, DW, 29 April 2022: Erdogan’s Saudi Arabia trip could be a game changer for Middle East, CNN, 29 April 2022: Why Saudi Arabia and Turkey are turning the page on the Khashoggi scandal, DW, 1 May 2022: May Day violence flares in France, Turkey, Times of Israel, 2 May 2022: In Independence Day letter to Herzog, Erdogan wishes Israel prosperity, well-being, Haaretz, 2 May 2022: Turkey’s Erdogan, Israel’s Herzog Call for More Cooperation in Eid al-Fitr Call, Al Arabiya, 2 April 2022: Turkish President Erdogan expresses satisfaction with Saudi trip, The National, 3 May 2022: Turkey’s President Erdogan unveils plan to return one million Syrian refugees, Arab News, 5 May 2022: Turkey loses westward outreach after philanthropist Kavala’s jailing, Arab News, 6 May 2022: Why Turkey is now looking outward, The New Yorker, 9 May 2022: The Turkish Drone That Changed the Nature of Warfare, DW, 9 May 2022: Turkey’s tourism sector battling fallout from the war in Ukraine, Haaretz, 11 May 2022: In Turkish Charm Offensive, Jewish Life Is the New Selling Point, The Guardian, 13 May 2022: Nato: Erdogan: Turkey ‘not positive’ about Sweden and Finland joining Nato (as if it is actually about Finland and Sweden. Ridiculous. The sultan will no doubt continue to play his usual annoying extortion games in order to strengthen his buddy Putin and to be able to buy more Russian missile systems at a bargain price. Apparently he also wants to blackmail the US into supplying weapon systems and in particular F-35 fighter jets, which currently aren’t delivered because of the given security risk posed by Erdogan’s Turkey. In addition, the sultan is currently driving Turkey economically against the wall at great speed. The country has already reached unbelievable rates of inflation and unemployment. In addition to Erdogan’s isolation of Turkey in NATO, from the EU, the USA and parts of the Gulf States, this should not increase his chances in the upcoming elections in Turkey. All in all, the usual and typical BS bingo from Ankara that has absolutely nothing to do with Finland and/or Sweden), Politico.eu, 13 May 2022: Turkey not ‘positive’ about Finland, Sweden bids to join NATO, Erdogan says, NPR, 13 May 2022: Turkey’s president opposes letting Finland, Sweden join NATO, France24, 14 May 2022: Live: Turkey says it is ready to discuss NATO membership with Finland, Sweden, Arab News, 14 May 2022: Biden signals stronger Ankara ties with push to ‘green light’ missile sales, Al Arabiya, 15 May 2022: Kadyrov asks Erdogan not to evacuate ‘murderers, atheists’ at Azovstal plant, Al Arabiya, 15 May 2022: NATO expects Turkey not to hold up Finland, Sweden membership bids, BBC, 16 May 2022: Turkey says it will veto Nordic states’ Nato bids, Al Arabiya, 16 May 2022: Turkey’s Erdogan says will not approve Sweden and Finland joining NATO, The National, 17 May 2022: Turkey’s Erdogan ‘cannot say yes’ to Nato bid from Sweden and Finland, Politico.eu, 18 May 2022: Turkey holds firm against NATO bids by Finland and Sweden, CNN, 18 May 2022: Why is Turkey causing problems for Finland and Sweden’s plans to join NATO?, Politico.eu, 20 May 2022: Turkey’s unstated goals in blocking Sweden and Finland, Politico.eu, 20 May 2022: Sweden blasts Turkish ‘disinformation’ as Erdogan delays NATO accession, The Hill, 21 May 2022: US frustrated over ‘problematic’ NATO ally Turkey, DW, 21 May 2022: Erdogan sets conditions for Sweden, Finland NATO bids, The Hill, 22 May 2022: Turkey summons US ambassador over warning on police methods, France24, 22 May 2022: Turkey’s Erdogan sets conditions for Finland, Sweden’s NATO bids, Jerusalem Post, 24 May 2022: Turkey threatens new ethnic-cleansing invasion of Syria, France24, 24 May 2022: US warns Turkey against new Syria offensive, Politico.eu, 24 May 2022: NATO bid reignites Sweden’s dispute with Turkey over Kurds, Al Arabiya, 25 May 2022: Israel and Turkey opening new chapter in relations: Israel FM, Times of Israel, 25 May 2022: Lapid and visiting Turkish FM agree on path forward to return ambassadors, DW, 25 May 2022: Turkey threatens to stall Sweden, Finland in NATO talks (why not simply pausing Turkey’s NATO membership, to give Erdogan some time to think about the question if he really want Turkey to become a playball for Russia and Iran?), Jerusalem Post, 25 May 2022: Turkish FM calls to eradicate antisemitism at Yad Vashem visit, DW, 25 May 2022: Turkey, Israel agree to strengthen ties in historic talks, Haaretz, 26 May 2022: Pew Survey Reveals Huge Gap Between Young, Old Americans’ View on Israel-Palestine Conflict, Al Arabiya, 26 May 2022: Greece tells UN that Turkey is challenging its sovereignty, France24, 26 May 2022: Macron urges Turkey to respect ‘sovereign choice’ of Finland, Sweden on NATO, Jerusalem Post, 28 May 2022: Erdogan-controlled judiciary releases 29 Turkish Hezbollah terrorists, Haaretz, 29 May 2022: In the Battle Against Tsar Putin, Don’t Trust Sultan Erdogan, DW, 31 May 2022: Turkey seeks to tighten media control with ‘fake news’ bill, Politico.eu, 31 May 2022: The Turkish gambit and the future of NATO, DW, 31 May 2022: European court condemns Turkey over Amnesty head’s detention, France24, 1 June 2022: Hundreds protest in Turkey against attempt to close anti-femicide group, Jerusalem Post, 1 June 2022: Turkey is blackmailing NATO to justify its invasion of Syria, The National, 1 June 2022: Blinken warns Turkey against launching offensive against Kurdish forces in Syria, France24, 2 June 2022: What’s in a name: Turkey formally requests name change to ‘Türkiye’ (so, a turkey want to rename itself. That’s a first in the animal kingdom), Arab News, 4 June 2022: Turkish inflation hits highest rate since 1998 at 73.5 percent, Politico.com, 4 June 2022: NATO chief to meet with Finnish, Swedish, Turkish officials in Brussels, Arab News, 4 June 2022: Erdogan taking advantage of Ukraine war to push his own goals in Syria, DW, 4 June 2022: NATO chief talks Sweden, Finland membership with Erdogan, Arab News, 5 June 2022: Will Turkey weigh on NATO’s new defense architecture?, Arab News, 7 June 2022: PM says Greece has experienced unprecedented barrage of Turkish violations of airspace, Arab News, 7 June 2022: Ankara calls on Greece to demilitarize Aegean islands).
- Even though the Trump administration recently softened the regulations for US banks (The Guardian, 23 May 2018: US Congress passes partial Dodd-Frank rollback in move to deregulate banking) and thus increased the level of debt and risk, the greatest danger for a renewed Great Recession (Financial crisis of 2007–2008) is currently coming from the clearly over-indebted emerging markets. If a country were to slide here, a domino effect would set in, the consequences of which are likely to be significantly greater than those of the global economic crisis from 2007 onwards (Lehman Brothers, Bloomberg, 3 July 2018: 10 Years After Lehman, Four Big Risks, The Guardian, 3 September 2018: Ten years on, the Fed’s failings on Lehman Brothers are all too clear, Reuters, 11 September 2018: Ten years after Lehman, spotting the next crisis: McGeever and The Guardian, 14 September 2018: Ten years after the crash: have the lessons of Lehman been learned?). The EU states of Southern and Eastern Europe will then again be hit hard. Neither the EU itself nor the EU states are sufficiently prepared for it. While some lessons have been learned from the crisis, they have not been sufficiently and sustainably implemented yet. This applies to the systemic banks, “guard rails” in the EU regulations, and to structural reforms in the EU states. At the moment, a small crisis would be enough to put Bulgaria and Romania in a similar situation as Greece (The Guardian, 4 March 2019: Banking leak exposes Russian network with link to Prince Charles, Süddeutsche Zeitung – Panama Papers, Politico.com, 22 July 2019: Deficit Don? Red ink gushes in Trump era).
Foreign policy
With Donald Trump’s US (The Making of Donald Trump) becoming increasingly isolated, foreign policy is bringing some additional responsibilities to the EU. After all, it is good to see and know that the US Congress and the US Senate decide and act in part completely contrary to Trump’s ideas and wishes and that, of course, to cushion the disaster Trump and thus to minimize national and international damage (The New Yorker, 11 July 2018: The Borowitz Report: Merkel Asks Mueller If There’s Anything She Can Do to Help, Independent, 3 August 2018: Thousands protest for a fourth consecutive day in Iran on eve of US sanctions, Politico.com, 7 September 2018: Obama delivers full-throated rebuke of Trump’s presidency, The Washington Post, 7 September 2018: ‘It sure isn’t normal; it’s radical’: Former president Barack Obama says Trump and Republicans are knowingly dividing America, The Atlantic, 16 September 2018: American Democracy Is in Crisis, The New York Times, 25 September 2018: U.N. General Assembly Updates: Trump Speaks Out on Globalization, NBC News, 26 September 2018: Trump’s U.N. speech pitting globalism against patriotism proves the president has no idea what patriotism means, The Guardian, 28 September 2018: It’s not just Trump. Much of America has turned its back on Europe, The Washington Post, 1 October 2018: USMCA: Who are the winners and losers of the ‘new NAFTA’?, The Guardian, 2 October 2018: Global image of US is historically bad under Trump, says poll, Handelsblatt, 4 October 2018: Special-Purpose Vehicle: Defying Trump, EU plans to support trade with Iran, The New York Times, 1 November 2018: The Wrong Way to Punish Iran, USA Today, 2 November 2018: Top Trump officials say new U.S. sanctions will choke Iran’s economy, CNN, 2 November 2018: Trump set to reimpose all Iran sanctions lifted by Obama, NBC News, 2 November 2018: The Trump team’s trade sanctions were not what Iran hawks wanted, Reuters, 2 November 2018: U.S. says SWIFT could be sanctioned if it deals with sanctioned entities, BBC, 2 November 2018: Trump administration to reinstate all Iran sanctions, The Washington Post, 2 November 2018: Iran braces for oil sanctions after currency crash, protests, The Guardian, 4 November 2018: Iran braces for fresh US sanctions including oil embargo, Haaretz, 4 November 2018: Thousands of Iranians Mark Anniversary of U.S. Embassy Takeover in Tehran as Trump Restores Sanctions, The New York Times, 4 November 2018: Europe Plans a Way to Evade Sanctions on Iran. Will It Work?, The Guardian, 5 November 2018: Why Europe wants to sidestep US sanctions over Iran nuclear might, The Guardian, 5 November 2018: ‘People are despairing’: Iranians brace for sanctions to bite and The New York Times, 5 November 2018:As U.S. Sanctions on Iran Kick In, Europe Looks for a Workaround, The Washington Post, 8 November 2018: ‘Protect Mueller’: Protesters across U.S. decry president’s dismissal of Sessions as attorney general, The New York Times, 30 November 2018: A European Goes to Trump’s Washington, The New York Times, 30 November 2018: Trade Pact Is Signed, but U.S.-Canada Rift Remains, The New York Times, 30 November 2018: Trump Claims Nafta Victory but Deal Faces Long Odds in U.S., CNN, 30 November 2018: The G20 summit is a glimpse at the future world order and The Guardian, 30 November 2018: The Guardian view on Donald Trump’s credibility: America’s compromised leader, The Guardian, 1 December 2018: We shouldn’t rush to save the liberal order. We should remake it, The Guardian, 29 December 2018: America’s new year’s resolution: impeach Trump and remove him, The Washington Post, 31 December 2018: Trump turned the White House into a madhouse, The New York Times, 1 January 2019: The Trump Tax Cut: Even Worse Than You’ve Heard, DW, 9 January 2019: EU lawmakers decry Washington downgrading of EU ambassador, Der Spiegel, 11 February 2019: Interview with Obama Adviser Ben Rhodes: ‘Trump Is Just Tearing Things Down’, The Guardian, 24 February 2019: ‘You’re fired!’ America has already terminated Trump and The New York Times, 4 March 2019: In a Change of Tone, U.S. Restores E.U.’s Diplomatic Status). Meanwhile, the EU continues to seek ways, together with China and Russia, to prevent sanctions not only against small and medium-sized businesses, which can easly ignore them, when not doing any business in the US, but as well by multinational corporations from Europe. Overall, the issue isn’t only about Iran, but also about the security and interests of Europe and the sovereignty of the EU, which shall be significantly curtailed by the extortionate measures of the current US government. A process that the EU will accompany with resistance, of course, so that despite all the cheers from the United States, there are and will be repeated attempts to undermine the sanctions in order to minimize the damage caused). These measures will certainly not lead to an increase in trade and investment by the affected European companies with and in the US and Israel. It is more likely that the investments in Asia and the Gulf States will be strengthened, to reduce the potential damages posed by the current US and Israeli governments (Pew Research Center, 1 Octobewr 2018: Continuing negative ratings for Trump and U.S. in Germany, Pew Research Center, 1 October 2018: Trump’s International Ratings Remain Low, Especially Among Key Allies, The Washington Post, 4 December 2018: ‘Chaos breeds chaos’: Trump’s erratic and false claims roil the globe. Again., The New York Times, 5 December 2018: Trump Gets It All Wrong, The Guardian, 6 December 2018: Trump’s European diplomats tied in knots over rise of populism, The Guardian, 18 December 2018: Blind creature that buries head in sand named after Donald Trump, The New York Times, 21 January 2019: The Economy Won’t Rescue Trump, France24, 27 February 2019: ‘Conman’ Trump broke law in office, Cohen tells Congress in explosive testimony, The Washington Post, 4 April 2019: This is how bad Trump derangement syndrome has gotten in Washington, The Washington Post, 5 April 2019: Trump’s next possible Fed nominee can’t understand basic policy issues, The New York Times, 23 May 2019: Julian Assange’s Indictment Aims at the Heart of the First Amendment, The Washington Post, 21 June 2019: The Trump economy house of cards collapses, The Guardian, 22 June 2019: In Moscow, Riyadh and Washington, this is the age of the shameless lie, BBC, 31 July 2019: Does the US economy need a boost?, The New York Times, 31 July 2019: Fed Set to Lower Rates for First Time Since Financial Crisis, Washington Post, 31 July 2019: If the U.S. economy is in good shape, why is the Federal Reserve cutting interest rates?, BBC, 31 July 2019: US interest rate cut fails to impress Trump, CNN, 31 July 2019: The Fed cut rates for the first time since 2008, The New York Times, 1 August 2019: Why Was Trumponomics a Flop?, The Guardian, 4 August 2019: Two mass shootings in US leave at least 29 dead as Trump faces criticism, BBC, 4 August 2019: Two US mass shootings in 24 hours, France24, 4 August 2019: Police investigating possible hate crime at deadly mass shooting in El Paso, Texas, The Guardian, 4 August 2019: Trump tweets as gun violence and white nationalist terrorism stalk America, The New York Times, 3 August 2019: 2 Days, 2 Cities, 2 Shootings, at Least 29 Dead, CNN, 4 August 2019: Another weekend, two more mass shootings in America, The Washington Post, 4 August 2019: Cities grieve after two mass shootings leave 29 dead, USA Today, 4 August 2019: In the wake of two more hate-fueled mass shootings, when do we call it domestic terrorism? (Mass shootings in the United States), Haaretz, 5 AUgust 2019: ‘When Will Trump Stop Demonizing Immigrants?’: U.S. Jewish Leaders ‘Rage’ in Wake of Mass Shootings, The National, 5 August 2019: Trump says ‘hate has no place’ in US after two mass killings (said by US Hate Preacher-in-Chief), The New York Times, 31 July 2019: Why Does Trump Fan the Flames of Race-Based Terrorism, Washington Monthly, 4 August 2019: Trump Still Refuses to Condemn Violent White Supremacy, The New York Times, 4 August 2019: El Paso Shooting Suspect’s Manifesto Echoes Trump’s Language, BBC, 5 August 2019: 8chan far-right forum offline as Cloudflare cuts support, CNN, 5 August 2019: The US is under attack from within. Is this ever going to end?, France24, 5 August 2019: Trump supporter jailed for sending bombs to Democrats, CNN, 5 August 2019: Trump blames everything but his own words for hate in America, The New York Times, 5 August 2019: Trump, Tax Cuts and Terrorism, BBC, 5 August 2019: El Paso shooting: Has US neglected fight against white extremism?, Gun laws in New Zealand, Irish Times, 6 August 2019: Barack Obama urges people to reject leaders who demonise others, CNN, 6 August 2019: 2 countries issued travel warnings about the United States after a weekend of mass shootings, The Guardian, 7 August 2019: El Paso congresswoman Veronica Escobar to Trump: ‘You are not welcome here’, BBC, 7 August 2019: President Trump to visit mass shooting sites amid criticism, Amnesty USA, 7 August 2019: Global human rights movemnet issues travel warning for the U.S. due to rampant gun violence, The Washington Post, 7 August 2019: Gun violence in America prompts Amnesty International and a growing list of countries to issue travel warnings, USA Today, 8 August 2019: Amnesty International issues warning about travel to US amid ‘high levels of gun violence’, Jerusalem Post, 8 August 2019: After shootings, Amnesty International issues travel warning for the U.S., Al Jazeera, 9 August 2019: Mass shootings: The most American way to kill and die, CNN, 10 August 2019: The world wonders what’s happened to America, Arab News, 10 August 2019: US mass shootings are a symptom of a sick society, The New York Times, 11 August 2019: Inside the Government, Addressing Domestic Terrorism Has Been Fraught, CNN, 12 August 2019: Trump is impeaching himself, CNN, 14 August 2019: Obama was better for stocks than Trump – From Reagan to Trump: Here’s how stocks performed under each president, BBC, 14 August 2019: Share markets tumble as recession fears grow, The New York Times, 16 August 2019: With Trump as President, the World Is Spiraling Into Chaos, The Washington Post, 17 August 2019: Trump has one playbook, and very few plays left in it, CNN, August 2019: ‘Not for sale’: Inside Greenland, the world’s largest island, BBC, 19 August 2019: Trump calls for big rate cut and economic stimulus, Arab News, 19 August 2019: Economists fear a US recession in 2021, The Guardian, 21 August 2019: Danish PM ‘surprised and disappointed’ over cancelled Trump visit, Reuters, 21 August 2019: G7 or G5? Trump and Johnson add unpredictability to French summit, BBC, 21 August 2019: Greenland: Trump criticises ‘nasty’ Denmark over cancelled visit, NPR, 21 August 2019: The Federal Budget Deficit Is Getting Bigger As Spending Grows, Irish Times, 21 August 2019: Lies, bullsh*t and knowledge resistance: A spotter’s guide, Politico.com, 21 August 2019: Trump says he wanted to give himself Medal of Honor, BBC, 23 August 2019: Trump responds with fury over Fed chief’s speech, Politico.com, 24 August 2019: Trump storm blows into Macron’s G7 seaside summit, The Washington Post, 24 August 2019: ‘Senseless disputes’: E.U.’s Tusk says Trump’s trade wars are damaging global economy, France24, 24 August 2019: G7 leaders arrive for summit in France as global disputes threaten unity, The Washington Post, 24 August 2019: With the global economy slowing and the U.S.-China trade war escalating, Trump arrives at G-7 with a list of grievances, Politico.com, 24 August 2019: Donald Tusk: G7 summit may be last chance for unity, NPR, 24 August 2019: Trade And Economic Tensions Loom Over G-7 Summit In France, Politico.com, 24 August 2019: Democrats can’t just unwind Trump’s foreign policy, The National, 24 August 2019: G7 unity threatened by global disputes ahead of France summit, i24 News, 24 August 2019: EU leaders round on Trump over trade war risks at G7, Politico.eu, 24 August 2019: Air Boris blasts into Biarritz, CNN, 25 August 2019: Macron sparks confusion after inviting Iran’s foreign minister to G7 summit, France24, 25 August 2019: Iranian foreign minister makes surprise appearance at G7 summit (as always, there were demonstrations at this G7 summit as well. Organized with the help of SmartPhones, to demonstrate against globalization and progress. Leaving garbage dumps and destroyed environment, to demonstrate against environmental degradation. This does not include arrivals and departures. Attacking Policemen, to vehemently insist that the police should protect them. Groaning to the point of hearing loss, because no one would hear their voices. Insulting politicians and threatening their life and limb, but expecting that these politicians shall turn policies in their favor. Being intelligence-free, in this case the red shirts are just as gifted as the brown shirts. The usual madness to stupor during G7 meetings), CNN, 25 August 2019: After Trump appears to soften on trade war, White House says he wanted higher tariffs, The Guardian, 25 August 2019: G7: Trump’s demands for Russia’s readmission cause row in Biarritz, CNN, 25 August 2019: Macron sparks confusion after inviting Iran’s foreign minister to G7 summit, BBC, 26 August 2019: G7 summit: Iranian foreign minister attends unexpected talks, The New York Times, 25 August 2019: Rule 1 at the G7 Meeting? Don’t Get You-Know-Who Mad, BBC, 26 August 2019: Amazon fires: G7 leaders close to agreeing plan to help, says Macron, Times of Israel, 26 August 2019: G7 wrestles with Iran, Amazon fires and trade, but its own unity is shaky, Arab News, 26 August 2019: US training helps Saudi pilots avoid civilian casualties, DW, 26 August 2019: G7 summit in Biarritz winds down after three days of talks, BBC, 26 August 2019: G7 summit: Trump ‘would meet Iran’s Rouhani if circumstances right’, The Guardian, 26 August 2019: Macron says Trump-Rouhani talks could happen within weeks, Politico.com, 26 August 2019: Trump says there’s a ‘good chance’ he meets with Iran’s Rouhani, The Guardian, 26 August 2019: World leaders create their own realities at the G7 summit, The Guardian, 26 August 2019: Biarritz was an empty charade. The G7 is a relic of a bygone age, Politico.com, 26 August 2019: Relief and trepidation as Trump looks to rebrand the G7, The Guardian, 26 August 2019: Bantering blonds and cringeworthy kisses: G7 was the dinner party from deepest hell, Israel Hayom, 26 August 2019: French president hopes US, Iranian leaders will meet ‘in coming weeks’, CNN, 26 August 2019: Macron shook up the G7 with his fancy diplomatic footwork, France24, 26 June 2019: A tale of two alphas: Trump, Macron and the rocky road to rapprochement, Politico.com, 26 August 2019: ‘Sorry, it’s the way I negotiate’: Trump confounds the world at wild G-7, CNN, 27 August 2019: Trump leans into his chaotic style, Israel Hayom, 27 August 2019: Trump, Rouhani talk of possible meeting to solve nuclear impasse, The Guardian, 27 August 2019: G7 summit: last rites of old order as Trump’s theatre looms next year, Times of Israel, 27 August 2019: Bilateral eyes: Internet sizzles over Melania Trump making googly eyes at Trudeau, Politico.eu, 27 August 2019: G7 struggle to lighten darkening economic outlook, Arab News, 31 August 2019: Divide and rule: Trump’s strategy in Europe, The Guardian, 4 September 2019: US ambassador calls for less ‘invective’ in EU relationship – but exempts Trump, Politico.eu, 4 September 2019: Trump administration wants to ‘reset’ relations with EU, Arab News, 4 September 2019: Global order in danger of ending with a whimper, Politico.eu, 4 September 2019: Trump’s EU envoy wants ‘impasses’ (aka Juncker, Tusk and Mogherini) ‘to go away’, The New York Times, 4 September 2019: San Francisco Declares the N.R.A. a ‘Domestic Terrorist Organization’ (one step into the right direction, especially as the NRA’s lobbying is to a great deal responsible for significantly more deaths and injuries each year due to so-called “domestic terrorism/homegrown terrorism” than all the dead and injured by non-American terrorists combined), CNN, 7 September 2019: Pence’s disastrous trip abroad sparks wit in response, Reuters, 6 September 2019: Pentagon chief suggests European allies replace funds diverted to border wall, The Guardian, 14 September 2019: Trump’s new world disorder: competitive, chaotic, conflicted, The New York Times, 24 September 2019: Trump Celebrates Nationalism in U.N. Speech and Plays Down Iran Crisis, Reuters, 24 September 2019: Trump accuses Iran of ‘blood lust’ in U.N. speech but says there is path to peace, The Washington Post, 24 September 2019: Pelosi announces impeachment inquiry, says Trump’s courting of foreign political help is a ‘betrayal of national security’, CNN, 24 September 2019: House launches formal impeachment inquiry into Trump, BBC, 25 September 2019: Trump impeachment: Pelosi launches formal inquiry into Ukraine claims (BBC, 24 September 2019: Donald Trump: How could he be impeached?), Jerusalem Post, 25 September 2019: Jewish Democrats express support for impeachment inquiry against Trump (revenge is sweet, after Trump had called Jewish US Democrats disloyal (BBC, 21 August 2019: Trump accuses Jewish Democrat voters of ‘great disloyalty’). Now it turns out that he himself is the one who is potentially criminally disloyal to the US)), Politico.eu, 26 September 2019: Tusk hits back at Trump, Al Jazeera, 2019: How has my country voted at the UN?, Palestine Chronicle, 27 September 2019: United Nations Parade of World Leaders: A Circus Where Whip Is Wielded by Big Five, Jerusalem Post, 30 September 2019: Why the US and UK suck at making deals, The New York Times, 2 October 2019: Trump’s Assault on the State Department Must Be Stopped, CNN, 17 October 2019: Trump to host G7 at his own Florida resort property (just another presidential corruption case. What a lucky coincidence that the financially battered “Trump National Doral Miami” will now be experiencing a months-long, free and international advertising campaign to boost sales and save the facility from renewed bankruptcy), BBC, 17 October 2019: Trump golf course to host next G7 summit, The Washington Post, 17 October 2019: Trump has awarded next year’s G-7 summit of world leaders to his Miami-area resort, the White House said, The New York Times, 17 October 2019: Trump Will Host 2020 G7 Summit at His Doral Resort, Al Jazeera, 17 October 2019: Trump will host G7 summit next year at one of his own properties, The Washington Post, 18 October 2019: Trump’s decision to host G-7 at his golf club creates awkwardness for world leaders, The New York Times, 19 October 2019: After Criticism, Trump to Select New Location for G7, CNN, 20 October 2019: Trump reverses course and says his Florida resort won’t be used for G7 summit, The Guardian, 20 October 2019: Donald Trump ditches plan to host G7 at his Doral resort, blaming ‘irrational hostility’, France24, 20 October 2019: Trump drops controversial plan to host G7 summit at his Florida golf resort, Jerusalem Post, 23 October 2019: Trump’s foreign policy: We will not support any friend or oppose any foe, Reuters, 25 October 2019: U.S. bars airline flights to all Cuban airports except Havana from December 10, CNBC, 25 October 2019: Trump administration to ban US flights to all Cuban cities except Havana, USA Today, 28 October 2019: Trump administration bans US flights to all Cuban cites except Havana, Arab News, 26 October 2019: The Arab world deserves better: Here’s how, Politico.eu, 26 October 2019: How the baby boomers broke America, NPR, 26 October 2019: George Soros: Open Societies Are Under Threat, Politico.eu, 27 October 2019: Donald Trump’s failed war on terror, Politico.eu, 31 October 2019: Report urges US to repair EU ties, calls Brussels ‘nascent power’, Foreign Policy, 1 November 2019: Tired of U.S. Dependence, South Korea Seeks to Build—and Sell—Its Own Weapons, The Washington Post, 4 November 2019: In South Korea, military cost dispute and Trump’s moves in Syria fuel doubts over U.S. commitment (not only has Trump bankrupted numerous companies, but he also seems to be well on the way to doing so with the US as such, while at the same time enriching himself on the expense of the US taxpayers (Impeachment)), The Guardian, 16 November 2019: Europeans in peril as Trump and Xi prowl the world stage, CNN, 18 November 2019: Beijing tells US to stop ‘flexing muscles’ in South China Sea as it sends new carrier, Politico.eu, 18 November 2019: Diplomacy, disrupted, Politico.com, 25 November 2019: Democracies on the verge of a nervous breakdown, The Economist, 28 November 2019: The twilight of the WTO: The trading system’s referee is about to leave the field, Al Jazeera, 30 November 2019: The WTO 20 years after the ‘battle of Seattle’, The Guardian, 8 December 2019: WTO faces crisis over settlement disputes unless Trump backs off, The Diplomat, 12 December 2019: Trump’s War on the World Trade Organization, Politico.com, 19 December 2019: Congress sends spending deal to Trump, ending shutdown threat, NPR, 19 December 2019: Senate Approves $1.4 Trillion Spending Agreement Ahead of Shutdown Deadline, The National, 29 December 2019: The US is to blame for its foreign policy paralysis over the past decade, The Guardian, 30 December 2019: This was the decade the US’s self-serving myths fell apart, DW, 30 December 2019: US, China and Germany profit most from global free trade, says WTO, WTO, 1 January 2020: The WTO’s 25 years of achievement and challenges, Politico.eu, 2 January 2020: The 5 most important races for the Arctic, The Washington Post, 12 January 2020: For Trump, foreign relationships aren’t about strategy. They’re about cash., Politico.eu, 16 January 2020: Trump is not the cause of cooling EU-US ties, says Merkel, The Washington Post, 16 January 2020: ‘You’re a bunch of dopes and babies’: Inside Trump’s rant at generals (said Cadet Bone Spur), Arab News, 26 January 2020: EU must realize it cannot be everyone’s friend, Politico.eu, 28 January 2020: Europe adrift in a Trump world, The Guardian, 7 February 2020: Power is everything and progressives forget this at their peril, The Guardian, 14 February 2020: The trouble with anti-populism: why the champions of civility keep losing.
Here’s something to laugh about: On the announcement of GM in the US to lay off staff because the sales of cars in the US generally sinks, product prices (including steel from China) had noticeably increased and therefore the cost structure need to be changed, the “stable genius” Trump advised to “bring a car on the market that sells well,” so that the reduction in staff could be prevented (CNN, 27 November 2018: Trump says he was ‘very tough’ on GM’s Barra over plant closures). Amazing, what kind of “innovative ideas” national socialism can produce. On the other hand, of course, the approach itself is completely understandable, why Trump should recommend all starving people in the world to just eat more and recommend the people living in poverty to seak for well-paid jobs to solve these challenges extensively, unbureaucratically and in a timely manner.
- In addition to countermeasures on Trump’s tariffs, the EU should calm and cool use its global contacts to strengthen international links and thus further promote free trade. In addition to free trade agreements with Mexico, Canada and Japan (EU and Japan Economic Partnership Agreement), these include, of course, corresponding agreements with South American and the Gulf States, the creation of economic prospects for North Africa and the expansion of trade with Asia. This, of course, to make clear that only rule-based trade is internationally acceptable. In the meantime, further discussions with the current US administration need to be conducted, to find solutions to the given challenges.
- Two other major issues are Trump’s anti-China trade war and its worldwide repercussions, which can also hit Europe hard, because the Trump administration apparently seeks to isolate China internationally as it is currently trying to do with Iran, using the country’s entire blackmail potential even against its partners and allies (Foreign Policy, 22 March 2017: How China’s History Shapes, and Warps, its Policies Today, The New York Times, 6 October 2018: The Trump Trade Strategy Is Coming Into Focus. That Doesn’t Necessarily Mean It Will Work., The New York Times, 18 November 2018: China Rules: The Land That Failed to Fail, The New York Times, 21 November 2018: Five Takeaways From Our New China Project, The New York Times, 4 December 2018: Trump Warns China That He’s ‘Tariff Man,’ Spooking Stock Investors, The New York Times, 14 December 2018: China’s Economy Slows Sharply, in Challenge for Xi Jinping, The Guardian, 5 Janaury 2018: As China feels US tariffs bite, a chill spreads around the world, The Washington Post, 9 January 2019: Already reeling from tariff war, some farmers aren’t receiving government support checks amid shutdown, The Guardian, 21 January 2019: Former China envoys call on Xi Jinping to release two detained Canadians, The Washington Post, 21 January 2019: Shutdown in U.S., slowing growth in China fuel concerns over global economy, The Atlantic, 28 January 2019: The U.S.-China Trade War Isn’t Going Anywhere, The Washington Post, 31 January 2019: Trump plans to meet Xi after US-China talks end with no deal, The New York Times, 4 March 2019: How Goes the Trade War?, The New York Times, 4 March 2019: America the Cowardly Bully, The Guardian, 6 March 2019: Trump’s tariff war pushes US trade deficit to 10-year high, The New York Times, 6 March 2019: Trade Deficit Soars to Record Level, The Washington Post, 6 March 2019: Trump promised to shrink the trade deficit. Instead, it exploded., Bloomberg, 7 March 2019: Even Israel Is Getting the Trump Treatment on Trade, Haaretz, 14 March 2019: Europe, Then China. Now, Israel Is the New Front in Trump’s Trade Wars, France24, 24 March 2019: Macron seeks united EU front on China as President Xi visits France, Bloomberg, 5 May 2019: Trump’s Tariff Threat Leaves Beijing Stalling on Next Talks, CNN, 5 May 2019: Trump steps on his economy wins with renewed China trade threat, The Guardian, 6 May 2019: Why did Trump threaten to raise China tariffs – and what now?, Reuters, 6 May 2019: Explainer: Who pays Trump’s tariffs – China and other exporters or U.S. customers?, The Washington Post, 9 May 2019: Trump’s biggest mistake in the trade war with China, The New York Times, 9 May 2019: Trump Increases China Tariffs as Trade Deal Hangs in the Balance, The Washington Post, 10 May 2019: Trump doubles tariffs on $200 billion of Chinese imports, escalating U.S.-China trade war, The Guardian, 11 May 2019: Even Trump may ultimately retreat from the cost of the China trade war, The Guardian, 13 May 2019: China hits back at US with tariffs on $60bn of products). In the most extreme case, this can lead to the collapse of the global economy into a bipolar world that revolves around either the US or China without overlapping of the two groups. And there are the ongoing attempts by Trump’s US, Russia and China to divide the EU. Instead of speaking with one voice and initiating appropriate countermeasures, the topics are left out by the EU, maximizing the expected damage. China has been trying for some time to gain political influence with the help of billions in investments. In parts, this seems to be successful, especially in Eastern and Southern Europe. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is as well trying to divide the EU to a far lesser extent, and has therefore partnered with other right-wing populist, autocratic and deeply corrupt leaders (who can in return spread anti-Semitic nonsense with his support (George Soros, Open Society Foundations, Globalization, Zionist Occupation Government conspiracy theory, Antisemitic canard etc.)), in this case of the Visegrád Group (Jerusalem Post, 28 January 2019: Hungarian, Polish, Czech, Slovakia leaders to meet Netanyahu in Jerusalem, Times of Israel, 28 January 2019: Israel to host 4 Central European leaders, including Hungary’s Orban, The Guardian, 17 February 2019: Poland-Israel tensions rise over ‘Nazi link’ claims, Haaretz, 17 February 2019: After Netanyahu Holocaust Row, Polish PM Won’t Attend Summit in Israel, The Guardian, 18 February 2019: Summit cancelled as Israel and Poland row over Holocaust, The Washington Post, 18 February 2019: Israel and Poland spat over the Holocaust heats up, spotlighting Netanyahu’s awkward alliances, Haaretz, 18 February 2019: Visegrad Summit in Israel Canceled After Poland Pulls Out Over Holocaust Row, Times of Israel, 18 February 2019: Poland cancels participation in Israel summit over FM Katz’s ‘racist’ remarks, Haaretz, 18 February 2019: Netanyahu Seeks to Cement EU Rightist Bloc at Jerusalem Visegrad Summit, Times of Israel, 18 February 2019: Israel is undermining its very raison d’etre, Haaretz, 18 February 2019: With Poland, Netanyahu Discovers the Limits of Playing With History, Times of Israel, 23 February 2019: Fresh fight over Holocaust memory threatens warming Israel-Poland ties, Haaretz, 20 March 2019: Hungarian Foreign Minister: Embassy in Israel Will Not Be Moved to Jerusalem and Times of Israel, 20 March 2019: EU reiterates opposition to diplomatic missions in Jerusalem – good to see, that Netanyahu’s strategy, to agitate against Brussels and the EU together with the other racist nationalists of the Visegrád Group, isn’t working. Politico.eu, 28 February 2019: Commission hits back over Hungary’s anti-Juncker campaign, Facts matter: European Commission responds to Hungarian government campaign, France24, 1 March 2019: Hungary’s Orban faces threat of exclusion from European centre-right partners, France24, 3 March 2019: Hungary’s Orban faces threat of exclusion from European centre-right partners, Times of Israel, 5 March 2019: Holocaust revisionism on the rise in parts of Europe, NBC News, 14 March 2019: Cuba’s new constitution could reshape government, economy, rights (planned economy), The New York Times, 18 March 2019: Why Do Central European Nationalists Love Israel So Much?, CNN, 9 April 2019: US threatens tariffs on $11 billion of European goods over Airbus subsidies, Bloomberg, 9 April 2019: EU-U.S. Trade War Escalates Over Disputed Aviation Subsidies, Reuters, 11 May 2019: Cuba to ration more products due to economic crisis, U.S. sanctions, Bloomberg, 15 May 2019: Trump Weighs Six-Month Window for EU, Japan to Curb Auto Sales (following his true motto “Make America Small Again!”, he continues to weaken the USA with all consequence and at every corner of the US economy), The Guardian, 23 May 2019: ‘We’ll fight to the end’: China’s media ramps up rhetoric in US trade war, The New York Times, 23 May 2019: Trump Gives Farmers $16 Billion in Aid Amid Prolonged China Trade War, CNBC, 16 May 2019: China has cut its holdings of US debt to the lowest level in two years amid trade tensions, The New York Times, 29 May 2019: Trump Hands China an Easy Win in the Trade War, The Guardian, 30 May 2019: China tells US provoking trade disputes is ‘naked economic terrorism’, CNN, 30 May 2019: China accuses US of ‘economic terrorism’ as trade war tensions escalate, Bloomberg, 30 May 2019: The Moment Merkel Realized Trump Changes Everything for Germany, Bloomberg, 30 May 2019: U.S.-EU Talks Struggle, Threatening a New Front in Trade War, The New York Times, 30 May 2019: Trump Says U.S. Will Hit Mexico With 5% Tariffs on All Goods, The New York Times, 1 June 2019: Trump’s Tariff Threat Sends Mexico, Lawmakers and Businesses Scrambling, The Washington Post, 1 June 2019: Trump’s stunning decision to escalate trade wars with China and Mexico signals a turning point for U.S. policy, CNN, 1 June 2019: Trump removes India from special trade status, Euronews, 3 June 2019: Pompeo says current US-Europe trade deal is ‘not fair’ (is Trump and his cage full of fools sometimes listening to themselves? The completely fact-free nonsense given, that they have told over the past few years, it can at least not be assumed), Reuters, 4 June 2019: China warns its companies on U.S. travel, rebuffs trade criticism, Bloomberg, 4 June 2019: China Warns Citizens Against U.S. Travel, Citing ‘Frequent’ Shootings, France24, 5 June 2019: US President Trump tightens travel restrictions to Cuba, The New York Times, 4 June 2019: The U.S. and Chinese Presidents Should Go on a Weekend Retreat, The Guardian, 5 June 2019: US-China trade war to cost $455bn in lost output, says IMF, The Guardian, 7 June 2019: Mexico tightens southern border security as another day passes with no tariff deal, The New York Times, 7 June 2019: Trump Destroys American Greatness From Within, Bloomberg, 7 June 2019: Xi, Putin Condemn U.S. Dominance as Tensions With Trump Grow, Reuters, 7 June 2019: Weak U.S. employment report casts pall over economy, The Guardian, 8 June 2019: Trump calls off tariffs after US-Mexico deal but Mnuchin says threat remains, CNN, 9 June 2019: China finds new ways to pressure Trump amid trade impasse, Reuters, 10 June 2019: Trump ready to slap new tariffs on China after G20 meeting, The New York Times, 10 June 2019: Trump Says Mexico Tariffs Worked, Emboldening Trade Fight With China, The Guardian, 11 June 2019: Stephen Colbert on Trump’s cancelled Mexican tariffs: ‘The Lyin’ King’, France24, 20 June 2019: Xi Jinping in Pyongyang to meet Kim Jong Un, reboot alliance, The New York Times, 21 June 2019: Friendlier Days for North Korea and China? Maybe Not, Politico.eu, 21 June 2019: Germany seeks common ground with China amid trade war, CNN, 27 June 2019: Trump faces trade war negotiations during consequential G20 meetings, BBC, 27 June 2019: G20 summit: All eyes on Trump-Xi trade war showdown, Reuters, 27 June 2019: Trump renews criticism of Japan-US alliance before G20 summit, Reuters, 27 June 2019: Trump demands withdrawal of India’s ‘unacceptable’ tariff hike, France24, 27 June 2019: Migration, trade, Iran and climate: US priorities on the G20 agenda, France24, 27 June 2019: Japan welcomes G20 leaders for summit centred on climate change, Reuters, 29 June 2019: ‘Back on track’: China and U.S. agree to restart trade talks, The National, 29 June 2019: G20 latest: Donald Trump says ‘reformer’ Saudi crown prince sparked a positive revolution, Arab News, 29 June 2019: Japanese official: Saudi reforms ‘opening up great trade opportunities’, Arab News, 29 June 2019: Saudi-Japanese Vision 2030 heralds new era in relations, says ambassador, France24, 29 June 2019: US outsider at G20 Japan as still rejects Paris deal to fight climate change, The New York Times, 29 June 2019: Trump and Xi Agree to Restart Trade Talks, Avoiding Escalation in Tariff War, Arab News, 29 June 2019: Trump congratulates Saudi crown prince on ‘spectacular job’ during G20 talks, CNN, 29 June 2019: Trump embraces dictators and despots in deal-making G20 summit, The Guardian, 29 June 2019: Trade wars, tweets and western liberalism: G20 summit wraps up in Osaka, The New York Times, 29 June 2019: A China-U.S. Trade Truce Could Enshrine a Global Economic Shift , The Washington Post, 29 June 2019: As G-20 reaffirms fight against climate change, Trump again resists, Times of Israel, 29 June 2019: Putin fires new broadside against Western liberalism after G-20, The Guardian, 29 June 2019: G20: Theresa May urges countries to raise climate ambitions, The Washington Post, 29 June 2019: China’s efforts to undermine democracy are expanding worldwide, Arab News, 30 June 2019: Osaka G20 summit communique: A ‘work of diplomatic art’, CNN, 30 June 2019: At the G20, those who yelled the loudest were heard, Arab News, 30 June 2019: Saudi Arabia joins G20 women’s empowerment initiative, The Guardian, 1 July 2019: Trump nepotism attacked after ‘out-of-her-depth’ Ivanka given key summit role, The National, 1 July 2019: Abu Dhabi Climate Meeting: talks pave way for landmark September summit, The Guardian, 1 July 2019: We laugh at Ivanka Trump – because to take her seriously is frightening, The Guardian, 2 July 2019: Donald Trump threatens new tariffs on $4bn of EU products, BBC, 2 July 2019: Scotch whisky targeted by new US tariffs, CNN, 2 July 2019: The United States is threatening new tariffs on EU goods worth $4 billion, Haaretz, 2 July 2019: U.S. Warned Israel Over Deals With China, Top Pentagon Official Tells Haaretz, The New York Times, 2 July 2019: The Biggest Threat to America Is Us, The New York Times, 4 July 2019: Trump Is Losing His Trade Wars, Jerusalem Post, 6 July 2019: Bank of Israel report shows Israeli financial system might be at risk, The Guardian, 7 July 2019: There is no ‘right’ v ‘left’: it is Trump and the oligarchs against the rest, BBC, 7 July 2019: Trump administration is ‘inept and insecure’, says UK ambassador, CNN, 7 July 2019: Cables from UK’s ambassador to the US blast Trump as ‘inept,’ ‘incompetent’, Arab News, 8 July 2019: World cannot shut China out, vice president says, in jab at US, Jerusalem Post, 8 July 2019: Israel not paying dues to organizations as Foreign Ministry has no money, Guly News, 9 July 2019: ‘No longer acceptable’: Trump blasts India over tariffs, Haaretz, 10 July 2019: Israeli Diplomats Say Their Hands Are Tied Because of Excessive Austerity, France24, 11 July 2019: US sanctions Venezuela after ‘anti-Maduro’ captain dies in custody, CNN, 13 July 2019: US government is running out of money faster than expected, Mnuchin warns, Times of Israel 12 July 2019: Israel’s China challenge, BBC, 15 July 2019: China’s economy grows at slowest pace since 1990s, CNN, 15 July 2019: China holds drills in Taiwan Strait, calls for sanctions against US companies, Times of Israel, 16 July 2019: Defunded and sidelined, Israel’s diplomats threaten to harm the state they serve, Jerusalem Post, 16 July 2019: Netanyahu wants to fly before elections, foreign ministry may make that difficult, Arab News, 16 July 2019: US defends Taiwan as Chinese threat looms, CNN, 17 July 2019: The backlash is growing against Xi Jinping in China and around the world, CNN, 17 July 2019: Muslim nations are defending China as it cracks down on Muslims, shattering any myths of Islamic solidarity, BBC, 18 July 2019: New cracks in the global economy as exports tumble, CNN, 17 July 2019: Foreign buyers are turning their back on American real estate, Gulf News, 19 July 2019: China-UAE relationship at its best in history: Chinese envoy, The National, 19 July 2019: China and the UAE’s relationship has never been stronger, says top diplomat, Saudi Gazette, 20 July 2019: China opens up finance sector to more foreign investment, Arab News, 20 July 2019: China opens up finance sector to more foreign investment, The New York Times, 21 July 2019: Chinese Money in the U.S. Dries Up as Trade War Drags On, The National, 22 July 2019: There are many good reasons why the Gulf is looking eastward to the future, Gulf News, 22 July 2019: UAE-China cooperation leads to pioneering partnerships in various fields: Mohamed Bin Zayed, The National, 22 July 2019: UAE and China sign strategic agreements as Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed visits Beijing, CNN, 22 July 2019: Why China is challenging Australia for influence over the Pacific Islands, Gulf News, 23 July 2019: China backs UAE’s effort on regional stability, CNN, 23 July 2019: IMF says trade conflicts could make a sluggish global economy even worse, Politico.com, 23 July 2019: Europe braces for Trump trade war, Cooperation between China and Central and Eastern European Countries, Arab News, 24 July 2019: The US needs to talk about China, CNN, 25 July 2019: Trump administration starts paying $14.5 billion to farmers hurt by the trade war, The Guardian, 25 July 2019: How the state runs business in China, CNN, 17 July 2019: The backlash is growing against Xi Jinping in China and around the world, BBC, 26 July 2019: US economic growth slows below Trump target, The New York Times, 26 July 2019: U.S. Economy Grew at 2.1% Rate in 2nd Quarter, G.D.P. Report Says, BBC, 27 July 2019: Trump threatens tariffs against ‘foolish’ Macron, France24, 27 July 2019: Trump threatens wine tariffs in retaliation over French tech tax, Gulf News, 29 July 2019: UAE, China creating road map for a century of prosperity, BBC, 30 July 2019: Can fresh US-China talks end the trade war?, Reuters, 31 July 2019: Latest U.S.-China trade talks called ‘constructive’ by both sides, Politico.com, 31 July 2019: White House: China confirms commitment to buy more U.S. farm goods, Gulf News, 31 July 2019: US, China trade meeting ends with sharp response to Trump, BBC, 1 August 2019: US-China trade war: ‘We’re all paying for this’, Bloomberg, 1 August 2019: Trump Ratchets Up Trade War With New China Tariffs, The Guardian, 2 August 2019: Why is Trump imposing tariffs on China and how could it affect global economy?, Politico.com, 2 August 2019: Trump’s frustration with China boils over, Foreign Policy, 2 August 2019: Trump Hired Robert Lighthizer to Win a Trade War. He Lost., BBC, 2 August 2019: Stock markets drop on new Trump China tariffs, DW, 2 August 2019: Trump: US will sell more ‘great American beef’ to EU, France24, 2 August 2019: Trump escalates Beijing trade war with 10% tariff on $300 billion in Chinese goods, The Guardian, 3 AUgust 2019: Trump: things ‘going along very well’ with China as markets fall over tariffs, Saudi Gazette, 3 August 2019: Trump defends China trade policy, CNN, 3 August 2019: Trump is playing a dangerous game with America’s economy, The Guardian, 5 August 2019: Markets fall sharply amid fears of full-scale US-China currency war (over the past years, China has artificially kept the value of its currency UP and invested heavily in it, in order to be able to reduce its foreign trade surpluses. In that sense, there was actually a currency manipulation, but in favor of the US dollar. Because of the massive lack of confidence in Trump and his administration, China has now stopped this program, understandably. Of course, that sounds a bit different in the Fake News bubble of Trump, probably because his upper room is so poorly furnished that he does not grasp the simplest economic correlations), BBC, 5 August 2019: Business Live: US markets down, The Guardian, 5 August 2019: Yuan fall prompts Trump to accuse China of ‘currency manipulation’ – as it happened, DW, 5 August 2019: China’s yuan slips to 11-year low amid trade war, BBC, 5 August 2019: Trump hits out at China as yuan drops to 11-year low, CNN, 5 August 2019: Trump accuses China of ‘currency manipulation’ as trade war escalates, CNN, 5 AUgust 2019: Trump’s trade war with China is starting to get out of hand, The Guardian, 6 August 2019: US labels China a currency manipulator as tensions flare, The Guardian, 5 August 2019: US stocks suffer worst day of year as trade fears spook markets, BBC, 6 August 2019: Yuan fall: Why is China’s currency getting weaker?, France24, 6 August 2019: US-China trade war in 10 dates, Haaretz, 6 August 2019: The Problem Isn’t the Trade Wars, It’s Trump, France24, 7 August 2019: US warns other nations against doing business with Venezuelan government, Jerusalem Post, 7 AUgust 2019: US official: Oversight of China-Israel deals will help grow US-Israel ties, CNN, 7 August 2019: Trump defends trade war against China despite risks, CNN, 7 August 2019: China has a $1 trillion trade war weapon. Will it ever use it?, BBC, 8 August 2019: China exports rise despite simmering US trade row, France24, 8 August 2019: Trump flirts with currency war in escalating conflict with China, Global Times, 8 August 2020: Drop illusions over China-US relations, but don’t give up efforts: Global Times editorial, Gulf News, 8 August 2019: US recession odds pick up as economists cut growth estimates, BBC, 8 August 2019: Should we worry about a currency war?, The New York Times, 8 August 2019: China Tries to Teach Trump Economics, Politico.com, 8 August 2019: Trump’s vision meets growing global chaos, The Guardian, 9 August 2019: Bull, meet China shop: Trump’s foreign policy in Asia is disastrous, Saudi Gazette, 10 August 2019: Trump roils markets with comments on China trade, Huawei, Al Arabiya, 7 August 2019: American ‘China watchers’ are debating US policy: The Gulf should watch closely, Irish Times, 10 August 2019: The Irish Times view on the US-China trade war: The dangers of rising tensions, The New York Times, 11 August 2019: How to Stop Trump’s Trade War Madness, Arab News, 12 August 2019: China-US ‘beggar thy neighbor’ trade war hurts us all, Politico Magazine, 12 August 2019: The U.S. or China? Europe Needs to Pick a Side, Arab News, 13 August 2019: More than trade at stake in US-China rift, The New York Times, 13 August 2019: Waning of American Power? Trump Struggles With an Asia in Crisis, BBC, 15 August 2019: Stock markets fall after China trade warning, France24, 15 August 2019: Trump says if China wants trade deal, it must first ‘work humanely with Hong Kong’, Gulf News, 16 August 2019: China says won’t ‘sit by’ on Hong Kong, Trump concerned, Arab News, 17 August 2019: Is this the beginning of the end for globalization?, France24, 18 August 2019: US and China seeking to revive trade talks: Trump advisor, CNN, 19 August 2019: Pence talks tough to China over Hong Kong protests as trade war continues, Reuters, 21 August 2019: Trump: ‘I am the chosen one’ to take on China over trade, Politico.com, 21 August 2019: What Trump Doesn’t Get About the Chinese Economy, Politico.com, 21 August 2019: Trump’s new trade war rationale: ‘I am the chosen one’, USA Today, 23 August 2019: Trump ‘hereby orders’ companies to seek ‘alternative’ markets to China as markets plunge, Reuters, 23 August 2019: Trump presses U.S. companies to close China operations, CNBC, 23 August 2019: Shares of companies that manufacture in China plunge after Trump orders them to move, NPR, 23 August 2019: Trump Announces Higher Tariffs On Goods From China After Dow Plunges 623 Points, CNN, 24 August 2019: Trump claims he has ‘absolute right’ to order US companies out of China under 1977 law, France24, 24 August 2019: Trump raises tariffs on Chinese goods as trade war escalates, CNN, 24 August 2019: Trump arrives for G7 summit as global disputes threaten unity, BBC, 24 August 2019: US-China trade war: Trump announces new retaliatory tariff hikes, CNN, 24 August 2019: Trump’s China trade war spirals as 2020 looms, The Guardian, 24 August 2019: Boris Johnson calls for removal of US-China trade tariffs, The New York Times, 24 August 2019: Trump Asserts He Can Force U.S. Companies to Leave China, Gulf News, 24 August 2019: China warns US to stop wrong trade actions or face consequences, BBC, 26 August 2019: Trump says US and China to resume trade talks, CNN, 26 August 2019: Trump finds ‘unity’ after stoking confusion at G7, Politico.com, 26 August 2019: Trump claims China asked for renewed trade talks, BBC, 26 August 2019: Asian stocks drop as US-China trade war escalates, Politico.com, 27 August 2019: Trade insiders say Trump’s botching chances of a China deal, NPR, 27 August 2019: U.S. Companies In China Get Caught In The Trade War Crossfire, The New York Times, 27 August 2019: How Trump and Xi Can Both Win Their Trade War, Politico.com, 29 August 2019: Republicans grow anxious about the Trump economy, Saudi Gazette, 4 September 2019: US trade deficit shrinks; shortfall with China still large, France24, 5 September 2019: US, China to resume trade talks in Washington in October, The Washington Post, 5 September 2019: U.S., China to resume high-level trade talks in Washington in October, Arab News, 7 September 2019: US-China trade conflict could take years to resolve — Kudlow, BBC, 8 September 2019: China exports fall in August as US trade war bites, Politico.com, 12 September 2019: Trump team rushes to find escape hatch for China tariffs, The Washington Post, 13 September 2019: Trump’s trade war is about to make it harder for Americans abroad to vote (Universal Postal Union), Reuters, 13 September 2019: EU goods trade surplus with U.S. and deficit with China widen, Arab News, 25 September 2019: US slaps new sanctions on Chinese entities over Iranian oil, Politico.eu, 2 October 2019: Cheese, French wines, planes on Trump target list for $7.5B retaliation award, BBC, 2 October 2019: US set to impose tariffs on $7.5bn of EU exports in Airbus row, Politico.com, 2 October 2019: Cheese, Scotch and coffee: A big win for Trump on tariffs, France24, 3 October 2019: US to impose tariffs on $7.5 billion in EU goods over illegal Airbus subsidies, Reuters, 5 October 2019: U.S. importers stockpile Parmigiano, Provolone as tariffs on EU cheeses loom, Reuters, 5 October 2019: Spain’s Sanchez says he will defend food sector against ‘unacceptable’ U.S. tariffs, CNN, 11 October 2019: US postpones next tariff hike after China trade talks, CNN, 14 October 2019: Trump’s ‘love fest’ with China won’t end the trade war, Al Jazeera, 16 October 2019: US ‘concerned’ over untrackable China ships carrying Iran oil, Jerusalem Post, 30 October 2019: Under U.S. pressure, Israel okays mechanism to oversee Chinese investments, Politico.com, 12 November 2019: Trump denies his trade policies are hurting economy, Reuters, 18 November 2019: Global trade umpire: the next casualty of Trump’s tariff war?, Al Jazeera, 21 November 2019: China demands Trump veto bills on Hong Kong, CNN, 21 November 2019: Beijing vents fury at Washington over Hong Kong Human Rights Act, France24, 21 November 2019: US Congress passes bills linking Hong Kong trade status to human rights, Politico.eu, 21 November 2019: Trump weighs new trade investigation to justify tariffs on EU, Politico.com, 27 November 2019: Trump signs Hong Kong bill denounced by Beijing, NPR, 28 November 2019: Trump Angers China By Signing Law Backing Hong Kong Protesters, The Guardian, 28 November 2019: ‘Full of arrogance’: Trump angers China by signing bills backing Hong Kong protesters, BBC, 28 November 2019: Hong Kong protests: China warns US over Human Rights and Democracy Act, CNN, 28 November 2019: Protesters celebrate a victory after Trump signs Hong Kong human rights act, Al Jazeera, 28 November 2019: China furious after Trump signs Hong Kong legislation, CNN, 29 November 2019: Trump’s risky move on Hong Kong, France24, 2 December 2019: China sanctions US over ‘unreasonable behaviour’ in Hong Kong unrest, BBC, 2 December 2019: Trump to ‘restore’ tariffs on steel from Brazil and Argentina, France24, 3 December 2019: U.S. vows 100% tariffs on French Champagne, cheese, luxury items over digital tax, Arab News, 6 December 2019: ‘A mess’: Maldives seeks to restructure China debt after heavy borrowing, BBC, 8 December 2019: China exports fall again as US trade war continues, Politico.com, 8 December 2019: In response to Trump, China gets mean, Politico.eu, 5 December 2019: If you want to protect Europe, prepare for trade war, Politico.eu, 9 December 2019: Why Europe’s competitiveness needs an ambitious industry strategy, The Washington Post, 13 December 2019: Winners and losers in Trump’s ‘phase one’ China trade deal, The New York Times, 14 December 2019: China’s Hard-Liners Win a Round in Trump’s Trade Deal, Arab News, 14 December 2019: US-China trade deal gets tepid reception, The Atlantic, 14 December 2019: Trump’s Trade War Was Futile, The Guardian, 15 December 2019: On trade wars China is playing a careful game, but it holds more cards than Trump, Gulf Times, 18 December 2019: US finalizing rules to limit sensitive tech exports to China, others, The Guardian, 23 December 2019: Trump’s lack of strategic vision is going to make China great again, BBC, 23 December 2019: China to cut import tariffs on pork and tech parts, The Guardian, 23 December 2019: China cuts tariffs to boost growth and show up Donald Trump, Arab News, 8 January 2020: Middle East caught in the crossfire of US-China tensions, Politico.com, 13 January 2020: EU’s tough new trade boss seeks reset with Trump, Irish Times, 15 January 2020: Phil Hogan arrives in Washington for crunch EU-US trade talks, CNN, 15 January 2020: A world trade war is brewing. The US-China deal won’t stop it, The New York Times, 15 January 2020: Trump Gets His Trade Deal, China Gets the Win, The Guardian, 16 January 2020: ‘Regret and unhappiness’: China offers muted response to US trade deal, The Washington Post, 16 January 2020: Trump signs partial economic deal with China, calls trade pact a ‘momentous step’, BBC, 16 January 2020: US-China trade deal: Five things that aren’t in it, Politico.com, 16 January 2020: Trump hypes modest China deal, distracting from impeachment, The New York Times, 17 January 2020: China Has a Big Economic Problem, and It Isn’t the Trade War, Politico Magazine, 17 January 2020: The U.S.-China Trade Deal Was Not Even a Modest Win, Al Arabiya, 17 January 2020: China’s 2019 economic growth weakens amid trade war, Gulf Times, 19 January 2020: EU warns of WTO challenge if trade deal creates ‘distortions’, BBC, 19 January 2020: What has Donald Trump actually achieved on trade?, Politico.eu, 19 January 2020: Trump: EU ‘more difficult to do business with than China’, DW, 22 January 2020: Trump reignites trade battle with Europe over digital tax, The New York Times, 23 January 2020: Trump Is Abusing His Tariff Power, Too, Politico.eu, 24 January 2020: EU moves to outflank Trump on trade, Wall Street Journal, 3 February 2020: China Is the Real Sick Man of Asia (BBC, 19 February 2020: Coronavirus: China expels Wall Street Journal journalists for article it deemed racist), Bangkok Post, 15 February 2020: US to hike tariffs on Airbus planes (he won’t rescue Boeing that way either), The Washington Post, 25 February 2020: U.S. markets plummet, continuing coronavirus-fueled sell-off, NPR, 25 February 2020: Some U.S. Farmers Boxed In By Coronavirus Outbreak, Politico.com, 13 March 2020: Inside Trump’s New Europe War, Gulf Times, 17 March 2020: US, China accuse each other of coronavirus fear-mongering, CNN, 18 March 2020: Trump and Beijing agree on the coronavirus crisis: It’s someone else’s fault, The Guardian, 19 March 2020: Bolsonaro’s son enrages Beijing by blaming China for coronavirus crisis, Politico.eu, 18 March 2020: Trump’s trade war proves immune to the coronavirus crisis, Al Arabiya, 21 March 2020: Coronavirus: US seeks public comments on tariff cuts for Chinese imports, Politico.eu, 24 April 2020: Trump owes tens of millions to the Bank of China — and the loan is due soon, Yale Global Online, 5 May 2020: Irresponsible Superpowers Must Cooperate, Foreign Affairs, 6 May 2020: The Coming Post-COVID Anarchy, Yale Global Online, 7 May 2020: Don’t Blame Supply Chains, The Guardian, 9 May 2020: IMF warns of further drop in global growth due to Covid-19, Al Arabiya, 9 May 2020: New US visa rules limits visas for Chinese journalists amid coronavirus tensions, The New Yorker, 10 May 2020: The Folly of Trump’s Blame-Beijing Coronavirus Strategy, The Washington Post, 11 May 2020: McCarthyism, Cold War, Iraq War: China on the attack against the U.S., NPR, 11 May 2020: In Coronavirus War Of Words With The U.S., China Pulls No Punches, CNN, 11 May 2020: China hits back at so-called coronavirus ‘lies’ by US politicians as war of words escalates, Cicero, 11 May 2020: China vs. USA: Power and the Rise and Fall of Nations, The Guardian, 14 May 2020: Coronavirus has presented China with a historic opportunity — will it take it?, CNN, 15 May 2020: China is mobilizing its global media machine in the coronavirus war of words, CNN, 15 May 2020: US increases military pressure on China as tensions rise over pandemic, The washington Post, 21 May 2020: Beijing to implement national security laws in Hong Kong by fiat, bypassing region’s legislature, The washington Post, 21 May 2020: As U.S.-China rhetoric grows harsher, new risks emerge, The New York Times, 22 May 2020: Germany’s Lessons for China and America, The Guardian, 24 May 2020: China raises US trade tensions with warning of ‘new cold war’, Haaretz, 26 May 2020: Amid U.S. Pressure, Chinese Firm Loses Contract for Israeli Plant in Sensitive Location, The Guardian, 27 May 2020: Hong Kong crisis: at least 360 arrested as China protests grow, Politico.eu, 28 May 2020: EU won’t follow Trump into a trade war over Hong Kong, NPR, 29 May 2020: 4 Takeaways From Beijing’s Hong Kong Power Grab, The New York Times, 29 May 2020: Trump Moves to Strip Hong Kong of Special U.S. Relationship, NPR, 29 May 2020: Trump, Retaliating Against Beijing, Revokes Privileges For Hong Kong, Al Arabiya, 1 June 2020: China stops buying US agriculture products as tensions escalate, Reuters, 1 June 2020: China tells state firms to halt purchases of major U.S. farm products: sources, Bloomberg, 1 June 2020: China Halts Some U.S. Farm Imports, Threatening Trade Deal, CNN, 1 June 2020: China gifted propaganda win as Trump’s protest response undermines US efforts to protect Hong Kong, Der Spiegel, 4 June 2020: A Foreign Policy Conundrum: Merkel and the EU Trapped between China and the U.S., Reuters, 6 June 2020: Trump threatens EU, China with tariffs; names Navarro ‘lobster king’ (if President Tweety hadn’t taken TTIP off the table as one of his first acts, there would already be a large free trade agreement between the EU and the US, as it exists between the EU and Canada, so that tariffs would be eliminated. Trump himself has imposed tariffs on the United States, and thus on Maine lobster fishermen, and he now want the EU pay for his failings), DW, 11 June 2020: Sieren’s China: US businesses find big bucks in Beijing, Politico.eu, 13 June 2020: Tension on the agenda when Pompeo meets EU foreign ministers, BBC, 17 June 2020: US-China trade war takes toll on their global competitiveness, The New York Times, 20 June 2020: China’s Man in Washington, Named Trump, CNN, 24 June 2020: European chocolates, olives and 28 other items could be hit with $3.1 billion in new US tariffs, Politico.eu, 25 June 2020: Pompeo says US ready to team up on China, but EU eyes a post-Trump world, CNN, 29 June 2020: China to impose tit-for-tat visa restrictions on US officials over Hong Kong, BBC, 6 July 2020: EU threatens escalation in tariff fight over Boeing and Airbus subsidies, CNN, 14 July 2020: US declares ‘most’ of China’s maritime claims in South China Sea illegal, CNN, 14 July 2020: US allies once seemed cowed by China. Now they’re responding with rare coordination, Jerusalem Post, 15 July 2020: Donald Trump says he is ‘not interested’ in trade talks with China, France24, 15 July 2020: Trump signs order ending preferential status for Hong Kong, talks tough on China (a risky bet, since all measures against China also hit the US economy, which already reports billions in losses due to the already existing US sanctions and US punitive tariffs), Al Arabiya, 17 July 2020: EU hits out at US threat of sanctions against European businesses, Arab News, 18 July 2020: New US-China rivalry will force the world to take sides, CNN, 19 July 2020: China’s ambassador to the US says America must make a ‘fundamental choice’, CNN, 21 July 2020: Trump blasts Beijing in public, but privately Trump org imports tons of Chinese goods, BBC, 22 July 2020: Chinese consulate in Houston ordered to close by US, CNN, 22 July 2020: US orders closure of Chinese consulate in Houston, CNN, 23 July 2020: China harboring military-linked fugitive scientist at San Francisco consulate, FBI says, The Guardian, 24 July 2020: Mike Pompeo says free world must change China or ‘China will change us’ (pure campaign panic. Trump urgently needs to give the impression in the US that he has not yet annoyed all international partners, so that there might be some countries which are willing to cooperate with him on this. That will not succeed and it is a good thing), DW, 24 July 2020: No end in sight to the US-China confrontation, The New York Times, 25 July 2020: Once a Source of U.S.-China Tension, Trade Emerges as an Area of Calm, France24, 24 July 2020: Pompeo calls on nations to ‘induce’ change on ‘Frankenstein’ China, The Washington Post, 24 July 2020: Pompeo’s speech opens a bold new chapter in U.S.-China relations, The New York Times, 25 July 2020: Officials Push U.S.-China Relations Toward Point of No Return, The Guardian, 31 July 2020: ‘China is powerful now’: Beijing’s aggressive global stance sparks wave of nationalism, The Guardian, 1 August 2020: China uses Hong Kong security law against US and UK-based activists, France24, 5 August 2020: China says US cabinet visit to Taiwan ‘endangering peace’, The Guardian, 6 August 2020: Think ‘sanctions’ will trouble China? Then you’re stuck in the politics of the past, CNN, 10 August 2020: China sanctions Rubio, Cruz and other US officials for ‘Hong Kong-related issues’, BBC, 12 August 2020: US holds off on threatened tariff hike in EU Airbus fight (the problem with possible counter-sanctions, e.g. against Boeing, is that the US companies are already dismantling themselves. There is nothing left to sanction, as they’ve already ruined themselves), Politico.eu, 12 August 2020: Europe has mixed reactions to updated US tariffs over Airbus, Foreign Policy, 13 August 2020: The United States Can’t Handle China Alone, Reuters, 14 August 2020: Sino-U.S. tensions to hurt China, U.S. and the world – stats bureau, BBC, 21 August 2020: US wins end of EU lobster tariffs in mini trade deal, Irish Times, 21 August 2020: US and EU sign rare trade agreement to reduce tariffs on range of products, BBC, 25 August 2020: Trump: US and China hold ‘constructive’ trade talks after delay, France24, 25 August 2020: China, US negotiators agree to push forward phase one of trade deal, Politico.eu, 25 August 2020: Chinese foreign minister warns of US ‘interference’ on Europe tour, France24, 15 September 2020: WTO rules against US over Trump’s tariffs on China, The Guardian, 24 September 2020: Trade war: Tesla, Volvo, Ford and Mercedes sue US over ‘unlawful’ China tariffs, Politico.eu, 10 October 2020: Fear and loathing (of Donald Trump) in the EU, BBC, 13 October 2020: EU gets $4bn bargaining chip in US trade row, The New York Times, 20 October 2020: The President’s Taxes: Trump Records Shed New Light on Chinese Business Pursuits, Jerusalem Post, 22 October 2020: Congress notified of $1.8 bln in potential arms sales to Taiwan – Pentagon, Politico.eu, 23 October 2020: Vatican rebuts US protests over China deal, CNN, 26 October 2020: China says it will impose sanctions on Boeing and Lockheed Martin over Taiwan arms sales, The Times, 30 October 2020: American troops ready to take on China over disputed islands, Politico.eu, 10 November 2020: EU keeps its shield up in the US trade war, The Washington Post, 11 November 2020: The U.S.-E.U. trade war is mutually destructive. The two sides should finally negotiate., CNN, 16 November 2020: China looms as Biden’s biggest foreign policy challenge. Here’s where he stands (the EU has at least started talks on free trade agreements and is surprisingly in a better position than the US: European Union free trade agreements), The Guardian, 19 November 2020: Xi Jinping warns against protectionism in apparent swipe at US, Al Jazeera, 24 November 2020: Taiwan begins building first domestically produced submarines, CNN, 24 November 2020: US Navy admiral visits Taiwan as Trump admin solidifies ties before exit, Al Jazeera, 24 November 2020: China accuses ‘dangerous’ US of ‘creating chaos’ in Asia, Al Jazeera, 25 November 2020: Xi Jinping congratulates Biden, hopes for ‘win-win’ China-US ties, CNN, 3 December 2020: The US-China fight isn’t going away. This proves it, CNN, 4 December 2020: Trump is targeting China’s national champions on his way out the door, The New York Times, 14 December 2020: With Americans Stuck at Home, Trade With China Roars Back, The Atlantic, 15 December 2020: The World’s Most Important Body of Water, BBC, 1 January 2021: Wall Street to kick out Chinese telecom giants, The Hill, 2 January 2021: China to take ‘necessary measures’ after US delists three companies from stock exchange, DW, 2 January 2021: China threatens retaliation for NYSE delisting telecom firms, Al Jazeera, 8 January 2021: ‘A cudgel against Beijing’: US ambassador to UN to visit Taiwan, DW, 9 January 2021: US ends restrictions on official contacts with Taiwan, The Guardian, 9 January 2021: US: Pompeo lifts Taiwan restrictions in move likely to anger China, Al Jazeera, 9 January 2021: Pompeo lifts curbs on official US contacts with Taiwan, France24, 10 January 2021: US ends curbs on contacts with Taiwan in move expected to draw Beijing’s ire, BBC, 10 January 2021: Pompeo: US to lift restrictions on contacts with Taiwan, CNN, 10 January 2021: US lifts self-imposed restrictions with Taiwan, The National, 10 January 2021: US lifts restrictions on official American contacts with Taiwan, France24, 12 January 2021: New US tariffs on French wine and cognac come into force, Al Jazeera, 15 January 2021: In last China swipe, Trump hits officials, firms with US bans, France24, 20 January 2021: China imposes sanctions on Pompeo, Trump officials for violating ‘sovereignty’ (understandable. In fact, almost every country in the world should impose sanctions on members of the former Trump administration. On top, Trump’s economic war on China, like almost every other of his “holy war’s” under the title “America first”, miserably failed. During Trump’s presidency China was even able to expand it’s trade surplus with the US massively), CNN, 21 January 2021: Beijing sanctions high-ranking Trump administration officials after Biden takes office, DW, 21 January 2021: Twitter locks account of Chinese embassy in Washington, France24, 24 January 2021: US reiterates support for Taiwan after China sends jets into island’s airspace, BBC, 24 January 2021: Taiwan reports ‘large incursion’ by Chinese warplanes for second day, CNN, 25 January 2021: China flies warplanes close to Taiwan in early test of Biden, Al Jazeera, 28 January 2021: China warns Taiwan independence ‘means war’, ABC News Australia, 28 January 2021: China toughens its stance on Taiwan, declaring any attempt at independence will lead to war, Channel News Asia, 28 January 2021: China toughens language, warns Taiwan that independence ‘means war’, Al Jazeera, 30 January 2021: US slams China’s ‘destabilising’ South China Sea military flights, The Atlantic, 6 February 2021: The Chinese ‘Debt Trap’ Is a Myth, Reuters, 5 March 2021: US, EU agree tariff freeze in aircraft dispute, eye China, BBC, 5 March 2021: US and EU suspend tariffs in Boeing Airbus row, The New Yorker, 8 March 2021: The Rise of Made-in-China Diplomacy, DW, 13 March 2021: US designates Huawei, four other Chinese tech firms national security threats, BBC, 22 March 2021: Uighurs: Western countries sanction China over rights abuses (Trump should take a closer look, as this is how international cooperation works effectively), CNN, 22 March 2021: US and allies announce sanctions against Chinese officials for ‘serious human rights abuses’ against Uyghurs, The Guardian, 22 March 2021: China: US and Canada follow EU and UK in sanctioning officials over Xinjiang, The Hill, 22 March 2021: US announces sanctions for Chinese officials over human rights abuses, The Washington Post, 22 March 2021: U.S., E.U., Canada, Britain announce sanctions on China over human rights abuses of Uyghurs, DW, 22 March 2021: China, Russia accuse US of interference with sanctions (*hahaha*), Al Jazeera, 26 March 2021: Biden suggests creating initiative to rival China’s Belt and Road (high time to do it), Reuters, 26 March 2021: Biden says he suggested to UK’s Johnson a plan to rival China’s Belt and Road, DW, 16 June 2021: EU-US ties: Undoing Donald Trump’s trade war, DW, 17 June 2021: UK, US agree truce in Airbus-Boeing dispute, CNN, 17 September 2021: Trump abandoned this giant trade deal. Now, China wants in, NPR, 2 October 2021: Biden campaigned against the trade war with China, but ending it is complicated, The Hill, 4 October 2021: White House puts China on notice, NPR, 4 October 2021: Biden is keeping key parts of Trump’s China trade policy. Here’s why, DW, 4 October 2021: US seeks ‘frank conversations’ on trade with China, Politico.eu, 31 October 2021: EU and US look to gang up on China after trade war truce, Irish Times, 31 October 2021: US and EU end Trump-era steel trade war, France24, 31 October 2021: US, EU embrace trade deal as marking ‘new era’ in relations, USA PATRIOT Act, U.S. CLOUD Act (Clarifying Lawful Overseas Use of Data Act), United States–European Union relations and China–United States trade war).
- The currently envisaged free trade agreement between the EU and the US would not be enough. In fact, a global trade agreement is needed to make it easier for the countries of South America, Africa, the Levant and Asia to gain market access to the EU und the US, and to reduce the flow of economic refugees along the way. People who see opportunities and possibilites in their home countries will not want to leave them. Further actions, such as helping North African countries build up their economies, should be addressed in a timely manner.
- Of course, the mix of drama, tragedy and comedy titled “Donnie vs. the rest of the world” puts the EU in a position to strengthen its political and economic ties with Canada, Mexico, South America, Africa, the Gulf States and Asia (Jerusalem Post, 12 October 2018: How the missing Saudi writer could affect Israel, The Guardian, 13 October 2018: Claims of state-sanctioned hit trigger crisis for Saudi Arabia, The New York Times, 13 October 2018: ‘Davos in the Desert,’ a Saudi Prince’s Glittering Showcase, Is Stained by a Grisly Accusation, The Washington Post, 14 October 2018: Two princes: Kushner now faces a reckoning for Trump’s bet on the heir to the Saudi throne, The New York Times, 15 October 2018: In Shifting Story, Saudi Arabia May Admit Dissident Journalist Was Killed, The Washington Post, 15 October 2018: Trump’s pro-Saudi policy on the Middle East is a mess, Middle East Eye, 16 October 2018: Israeli media asks: How will Khashoggi affair affect Saudi-Israel ties?, The New York Times, 16 October 2018: Jared Kushner’s Moral Laryngitis, The New York Times, 16 October 2018: America’s Dilemma: Censuring M.B.S. and Not Halting Saudi Reforms, The Guardian, 16 October 2018: A tale of two houses: how Jared Kushner fuelled the Trump-Saudi love-in, The Guardian, 17 October 2018: Jamal Khashoggi: Trump denies giving cover to Saudis as audio handed to US, Times of Israel, 17 October 2018: Kushner shielded from reporter on plane trying to ask about Khashoggi, The Washington Post, 17 October 2018: Jamal Khashoggi: What the Arab world needs most is free expression, Al-Monitor, 18 October 2018: Analysis: Israel torn between Saudi Arabia, Turkey on Khashoggi affair, The New York Times, 19 Ocotober 2018: In Khashoggi Disappearance, Turkey’s Slow Drip of Leaks Puts Pressure on Saudis, The Guardian, 19 October 2018: As pressure on Saudi Arabia grows, Jamal Khashoggi is achieving his life’s mission, The Guardian, 19 October 2018: Evidence suggests crown prince ordered Khashoggi killing, says ex-MI6 chief, The New York Times, 19 October 2018: Saudi Arabia Says Jamal Khashoggi Is Dead, The New York Times, 19 October 2018: Saudi Arabia Says Jamal Khashoggi Was Killed in Consulate Fight, The Guardian, 20 October 2018: Saudi Arabia admits Khashoggi killed but claims he died in ‘fist-fight’, The Guardian, 21 October 2018: Jamal Khashoggi: murder in the consulate, The Guardian, 21 October 2018: Khashoggi murder exposes Trump administration’s dependency on Saudis, The Guardian, 24 October 2018: Khashoggi death: Saudi prince may have been involved, Trump says, The Guardian, 25 Ocotober 2018: Jamal Khashoggi killing premeditated, says Saudi prosecutor, The Guardian, 19 November 2018: European travel ban imposed on 18 Saudis over Khashoggi killing, Saudi Gazette, 23 February 2019: King heads Saudi delegation to first Arab-EU summit in Egypt, France24, 24 February 2019: Saudi Arabia names princess as new ambassador to the US, The New York Times, 24 February 2019: Saudi Arabia Names a Princess as Ambassador to Washington and Times of Israel, 24 February 2019: Leaders from EU, Arab League hold first-ever joint summit, Reuters, 24 February 2019: Arab League, EU seek synchrony on regional crises in first summit, The National, 24 February 2019: Sisi urges joint Arab-European action on terrorism and migration, France24, 24 February 2019: First joint EU-Arab summit, an opportunity to protect against China and Russia, AP News, 25 February 2019: Egypt’s Leader Says Europe Cannot ‘Teach Us’ About Rights, The Guardian, 10 March 2019: The heart of the US-Saudi relationship lies in the Kushner-prince friendship, The New York Times, 25 March 2019: Europe: Prey or Power?, The Washington Post, 25 March 2019: China lays down a marker in Europe, France24, 25 March 2019: Europe, Australia chewing over new trade negotiations, France, 26 March 2019: Macron, Xi, Merkel and Juncker hold talks in Paris, The Guardian, 26 March 2019: Macron meets Xi Jinping to strengthen EU-China relationship, The New York Times, 2 April 2019: Saudi Arabia Giving Jamal Khashoggi’s Children Money and Real Estate, The Guardian, 2 April 2019: Saudi Arabia paying Jamal Khashoggi’s children thousands each month – report, The Guardian, 5 April 2019: US-Saudi dual citizens among eight critics of regime detained, Politico.com, 16 April 2019: U.S. to announce tough policy on businesses in Cuba, France24, 17 April 2019: EU, Canada reject Trump’s Cuba sanctions policy, DW, 17 April 2019: New US policy on seized property in Cuba threatens EU ties (the funny thing is that Cuban exiles from the US have invested huge sums of dollars in Cuba with the help of Cuban middlemen, primarily in real estate. So, this shot is likely to end up in the foot of the US president. The Palestinians will be happy to note the Trump administration’s decision, as it will open the way for them to seek compensation for expropriation from Israel. The “stable genius” Donnie, once again, did a great job), The Guardian, 24 April 2019: UK condemns Saudi Arabia over ‘repulsive’ mass executions, The Guardian, 4 June 2019: Trump officials approved Saudi nuclear permits after Khashoggi murder, France24, 19 June 2019: ‘Credible evidence’ links Saudi crown prince to Khashoggi murder, UN expert says, The Guardian, 19 June 2019: ‘Credible evidence’ Saudi crown prince liable for Khashoggi killing – UN report, UN News, 20 June 2019: Khashoggi murder ‘an international crime’, says UN-appointed rights investigator: Special in-depth UN News interview, The New York Times, 27 June 2019: Saudi Arabia Is Running Out of Friends, Saudi Gazette, 9 July 2019: Saudi envoy presents credentials to President Trump, The National, 9 July 2019: Saudi Arabia’s first female ambassador presents credentials to Donald Trump and Arab League–European Union relations) and Asia to be able to protect own interests. This works increasingly better, even if there is still a long way to go to the finish line (DW, 28 June 2019: EU, South American countries agree on draft free trade treaty, Reuters, 28 June 2019: EU, Mercosur strike trade pact, defying protectionist wave, BBC, 28 June 2019: EU and Mercosur agree huge trade deal after 20-year talks, France24, 29 June 2019: Farmers, environmentalists slam ‘sell-out’ EU-Mercosur trade deal, The Guardian, 30 June 2019: EU signs landmark trade deal with Vietnam, France24, 23 July 2019: French parliament approves controversial EU-Canada trade deal CETA, Arab News, 1 August 2019: Saudi Arabia ends restrictions on women traveling: Royal Decree, Saudi Gazette, 1 August 2019: Saudi women can obtain passports without male guardians’ permission, The New York Times, 2 August 2019: Saudi Arabia Grants Women Travel Rights, The National, 16 October 2019: World’s first artificial intelligence university to open in Abu Dhabi, Reuters, 21 April 2020: EU and Mexico agree new free trade pact, Politico.eu, 5 May 2021: India and Europe: Match made in heaven or mismatch?, Al Jazeera, 8 May 2021: EU and India agree to resume long-stalled trade talks, Arab News, 8 May 2021: Interview: A shared ‘forward-looking spirit’ underpins EU-Saudi partnership, Politico.eu, 19 October 2021: Leaders look to break EU’s impasse on trade deals, DW, 11 January 2022: What to expect from Europe-ASEAN relations in 2022, Al Arabiya, 25 April 2022: India, EU agree to broaden trade ties amid Ukraine war, Politico.eu, 29 April 2022: Macron’s victory raises hopes of an EU free-trade boom).
- “New Deal”, the restart of transatlantic relations: How could this restart look like and what should it at least contain? Since President Biden will initially be busy clearing up his predecessor’s chaos and reconciling America with itself, it is all the more important for his European partners to support him in achieving foreign policy goals in order to secure his presidency along the way. Many of the goals are ultimately also in the European interest, so that the “jumping over your own shadow” will be limited. To this end, the EU core states and net contributors should get together, develop a corresponding concept paper as a basis for discussion and do so promptly so that they can approach the Biden administration. Since the net recipients will only participate anyway if they receive money from Brussels in return, they do not need to be involved in the talks. Biden is also an internationalist, so it should be easier for him to reintegrate into international agreements and organizations, e.g. the WTO, UNESCO or the WHO, smoothly and silently. The most important sub-aspects include:
- Trade: Dismantling of trade restrictions and tariffs, as has been demanded by both sides for years. A TTIP 2.0 or an agreement based on CETA. When it comes to dealing with China, there is unlikely to be an overall agreement, especially since the EU does not want to be razed between the two superpowers. When it comes to the need to curb harmful Chinese tendencies, however, there is already broad consensus in terms of content (fair, equal market access, distortion of competition, protection of intellectual property, etc.).
- Environment / Climate: The reintegration into the Paris Agreement has already been announced as one of the first official acts of Biden (Paris Agreement).
- Security: Not only since the seizure of power (if you have 3 million votes less than your competitor and then you can still be declared the US president, that cannot be phrased differently) by the presidential fool Trump is the subject of “external security” for the US of great importance. It has to be the same for Europeans, but for them it has to be supplemented by the subject of “internal security”, e.g. in the joint fight against any form of terrorism within the EU by Europol and / or Frontex. In addition, there is the dealings with Turkey, which is increasingly hostile to the EU and which should be dealt with accordingly (freezing of the customs union (the threat of withdrawing from the refugee agreement no longer applies, especially since the EU front-line states have meanwhile secured their borders much better), suspension of all aid figures, no more military aid, freezing of NATO membership so that the Turkish leadership can calmly think about which alliance the country would like to belong to in the future or whether it would rather be wiped out between Russia and Iran. Admission to the EU has already been put on hold and will probably remain so for a few more years, etc.). One of these challenges is a justifiable solution to Brexit, in which Great Britain can manage an orderly exit from the EU. Barack Obama, in his usual eloquent-friendly-diplomatic manner, tried to make it clear to the Europeans that both the Second World War and the Cold War 1.0 were a thing of the past, so that Europe should finally organize its external security together and independently that it could stand up for itself and to pacify its “backyards” (Russia, Levant, Middle East, North Africa) (Hillary Clinton would have also asked for it and Biden will of course continue). It was a big mistake on the part of the Europeans to ignore the appeals, because instead of building up this common defense structure piece by piece over a period from 2008 onwards, it must now be done all the faster and more costly, because it is now clear that the USA is about to withdraw from Europe and the Middle East and instead concentrate on the Pacific area. The EU, especially supported and promoted by the economically strongest country in Europe, the military skiver Germany, must therefore develop joint military capabilities and begin with the EU core states. How could Germany’s role look like? As always, there are several ways to get there, but they all add up to “more”. With the 2% NATO target in mind, it is less important to develop capabilities within Germany (this is mainly about successful replacement purchases and the establishment of full operational readiness, from which the country is still light years away for various reasons) than it is to contribute to the protection of the EU’s external borders. Here it would be advisable to intensify the cooperation with the EU core states by subordinating considerable German contingents to the frontline states and stationing them on site (which at the same time makes the Bundeswehr more attractive as an employer if you know that you don’t end up in Bottrop during your service, but instead travel around Europe) in order to gradually achieve the establishment of a common defense structure (EU army) and at the same time contribute to strengthening mutual trust. That would go far beyond mere lip service and would send strong and clear signals. This is the easy part of the exercise, especially since good preparatory work has already been done. It becomes more difficult with the cooperation with the EU eastward enlargement (with the exception of the Baltic States) and south-east Europe. To explain to the Polish government that you intend to station German troops in the country should at least cause irritation. In particular, the ultra-nationalists of the PiS still fear that “Since 5:45 am we are now fring back” could occur again. So it will be a little more difficult and tricky to proceed. For example, in the context of joint procurement and the alignment of weapon systems and calibers, the partial assumption of costs or the increase of the respective defense budget from the federal defense budget, the provision of a “framework contingent” from which the EU eastward expansion could receive weapons and ammunition would come into question and services to a corresponding extent, so that German armourers also get something of the pie via the detour (similar to the way the US does it with Israel: an overall aid budget for support services is set, from which the Israelis, who are also obliged to buy mostly American products so that the domestic economy benefits from it and on the other hand no competing manufacturers are built abroad. In addition, the USA maintains large ammunition depots in Israel, from which the Israelis can receive deliveries. In Netanyahu’s propaganda language, this reads “Israel’s military superiority in the region” (Qualitative Military Edge (QME)). Observer can of course count on one finger what that actually means in practice). The aim of common defense would not be strengthened by pooling troops, but national defenses in the EU’s eastward expansion would. In cooperation with the Baltic States, both variants are already possible today (troops on site and support measures for the armies) and are already being given in some cases. All the measures taken together would bring Germany significantly closer to the 2% NATO target and at the same time ensure that the country would be taken seriously militarily. The military weakness of Germany has not only been the foreign policy Achilles’ heel since yesterday. The medium-term goal must be to build a powerful EU army that reports directly to the European Parliament and that complements NATO. This relieves NATO and the Europeans would be able to regulate their own affairs at any time, which in turn relieves the Americans.
- Energy: Among other things, with the help of Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA) and the hypocritical Protecting Europe’s Energy Security Act (PEESA) the Trump clan tries to sell questionable and overpriced US fracking gas (which is why the US fracking industry is facing considerable economic problems) in the form of LNG to Europe. In order to achieve the climate goals, there is a considerable additional demand for natural gas in Europe, which can only be met by a large mix of suppliers, not “either or” but “both”. Poland would like to see itself in the role of importer and distributor of fracking gas. The country does not want to say goodbye to its coal skimmers and is also accepting considerable environmental damage in America and considerable damage to the health of the population at the production sites by importing LNG. A friendly people. Germany and other Western European countries are relying on another pipeline from Russia in order to be able to cover parts of the additional demand. All EU states are of course completely free to determine their energy mix and suppliers themselves. Trump’s America therefore attempted to undermine self-determination with the help of illegal coercive measures. Every state has to defend itself against this tyranny of a hostile regime and that is exactly what happened. The Biden administration will also try to increase the market share of US fracking gas in European gas imports, but will certainly react with common sense. In this respect, it would make sense to close an agreement on the import of X% US fracking gas in total imports at a price of no more than Y, so that the topic can be taken off the table.
- The relationship between the EU and the world economic power China is multi-part and varies from member state to member state. In particular, the relations of the EU’s eastward enlargement, Greece and Italy to China are at least questionable (Cooperation between China and Central and Eastern European Countries), especially since critics assume that China will buy with the help of investments in the respective states intercession in Brussels and possibly try to drive a wedge into the EU. China’s expansionist policies in Asia and Africa are also viewed very critically because, in exchange for seemingly generous investments, they are creating great dependencies on China, which has often proved to be anything but positive for the affected countries. Basically, EU-China relations are based on economic aspects, which should be significantly expanded and stabilized (as well as with other countries and regions to further isolate Trump’s US) in the face of Trump’s trade wars against China and the EU. In other areas there are differences rather than similarities, especially since they are opposing social models (democracy, rule of law, and social market economy vs. authoritarianism, command economy and mixed economy), which are hardly compatible. In contrast to Trump’s trade war against China, the EU is using penetrance and constant dialogue, although some criticisms of China’s policies are in line with those of the US. The EU is trying to constructively accompany the gradual opening up of China, although clear words and actions may sometimes lead to better results. It is likely to take several decades before this competitive situation can create a full partnership. European Union, 9 April 2019: EU-China Relations factsheet, The New York Times, 21 August 2019: European Companies Get Rich in China’s ‘Open Air Prison’, CNN, 14 September 2019: China’s clout is growing on the edge of the EU, and the US is worried, Foreign Affairs, September/October 2019: The Old World and the Middle Kingdom, Reuters, 24 September 2019: European business group warns of China economic stagnation if SOEs not reined in, BBC, 29 September 2019: China anniversary: The deep cuts of 70 years of Communist rule, Saudi Gazette, 29 September 2019: As communist China turns 70, a ‘Great Fracture’ emerges with US, BBC, 30 September 2019: China anniversary: Military parade brings out the big guns, BBC, 1 October 2019: China anniversary: Beijing celebrations mark 70 years of Communist rule, CNN, 1 October 2019: 70 years of the People’s Republic of China in five graphics, The Guardian, 1 October 2019: China celebrates 70th anniversary as Xi warns ‘no force can shake great nation’, NPR, 1 October 2019: China Flexes Muscles In Parade Marking 70 Years Of Communist Rule, The New York Times, 1 October 2019: Protests Erupt Across Hong Kong, Overshadowing Xi’s Big Parade, Politico.eu, 3 November 2019: Macron moves to protect EU from Trump-China alliance, France24, 4 November 2019: French President Macron to raise ‘taboo’ topics during China visit, DW, 4 October 2019: EU-Japan take on China’s BRI with own Silk Road, France24, 5 November 2019: China condemns protectionism, pledges wider market access during Macron visit, The New York Times, 16 November 2019: ‘Absolutely No Mercy’: Leaked Files Expose How China Organized Mass Detentions of Muslims, The Guardian, 17 November 2019: ‘Show no mercy’: leaked documents reveal details of China’s Xinjiang detentions, The Guardian, 24 November 2019: ‘Allow no escapes’: leak exposes reality of China’s vast prison camp network, BBC, 24 November 2019: Data leak reveals how China ‘brainwashes’ Uighurs in prison camps, Irish Times, 24 November 2019: China Cables: ‘The largest incarceration of a minority since the Holocaust’, The Guardian, 25 November 2019: UK calls for UN access to Chinese detention camps in Xinjiang, The Guardian, 26 November 2019: Europe needs China’s billions. But does it know the price?, France24, 27 November 2019: Muslim countries’ silence on China’s repression of Uighurs, The Guardian, 4 December 2019: US House approves Uighur Act calling for sanctions on China’s senior officials, France24, 9 December 2019: European companies minimise risks from US-China trade war, Carnegie Europe, 12 December 2019: Judy Asks: Can Europe Stand Up to China?, BBC, 15 December 2019: Mesut Ozil: Arsenal-Manchester City game removed from schedules by China state TV, France24, 15 December 2019: Ozil’s social media post on Uighurs ‘entirely personal opinion’, says Arsenal, Al Jazeera, 15 December 2019: China state TV pulls Arsenal game after Ozil Uighur comments, The Guardian, 16 December 2019: Mesut Özil row: China’s Arsenal fans burn shirts in anger at Xinjiang post, Politico.eu, 17 December 2019: Lawmakers call on EU to ban imports from Xinjiang camps, The Guardian, 31 December 2019: This decade belonged to China. So will the next one, CNN, 8 January 2020: World’s first 350km-per-hour driverless bullet train goes into service in China, Reuters, 8 January 2020: EU Commission chief calls for smart, sensible agreements with China, CNN, 13 January 2020: China is really worried about unemployment. Here’s what it’s doing to avoid mass layoffs, Politico.eu, 13 January 2020: Europe’s moment of truth with China, South China Morning Post, 13 January 2020: China and EU may hold summit in Beijing at end of March, ahead of ‘17+1’ meeting, The Guardian, 15 January 2020: Tsai Ing-wen says China must ‘face reality’ of Taiwan’s independence, France24, 15 January 2020: Taiwan ‘already independent’, Tsai warns China, BBC, 15 January 2020: The Kazakh Muslims detained in China’s camps, BBC, 17 January 2020: China’s economic growth hits 30-year low, Al Arabiya, 17 January 2020: EU-China investment agreement negotiations enter ‘critical stage’: EU ambassador, CNN, 25 January 2020: China is a massive headache for Europe, The New York Times, 10 February 2020: ‘Like Europe in Medieval Times’: Virus Slows China’s Economy, CNN, 11 February 2020: China is struggling to get back to work after the coronavirus lockdown, Politico.com, 11 February 2020: China warns against virus-related trade restrictions, The Guardian, 20 March 2020: Increasingly powerful, Xi’s China believes it no longer needs Washington – or its foreign reporters, France24, 1 May 2020: Can the unmasking of China’s Covid-19 ‘mask diplomacy’ stem Beijing’s global power grab?, Politico.eu, 3 May 2020: Europe has been ‘naive’ about China, says Josep Borrell, CNN, 5 May 2020: Europe and China were on course for a reset. Coronavirus changed all that, Politico.eu, 7 May 2020: China-US tensions harm global anti-virus effort, warns EU envoy in Beijing, The Washington Post, 7 May 2020: E.U. defends handling of China relations after Beijing censors op-ed written by bloc’s ambassadors, Politico.eu, 7 May 2020: What’s behind China’s new behavior in Europe, CNN, 8 May 2020: The EU has admitted it let China censor an op-ed by the bloc’s ambassadors, CNN, 11 May 2020: Chinese and Indian soldiers engage in ‘aggressive’ cross-border skirmish, NPR, 11 May 2020: In Coronavirus War Of Words With The U.S., China Pulls No Punches, Cicero, 11 May 2020: China vs. USA: Power and the Rise and Fall of Nations, CNN, 11 May 2020: China hits back at so-called coronavirus ‘lies’ by US politicians as war of words escalates, Politico.eu, 12 May 2020: Borrell: EU won’t again bow to Chinese censorship, Politico.eu, 13 May 2020: EU diplomats face the enemy within, France24, 13 May 2020: Focus on Covid-19, France tells China after Taiwan arms deal threat, CNN, 15 May 2020: China is mobilizing its global media machine in the coronavirus war of words, Politico.eu, 15 May 2020: Chinese spies in Malta’s embassy? News to me, says EU’s Borrell, Politico.eu, 18 May 2020: Fewer Germans prioritize relationship with US over China: report, The New York Times, 21 May 2020: China Moves to Impose New Hong Kong Security Law, Tightening Control, The washington Post, 21 May 2020: Beijing to implement national security laws in Hong Kong by fiat, bypassing region’s legislature, Gulf Times, 21 May 2020: Trump blames China for ‘mass Worldwide killing’, BBC, 22 May 2020: China security law ‘could be end of Hong Kong’, CNN, 22 May 2020: China to propose hugely controversial national security law in Hong Kong, France24, 22 May 2020: Hong Kong activists call for protest after China vows stronger security enforcement, CNN, 22 May 2020: China unveils $500 billion stimulus for the economy as it scraps growth target due to the pandemic, The Guardian, 22 May 2020: Deputy PM ‘very concerned’ over reports China’s power plants warned not to buy Australian coal, CNN, 22 May 2020: Hang Seng Index has worst day since 2015 as tensions flare up again between China and the West, BBC, 22 May 2020: How real is China’s economic recovery?, CNN, 22 May 2020: China will not set an economic growth target amid ‘great uncertainty’, France24, 22 May 2020: China drops GDP goal as parliament opens amid Covid-19 hit on economy, CNN, 22 May 2020: Businesses fear the worst for Hong Kong’s future, BBC, 22 May 2020: NPC: China moves to impose controversial Hong Kong security law, CNN, 22 May 2020: China’s proposed national security law could end Hong Kong as we know it, Politico.eu, 22 May 2020: China flexes its trade muscles, The Guardian, 24 May 2020: China raises US trade tensions with warning of ‘new cold war’, The Guardian, 25 May 2020: European Union Dawn of Asian century puts pressure on EU to choose sides, says top diplomat, Politico.eu, 28 May 2020: EU won’t follow Trump into a trade war over Hong Kong, The Washington Post, 29 May 2020: Hong Kong and Taiwan are cultural powerhouses. That terrifies Beijing., Politico.eu, 29 May 2020: Borrell: China’s move in Hong Kong doesn’t endanger investment deals, The Washington Post, 29 May 2020: China vows to ‘smash’ any Taiwan independence move, Politico.eu, 31 May 2020: As Australia clashes with China, the EU lays low, The Washington Post, 2 June 2020: Welcome to China’s new interventionist foreign policy, CNN, 3 June 2020: US to block Chinese airlines from flying into the US, The New York Times, 3 June 2020: Trump Administration to Block Chinese Airlines From Flying to the U.S., Der Spiegel, 4 June 2020: A Foreign Policy Conundrum: Merkel and the EU Trapped between China and the U.S., DW, 8 June 2020: China’s Uighurs convicted in sham trials at Xinjiang camps, The Guardian, 9 June 2020: China warns students to reconsider travel to Australia for study, Politico.eu, 9 June 2020: China is not a military threat, EU top diplomat says, The Guardian, 9 June 2020: Hong Kong protesters charged by riot police as they mark anniversary, The Guardian, 10 June 2020: EU says China behind ‘huge wave’ of Covid-19 disinformation, Politico.eu, 12 June 2020: EU lawmakers propose taking China to court over Hong Kong security law, Al Arabiya, 15 June 2020: EU imposes tariffs on Chinese producers of glass fiber fabric in China and Egypt, Politico.eu, 16 June 2020: Brussels forges new weapons to shield EU market from China, CNN, 17 June 2020: Even if Europe wanted to break away from China post-Covid, it couldn’t, CNN, 17 June 2020: Europe is building defenses against Chinese takeovers of key industries, Irish Times, 22 June 2020: EU bids for greater access to Chinese markets, France24, 22 June 2020: EU-China summit opens amid tensions over trade, coronavirus and Hong Kong, Politico.eu, 22 June 2020: EU leaders face tough time getting tough on China, France24, 24 June 2020: With the launch of its BeiDou satellite, Beijing’s Space Silk Road is open for business, Politico.eu, 29 June 2020: Merkel’s Dr. No gets his toughest mission yet, DW, 6 July 2020: China rebukes UK, Canada on Hong Kong; pressures France on Huawei, Reuters, 6 July 2020: UK will face consequences if it rules China is a hostile country – envoy, Financial Times, 7 July 2020: Merkel comes under fire at home for China stance, DW, 7 July 2020: Germany’s reluctance to speak out against China, Foreign Policy, 8 July 2020: China Is NATO’s New Problem, Politico.eu, 9 July 2020: Merkel sees tough road to EU budget and recovery deal, Politico.eu, 9 July 2020: Sweden’s ex-ambassador to China awaits verdict in historic trial, Politico.eu, 10 July 2020: Hong Kong asylum seekers test EU-China relations, Politico.eu, 12 July 2020: Trump national security adviser heading to Europe for talks on China, Jerusalem Post, 13 July 2020: EU should not cease dialog with China over Hong Kong – Merkel, Reuters, 13 July 2020: EU preparing measures against China over Hong Kong, CNN, 14 July 2020: US allies once seemed cowed by China. Now they’re responding with rare coordination, Arab News, 19 July 2020: China’s new Silk Road passes through Tehran, The Guardian, 23 July 2020: Analysis Why is Xi Jinping pitting China against the world?, The Guardian, 24 July 2020: Hong Kong: European committee chairs jointly condemn China over human rights, Al Jazeera, 25 July 2020: How not to deal with a resurgent Beijing, Politico.eu, 28 July 2020: ‘No other option’ but to work with China, says Commission vice president, Politico.eu, 28 July 2020: EU to limit export of ‘sensitive’ tech in response to Hong Kong security law, DW, 31 July 2020: Only sanctions will make China stop and think, The Guardian, 31 July 2020: ‘China is powerful now’: Beijing’s aggressive global stance sparks wave of nationalism, DW, 31 July 2020: Hong Kong postpones election, citing coronavirus fears, Politico.eu, 31 July 2020: Germany suspends extradition agreement with Hong Kong, DW, 31 July 2020: Ian Johnson on American journalist expulsions: ‘Now we lack facts’ on China, The Guardian, 1 August 2020: China uses Hong Kong security law against US and UK-based activists, DW, 1 August 2020: China criticizes Germany’s suspension of extradition treaty with Hong Kong, The Guardian, 2 August 2020: Books pulled from library shelves, songs banned…it’s the new normal in Hong Kong, Der Spiegel, 2 August 2020: China as a Systemic Rival to the EU: “The Security of Our Citizens Is at Stake”, France24, 3 August 2020: France halts ratifying extradition treaty with Hong Kong in wake of security law, Politico.eu, 3 August 2020: Why post-Merkel Germany will change its tune on China, France24, 10 August 2020: Hong Kong media mogul and activist Jimmy Lai arrested for ‘collusion with foreign powers’, France24, 12 August 2020: Hong Kong suspends extradition agreements with France and Germany, DW, 18 August 2020: Hong Kong: National security law targets overseas activists, CNN, 23 August 2020: China’s Communist Party is a threat to the world, says former elite insider, CNN, 23 August 2020: China’s Communist Party is a threat to the world, says former elite insider, CNN, 25 August 2020: Australia kills sale of a dairy business to China as trade tensions rise, Politico.eu, 25 August 2020: Chinese foreign minister warns of US ‘interference’ on Europe tour, CNN, 27 August 2020: China puts hundreds of uninhabited islands up for rent, DW, 6 September 2020: Hong Kong police arrest hundreds after protests over delayed vote, The Guardian, 6 September 2020: Hong Kong: Almost 300 arrests as protesters oppose election delay, Financial Times, 9 September 2020: China’s Middle East strategy comes at a cost to the US, CNN, 12 September 2020: China has spent 2020 losing friends. But Brussels can’t afford to make an enemy of world’s next hyperpower, Politico.eu, 13 September 2020: Europe’s wolf warriors, Politico.eu, 14 September 2020: Merkel gets China video chat instead of ‘jewel in the crown’, Politico.eu, 15 September 2020: Why China’s Xi Jinping is the world’s most dangerous man, Politico.eu, 16 September 2020: China’s mixed Marxist messages undercut EU trade prospects, The Guardian, 24 September 2020: Uighurs: China has built 380 internment camps in Xinjiang, study finds, France24, 25 September 2020: Thousands of mosques in China’s Xinjiang region demolished in recent years, report says, The Guardian, 25 September 2020: Thousands of Xinjiang mosques destroyed or damaged, report finds, DW, 6 October 2020: ‘Unfavorable views’ of China reach historic highs, new report finds, The Guardian, 10 October 2020: Hong Kong: Police arrest nine people suspected of aiding fleeing activists, Al Jazeera, 10 October 2020: Taiwan to strengthen defences as China tensions escalate, The Guardian, 10 October 2020: Uighurs Block China’s seat on human rights council, urges UK Labour, BBC, 11 November 2020: Hong Kong pro-democracy lawmakers resign after China ruling, France24, 11 November 2020: Hong Kong pro-democracy lawmakers resign as Beijing moves to quash opposition, DW, 11 November 2020: Opinion: Hong Kong’s rule of law is at its end, NPR, 11 November 2020: Hong Kong’s Pro-Democracy Lawmakers Quit Legislature Over Ouster Of Colleagues, The Guardian, 14 November 2020: Hong Kong politicians face pro-democracy exodus, CNN, 16 November 2020: China looms as Biden’s biggest foreign policy challenge. Here’s where he stands (the EU has at least started talks on free trade agreements and is surprisingly in a better position than the US: European Union free trade agreements), The Guardian, 19 November 2020: Xi Jinping warns against protectionism in apparent swipe at US, The Sunday Times, 22 November 2020: Block us and Britain will suffer, warns China, Al Jazeera, 24 November 2020: Taiwan begins building first domestically produced submarines, CNN, 24 November 2020: US Navy admiral visits Taiwan as Trump admin solidifies ties before exit, Al Jazeera, 24 November 2020: China accuses ‘dangerous’ US of ‘creating chaos’ in Asia, DW, 25 November 2020: China bears teeth in ‘Wolf Warrior’ trade diplomacy, Politico.eu, 26 November 2020: Beijing’s influence in European Parliament draws fresh scrutiny, France24, 30 November 2020: Australia demands China apologise after ‘repugnant’ fake image posted on Twitter, CNN, 30 November 2020: Australia demands apology after Chinese official tweets ‘falsified image’ of soldier threatening child, The Guardian, 30 November 2020: Australia: China rejects PM’s call to apologise for ‘repugnant’ tweet with fake image of soldier, Politico.eu, 30 November 2020: EU seeks anti-China alliance on tech with Biden, NPR, 30 November 2020: Biden Is Good News For Europe, But China Challenges Await, France24, 1 December 2020: Is China provoking a diplomatic fight with Australia?, The Washington Post, 2 December 2020: The jailing of three opposition leaders is another milestone in China’s crushing of Hong Kong, DW, 3 December 2020: Hong Kong: Jimmy Lai, pro-democracy tycoon, in custody on fraud charge, The Guardian, 3 December 2020: Hong Kong: Pro-democracy figure Jimmy Lai denied bail on fraud charge, NPR, 3 December 2020: Hong Kong Media Mogul Jimmy Lai Denied Bail For Alleged Fraud, Arab News, 3 December 2020: Hong Kong media tycoon Jimmy Lai in custody after fraud charge, Politico.com, 3 December 2020: Don’t expect Biden to ‘reset’ relations with Beijing, The Guardian, 5 December 2020: Slavery will never be history as long as we turn a blind eye to China, The Times, 6 December 2020: Leak exposes how Beijing ordered under-reporting of Wuhan virus cases, The New York Times, 6 December 2020: China Peddles Falsehoods to Obscure Origin of Pandemic, DW, 7 December 2020: China’s exports soar amid post-pandemic rebound, DW, 8 December 2020: Hong Kong police arrest pro-democracy activists in widening crackdown, DW, 8 December 2020: US slaps new sanctions on Chinese officials over Hong Kong, DW, 8 December 2020: Friend or foe: China has NATO worried, France24, 11 December 2020: Former Hong Kong lawmaker seeks asylum in US, CNN, 11 December 2020: Bloomberg journalist detained in Beijing for allegedly ‘endangering national security’, The Washington Post, 11 December 2020: China detains Bloomberg News staffer in national security investigation, NPR, 11 December 2020: Jimmy Lai, Hong Kong Media Mogul, Charged Under National Security Law, The Washington Post, 11 December 2020: Hong Kong media publisher Jimmy Lai is charged under national security law, France24, 12 December 2020: Hong Kong pro-democracy media tycoon Jimmy Lai charged under security law, The Guardian, 13 December 2020: From unthinkable to irrefutable: The Guardian view on China’s treatment of the Uighurs, Arab News, 13 December 2020: EU urges China to free those detained for reporting after Bloomberg employee held, The New York Times, 14 December 2020: With Americans Stuck at Home, Trade With China Roars Back, Haaretz, 14 December 2020: As America Retreats, China Claims a Corner of Europe, Al Jazeera, 15 December 2020: ICC prosecutor rejects Uighur genocide complaint against China, DW, 15 December 2020: Muslim ex-internee tells harrowing story of life in China, France24, 15 December 2020: ‘A huge game-changer’: Report says more than 570,000 Uighurs forced to pick cotton, The Atlantic, 15 December 2020: The World’s Most Important Body of Water, BBC, 15 December 2020: UK business ‘must wake up’ to China’s Uighur cotton slaves, CNN, 16 December 2020: China’s luxury market boomed this year, even as global sales shrank, The Times, 17 December 2020: Mass blackouts follow China’s coal imports ban, CNN, 17 December 2020: The exiles and the inmates: The heart-wrenching hand dealt to Hong Kong’s democracy activists, DW, 18 December 2020: Japan calls on Germany to send warship to East Asia, The Times, 19 December 2020: Chinese military expansion into Pacific ‘poses greatest threat to America and allies’, The Times, 19 December 2020: ‘To win against Russia and China we must beat them at their own game’, Foreign Policy, 21 December 2020: China Used Stolen Data to Expose CIA Operatives in Africa and Europe, Reuters, 22 December 2020: ‘Good riddance,’ China says as Germany leaves U.N. Security Council (that the two injustice regimes would prefer to see further dictatorships represented in the UN Security Council is of course understandable from their point of view. It is all the more important to regularly confront them with reality. It’s nice to see that they still jump over every stick that you hold out to them. It shows how much they are under pressure. Ambassador Heusgen obviously did everything right), Politico.eu, 22 December 2020: EU-China investment deal hits a snag as US exerts pressure, Politico.eu, 24 December 2020: Paris will block EU-China deal, says trade minister, Jerusalem Post, 28 December 2020: China jails journalist for four years over Wuhan coronavirus reporting, CNN, 28 December 2020: Chinese journalist who documented Wuhan coronavirus outbreak jailed for 4 years, DW, 29 December 2020: EU-China investment deal done and dusted, The Guardian, 29 December 2020: Investment deal China and EU poised to sign long-delayed agreement, France24, 29 December 2020: EU demands China release citizen-journalist Zhang Zhan who reported on Covid-19, DW, 29 December 2020: EU demands China release citizen journalist Zhang Zhan, Politico.eu, 29 December 2020: China promises to ban forced labor under EU investment deal, Der Spiegel, 29 December 2020: The Dawn of the Dragon: How Xi Jinping Has Transformed China, DW, 30 December 2020: EU and China approve major investment deal, France24, 30 December 2020: EU agrees investment deal with China, says it will help ‘rebalance economic ties’, CNN, 30 December 2020: Europe strikes major investment deal with China despite US concerns, The New York Times, 30 December 2020: China and E.U. Leaders Strike Investment Deal, CNN, 31 December 2020: Neither human rights concerns nor US disapproval could stop the EU-China trade deal, Foreign Policy, 31 December 2020: What Merkel Really Thinks About China—and the World, Politico.eu, 1 January 2021: Germany’s drive for EU-China deal draws criticism from other EU countries, The Hill, 2 January 2021: The West can use economics to teach China a lesson about human rights, DW, 3 January 2021: China: Harbin shines in icy splendor, DW, 6 January 2021: Hong Kong: Police arrest over 50 pro-democracy activists in crackdown, France24, 6 January 2021: Dozens of Hong Kong pro-democracy figures arrested under national security law, BBC, 6 January 2021: National security law: Hong Kong rounds up 53 pro-democracy activists, The Guardian, 6 January 2021: Hong Kong Dozens of pro-democracy figures arrested in sweeping crackdown, The Atlantic, 6 January 2021: Targeting Democracy, Politico.eu, 6 January 2021: MEPs emerge as top hurdle to EU-China trade deal, DW, 8 January 2021: Hong Kong arrests: Are China’s intimidation tactics working?, Al Jazeera, 8 January 2021: ‘A cudgel against Beijing’: US ambassador to UN to visit Taiwan, DW, 9 January 2021: US ends restrictions on official contacts with Taiwan, The Guardian, 9 January 2021: US: Pompeo lifts Taiwan restrictions in move likely to anger China, Al Jazeera, 9 January 2021: Pompeo lifts curbs on official US contacts with Taiwan, France24, 10 January 2021: US ends curbs on contacts with Taiwan in move expected to draw Beijing’s ire, BBC, 10 January 2021: Pompeo: US to lift restrictions on contacts with Taiwan, CNN, 10 January 2021: US lifts self-imposed restrictions with Taiwan, The National, 10 January 2021: US lifts restrictions on official American contacts with Taiwan, Politico.eu, 8 January 2021: Australia offers Europe a warning on a trade deal with China, DW, 14 January 2021: European firms unprepared for US-China breakup, Politico.eu, 19 January 2021: UK, US should respect EU autonomy over China, top envoy says, Politico.eu, 20 January 2021: EU’s soft approach to China puts it at odds with US, The Atlantic, 21 January 2021: Joe Biden Has a Europe Problem, Foreign Policy, 21 January 2021: Why Attempts to Build a New Anti-China Alliance Will Fail, Politico.eu, 25 January 2021: EU-China ‘friendship group’ suspended, its chair says, CNN, 25 January 2021: China’s President Xi Jinping pushes global cooperation, saying ‘arrogant isolation will always fail’, Politico.eu, 25 January 2021: Xi warns Biden and EU not to reignite Cold War, The Atlantic, 25 January 2021: China’s Leader Attacks His Greatest Threat, Politico.eu, 26 January 2021: Merkel sides with Xi on avoiding Cold War blocs, CNN, 26 January 2021: China is rehearsing for when it overtakes America, DW, 29 January 2021: China ‘will no longer recognize’ British passports for Hong Kong residents, Al Jazeera, 29 January 2021: China will ‘no longer recognise’ UK passport for Hong Kong people, France24, 29 January 2021: China to ‘no longer recognise’ British National (Overseas) passport for Hong Kongers, The Atlantic, 30 January 2021: Why Are There No Biographies of Xi Jinping? , Arab News, 31 January 2021: Thousands flee Hong Kong for UK, fearing China crackdown, France24, 1 February 2021: In Iran, power outages reveal the secret business of Chinese bitcoin farms, Politico.eu, 3 February 2021: EU goes soft on China in hopes of a climate ‘partnership’ while the US plays hardball, The Times, 5 February 2021: China’s plans for $39bn port city alarm Australia, Politico.eu, 5 February 2021: Baltic vs. Beijing: Lithuania, Estonia snub Xi’s eastern summit, The Atlantic, 6 February 2021: The Chinese ‘Debt Trap’ Is a Myth, Politico.eu, 9 February 2021: China’s Eastern Europe strategy gets the cold shoulder, Politico.eu, 10 February 2021: China group in EU Parliament accused of not registering financial support, Politico.eu, 10 February 2021: Fears over China’s Muslim forced labor loom over EU solar power, Politico.eu, 11 February 2021: China bans BBC for ‘fake news’ on Xinjiang, coronavirus, France24, 12 February 2021: France wades into the South China Sea with a nuclear attack submarine, The Washington Post, 12 February 2021: Can democracies take part in the Beijing Olympics while genocide is occurring?, DW, 12 February 2021: China’s CGTN may no longer broadcast in Germany after UK row, France24, 13 February 2021: EU calls on China to reverse ban on BBC World News, The Guardian, 13 February 2021: BBC: Boss hits back at China over ban on World News service, Politico.eu, 15 February 2021: China topples US as EU’s top trade partner over 2020, CNN, 19 February 2021: Allegations of shackled students and gang rape inside China’s detention camps, Mercator Institute for China Studies, 21 February 2021: Towards ‘extreme competition’: Mapping the contours of US-China relations under the Biden administration, Politico.eu, 22 February 2021: Britain calls for UN response to China’s ‘industrial’ human rights breaches, DW, 23 February 2021: China’s treatment of Uighurs is ‘genocide,’ say Canada MPs, The Guardian, 23 February 2021: Hong Kong plans to make politicians swear oath of loyalty to Beijing, DW, 23 February 2021: EU’s Borrell urges China to grant UN team access to Xinjiang, France24, 24 February 2021: France excoriates China’s ‘institutional repression’ of Uighurs, Asia Society policy Institute, 26 February 2021: The Decade of Living Dangerously: The Impact of U.S.-China Strategic Competition on Asia, The Washington Post, 28 February 2021: With new mass detentions, every prominent Hong Kong activist is either in jail or exile, NBC News, 28 February 2021: Dozens of pro-democracy activists detained and charged with subversion in Hong Kong, The Guardian, 28 February 2021: Hong Kong 47 democracy activists charged with subversion under security law, CNN, 1 March 2021: Hong Kong protesters come out as 47 pro-democracy figures appear in court, Politico.com, 2 March 2021: China wants to dominate AI. The U.S. and Europe need each other to tame it., Foreign Policy, 2 March 2021: Chinese Belt and Road Investment Isn’t All Bad—or Good, Politico.eu, 3 March 2021: Pakistan learns the cost of an alliance with China, Foreign Affairs, 3 March 2021: China Is Not Ten Feet Tall, Politico.eu, 3 March 2021: Romania reveals the limits of China’s reach in Europe, Politico.eu, 3 March 2021: Missing: Has anyone seen Europe’s China plan?, DW, 5 March 2021: EU slams proposed Hong Kong electoral reforms, France24, 5 March 2021: China to overhaul Hong Kong electoral system at annual party congress, BBC, 5 March 2021: China NPC: Beijing to overhaul Hong Kong electoral system, The Times, 5 March 2021: Beijing moves to crush election hopes of Hong Kong democrats, The Hill, 5 March 2021: Uyghurs tell International Olympic Committee that China Olympics should be canceled, DW, 6 March 2021: China’s CGTN returns to German TV screens, The Times, 6 March 2021: China sounds death knell for democracy in Hong Kong, The Guardian, 7 March 2021: ‘We will not accept groundless accusations’: China calls on US to drop Trump-era sanctions and warns against ‘bullying’ (said by the super bullys from Beijing. Funny), DW, 8 March 2021: British regulators fine Chinese ‘propaganda’ channel, The Guardian, 9 March 2021: China: Country breaching every act in genocide convention, says legal report on Uighurs, CNN, 9 March 2021: First independent report into Xinjiang genocide allegations claims evidence of Beijing’s ‘intent to destroy’ Uyghur people, DW, 9 March 2021: China’s vaccine diplomacy sparks concern, The Guardian, 10 March 2021: ‘Lifeboat plans’: Help Hong Kong residents flee before it’s too late, fugitive democracy figure urges, DW, 11 March 2021: Opinion: China’s autocrats end democracy in Hong Kong, The Guardian, 11 March 2021: Hong Kong: Activists urge EU not to ratify new deal with China, France24, 12 March 2021: Chinese parliament tightens control over Hong Kong in elections overhaul, NPR, 12 March 2021: Biden And ‘Quad’ Leaders Launch Vaccine Push, Deepen Coordination Against China, DW, 13 March 2021: UK says China noncompliant with Hong Kong joint declaration, The Guardian, 13 March 2021: Hong Kong: UK accuses China of breaching joint declaration, Jerusalem Post, 13 March 2021: US legislation seeks to provide “Priority 2” refugee status for Uyghurs, The Hill, 13 March 2021: Maher: US ‘lost’ to China, too focused on ‘woke competition’ and ‘lizard people’, DW, 16 March 2021: China gets German children’s book about COVID withdrawn, France24, 16 March 2021: US Secretary of State Blinken warns China over ‘coercion’ on first Asia visit, Politico.eu, 16 March 2021: China: Xinjiang camps take similar approach to US, UK, France, NPR, 16 March 2021: Pentagon Pushes For Bigger Effort To Deter China’s Growing Military Might, The Times, 17 March 2021: Boris Johnson attacked for pushing trade links with China, CNN, 17 March 2021: US sanctions 24 Hong Kong and Chinese officials ahead of Blinken meeting with Beijing, The Hill, 17 March 2021: US-China tensions run high ahead of critical meeting, The Times, 19 March 2021: US and China trade barbs at Alaska talks, BBC, 19 March 2021: China and Taiwan face off in pineapple war, The Times, 19 March 2021: Chinese spy trial of Canadian held in secret, The Atlantic, 21 March 2021: The U.S. and China Finally Get Real With Each Other, The Guardian, 22 March 2021: South China Sea Alarm in Philippines as 200 Chinese vessels gather at disputed reef, The Atlantic, 22 March 2021: What the Hong Kong Protesters’ Trial Reveals About Beijing, NPR, 22 March 2021: Philippines Calls On China To Remove Massive Fishing Fleet At Disputed Reef, DW, 22 March 2021: China sanctions EU officials in response to Uyghur row, France24, 22 March 2021: China, EU impose tit-for-tat sanctions over human rights abuses, BBC, 22 March 2021: Uighurs: Western countries sanction China over rights abuses (Trump should take a closer look, as this is how international cooperation works effectively), CNN, 22 March 2021: US and allies announce sanctions against Chinese officials for ‘serious human rights abuses’ against Uyghurs, The Guardian, 22 March 2021: China: US and Canada follow EU and UK in sanctioning officials over Xinjiang, DW, 22 March 2021: Top European officials slam China’s response to sanctions (as an additional countermeasure, the EU should sanction KP functionaries from the closest circle around Xi Jinping. The investment agreement should also been taken off the table. The EU and its states should also think about expelling some Chinese ambassadors), The Hill, 22 March 2021: US announces sanctions for Chinese officials over human rights abuses, The Washington Post, 22 March 2021: U.S., E.U., Canada, Britain announce sanctions on China over human rights abuses of Uyghurs, Politico.eu, 22 March 2021: China throws EU trade deal to the wolf warriors, DW, 23 March 2021: China, Russia accuse US of interference with sanctions (*hahaha*), France24, 23 March 2021: France summons Chinese ambassador over ‘unacceptable’ tweets, DW, 23 March 2021: Germany summons Chinese ambassador over EU sanctions, France24, 23 March 2021: Wolf warriors and a ‘crazed hyena’: French researcher ‘not intimidated’ after clash with China envoy, The Guardian, 23 March 2021: Taiwan China threat to invade is ‘closer than most think’, says US admiral, Politico.eu, 23 March 2021: David Sassoli to China: Europe is no ‘punching bag’, DW, 24 March 2021: Facebook: Chinese hackers spy on Uyghur Muslims abroad, France24, 24 March 2021: Chinese hackers used Facebook to target Uighurs abroad, tech giant says, DW, 24 March 2021: US Secretary of State Blinken calls on NATO allies to help counter ‘aggressive and coercive’ China, CNN, 24 March 2021: Chinese hackers targeted Uyghurs living in US, Facebook security team finds, Politico.eu, 24 March 2021: US and EU resuscitate ‘dialogue on China’, Xinhua, 25 March 2021: China, Hungary agree to strengthen cooperation in various fields, DW, 26 March 2021: China targets UK lawmakers, others in response to Xinjiang sanctions, France24, 26 March 2021: China slaps UK with sanctions after being accused of rights abuses against Uighur Muslims, CNN, 26 March 2021: China sanctions UK lawmakers and entities in retaliation for Xinjiang measures, DW, 26 March 2021: Chinese sanctions threaten EU investment pact, Arab News, 26 March 2021: Turkey, China place economic ties ahead of ideology, Mercator Institute for China StudiesN, 26 March 2021: Likeminded coordination boosted, with Chinese pushback, DW, 26 March 2021: UK defends Hong Kong passport rights against China, The Times, 26 March 2021: Boycott western brands, Beijing tells shoppers (as a countermeasure, all western companies should immediately switch from Chinese to Indian producers), BBC, 26 March 2021: Xinjiang cotton: Western clothes brands vanish as backlash grows, CNN, 26 March 2021: Chinese celebrities rush to defend Beijing’s Xinjiang policy by cutting ties with international brands, The Times, 26 March 2021: ‘Beacon of democracy’ US in no position to lecture us on Xinjiang, says China (*hahaha* the Chinese really said that! What a bad joke they are!), The Algemeiner, 26 March 2021: ‘Badge of Honor’: China Sanctions UK Politicians for Xinjiang ‘Lies’, Al Jazeera, 26 March 2021: Taiwan reports largest ever incursion by Chinese air force, Arab News, 26 March 2021: China, Saudi Arabia to cooperate in new ways, Jerusalem Post, 26 March 2021: China, Iran expected to sign 25-year accord, Iranian state media says (the West had it’s chance to start re-integrating Iran in its influence sphere, but actively missed out on this possibility by massively overplaying its hand. Now it’s China’s turn. Congratulations to the two simpletons Netanyahu and Trump. The “maximum pressure” bullsh!t pays off, just not for the West), Al Arabiya, 26 March 2021: Chinese foreign minister in Iran, expected to sign 25-year accord: Iran’s state media, Arab News, 26 March 2021: China, Saudi Arabia to cooperate in new ways, The Times, 26 March 2021: I’ll save world from an over-mighty China, vows Biden, Al Jazeera, 26 March 2021: Biden suggests creating initiative to rival China’s Belt and Road (high time to do it), Reuters, 26 March 2021: Biden says he suggested to UK’s Johnson a plan to rival China’s Belt and Road, The Guardian, 26 March 2021: Taiwan: Incursion by 20 Chinese military aircraft reported, Politico.eu, 27 March 2021: Boris Johnson talks tough on China following sanctions against UK MPs, Al Arabiya, 27 March 2021: China announces new sanctions on US, Canadian officials over Xinjiang, The Hill, 28 March 2021: Biden’s trade chief says US won’t be lifting tariffs on China, Jerusalem Post, 29 March 2021: China-Iran: Bad news, but it could be worse for Israel – analysis, CNN, 29 March 2021: These children escaped Xinjiang, but their parents are in China and cut off from the world, Arab News, 29 March 2021: Senior Iranian official: strategic deal with China expedites end of America, Politico.eu, 29 March 2021: China’s new bogeyman: Europe (so what? It’s far more important for the EU to team up very closely with the US, Canada, UK, New Zealand, Australia, Japan, Taiwan, South Korea, Vietnam, India and other democratic states in Central Asia against Chinese, Russian and North Korean aggressions in order to maintain the democratic, rule of law-driven, free, western lifestyle), The Washington Post, 30 March 2021: As tensions with China grow, U.S. formalizes genocide declaration against Beijing, The Guardian, 30 March 2021: Iran: Leaders pressed to disclose details of 25-year China pact, DW, 30 March 2021: China approves Hong Kong electoral system reform bill, France24, 30 March 2021: Beijing imposes sweeping overhaul of Hong Kong’s electoral system, The Guardian, 30 March 2021: Hong Kong: Beijing cuts directly elected seats in radical overhaul, The Algemeiner, 30 March 2021: The Iran-China Deal Is Cause for Israeli Concern, Al Jazeera, 30 March 2021: What is behind China and Iran’s ‘strategic’ deal?, The Washington Post, 31 March 2021: Beijing pushes back at criticism of WHO coronavirus origin report, insists China shared data (ridiculous. As if there were still doubts about the origin of the coronavirus from Wuhan), France24, 31 March 2021: BBC correspondent leaves China amid safety worries, ‘propaganda campaign’, Foreign Policy, 31 March 2021: China Wants a ‘Rules-Based International Order,’ Too, DW, 1 April 2021: Hong Kong pro-democracy activists found guilty, France24, 1 April 2021: Hong Kong court convicts nine veteran pro-democracy figures over 2019 rally, CNN, 3 April 2021: Doing business in China is difficult. A clash over human rights is making it harder (Added to this is the closer cooperation that has just been concluded between China and Russia, including on security issues, in order to split the Asian region among one another. The EU’s path is then already mapped out and, out of pure self-interest, it will not lead to closer cooperation with the extremely dubious regimes in China or Russia), The Hill, 3 April 2021: Worried about China? Make it easier to source elsewhere, The National, 4 April 2021: Will the China-Iran deal change the Middle East?, The New Yorker, 5 April 2021: Surviving the Crackdown in Xinjiang, Foreign Policy, 6 April 2021: Will Australia’s New Defense Minister Play Bad Cop to China?, Foreign Policy, 6 April 2021: China Has an Image Problem—but Knows How to Fix It, Politico.eu, 7 April 2021: China’s Xi to Merkel: EU should make an independent judgement on China (while the Communist Party dictatorship promotes the opposite through its own actions and behavior), CNN, 7 April 2021: China flanks Taiwan with military exercises in air and sea, Foreign Policy, 7 April 2021: Philippines Leaning Toward Allowing U.S. Troops After All, Jerusalem Post, 7 April 2021: China sends more jets; Taiwan says it will fight to the end if there’s war, The Economist, 7 April 2021: China’s rulers want more control of big tech, Reuters, 7 April 2021: Taiwan says India helped Paraguay get vaccines after China pressure, France24, 7 April 2021: China hands two Uighur ex-government officials death penalty for ‘separatism’, Reuters, 8 April 2021: China says U.S. to blame for tensions over Taiwan, DW, 8 April 2021: Hong Kong: China says UK is ‘sheltering criminals’, The New York Times, 8 April 2021: Biden Backs Taiwan, but Some Call for a Clearer Warning to China, Foreign Policy, 8 April 2021: Japan Toughens on China as Beijing Issues Threats, The Atlantic, 8 April 2021: ‘I Never Thought China Could Ever Be This Dark’, The Guardian, 9 April 2021: China: Death sentences handed to Uyghur former officials, Politico.eu, 10 April 2021: Western countries ‘regret’ Russia’s rebuff of meeting on Ukraine, The Guardian, 11 April 2021: US: Blinken warns against Chinese aggression on Taiwan, Politico.com, 11 April 2021: Trudeau government threatens Halifax Security Forum over proposed Taiwan award, NPR, 13 April 2021: Biden’s National Security Team Lists Leading Threats, With China At The Top, DW, 14 April 2021: Japan seeks German help to counter China’s clout in Indo-Pacific, NPR, 14 April 2021: Intelligence Chiefs Say China, Russia Are Biggest Threats To U.S., DW, 14 April 2021: US sends unofficial delegation to Taiwan, angering China, DW, 15 April 2021: Hong Kong: Top Beijing official slams foreign meddling, BBC, 16 April 2021: China’s economy grows 18.3% in post-Covid comeback, DW, 16 April 2021: US broadcaster asks European court to halt Russian fines, France24, 16 April 2021: Hong Kong tycoon Jimmy Lai among democracy leaders jailed for protests, BBC, 16 April 2021: Hong Kong: Jimmy Lai sentenced to 14 months for pro-democracy protests, DW, 16 April 2021: Hong Kong: Pro-democracy activists jailed for illegal assembly, Reuters, 16 April 2021: Hungary blocks EU statement criticising China over Hong Kong, diplomats say, US News, 16 April 2021: Hungary Blocks EU Statement Criticising China Over Hong Kong, Diplomats Say, The Hill, 16 April 2021: We cannot let China set the standards for 21st century technologies, Politico.eu, 16 April 2021: China’s Xi slams EU carbon border levy plans, The Times, 17 April 2021: There’s still time to escape China’s clutches, The Washington Post, 18 April 2021: China’s third phase of genocide denial: Attacking those who speak the truth, CNN, 20 April 2021: Xi Jinping says ‘bossing others around’ won’t work as US ups pressure on China (funny, the autocratic led China wants to lector the free world. Here are the news: democracies will always chose the path of freedom and democracy, even when it means to pay a prive for it), The Guardian, 22 April 2021: Uyghurs: UK MPs declare China is committing genocide in Xinjiang, Politico.eu, 22 April 2021: China moves in as UK retreats on overseas aid, Politico.eu, 23 April 2021: Beijing’s diplomacy more effective than its vaccines, CNN, 23 April 2021: China calls these Uyghur parents ‘terrorists’ without evidence. But they say they just want to be with their children again, Politico.eu, 25 April 2021: EU slams China’s ‘authoritarian shift’ and broken economic promises, Politico.com, 26 April 2021: Spy chiefs look to declassify intel after rare plea from 4-star commanders, Politico.eu, 28 April 2021: China tells Germany to focus on trade, not human rights, Politico.eu, 29 April 2021: POLITICO China Direct: Eyes on Germany — Subsidy showdown — Progress report, DW, 1 May 2021: Cracks appear in China’s New Silk Road, The Guardian, 1 May 2021: ‘Biggest problem’ US-China doomsday threat ramped up by hi-tech advances, says Kissinger, The Times, 2 May 2021: How Beijing bought up Britain, The Guardian, 2 May 2021: Germany: Stand up to China and Putin? Foreign policy at heart of vote, CNN, 3 May 2021: A Chinese Communist Party-linked account mocked India’s Covid crisis on social media. It backfired, Jerusalem Post, 3 May 2021: Iran wants to use China to counter US – what are the implications?, DW, 4 May 2021: Cracks appear in China’s New Silk Road, The National, 4 May 2021: EU-China investment deal on pause after sanctions fallout, Al Jazeera, 5 May 2021: G7 ends talks with criticism of China and Russia, Politico.eu, 5 May 2021: India and Europe: Match made in heaven or mismatch?, NPR, 6 May 2021: What Goes Up Must Come Down — Including A Giant Chinese Rocket Plunging Toward Earth, DW, 7 May 2021: Human rights have no place in Swiss-Chinese trade deal, CNN, 7 May 2021: China’s annual emissions surpass those of all developed nations combined, report finds, Der Spiegel, 7 May 2021: The U.S.-China Confrontation: “We Need To Avoid Stumbling into a Major War”, The Times, 7 May 2021: China eyes two new foreign bases to cement growing naval power, The Hill, 7 May 2021: Blinken calls for Taiwan to join World Health Assembly in opposition to China, The New York Times, 10 May 2021: China Targets Muslim Women in Push to Suppress Births in Xinjiang, Politico.eu, 12 May 2021: Alibaba and the 40 spies? Belgium frets over Chinese mega project, Al Arabiya, 13 May 2021: Mosques disappear as China strives to ‘build a beautiful Xinjiang’ behind high walls, Politico.eu, 21 May 2021: Lithuania pulls out of China’s ’17+1′ bloc in Eastern Europe, DW, 31 May 2021: Opinion: China needs a more modern family policy, DW, 31 May 2021: Coronavirus digest: Hungary to produce China’s Sinopharm jab, BBC, 31 May 2021: China allows three children in major policy shift (The Guardian, 2 March 2019: Can China recover from its disastrous one-child policy?, One-child policy), The Guardian, 2 June 2021: ‘No political story allowed’: Hong Kong broadcaster falls silent on sensitive subjects, Foreign Affairs, 3 June 2021: The Taiwan Temptation, CNN, 4 June 2021: Biden expands Trump’s list of Chinese companies banned from US investment, DW, 5 June 2021: Hungarians protest planned Chinese university in Budapest, CNN, 6 June 2021: Thousands protest in Hungary against planned Chinese university campus, DW, 6 June 2021: NATO: Jens Stoltenberg warns Russia and Belarus, The Washington Post, 6 June 2021: Joe Biden: My trip to Europe is about America rallying the world’s democracies, DW, 6 June 2021: Biden says US stands with European allies ahead of Putin summit, BBC, 7 June 2021: Chinese birth-control policy could cut millions of Uyghur births, report finds, CNN, 7 June 2021: US senators took a military aircraft to Taiwan to announce vaccine donation. To Beijing, that is a major provocation, Jerusalem Post, 7 June 2021: Iran hopes Russia and China oppose US role in MidEast, Central Asia, Atlantic Council, 7 June 2021: Secretary General Stoltenberg explains why NATO is getting serious about cyber and China ‘is not an adversary’, The New York Times, 8 June 2021: Senate Overwhelmingly Passes Bill to Bolster Competitiveness With China, The Washington Post, 8 June 2021: Senate approves sprawling $250 billion bill to curtail China’s economic and military ambitions, France24, 9 June 2021: Biden Europe tour: US president aims to restore alliances during visit, CNN, 9 June 2021: Biden takes the lead role he’s always craved in his high-stakes first trip abroad as president, The Guardian, 9 June 2021: ‘We cannot risk falling behind’: Biden hails $50bn tech boost to counter China, DW, 9 June 2021: Munich Security Report: Is China a partner, rival or both?, The Atlantic, 9 June 2021: Joe Biden Worries That China Might Win, The Guardian, 10 June 2021: Uyghurs: People living in a ‘dystopian hellscape’ in China, says Amnesty report, BBC, 10 June 2021: China has created a ‘dystopian hellscape’ in Xinjiang, Amnesty report says, The Guardian, 10 June 2021: How China went from celebrating ethnic diversity to suppressing it, CNN, 10 June 2021: The US President is crafting a message of a united west against an ‘aggressive Russia and a competitive China,’ CNN reporter says, Irish Times, 11 June 2021: Beijing expresses concern about ‘absurd’ Covid-19 lab-leak story, NPR, 11 June 2021: China’s New Anti-Foreign Sanctions Law Sends A Chill Through The Business Community, Los Angeles Times, 11 June 2021: Biden presses allies for bolder front against rising Chinese influence, BBC, 12 June 2021: G7 summit: Infrastructure plan to rival China adopted, The Guardian, 12 June 2021: G7 summit: Biden wins backing for infrastructure push to rival China’s ‘belt and road’ initiative, DW, 12 June 2021: US President Biden persuades G7 to be more competitive towards China, France24, 12 June 2021: Biden urges G7 leaders to create unified front to counter China, Gulf News, 12 June 2021: G7 seeks to counter China with grand infrastructure plan, The Hill, 12 June 2021: Biden presses G-7 to take firmer stance against China, France24, 13 June 2021: G7 takes China to task on rights, pledges more vaccines to poorer countries, Los Angeles Times, 13 June 2021: G-7 nations condemn forced labor, rebuke China over human rights abuses, The Guardian, 14 June 2021: Nato summit: Leaders to agree that China presents security risk, CNN, 14 June 2021: Exclusive: US assessing reported leak at Chinese nuclear power facility, The Guardian, 14 June 2021: Nuclear power: French firm trying to fix ‘performance issue’ at China plant, The National, 14 June 2021: Nato summit: leaders adopt tough stance on Russia and China, Al Jazeera, 14 June 2021: NATO says China presents ‘systemic’ challenges, DW, 14 June 2021: NATO must ‘stand up’ to authoritarian regimes China and Russia, says Stoltenberg, Times of Israel, 14 June 2021: UN rights experts claim Chinese minorities targeted in organ harvesting, The Times, 16 June 2021: Italy is warned against pulling out of China’s new silk road, The Hill, 16 June 2021: Nikki Haley warns Republicans on China: ‘If they take Taiwan, it’s all over’, Politico.eu, 17 June 2021: POLITICO China Direct: ‘Intellectually challenged’ EU — Jets and nukes — Draghi’s double act, The Guardian, 18 June 2021: Kiwi wars: The golden fruit fuelling a feud between New Zealand and China, Arab News, 19 June 2021: Hong Kong pro-democracy media executives denied bail under security law, The Atlantic, 19 June 2021: Modern China’s First Diplomats, The Sunday Times, 20 June 2021: Chest-thumping Xi marks regime’s centenary with Taiwan show of force, The Times, 21 June 2021: Taiwan is ill prepared for China’s harassment, Politico.eu, 22 June 2021: Lithuania sends jabs to Taiwan amid pressure from Beijing, The Guardian, 22 June 2021: Human rights: China stepping up use of secret detention without trial, report warns, Politico.eu, 22 June 2021: Surprise! The EU knows how to handle China, Politico.eu, 24 June 2021: Czech nuclear tender competition dodges Russian and Chinese bids, BBC, 25 June 2021: The students calling out China on Australia’s campuses, CNN, 25 June 2021: Uyghurs in Xinjiang are being given long prison sentences. Their families say they have done nothing wrong, The Hill, 27 June 2021: Russia-China alignment strengthens dangerously while US alliances atrophy, CNN, 30 June 2021: One year after Hong Kong’s national security law, residents feel Beijing’s tightening grip, The Guardian, 30 June 2021: ‘Making China great again’: Pomp and propaganda as CCP marks centenary, The Washington Post, 30 June 2021: China marks a century of its Communist Party with pageantry, propaganda and an iron grip, DW, 30 June 2021: China’s Communist Party after 100 years now at the ‘forefront’ of global politics, The Washington Post, 30 June 2021: China is building more silos for missiles. That makes arms control talks with the U.S. essential., CNN, 1 July 2021: Foreign countries that ‘bully’ China will meet a ‘great wall of steel,’ says Xi during Communist Party centenary, BBC, 1 July 2021: China celebrates Communist Party’s 100th anniversary, DW, 1 July 2021: China’s Communist Party’s hubris could be its downfall, Reuters, 1 July 2021: Xi warns against foreign bullying as China marks party centenary, BBC, 1 July 2021: CCP 100: Xi warns China will not be ‘oppressed’ in anniversary speech, NPR, 1 July 2021: China Celebrates Its Communist Party’s Centennial With Spectacle, Saber Rattling, The New York Times, 1 July 2021: China’s Communist Party Turns 100. Cue the (State-Approved) Music., The Economist, 1 July 2021: Chaguan: Xi warns against Western “bullies”, to argue for one-party rule, CNN, 2 July 2021: China is building a sprawling network of missile silos, satellite imagery appears to show, Politico.eu, 2 July 2021: Lithuania pushes for EU summit with China, The Times, 2 July 2021: China rewrites history in its drive to reshape the world order, Politico.eu, 6 July 2021: Germany arrests suspected double agent accused of spying for China, DW, 9 July 2021: Vietnam to gain as EU-China investment pact stalls, DW, 11 July 2021: North Korea, China vow cooperation in the face of ‘hostile forces’, CNN, 12 July 2021: Orbán wants a Chinese university in Hungary. Opponents see a chance to turn his nationalist rhetoric against him, DW, 12 July 2021: Beijing defiant five years since the South China Sea ruling, BBC, 14 July 2021: US warns businesses over China’s Xinjiang province, Arab News, 15 July 2021: EU’s balancing act between Beijing and Biden, The Atlantic, 15 July 2021: One Man’s Story of Escaping Genocide, DW, 16 July 2021: US issues Hong Kong business warning and further sanctions, Arab News, 18 July 2021: US warns companies about doing business in Hong Kong, BBC, 19 July 2021: China accused of cyber-attack on Microsoft Exchange servers, Politico.eu, 19 July 2021: Europe joins US to condemn cyberattacks from China, CNN, 20 July 2021: US blames China for hacks, opening new front in cyber offensive, The Times, 20 July 2021: Joining China’s Belt and Road club may not have real benefits, CNN, 22 July 2021: The door is closing on Chinese tech IPOs on Wall Street, The National, 22 July 2021: China rejects WHO plan for second phase Covid probe, CNN, 22 July 2021: Chinese government rejects WHO plan for second phase of Covid-19 origins study, Al Arabiya, 23 July 2021: US mulls crackdown on Chinese imports of Iranian oil, CNN, 26 July 2021: China’s private education firms are the latest targets of Beijing’s crackdown, The Times, 26 July 2021: China accuses US of demonising ‘imaginary enemy’, The New York Times, 26 July 2021: A 2nd New Nuclear Missile Base for China, and Many Questions About Strategy (China is thus expanding its claim to global export of economic oppression to include the military component. Russia can only watch the latter jealously, while it has never been able to keep up with the former anyway. “Enemy Red” is getting stronger every day and the question is when the West will finally be able to provide a common, adequate answer. while working on a solution, there is absolutely no reason to take any consideration of the objections made by China’s vassal states), CNN, 26 July 2021: Xi Jinping set out to save the Communist Party. But critics say he made himself its biggest threat, CNN, 27 July 2021: Satellite photos show massive Chinese missile silo field under construction, researchers say, Politico.eu, 29 July 2021: EU mulls review of China policy, again, France24, 29 July 2021: Pro-democracy Hong Kong radio host ‘Fast Beat’ goes on trial for sedition, Politico.eu, 30 July 2021: Borrell: EU’s ‘insufficient’ vaccine donations open door for China, The Times, 30 July 2021: Hong Kong worn down by the slow death of freedom, The Guardian, 31 July 2021: Hong Kong Man arrested for allegedly booing Chinese anthem while watching Olympics, Irish Times, 31 July 2021: Hong Kong police arrest man for Chinese anthem ‘insult’ while watching Olympics, DW, 2 August 2021: German warship sets sail for Indo-Pacific region, Politico.com, 7 August 2021: ‘Powerful signal’: Biden’s infrastructure bill sends message to China, The Guardian, 11 August 2021: China Court sentences Canadian to 11 years for spying (people traveling to China should be aware at all times that they will be kidnapped by the Chinese state as soon as they are of any value to the Chinese hostage diplomacy), France24, 11 August 2021: Chinese court sentences Canadian Michael Spavor to 11 years for spying, The Times, 11 August 2021: Boycott China’s winter Games, Trudeau is told, CNN, 13 August 2021: Canada has big decisions to make on China, The Washington Post, 13 August 2021: China’s cooked-up charges against two Canadians are utter thuggery, The Times, 14 August 2021: Hong Kong’s population shrinks after China’s national security law, France24, 15 August 2021: Hong Kong group behind huge democracy rallies disbands amid China’s clampdown, DW, 16 August 2021: Has Eastern Europe wised up to Chinese investment?, France24, 16 August 2021: China ready for ‘friendly relations’ with Taliban, welcomes Afghan development projects, CNN, 16 August 2021: Chinese and Russian militaries link up, but analysts say both sides have differing objectives, Al Arabiya, 17 August 2021: Russia, China embassies are only diplomatic missions functioning in Afghanistan (for domestic political reasons, China and Russia have to take the “sunday weather” tour. Russia has a pretty rustic, violent and Taliban-like bunch sitting in the Caucasus, and the proportion of Muslims in China is not that small either. What looks like taking advantage in Afghanistan is actually limiting damage in advance at home. Something else has at least as much explosive power: China and Pakistan have already started to mentally divide Afghanistan’s raw material reserves among themselves. It will be interesting to see what will happen when the Afghans notice that a few Taliban warlords have stuffed their pockets full while they themselves remained poor and ultimately even the raw material deposits will be exploited. Then a few people might be hanging from cranes, lanterns and trees again. Amusements Taliban style), The Times, 17 August 2021: China and Russia are already playing the new Great Game, France24, 17 August 2021: Hong Kong leader tells legal body to stay out of politics, The Guardian, 18 August 2021: Hong Kong: Four students arrested for ‘advocating terrorism’, France24, 18 August 2021: US sees ‘unanimity’ with Russia, China on Afghanistan, Los Angeles Times, 18 August 2021: Taliban takeover leaves China uncertain about Afghanistan, The National, 19 August 2021: Belt and Road: China’s unfolding opportunity in Afghanistan amid Taliban takeover, The Atlantic, 19 August 2021: The Experiment Podcast: A Uyghur Teen’s Life After Escaping Genocide, The New Yorker, 19 August 2021: Will the Next American War Be with China?, The Guardian, 20 August 2021: Pakistan: Water protests erupt against China’s belt and road plan, BBC, 21 August 2021: Afghanistan’s Uyghurs fear the Taliban, and now China too, The National, 23 August 2021: China weighs up risk and benefit of being in Taliban Afghanistan, France24, 24 August 2021: Kamala Harris accuses China of using intimidation to back South China Sea claims, CNN, 25 August 2021: China wants families to have three children. But many women aren’t convinced, Irish Times, 30 August 2021: George Soros: Investors in Xi’s China face a rude awakening, DW, 30 August 2021: China eyes Germany’s famous ‘hidden champions’ model, Global Times, 31 August 2021: Xi Jinping thought added into curriculum: Ministry of Education, The Times, 31 August 2021: China ready to cut out ‘tumours’ of celebrity and capitalism, CNN, 31 August 2021: China’s economy is being rattled by the Delta variant and supply chain woes, The Times, 1 September 2021: 65,000 Hongkongers apply for British visas over five months, Politico.com, 31 August 2021: China’s new U.S. ambassador goes full wolf in first major speech, Jerusalem Post, 2 September 2021: Israel opens China-operated Haifa port to boost regional trade links, BBC, 2 September 2021: China’s media cracks down on ‘effeminate’ styles, The Algemeiner, 2 September 2021: Israel Opens New Haifa-Based Shipping Port, Operated by a Chinese Company, The Atlantic, 2 September 2021: China’s ‘Very Tricky Situation’, Israel Hayom, 2 September 2021: Chinese-run port opens in Haifa to boost local trade links, Global Times, 6 September 2021: Plan will deepen opening-up of Qianhai (this is how China’s state propaganda looks like), Global Times, 6 September 2021: European Parliament clamors for tougher line on China, The Times, 9 September 2021: You won’t stop us sailing in disputed waters, US warns China, BBC, 14 September 2021: China’s ambassador banned from UK Parliament, The Times, 14 September 2021: Chinese ambassador banned from parliament, The Times, 14 September 2021: China sends warships to waters off Alaska, DW, 15 September 2021: China denies port visit by German warship, CNN, 15 September 2021: Biden unveils major new pushback against China, The Times, 15 September 2021: Submarine pact with Australia against China, Politico.eu, 15 September 2021: EU launches ‘Global Gateway’ to counter China’s Belt and Road, CNN, 15 September 2021: Biden announces trilateral partnership with UK and Australia, Politico.eu, 15 September 2021: Von der Leyen’s subtext: It’s all about China, The Washington Post, 15 September 2021: In challenge to China, U.S. to share highly sensitive nuclear submarine technology with Australia, The New York Times, 15 September 2021: Biden Announces a Defense Deal With Australia in a Bid to Counter China, BBC, 16 September 2021: China denounces US-UK-Australia pact as damaging, The Guardian, 16 September 2021: China will deride Australia’s nuclear shift saying it is America’s lackey – but Beijing has only itself to blame, France24, 17 September 2021: Trump abandoned this giant trade deal. Now, China wants in, The Times, 18 September 2021: The submarine deal is a real downer for China, The Atlantic, 20 September 2021: America’s China Strategy Is Working, Politico.eu, 24 September 2021: EU to China: We won’t retreat on Taiwan ties, The Guardian, 25 September 2021: ‘Free and open’: Quad leaders call for ‘stable’ Indo-Pacific in veiled China dig, Politico.eu, 25 September 2021: The Joe they don’t know: Europe reckons with Biden’s Asia push, France24, 25 September 2021: US and allies vow to pursue ‘free and open’ Indo-Pacific region at Quad summit, DW, 25 September 2021: Hong Kong: Tiananmen Square vigil group disbands amid crackdown, The National, 28 September 2021: Explainer: What is causing China’s power shortage?, The Times, 28 September 2021: China unveils new drones in race for air superiority, CNN, 28 September 2021: China’s power shortage threatens more supply chain chaos, The New York Times, 28 September 2021: China and Evergrande Ascended Together. Now One Is About to Fall., The Guardian, 29 September 2021: China: Country hit by power cuts and factory closures as crisis bites, The New York Times, 5 October 2021: The End of a ‘Gilded Age’: China Is Bringing Business to Heel, Foreign Policy, 5 October 2021: China’s Economic Coercion Is More Bark Than Bite, The Hill, 5 October 2021: Biden and Xi agree to abide by Taiwan agreement, Politico.eu, 6 October 2021: How little Lithuania dragged the EU into its showdown with China, Politico.com, 7 October 2021: IMF board weighs top official’s fate in wake of China scandal, The New York Times, 13 October 2021: China’s Power Problems Expose a Strategic Weakness, Foreign Policy, 15 October 2021: Will Europe Ever Really Confront China?, Foreign Policy, 15 October 2021: ‘It Was Like Having the Chinese Government in the Room With Us’, The New York Times, 19 October 2021: China’s Bullying Is Becoming a Danger to the World and Itself, The Washington Post, 19 October 2021: If Biden won’t fight China’s importing of Iranian oil, Congress should, The Hill, 19 October 2021: Let’s plug the sanctions gaps that enable Iran to sell oil to China and Venezuela, DW, 21 October 2021: MEPs push for ‘upgrade’ in EU-Taiwan ties, Politico.eu, 21 October 2021: Have we reached peak China?, Politico.eu, 26 October 2021: Germany Inc.’s China syndrome, Politico.eu, 27 October 2021: Taiwanese minister’s covert trip to Brussels adds to EU-China tensions, Politico.eu, 30 October 2021: Beijing warns G20 nations they’ll ‘pay a price’ for backing Taiwan, Politico.eu, 31 October 2021: EU and US look to gang up on China after trade war truce, Atlantic, 1 November 2021: How War With China Begins, BBC, 2 November 2021: China urges families to store basic supplies in case of emergency, Palestine Chronicle, 2 November 2021: The West’s China Complex: Beijing as the Enemy and the Savior, DW, 3 November 2021: Taiwan receives first-ever official EU delegation, Politico.eu, 4 November 2021: Beijing fires warning at EU after MEPs meet Taiwan president, Jerusalem Post, 5 November 2021: China to hold Taiwan independence supporters criminally liable for life, Politico.com, 5 November 2021: Congress pressures Biden to defend Taiwan, France24, 9 November 2021: China’s Xi Jinping rewrites history to secure his political future, The Atlantic, 9 November 2021: The World Is Fed Up With China’s Belligerence, The Times, 10 November 2021: Xi prepares to be anointed as emperor of all he surveys, France24, 11 November 2021: China’s Communist Party passes rare resolution strengthening Xi Jinping’s authority, BBC, 11 November 2021: Xi Jinping cements status with historic resolution, CNN, 14 November 2021: Xi’s China is closing to the world. And it isn’t just about borders, Politico.eu, 16 November 2021: EU and US face hard road to confront China’s dirty steel, The Guardian, 16 November 2021: Xi Jinping has made sure history is now officially on his side, Politico.eu, 21 November 2021: China downgrades Lithuania’s diplomatic status over Taiwan row (all EU states should help Taiwan to open embassies on their soil), DW, 21 November 2021: China downgrades diplomatic ties with Lithuania, DW, 22 November 2021: Footage sheds light on Uyghur detention camps, Foreign Policy, 22 November 2021: How China Became Jihadis’ New Target, New York Magazin, 23 November 2021: Women’s Tennis Had to Stand Up to China, The Atlantic, 23 November 2021: Cancel Culture Isn’t the Real Threat to Academic Freedom, The Times, 24 November 2021: Anti-China protesters set fire to parliament in Solomon Islands, CNN, 24 November 2021: China’s disappearing ships: The latest headache for the global supply chain (perhaps in return, all Chinese ships should be removed from the AIS system as soon as they leave Chinese waters), DW, 24 November 2021: Serbia: ‘Slave labor’ on Chinese building site, France24, 24 November 2021: Biden invites Taiwan to its democracy summit, sparking China rebuke (that the Chinese leadership has nothing to do with democracy isn’t that surprising), DW, 26 November 2021: China’s economy: What next for the Asian powerhouse?, DW, 26 November 2021: Beijing Olympics: What could a diplomatic boycott achieve?, Irish Times, 27 November 2021: China, the UN Human Rights Office and the Irish whistleblower, CNN, 27 November 2021: Why wiping out Hong Kong’s opposition may have cost China a whole generation in Taiwan, The New York Times, 28 November 2021: As U.S. Hunts for Chinese Spies, University Scientists Warn of Backlash, The Guardian, 30 November 2021: China: UK spy chief suggests China risks ‘miscalculation’ over Taiwan, Politico.eu, 1 December 2021: EU makes late bid to rival China on the Silk Road, CNN, 1 December 2021: Europe’s $340 billion answer to China project, Politico.eu, 2 December 2021: China Direct: Beijing’s envoy tours Europe — Belt vs Gateway — MI6 warning, France24, 3 December 2021: With its ‘Global Gateway’, EU tries to compete with China’s Belt and Road Initiative, Gulf Times, 3 December 2021: Didi begins plan for US delisting, Hong Kong share sale, France24, 3 December 2021: Ride-hailing giant Didi exits New York stock exchange, bowing to regulatory pressure from China, DW, 4 December 2021: China uneasy over incoming German minister’s threat to curb imports (she is right about that. There are some things that can’t be turned around, but China’s subversive and anti-democratic course can and must be effectively slowed down in and by the West), Foreign Policy, 6 December 2021: The U.S.-China Relationship Has Entered a New Phase, CNN, 7 December 2021: The EU is finally putting its money where its mouth is on China, The Hill, 7 December 2021: Australia joins US in diplomatic boycott of Beijing Olympics, CNN, 7 December 2021: China pumps $188 billion into the economy to counter real estate slump, France24, 7 December 2021: Near default, China’s property giant Evergrande prepares for restructuring, CNN, 7 December 2021: China threatens the US with retaliation over diplomatic boycott of Winter Olympics (the Chinese leadership can try to reverse guilt and there will certainly be many grateful buyers for the lie at home. The fact is, however, that the political boycott of the Winter Games is the consequence of blatant violations of human rights and international law by China. Of course, the German government does not want to offend any important trading partner more than necessary, but it is rather embarrassing that the Federal Republic of all countries did not immediately sided with the USA, Canada, Australia and the UK, especially since it was Nazi Germany that, with the 1936 Summer Olympics, virtually provided the blueprint for the upcoming propaganda show in China. Berlin is currently sending the signal to Beijing: “Oh, we did it in 1936 too. We hope you enjoy doing it as well!” One can only hope that Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock will quickly gain format and influence so that in the future China will get the responses in a way that is understood there. In any case, caresses are the wrong way to go), Politico.com, 8 December 2021: Canada joins diplomatic boycott of Beijing Olympics, Jerusalem Post, 8 December 2021: UK, Canada to join boycott of Beijing Olympics, Gulf Times, 9 December 2021: Evergrande and Kaisa cut by Fitch to default, The Times, 9 December 2021: China threatens democracy, says Biden, The National, 9 December 2021: Fitch downgrades Evergrande and declares developer in default, CNN, 9 December 2021: Evergrande has defaulted on its debt, Politico.eu, 9 December 2021: EU countries skate around Winter Olympics boycott, The Times, 9 December 2021: Beijing warns Britain against Olympics boycott, France24, 9 December 2021: France will not join ‘insignificant’ boycott of Beijing Olympics, says Macron, CNN, 9 December 2021: Uyghur tribunal rules that China ‘committed genocide’ against the Uyghurs, Foreign Policy, 10 December 2021: Why China Is Freaking Out Over Biden’s Democracy Summit, The Guardian, 12 December 2021: In China’s new age of imperialism, Xi Jinping gives thumbs down to democracy, The Times, 14 December 2021: Beware of China’s bad Belt and Road deals, says Washington, The Guardian, 14 December 2021: China’s troll king: How a tabloid editor became the voice of Chinese nationalism, The Atlantic, 14 December 2021: China’s Big New Idea, CNN, 15 December 2021: Analysis: China’s censorship is ‘an almost impossible task’ for social media giants, The Times, 15 December 2021: Germans send warship through South China Sea, Politico.eu, 20 December 2021: UK hints at banning Chinese imports with forced labor links, Politico.eu, 21 December 2021: Scholz tells Xi he wants to ‘deepen’ economic ties with China (I didn’t vote for him so that’s not my fault), France24, 23 December 2021: China locks down entire city as Covid-19 cases rise ahead of Olympics, Politico.eu, 23 December 2021: Europe’s ideological tug-of-war with Beijing, Global Times, 23 December 2021: Chinese FM slams US, EU for confounding right with wrong, undermining own image after Blinken speaks with Borrell on Lithuania issue, Politico.com, 23 December 2021: New law to combat forced labor in China sparks enforcement debate, The Times, 24 December 2021: China slams ‘economic bullying’ after US law bans imports over Uighur abuse, Global Times, 25 December 2021: ‘Mind your own forced labor problem’: Xinjiang regional govt refutes US Uygur bill, The Times, 25 December 2021: Xi’s zero-Covid strategy is on thin ice as Omicron skates towards the Games, The Times, 25 December 2021: US imports ban over Uighur abuse is economic bullying, says China, Al Arabiya, 27 December 2021: Taiwan chip industry emerges as battlefront in US-China, Politico.eu, 29 December 2021: Baerbock demands forced-labor ban, won’t attend Olympics, The Washington Post, 31 December 2021: China harvests data on Western targets from social media, documents show, Foreign Policy, 3 January 2022: Germany Nervously Tests the Indo-Pacific Waters, Bloomberg, 3 January 2022: Property Stocks Sink After Demolition Order: Evergrande Update, CNN, 4 January 2022: Evergrande has been ordered to demolish 39 buildings in Chinese resort, Foreign Policy, 4 January 2022: China’s Two-Ocean Strategy Puts India in a Pincer, CNN, 4 January 2022: China denounces Walmart for ‘stupidity’ after Sam’s Club was accused of pulling Xinjiang products, The Guardian, 5 January 2022: China: Desperation as locked down cities pay price of zero-Covid strategy, BBC, 11 January 2022: Evergrande: Real estate giant moves from Shenzhen head office to cut costs, DW, 12 January 2022: Russian gas boost fuels Moscow’s China pivot (China is paying half the amount of what the EU is paying, bringing down the profits for Russia to zero, profits that are needed to fund Russia’s state budget), The Atlantic, 13 January 2022: China Is Watching Ukraine With a Lot of Interest, Foreign Policy, 13 January 2022: Biden Can No Longer Ignore Growing Iran-China Ties, Gulf Times, 15 January 2022: China’s economy grew 8% in 2021 but property, virus threats loom: Poll, France24, 15 January 2022: MI5 warning about influence efforts of British-Chinese lawyer marks changed tone, France24, 17 January 2022: Chinese ambassador to France: Beijing has ‘not ruled out use of force’ against Taiwan, The Economist, 17 January 2022: As China’s economy slows, policymakers are trying to revive it, France24, 20 January 2022: Labour vs luxury: virus tracing highlights China’s inequality, The Guardian, 20 January 2022: China: Beijing warns of ‘serious consequences’ after tracking US warship, The Guardian, 23 January 2022: A new cold war? Britain’s relationship with China is much more complex than that, Jerusalem Post, 24 January 2022: Two US carriers enter S. China Sea, to ‘counter malign influence’, The Times, 26 January 2022: Xi denies asking Putin to delay invasion until after Olympics, Politico.eu, 27 January 2022: EU gives China a nudge rather than a slap over Lithuania, The Times, 27 January 2022: China punishes Slovenia for ties with Taiwan, The Guardian, 28 January 2022: Taiwan: China’s ambassador to US warns of possible military conflict, Foreign Policy, 28 January 2022: Xi Jinping Is Watching His Back, Haaretz, 28 January 2022: These Dissidents Thought They Had Escaped. Then China’s Long Arm Grabbed Them, The Washington Post, 29 January 2022: Lithuania stood with Taiwan against China. Europe and the U.S. should stand with Lithuania., BBC, 30 January 2022: Winter Olympics 2022: Beijing reports spike in new virus cases, The New Yorker, 30 January 2022: How Beijing Is Playing the Olympics, DW, 31 January 2022: Press freedom rapidly deteriorating in China — report, BBC, 31 January 2022: China: Media freedom declining at ‘breakneck speed’ – report, The Atlantic, 2 February 2022: These Beijing Olympics Send a Much Darker Message, Arab News, 3 February 2022: Saudi Arabian delegation lands in Beijing ahead of historic first Winter Olympics participation, The Guardian, 3 February 2022: The elite and the damned: Beijing 2022 begins with dose of realpolitik, CNN, 3 February 2022: Xi’s Olympic guest list heavy on strongmen and autocrats, Gulf News, 4 February 2022: Pictures: Grand opening of Beijing Winter Olympics, The National, 4 February 2022: Beijing Winter Olympics 2022 begin with grand opening ceremony, Gulf Times, 4 February 2022: Beijing Games burst into life under shadow of Covid, conflict, Der Spiegel, 4 February 2022: Beijing Policy Slowly Crystalizes: Government in Berlin Classifies China as a “Systemic Rival”, The Guardian, 4 February 2022: Opening ceremony: China begins Games with peace doves and a mighty provocation, Politico.eu, 4 February 2022: Russia, China call for halt to NATO enlargement (the demands are of course followed immediately by NATO, on the day on which Easter and Christmas are celebrated at the same time. If the world were a request concert, Russia and China would not be aggressor states and NATO wouldn’t be necessary. But since they are, NATO will need to continue to grow to protect its member states), The Times, 4 February 2022: Putin hails ‘unprecedented’ alliance with Xi, Forward, 4 February 2022: The Beijing Olympics looks a lot like Nazi Germany’s, The Guardian, 4 February 2022: ‘Cold war ideology’: Xi and Putin urge Nato to rule out expansion as Ukraine tensions rise, CNN, 4 February 2022: Putin and Xi call for halt to NATO expansion during show of unity at Beijing Olympics, BBC, 4 February 2022: China joins Russia in opposing Nato expansion, France24, 4 February 2022: Winter Olympics puts brands under pressure over rights abuses in China, The New Yorker, 4 February 2022: China’s Provocation at the Olympic Opening Ceremonies, CNN, 5 February 2022: Why Beijing won’t put its economy on the line to rescue Putin, Politico.com, 5 February 2022: The Gold Medal In Olympic Cynicism Goes To …, DW, 5 February 2022: China blasted for ‘cultural appropriation’ at Olympics opening ceremony, The Washington Post, 11 February 2022: Unsurprisingly, Russia is in another doping controversy, Politico.eu, 11 February 2022: EU, China set April 1 summit amid tension on trade, geopolitics, Politico.eu, 15 February 2022: EU tempts Africa away from Chinese influence, New York Times, 18 February 2022: Bots and Fake Accounts Push China’s Vision of Winter Olympic Wonderland, DW, 19 February 2022: Beijing 2022: Memorable moments at the Winter Games, Gulf News, 20 February 2022: Look: Beijing Winter Olympics closing ceremony, CNN, 20 February 2022: The Olympics was a success inside China. And that’s the audience Beijing cares about, The Guardian, 20 February 2022: A Winter Olympics that was farcical, disturbing and often exceptional, CNN, 20 February 2022: These were some of the highs and lows at the 2022 Winter Olympics, France24, 20 February 2022: Curtain falls on Beijing Olympics marred by politics and doping scandal, BBC, 20 February 2022: Olympics close with Bach plea for peace, DW, 20 February 2022: Beijing 2022 Olympic digest: Curtain falls on Winter Games, Germany finish strong, France24, 20 February 2022: Beijing Winter Olympics 2022 end, The Economist, 20 February 2022: China wants to insulate itself against Western sanctions, DW, 20 February 2022: Are the Olympics becoming irrelevant?, Haaretz, 25 February 2022: How Deep Has Chinese Intelligence Penetrated Israel?, Politico.eu, 25 February 2022: China’s Xi asks Putin to negotiate with Ukraine, The Times, 26 February 2022: China buys power in the Middle East with new Iraq pact, The New York Times, 26 February 2022: Coronavirus Originated in a Market, Not a Lab, in Wuhan, Studies Say, The Guardian, 26 February 2022: Wuhan: Coronavirus came from market and not Chinese lab, twin studies say, Foreign Policy, 26 February 2022: China and Russia’s Friendship in Ukraine Is Without Benefits, The New York Times, 27 February 2022: Pro-Russia, pro-war and pro-Putin: Here’s why the Chinese internet is cheering the Ukraine invasion., The New York Times, 27 February 2022: Ukraine Invasion Tests Ties Between Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping, France24, 1 March 2022: Caught between Russia and the West, China faces ‘Ukraine dilemma’, Foreign Policy, 2 March 2022: Biden Now Needs a Plan to Deter China, Haaretz, 4 March 2022: Pro-Russian Content Only: China Steps Up Censorship as Ally Invades Ukraine, NPR, 4 March 2022: The battle for Ukraine could test the limits of closer ties between China and Russia, DW, 5 March 2022: China lowers economic growth goal, The Washington Post, 5 March 2022: China faces uneasy balancing act on Russia and Ukraine, The Times, 7 March 2022: Xi is the only leader who can stop this war, The New York Times, 7 March 2022: Why China Can’t Bail Out Putin’s Economy, The Times, 7 March 2022: Australia builds base for nuclear subs to tackle China threat, The National, 8 March 2022: China ‘ready to play constructive role’ in Ukraine peace talks, The Guardian, 8 March 2022: UK faces large EU bill over Chinese imports fraud, The Atlantic, 9 March 2022: China’s Russia Risk, The Atlantic, 10 March 2022: China’s Russia Policy Is About America, NPR, 11 March 2022: China locks down a city of 9 million amid a new spike in COVID-19 cases, Al Arabiya, 11 March 2022: China looking to divert flights from Shanghai as COVID-19 surges, Los Angeles Times, 11 March 2022: China locks down city of 9 million amid new spike in coronavirus cases, CNN, 11 March 2022: Chinese tech stocks plunge after US names companies for potential delisting, DW, 11 March 2022: China: Premier talks about ties with US, Ukraine as national congress ends, The Times, 11 March 2022: Li Keqiang: China ‘saddened and deeply worried by Ukraine situation’, France24, 12 March 2022: China and QAnon embrace Russian disinformation justifying war in Ukraine, The National, 13 March 2022: Russia-Ukraine war latest: US and China to meet in Rome as tensions mount over Russia, Haaretz, 13 March 2022: Ukraine War: Putin Is Dangerous, but China Is the West’s Real Enemy, Politico.com, 13 March 2022: Jake Sullivan and China’s Yang Jiechi to discuss Russia-Ukraine on Monday, The Washington Post, 13 March 2022: Russia asks China for weapons, U.S. officials say, Financial Times, 13 March 2022: US officials say Russia has asked China for military help in Ukraine, Politico.eu, 14 March 2022: Will Taiwan be the next Ukraine?, The Guardian, 14 March 2022: China locks down province of 24m as new Covid infections rise, Politico.eu, 14 March 2022: China insists it’s ‘not a party’ to Russia’s war with Ukraine, The New York Times, 14 March 2022: Live Updates: U.S. Warns China Not to Help Russia as Strikes Continue in Ukraine, The Washington Post, 14 March 2022: U.S. warns China not to assist Russia, NPR, 14 March 2022: White House tells China of its ‘deep concerns’ about providing assistance to Russia, The National, 14 March 2022: Russia-Ukraine war latest: US and China have ‘substantial talks’ on Ukraine and Russia, Al Arabiya, 14 March 2022: Washington has ‘deep concerns’ over China ties with Russia: Senior US official, CNN, 14 March 2022: China has expressed some openness to providing military and financial aid to Russia, US cable suggests, France24, 14 March 2022: US expresses ‘deep concerns’ on Russia-China ‘alignment’, The Hill, 15 March 2022: Lawmakers back Biden on potential economic penalties for China, The New York Times, 18 March 2022: Biden Warns China of ‘Consequences’ if It Aids Russian War, The Washington Post, 18 March 2022: China is complicit in Russia’s war, The New York Times, 18 March 2022: Defying China’s Censors to Urge Beijing to Denounce Russia’s War, Los Angeles Times, 18 March 2022: Biden warns China’s Xi about consequences of helping Russia’s war in Ukraine, NPR, 18 March 2022: Biden tells China’s Xi of the implications of assisting Russia in call, official says, Arab News, 18 March 2022: In video call, Biden presses China’s Xi on Russia support, Al Arabiya, 18 March 2022: Biden warns China of consequences if it helps Russia in Ukraine, Politico.com, 18 March 2022: Biden’s call with Xi underscores deepening bilateral deadlock, France24, 18 March 2022: War in Ukraine: The bombing continues, Biden warns China against helping Russia, CNN, 18 March 2022: Biden uses call with Xi to lay out consequences for China if it supports Russia attack on Ukraine, Los Angeles Times, 18 March 2022: Stalking a skater. Derailing a campaign. Destroying art. China is behind ‘insidious’ acts, feds say, DW, 18 March 2022: Ukraine: Biden urges Xi not to back Russian aggression, The New York Times, 18 March 2022: China’s Information Dark Age Could Be Russia’s Future, The Guardian, 18 March 2022: Live: Fighting in centre of Mariupol; Biden outlines ‘consequences’ if China aids Russia, Politico.eu, 18 March 2022: EU has ‘very reliable evidence’ China is considering military support for Russia, Al Arabiya, 19 March 2022: Chinese official calls sanctions on Russia increasingly ‘outrageous’ (they obviously fear that they are the next in line. If they start a war on Taiwwan they will soon find out), The Hill, 19 March 2022: How China impacts US gas prices, The Times, 19 March 2022: Don’t choose the side of evil, Boris Johnson warns China, The Washington Post, 20 March 2022: AP Exclusive: US admiral says China fully militarized isles, The Sunday Times, 20 March 2022: If we’re no longer mates with China, it will cost us, DW, 21 March 2022: Saudi Arabia and China: New best friends?, The Guardian, 21 March 2022: China has fully militarized three islands in South China Sea, US admiral says, The Times, 21 March 2022: West ‘naive’ to think China will abandon Russia over Ukraine, Politico.eu, 24 March 2022: NATO leaders warn China: Don’t act as Russia’s enabler, The Times, 24 March 2022: Solomon Islands deal gives China foothold in Australia’s ‘backyard’, The Washington Post, 24 March 2022: The worse things go for Putin in Ukraine, the more China will back him, The Guardian, 26 March 2022: A security agreement between China and Solomon Islands could impact stability in the whole Pacific, The Atlantic, 28 March 2022: The World Is Splitting in Two, DW, 30 March 2022: Human Rights Watch slams IOC, FIFA over awarding of events, Politico.com, 30 March 2022: Tai: U.S. must ramp up trade defense against China, DW, 30 March 2022: China and Russia meet to discuss Ukraine, Afghanistan, Arab News, 31 March 2022: EU-China ties delicately poised ahead of summit, The Times, 1 April 2022: Beijing tells Britain to ditch ‘colonial mindset’ over Hong Kong (*hahaha* these Chinese guys are sometimes funny), Jerusalem Post, 1 April 2022: China should not interfere with sanctions on Russia, EU says, DW, 1 April 2022: EU-China summit focuses on war in Ukraine amid tense relations, Jerusalem Post, 2 April 2022: Iran and China seek closer cooperation, Jerusalem Post, 2 April 2022: China carried out massive cyberattack operation on Ukraine, The New York Times, 4 April 2022: Bristling Against the West, China Rallies Domestic Sympathy for Russia, NPR, 4 April 2022: Australia steps up missile upgrade due to growing threats from China and Russia, CNN, 8 April 2022: Opinion: Why Xi can’t quit zero-Covid , Irish Times, 9 April 2022: The Avoidable War by Kevin Rudd: Are the US and China on a collision course?, Al Arabiya, 15 April 2022: Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince, China’s President Xi Jinping discuss partnership growth, CNN, 15 April 2022: China’s Covid controls risk sparking crisis for the country — and its leader Xi Jinping, Al Arabiya, 15 April 2022: China conducts military drills around Taiwan in response to US, CNN, 15 April 2022: China is sending its most advanced fighter jet to patrol disputed seas, DW, 18 April 2022: China: Why is public discontent growing over Shanghai’s COVID lockdown?, CNN, 18 April 2022: Remote island ramps up defenses as tensions rise between Japan and China, The Guardian, 19 April 2022: Fear, paranoia, anger – this is life under China’s zero-Covid strategy, The New York Times, 19 April 2022: China and Russia Are Giving Authoritarianism a Bad Name, The Guardian, 20 April 2022: Solomon Islands-China pact is worst policy failure in Pacific since 1945, Labor says, Al Arabiya, 20 April 2022: US defense secretary holds first call with Chinese counterpart since entering office, NPR, 20 April 2022: Migrant workers in China find new jobs — and precarious conditions — in COVID control, The Times, 21 April 2022: Australia fears China will build up military presence in Solomon Islands, DW, 21 April 2022: Solomon Islands: Will the security pact with China hurt regional security?, The Times, 21 April 2022: US aircraft carriers at risk from Chinese hypersonic missile, Jerusalem Post, 25 April 2022: Chinese navy launches hypersonic anti-ship missiles in public display, The Times, 25 April 2022: China wants us to bow, says defiant Australia, CNN, 25 April 2022: Foreign investors are ditching China. Russia’s war is the latest trigger, Politico.com, 26 April 2022: EU backs Lithuania’s plan to aid firms amid China’s embargo, CNN, 26 April 2022: This is the video Chinese censors don’t want you to see or share, CNN, 26 April 2022: Why no one dare tell China’s Xi the awful truth — zero-Covid isn’t working, CNN, 27 April 2022: China’s Xi calls for ‘all-out’ infrastructure splurge to rescue economy, Jerusalem Post, 30 April 2022: China-Russia relationship increasingly worrying Americans – PEW poll, The Hill, 2 May 2022: EU anti-fake news agency now targeting Chinese propaganda, CNN, 2 May 2022: China is obsessed with disinfection against Covid. But is it causing more harm than good? (even before Corona, it was clear that to ensure security of supply and to secure supply chains, one has to think much more intensively about relocating productions. Corona has also made this clear to the general European public. In addition to relocating productions to India or relocating back to Europe, relocating productions to in Africa, especially North Africa, could and should also be considered. On the one hand, this would ease the pressure to migrate by creating incentives to stay. On the other hand, one would immediately enter the competition for Africa with China), The Guardian, 5 May 2022: Fashion industry: Xinjiang cotton found in Adidas, Puma and Hugo Boss tops, researchers say, CNN, 5 May 2022: China’s economy is going backwards, The Atlantic, 5 May 2022: How a Few Tiny Islands Are Helping China Project Power, CNN, 6 May 2022: Xi Jinping sends warning to anyone who questions China’s zero-Covid policy, DW, 9 May 2022: What is China’s zero-COVID policy?, CNN, 10 May 2022: US intelligence officials warn China is ‘working hard’ to be able to take over Taiwan militarily, Irish Times, 10 May 2022: China’s zero-Covid policy not ‘sustainable’, says head of WHO, The Hill, 10 May 2022: China ‘learning lessons’ from Russia war in Ukraine, intelligence officials say, CNN, 11 May 2022: WHO chief censored on China’s internet after calling zero-Covid unsustainable, Foreign Policy, 11 May 2022: Biden and Xi Struggle to Compete in Asia, Los Angeles Times, 13 May 2022: Troubles mount in China ahead of Xi’s bid to stay in power, Irish Times, 14 May 2022: G7 nations call on China not to help Russia amid global food and energy crises, CNN, 15 May 2022: China tensions loom as Japan’s Okinawa marks 50 years since US handover, The Guardian, 15 May 2022: China’s struggles delight some – but should make us all nervous, DW, 16 May 2022: Lockdowns cripple Chinese economy, The New Yorker, 16 May 2022: The Larger Meaning of China’s Crackdown on School Tutoring, The National, 17 May 2022: Oil prices surge as China starts easing Covid-19 restrictions, Politico.eu, 20 May 2022: Western allies ramp up rhetoric against Russia, want to see ‘defeat’ of Moscow, CNN, 22 May 2022: Japan turns away from post-WWII pacifism as China threat grows, The National, 23 May 2022: US would send military if China enters Taiwan, says Joe Biden, The Times, 24 May 2022: Xi reaps whirlwind of bromance with Putin, CNN, 24 May 2022: What you need to know about China-Taiwan tensions, The Guardian, 24 May 2022: China: Thousands of detained Uyghurs pictured in leaked Xinjiang police files, DW, 24 May 2022: ‘Quad’ talks in Japan open with eyes on China and Ukraine, BBC, 24 May 20222: The faces from China’s Uyghur detention camps (Xinjiang Police Files and Xinjiang Police Files), The Times, 24 May 2022: The Quad flexes its muscles against Chinese militarisation, Arab News, 24 May 2022: ‘Appalled’ US suspects Uyghur abuse approved at Beijing ‘highest levels’, DW, 24 May 20222: China: Leaked Xinjiang files likely accurate, experts say, The Washington Post, 25 May 20222: Trove of damning Xinjiang police files leaked as U.N. rights chief visits China, Foreign Policy, 25 May 20222: Beijing’s Abuses Are Laid Bare in Xinjiang Police Files, DW, 25 May 2022: Critics pressure UN rights chief over Xinjiang silence during China trip, France24, 25 May 2022: Adrian Zenz, the academic behind the ‘Xinjiang Police Files’, on China’s abuse of Uighurs, The Guardian, 25 May 2022: China: Xi Jinping defends human rights record to visiting UN commissioner, The New York Times, 26 May 2022: U.S. Aims to Constrain China by Shaping Environment Around It, Blinken Says, DW, 26 May 2022: Blinken warns China threat greater than Russia long term, Politico.com, 26 May 2022: Blinken calls China ‘most serious long-term’ threat to world order, DW, 27 May 2022: The China shock: Germany turns away from its biggest trading partner, The Hill, 28 May 2022: Without summits, a West Asia ‘Quad’ makes progress, France24, 28 May 2022: UN’s Bachelet defends visit to China’s Xinjiang amid criticism from rights groups, The Sunday Times, 29 May 2022: Uighurs, Covid and economy are unpicking China’s cult of Xi Jinping, CNN, 30 May 2022: China, Pacific islands unable to agree on security pact, The Times, 30 May 2022: China flexes naval muscle with huge new aircraft carrier, Foreign Policy, 1 June 2022: The United States Can’t Afford to Stay Entangled With China, BBC, 5 June 2022: China fighter jet intercepts Australian plane – Canberra, CNN, 5 June 2022: Chinese fighter jet ‘chaffs’ Australian plane near South China Sea, Canberra alleges, CNN, 6 June 2022: Why the sparsely-populated South Pacific islands have become the next US-China contest, Made in China 2025, China–European Union relations, Foreign relations of China, Chinese espionage in the United States, Chinese intelligence activity abroad, Social Credit System, Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), Cooperation between China and Central and Eastern European Countries, Economy of China, Christianity in China, One Belt and One Road Initiative, the new Silk Road, Theme Week China, Theme Week Taiwan, Theme Week Tibet, Hong Kong, Singapore.
- Even when the Kremlin is a very problematic interlocutor and there are obviously irreconcilable differences on some topics, the talks needs to be intensified again, especially since many of the challenges to be solved have not only been triggered by Russia, but can only be solved with its help. In addition to the illegal annexation of Crimea and the war in eastern Ukraine, these are also the Georgian parts of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, the conflict over Nagorno Karabakh in Azerbaijan, the conflict over Transnistria in the Republic of Moldova and the civil war in Syria (Reuters, 13 March 2014: Merkel warns Russia of ‘massive damage’ if it persists, The New York Times, 26 November 2018: Russia-Ukraine Fight Over Narrow Sea Passage Risks Wider War, The Washington Post, 26 November 2018: Ukraine to impose martial law as standoff with Russia in Black Sea intensifies, BBC, 27 November 2018: Ukraine-Russia clash: MPs back martial law, France24.com, 27 November 2018: Ukraine-Russia tensions rise as Kiev warns of ‘full-scale war’, The Guardian, 28 November 2018: Ukraine president warns Russia tensions could lead to ‘full-scale war’, The Guardian, 29 November 2018: Russia has blocked Ukrainian Azov Sea ports, minister says, The Guardian, 29 November 2018: Ukraine president calls for Nato warships in Sea of Azov, Der Spiegel, 4 December 2018: Escalating Tension: Russia Tries to Strangle Ukraine with New Maritime Strategy, The Guardian, 5 December 2018: Putin threatens arms race if US dumps nuclear treaty, The Guardian, 5 December 2018: EU raises funds to fight ‘disinformation war’ with Russia, DW, 13 December 2018: EU extends sanctions on Russia over Ukraine, DW, 17 December 2018: Russia to deploy warplanes to Crimea amid Ukraine standoff, The Washington Post, 17 December 2018: New report on Russian disinformation, prepared for the Senate, shows the operation’s scale and sweep, The Guardian, 19 December 2018: Russia may have nuclear arms in Crimea, hacked EU cables warn, The New York Times, 19 December 2018: Hacked European Cables Reveal a World of Anxiety About Trump, Russia and Iran, CNBC, 7 September 2018: Russia is optimistic on growth but still ‘far from where we want to be,’ former deputy PM says, The Guardian, 18 March 2019: Baltic states no longer a bridge between east and west, says Latvia, DW, 28 March 2019: Crisis-hit Ukraine desperate for savior in presidential election, CNBC, 29 March 2019: As hostility continues, Russia is watching Ukraine’s presidential election closely, The New York Times, 29 March 2019: In Ukraine, Russia Tests a New Facebook Tactic in Election Tampering, France24, 29 March 2019: No joke: Comedian Zelenskiy leads race to Ukrainian presidency, The Guardian, 30 March 2019: Ukraine’s candidates push limits of ‘quiet day’ before polls open, France24, 31 March 2019: Ukraine votes for president with comedian tipped to win first round, The Guardian, 31 March 2019: Ukrainians vote in election with TV comic eyeing presidency, The Guardian, 1 April 2019: Ukraine elections: TV comic favourite to win in presidential runoff, 2019 Ukrainian presidential election and Economy of Ukraine, France24, 14 April 2019: ‘No NATO country will taunt the Russians’ in the Black Sea, BBC, 21 April 2019: Ukraine election: Voters choose between comic and tycoon, Guardian, 22 April 2019: Comedian wins landslide victory in Ukrainian presidential election, BBC, 25 April 2019: North Korea summit: Putin says Kim ‘needs guarantees’ (a request by the Russian President, who once gave Ukraine security guarantees in exchange for their disarmament and after they had done so, he ordered to attack Ukraine militarily (Annexation of Crimea and warfare in eastern Ukraine by Russia). This has been observed closely by North Korea, and that Donald Trump’s America can not be trusted (Iran deal, etc.), too. There is no rational reason for North Korea to actually want to or be able to disarm itself), DW, 25 April 2019: Putin: Kim needs ‘security guarantees’ on nuclear deal, Times of Israel, 26 April 2019: Ending Russia trip, North Korean leader says US acting in ‘bad faith’, The New York Times, 25 April 2019: Outrage Grows as Russia Grants Passports in Ukraine’s Breakaway Regions, BBC, 25 April 2019: Russia offers passports to people in eastern Ukraine territories, Moscow Times, 16 May 2019: Russia Evades Exclusion From Council of Europe, The Guardian, 20 May 2019: Ukraine’s leader takes office and immediately calls snap election, France24, 20 May 2019: Ukraine’s President Zelenskiy calls early elections in inaugural speech, The Guardian, 20 May 2019: Ukraine’s leader takes office and calls snap election, The Washington Post, 22 May 2019: Putin out-prepared Trump in key meeting, Rex Tillerson told House panel, The Guardian, 24 May 2019: Calls for Europe to review border controls after blacklisted Russian visits 70 times (Crash course for foreign policy laymen on the subject of “German-Russian relations” on the one hand, a small part of the “International relations of Germany” on the other and their interplay: Germany–Russia relations, Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact, World War II, Foreign relations of Germany, Foreign relations of the European Union, Australia–Germany relations, Austria–Germany relations, Foreign relations of Bahrain, Foreign relations of Belarus, Belgium–Germany relations, Foreign relations of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria–Germany relations, Canada–Germany relations, China–Germany relations, Croatia–Germany relations, Denmark–Germany relations, Egypt–Germany relations, Estonia–Germany relations, Finland–Germany relations, France–Germany relations, Georgia–Germany relations, Germany–Greece relations, Germany–Hungary relations, Germany–Iran relations, Germany–Iraq relations, Germany–Ireland relations, Germany–Israel relations, Germany–Italy relations, Germany–Japan relations, Germany–Jordan relations, Foreign relations of Lebanon, Germany–Luxembourg relations, Germany–Morocco relations, Germany–Moldova relations, Germany–Netherlands relations, Germany–Norway relations, Foreign relations of Oman, Foreign relations of the State of Palestine, Germany–Poland relations, Germany–Portugal relations, Germany–Qatar relations, Germany–Romania relations, Foreign relations of Saudi Arabia, Germany–Serbia relations, Germany–Slovakia relations, Germany–Slovenia relations, Germany–Spain relations, Germany–Sweden relations, Germany–Switzerland relations, Germany–Syria relations, Germany–Tunisia relations, Germany–Turkey relations, Germany–Ukraine relations, Germany–United Arab Emirates relations (UAE), Germany–United Kingdom relations, Germany–United States relations, Germany–Holy See relations (Vatican), Foreign relations of Yemen), The Guardian, 11 June 2019: Russian officials tried to frame Ivan Golunov. Instead they made him a hero, The Washington Post, 13 June 2019: Putin’s dangerous campaign to rehabilitate Stalin (Stalinist repressions, Great Purge and Neo-Stalinism), The New York Times, 15 June 2019: U.S. Escalates Online Attacks on Russia’s Power Grid, The Guardian, 16 June 2019: Trump accuses New York Times of ‘virtual treason’ over Russia cyber warfare report, France24, 19 June 2019: Dutch investigators seek murder charges in downing of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17, The Guardian, 19 Jnue 2019: Three Russians and one Ukrainian to face MH17 murder charges, France24, 19 June 2019: Who are the four men charged with downing of MH17?, The New York Times, 25 June 2019: Council of Europe Restores Russia’s Voting Rights, BBC, 25 June 2019: Ukraine fury as Russia gets back Council of Europe voting rights, The Guardian, 25 June 2019: Ukraine walks out of Europe human rights body as Russia returns, France24, 28 June 2019: Russia’s undiplomatic return to the Council of Europe, France24, 2 July 2019: Ukraine says European observers not welcome at July polls, The Guardian, 10 July 2019: Vladimir Putin’s Russia is rehabilitating Stalin. We must not let it happen, Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, 13 July 2019: Donbas reconstruction: The West must take the chance, Politico.com, 1 August 2019: Trump to sanction Russia over chemical weapons use, Al Arabiya, 2 August 2019: Russia says new US sanctions over Skripal poisoning hurt ties, France24, 3 August 2019: US announces new sanctions against Russia over Skripal poisoning, France24, 19 August 2019: Macron urges Putin to back a Ukraine leaders’ summit over coming weeks at French talks, Times of Israel, 20.08.2019: Netanyahu hints Israel behind strikes on Iraq, says Iran not immune anywhere (and refuses to condemn Russia’s 2014 annexation of Crimea), France24, 20 August 2019: US President Trump reiterates call for Russia to rejoin ‘G8’, Reuters, 21 August 2019: France wants progress in Ukraine before Russia returns to G7, Haaretz, 22 August 2019: Mysterious Nuclear Blast Shreds Another Piece of Putin’s Global Ambitions, CNN, 24 August 2019: Trump wants to welcome Russia back into G7. John McCain must be rolling in his grave, Reuters, 24 August 2019: EU’s Tusk sees even more reasons to keep Russia out of G7, France24, 27 August 2019: Keeping Russia out of Western fold a ‘strategic error’, Macron says in key speech, Politico.com, 27 August 2019: Senate tangles with Russia after Trump’s overtures to Putin, CNN, 28 August 2019: Trump’s strange relationship with Putin is back in the spotlight, Politico.eu, 31 August 2019: Berlin hit job could blight German-Russian relations, BBC, 7 September 2019: Ukraine and Russia exchange prisoners in landmark deal, France24, 7 September 2019: Film director Oleg Sentsov among 70 released in Russia-Ukraine prisoner swap, The Guardian, 9 September 2019: US removed covert source in Russia due to safety concerns under Trump – report, CNN, 9 September 2019: Exclusive: US extracted top spy from inside Russia in 2017, Politico.com, 9 September 2019: Why the U.S. needs strong and democratic Ukraine as a strategic partner, Jerusalem Post, 26 September 2019: Russia’s Eastern Mediterranean strategy explained – analysis, Politico.eu, 26 September 2019: Poroshenko defends Merkel against criticism by Trump, Bloomberg, 27 September 2019: Why Zelenskiy Joined Trump in Trashing Germany, Arab News, 3 October 2019: EU security crucial to Macron’s Russia initiative, The New York Times, 8 October 2019: Top Secret Russian Unit Seeks to Destabilize Europe, Security Officials Say, Politico Magazine, 8 October 2019: Want to Stop Russia From Messing With Our Democracy? Rethink U.S. Counterintelligence., France24, 30 October 2019: NATO demands Russia ‘withdraw all troops’ from Ukraine, The Guardian, 30 October 2019: New Russian submarine tests intercontinental missile for first time, CNN, 5 November 2019: Trump, Putin and Hungary’s Orban all share a disdain for Ukraine. That’s raising alarm bells, The Guardian, 5 November 2019: Vladimir Putin calls for ‘reliable’ Russian version of Wikipedia (or in other words: We love to fake everything, including the Russian history and world view), Foreign Policy, 15 November 2019: Trump Resisted Sale of Javelins to Ukraine, DW, 18 November 2019: Russia returns navy vessels seized from Ukraine, BBC, 18 November 2019: Russia returns Ukrainian boats seized off Crimea, The Washington Post, 19 November 2019: U.S. military aid bolsters Ukraine’s front lines, but the Trump drama makes Kyiv nervous, The Atlantic, 21 November 2019: America Hasn’t Always Supported Ukraine Like This, The Guardian, 3 December 2019: Germany suspects Russian agencies over Chechen exile killing, DW, 3 December 2019: Germany to investigate Russia ties to Georgian murdered in Berlin, CNN, 4 December 2019: Germany expels two Russian diplomats over murder of ex-Chechen fighter in Berlin, BBC, 4 December 2019: Berlin murder: Germany expels two Russian diplomats, NPR, 6 December 2019: The Stakes For Ukraine Are High In Monday’s Summit Between Putin And Zelenskiy, CNN, 6 December 2019: Russian billionaire killed by vehicle while walking his dog in England, France24, 8 December 2019: Ukraine crowds protest over Russia summit, The Guardian, 8 December 2019: Ukraine’s new president comes face to face with Putin in Paris, France24, 8 December 2019: Macron aims to revive Ukraine peace process at Paris summit, France24, 9 December 2019: World leaders speak after Ukraine peace talks uniting Zelensky, Putin in Paris, NPR, 9 December 2019: With Paris Peace Talks, Putin And Zelenskiy Meet For First Time, BBC, 10 December 2019: Ukraine and Russia agree to implement ceasefire, The Economist, 12 December 2019: Vladimir v Volodymyr: An awful week for Vladimir Putin, Arab News, 21 December 2019: Russia and Ukraine outline five-year gas transit deal to end row, DW, 23 December 2019: Putin train ride bridges Crimea-Russia gap, BBC, 23 December 2019: Putin’s new Crimea rail link condemned by EU, The Washington Post, 23 December 2019: With symbolic train ride, Putin marks new bridge linking annexed Crimea to Russia, Al Jazeera, 26 December 2019: Ukraine to buy more US Javelin anti-tank missile systems, France24, 29 December 2019: Ukraine swaps 200 prisoners with pro-Russian separatists, Al Jazeera, 29 December 2019: Ukraine, pro-Russia separatists complete prisoner swap, NPR, 2 January 2020: Opinion: Ukraine Used Diplomacy; Russia Used Disinformation. The Difference Is Key, CNN, 10 January 2020: First on CNN: Russian warship ‘aggressively approached’ US destroyer in Arabian Sea, Arab News, 11 January 2020: Germany to host Libya peace summit in Berlin, France24, 15 January 2020: Russian PM Dmitry Medvedev submits resignation to President Vladimir Putin, BBC, 15 January 2020: Russian government resigns as Putin plans future, CNN, 16 January 2020: Putin may be following Xi’s lead, but he’s nowhere near as secure as the Chinese leader, Times of Israel, 16 January 2020: Putin cements power as Russian lawmakers approve his new PM, Al Jazeera, 16 January 2020: Putinism and Putin’s retirement plan, Haaretz, 17 January 2020: ‘Leader for Life’: Putin Shows Israelis What They Should Fear, Gulf Times, 19 January 2020: Russian activists take aim at Putin in march against repression, The Hill, 6 February 2020: Trump administration delaying arms transfers worth $30M to Ukraine: report, Business Insider, 7 February 2020: The US has reportedly held up roughly $30 million in arms sales to Ukraine, and no one knows why, The Guardian, 9 March 2020: Russia ‘hired network of Britons to go after enemies of Putin’, NPR, 10 March 2020: Russian Parliament Allows Putin 2 More Terms As President, The Guardian, 18 March 2020: Russian media ‘spreading Covid-19 disinformation’, CNN, 18 March 2020: EU says pro-Kremlin media trying to sow ‘panic and fear’ with coronavirus disinformation, Politico.eu, 18 March 2020: EU warns of ‘pro-Kremlin’ disinfo on coronavirus pandemic, CNN, 21 March 2020: Why does Russia, population 146 million, have fewer coronavirus cases than Luxembourg?, The Guardian, 26 March 2020: Royal Navy shadows Russian ships after ‘high activity’ in Channel, Reuters, 6 May 2020: Ukraine faces deepening recession due to coronavirus lockdown: Reuters poll, France24, 7 May 2020: Ex Georgian leader appointed reform aide in Ukraine, The Washington Post, 8 May 2020: Facing a dim present, Putin turns back to glorious Stalin, Politico.eu, 13 May 2020: Merkel blames Russia for ‘outrageous’ cyberattack on German parliament, The Washington Post, 13 June 2020: Ukraine’s political wars are getting nastier — and could grow worse as the U.S. election nears, CNN, 18 June 2020: German prosecutor accuses Russia of ordering murder in Berlin park, The Guardian, 18 June 2020: Germany warned of reaction after Russia blamed for Berlin murder, Politico.eu, 18 June 2020: German prosecutors accuse Moscow over contract killing of Georgian man, France24, 7 July 2020: Russia seeks 15 years jail for Gulag historian, DW, 26 July 2020: Ukraine: government and rebel forces begin ceasefire, Al Arabiya, 26 July 2020: Germany rejects Trump’s call to allow Russia back into G7, The Guardian, 30 July 2020: Russia-aligned hackers running anti-Nato fake news campaign – report, DW, 21 August 2020: Alexei Navalny live updates: Russian doctors allow Navalny’s transfer to Germany, The Guardian, 21 August 2020: Alexei Navalny to be flown to Germany for suspected poisoning treatment, France24, 21 August 2020: Russian doctors agree to evacuation of Kremlin critic Navalny to Germany, DW, 21 August 2020: A history of political poisonings, The New York Times, 21 August 2020: Another Putin Critic Apparently Poisoned, BBC, 22 August 2020: Alexei Navalny: Putin critic taken to airport for flight to Germany, The Guardian, 23 August 2020: Alexei Navalny Police sources say Putin critic was under surveillance in Siberia, The National, 24 August 2020: Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny was poisoned, says Berlin hospital, France24, 24 August 2020: Berlin hospital says Kremlin critic Navalny’s test results ‘indicate poisoning’, BBC, 24 August 2020: Alexei Navalny: Putin critic ‘probably poisoned’ – doctors, The New York Times, 24 August 2020: Aleksei Navalny, a Putin Critic, Was Poisoned, German Doctors Say, DW, 25 August 2020: Berlin hospital says Alexei Navalny was likely poisoned, France24, 25 August 2020: France says Navalny victim of ‘criminal act’, calls on Russia to carry out ‘transparent’ probe, The Guardian, 25 August 2020: Kremlin rejects accusations Putin was involved in suspected poisoning of Alexei Navalny (well-known >whataboutismWas Alexei Navalny poisoned with Novichok?, The Guardian, 25 August 2020: It may seem Putin controls the Russian state personally. The reality is more dangerous, CNN, 25 August 2020: Russian opposition leader Alexey Navalny was poisoned, Berlin hospital says, Politico.eu, 27 August 2020: Navalny poisoning: EU countries call for transparency, but little else, France24, 4 September 2020: NATO demands probe into Moscow’s Novichok programme after Navalny poisoning, Politico.eu, 5 September 2020: Trump on Alexei Navalny poisoning: ‘We haven’t had any proof yet’ (after all, he must not anger his boss and key campaign worker from the Kremlin), DW, 6 September 2020: Navalny poisoning: German foreign minister threatens sanctions, France24, 6 September 2020: German foreign minister threatens Russia with sanctions over Navalny poisoning, The Guardian, 6 September 2020: Alexei Navalny poisoning: Germany raises pressure on Russia with sanctions talk, Politico.eu, 6 September 2020: German FM: Russia has a ‘few days’ to explain Navalny poisoning, DW, 8 September 2020: Russia summons German envoy over Navalny poisoning allegations, The Guardian, 12 September 2020: Germany: Navalny poisoning forces Merkel’s party to ask: how to hit back at Putin?, DW, 14 September 2020: French, Swedish labs confirm Navalny poisoned with Novichok, France24, 14 September 2020: Macron urges Putin to shed light on ‘attempted murder’ of opponent Navalny, The New York Times, 14 September 2020: Navalny, Awake and Alert, Plans to Return to Russia, German Official Says (Putin and his gang of criminals will not like that at all. Wait and see how the Russian propaganda will deal with it and what lies they and their useful idiots from AfD & Co. will spread about it), BBC, 15 September 2020: Alexei Navalny: Poisoned Putin critic ‘will return to Russia’, France24, 15 September 2020: Navalny posts picture from Berlin hospital, says he can breathe on his own, The Guardian, 15 September 2020: ‘Hi, this is Navalny’: Poisoned Russian opposition leader posts hospital photo, Politico.eu, 15 September 2020: ‘It’s Navalny, I miss you all.’ Russian opposition leader posts hospital picture, France24, 17 September 2020: Navalny aides say Novichok nerve agent found on hotel water bottle, The Guardian, 17 September 2020: Russia: Novichok ‘found on water bottle in Alexei Navalny’s hotel room’, The New York Times, 22 September 2020: Vladimir Putin Thinks He Can Get Away With Anything, France24, 23 September 2020: Kremlin critic Navalny discharged from Berlin hospital, full recovery ‘possible’, BBC, 23 September 2020: Alexei Navalny: Russian activist discharged from Berlin hospital, The Guardian, 23 September 2020: Alexei Navalny: Russian opposition figure out of German hospital after treatment for poisoning, DW, 1 October 2020: Wolfgang Schäuble: “We need better cooperation with Russia”, Der Spiegel, 1 October 2020: Russian Opposition Leader Alexei Navalny on His Poisoning: “I Assert that Putin Was Behind the Crime”, France24, 1 October 2020: Poisoned Kremlin critic Navalny says Russia’s Putin ‘behind the crime’, BBC, 1 October 2020: Alexei Navalny blames Vladimir Putin for poisoning him, The Washington Post, 1 October 2020: Russian opposition leader Navalny directly blames Putin for poisoning, NPR, 1 October 2020: Alexei Navalny Says Russia’s Putin Had Him Poisoned With Nerve Agent, Politico.eu, 1 October 2020: Navalny: Use of Novichok shows that Putin is under pressure, Al Jazeera, 6 October 2020: Navalny blames Russian intelligence for ‘poisoning’ attack, Politico.eu, 6 October 2020: Navalny poisoned by nerve agent, chemical weapons watchdog confirms, France24, 6 October 2020: Chemical weapons watchdog confirms banned nerve agent Novichok in Navalny’s blood, Politico.eu, 6 October 2020: Charles Michel demands Russia investigate chemical attack on Navalny, DW, 7 October 2020: Germany, France push for Russia sanctions over Navalny poisoning, Al Jazeera, 7 October 2020: Belarus opposition leader placed on Russia’s wanted list, DW, 12 October 2020: EU foreign ministers agree to sanction Russia, DW, 15 October 2020: Russia withdraws from MH17 talks with Netherlands, Australia, The Guardian, 15 October 2020: EU imposes sanctions on Kremlin chiefs over Alexei Navalny poisoning, Politico.eu, 15 October 2020: EU sanctions senior Russians over Navalny poisoning, DW, 15 October 2020: Russia vows to ‘respond in kind’ to EU sanctions on Putin aides, NPR, 15 October 2020: EU Sanctions Russian Officials Over Navalny Poisoning, Citing Chemical Weapons Use, Al Jazeera, 15 October 2020: EU, UK sanction top Russian officials over Navalny ‘poisoning’, DW, 22 October 2020: EU sanctions Russian officials over cyberattack on Germany’s Bundestag, Politico.eu, 22 October 2020: UK joins EU in sanctioning Russians for 2015 cyber attack, Jerusalem Post, 22 October 2020: Russia’s attempts to move closer to Egypt is made possible by US absence, The Hill, 27 October 2020: Chechen leader: Macron’s stance on Muhammad cartoons ‘forcing people into terrorism’ (a Islamist terrorist isn’t becoming a Islamist terrorist because of free speech, but because of Islamist indoctrination), DW, 12 November 2020: Russia to sanction France, Germany over Navalny, DW, 22 November 2020: Russia’s ‘foreign agent’ bill foreshadows civil society clampdown, DW, 13 December 2020: Navalny poisoning: Russia made second assassination attempt — report, DW, 14 December 2020: Navalny poisoning: ‘These are not just normal FSB officers’, NPR, 14 December 2020: Russia Suspected In Major Cyberattack On U.S. Government Departments, The Guardian, 14 December 2020: Russia The men accused of poisoning Alexei Navalny, DW, 14 December 2020: Bellingcat and Navalny present evidence linking Russian FSB to poisoning, The Times, 15 December 2020: Kremlin critic ‘tailed by hit squad before poison attack’, France24, 17 December 2020: Russia to miss Tokyo Olympics after doping ban halved, DW, 17 December 2020: Putin: If Russia poisoned Navalny he’d be dead, France24, 17 December 2020: Putin says if Russia had poisoned opposition leader Navalny he would be dead, BBC, 17 December 2020: Does Putin admit any responsibility for ‘new Cold War’?, CNN, 17 December 2020: Putin says if Russia wanted to kill opposition leader Navalny, it would have ‘finished’ the job, The Guardian, 17 December 2020: Putin rejects Navalny poisoning allegations as ‘falsification’, The Times, 17 December 2020: Navalny claim is western propaganda, says Putin, CNN, 17 December 2020: Trump remains silent as massive cyber hack poses ‘grave risk’ to government, France24, 17 December 2020: US intelligence agencies confirm ‘significant and ongoing’ hack into government networks, Times of Israel, 17 December 2020: ‘Worst hacking in US history’: Agencies said to fear nuclear networks accessed, NPR, 17 December 2020: U.S. Cyber Agency: Computer Hack Poses ‘Grave Risk’, The New York Times, 17 December 2020: More Hacking Attacks Found as Officials Warn of ‘Grave Risk’ to U.S. Government, Politico.com, 17 December 2020: Nuclear weapons agency breached amid massive cyber onslaught, The Guardian, 18 December 2020: Putin’s aggressive policies show sign of a worried regime, Arab News, 18 December 2020: Hack against US is ‘grave’ threat, cybersecurity agency says, CNN, 18 December 2020: The cybersecurity attack is another Trump mess Biden will have to clean up (well, Russia remains to be the enemy it always was. What else is new?), The Hill, 18 December 2020: Lawmakers ask whether massive hack amounted to act of war, The Guardian, 18 December 2020: Cyber-attack is brutal reminder of the Russia problem facing Joe Biden, The National, 18 December 2020: After hack, criticism of Trump and calls for retaliation grow in US, France24, 19 December 2020: Pompeo blames Russia for ‘significant’ cyber attack on US government agencies, companies, DW, 19 December 2020: Trump downplays massive US cyberattack, points to China (the elections are over, he lost, but he is still protecting his boss, even though he obviously did not support him sufficiently enough in the last election), France24, 19 December 2020: Trump downplays severity of cyber attack and avoids blaming Russia, CNN, 19 December 2020: Trump downplays massive cyber hack on government after Pompeo links attack to Russia, NPR, 19 December 2020: Pompeo Says Russia ‘Pretty Clearly’ Behind Cyberattack, Prompting Pushback From Trump, The Times, 19 December 2020: ‘To win against Russia and China we must beat them at their own game’, The Scotsman, 19 December 2020: New Cold War: World’s democracies must wake up to a chilling new reality after massive cyberattack on US – Scotsman comment, DW, 22 December 2020: Russia sanctions Germany over Alexi Navalny case (sanctions? :-D this is more like “a pretty good reason why I thankfully don’t have to go there”), France24, 22 December 2020: Russia bans entry for EU officials in response to bloc’s sanctions over Navalny poisoning, Politico.eu, 22 December 2020: Russia slaps travel bans on EU officials over Navalny sanctions, The Guardian, 22 December 2020: Putin signs bill granting lifetime immunity to former Russian presidents, Reuters, 22 December 2020: ‘Good riddance,’ China says as Germany leaves U.N. Security Council (that the two injustice regimes would prefer to see further dictatorships represented in the UN Security Council is of course understandable from their point of view. It is all the more important to regularly confront them with reality. It’s nice to see that they still jump over every stick that you hold out to them. It shows how much they are under pressure. Ambassador Heusgen obviously did everything right), NPR, 22 December 2020: Navalny Reportedly Dupes Agent Into Revealing Details Of Poisoning, DW, 26 December 2020: President-elect Joe Biden set to crank up pressure on Russia, The New York Times, 2 January 2021: As Understanding of Russian Hacking Grows, So Does Alarm, Daily Beast, 4 January 2021: How Russian Media Tries to Undermine Ukraine, The Washington Post, 5 January 2021: U.S. intelligence community says Russia is ‘likely’ behind major cyberhacks of federal agencies, DW, 6 January 2021: US intelligence agencies say Russia ‘likely’ behind government agency hack, Politico.eu, 15 January 2021: Collision course Moscow: The Return of Alexei Navalny, France24, 17 January 2021: Kremlin critic Navalny aboard flight en route to Moscow, faces potential arrest on arrival, BBC, 17 January 2021: Russia Navalny: Poisoned opposition leader flying home, CNN, 17 January 2021: Alexey Navalny leaves Germany on Russia-bound jet five months after being poisoned, The Guardian, 17 January 2021: ‘Not afraid’ Alexei Navalny on way to Moscow after recovery from poisoning, Al Jazeera, 17 January 2021: Kremlin critic Navalny heads home to Russia despite arrest risk, Al Arabiya, 17 January 2021: Kremlin critic Navalny arrested at Moscow airport, DW, 17 January 2021: Alexei Navalny detained after landing in Moscow, The Guardian, 17 January 2021: Alexei Navalny detained at airport on return to Russia, DW, 18 January 2021: Navalny decries ‘mockery of justice’ at rushed hearing, France24, 18 January 2021: Russian judge orders Kremlin critic Navalny held for 30 days, BBC, 18 January 2021: Alexei Navalny: Poisoned Putin critic Navalny jailed in Russia, CNN, 18 January 2021: Kremlin critic Alexey Navalny to be held in custody for 30 days following his return to Russia, Irish Times, 18 January 2021: Russia jails Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny for 30 days, Politico.eu, 18 January 2021: Russian opposition leader Navalny locked up for 30 days, The National, 18 January 2021: Poisoned opposition figure Alexei Navalny jailed in Russia, DW, 19 January 2021: Russia shrugs off sanctions, rejects global calls for Navalny’s release, The Guardian, 19 January 2021: Alexei Navalny is appealing to the people, over the heads of Russia’s crooked system, The Guardian, 21 January 2021: Kremlin committed human rights violation in Georgia war, ECHR rules, France24, 22 January 2021: EU’s Michel phones Putin to demand Navalny’s ‘immediate release’, DW, 23 January 2021: High corporate debt dampens Russia’s growth prospects, BBC, 23 January 2021: Alexei Navalny: ‘More than 2,000 detained’ in protests across Russia, France24, 23 January 2021: Thousands across Russia rally for jailed opposition leader Alexei Navalny, DW, 23 January 2021: Police detain thousands at pro-Navalny protests (DW, 30. September 2017: German businessmen in Russia – more than Gerhard Schröder), CNN, 23 January 2021: Hundreds, including Navalny’s wife Yulia, detained as protests in his support sweep across Russia, The New York Times, 23 January 2021: Russians Stage Protests Over Opposition Leader’s Arrest, DW, 24 January 2021: Russia ‘really afraid’ of pro-Navalny protests, says anti-corruption chief, The National, 24 January 2021: Alexei Navalny protests expand across Russia. DW, 24 January 2021: Who is Putin’s German friend?, The Atlantic, 24 January 2021: Navalny’s Long-Running Battle with Putin Enters a New Phase, Al Arabiya, 29 January 2021: Kremlin critic Navalny’s ‘Putin palace’ film gets 100 million YouTube views, BBC, 31 January 2021: Navalny: Arrests as latest protests begin in Russia, Al Jazeera, 31 January 2021: Russia arrests hundreds as crackdown on Navalny allies continues, The Guardian, 31 January 2021: Alexei Navalny protests: Moscow in lockdown as police detain thousands, DW, 31 January 2021: More than 5,000 arrested as Alexei Navalny supporters defy protest ban, says monitor, France24, 31 January 2021: Thousands arrested at protests in support of Kremlin critic Navalny, NPR, 31 January 2021: Defying Putin, Russians Return To The Streets To Demand Alexei Navalny’s Release, DW, 1 February 2021: Germany demands Russia release Alexei Navalny (Putin is turning Navalny into a martyr and folk hero. Good thing), France24, 1 February 2021: Prosecutors back effort to put Russian opposition leader Navalny in jail, DW, 1 February 2021: ‘A new anger among people in Russia’, The Guardian, 1 February 2021: Moscow: Navalny prosecutors seek three-and-a-half-year jail term, The Hill, 1 February 2021: Russian prosecutors seeking jail term for Navalny, Al Jazeera, 1 February 2021: Not just Navalny: Economic woes also drive Russians to protest, The Guardian, 2 February 2021: Alexei Navalny: Russian opposition leader jailed for two years and eight months, DW, 2 February 2021: Protests erupt over Navalny prison sentencing, France24, 2 February 2021: Russian court orders opposition leader Alexei Navalny to serve more than two years in prison, CNN, 2 February 2021: Kremlin critic Alexey Navalny handed jail term, prompting protests across Russia, The New York Times, 2 February 2021: Vladimir Putin Has Become America’s Ex-Boyfriend From Hell, Financial Times, 3 February 2021: Ukraine shuts TV channels it accuses of spreading ‘Russian disinformation’ (way too late and too little. Russia Today should in general also be switched off outside of Russia), DW, 3 February 2021: Ukraine: Zelenskiy bans three opposition TV stations, BBC, 3 February 2021: Putin critic Navalny jailed in Russia despite protests, France24, 3 February 2021: More than 10,000 have been detained at pro-Navalny rallies in Russia, monitor says, The New York Times, 3 February 2021: Vladimir the Poisoner of Underpants, Politico.eu, 5 February 2021: Borrell stands by as Lavrov calls EU ‘unreliable partner’ (well, what else is new? Putin’s dictatorship and his minions are extremely hostile towards the EU (especially with regard to the Baltic States and the Visegrád Group, even when the Hungarian autocrat Victor Orban has been deep in Putin’s pocket for years), and, of course, towards Ukraine (Russia’s War in Donbass and Annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation). For the EU it’s all the more important to strengthen the democratic powers in Russia so that they can lead Russia to democracy, freedom, the rule of law and prosperity. This, of course, especially after the poisoning of Alexei Navalny by Putin’s henchmen), DW, 5 February 2021: Russia expels European diplomats over Navalny protests, France24, 5 February 2021: Russia expels European diplomats over Navalny protests, DW, 5 February 2021: Arbitrary arrests and overcrowded prisons following Navalny protests, CNN, 5 February 2021: Kremlin critic Navalny in court as EU official makes controversial trip to Russia, The Guardian, 5 February 2021: Angela Merkel: Russia’s expulsion of diplomats over Navalny protests ‘unjustified’, The Times, 5 February 2021: European diplomats who attended Navalny rallies expelled, Irish Times, 5 February 2021: Russia expels European diplomats as Navalny case sours relations, Jerusalem Post, 5 February 2021: Senior doctor in charge of Navalny’s treatment in Russia dies ‘suddenly’, Al Jazeera, 5 February 2021: In risky move, Ukraine’s president bans pro-Russian media, DW, 6 February 2021: Opinion: Russia rejects EU’s olive branch, NPR, 6 February 2021: Opinion: Alexei Navalny Fights For Freedom Of Expression In Putin’s Russia, CNN, 7 February 2021: Russian protesters detained at pro-Navalny rallies say police threatened and intimidated them: ‘The regime has shown its teeth’, Politico.eu, 9 February 2021: Borrell defends controversial Russia trip, threatens sanctions, DW, 10 February 2021: Report: Yulia Navalnaya, Alexei Navalny’s wife, in Germany, BBC, 12 February 2021: Russia warns EU it could cut ties over sanctions, DW, 12 February 2021: Russia ‘ready’ to break ties with EU if sanctions imposed — Lavrov (as if Putin’s Russia had not isolated itself years ago in order to distract attention from human rights violations and war crimes, which is why the EU should significantly increase sanctions), NPR, 12 February 2021: Russia Threatens To Cut Ties With EU If Sanctions Are Imposed Over Jailing Of Navalny, The Guardian, 12 February 2021: Alexei Navalny accuses state of orchestrating war veteran slander case, France24, 12 February 2021: Kremlin critic Navalny back in Moscow court for slander trial, Der Spiegel, 12 February 2021: Foreign Policy Impotence: Brussels Pushes Firmer Stance after Embarrassment in Moscow, Politico.eu, 12 February 2021: Estonian PM: EU has to ‘speed up’ with sanctions on Russia, The National, 13 February 2021: Russia ready to cut ties with EU over sanctions, The New York Times, 13 February 2021: A Life in Opposition: Navalny’s Path From Gadfly to Heroic Symbol, Al Jazeera, 14 February 2021: In Pictures: Russians show Valentine’s Day support for Navalny, DW, 15 February 2021: Navalny ally Leonid Volkov: ‘Our aim is to outsmart Putin’, Politico.eu, 15 February 2021: France identifies Russia-linked hackers in large cyberattack, Arab News, 17 February 2021: Why international community cannot ignore Russia, Politico.eu, 17 February 2021: Von der Leyen asks Russia why it’s selling Sputnik abroad before vaccinating citizens, DW, 22 February 2021: EU agrees to plan sanctions against Russia — sources, France24, 22 February 2021: EU agrees to sanction Russian officials over Navalny jailing, The Guardian, 22 February 2021: Russia: EU must be ‘united and determined’ on sanctions, says Borrell, Politico.eu, 22 February 2021: Navalny aides press EU leaders to expand Russian sanctions, DW, 23 February 2021: EU sanctions send ‘strong signal’ to Russia: Estonian FM, CNN, 23 February 2021: Biden administration prepares to impose sanctions on Russia over Navalny poisoning and SolarWinds hack, DW, 25 February 2021: Man charged with passing Bundestag details to Russia, The Guardian, 25 February 2021: ‘Jens F’: German man charged with giving Bundestag floor plans to Russian agents, Politico.eu, 25 February 2021: German man charged with espionage for passing Bundestag details to Russia, France24, 26 February 2021: Russia sends Putin opponent Navalny to penal colony for 18-month sentence, CNN, 26 February 2021: Alexey Navalny transferred from Moscow detention center to penal colony, The New York Times, 1 March 2021: Aleksei Navalny Sent to Notorious Russian Prison, DW, 2 March 2021: EU, US impose sanctions on Russia over Alexei Navalny poisoning, The Washington Post, 2 March 2021: For Putin, it wasn’t enough to smear, harass and poison Navalny, BBC, 3 March 2021: Why many in Russia are reluctant to have Sputnik vaccine (the Russians don’t manage to vaccinate themselves with it because not even they trust in it, but they want to supply Europe – pure Russian vaccine propaganda. On the other hand: Who would even want to get vaccinated with the stuff? Probably AfD voters, Putin trolls and other Covidiotes. In that case, one could calmly dispense with the usual testing and approval procedure. Saves a lot of time and money and speeds up the natural selection process), Al Arabiya, 5 March 2021: Russia’s riot police actively recruiting since Alexei Navalny protests erupted, DW, 5 March 2021: German-Russian relations flare up over state-run TV channel, DW, 9 March 2021: Russian disinformation mainly targets Germany: EU report (nothing new. Russia’s propaganda and fake news machinery was never shut down after the Cold War 1.0. What else should the Putin regime do? Russia’s notorious economic, social and political weakness under a severely criminal and completely incompetent leadership can only survive if it can credibly sell its own henchmen that the “guilty” are abroad), DW, 12 March 2021: Is the Kremlin scared of a group of TikTok bloggers?, The Guardian, 16 March 2021: Russia worked to damage Biden in 2020 election, US intelligence report finds, Politico.com, 16 March 2021: Russia stoked Ukraine allegations to undermine Biden, U.S. intel agencies say, Al Jazeera, 16 March 2021: UN warns of another ‘decade of desperation’ in war-torn Syria (it’s very simple: ask Putin, who bombed the region to rubble and ashes, to quickly rebuild the region. He had war crimes ordered in Syria. Perhaps, as a result of the reconstruction, the ICC’s judgments will later be a little less harsh), France24, 16 March 2021: From protests to civil war: Understanding Syria’s decade of horror, DW, 17 March 2021: Russia warns UK nuclear arsenal plan harms global security, France24, 17 March 2021: Russia recalls US ambassador after Biden threatens sanctions for election-meddling, DW, 17 March 2021: Biden says Putin is a killer and ‘will pay a price’ for election interference (where he’s right, he’s right! Just think of the numerous Russian war crimes in Syria, the annexation of Crimea, the attacks on eastern Ukraine, Georgia, Moldova, Tajikistan and Chechnya. Putin can get away with the term “killer” instead of “war criminal”. On the other hand: As head of state, Biden could and should have found more diplomatic words in order to make the same statement), The Guardian, 17 March 2021: Biden: Putin is a ‘killer’ and will pay for interference in US election, The Hill, 17 March 2021: Russia recalls ambassador after Biden says Putin will ‘pay a price’ for interference, The Times, 18 March 2021: ‘Killer Putin’ will pay for poll meddling, vows Biden, Jerusalem Post, 21 March 2021: Iran, Russia and Turkey signal growing alliance, DW, 22 March 2021: China, Russia accuse US of interference with sanctions (*hahaha*), CNN, 22 March 2021: ‘He cut my underwear. Then he did what he did’, The New York Times, 28 March 2021: Russia Trumpets Vaccine Exports, While Quietly Importing Doses, The Guardian, 29 March 2021: US: Suspected Russian hackers gained access to homeland security emails, The New York Times, 30 March 2021: Fighting Escalates in Eastern Ukraine, Signaling the End to Another Cease-Fire, CNN, 30 March 2021: NATO scrambles jets 10 times to track Russian military planes across Europe, Politico.com, 31 March 2021: Pentagon ‘watching’ as Russia steps up aggression in Eastern Europe, The Washington Post, 1 April 2021: The administration could be facing its first serious test with Russia, DW, 1 April 2021: Ukraine accuses Russia of ‘aggravating’ situation in Donbass (so the war criminals from the Kremlin want to ignite the next stage), France24, 1 April 2021: Ukraine says Russia massing troops on border, US warns Moscow, CNBC, 1 April 2021: The West waits for Putin’s next move as Russia-Ukraine tensions rise, Al Jazeera, 1 April 2021: Ukraine accuses Russia of ‘muscle-flexing’ as tensions rise, DW, 1 April 2021: US pledges support for Ukraine amid tensions with Russia, The National, 1 April 2021: Ukraine leader says Russia creates threatening atmosphere in ceasefire talks, France24, 2 April 2021: NATO condemns Russian military build-up as Moscow warns escalation could ‘destroy’ Ukraine, Arab News, 2 April 2021: Russian court fines Twitter on charges of failing to delete content, DW, 2 April 2021: Russia warns West against sending troops to back Ukraine (of course, Putin want to slaughter as many Ukrainians as possible without being interrupted by the West), CNN, 3 April 2021: Doing business in China is difficult. A clash over human rights is making it harder (Added to this is the closer cooperation that has just been concluded between China and Russia, including on security issues, in order to split the Asian region among one another. The EU’s path is then already mapped out and, out of pure self-interest, it will not lead to closer cooperation with the extremely dubious regimes in China or Russia), France24, 3 April 2021: Biden offers Ukraine ‘unwavering support’ over Russia standoff, DW, 4 April 2021: Germany, France condemn Ukraine escalation, call for restraint, The Guardian, 6 April 2021: Alexei Navalny ‘seriously ill’ on prison sick ward, says lawyer, DW, 6 April 2021: US asks Russia to explain Ukrainian border ‘provocations’, DW, 6 April 2021: Ukraine urges NATO to set up membership path, The Guardian, 6 April 2021: Ukraine Country pressures Nato for membership as Russia amasses troops at border, The Times, 6 April 2021: Fears grow for Navalny as hunger strike takes its toll, Foreign Affairs, 6 April 2021: U.S.-Russian Relations Will Only Get Worse, DW, 8 April 2021: Opinion: Vladimir Putin hedges his bets on Ukraine, Al Jazeera, 8 April 2021: Merkel urges Putin to pull troops back from Ukraine border, DW, 8 April 2021: Germany urges Russia to reduce troop presence near Ukraine, The Guardian, 9 April 2021: Russia Kremlin officials say they ‘will not stand aside’ if Kyiv launches assault (the war criminals from the Kremlin wants to be seen as victims? *hahaha*), DW, 9 April 2021: Russia, after sending troops to Ukraine border, calls escalation ‘unprecedented’, Al Jazeera, 9 April 2021: Ukraine rules out offensive against Russia-backed separatists, CNN, 9 April 2021: Russian forces are massing on Ukraine’s border. Bluff or not, Putin is playing with fire, Arab News, 9 April 2021: Ukraine must remain independent and sovereign, France24, 9 April 2021: Kiev says it won’t attack pro-Russian separatists, Reuters, 9 April 2021: Analysis: Russian military buildup raises stakes as fighting in Ukraine intensifies, EU vs Disinfo, 9 April 2021: Donbas: Creating Fakes on the Ground, CNN, 9 April 2021: US considering sending warships to Black Sea amid Russia-Ukraine tensions, Reuters, 10 April 2021: Ukraine says it could be provoked by Russian ‘aggression’ in conflict area, The Guardian, 11 April 2021: Ukraine Soldier reportedly killed in artillery fire from Russia-backed troops, Al Jazeera, 11 April 2021: Ukraine says soldier killed in shelling by Russia-backed forces, Al Arabiya, 11 April 2021: US warns of ‘consequences’ if Russia acts ‘aggressively’ in Ukraine, Al Jazeera, 11 April 2021: Ukraine turns to Turkey as Russia threatens full-scale war, The Hill, 11 April 2021: Blinken to return to Brussels to discuss Russia, Ukraine tensions, CNN, 12 April 2021: Ukraine’s President heads to the trenches as Russia masses its troops, DW, 13 April 2021: Biden talks to Putin about Ukraine, suggests meeting, France24, 13 April 2021: Nato demands Russia withdraw troops from border with Ukraine amid growing tensions, DW, 13 April 2021: Ukraine: NATO slams Russia’s troop buildup on border, The Guardian, 13 April 2021: Ukraine: Biden urges Russia to de-escalate tensions in call with Putin, Politico.eu, 13 April 2021: How the showdown between Russia and Ukraine could go wrong, The Guardian, 14 April 2021: Ukraine still outgunned as Russia prepares for larger conflict, NPR, 14 April 2021: Intelligence Chiefs Say China, Russia Are Biggest Threats To U.S., DW, 15 April 2021: US expels Russian diplomats and issues sanctions over SolarWinds hacking attack, France24, 15 April 2021: US expels Russian diplomats, imposes new sanctions over election meddling, BBC, 15 April 2021: US imposes sanctions on Russia over cyber-attacks, CNN, 15 April 2021: Biden imposes new sanctions on Russia in response to election interference and cyber hacks, The Guardian, 15 April 2021: Biden hits Putin with new sanctions in response to election meddling (now that Putin’s most important collaborator, Donald Trump, has been retired by American voters, the extent of the damage Russia has caused is becoming more and more visible), Jerusalem Post, 15 April 2021: FBI director says US far-right extremists traveled to network in Europe, DW, 16 April 2021: Germany’s Angela Merkel speaks with Ukrainian and French leaders over Russia’s border maneuvers, France24, 16 April 2021: Russia tensions on menu as Macron holds talks with Ukraine’s Zelensky, Al Jazeera, 16 April 2021: Ukraine may seek nuclear weapons if left out of NATO: Diplomat (that would only be logical. After all, Ukraine only got rid of its nuclear weapons because of a non-aggression pact with Russia. Russia broke this agreement years ago. In order to increase Ukrainian security and to counter Russia’s permanent aggressions towards Ukrainw, the purchase of new nuclear weapons is practically imperative), The Guardian, 16 April 2021: ‘An attempt to play along’: Russia hits out at UK support for US sanctions over hacking, The New York Times, 16 April 2021: Russia Will Expel Diplomats in Retaliation for U.S. Sanctions, The Washington Post, 16 April 2021: Russia to expel 10 U.S. diplomats in response to Biden administration sanctions, DW, 16 April 2021: Germany investigates Russian over plot to kill Chechen dissident, BBC, 16 April 2021: On the front line in eastern Ukraine, DW, 17 April 2021: Czech Republic expels 18 Russian Embassy staff over 2014 blast, France24, 17 April 2021: Czech govt expels 18 Russian diplomats over 2014 blast, DW, 17 April 2021: Celebrities pen open plea to Putin for Navalny’s health care, BBC, 17 April 2021: Putin critic Navalny could ‘die within days’, say doctors, The Guardian, 17 April 2021: Czech police hunt two men with names matching Skripal suspects, DW, 17 April 2021: Russia sends warships for maneuver amid tension near Crimea, France24, 17 April 2021: Macron urges ‘clear red lines’ with Russia amid buildup near Ukraine, France24, 18 April 2021: Ukrainian soldiers sceptical that Western sanctions will deter Russian troops (and they are of course absolutely right about it. You can’t deal with a war criminal like Putin like with sane people. A triple strategy is needed here. Ukraine’s wish to become more and more quickly integrated into NATO should be granted immediately. At the same time, military support for Ukraine from the West should be massively increased. Ultimately, the West’s sanctions regime against Russia should be significantly expanded and hit where it really hurts, namely at the revenues from oil and natural gas. Russia will then try to sell more to China. However, the Chinese only pay 1/3 of what the West pays. That would put Russia on the same path as the former Soviet Union and would have the same result, namely state bankruptcy), France24, 18 April 2021: Macron says world must ‘define clear red lines’ with Russia as tensions rise over Ukraine, CNN, 18 April 2021: Navalny’s life is Putin’s ‘personal’ responsibility, say Russian politicians, Politico.eu, 19 April 2021: Czechs pull back from Russia after bombing allegations, DW, 19 April 2021: EU discusses Russia strategy as tensions grow in Ukraine, CNN, 19 April 2021: Two Russian agents have been linked to a high-profile poisoning and a deadly explosion, but there’s little Europe can do, Politico.eu, 19 April 2021: Borrell offers ‘hope’ — but no EU action — on Russia-Ukraine standoff, Irish Times, 19 April 2021: Tensions mount between Russia and West over Ukraine and Navalny, Al Jazeera, 19 April 2021: EU warns ‘spark’ could set of escalation at Ukraine borders, France24, 20 April 2021: Czech Republic, Ukraine call on EU to take measures against Moscow, Al Jazeera, 20 April 2021: ‘Unprovoked escalation’: US slams Russian plan to block Black Sea, The New York Times, 20 April 2021: ‘We Know How to Defend Our Interests’: Putin’s Emerging Hard Line, DW, 21 April 2021: Vladimir Putin warns against crossing Russia’s ‘red line’ (instead of looking for solutions to the problems he has created himself, the war criminal continues to threaten others), France24, 21 April 2021: Putin warns of ‘quick and tough’ response to any provocation by the West, DW, 21 April 2021: Opinion: Russia’s Vladimir Putin counts on the EU to help him again, France24, 21 April 2021: Russian police arrest over 1,000 protesters backing Putin critic Navalny, monitors say, BBC, 21 April 2021: Alexei Navalny: Thousands across Russia defy ban on protests, CNN, 21 April 2021: Protesters across Russia call for Alexey Navalny’s release on same day as Putin’s annual address, The New York Times, 21 April 2021: Putin Warns of a Russian ‘Red Line’ the West Will Regret Crossing, The Washington Post, 21 April 2021: Memorials aren’t enough. Here’s what the West can do right now to protect Alexei Navalny., Der Spiegel, 22 April 2021: Clouds of War in Ukraine: Tensions Rise in Crimea and Donbass as Russia Deploys Troops, DW, 22 April 2021: Russia orders soldiers back from Ukraine border after weeks of tension, Politico.eu, 22 April 2021: Russian troops to pull back from Ukrainian border, DW, 23 April 2021: West needs to do more to help Ukraine fend off Putin threat, ex-US diplomat says, France24, 23 April 2021: EU’s Baltic states expel four Russian diplomats in solidarity with Prague, DW, 25 April 2021: Germany’s Heiko Maas opposes tougher Russia sanctions, France24, 26 April 2021: Macron presses Putin over Ukraine, expresses ‘grave concern’ about Navalny, DW, 26 April 2021: Romania kicks out Russian embassy official, France24, 26 April 2021: Romania is latest EU country to expel Russian diplomat in espionage row, Politico.com, 26 April 2021: Spy chiefs look to declassify intel after rare plea from 4-star commanders, DW, 28 April 2021: Russia expels 7 EU diplomats over ‘solidarity’ with Czechs, Al Arabiya, 30 April 2021: US Embassy in Russia to reduce number of consular services: Ifax, DW, 30 April 2021: Russia adds Alexei Navalny network to ‘extremist’ list, The Guardian, 30 April 2021: Is Russia’s Covid vaccine anything more than a political weapon?, DW, 30 April 2021: US Embassy in Moscow cuts staff and visa services, The Guardian, 30 April 2021: European Union ‘Groundless’ Russian sanctions against its officials condemned (the terror regimes in Russia and China seem to feel pretty safe. That should be changed as soon as possible), France24, 30 April 2021: Russia bars eight EU officials from entry in tit-for-tat move, Politico.eu, 30 April 2021: Russia bans top EU officials in retaliation for sanctions, DW, 1 May 2021: Russia-West ties hit low with diplomat expulsions, The New York Times, 2 May 2021: Russian Attempts to Expand Sputnik Vaccine Set Off Discord in Europe, Al Jazeera, 4 May 2021: ‘Putin’s biggest fear is people rallying in the streets’, DW, 5 May 2021: US aims to mediate Russia-Ukraine conflict, Al Jazeera, 5 May 2021: G7 ends talks with criticism of China and Russia, DW, 6 May 2021: Germany, Russia and the Sputnik V vaccine — a tale of soft power, The Hill, 7 May 2021: US, UK authorities say Russian state-sponsored hackers exploited Microsoft vulnerabilities, France24, 10 May 2021: US says ‘Russia-based’ group DarkSide behind pipeline hack, CNN, 10 May 2021: What we know about the pipeline ransomware attack: How it happened, who is responsible and more, Politico.com, 11 May 2021: Russian spy unit suspected of directed-energy attacks on U.S. personnel, DW, 13 May 2021: Opinion: In Ukraine conflict, Putin hits NATO’s credibility, NBC News, 17 May 2021: Russia’s New Stalin Center evokes pride, and revulsion, France24, 25 May 2021: No evidence Russia involved in Belarus plane diversion, says analyst Ian Bremmer, DW, 25 May 2021: Angela Merkel: Russian role in Belarus incident not clear, BBC, 28 May 2021: Belarus plane diversion: Putin plays down crisis at talks with Lukashenko, Al Jazeera, 28 May 2021: Putin offers Belarus leader support amid plane diversion scandal, The National, 28 May 2021: Putin to meet Lukashenko in display of support after Belarus plane diversion, The Atlantic, 28 May 2021: The Ryanair Hijacking Pierced the Delusion of Flight, NPR, 28 May 2021: What Microsoft Officials Know About Russia’s Phishing Hack Targeting USAID, DW, 29 May 2021: Russia’s environmental issues, DW, 29 May 2021: Opinion: I’m afraid of being outspoken about Russia’s oil industry, The Guardian, 1 June 2021: Ransomware: White House contacts Russia after hack of world’s largest meatpacking company, NPR, 1 June 2021: A Cyberattack Has Disrupted The World’s Largest Meat Processing Company, BBC, 2 June 2021: JBS: World’s largest meat supplier hit by cyber-attack, The New York Times, 1 June 2021: Beef Supply Disrupted After Meat Processor Hit by Ransomware Attack, Washington Post, 1 June 2021: JBS, world’s biggest meat supplier, says its systems are coming back online after cyberattack, Arab News, 2 June 2021: Russia plays ‘tourist card’ against Turkey amid political standoff, France24, 2 June 2021: Germany-Russia flights resume after tit-for-tat cancellations, CNN, 2 June 2021: US and allies send message to Russia with NATO state flyover, Reuters, 4 June 2021: Ukraine must show good will if it wants Russian gas transit, Putin says (is Nord Stream 2 just an economic project? Obviously not. It is a political weapon of the Kremlin. The partner countries’ warnings about Russian reprisals are becoming true. Berlin has to take countermeasures here and shouldn’t even start gas deliveries through the pipeline), DW, 2 June 2021: Germany-Russia flights resume after air traffic suspension, The Washington Post, 6 June 2021: Joe Biden: My trip to Europe is about America rallying the world’s democracies, DW, 6 June 2021: NATO: Jens Stoltenberg warns Russia and Belarus, DW, 6 June 2021: Germany: Russian spy activity becomes ‘more brutal’, DW, 6 June 2021: Biden says US stands with European allies ahead of Putin summit, Jerusalem Post, 7 June 2021: Iran hopes Russia and China oppose US role in MidEast, Central Asia, DW, 7 June 2021: Euro 2020 kit controversy: Ukraine jersey design angers Russia (why should there be an argument about it? The Ukrainian jerseys show the borders of Ukraine, which are perfectly legitimate under international law. That this doesn’t suit the Kremlin guys and their terrorists in Crimea and eastern Ukraine is as well known as it is irrelevant), The Hill, 7 June 2021: Biden invites Ukraine’s president to the White House, DW, 7 June 2021: Russia officially withdraws from Open Skies treaty, Atlantic Council, 7 June 2021: Secretary General Stoltenberg explains why NATO is getting serious about cyber and China ‘is not an adversary’, The Times, 8 June 2021: Russia’s meddling in Germany ‘returns to Cold War levels’, France24, 9 June 2021: Biden Europe tour: US president aims to restore alliances during visit, CNN, 9 June 2021: Biden takes the lead role he’s always craved in his high-stakes first trip abroad as president, The Guardian, 9 June 2021: Russian court outlaws Alexei Navalny’s organisation, CNN, 10 June 2021: Putin sends message ahead of Biden meeting, CNN, 10 June 2021: The US President is crafting a message of a united west against an ‘aggressive Russia and a competitive China,’ CNN reporter says, DW, 14 June 2021: NATO must ‘stand up’ to authoritarian regimes China and Russia, says Stoltenberg, CNN, 14 June 2021: Biden preparing intensely for Putin’s tactics with aides and allies, The National, 14 June 2021: Nato summit: leaders adopt tough stance on Russia and China, DW, 14 June 2021: Armin Laschet: With Russia ‘you have to talk more, not less’, France24, 16 June 2021: Biden, Putin discuss cybersecurity, Ukraine, arms control, CNN, 16 June 2021: Biden warns of ‘devastating’ consequences for Russia if Navalny dies in prison, Politico.eu, 16 June 2021: EU’s Borrell on Russia: Prepare for relations to get worse, DW, 16 June 2021: Ukraine upset by German plans to mark anniversary of Nazi Soviet invasion, The Hill, 16 June 2021: Five takeaways from the Biden-Putin summit, The New Yorker, 16 June 2021: Biden Had a Summit with Putin, and Nothing Crazy Happened, DW, 17 June 2021: Biden lifts Putin out of international isolation, Politico.eu, 17 June 2021: Biden-Putin summit gives US allies hope of better Russia ties, DW, 18 June 2021: Made in Germany: Ukraine pendants without Crimea, Politico.eu, 18 June 2021: Polish politicians hit by ‘large-scale’ cyberattack, Russia blamed, DW, 18 June 2021: Merkel, Macron: ‘Russia is a big challenge for us’, The Hill, 18 June 2021: White House denies pausing military aid package to Ukraine, DW, 20 June 2021: US preparing new Russia sanctions over Navalny poisoning, says official, The New Yorker, 20 June 2021: Joe Biden, Vladimir Putin, and the Weight of History, DW, 22 June 2021: Operation Barbarossa: Steinmeier lays wreath in Berlin, Putin ‘proud’ of Red Army, BBC, 22 June 2021: Russian jets and ships target British warship, DW, 23 June 2021: Russia says it fired warning shots at UK destroyer in Crimean waters, The Guardian, 23 June 2021: Crimea Royal Navy ship sparks diplomatic row between Russia and UK, CNN, 23 June 2021: Russian forces confront British warship in Black Sea military encounter, The Times, 23 June 2021: Russia is a threat, says minister amid Black Sea ‘clash’ confusion, France24, 23 June 2021: Russia: Residents sound the alarm on repeated oil leaks in Komi Republic, Financial Times, 23 June 2021: Berlin and Paris propose reset for EU relations with Moscow, Politico.eu, 24 June 2021: Czech nuclear tender competition dodges Russian and Chinese bids, DW, 24 June 2021: Why Putin and NATO are facing off on the Black Sea, Politico.eu, 25 June 2021: Summit exposes stark clash of EU views on Russia, The New York Times, 25 June 2021: Europe’s Divisions on Vivid Display Over Hungary and Russia, The Hill, 27 June 2021: Russia-China alignment strengthens dangerously while US alliances atrophy, The Times, 28 June 2021: Children in the West taught Jesus was bisexual, claims Russian foreign minister, DW, 29 June 2021: Russia: Police raid investigative journalists’ homes, CNN, 29 June 2021: Russia says people can decline its vaccine. But for many, they’ll get fired if they do, The Times, 1 July 2021: Putin: Ukraine’s been handed over to Europe and US, DW, 3 July 2021: Russia: Putin approves strategy to counter Western influence, DW vom 09.07.2021: Energieversorgung: Gazprom zeigt Europa seine Marktmacht, Die Zeit vom 12.07.2021: Ukraine: Merkel erneuert Gastransit-Zusagen an Kiew, Politico.eu, 19 July 2021: Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine see joint path to EU, Politico.com, 20 July 2021: State Department nominee: Russia’s use of chemical weapons ‘chilling and shocking’, Al Arabiya, 21 July 2021: Biden invites Ukraine president to DC after US-Germany deal on Russian pipeline, DW, 9 August 2021: A year after anti-Lukashenko protests began, Belarus within Putin’s reach, DW, 11 August 2021: Exclusive: German chancellor candidate Olaf Scholz calls for ‘a new policy’ toward eastern Europe and Russia, Politico.eu, 12 August 2021: Germany’s Scholz calls for EU Ostpolitik, DW, 14 August 2021: Luxembourg blocks broadcast license for RT’s German channel, Moscow Times, 17 March 2021: Soviet Collapse Violated the People’s Will, Gorbachev Says (the fall of the Soviet Union and with it the end of the Cold War was an uplifting feeling, the liberation of millions of Eastern Europeans from the dictatorship and a big party. It was the West’s greatest victory over a dictatorship since the end of World War II. Even if many Eastern Europeans struggle with freedom and democracy today, they have never been better off than they are today, except for the Russians themselves), CNN, 16 August 2021: Chinese and Russian militaries link up, but analysts say both sides have differing objectives, Al Arabiya, 17 August 2021: Russia, China embassies are only diplomatic missions functioning in Afghanistan (for domestic political reasons, China and Russia have to take the “Sunday weather” tour. Russia has a pretty rustic, violent and Taliban-like bunch sitting in the Caucasus, and the proportion of Muslims in China is not that small either. What looks like taking advantage in Afghanistan is actually limiting damage in advance at home. Something else has at least as much explosive power: China and Pakistan have already started to mentally divide Afghanistan’s raw material reserves among themselves. It will be interesting to see what will happen when the Afghans notice that a few Taliban warlords have stuffed their pockets full while they themselves remained poor and ultimately even the raw material deposits will be exploited. Then a few people might be hanging from cranes, lanterns and trees again. Amusements Taliban style), The Times, 17 August 2021: China and Russia are already playing the new Great Game, France24, 18 August 2021: US sees ‘unanimity’ with Russia, China on Afghanistan, The Guardian, 19 August 2021: “Only action against corruption can solve the world’s biggest problems”: Alexei Navalny, DW, 19 August 2021: A DW reporter remembers the 1991 coup against Gorbachev (the fall of the Soviet Union and with it the end of the Cold War was an uplifting feeling, the liberation of millions of Eastern Europeans from the dictatorship and a big party. It was the West’s greatest victory over a dictatorship since the end of World War II. Even if many Eastern Europeans struggle with freedom and democracy today, they have never been better off than they are today, except for the Russians themselves), Arab News, 19 August 2021: Merkel looks toward her legacy with intervention in Russia-Ukraine standoff, DW, 19 August 2021: Will Moscow shake hands with the Taliban?, Politico.eu, 20 August 2021: UK and US impose fresh Russian sanctions over Navalny, Arab News, 20 August 2021: Russia holds the key to rebuilding Afghanistan, DW, 20 August 2021: Alexei Navalny poisoning marked ‘point of no return’ for Kremlin critics, France24, 20 August 2021: Merkel urges Putin to free Kremlin critic Navalny on farewell Russia visit, Politico.eu, 20 August 2021: Merkel confronts Putin about Navalny on 1st anniversary of poisoning, DW, 21 August 2021: Merkel’s fruitless Moscow trip, Jerusalem Post, 23 August 2021: Russia hosts Jordan’s king, hints at UAE deal, DW, 23 August 2021: Merkel leaves Ukraine with a difficult legacy, Politico.eu, 23 August 2021: Crimea summit a reminder: The West hasn’t undone Russian annexation, Middle East Eye, 24 August 2021: S-400: Turkey ‘not ready’ to sign deal to purchase new supply of Russian missiles, Politico.eu, 24 August 2021: On independence day, Ukraine foreign minister pushes for EU membership, Arab News, 25 August 2021: Russia is playing S-400 card in Turkey for strategic purposes, say experts, DW, 31 August 2021: Why Washington is keeping Ukraine at a cordial distance, The New York Times, 1 September 2021: Biden Affirms Support for Ukraine Against ‘Russian Aggression’, DW, 2 September 2021: Ukraine’s Zelenskyy presses Biden on NATO membership, The National, 2 September 2021: Red Sea competition growing as Russia enters region, Politico.eu, 3 September 2021: Russia sows distrust on social media ahead of German election , Irish Times, 5 September 2021: The Irish Times view on Ukraine 30 years after independence: looking to Washington, BBC, 6 September 2021: Pro-Kremlin trolls target news website comments, researchers say, DW, 6 September 2021: Germany warns Russia over cyberattacks ahead of election, The Hill, 6 September 2021: Germany calls on Russia to end cyberattacks ahead of elections, CNN, 8 September 2021: Ukrainian spies lured suspected Russian war criminals into trap with promises of riches and an international sting, The Guardian, 8 September 2021: Russia Emergencies minister dies during Arctic training exercise (another “misfortune” in Russian. Putin’s Russia is no different from the Soviet Union), The Washington Post, 9 September 2021: Vladimir Putin, agent of chaos, is using a huge military exercise to keep the West on edge, The Guardian, 9 September 2021: Belarus: Putin and Lukashenko discuss integrating country with Russia (because of the weak state terrorist Aljaksandr Lukaschenka, Belarus finally became a slave state to Russia), DW, 10 September 2021: Russia, Belarus to demonstrate strength with joint maneuvers, The Washington Post, 10 September 2021: Russia, Belarus start major military drills after moves toward closer integration, France24, 17 September 2021: Putin’s grip on power put to the test as Russia votes in parliamentary polls, Politico.eu, 17 September 2021: Kremlin critics seek fringe election wins amid ‘clones,’ bribes and blackouts, DW, 18 September 2021: Russia: Reports of voting violations overshadow elections, France24, 19 September 2021: Putin’s United Russia party set to retain majority as parliamentary elections wrap up, Politico.eu, 20 September 2021: Putin’s United Russia wins vote — as designed — amid hints of discontent, BBC, 20 September 2021: Russia election: Putin’s party wins election marred by fraud claims, CNN, 20 September 2021: Russia’s ruling party poised to retain majority amid allegations of voter fraud, The Guardian, 20 September 2021: Pro-Putin party wins majority in Russian elections despite declining support, DW, 20 September 2021: The Russian election wasn’t one, NPR, 21 September 2021: Russia Fatally Poisoned A Prominent Defector In London, A Court Concludes, The Times, 21 September 2021: Third Russian agent charged with Salisbury poisonings, The Guardian, 21 September 2021: Third Russian national charged over 2018 Salisbury novichok poisonings, CNN, 21 September 2021: Russia responsible for Alexander Litvinenko’s assassination, European court rules, France24, 21 September 2021: European rights court finds Russia was behind Litvinenko assassination, CNN, 24 September 2021: Russia accused of ‘Ghostwriter’ cyberattacks ahead of German election (Russia is incompatible with the rest of the world, so Putin is trying to plunge other countries into the same undemocratic misery so that Russia no longer smells entirely like a Third World country. From his point of view, of course, understandable), The Washington Post, 25 September 2021: E.U. tells Russia not to carry out cyber attacks as Germany heads for Sunday election, France24, 25 September 2021: Russia’s Communists lead protests over ‘colossal’ vote fraud, The Hill, 25 September 2021: Hundreds protest in Moscow claiming Russia’s election was rigged, Times of Israel, 1 October 2021: How a Jewish Manhattan Project scientist quietly helped the Soviets get the bomb, France24, 2 October 2021: NATO condemns Russian military build-up as Moscow warns escalation could ‘destroy’ Ukraine, The Washington Post, 4 October 2021: U.S. sanctions take hidden toll on Russian oligarchs, Arab News, 10 October 2021: Erdogan, Putin and a mystery closed-door summit, DW, 12 October 2021: Germany, France and Russia may hold summit on Ukraine conflict, The Times, 12 October 2021: Only a third of young Russians want Putin to stay in office, The Guardian, 13 October 2021: Russia: Population undergoes largest ever peacetime decline, Gulf Times, 13 October 2021: New contracts needed to boost Europe gas supplies: Russia, CNN, 13 October 2021: Putin: Russia not using energy as weapon (when Putin is denying something, you can bet a large amount on the opposite outcome), BBC, 13 October 2021: Putin denies weaponising energy amid Europe crisis, DW, 13 October 2021: Russia says gas supplies to EU are maxed out, Politico.eu, 14 October 2021: Hungary to produce Sputnik V after tie-up with Russia, Al-Monitor, 15 October 2021: Russian-Iranian competition heats up in South Caucasus, DW, 16 October 2021: Russia: Deputy PM addresses European gas supply crunch, Gulf Times, 17 October 2021: Russia scrambles fighter jet to escort US military plane (Russia’s laughable try to become a world power. Nothing more but lies, smokes and mirrors), Al Arabiya, 17 October 2021: European security mission in eastern Ukraine suspends operations amid protests (Putin’s terrorists at work once again. Peace and freedom isn’t meant for them. The only things they know are harassment and terrorists attacks on foreign soils), The National, 18 October 2021: Russia ends mission to Nato after eight members expelled over spying claims (Putin will succeed in bringing Russia to its knees, just as his predecessors ruined the Soviet Union), Politico.eu, 18 October 2021: Russia shuts diplomatic mission to NATO, CNN, 18 October 2021: Russia suspending mission to NATO in response to staff expulsions, BBC, 18 October 2021: Russia to suspend Nato diplomatic mission, DW, 18 October 2021: Russia suspends its mission to NATO, France24, 18 October 2021: Pentagon chief to hold military talks in Georgia on first stop of Black Sea visit, The National, 19 October 2021: FBI raids homes linked to Putin associate Russian oligarch, Arab News, 19 October 2021: FBI raids homes belonging to relatives of Russian tycoon close to Putin, The National, 19 October 2021: Why is Russia suspending its mission to Nato?, Politico.eu, 18 October 2021: EU’s Borrell fires back at Putin by saying gas price surge is political, DW, 19 October 2021: NATO-Russia rift is next level in Putin’s escalation, The National, 20 October 2021: Nato’s relations with Russia at ‘lowest point’ since Cold War, DW, 20 October 2021: Germany’s Seehofer sees key to Belarus migrant problem in Moscow, Al Arabiya, 20 October 2021: NATO will still seek channels with Russia despite spy dispute, DW, 21 October 2021: NATO defense ministers talking Russia as relations plummet, Politico.eu, 22 October 2021: The EU’s impotent rage at Putin’s gas games, CNN, 23 October 2021: How the West made the most dangerous version of Putin, The Hill, 25 October 2021: New hacking efforts show Russia undeterred by US actions, Politico.eu, 26 October 2021: EU flexes antitrust muscle to counter Putin’s gas gamesmanship, The Guardian, 26 October 2021: Crimea: Ukraine has legal right to Crimean artefacts, Dutch court rules, Politico.eu, 27 October 2021: EU backs Moldova with €60M amid Putin’s gas squeeze, The Times, 27 October 2021: EU dither is allowing Putinism to take hold, Politico.eu, 28 October 2021: EU blames Russia for ‘political pressure’ in Moldova gas squeeze, Politico.eu, 29 October 2021: Putin the gas overlord, filthy seas and the rise of the rat army, Politico.eu, 29 October 2021: Moldova strikes Gazprom deal after gas shortage, Gulf Times, 2 November 2021: Ukraine denies Russian military build-up on border, France24, 2 November 2021: Ukraine denies Russia border build-up as defnce minister quits, Politico.eu, 4 November 2021: Russia boots out Dutch journalist, The Atlantic, 4 November 2021: Russia Took Advantage While the West Slept, DW, 4 November 2021: Russia’s Putin backs ‘brotherly’ Belarus amid EU pressure, CNN, 5 November 2021: Russian diplomat found dead outside Berlin embassy (a classic termination of the employment contract in Russian. Nobody could have guessed that that was why he was jumped out of the window), The Guardian, 5 November 2021: Germany Russian diplomat found dead in Berlin was intelligence officer, The Times, 5 November 2021: Mystery of spymaster’s son found dead outside Russian embassy in Berlin, Gulf Times, 6 November 2021: Russian gas flows via Yamal-Europe pipeline to Germany halted again, Politico.eu, 9 November 2021: Poland blames Putin for instigating border crisis (the sanctions are working better and better and should therefore be expanded considerably. Belarus is becoming Putin’s problem more and more, and that is a good thing), The Times, 9 November 2021: Putin accused of pulling strings in border crisis, France24, 10 November 2021: Poland accuses Putin of orchestrating Belarus border crisis to destabilise EU, BBC, 11 November 2021: Belarus threatens to cut off gas to EU in border row (fortunately, the buttocks of the butcher of Minsk are on ice. A very good time for the EU to finally put the political end to the state terrorist – not only in its own interest, but also to liberate the Belarusian population from the Belarus gulag), France24, 11 November 2021: Putin tells EU to start talks with Belarus to resolve migrant crisis at Polish border, Politico.eu, 12 November 2021: France warns Russia of ‘serious consequences’ on Ukraine , France24, 12 November 2021: EU sees ‘progress’ as Turkey curbs Belarus flights, Russia dismisses gas threats, The National, 12 November 2021: Russia sends paratroopers to Belarus-EU border for ‘war games’ amid escalating crisis, New York Times, 12 November 2021: As Belarus Strongman Goads the West, Russia Grows Increasingly Wary, CNN, 13 November 2021: UK army chief warns risk of accidental war with Russia is greater than ever, Politico.eu, 13 November 2021: Putin chides Lukashenko over threat to cut off gas to EU, DW, 15 November 2021: Ukraine: NATO alarmed by Russian troop buildup on border, The Times, 16 November 2021: Threat of rising gas bills as Germany blocks new Russian pipe, The Guardian, 16 November 2021: Russia: Moscow admits to anti-satellite missile test but denies ‘dangerous behavior’, CNN, 16 November 2021: Chaos in eastern Europe suits Putin, BBC, 16 November 2021: Gas prices soar after setback for Russian pipeline, France24, 16 November 2021: NASA chief ‘outraged’ by Russia missile test that endangered astronauts on ISS, Foreign Policy, 17 November 2021: How to Stop Moscow From Squeezing Ukraine’s Energy Sector, Foreign Policy, 19 November 2021: Is Russia Preparing to Invade Ukraine?, Al Arabiya, 20 November 2021: White House calls on Russia to de-escalate tensions with Ukraine, Jerusalem Post, 20 November 2021: US patrol boats sent to back up Ukrainian Navy near Black Sea, DW, 21 November 2021: Russia slams Western ‘hysteria’ over Ukraine, The National, 22 November 2021: Ukraine has an ally in its standoff with Russia – and it’s not the US, The New York Times, 22 November 2021: Trying to Blur Memories of the Gulag, Russia Targets a Rights Group (BBC, 11.11.2021: Memorial: Russia moves to close major human rights group, Memorial International, Joseph Stalin, Gulag, Stalinist repressions), Politico.eu, 23 November 2021: Ukraine: NATO’s original sin, Foreign Policy, 23 November 2021: What Russia Really Wants in the Balkans, The Guardian, 24 November 2021: Russia: Court cases threatening human rights group Memorial start, The Hill, 24 November 2021: NATO to discuss ways to deter Russia: Lithuanian official, BBC, 26 November 2021: Ukraine leader alleges coup plan involving Russians, CNN, 26 November 2021: Ukrainian President says group of Russians and Ukrainians planning coup against him, The Guardian, 26 November 2021: Ukraine: Intelligence warning of Russia-backed December coup, president says, Politico.eu, 26 November 2021: Ukraine PM calls for NATO’s help against Russia, The National, 26 November 2021: Biden ‘concerned’ about Russian threats against Ukraine, Politico.eu, 27 November 2021: Ukraine’s president alleges coup attempt involving country’s richest man, Politico.eu, 28 November 2021: EU, NATO stress unity on Belarus, The National, 29 November 2021: Latvia calls for permanent US troops to guard against Russian threat, DW, 29 November 2021: Meeting near Russian border, NATO weighs response to Moscow’s military maneuvers, Al Arabiya, 29 November 2021: Latvia calls for permanent US troops to guard against Russia threat, DW, 29 November 2021: Why are Russian ‘vaccine tourists’ flocking to Europe?, The Washington Post, 29 November 2021: Threat of Russian invasion of Ukraine tests Biden administration, Politico.eu, 30 November 2021: NATO warns Russia of ‘high price’ for any attack on Ukraine, The Guardian, 30 November 2021: Ukraine: Russia will act if Nato countries cross ‘red lines’, Putin says, The National, 1 December 2021: Blinken says Russia is building capacity to invade Ukraine in ‘short order’, The Times, 1 December 2021: Why the fate of Ukraine lies in the hands of one man: Putin, The Guardian, 1 December 2021: Ukraine: US warns Russia has plans for ‘large-scale’ attack, France24, 1 December 2021: US urges Russia to retract troops from Ukraine border, threatens sanctions, The Washington Post, 1 December 2021: The best response to Russia’s threats is a closer relationship with Ukraine, CNN, 2 December 2021: US and Russia officials meet as concerns grow over Ukraine, The Times, 2 December 2021: Russia has no say in Ukraine joining Nato, Moscow told, CNN, 2 December 2021: Analysis: Would Putin get away with invading Ukraine again?, BBC, 2 December 2021: Russia warns of military confrontation nightmare, Politico.eu, 2 December 2021: Views collide as Blinken, Lavrov discuss Ukraine, Foreign Policy, 2 December 2021: Russians Believe Ukrainians Want to Be ‘Liberated’, CNN, 3 December 2021: Russia positions more forces, supply lines as fears rise of potential Ukraine invasion, The National, 3 December 2021: Biden aims to make it ‘very difficult’ for Putin to move against Ukraine, The Times, 3 December 2021: Great expectations: why the West is looking to Germany to counter Russian aggression, DW, 4 December 2021: US claims Russia planning Ukraine offensive, The Times, 4 December 2021: Putin to demand from Biden guarantees against Ukraine joining NATO (it is primarily up to Ukraine to decide whether or not to become a member of NATO. Obviously, the Ukrainian government is striving for membership, also in order to be able to better defend itself against Putin and his state terrorists in eastern Ukraine and in Crimea), CNN, 4 December 2021: US intelligence estimates Russian troop levels on Ukraine border could reach 175,000, Politico.eu, 4 December 2021: Putin’s choice: Hot war or a deeply frozen conflict, DW, 4 December 2021: US claims Russia planning Ukraine offensive, Al Arabiya, 4 December 2021: Russia dismisses US media reports about possible Ukraine offensive, The New York Times, 5 December 2021: What’s Driving Putin’s Ukraine Brinkmanship?, France24, 6 December 2021: US vows to boost military presence if Russia attacks Ukraine, The Times, 6 December 2021: Putin invites Ukrainian separatist leaders into his party, Politico.com, 6 December 2021: U.S. and Europe ready ‘significant and severe’ sanctions if Russia invades Ukraine, The Guardian, 6 December 2021: Ukraine: US says it will send troops to eastern Europe if Russia invades, France24, 6 December 2021: Video: On Ukrainian frontline, Russian troop build-up reports spark concerns, The New York Times, 6 December 2021: On Ukrainian Front, Grinding War and Weary Anticipation of Invasion, The Hill, 6 December 2021: Five things to know about Russia’s troop buildup near Ukraine, CNN, 6 December 2021: Biden faces high-stakes test in call with Putin over Ukraine, Politico.eu, 7 December 2021: UK to Russia: Invading Ukraine would have ‘catastrophically high’ consequences, The Times, 7 December 2021: Western leaders plan reprisals if Russia invades Ukraine, Politico.com, 7 December 2021: Biden warns Putin on call against Ukraine invasion, The Guardian, 7 December 2021: Ukraine: Prepare a swift response to possible Russian invasion, Latvia tells west, Politico.eu, 7 December 2021: What’s Putin really up to with Ukraine?, BBC, 7 December 2021: Biden and Putin talk as Ukraine tensions rise, The National, 7 December 2021: Biden takes hard line with Putin over possible Ukraine invasion, The Hill, 7 December 2021: Biden tries to tamp down tensions with Putin call, The Washington Post, 7 December 2021: Biden tells Putin U.S. will take economic, other actions if Russia escalates Ukraine conflict, The New York Times, 7 December 2021: Biden Warns Putin of Economic Consequences if Aggression Continues, NPR, 7 December 2021: Why Russia-Ukraine tensions have again reached a boiling point, CNN, 8 December 2021: ‘Ukraine isn’t in NATO’: Biden rules out US troops but vows sanctions if Russia invades, Politico.com, 8 December 2021: Sending U.S. combat troops to Ukraine ‘not in the cards right now,’ Biden says, The Times, 8 December 2021: Russian invasion of Ukraine would be like World War Two, warns defence chief, The Guardian, 8 December 2021: Ukraine: Russia expects urgent talks with US after Biden-Putin summit, The National, 8 December 2021: Biden warns Putin of severe consequences if Ukraine attacked, DW, 8 December 2021: Transatlantic allies ramp up pressure on Russia over Ukraine, Al Arabiya, 9 December 2021: Turkey won’t confront Russia in event of war in ally Ukraine, The Guardian, 9 December 2021: Germany: Foreign minister under pressure over Nord Stream 2 sanctions, Politico.eu, 9 December 2021: EU to hit Russian mercenary group Wagner with sanctions, The Guardian, 9 December 2021: Ukraine: Eastern and central European nations urge Nato unity in Biden-Russia talks, The Hill, 9 December 2021: Biden reassures Ukraine’s Zelensky of U.S. support amid Russian aggression, The Washington Post, 9 December 2021: Amid fears of a Russian invasion, Biden seeks united front with Ukraine and allies, Arab News, 10 December 2021: NATO chief rejects Russia demand to bar Ukraine entry (if Russia would be a democracy and not be run by a bloodthirsty dictator, it could ask for NATO membership as well), The Times, 10 December 2021: We’ll protect you from Russia, Biden tells eastern Europe, The Guardian, 10 December 2021: ‘Nobody wants to be Putin’s slave’: On the Ukraine frontline as tensions rise, The Times, 10 December 2021: Flashpoint Ukraine: can Biden find a balance between deterrence and provocation?, Foreign Policy, 10 December 2021: What Impact Would U.S. Sanctions Have on Russia?, The National, 11 December 2021: Truss and Blinken warn of ‘serious consequences’ if Russia invades Ukraine, The Times, 11 December 2021: Of course the Russians are coming to Ukraine. They want to rebuild their empire, France24, 11 December 2021: US: Russia should withdraw from Ukraine border or face ‘massive consequences’, The Times, 11 December 2021: Putin blames Nato for pushing Kiev towards war, Politico.eu, 11 December 2021: G7 ministers warn of ‘strong response’ if Putin advances into Ukraine, Jerusalem Post, 12 December 2021: Putin laments Soviet collapse as demise of ‘historical Russia’ (there is pretty much no one outside Russia who would agree with this assumption), France24, 12 December 2021: G7 urges Iran to agree nuclear deal, warns Russia against invasion of Ukraine, The Guardian, 12 December 2021: Ukraine: G7 leaders warn Russia all sanctions on table over border buildup, The Times, 13 December 2021: Russia has ‘no trust’ in Nato over Ukraine (yes, the poor Kremlin terrorists. Again totally misunderstood by the rest of the world, the little rascals! :-D ), Politico.eu, 13 December 2021: EU slaps sanctions on Russian mercenary group Wagner, The Guardian, 13 December 2021: Gas crisis: Gazprom profits as Russia prospers from Europe’s gas crisis, DW, 13 December 2021: Vladimir Putin says he drove a taxi after fall of Soviet Union (is it known whether even a single passenger ever arrived at the destination he wanted to or whether they all had to agree with the destination that Putin thought was correct?), France24, 13 December 2021: EU imposes sanctions on Russian mercenary group Wagner over human rights abuses, The Guardian, 13 December 2021: Natural gas: Prices near record highs as Berlin rejects pipeline from Russia, DW, 13 December 2021: EU sanctions Russian ‘Wagner’ mercenary group, The Times, 14 December 2021: Vitali Klitschko ready to join Ukraine’s fight against Russia, Israel Hayom, 14 December 2021: ‘Russia may soon be forced to deploy mid-range nuclear missiles in Europe’ (the Russians already stzationed rocket systems capable of nuclear war heads in Kaliningrad, pointing at Paris, London and Berlin, but are accusing NATO of alleged aggressions towards Russia? Who is this bimbo trying to trick?), The Times, 14 December 2021: West should not fall for Putin’s Ukraine bluff, Politico.eu, 14 December 2021: How Europe can calm the Russia-Ukraine crisis, DW, 15 December 2021: Germany expels two Russian diplomats after Tiergarten murder conviction, The Times, 15 December 2021: ‘Russian agent’ jailed for murder of Chechen dissident in Berlin, DW, 15 December 2021: German court points finger at Kremlin after Berlin murder verdict, Politico.eu, 15 December 2021: Scholz wants dialogue with Moscow but warns of ‘high price’ for attacking Ukraine, The Guardian, 15 December 2021: Germany: Russian government ordered murder of Chechen in Berlin, court rules, Politico.eu, 15 December 2021: Don’t fall into Putin’s trap, Estonian PM warns the West, The National, 15 December 2021: Germany’s Scholz warns of ‘high cost’ if Russia violates Ukraine’s territorial integrity, Al Arabiya, 15 December 2021: Germany expels Russian diplomats over state-ordered killing, The Guardian, 15 December 2021: Ukraine: EU to warn Vladimir Putin of ‘massive consequences’ of invading, The National, 15 December 2021: Germany expels two Russian diplomats after murder conviction, Der Spiegel, 16 December 2021: Daria Navalnaya, Daughter of Alexei Navalny: “I Started Seeing Agents Everywhere”, Al Arabiya, 16 December 2021: Ukraine’s leader seeks Russia sanctions before it’s too late, The Times, 17 December 2021: Russia demands Nato remove all troops from eastern Europe (of course, right after the Russian state terrorist permanently withdrew his gangsters from Crimea, eastern Ukraine, Moldova, Georgia, Syria and along the EU borders), Politico.eu, 17 December 2021: EU leaders threaten Russia with sanctions over Ukraine, The Guardian, 17 December 2021: Ukraine: Russia issues list of demands it says must be met to lower tensions in Europe, France24, 17 December 2021: EU threatens to hit Russia with sanctions, but will they work?, BBC, 17 December 2021: Russia lists demands for defusing Ukraine tensions, France24, 17 December 2021: In Russia, the battle for the memory of Soviet repressions, DW, 17 December 2021: Russia issues list of demands to NATO, Foreign Policy, 17 December 2021: Why Ukraine’s Fight Against Corruption Scares Russia, The Hill, 17 December 2021: White House says Putin hasn’t made up mind on invading Ukraine, The Washington Post, 17 December 2021: It’s an open secret there’s no NATO plan for Ukraine. Why not just tell Putin?, The Economist, 18 December 2021: A forced brotherhood: Why Russia has never accepted Ukrainian independence, Al Arabiya, 18 December 2021: Russian natural gas exports to Europe via Yamal pipeline drop sharply, The National, 18 December 2021: UK ‘highly unlikely’ to send troops to fight Russia in Ukraine, The Times, 18 December 2021: Get your tanks off my lawn and don’t come back, Putin tells Nato :-D , Al Arabiya, 18 December 2021: Russia sends nuclear-capable long-range bombers on patrol over Belarus, DW, 18 December 2021: NATO mulls deploying troops to Bulgaria, Romania — Der Spiegel, France24, 18 December 2021: Russia demands US, NATO curtail activity in East Europe to defuse Ukraine crisis, DW, 18 December 2021: Germany warns Russia of pipeline ‘consequences’, Al Arabiya, 19 December 2021: German Defense Minister in visit to Lithuania says Russia cannot ‘dictate’ to NATO, CNN, 19 December 2021: ‘A four-week window’: Biden is moving fast to deter Putin from invading Ukraine, The Washington Post, 19 December 2021: On Ukraine’s front, a real war overshadows worries about a possible future one with Russia, DW, 19 December 2021: German defense minister: Russia will not ‘dictate’ to NATO, Politico.eu, 19 December 2021: Europe remembers its forgotten war, Al Arabiya, 20 December 2021: Russia suspends fruit imports from some Turkish, Iranian suppliers, DW, 20 December 2021: Russia expels two German diplomats over Berlin park assassination (they are for sure very happy about being allowed to return home – especially, unlike the victim killed by the Kremlin in Tiergarten, unharmed), The Times, 20 December 2021: Russia wants ‘urgent’ answer to demands over Nato withdrawal, France24, 20 December 2021: Amid Russia tensions, Lithuania advocates for more robust Western response (but there is also a positive aspect to all the negative aspects for which Putin’s Russia is synonymous: not even the kleptocracies of the EU eastward expansion want to become Soviet again, so that there is a rare consensus within the EU with regard to how to deal with Russia. even if the paths to get there are not yet congruent. It is astonishing or incomprehensible that an external threat is always required before we act together, instead of becoming proactive in order not to be brought into the situation in the first place), Al Arabiya, 20 December 2021: Russia expels two German diplomats in tit-for-tat move, The New York Times, 20 December 2021: U.S. and Britain Help Ukraine Prepare for Potential Russian Cyberassault, France24, 21 December 2021: Putin warns West of military measures over Ukraine threats, DW, 21 December 2021: Germany’s Scholz and Russia’s Putin discuss Ukraine in first call, Reuters, 21 December 2021: European gas prices hit record as Russian flows via Yamal reverse (so much for “Nord Stream 2 is a purely economic project”. The Kremlin terrorist tries to secure his only reliable source of income through blackmail and military aggression and at the same time wants to prevent the energy transition. It is time to turn to other, albeit more expensive, alternatives and at the same time to devote more time to the energy transition), The Guardian, 21 December 2021: Russia: Putin warns of possible military response over ‘aggressive’ Nato (so, Russia’s grumpy dictator is still in “Bullsh!t Bingo” mode), DW, 21 December 2021: Vladimir Putin threatens ‘military-technical’ reaction to NATO over Ukraine, France24, 21 December 2021: Thirty years after Soviet collapse, Russia maintains grip on breakaway Georgian province, DW, 21 December 2021: Ukraine: Toxic waters: How not to phase out coal, The Guardian, 22 December 2021: Gas: Kremlin denies restricting supplies to Europe for political gain (it’s so obvious that denying won’t work), France24, 22 December 2021: Germany urges dialogue with Russia, says ‘greatly concerned’ by Putin military threat, DW, 22 December 2021: Russia plans talks with US, NATO in January, The National, 22 December 2021: US accuses Russia of further escalation on Ukrainian border, The Guardian, 23 December 2021: Vladimir Putin: Russian president accuses west of ‘coming with its missiles to our doorstep’ (equal rights for all. After all, he stationed his nuclear-capable medium-range missiles years ago in Kaliningrad and aimed them at Berlin, London and Paris. Now it’s NATO’s turn to backlash. It is about time), Saudi Gazette, 23 December 2021: Putin says Russia doesn’t want war with Ukraine but urges West to meet his demands (in Putin’s parallel universe every day is apparently Spongebob’s “opposite day” :-D At no point did NATO promise to stop the eastward expansion. It cannot do that either, especially since countries that want to become NATO members can apply accordingly after meeting the entry requirements – they usually do so to protect themselves from Russian attacks. If Putin’s Russia did not behave like a drunken and aggressive bar thug, there would be far less reasons for Eastern European countries to seek NATO membership. Nobody can seriously object to countries like Ukraine, Moldova or Georgia wanting to free themselves from Russian annexations in order to become democratic and prosperous countries in contrast to Russia. That is also a reason why Putin is attacking the countries. When it becomes clear that they have much more successful social models than is the case in Russia, his political career will come to an end), France24, 23 December 2021: Russia-Ukraine: Putin blames West for tensions, demands security guarantees (while the West demands security guarantees for all of Ukraine from Russia and the withdrawl of its troops from eastern Ukraine and Crimea), BBC, 23 December 2021: Putin says ball in West’s court on Ukraine crisis, France24, 23 December 2021: Putin says Russia doesn’t want Ukraine war but needs ‘immediate’ guarantees, The Guardian, 23 December 2021: Nord Stream 2: how Putin’s pipeline paralysed the west, DW, 23 December 2021: Russia: Putin addresses Ukraine, NATO tensions, Foreign Policy, 23 December 2021: Putin Remains Defiant, Threatens Ukraine in Annual Presser, The Times, 23 December 2021: Russia clearly intends to attack neighbour, claims Lithuania, DW, 23 December 2021: West condemns Wagner Group Mali ‘deployment’, Politico.eu, 23 December 2021: Putin demands Western security guarantees to end threat of Ukraine invasion, DW, 23 December 2021: Germany, France call for Ukraine truce to hold, Politico.com, 23 December 2021: Russian buildup near Ukraine gains steam, new satellite images show, The Guardian, 24 December 2021: Ukraine: Russian consulate in Lviv hit by molotov cocktail (with the help of the phrase “Since 5:45 am we are now firing back”, Germany constructed the beginning of the Second World War. As a decent dictator, Putin seems to have chosen an example here), The Natiional, 24 December 2021: New satellite images show Russia building up more forces near Ukraine, CNN, 24 December 2021: Putin’s bid to rewrite history, The Washington Post, 24 December 2021: Ukraine stood with the West in 2014. Today we must stand with Ukraine., Politico.eu, 24 December 2021: Former French PM Fillon joins board of Russian petrochemical giant, The Hill, 25 December 2021: Ukraine president, US lawmakers huddle amid tensions with Russia, Al Arabiya, 25 December 2021: Gorbachev’s resignation 30 years ago paved the way for the end of USSR, The Sunday Times, 26 December 2021: Thirty years on, collapse of the Soviet Union haunts Russians again (the implosion and selfdestruction of the Soviet Union was a great joy for the liberated peoples of the former Eastern Bloc and a very good reason for a boisterous celebration in the rest of the world. In addition to the founding of the European Union, that was the most beautiful event in the second half of the 19th century), The New York Times, 26 December 2021: Ukraine’s Plan B Against Russia: A Civilian Militia, The Guardian, 27 December 2021: Ukraine crisis: How Putin feeds off anger over Nato’s eastward expansion, Foreign Policy, 27 December 2021: How Russia Decides When to Invade, The Guardian, 27 December 2021: Russia: Court increases jail sentence for Gulag historian, DW, 28 December 2021: Russia orders closure of human rights group Memorial (Memorial International, Joseph Stalin, Gulag, Stalinist repressions), France24, 28 December 2021: Russia’s Supreme Court orders closure of top human rights group Memorial, The Washington Post, 28 December 2021: Russian court abolishes renowned human rights group, The New York Times, 28 December 2021: Russian Court Orders Closing of Prominent Human Rights Group, Politico.eu, 28 December 2021: Top Russian court orders shutdown of human rights group Memorial, DW, 28 December 2021: Victims of Soviet repression seek justice, Irish Times, 28 December 2021: Russian court orders closure of country’s oldest human rights group, The Guardian, 28 December 2021: Russia: Court orders closure of country’s oldest human rights group, DW, 28 December 2021: Dark times ahead, BBC, 28 December 2021: Russia orders oldest rights group Memorial to shut, DW, 28 December 2021: Putin’s gas weaponization hits a hot spot in Berlin, The Times, 28 December 2021: ‘Russian lawfare’ claim as Ukraine military adviser arrested, DW, 28 December 2021: Is Putin escalating gas weaponization?, DW, 29 December 2021: Russia says Nord Stream 2 loaded with gas, no alternatives needed (if Russia says something like that, it is better to already have an alternative up and running), France24, 29 December 2021: Moscow court orders closure of Memorial human rights centre, DW, 29 December 2021: Moscow court orders Memorial Human Rights Center to be banned, The Guardian, 29 December 2021: Russia: Court orders closure of another human rights group, DW, 29 December 2021: Between histories: Russia remembers the Soviet era 30 years on, The Economist, 29 December 2021: Russia bans Memorial, a seminal human-rights group, The Times, 29 December 2021: Moscow court orders total closure of oldest human rights group, Politico.eu, 29 December 2021: Russian court bans second major human rights group in 2 days, The Times, 29 December 2021: Russia warns Sweden and Finland against joining Nato (laughable. As if Kremlin trolls would have a say in this), DW, 29 December 2021: Russia introduces mandatory medical checks for foreigners (awesome! Finally, Russia isolates itself from the rest of the world. A few years too late, but better than never), BBC, 29 December 2021: Russia orders health and drug checks for foreigners, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 29 December 2021: Russia Launches Compulsory Medical Exams For Foreigners, The Atlantc, 29 December 2021: Russia’s Aggression Against Ukraine Is Backfiring, Politico.com, 30 December 2021: Biden-Putin call ushers in new phase of diplomacy, BBC, 30 December 2021: Ukraine tensions: Biden and Putin phone call seeks ‘diplomatic path’, The Guardian, 30 December 2021: Biden and Putin exchange warnings during phone call amid rising Ukraine tensions, France24, 30 December 2021: Biden, Putin see hope for ‘meaningful progress’ after call focused on Ukraine, DW, 30 December 2021: Joe Biden and Vladimir Putin hold ‘constructive’ phone call, CNN, 31 December 2021: Biden pushes Putin for Ukraine de-escalation in second call this month, Arab News, 31 December 2021: Biden and Putin trade warnings over Ukraine, but vow diplomacy (the sanctions would not be a “colossal mistake”, but would be the result of “colossal stupidity” in Putin’s attempt to further damage the sovereignty of Ukraine instead of withdrawing his terrorists from eastern Ukraine and evacuating Crimea immediately. Putin’s Russia is rapidly developing into Europe’s Iran), Al Arabiya, 31 December 2021: Biden warns of sanctions over Ukraine; Putin says will lead to rupture in ties, The Times, 31 December 2021: Vladimir Putin warns Joe Biden against sanctions over Ukraine crisis, The Guardian, 31 December 2021: Ukraine: Russian foreign minister warns west over ‘aggressive line’ in crisis, Haaretz, 31 December 2021: Putin Is Trying to Erase the Past, With the Help of an Israeli Historian, Los Angeles Times, 1 January 2022: U.S. and Russia face deep differences ahead of Geneva talks, CNN, 2 January 2022: 2022 could be a make-or-break year for Europe, Foreign Policy, 22 January 2022: A Russia-Ukraine War Could Ripple Across Africa and Asia, The Guardian, 2 January 2022: Ukraine: Russia ‘very likely’ to invade without ‘enormous sanctions’, says US official, DW, 2 January 2022: Biden promises Ukraine ‘decisive’ response if Russia invades, The Hill, 2 January 2022: Biden tells Zelensky US, allies will ‘respond decisively’ if Russia invades, The Washington Post, 2 January 2022: Biden speaks with Ukrainian president and reaffirms U.S. commitment amid Russian standoff, France24, 3 January 2022: EU’s Borrell to visit Ukraine frontline amid Russia tensions, Irish Times, 3 January 2022: The Irish Times view on tensions over Ukraine: the price of an invasion The Irish Times view on tensions over Ukraine: the price of an invasion, Politico.eu, 3 January 2022: On Russia, NATO cannot fold, The Atlantic, 3 January 2022: The U.S. Is Naive About Russia. Ukraine Can’t Afford to Be., DW, 3 January 2022: Ukraine tensions: Normandy format talks set for Thursday, New York Post, 3 January 2022: Biden stands idle as Germany endangers Ukraine over Russia’s gas, The Guardian, 4 January 2022: Europe: Gas price hike of more than 30% stokes fears for home bills, The National, 4 January 2022: Borrell heads to Ukraine determined not to be spectator in power games, Bloomberg, 4 January 2022: Europe Sleepwalked Into an Energy Crisis That Could Last Years, The Guardian, 4 January 2022: European Union: Top diplomat visits Ukraine frontline in show of solidarity (shortly after the start of the Cold War, the saying went around the Pentagon: “We had the wrong strategy. Instead, we should have let the Germans defeat the Russians first, before we defeated them!” When the Russians threatened to lose to the Germans, they received support from America with weapons, ammunition and equipment (Lend-Lease Act), which then turned the course of the war against Germany and ultimately led to the establishment of the Soviet Union. None of this would have happened without the supplies from the USA, including the current situation in and around Ukraine), Foreign Policy, 4 January 2022: Ukraine Needs a Political Deal at Home to Defend Against Russia, CNBC, 5 January 2022: Nord Stream 2 could be major leverage against Russia — but using it is complicated, Al Arabiya, 5 January 2022: Top US, German diplomats reiterate warning to Russia over Ukraine, Politico.com, 6 January 2022: Biden talks tough on Putin, but European allies are less ready for a fight, The National, 6 January 2022: ‘Dozens’ of Kazakhstan protestors killed by police in Almaty (it is always the same, whether Belarus, Russia, Syria, China or now Kazakhstan: When autocrats/dictators lose control of the situation, they jabber something about alleged “foreign provocateurs are threatening our peace-loving autocracy/dictatorship” to justify to shoot at their own people. In this case, once again supported by Putin’s mercenaries, as he cannot afford that democracy-like state structures are established on Russia’s borders, because that would be his political end. His war crimes in Syria, Ukraine, Georgia and Moldova are always warnings to the Russian population: “If I did something like that abroad, what do you think I would do to you if you would oppose my dictatorship?” At least the deployment in Kazakhstan now offers him a face-saving opportunity to withdraw his troops from the Ukrainian border), The Washington Post, 6 January 2022: Russian troops intervene in protest-roiled Kazakhstan, where security forces have killed dozens of demonstrators, The Times, 6 January 2022: ‘Nato must find a path for Putin to retreat on Ukraine’, The New Yorker, 6 January 2022: The Russian Memory Project That Became an Enemy of the State, The New York Times, 6 January 2022: In Kazakhstan, Putin Seizes on Unrest to Try to Expand Influence, Foreign Policy, 7 January 2022: 3 Big Things to Know About the Russian-Led Alliance Intervening in Kazakhstan, The Times, 7 January 2022: Russian troops pour into Kazakhstan in protest crackdown, France24, 7 January 2022: Russian intervention in Kazakhstan risks ‘destabilising’ ethnic divides, Al Arabiya, 7 January 2022: NATO rules out any halt to expansion, despite Russia demand on Ukraine, Politico.eu, 7 January 2022: Putin’s Kazakh gambit tightens his grip on ex-Soviet space, The Guardian, 7 January 2022: Nato Chief warns of real risk of Ukraine conflict as Russian buildup continues, The New York Times, 7 January 2022: Russian forces surround Ukraine on three sides. This map shows how Moscow’s positioning could widen the conflict., Foreign Policy, 7 January 2022: Why Russia Sent Troops Into Kazakhstan, Politico.eu, 7 January 2022: Stoltenberg: NATO will be ready if Russia talks fail, Arab News, 8 January 2022: UN calls on all involved in Kazakhstan unrest to choose peace over violence, Politico.com, 8 January 2022: Putin puts out fires across a former Soviet empire clamoring for change, The Times, 8 January 2022: New defence chief warns of Russian threat at sea, DW, 8 January 2022: Kazakhstan protests: Boon or bane for Putin?, Business Insider, 8 January 2022: Blinken issues warning to Kazakhstan. ‘Once Russians are in your house, it’s sometimes very difficult to get them to leave’ (that’s obviously very true. Just ask Syria, Ukraine, Libya, Georgia, or Moldova, just to name a few), The New York Times, 8 January 2022: U.S. Details Costs of a Russian Invasion of Ukraine, The Times, 8 January 2022: Kazakhstan protests: Rumblings in Russia’s underbelly, BBC, 8 January 2022: Kazakhstan unrest: Blinken questions Russian troop deployment, The Washington Post, 8 January 2022: Putin dreams of a Russian ‘sphere of influence.’ Kazakhstan’s protesters are the latest to push back., The New York Times, 8 January 2022: How the U.S. Intends to Punish Russia for a Ukraine Invasion, DW, 8 January 2022: US refuses to draw down troops in Eastern Europe, The Washington Post, 8 January 2022: The West has enabled Putin long enough. It is time to stop., The New York Times, 9 January 2022: Russia Invites Calamity if It Invades Ukraine, The Times, 9 January 2022: US plans to cripple Russia’s banks if it invades Ukraine, The New York Times, 9 January 2022: In Ukraine Conflict, Russia Relies on a Promise That Ultimately Wasn’t, The Times, 10 January 2022: Germany should arm Ukraine to atone for Nazi crimes, ambassador says (Kiev is neither completely wrong nor completely right, especially since there are a whole lot of shades of gray between black and white, which is why even experts can come to quite controversial or diametrically opposing assessments. It’s always a question of perspective. That Ukraine has now come to this assessment and reaches for every straw is understandable in view of the threat posed by Putin’s hordes. Whether or not the argument will work is of course an entirely different question. In the interests of common security in the EU, however, it is correct that the delivery of defensive weapons should have taken place a long time ago. Nord Stream 2 is one thing, territorial integrity something else and much higher in importance. One cannot gild the butt of the war criminal Putin on the one hand and leave his victims out in the cold. Where is the “values-led foreign policy approach” or does it take a vacation on certain issues?: Germany–Ukraine relations, Reichskommissariat Ukraine, Ukraine during World War II, War in Donbas, Annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation. At the same time, nobody should be fooled. The Scholz administratio (Putin’s 5th column shows in the first test that neither the EU nor the USA can rely on them, but instead waits subservient for the orders and instructions from the miniature dictator from Moscow. Anyone who acts so completely irresponsibly instead of taking a clear and unambiguous position in favor of Ukraine poses an intentional danger for the European project. If this comes from the leadership of Europe’s largest economy, then it even actually poses a serious security threat to Europe) will pursue the same appeasement strategy towards Putin’s dictatorship as Neville Chamberlain did towards Hitler (and at the same time inadvertently allowing states friendly to Ukraine to bring in weapons and materials to increase resistance to Russian aggressions). In addition, there is shockingly strong sympathy among the German public for Putin’s regime, stronger than for the democratic USA. It was the USA who brought Germany freedom, democracy and prosperity and Russia the exact opposite. After all, economic interests also play a major role. The “Eastern Committee of the German Economy” is a lobby association to which, among other things, the largest German stock corporations belong. From there, business contacts to Eastern Europe, among others, are strengthened and maintained. They are largely indifferent to the rule of law and territorial integrity. As long as they can conduct their business, the despot Putin can do what he wants from their point of view. If that means that entire states lose their freedom, so that the dwarf with the Napoleon complex from the Kremlin can advance his great power fantasies (even the Soviet Union 2.0 will never become a world power again), then that’s how it should be. The problem with this is not only that the association sees the world this way, but above all that it can enforce this world view due to economic power. This also applies to dealing with the procedures of the Communist Party dictatorship in China), Politico.eu, 10 January 2022: Russia downplays Ukraine invasion, but US makes no concessions, The Times, 10 January 2022: US dodges Russian demands for Nato curbs on eve of Ukraine talks, CNN, 10 January 2022: US: No breakthrough in ‘frank and forthright’ talks with Russia over Ukraine crisis (absolutely right. Putin is not interested in negotiations, otherwise he would have turned up with negotiating options instead of the comic that he presented instead. Putin’s Russia, an economic dwarf, has exactly three significant export items on offer, namely oil, natural gas and war crimes. He does not want to deliver the first two to Ukraine; he has been supplying the latter since 2014. Now he wants to increase the “export quota” by sending more mercenaries to Ukraine. The fact that he is only negotiating with the USA is understandable and logical. Through permanent, military self-dwarfing, the EU has made itself an international laughing stock. So there is not a single comprehensible or reasonable reason why one should waste time negotiating with such a bunch of wimps about war and peace in Europe. You simply force a solution uplon them that they can’t defend themselves against because they don’t want it anyway. Instead, they wave the white flag before the actual battle), The Times, 10 January 2022: Russia rejects US plea to withdraw border troops, The National, 10 January 2022: US and Russia share ideas but little progress after key Ukraine talks, The Guardian, 10 January 2022: Ukraine: US-Russia talks ‘useful’ but no progress made (Kim Jong-un was able to enforce his wish to talk to Trump. Now Putin was able to get his way with Biden. Nothing came of this with the former and it is to be expected that the same will be the case for the latter), Al Arabiya, 10 January 2022: Two Ukraine soldiers killed as tensions with Russia soar, The Guardian, 10 January 2022: ‘It’s our house’ Mood in Kyiv calm despite threat of Russian attack, BBC, 10 January 2022: Russia downplays threat to Ukraine in Geneva talks, France24, 10 January 2022: No breakthrough in Russia-US talks on troop build-up near Ukraine, The New York Times, 10 January 2022: Russia has begun positioning helicopters, a possible sign that planning for an attack against Ukraine continues., NPR, 10 January 2022: Russia digs in on Ukraine never joining NATO, on a day of talks with the U.S., The Hill, 10 January 2022: US looks to ward off Ukraine conflict in talks with Russia, The New York Times, 10 January 2022: In Talks on Ukraine, U.S. and Russia Deadlock Over NATO Expansion, The Times, 11 January 2022: Moscow rejects US plea to withdraw border troops, Reuters, 11 January 2022: Germany’s chancellor must show leadership on Russia – Ukraine envoy (in fact, Ukraine has had a so-called “accession perspective” for quite a while. So the key to joining NATO lies entirely with Ukraine itself, which must first meet the entry requirements. However, it is still very far from that, among other things because reforms are being unnecessarily delayed and sub-issues such as corruption have deteriorated instead of improving. The Ukrainian government cannot delegate the responsibility of “putting things in order”, but has to take it on itself if one day, from the accession perspective, an actual accession is to become. The hurdles for membership in the EU are even higher. The sooner the Ukrainian government starts working on it, the sooner accession can take place. To insist that Russia’s German gas customers should pay Ukraine 2 billion euros annually for doing nothing is either pure provocation or pure cheek. Definitely to be rejected in both cases. In addition, the ambassador should think about how Ukraine will raise the 9.5 billion euros (or half the amount for the EU companies involved) to compensate the Nord Stream 2 consortium in the event that the pipeline should not go into operation), Khaleej Times, 11 January 2022: Ukraine welcomes ‘efforts’ by West, Russia to ease tensions, Politico.eu, 12 January 2022: NATO, Russia in a standoff after talks in Brussels, The Times, 12 January 2022: Neutrality won’t protect Ukraine from Putin, The Guardian, 12 January 2022: ‘Europe is sidelined’: Russia meets US in Geneva and Nato in Brussels:, CNN, 12 January 2022: Putin’s next move could hinge on high-stakes NATO talks, DW, 12 January 2022: NATO open to more talks with Russia amid Ukraine tensions, The Guardian, 12 January 2022: Ukraine Nato chief warns of ‘real risk of conflict’ as talks with Russia end, DW, 12 January 2022: Russian gas boost fuels Moscow’s China pivot (China is paying half the amount of what the EU is paying, bringing down the profits for Russia to zero, profits that are needed to fund Russia’s state budget), The New York Times, 12 January 2022: NATO and Russia Talk Frankly, but Past One Another for Now, NPR, 12 January 2022: 4 things Russia wants right now, DW, 13 January 2022: Jens Stoltenberg: NATO will never compromise on core principles for European security, NPR, 13 January 2022: U.S. is ‘fully prepared’ if Russia invades Ukraine, secretary of state says, Politico.com, 14 January 2022: U.S. intel suggests Russia is planning a false-flag operation, DW, 14 January 2022: Russia wants quick US response on Ukraine security proposals, France24, 14 January 2022: ‘Be afraid’: Cyberattack targets Ukraine as Russia moves more troops, DW, 14 January 2022: Ukraine government websites hacked in ‘global attack’, Politico.eu, 14 January 2022: EU races to help Ukraine fight cyberattack, CNN, 14 January 2022: Russia plotting ‘false-flag’ operation to justify invasion, BBC, 14 January 2022: US warns of Russian ‘false-flag’ Ukraine operation (it was a false-flag operation right from the start, by annexing Crimea and starting a war in the east of Ukraine under false Russian statements, assumptions, allegations, historical revisionism and attempts to reverse guilt. The current push is just a continuation of massive breaches of international law), The Guardian, 14 January 2022: Russia: US claims Moscow planning ‘false-flag’ operation to justify Ukraine invasion, Politico.com, 14 January 2022: U.S. intel suggests Russia is planning a false-flag operation, The National, 15 January 2022: EU unimpressed by Kremlin ‘intimidation’ over Ukraine, The Times, 15 January 2022: Russia plans ‘false-flag’ operation in Ukraine after presumed cyberattack, The Guardian, 15 January 2022: Ukraine: UK defence minister warns of ‘consequences’ if Russia invades, CNN, 15 January 2022: Putin presents a profound threat to peace in Europe as ‘drumbeat of war’ sounds on Russia-Ukraine border, France24, 15 January 2022: US says Russia is planning a ‘false-flag operation’ to justify invading Ukraine, Gulf Times, 15 January 2022: US ‘talks to energy firms’ over EU gas supply in case of Russia-Ukraine conflict, Politico.com, 16 January 2022: The Unorthodox Weapon We Need to Defend Democracy, CNN, 16 January 2022: Top Republican: US is in new cold war with Russia, Politico.com, 16 January 2022: Romney: Putin can’t be allowed to rebuild the Soviet Union, The New York Times, 16 January 2022: Ukraine Doesn’t Need the West to Defend It. We Need Help Preparing for War., The Hill, 16 January 2022: Russia cannot ‘tolerate’ NATO’s ‘gradual invasion’ of Ukraine, Putin spokesman says (these days one has to ask oneself more often what drugs the war criminals from Moscow are taking in order to come up with such obvious distortions of the truth and lies), The Washington Post, 16 January 2022: Even if Putin doesn’t seize all of Ukraine, he has a larger strategy. The U.S. needs one, too., Israel Hayom, 16 January 2022: Russia is running out of time to invade Ukraine, Irish Times, 16 January 2022: The Irish Times view on European defence: impetus for ‘Strategic Compass’ sought (the EU has incredible potential, but at the same time is far from realizing it. In view of Putin’s continued aggression against Ukraine, but also against Poland, the Baltic States, Sweden and Finland, this becomes particularly clear again. In this case, this has to do with the military self-districting of the EU states, which are individually defenseless against Russia, but also with the fact that the EU, as a result of a lack of foresight, is ignorant of the importance of security policy (security policy takes effect when nothing else does. Fair-weather politicians consistently ignore this aspect until it is too late) and, guided by short-sighted, mostly rather dull nationalism, has decreed military impotence. All serious mistakes. For years this blog has also been pointing out the consequences, but a simple “you see, I’ve been telling you for years!” of course doesn’t do the trick right now. As in many other cases, it would have been nicer to have been taught something else instead of being confronted with what was already to be expected. In order to be better positioned in the future, one first has to look at the “misconstructions” of western political systems in order to be able to understand why the EU fails time and time again and is therefore completely ignored when it comes to existential security issues (even if one tries to cushion this with a cosmetic-diplomatic concealer so that the credibility of the EU is not damaged even further internationally than the state decision-makers are already doing). By far the biggest problem is that state leaders do not pursue medium and long-term strategies, but think in terms of election periods. That may be logical and correct in and of itself, but it always deals a blow to the EU’s viability, especially since the leaders are committed to their own state, but not to the same extent to the EU. Unlike politicians, constructs like the EU thrive on medium- and long-term development strategies, which are in general supported by the large party blocs in the center, even if there are different views on the details. If politician X in EU state Y now makes decision Z for tactical reasons, which may seem sensible for partisan reasons, he simultaneously undermines the medium and long-term prospects of the EU. It is particularly explosive when it comes to politicians and parties who have little or nothing to do with the rule of law and democracy, but instead have a lot of sympathy for senseless, small-minded nationalism (about the dull nationalism that has prevailed over the centuries repeatedly led to devastating wars in Europe, the EU and its predecessor organizations were once founded). At first glance, they are only dwarfing their own EU states, which at least has some ironic aspects. Instead of “restoring their great, heroic nations” to their supposed “old glory”, they achieve the exact opposite: they isolate their allotments, devalue them, diminish their future prospects and thus look more like break clowns than serious EU member states. Unfortunately, it does not stop there, but also has a negative impact on the EU. The weaker the individual EU states are or become, the weaker the EU itself becomes. However, the EU and its member states will only be fit for the future and able to survive if the EU is perceived as a strong, unified, united community, which is currently the case almost exclusively in economic terms. In many other areas, a lot of improvements have to be made in order to be able to keep up at all. The EU likes to see itself in the role of a “soft power”. In times like the present, this is a romantic-sentimental idea, albeit a partially understandable one, but it simply does not meet the actual challenges. No one needs a “soft power” when at the same time a “hard power” is holding a pistol to their head, while pulling the safety pin of a hand grenade. The EU must be both and be able to do both at the same time in order to be fit for the future and capable of surviving. Of course, this only works with extensive inner unity. If a “downsize” should first be necessary for the EU to become fully capable of acting again, then this should be pushed accordingly, in order to build an “EU 2.0” around the founding states, while at the same time “EU 1.0” is rolled back and terminated. After all, it makes no sense to work on a construct that is only supported by some of the members, while another part is only member to tap into funds and at the same time work massively against the success of the EU. The latter can also do this outside the EU, but would not be rewarded with massive financial aid from Brussels for their subversive and destructive activities), DW, 17 January 2022: Alexei Navalny says he has ‘no regrets’ 1 year since arrest, The Times, 17 January 2022: Life on the Ukrainian border: ‘Trenches. The cold. That’s our reality’, The Guardian, 17 January 2022: Ukraine: Russia would pay ‘high price’ for attack, says German minister, DW, 17 January 2022: Germany’s Baerbock visits Ukraine amid rising tensions with Russia, The Economist, 17 January 2022: As war looms larger, what are Russia’s military options in Ukraine?, The National, 17 January 2022: UK pledges troops to provide training and extra weapons to Ukraine, Foreign Policy, 17 January 2022: Will Russia Attack Ukraine?, The National, 17 January 2022: Germany vows to do everything in its power to guarantee Ukraine’s safety, CNN, 17 January 2022: Putin is pushing the West’s red lines. And China is watching, The New York Times, 17 January 2022: Russia Thins Out Its Embassy in Ukraine, a Possible Clue to Putin’s Next Move, The Times, 18 January 2022: West drops threat to expel Russian banks over Ukraine, CNN, 18 January 2022: US weighs more military support for Ukraine to resist Russia if it invades, Politico.eu, 18 January 2022: Scholz: Germany will discuss Nord Stream 2 penalties if Russia attacks Ukraine, The Times, 18 January 2022: British anti-tank weapons sent to defend Ukraine, Politico.eu, 18 January 2022: Germany’s Baerbock faces down top Russian diplomat Lavrov in Moscow, CNN, 18 January 2022: Putin and Biden are caught in a high-stakes gamble over Ukraine, The Guardian, 18 January 2022: Ukraine crisis: Nato invites Russia for fresh talks on Europe, Al Arabiya, 18 January 2022: US warns Belarus over role in aiding potential Russia invasion of Ukraine, DW, 18 January 2022: Russia sanctions: How to punish Moscow over Ukraine threat?, The Washington Post, 18 January 2022: Russian troop movements have some U.S. officials fearing the worst, The New York Times, 18 January 2022: Putin to Ukraine: ‘Marry Me or I’ll Kill You’, Jerusalem Post, 19 January 2022: Iran sees ties with Russia as ‘new Middle East’, Politico.com, 19 January 2022: Allies wait on U.S. approval to arm Ukraine as invasion worries mount, CNN, 19 January 2022: Biden predicts Russia ‘will move in’ to Ukraine, but says ‘minor incursion’ may prompt discussion over consequences, The Guardian, 19 January 2022: ‘We don’t like dictators here’: Fear and defiance on Ukraine’s frontline, France24, 19 January 2022: Biden warns of ‘disaster for Russia’ if Putin invades Ukraine, CNN, 19 January 2022: Ukraine warns Russia has ‘almost completed’ build-up of forces near border, France24, 19 January 2022: Blinken pledges US military aid on visit to Kyiv amid fears of Russian invasion, Politico.eu, 19 January 2022: Blinken defends Ukraine’s ‘democratic and European path’, The New York Times, 19 January 2022: Russia and Iran Put on a Show of Unity — Against the U.S., France24, 19 January 2022: ‘Ready to defend our values’: Tensions rise in Sweden’s Gotland amid Russian threat, The New York Times, 19 January 2022: Biden Says He Expects Putin Will Order Ukraine Invasion, The Washington Post, 19 January 2022: Biden predicts Putin will ‘move in’ to Ukraine but will regret it, DW, 19 January 2022: Why Germany refuses weapons deliveries to Ukraine (Dear Ukrainians, I can only apologize for this irresponsible federal government. I didn’t voted for the Putin fan club SPD, but have to live with their unbelievable decisions as well. Fortunately, there are responsible governments that will provide you with the equipment you need to successfully resist Putin’s aggression), NPR, 19 January 2022: Thousands of Ukrainians are training to protect their cities in case Russia invades, DW, 19 January 2022: Why Germany refuses weapons deliveries to Ukraine, BBC, 20 January 2022: Biden believes Putin will ‘move in’ on Ukraine, Politico.eu, 20 January 2022: Despite Biden and Macron, Western allies remain united against Russia , The Guardian, 20 January 2022: Ukraine: Joe Biden thinks Russia will attack – but will face a ‘stiff price’, The Times, 20 January 2022: Russian troops move closer to Ukraine border, Politico.com, 20 January 2022: Senators wrestle with Russia sanctions as Ukraine crisis deepens, CNN, 20 January 2022: Tensions are high on Ukraine’s border with Russia. Here’s what you need to know, The Hill, 20 January 2022: Biden’s remarks on Russia should worry Ukraine, The New York Times, 20 January 2022: On Ukraine, Biden Flusters European Allies by Stating the Obvious, France24, 20 January 2022: Is the Ukrainian military really a David against the Russian Goliath?, The Washington Post, 20 January 2022: U.S., European officials hold crisis talks as Ukraine standoff intensifies, The National, 21 January 2022: Russia ‘must choose diplomacy or conflict’ Blinken tells Lavrov in ‘frank’ Ukraine talks, Politico.com, 21 January 2022: Baltic states step up in arming Ukraine against potential Russian incursion, The Guardian, 21 January 2022: Ukraine: Russia and US to meet in Geneva fears of war grow, The Hill, 21 January 2022: NATO members scramble to support Ukraine amid Russian threat, The National, 21 January 2022: UK tells allies to cut economic dependence on Russia and ‘step up’ in support of Ukraine, Politico.com, 21 January 2022: The Russia Sanctions That Could Actually Stop Putin, CNN, 21 January 2022: Photos from Ukraine’s front lines, where soldiers brace for possible attack (meanwhile there are unconfirmed press reports that even in Russia there are people who are not willing to die for Putin’s madness. It is still unclear how large the group of people is and whether they even exist. It can also be fake news, especially since it is known that opposition figures in Russia are locked up in gulags and tortured to death there), The Times, 22 January 2022: ‘Ukrainians are ready to tear apart Russians with their bare hands’, BBC, 22 January 2022: US ‘lethal aid’ sent to Ukraine amid Russia tensions, The Guardian, 22 January 2022: On the Ukraine frontline: ‘We are ready for whatever comes’, CNN, 22 January 2022: On the front lines, Ukrainians brace for possible attack, BBC, 22 January 2022: Do Ukrainians and Russians think war is possible?, The Hill, 22 January 2022: British government: Kremlin looking to install pro-Russian leader in Ukraine, NPR, 22 January 2022: Britain says Russia is planning to install a pro-Moscow leader in Ukraine, The Sunday Times, 23 January 2022: Fears mount Russia will weaponise gas supplies, DW, 23 January 2022: UK warns of Russian ‘plot’ to replace Ukraine government, Khaleej Times, 23 January 2022: Ukraine to target Russian influence after UK warns of plot, The New York Times, 23 January 2022: U.S. Orders Family Members of Embassy Staff to Leave Ukraine, The National, 23 January 2022: UK deputy prime minister warns Ukraine of ‘very significant’ Russia invasion threat, Haaretz, 23 January 2022: Why Is Germany Appeasing Putin on Ukraine?, France24, 23 January 2022: ‘We’re at war’: The ‘Lithuanian Elves’ who take on Russian trolls online, CNN, 23 January 2022: Biden hears options for US troops near Ukraine, BBC, 23 January 2022: Russia-Ukraine tensions: UK warns of plot to install pro-Moscow ally, The Hill, 23 January 2022: US orders families of embassy staff in Ukraine to leave country, The New York Times, 23 January 2022: Biden Weighs Deploying Thousands of Troops to Eastern Europe and Baltics, Politico.com, 23 January 2022: U.S. orders diplomats’ families to leave Ukraine, urges Americans to depart, The Washington Post, 23 January 2022: U.S. threatens use of novel export control against Russia, The Hill, 23 January 2022: US threatens sweeping export controls against Russian industries, The New Yorker, 23 January 2022: Putin, Ukraine, and the Preservation of Power, Wall Street Journal, 23 January 2022: Is Germany a Reliable American Ally? Nein, NPR, 23 January 2022: Who is Yevheniy Murayev, the man the U.K. says Russia wants to install in Ukraine?, The Guardian, 23 January 2022: Russia: Ukraine taking UK claim of invasion plot seriously, says adviser, BBC, 24 January 2022: Ukraine: US orders families of embassy staff to leave, Politico.eu, 24 January 2022: Forget NATO, Ukraine must refocus on the EU, The National, 24 January 2022: Nato deploys added military assets to eastern Europe amid Russia tensions, Politico.eu, 24 January 2022: Germany vows financial aid for Ukraine after diplomatic row, CNN, 24 January 2022: US places up to 8,500 troops on alert for possible deployment to Eastern Europe amid Russia tensions, Al Arabiya, 24 January 2022: NATO outlines ‘deterrence’ plan as tensions with Russia soar, CNN, 24 January 2022: Russian naval exercises off Ireland’s coast ‘not welcome,’ says Foreign Minister, Politico.eu, 24 January 2022: EU to weigh €1B aid package for Ukraine, CNN, 24 January 2022: NATO allies put forces on standby as tensions rise over Ukraine crisis, The Guardian, 24 January 2022: A measure of autonomy in eastern Ukraine is the only way out of this crisis, The Times, 24 January 2022: Kiev puppet is a part of Putin’s toolkit, warns US, DW, 24 January 2022: Ukraine-Russia crisis: EU foreign ministers meet to coordinate strategy with US, CNN, 24 January 2022: US preparing to bolster troops in Eastern Europe, sources say, DW, 24 January 2022: What would a Russian invasion of Ukraine trigger for the EU?, The Guardian, 24 January 2022: Ukraine: Nato reinforces eastern borders as tensions mount, The Hill, 24 January 2022: Biden touts ‘total unanimity’ with European leaders after call on Russia-Ukraine, DW, 24 January 2022: Germany seeks mediating role as Ukraine tensions rise, The Hill, 24 January 2022: Pentagon puts 8,500 troops on higher alert over Russia-Ukraine tensions, The Washington Post, 24 January 2022: U.S. puts 8,500 troops on heightened alert as Russia masses troops on Ukraine border, The New York Times, 24 January 2022: NATO is sending more jets and ships to Eastern Europe, signaling growing fears of a potential Russian threat., The Times, 25 January 2022: PM threatens Putin with ‘toughest sanctions ever’ (and how could it look like? “No more fish & chips for naughty, little Vladimir!” ?!?), Politico.eu, 25 January 2022: Good work, Volodya! Putin resurrects NATO, The New YOrk Times, 25 January 2022: Where Is Germany in the Ukraine Standoff? Its Allies Wonder., CNN, 25 January 2022: How Putin’s $11 billion pipeline split NATO and the EU at a time of crisis, The Guardian, 25 January 2022: Has the west fallen for Putin’s tricks in Ukraine?, CNN, 25 January 2022: The view in Moscow, France24, 25 January 2022: Macron says Europe is preparing ‘common response’ in case of Russian aggression, BBC, 25 January 2022: Ukraine: How will we know if war has started?, France24, 25 January 2022: Russia launches new military drills near Ukraine, in annexed Crimea (at the end of the day, Putin can try whatever he wants, but he can completely forget about dreams of returning to the world stage as a world power. That won’t work anymore. Russia is a military power, but the democratic and, above all, economic substructure is completely missing to become a world power. The latter in particular is unavailable for the country. With two times as many inhabitants and a much larger factor in land area, the country generates just half of Germany’s GDP. So Russia’s Pinky and the Brain can fantasize as much as they want, but their world power fantasies always fail colossally – just like in the comics. For Europe, this means that, years after Putin has disappeared, the country may again become a reasonably reliable partner or remain what it already is, namely Europe’s Iran with its proxy and state terrorists stationed in large quantities in all Eastern European countries, but also in in the West), The New York Times, 25 January 2022: Germany Wavers in the Ukraine Standoff, Worrying Its Allies, The Washington Post, 25 January 2022: U.S. steps up arms shipments to Ukraine, The Hill, 25 January 2022: US shipment of military equipment, munitions arrives in Ukraine, Los Angeles Times, 25 January 2022: U.S., NATO step up war footing in crisis over possible Russian invasion of Ukraine, DW, 25 January 2022: Ukraine: Joe Biden says US could sanction Vladimir Putin, The Hill, 25 January 2022: Biden says no American forces moving into Ukraine, The National, 26 January 2022: Russian invasion of Ukraine could come by mid-February, US diplomat says, Wall Street Journal, 26 January 2022: Germany Slips Away From the Western Alliance, Khaleej Times, 26 January 2022: Russia issues arrest warrant for Navalny’s brother, The National, 26 January 2022: Ukraine talks held in France as Moscow warns on demands, Irish Times, 26 January 2022: Fishing group to meet Russian ambassador over naval drills, Politico.eu, 26 January 2022: Irish want Russia to cancel offshore war games in ‘Europe’s blind spot’, Irish Times, 26 January 2022: Russian warship flotilla spotted off Norway ‘probably’ bound for Irish coast, Politico.com, 26 January 2022: U.S. delivers written response to Russian demands amid Ukraine crisis, Al Arabiya, 26 January 2022: Germany offers Ukraine helmets, Kyiv’s Klitschko ‘speechless’, The Guardian, 26 January 2022: Why are Germany and France at odds with the Anglosphere over how to handle Russia?, Politico.com, 26 January 2022: Will There Be a War Over Ukraine? 13 Putin Watchers Weigh In, The Times, 26 January 2022: When Kiev wants guns, Berlin sends helmets, The Guardian, 26 January 2022: Germany: Offer of 5,000 helmets is ‘joke’, says Vitali Klitschko, Politico.eu, 26 January 2022: Putin’s meeting with Italian business leaders turns into political battlefield, The Times, 26 January 2022: Xi denies asking Putin to delay invasion until after Olympics, The Guardian, 26 January 2022: Ukraine: US responds to Russian demands as talks held in Paris, France24, 26 January 2022: US rejects Russian demand that Ukraine stay out of NATO, CNN, 26 January 2022: What is SWIFT and why it might be the weapon Russia fears most, France24, 26 January 2022: US, NATO respond to Russian demands, as Paris hosts talks on Ukraine crisis, DW, 26 January 2022: What is the ‘Normandy Format’ for resolving the crisis in Ukraine?, NPR, 26 January 2022: The U.S. says it will stand firm against major Russian demands as tension rises, The Washington Post, 26 January 2022: Encircling Ukraine, Russia showcases its new military prowess, Jerusalem Post, 27 January 2022: Germany charges Russian suspected of space tech espionage (how else could poor by any measure Russia obtain first world technologies?), Politico.eu, 27 January 2022: German prosecutors say university researcher passed rocket secrets to Russia, The Times, 27 January 2022: Russian scientist charged with spying on German rocket technology, Haaretz, 27 January 2022: Putin’s March of Folly in Ukraine, Irish Times, 27 January 2022: Russian naval manoeuvres reveal Irish neutrality is untenable, Politico.com, 27 January 2022: Nuclear fears mount as Ukraine crisis deepens, The Times, 27 January 2022: Russian mercenaries target another African nation, NPR, 27 January 2022: From KGB Officer to Russia’s Longest Leader: Vladimir Putin, The New Yorker, 27 January 2022: What Makes Putin Fear Ukraine?, The Guardian, 27 January 2022: Ukraine crisis: Russia remains open but ‘not optimistic’ over talks, CNN, 27 January 2022: Russian gas shutdown would be ‘catastrophic’ for Europe, France24, 27 January 2022: Ukraine welcomes February talks but says Russia won’t stop efforts to destabilise, Foreign Policy, 27 January 2022: Is Defending Ukraine Vital to U.S. Security?, The National, 28 January 2022: Russia claims ‘rational elements’ of US peace proposals pave way for talks, CNN, 28 January 2022: What would war look like?, Politico.eu, 28 January 2022: Ex-German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder mocked for Ukraine comments (“Putin’s gas man” is a textbook example of a corrupt politician whose bank account is apparently far more important to him than the interests of his home country, without which he would never have become chancellor. In retrospect it would obviously have been better if this had not happened. However, it is hardly less disturbing that a large number of German politicians and business leaders are still listening to him), BBC, 28 January 2022: Ukraine crisis: Putin’s geopolitical jigsaw, Politico.eu, 28 January 2022: German industry bosses to meet with Putin this year (they beg for an audience with the war criminal), France24, 28 January 2022: US calls Security Council meeting over Ukraine, steps up pipeline warnings alongside Germany, Politico.com, 28 January 2022: Biden admin blocks military aid to Egypt over human rights concerns (interesting, right? While the Biden administration is freezing military aid to Egypt because of massive violations of human rights, Germany has arms deals worth billions with the regime and thinks that it’s a really good idea At the same time, the Scholz administration is undermining Ukraine’s right to self-defense against the war criminal and state terrorist Putin and his hordes by banning the sale of defensive weapons, and thinks that’s a really good idea, too. Apparently not only the Putin regime is at war with Western values), Politico.eu, 28 January 2022: ‘If a war starts, they will come here first’: Latvia mounts a wary border watch, The National, 28 January 2022: Putin tells Macron the West has not addressed Russia’s security concerns, The Times, 28 January 2022: Gas supplies from the Gulf may come with a catch, Politico.eu, 28 January 2022: Ukrainian president downplays US assessment of imminent invasion, The Times, 28 January 2022: Germany: conflict leaves Europe’s ‘good cop’ at the crossroads (the German government is not a “good cop” but a bunch of Putin fans who, out of cowardice, refrain from selling defensive weapons to Ukraine), Irish Times, 28 January 2022: Russia says security impasse remains as Ukraine decries ‘panic’ over war fears, The Times, 28 January 2022: How Russia’s military forged a path to the forefront of warfare, CNN, 28 January 2022: Ukraine official: Biden’s call with President ‘did not go well’, The Hill, 28 January 2022: Belarusian president vows war if Russia, Belarus attacked, The Guardian, 28 January 2022: Ukraine: Putin accuses Nato of ignoring Russia’s concerns as crisis simmers (*hahaha* he and his state terrorists are threatening Ukraine for years, but it’s Russia that has security concerns), CNN, 28 January 2022: Ukraine’s president: Tone down the rhetoric, The Hill, 28 January 2022: Biden says he’ll send troops to Eastern Europe in ‘near term’, The Washington Post, 28 January 2022: Putin’s case for invading Ukraine rests on phony grievances and ancient myths, Foreign Policy, 28 January 2022: Russia Can Win in Ukraine Without Firing a Shot, The Economist, 29 January 2022: What are Vladimir Putin’s military intentions in Ukraine?, The National, 29 January 2022: France and Germany send envoys to help ease Ukraine-Russia border tensions, The Economist, 29 January 2022: Russia’s roulette: A war in Ukraine could have global consequences, Irish Times, 29 January 2022: Russia moves naval exercises outside Ireland’s Exclusive Economic Zone, CNN, 29 January 2022: EU chief tells CNN ‘nothing off table’ in response to Russia, The Times, 29 January 2022: The fortunes of Russia’s megarich are safe as houses in Londongrad, CNN, 29 January 2022: How war in Ukraine could disrupt the world, The New York Times, 29 January 2022: U.S. Sanctions Aimed at Russia Could Take a Wide Toll, The Hill, 29 January 2022: US targets Russian disinformation in bid to defend Ukraine, DW, 29 January 2022: NATO’s on notice in Ukraine crisis: What’s next?, The New York Times, 29 January 2022: Putin Has Long Tried to Balance Europe. Now He’s Working to Reset It., The Hill, 29 January 2022: UK’s Johnson says he’s ordered armed forces to prepare for deployment next week amid Ukraine tensions, The National, 30 January 2022: Nato says military aid to Ukraine will not include combat troops, The Guardian, 30 January 2022: Ghosts of Germany’s past rise as Olaf Scholz seeks strategy for Ukraine, The National, 30 January 2022: US offers Russia ‘diplomatic way out’ of Ukraine invasion, The Guardian, 31 January 2022: Live: Ukraine crisis: UK considering further military deployments and ‘unprecedented’ sanctions, The Washington Post, 31 January 2022: Germany isn’t turning its back on NATO. It only looks that way., The National, 31 January 2022: Ukraine’s civilian militia trains to protect Kiev from Russia, The Guardian, 31 January 2022: Unlike Putin’s Russia, the west doesn’t know what it wants in eastern Europe, France24, 31 January 2022: Ukrainians cope with fake bomb threats as Moscow mounts hybrid war, The National, 31 January 2022: Russia behind ‘largest mobilisation of troops in Europe in decades’, says US, France24, 31 January 2022: Ukraine’s ordinary citizens train to fight in case of Russian invasion, DW, 31 January 2022: Russia, US face off over Ukraine at UN Security Council, Wall Street Journal, 1 February 2022: U.S., Allies Wonder if They Can Count on Germany in Russia-Ukraine Crisis, The National, 1 February 2022: Boris Johnson visits Ukraine to ‘galvanise support’, The Times, 1 February 2022: Putin accuses US of warmongering as Johnson visits Ukraine, The Guardian, 1 February 2022: Ukraine: Russian invasion would be a disaster, says Boris Johnson in Kyiv, BBC, 1 February 2022: Ukraine tensions: US trying to draw Russia into war says Putin (while in the real world Putin started his war against Ukraine already in 2014 and then there is this: Budapest Memorandum on Security Assurances, signed by Russia), The Guardian, 1 February 2022: Britain’s failure to tackle Russian dirty money has enabled Putin’s aggression, Los Angeles Times, 1 February 2022: Ukraine’s president may be our only hope, The New York Times, 1 February 2022: Putin Signals Openness to Diplomacy While Blaming U.S. for Crisis, The National, 1 February 2022: Why Germany isn’t turning its back on Nato (the current federal government is hoping to bring about a solution by appeasement of Putin and by dancing their names. Spoiler: It won’t work. International trust in the Scholz administration’s loyalty to the alliance has already eroded so much that no one seriously expects any serious support from Berlin. At the same time, of course, this also sends signals beyond Europe to Israel and what one can expect of “the security of Israel is German reason of state”. Should Israel need urgent military support, Berlin will send the country 5,000 orange juice presses, which it considers “a strong signal of solidarity with Israel” and will communicate it this way. After all, vitamin C is essential for life. Of course, the presses are delivered in sustainably produced jute bags so that the oranges can be transported home from the plantations. The bags are of course delivered with batik works by a well-known name dancer and peace movement participant to brighten up the grumpy mood a little), Los Angeles Times, 1 February 2022: Ukraine calls on the West to take tougher ‘prevention’ measures against Russia, Politico.eu, 2 February 2022: Europe is ready to pay the cost of Russia sanctions, The National, 2 February 2022: British MP warns on ‘worrying escalation’ behind Houthi UAE attacks, Politico.eu, 2 February 2022: Germany bans Russian broadcaster RT’s German-language channel, Arab News, 2 February 2022: US sending nearly 3,000 troops to Eastern Europe in coming days, Al Arabiya, 2 February 2022: Biden orders thousands of US troops to Eastern Europe over Russia threats, CNN, 2 February 2022: Long on rhetoric, short on revelations. What Putin’s Ukraine comments told us, Politico.com, 2 February 2022: U.S. deploys troops to Eastern Europe; thousands more on standby, CNN, 2 February 2022: Satellite images show Russian military buildup around Ukraine, BBC, 2 February 2022: US boosts troops in Europe amid Ukraine tensions, DW, 2 February 2022: A culture of torture and fear is rife in Russia’s prisons, France24, 2 February 2022: Russia to target German media in response to German ban on RT, DW, 2 February 2022: Russia’s RT channel blocked by German regulators, The Washington Post, 2 February 2022: Belarusian leader’s closer ties to Putin could sway Russia’s calculus on Ukraine, NPR, 2 February 2022: Biden shifts some 3,000 U.S. troops closer to Ukraine, Politico.com, 2 February 2022: Why the Donbass is the Key to Putin’s Gambit in Ukraine, Los Angeles Times, 2 February 2022: Biden to send thousands more troops to Eastern Europe amid Ukraine crisis, The New York Times, 3 February 2022: Europe Thinks Putin Is Planning Something Even Worse Than War, The Washington Post, 3 February 2022: Russia tries to cast Western-backed Ukraine as aggressor, suggests disputed peace deal as path forward, DW, 3 February 2022: Russia shuts DW’s Moscow bureau, withdraws staff credentials (that was of course to be expected, especially since the Napoleon miniature edition (Homunculus) from the Kremlin has to try to give his lemmings, his fifth columns in the west, fanboys and -girls the impression as if the Russian state propaganda organ RT would be in some ways comparable with free media and press such as the Deutsche Welle. This is of course not the case, but this example also shows how little freedom and democracy the Russian population has to get by with. Russia has never been a beacon of democracy, but at least there was hope that a hybrid form could be established. These hopes have since been dashed. Instead, Russian dissidents are now talking about a “North Koreanization of Russia.” Even if there is still a long way to go before successful implementation, the path has been mapped out), Politico.eu, 3 February 2022: Kremlin bans Deutsche Welle from operating in Russia, The Guardian, 3 February 2022: Russia: Moscow to expel German broadcaster after RT banned in Germany, Al Arabiya, 3 February 2022: US intelligence: Russia may stage video to create pretext for Ukraine war, Politico.com, 3 February 2022: Why Conservatives Should Be Eager to Deter Putin on Ukraine, Politico.eu, 3 February 2022: NATO chief: Russian deployment in Belarus ‘biggest since Cold War’, The Times, 3 February 2022: 3,000 US troops won’t scare Putin, ex-Nato commander warns, Irish Times, 3 February 2022: Russian, US, French and UK warships spotted off south coast by Defence Forces, The Times, 3 February 2022: Putin and Xi form alliance to defeat sanctions over Ukraine, The Guardian, 3 February 2022: Ukraine: Russia plans ‘very graphic’ fake video as pretext for invasion, US claims, CNN, 3 February 2022: US accuses Russia of planning to use ‘graphic’ fake video to justify Ukraine invasion, DW, 3 February 2022: Ukraine: Fear of war on the border, The Atlantic, 3 February 2022: The Reason Putin Would Risk War, BBC, 3 February 2022: US accuses Russia of plotting fake invasion pretext, DW, 4 February 2022: Germany’s former Chancellor Gerhard Schröder to join Gazprom board (that makes it easier at least, because now we can tell Gazprom in German where they can stick their Nord Stream 2 pipes), Politico.eu, 4 February 2022: Former German Chancellor Schröder nominated for Gazprom board, DW, 4 February 2022: Why Deutsche Welle is not the same as RT, The National, 4 February 2022: Amid crisis in Ukraine, Putin in Beijing praises China ties, Politico.eu, 4 February 2022: Russia, China call for halt to NATO enlargement (the demands are of course followed immediately by NATO, on the day on which Easter and Christmas are celebrated at the same time. If the world were a request concert, Russia and China would not be aggressor states and NATO wouldn’t be necessary. But since they are, NATO will need to continue to grow to protect its member states), The Times, 4 February 2022: ‘Few are ready to die for Putin and the motherland’, The Guardian, 4 February 2022: ‘Cold war ideology’: Xi and Putin urge Nato to rule out expansion as Ukraine tensions rise, CNN, 4 February 2022: Putin and Xi call for halt to NATO expansion during show of unity at Beijing Olympics, Der Spiegel, 4 February 2022: “We Really Have Other Problems”: What Do Russians Near the Border Think of a Possible Ukraine Invasion?, BBC, 4 February 2022: China joins Russia in opposing Nato expansion, France24, 4 February 2022: ‘NATO will not get involved militarily in Ukraine’, says alliance’s deputy chief, The New Yorker, 4 February 2022: How a City Close to the Ukraine-Russia Border Has Been Shaped by War, The National, 5 February 2022: UK and France agree to fight against ‘malicious Russian activity’, Arab News, 5 February 2022: Biden looks for a European anchor in Berlin, Al Arabia, 5 February 2022: First US reinforcement troops arrive in Poland, more expected, Jerusalem Post, 5 February 2022: Thousands rally proclaiming ‘Kharkiv is Ukraine’ in city near Russian border, Politico.com, 5 February 2022: Russian bombers fly over Belarus amid Ukraine tensions, France24, 5 February 2022: First US troops intended to reinforce NATO allies in Eastern Europe arrive in Poland, DW, 5 February 2022: Critical journalists in Russia fall silent, Politico.eu, 5 February 2022: Ukraine links arms with Turkey, Poland and UK as NATO membership remains distant, DW, 5 February 2022: Kyiv wants de-escalation, but also more weapons, CNN, 5 February 2022: Why Beijing won’t put its economy on the line to rescue Putin, The Washington Post, 5 February 2022: Russia could invade Ukraine within days, U.S. assessments find, The New York Times, 5 February 2022: U.S. Warns of Grim Toll if Putin Pursues Full Invasion of Ukraine, Al Arabiya, 6 February 2022: Scholz says Germany open to boosting troops in Baltics, The National, 6 February 2022: Russia could invade Ukraine ‘as soon as tomorrow’, US national security adviser says, Al Arabiya, 6 February 2022: US says Russia preparing full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Jerusalem Post, 6 February 2022: 50,000 casualties, 5 million refugees expected if Russia invades Ukraine, Politico.com, 6 February 2022: Sorry, Mr. Putin. Ukraine and Russia are Not the Same Country., France24, 6 February 2022: US officials warn Russia is preparing full-scale invasion of Ukraine, The New York Times, 6 February 2022: Ukraine Crisis Enters Critical Phase as Macron Seeks to Mediate, DW, 6 February 2022: How Russia is helping the US reassert its dominance in European security, CNN, 6 February 2022: New satellite images show advanced Russian military deployments in Belarus, DW, 6 February 2022: : Germany’s Olaf Scholz goes to Washington amid criticism, The New York Times, 6 February 2022: Germany’s “invisible” chancellor, Olaf Scholz, will meet President Biden amid criticism over Berlin’s Ukraine approach., DW, 6 February 2022: Why the EU needs Russian energy giant Gazprom, The Washington Post, 6 February 2022: Scholz says response to Russia will be ‘united and decisive’ if Ukraine is invaded, Politico.eu, 7 February 2022: UK to send 350 more troops to Polish border amid Russia tensions, Politico.com, 7 February 2022: Biden vows to shut down Nord Stream 2 if Russia invades, as U.S. and Germany pledge unity (after the press conference one can only feel even more ashamed of German politics. The only thing that comes to mind is “Oh, if only he had stayed silent”. At least that wouldn’t have made it worse. It would have been better if he had kept the wishy-washy stuff that the Chancellor said to himself and had not attended the press conference at all. Doesn’t give clear answers, evades questions, says something that has nothing to do with the questions at all and thus continues to play into Putin’s hands. Any student would have gotten a straight F for such a performance), Politico.eu, 7 February 2022: Olaf Scholz’s hard lessons in German leadership, France24, 7 February 2022: Watch live: Macron holds press conference with Putin in Moscow, Politico.eu, 7 February 2022: Germany to deploy 350 troops to Lithuania to try to reassure allies, BBC, 7 February 2022: World leaders in talks amid Ukraine invasion fear, CNN, 7 February 2022: Macron takes lead on Europe’s efforts to defuse crisis, Foreign Policy, 7 February 2022: The Gold Medal for Foreign Policy Goes to Germany, Politico.eu, 7 February 2022: Putin welcomes Macron into his lair, The Times, 7 February 2022: Former general Leonid Ivashov attacks Putin for ‘provoking war’, CNN, 7 February 2022: US and Germany still split on Russian pipeline, The Guardian, 7 February 2022: ‘Tanks, tanks, tanks’: Ukrainians on Russia’s military buildup at the border, The New York Times, 7 February 2022: Putin Warns the West and Ukraine, but Keeps His Intentions a Mystery, The Times, 7 February 2022: Britain will not flinch over Ukraine, says Johnson, DW, 7 February 2022: Biden promises no Nord Stream 2 if Russia invades Ukraine, The Washington Post, 7 February 2022: Biden vows to stop natural gas pipeline to Europe if Russia invades Ukraine, DW, 7 February 2022: Germany to send additional troops to Lithuania, The New York Times, 7 February 2022: A Russia-to-Germany gas pipeline project would not go forward if Moscow invades Ukraine, President Biden said., DW, 7 February 2022: Baerbock: Germany ‘ready to pay high economic price’ for Ukraine peace, CNN, 7 February 2022: Nord Stream 2 pipeline proves to be a sticking point in Biden and new German chancellor’s show of unity, The National, 8 February 2022: How Russia’s turn to Belarus changed Nato’s four-decade mindset, The New York Times, 8 February 2022: Europe Is on the Brink of War, and Germany Has Gone Missing, The Washington Post, 8 February 2022: Russia sends warships toward Black Sea as Europe ramps up Ukraine crisis diplomacy, DW, 8 February 2022: Ukraine crisis: ‘Our goal is to avoid a war in Europe,’ says Germany’s Scholz, CNN, 9 February 2022: What is the Minsk agreement and is it a way out of Ukraine crisis?, The Times, 9 February 2022: Ukraine crisis: Poles stand alone in military support if Russia invades, poll finds (of course, after all, the majority of Ukrainian refugees will end up in Poland if Putin invades further parts of Ukraine), Politico.com, 9 February 2022: Senators consider sanctions for cyberattacks on Ukraine, invasion or not, The Times, 9 February 2022: Russian landing ships gather off the coast of Ukraine, The New York Times, 9 February 2022: Finns Don’t Wish ‘Finlandization’ on Ukraine (or Anyone), The Guardian, 9 February 2022: Belarus: Military drills to begin as Russia ratchets up Ukraine tensions, The New York Times, 9 February 2022: Russia can seize control over Ukraine or keep strong economic ties to Europe. It will be hard to do both., The Washington Post, 9 February 2022: Fears of Ukraine invasion rise as top Russian commanders fly to Belarus for massive military drill, DW, 10 February 2022: NATO presence needed from Baltic to Black Sea, Latvian PM says, The New York Times, 11 February 2022: U.S. Says Russia Could Invade Ukraine at Any Time, DW, 11 February 2022: Biden urges Americans to leave Ukraine, The Washington Post, 11 February 2022: Ukraine crisis will test U.S. like no time since Cold War, DW, 11 February 2022: Talks on eastern Ukraine to resume in March, sources say, The Washington Post, 11 February 2022: Unsurprisingly, Russia is in another doping controversy, Los Angeles Times, 11 February 2022: U.S. says Russia could launch invasion of Ukraine within days, CNN, 11 February 2022: Ukrainians are wondering if their comedian-turned-president can handle the world stage, The Times, 11 February 2022: Explosions in the distance rattle nerves of Baltic states, Al Arabiya, 11 February 2022: US moves F-16 squadron from Germany to Romania as tension spikes over Ukraine, The New York Times, 11 February 2022: We Underestimated Putin Once. We Can’t Make That Mistake Again., The Times, 11 February 2022: Veterans of Kyiv rue the day they gave up their nuclear arsenal, The New Yorker, 11 February 2022: Who Blinks First in Ukraine?, Politico.com, 12 February 2022: How the West Gets Ukraine Wrong — and Helps Putin As a Result, BBC, 12 February 2022: Ukraine crisis: ‘We don’t have the option to leave’, France24, 12 February 2022: Satellite images show Russia adding military pressure on Ukraine, BBC, 12 February 2022: A dozen nations tell citizens: leave Ukraine now, The Atlantic, 12 February 2022: Why the West’s Diplomacy With Russia Keeps Failing, CNN, 12 February 2022: Russia has surrounded Ukraine on three sides. Here’s where an invasion could be launched, The Times, 12 February 2022: Defence secretary warns of ‘whiff of Munich’ in Ukraine, The Washington Post, 12 February 2022: Russia’s military move into Belarus poses risks to more than Ukraine, The Guardian, 13 February 2022: Live Ukraine crisis: Kyiv tells airlines to skirt Black Sea amid Russian drills; UK defence secretary cuts short holiday, DW, 14 February 2022: Ukraine crisis: What can the US expect from Germany? (how Olaf Scholz managed to gamble away so much international trust in such a short time is remarkable. It’s just unbelievable how he could stumble like that, and this after being world champ in crisis management Angela Merkel’s student and vice chancellor for years. It will take years to put things right again, quite independently from if Ukraine is joining NATO, which itself knows that it is far from being ready to meet the admission requirements and that the significantly higher EU access requirements are even harder fulfill. Overall, however, as after Afghanistan, the considerable weaknesses of the EU security and defense policy are becoming all too clear. Nevertheless, there are still incorrigible people who believe that they would do better on their own than in a group – they just won’t, but on the contrary, contribute to further self-dwarfing and the loss of importance of Europe on the world stage – self-chosen fate. However, the $1 million question over the next few years will also be how to bring Ukraine closer to the EU so that it can be included in the “Common Security and Defense Policy”. That will also depend on how the EU manages to set up a joint, active EU army to complement NATO. This step, which has been overdue for 20 years and is becoming ever more urgent in view of the mounting challenges, can no longer be ignored even by the simple-minded peace movement and name dancers. Neither Germany’s ever-increasing responsibility in the military defense of European interests against ongoing and escalating Russian aggression. Not to mention the challenges in the Eastern Mediterranean and North Africa. If Europe doesn’t want to be overwhelmed by crises all the time, it has no choice but to invest heavily in defense. Otherwise, Germany and Europe’s future prospects will crumble before our very eyes. There are, of course, those in Europe that would be only too happy to see this happen, but they also fell for Russian and Chinese state propaganda and see Putin and Xi Jinping as democrats suffering from military aggression from NATO. However, the simpletons cannot credibly explain why they didn’t finally move to Russia, China or Saudi Arabia, even though in their views everything is terrible in the democratic West. So Europe’s decision makers can completely ignore their voices and instead focus on securing the future of Europe), The National, 14 February 2022: Glimmer of hope in Ukraine talks as Scholz prepares for Moscow showdown, DW, 14 February 2022: Ukraine reaffirms desire to join NATO after envoy comments, The National, 14 February 2022: Ukraine to offer ‘many concessions’ to avert Russian invasion, Politico.eu, 14 February 2022: Scholz, Zelenskiy play down talk of NATO membership for Ukraine, DW, 14 February 2022: Germany’s Scholz holds crisis talks with Ukraine’s Zelenskyy in Kyiv, Arab News, 14 February 2022: German leader heads to Kyiv and Moscow to calm ‘critical’ Russia war threat, Politico.eu, 14 February 2022: On stage at the Kremlin: Putin and Lavrov’s de-escalation dance, Politico.com, 14 February 2022: The Lesson Stalin Could Teach Putin About Invading a Neighbor, The Times, 14 February 2022: Ukraine Crisis: How a Russian invasion could play out, The Guardian, 14 February 2022: Russia: Moscow sending thousands more troops to Ukraine border, France24, 14 February 2022: Russia using Nord Stream 2 as ‘geopolitical weapon’, Zelensky warns Germany’s Scholz, BBC, 14 February 2022: Ukraine: How prepared is Russia for an attack?, France24, 14 February 2022: ‘Russia could take action in Ukraine as early as this week,’ Blinken says, The Times, 14 February 2022: Alexei Navalny faces ten years in prison ‘as world looks away’, France24, 14 February 2022: US plans to offer $1 bn in credit guarantees to Ukraine, NPR, 14 February 2022: German chancellor warns of far-reaching sanctions if Russia moves on Ukraine, The Washington Post, 14 February 2022: Inside the White House response to a potential Ukraine invasion, Politico.eu, 15 February 2022: Russia-Ukraine tensions could trigger market crash, says EU regulator, Politico.com, 15 February 2022: ‘Kill Your Commanding Officer’: On the Front Lines of Putin’s Digital War With Ukraine, Al Arabiya, 15 February 2022: London marine insurers add Russian, Ukrainian waters to high risk list, Politico.eu, 15 February 2022: Left without a voice, anti-war Russians pen open letters to Putin, France24, 15 February 2022: ‘Lasting security’ in Europe can only be achieved with Russian help, Scholz says, Gulf Times, 15 February 2022: US offers USD 1 billion loan to support Ukrainian economy, Al Arabiya, 15 February 2022: US tells Russia it wants ‘verifiable, credible, meaningful de-escalation’, BBC, 15 February 2022: Ukraine crisis: Russian attack still a possibility – Biden (so far there is little evidence that Putin would actually withdraw troops from the Ukrainian border. Rather, it appears that he is merely moving the troops around and where Russian troops are actually withdrawn, they are replaced by the troops of his henchman, the Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko. Irrespective of this, the Americans achieved a partial victory in the propaganda war here. The chances of success in a war are of course always influenced by the element of surprise, which the Russians have completely lost here, and which at the same time made it unmistakably clear to all the world that Putin is still the invader, assailant, attacker and aggressor against Ukraine. Unlike Europe and unlike 2014, this time the Americans did not let themselves be lulled or taken by surprise by the Russians, but instead literally put all the cards (satellite images, maps with troop deployments, etc.) on the table right from the start in order to make it clear from the beginning where Russian and Belarusian troops are located, in what strength and with what weapon systems. The Europeans, on the other hand, are sitting like rabbits in front of a snake, as they did in 2014, or have even fallen for Putin’s state propaganda in large numbers once again. Once again it becomes clear how little Europe is able to ensure its own security – self-chosen and self-inflicted. Without the US, Europe would once again be completely defenseless and helpless against Putin’s continued aggressions. For how much longer does Europe want to dwarf itself, expose itself to global ridicule and the unbelievable embarrassment that goes with it? How long will the decision-makers want to turn a blind eye to the absolute inability to implement a common security and defense policy without feeling the slightest shame before they finally act responsibly and take the necessary steps emphatically until an appropriate, common defense is in place?), France24, 15 February 2022: Live: Biden says Russian attack in Ukraine ‘still very much a possibility’, The National, 15 February 2022: Russia and Germany keep Ukraine peace talks alive after partial troop withdrawal, The Guardian, 15 February 2022: Live Ukraine crisis: Biden warns that Russia invasion ‘still very much a possibility’ – live, The Times, 15 February 2022: ‘No evidence’ of Russian troops withdrawing, Al Arabiya, 16 February 2022: Russia attack on Ukraine ‘still very much a possibility’: US President Biden, CNN, 16 February 2022: Biden to Russian citizens: “You are not our enemy”, Al Arabiya, 16 February 2022: NATO plans for new possible battlegroups in Europe amid Russia tensions: Stoltenberg, CNN, 16 February 2022: What’s happening in Ukraine right now? CNN reports, BBC, 16 February 2022: No sign of Russian de-escalation on ground – Nato, Irish Times, 16 February 2022: Biden to citizens of Russia -‘ You are not our enemy’, Al Arabiya, 16 February 2022: UK will double the number of troops in Estonia as part of NATO mission, CNN, 16 February 2022: Russian buildup continues, but insufficient for full-scale invasion, Ukrainian military intelligence says, France24, 16 February 2022: NATO says Russia appears to be continuing military escalation in Ukraine, The Times, 16 February 2022: UK scraps golden visas over Russian dirty money fears, Politico.eu, 16 February 2022: Von der Leyen: On Ukraine, EU is hopeful but ‘prepared for the worst’, BBC, 16 February 2022: We don’t see any troop withdrawal – Ukraine president, Politico.eu, 16 February 2022: NATO boss Stoltenberg says Russian threat is ‘new normal’, The Guardian, 16 February 2022: Live Ukraine crisis: Nato considering new battlegroups in eastern Europe after ‘no sign’ of Russian de-escalation, Politico.eu, 16 February 2022: War warnings and calls for unity: Just another day in Ukraine, The Times, 16 February 2022: Russia moving troops into ‘attack areas’, says minister, Politico.eu, 16 February 2022: Putin’s paradox: ‘Ukrainian’ separatists are Russian citizens, Foreign Policy, 16 February 2022: America’s Eyes in the Skies Over Ukraine, CNN, 17 February 2022: Blinken: ‘I am here today not to start a war, but to prevent one’, Politico.eu, 17 February 2022: UK scraps golden visas for foreign investors amid Russian money crackdown, CNN, 17 February 2022: US cranks up the information warfare against Putin, DW, 17 February 2022: Germany and Ukraine: Trade and aid, but no weapons, CNN, 17 February 2022: Western officials remain skeptical of Russia’s claims, DW, 17 February 2022: NATO fears Russia is seeking pretext to attack Ukraine, Politico.eu, 17 February 2022: EU unity is vexing Putin, Estonian prime minister says, Arab News, 17 February 2022: US says Russia is preparing pretext to invade Ukraine, Politico.eu, 17 February 2022: NATO has ‘seen’ Russian false-flag attempts in Ukraine, Stoltenberg says, BBC, 17 February 2022: Russia seeking excuse to invade Ukraine, US says, Al Arabiya, 17 February 2022: Ukraine’s Zelenskiy says pro-Russian forces shell kindergarten in ‘big provocation’, BBC, 17 February 2022: Satellite images show Russian activity near Ukraine, Politico.eu, 18 February 2022: West must brace for years of Putin pressure on Ukraine, Latvian PM says, The Washington Post, 18 February 2022: Ukraine’s Lviv becomes ‘western capital’ as some diplomats leave Kyiv, Politico.eu, 18 February 2022: Crimea: The peninsula poisoning relations between Russia and Ukraine, The Washington Post, 18 February 2022: Biden gathers Western allies amid reports of evacuations from separatist area, Politico.eu, 18 February 2022: Ukraine and West see false flags flying as pro-Russian separatists urge civilian evacuation, CNN, 18 February 2022: Russian-US diplomacy stalls, with a shelled Ukrainian kindergarten a stark reminder of the lives at stake, Politico.eu, 18 February 2022: Ukraine warns West: Don’t fall into Putin’s NATO trap, Foreign Policy, 18 February 2022: Russia Planning Post-Invasion Arrest and Assassination Campaign in Ukraine, U.S. Officials Say, Irish Times, 18 February 2022: Ukraine accuses Moscow-led militia of stoking tension with mass evacuation order, The Times, 18 February 2022: Fears mount that Moscow is planning ‘false flag’ attack, Politico.eu, 18 February 2022: Alexander Lukashenko’s risky balancing act with Russia and Ukraine, BBC, 18 February 2022: Russia accused of staging fake crisis in east Ukraine, The Guardian, 18 February 2022: Ukraine crisis: Pro-Russian separatists order mass evacuation of east of country, Foreign Policy, 18 February 2022: Biden: Putin Has Decided to Invade Ukraine, Politico.eu, 18 February 2022: Ukraine and West see false flags flying as pro-Russian separatists urge civilian evacuation, CNN, 18 February 2022: CNN confronts ‘Europe’s last dictator’ over Russian military drills in Belarus, Al Arabiya, 18 February 2022: Russia has posted up to 190,000 personnel ‘in and near Ukraine’: US diplomat, The New Yorker, 18 February 2022: The Ukraine Transparency Initiative, The Economist, 18 February 2022: Why Russia has never accepted Ukrainian independence, Politico.com, 18 February 2022: Biden says he believes Putin has decided to invade Ukraine, Miami Herald, 18 February 2022: Russia is flexing its muscles in Latin America. How will Washington respond?, The New York Times, 18 February 2022: President Says Ukrainian Capital Will Be a Target, CNN, 19 February 2022: Vladimir Putin has succeeded in uniting his opponents, France24, 19 February 2022: OSCE reports more than 1,500 ceasefire violations in a single day in Ukraine, CNN, 19 February 2022: Putin oversees nuclear drills near NATO borders, France24, 19 February 2022: West should stop ‘appeasement’ policy towards Russia, says Ukraine’s Zelensky, The Times, 19 February 2022: We should treat Putin as the gangland bully that he is (that is of course correct. On the other hand, of course, this always raises the question: Which lunatic will succeed Putin and will he (one can probably rule out that a woman will ever become President of Russia) be better for the international security situation or will it get even worse?), The Economist, 19 February 2022: Whether he invades Ukraine or backs down, Putin has harmed Russia, The Guardian, 19 February 2022: Live Ukraine: Nato moves staff out of Kyiv; UK foreign secretary says invasion could happen as soon as next week, The Economist, 19 February 2022: Alexander Gabuev on why Vladimir Putin and his entourage want war, The Times, 19 February 2022: West has appeased Putin for 15 years, says Ukrainian president, Politico.eu, 19 February 2022: Boris Johnson calls on NATO to go global, Al Arabiya, 19 February 2022: Ukraine leader wants new security guarantees to fix ‘almost broken’ global system, Politico.eu, 19 February 2022: Ukraine’s nuclear lesson: Don’t trust Russia’s security ‘guarantees’, DW, 19 February 2022: What’s behind Putin’s saber-rattling, NPR, 19 February 2022: A rebel in east Ukraine accused Kyiv of planning an attack. The U.S. says he’s lying, The New York Times, 19 February 2022: Putin’s Baseless Claims of Genocide in Ukraine Hint at More Than War, New York Magazine, 19 February 2022: Is Putin Sane?, Foreign Policy, 19 February 2022: Causing Crisis Works, The New York Times, 19 February 2022: Shelling Escalates in Eastern Ukraine as Thousands Flee, Fearing Attack, Los Angeles Times, 19 February 2022: Artillery fusillades from Russian-backed separatists set Ukraine’s east on edge, CNN, 19 February 2022: Why Donbas is at the heart of the Ukraine crisis, Politico.com, 20 February 2022: Finland’s president sees changes in Putin: ‘It was a different kind of behavior’, The Washington Post, 20 February 2022: Russian forces stay in Belarus, fueling Ukraine invasion fears, Politico.com, 20 February 2022: Harris offers support for defiant Ukrainian president, Arab News, 20 February 2022: Russia extends troop drills; Ukraine appeals for cease-fire, The Guardian, 20 February 2022: Starmer: Russians hide cash in ‘soft touch’ UK, Politico.eu, 20 February 2022: Kremlin lashes out at Ukraine and NATO after call with Macron, CNN, 20 February 2022: CNN reporter describes the challenges of covering the conflict in Ukraine, BBC, 20 February 2022: Russia plans biggest war in Europe since 1945 – PM, The Guardian, 20 February 2022: Leave Putin in no doubt: Russia will be economically crippled – and he may be tried for war crimes, The New York Times, 20 February 2022: Bond Between China and Russia Alarms U.S. and Europe Amid Ukraine Crisis, NPR, 20 February 2022: Putin and Macron discuss a cease-fire in Ukraine as shelling appears to escalate, CNN, 20 February 2022: Roughly 75% of Russian conventional forces deployed against Ukraine, US official says, The New York Times, 20 February 2022: At the Munich Security Conference, Ukraine’s president accused his Western counterparts of appeasement., The Washington Post, 20 February 2022: Putin warned the West 15 years ago. Now, in Ukraine, he’s poised to wage war., BBC, 20 February 2022: Russia keeps troops in Belarus amid Ukraine fears, The New York Times, 20 February 2022: U.S. Learned of Kremlin Order to Proceed With Invasion, Officials Say, The Washington Post, 20 February 2022: Putin may go to war to capture Ukraine. With Belarus, he did it without firing a shot., CNN, 21 February 2022: US says it has credible information about Russian ‘kill list’ in potential Ukraine invasion, The Guardian, 21 February 2022: Live Ukraine crisis: Putin rails against Kyiv and Nato in televised address (this is no longer just historical revisionism, but outright lies. In fact, Kievan Rus’ was the nucleus of Ukraine and Muscovite Rus’, from which Russia arose, was only an insignificant part of Kievan Rus’. So if actual history were to be used for current action, Kiev would be in charge of Russia and certainly not the other way around. On the other hand, why should Kiev do something like that? Ukrainians want to be European, Western and democratic. Putin’s economically ruined and politically desolate club stands in complete contradiction to this. Apart from militarily, Putin’s Russia is once again broken and ungovernable by democratic standards, as it always has been. Why would Ukraine want to burden itself with such unnecessary baggage? There would be neither rational nor irrational reasons for this), CNN, 21 February 2022: Russian banks imported $5 billion in foreign cash in December, New York Magazine, 21 February 2022: Is Putin Choosing War in Ukraine?, The Times, 21 February 2022: Russia has ‘kill list’ of Ukrainians, The New Yorker, 21 February 2022: Inside the High-Stakes Fight to Control the Narrative on Ukraine, The Guardian, 21 February 2022: Ukraine: Belarus should face same sanctions as Russia in event of invasion – EU, The New York Times, 21 February 2022: This Is Putin’s War. But America and NATO Aren’t Innocent Bystanders., NPR, 21 February 2022: Why Ukraine gave up its nuclear weapons — and what that means in a Russian invasion, Politico.eu, 21 February 2022: EU reaches deal on military training mission in Ukraine, The Guardian, 21 February 2022: Is it still possible to avoid a major war in Europe?, The Times, 21 February 2022: Ukraine crisis is a wake-up call for the West, The New York Times, 21 February 2022: Belarus says Russian troops might not leave unless NATO pulls back from Eastern Europe., Gulf News, 21 February 2022: Russia-Ukraine crisis updates: Putin signs decree to recognise breakaway Ukrainian regions, The National, 21 February 2022: Putin signs decree recognising breakaway regions as independent, Irish Times, 21 February 2022: Putin recognises two breakaway Ukraine regions as independent, France24, 21 February 2022: Live: Putin recognises self-declared republics of Donetsk and Luhansk in eastern Ukraine (even before Putin’s annexation of Crimea, which was in violation of international law, and his war on eastern Ukraine since 2014 (Helsinki Accords, Budapest Memorandum on Security Assurances), there were raids by Russia, which, however, are hardly noticed in the West and have been “frozen conflicts” for years (Moldova and the Transnistria War and Republic of Georgia and the Russo-Georgian War), but ultimately always follow the same pattern: there are parts of a sovereign state is militarily occupied, so that this state can no longer act freely in international alliances or is not even included in them. Russia, which is far removed from democracy and freedom, is thus pursuing the goal of preventing other states in its immediate vicinity from becoming democratic, free and constitutional, because that would be an existential threat to the Putin system. This also applies to the expansion of Putin’s war in eastern Ukraine, operated by his pro-Russian terrorists stationed there, who are to be rewarded for their continued terrorism against the civilian population with the handover of the Ukrainian lands of Donetsk and Luhansk. In doing so, Putin destroyed the Minsk Agreement (Normandy Format). Of course, this is highly contrary to international law and is therefore null and void from the international perspective, especially since the parts of the country naturally continue to belong to the national territory of Ukraine. The West will now begin to implement the multi-stage sanctions against Russia that have been in preparation for weeks. So far it is only known that the sanctions are to be adapted to the respective escalation levels, but which they will actually be is still unclear. On the one hand, one almost has to be glad that something is being done at all, because economic interests often prevail among some actors in the West instead of doing the right thing, so that a joint, unified approach is anything but a matter of course. On the other hand, a determined, tough, clear and unequivocal action against Putin right from the start of his renewed escalations would have ensured that he would have completely refrained from expanding his war in eastern Ukraine), Politico.com, 21 February 2022: As Putin sends troops into Donbas, White House avoids the ‘I’ word, Politico.eu, 21 February 2022: EU approves emergency €1.2B aid for Ukraine, Politico.com, 21 February 2022: U.S. sanctions Russia for declaring independence of eastern Ukraine territories, Politico.eu, 21 February 2022: Ukraine asks EU to send in cyber forces, NPR, 21 February 2022: Putin orders ‘peacekeeping’ troops to Ukraine after recognizing breakaway regions, Politico.eu, 21 February 2022: Europe faces sanctions nightmare of paying for Putin’s war, CNN, 21 February 2022: Putin orders troops into pro-Russian regions of eastern Ukraine, Politico.eu, 21 February 2022: ‘War, death and destruction’: U.N. Security Council members slam Russia’s Ukraine escalation, The Atlantic, 21 February 2022: Vladimir Putin’s Hall of Mirrors, DW, 21 February 2022: ‘The Minsk process is dead’: DW’s Nick Connolly reports from Kyiv, The Washington Post, 21 February 2022: Putin orders troops into two separatist Ukraine regions, Los Angeles Times, 21 February 2022: Russia orders troops into eastern Ukraine as fear of war grows, The Washington Post, 21 February 2022: Why are Donetsk and Luhansk in Ukraine’s Donbas region a flash point for Putin?, The New York Times, 21 February 2022: Putin Orders Troops to Separatist Regions and Recognizes Their Independence, Politico.eu, 22 February 2022: UK sanctions five Russian banks and three oligarchs, CNN, 22 February 2022: Russia is already paying a hefty financial price for its aggression, France24, 22 February 2022: Jens Stoltenberg, NATO Secretary General: ‘This is a crisis created by Russia alone’, Politico.eu, 22 February 2022: Germany shelves Nord Stream 2 pipeline (now the same ones will be crawling out from under their rocks and out of their caves who were already of the opinion in 2014 that Russia would be able to cope even if the West stopped buying oil and gas at all, especially since one could finally sell to China. Sure, just like in 2014, you could also sell to China in 2022, but then as now at significantly reduced purchase prices than those paid by the West. Since the Russian state budget is dependent on the income, it will have the already known consequences: Real wages continue to fall, investments cannot or only partially take place, Russian in-house production, including in the food sector, is of ridiculous quality and the Russian economy is still decoupling further away from the world market than it has already done. As a small foretaste, the Russian stock exchanges reacted to the “positive prospects” with a price drop of 17%. As usual, Putin’s far-sightedness extends to the tip of his own nose), France24, 22 February 2022: Live: Ukraine minister urges EU to promise future membership, BBC, 22 February 2022: Putin’s angry speech rewriting Ukraine’s history, The Guardian, 22 February 2022: As Putin’s tanks roll into Ukraine, he knows exactly who to feel sorry for: himself, CNN, 22 February 2022: Putin’s speech was shocking to many, but not to people in Kyiv, BBC, 22 February 2022: Russia orders troops into eastern Ukraine, The Guardian, 22 February 2022: Live Ukraine crisis: ‘an invasion is under way’, US says of Russian troop deployment, France24, 22 February 2022: Defying West, Putin orders troops to pro-Russian breakaway regions of east Ukraine, BBC, 22 February 2022: West sanctions Russia after Ukraine escalation, The Guardian, 22 February 2022: ‘This is a bumpy long road’: The mood among Moscow residents, Politico.com, 22 February 2022: Russia-Ukraine Conflict: White House official: ‘This is the beginning of an invasion’, France24, 22 February 2022: France condemns Putin’s ‘paranoid’ speech on Ukraine, The Times, 22 February 2022: Johnson announces Russia sanctions as Germany halts Nord Stream 2, Irish Times, 22 February 2022: Ukraine-Russia: EU to ban lending to Russian central bank after Putin orders troops over border, The National, 22 February 2022: EU sanctions Russia in ‘answer to grave violations’ in Ukraine, Al Arabiya, 22 February 2022: Biden cuts Western financing for Russian sovereign debt in first tranche of sanctions, DW, 22 February 2022: Ukraine crisis: EU agrees to Russia sanctions package, The New York Times, 22 February 2022: U.S. and Allies Pause Pipeline and Cut Off Bank Financing, The Washington Post, 22 February 2022: U.S., allies announce sanctions after Russian troops enter eastern Ukraine, The New Yorker, 22 February 2022: Putin Launches His Invasion of Ukraine, The Atlantic, 22 February 2022: The Russian Incursion No One Is Talking About, NPR, 22 February 2022: Why Luhansk and Donetsk are key to understanding the latest escalation in Ukraine, Dutch News, 22 February 2022: Putin is showing ‘total paranoia’, Dutch PM says as Ukraine crisis escalates, France24, 22 February 2022: Ukraine crisis: Ukraine declares state of emergency, calls on citizens in Russia to come home, CNN, 22 February 2022: Russia is already paying a hefty financial price for its aggression, Forward, 22 February 2022: Eastern Ukraine’s Jews brace for food shortages and antisemitic provocations, France24, 22 February 2022: Moldova, then Georgia, now Ukraine: How Russia built ‘bridgeheads into post-Soviet space’, CNN, 23 February 2022: Trump sides with Putin as Biden tries to stop a war, France24, 23 February 2022: Ukraine crisis: A low-cost disinformation campaign aids Putin’s playbook, CNN, 23 February 2022: US warns full-scale invasion of Ukraine could be imminent, Gulf News, 23 February 2022: War fears mount as Ukraine declares state of emergency, summons citizens home from Russia, The National, 23 February 2022: Zelenskyy: Putin refused talks and has approved Russian offensive, Haaretz, 23 February 2022: Ukraine Crisis? Time to Call It the Putin Crisis, The National, 23 February 2022: Ukraine imposes state of emergency amid Russia threat, Gulf News, 23 February 2022: Russia’s richest lose $32b as Ukraine crisis deepens, BBC, 23 February 2022: Ukraine tells citizens to leave Russia immediately, The National, 23 February 2022: Russia’s super-rich shed $32bn in net worth as Ukraine crisis escalates, BBC, 23 February 2022: Ukrainian rebels ask Russia for military aid, The Guardian, 23 February 2022: Live Ukraine crisis: self-proclaimed republics of Luhansk and Donetsk ask Russia for military aid, Irish Times, 23 February 2022: Ukraine declares state of emergency and urges citizens to leave Russia, The Atlantic, 23 February 2022: How Much Will the West Sacrifice for Ukraine?, Politico.eu, 23 February 2022: EU targets Putin’s inner circle with sanctions, Los Angeles Times, 23 February 2022: Russia attacks Ukraine, The Washington Post, 23 February 2022: Russia attacks Ukraine
2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine – 24 February 2022 to present
@ Viewsridge/cc-by-sa-4.0
As was to be expected after the Russian troop deployment around Ukraine, the insane war criminal and state terrorist Putin has now attacked and raided other parts of Ukraine in the most serious breaches of international law. Of course, this is also the result of complete failure and complete misjudgments on the part of Western governments (which apparently assumed that the 150,000 Russian soldiers were only stationed around Ukraine to organize a big picnic there. Nobody could expect that they are only there to invade Ukraine – at least not if you are a political decision-maker and that despite the fact that Putin has been at war with Ukraine since 2014), above all the Federal Government under Chancellor Scholz, to show Putin clear boundaries, to initiate military containment measures upfront and in addition to strengthen the Ukraine militarily upfront so that the country would be able to build up a credible deterrent in the first place. It’s too late for that now. In the matter, of course, the aggressor is Putin, but in order to be able to escalate to such an extent, various Western governments first encouraged and enabled him through hyperventilating activism on the one hand and completely doing nothing in creating existential foundations, like weaponery and trainings for the Ukrainian army on the other. Security and defense policy is not for beginners, Sunday speakers, name or dream dancers, peace activists or Putin apologists, but for real politicians who have both feet on the ground based on facts and therefor, unlike the aforementioned, don’t fall on their backs when there is some unpleasant headwind. For years it has been clear, even to the half-blind, where Putin’s journey is headed to. The fact that the EU states, among others, have turned a blind eye to this, instead of pursuing a credible security and defense policy by building up a powerful EU army to supplement NATO, can at best be judged as grossly negligent. In some cases, intent must be assumed. In 2022, anyone who utters sentences like “We couldn’t have imagined that Putin…” or “We were completely surprised that Putin…” has apparently been living under a rock for years and should immediately be stripped of any form of (government) responsibility, because such people pose significant security risks for the 460 million EU citizens who can see in the coming months what will happen to the suffering Ukrainians, also thanks to the failure of western governments and can also happen to them if the current course of the common security and defense policy is maintained. The severely disturbed Putin will not succeed in developing Russia into the Soviet Union 2.0 and certainly not into a superpower, because the country is not designed for that at all in its constitution, but he will probably stir things up for a while. As can be seen from Putin’s escalation of his war in Ukraine, any idiot can fire a gun. Above all, you become a superpower through economic power, a stable democracy, a large reach and strong friends. None of this applies to Putin’s Russia, and it will remain so. As the great US President Barack Obama rightly pointed out, Russia is a regional power (albeit one with a well-equipped military and nuclear weapons). The country is rich in natural resources, but has not made anything out of it, which is why the population has to continue to live in abject poverty. Wars are, of course, basically no fun events. The good mood is kept within narrow limits until the days after which it is finally over. At the same time, right now we are not in the situation or position to bury our heads in the sand or indulge in our own fears. The citizens of Ukraine count on our support and help against Putin’s war. We must neither deny nor deny them either. What knowledge gains remain after such a day?- The NATO Founding Act of 1997 has come to an end. This has historical significance and relevance for all that is to come.
- Even in Europe, the territorial integrity of states under international law (Article 2(4) of the Charter of the United Nations) is not worth the paper it is written on and the Russian approach will find imitators around the world.
- Putin and his followers have now managed to isolate the country and make it a pariah. The West should support his efforts to the extent that all economic and political relations are completely broken off for the time being.
- the consequence of this day for the EU can only mean what has been discussed in this blog for years, namely to significantly increase operational and combat readiness, as well as the military budgets to get back into the position permanently and at a high level level to be operational and ready to fight together. Today also shows once again that months of negotiations from a position of weakness, in which one can only write begging letters because one has lost the powerful fly swatter, do not lead to an acceptable result, but on the contrary have an inspiring effect on the other side. There are far too many madmen in positions of power for the EU to continue to have glaring weaknesses here. It must be ensured that, in case of doubt, foreign policy measures can also be enforced with the help of heavy metal, because only that is the language that the other side(s) understands.
- Every government of an EU state must be obliged to think carefully and with foresight in terms of security and defense policy on a permanent and long-term basis and to act accordingly in order to prevent situations like the one we are currently experiencing from arising in the future or even worse, as they are at present , apparently to be surprised by a development that has been foreseeable for a long time. Anything else is completely irresponsible and unacceptable.
- nationalistic pettiness coupled with pretended “historical responsibility” (even if one takes “historical responsibility” seriously, Ukraine would have clear priority over Russia in this regard) are ultimately just a fig leaf for “cowardice in the face of the enemy”. Gone are the days when you could afford it. Yesterday Russia invaded Moldova, Georgia, Crimea and eastern Ukraine, today Russia invades all of the rest of Ukraine, tomorrow the Baltics, Romania, Bulgaria and Poland. How long does the simple-minded German Michel think he can talk himself out of it before he too will admit that he is neither innocent of the development nor can he stay out of it? Something can be done about military weakness, but there is still no cure for ignorance, arrogance and stupidity.
On a personal note, I’m a “cold war kid” and was in my early to mid 20s when the Berlin wall fell and shortly afterwards the Soviet Union as well. Even as children we were taught not to believe anything that the Russian state propaganda was trumpeting, but to wait and see what at least two credible western sources believed to be correct has been verified. There was no internet for private use, so the filters worked quite well. That still has an effect today. Real trust in the Russian leadership and its subordinates and systemlings could not arise, also because of the general behavior in Russia. In this respect, the news of Putin’s expansion of the war against Ukraine did not surprise me at all, especially since it was simply to be expected. It seemed less credible to me that Putin would position 150,000 troops around Ukraine and then withdraw them again because he was so impressed by the numerous Western sitting circles because of him. In addition to the Ukrainians, I also feel bad for the under-30s in the West who have been exposed to unfiltered, (pro-)Russian propaganda on social networks for years and who have not been “immunized” against the propaganda and have not been prepared for the real dangers in dealing with Russia, because they are now completely helpless and torn without knowing how to deal with the situation, what the prospects are or what they can do positive in this situation for themselves and others. Of course, it is clear that it is not “the Russians” who are waging war, but Putin and his henchmen, who send Russian soldiers to their deaths without hesitation in order to enforce their own completely disturbed world view, at least regionally, and stuff their pockets with money, while the Russian population will become even poorer than it already is.
The Guardian, 24 February 2022: Live Ukraine crisis: Russia plans to ‘encircle and threaten Kyiv’, Blinken says, Al Arabiya, 24 February 2022: Ukraine FM says Russia carrying out ‘full-scale attack’, NPR, 24 February 2022: Explosions are heard in Ukraine after Putin announces a Russian invasion, Al Arabiya, 24 February 2022: Russia plans on ‘decapitating’ Ukraine’s government: US defense official, The Guardian, 24 February 2022: Full report: Ukraine fights for its survival as Putin presses forward, The New York Times, 24 February 2022: Live Updates: Russia Begins Invasion of Ukraine From Land and Sea, Al Arabiya, 24 February 2022: Explainer: What to know as Russia attacks Ukraine, The Guardian, 24 February 2022: ‘No to war’: Thousands join anti-war protests in Russia after Ukraine invasion, CNN, 24 February 2022: US secretary of state says evidence suggests “Russia intends to encircle and threaten Kyiv”, Arab News, 24 February 2022: IAEA says Ukraine nuclear power plants running safely, no ‘destruction’ at Chernobyl, The Times, 24 February 2022: How will Nato respond to the war in Ukraine?, Irish Times, 24 February 2022: Russia invades Ukraine: 57 reported dead, tens of thousands flee homes amid ‘dark hours’ for Europe, The Guardian, 24 February 2022: First day of invasion Airstrikes at dawn as Russia begins ‘war of aggression’, Al Arabiya, 24 February 2022: Germany’s chancellor: Russia is trying to wipe Ukraine off the map, Haaretz, 24 February 2022: ‘I Don’t Know Why He’s There’: Russian Mothers Say Soldiers Tricked Into Going to Ukraine, Irish Times, 24 February 2022: Ukraine latest: Biden says Russia will be ‘a pariah’ as US outlines further sanctions, The Times, 24 February 2022: Ukraine invasion: latest pictures, DW, 24 February 2022: Germany has to wake up to Russia, BBC, 24 February 2022: How hard will it be to defend Ukraine?, The New Yorker, 24 February 2022: Putin’s Historic Miscalculation May Make Him a War Criminal (just have a look at Syria, to understand that Putin already is a war criminal), Irish Times, 24 February 2022: Shock and shame in Berlin as Russians and Ukrainians face reality of war, The Guardian, 24 February 2022: Swift: What is the payments network and what would shutting Russia out of it achieve?, Arab News, 24 February 2022: UN human rights chief calls on Moscow to halt its assault on Ukraine, CNN, 24 February 2022: Here’s what Biden has said about sending US troops to Ukraine, Irish Times, 24 February 2022: Ukraine’s second city wakes to war, Daniel McLaughlin reports from Kharkiv, BBC, 24 February 2022: Ukraine warns of new iron curtain as Russia invades, The Times, 24 February 2022: Hundreds arrested in anti-war protests across Russia, Irish Times, 24 February 2022: Attack on Ukraine will cost Russia dearly, Biden warns, The Guardian, 24 February 2022: Putin: Decision to invade Ukraine raises questions over ‘sense of reality’, Al Arabiya, 24 February 2022: Some Kyiv residents try to flee, others stock up after Russia attacks, BBC, 24 February 2022: Ukraine invasion: Russia’s attack in maps, Irish Times, 24 February 2022: Lara Marlowe: Negotiations masked Putin’s plan to invade Ukraine, The Times, 24 February 2022: Johnson targets Russian banks and oligarchs with ‘severe’ sanctions, BBC, 24 February 2022: Ukraine deaths as battles rage after Russia invasion, The Guardian, 24 February 2022: Russia’s invasion of Ukraine will change the face of Europe for ever, Al Arabiya, 24 February 2022: Russian cyberattacks on Ukraine could worsen amid armed conflict: Expert, Irish Times, 24 February 2022: The Irish Times view on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine: Europe enters a dark new era, Jerusalem Post, 24 February 2022: The Ukraine-Russia conflict echoes loudly in the Middle East, The Times, 24 February 2022: A dark day for Europe, CNN, 24 February 2022: How to provide aid to those in Ukraine, France24, 24 February 2022: Live: Kyiv in ‘defensive phase’ as Russian forces enter Ukraine’s capital, BBC, 24 February 2022: ‘Turning point in history’ – World leaders react, The Guardian, 24 February 2022: Eight sobering realities about Putin’s invasion of Ukraine, BBC, 24 February 2022: ‘Ecological disaster’ warning as Chernobyl seized, CNN, 25 February 2022: Russian forces seize control of Chernobyl nuclear plant and hold staff hostage: Ukrainian officials, France24, 25 February 2022: EU Foreign Policy Chief Josep Borrell: ‘Nobody can trust Putin’ after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Al Arabiya, 25 February 2022: EU targets Russian economy after ‘deluded autocrat’ invasion of Ukraine, Irish Times, 25 February 2022: ‘We don’t want to leave’: Fear and defiance in Ukraine as country faces all-out war, CNN, 25 February 2022: Russia says it has captured an airport outside Kyiv but UK says overall progress has been ‘limited’, France24, 25 February 2022: In pictures: Ukrainians face Russia’s military assault, Al Arabiya, 25 February 2022: Russia has ‘complete air superiority’ over Ukraine: Western intel official, The Times, 25 February 2022: Fog of war descends to obscure the fate of markets, The National, 25 February 2022: Fight or flight: Ukrainians forced to make hard choices as war unfolds, CNN, 25 February 2022: Six maps explaining the Ukraine-Russia conflict, France24, 25 February 2022: ‘Ukraine is not our enemy’: In Russia, hundreds arrested in anti-war protests, Gulf Times, 25 February 2022: Ukraine soldiers battle Russian troops in capital, CNN, 25 February 2022: Ukraine and Russia’s militaries are David and Goliath. Here’s how they compare, Haaretz, 25 February 2022: Russia Summons Israeli Envoy Over Statements Supporting Ukraine, Gulf News, 25 February 2022: World leaders fine-tune punitive measures against Russia, Politico.eu, 25 February 2022: China’s Xi asks Putin to negotiate with Ukraine, The National, 25 February 2022: Beyond the Headlines: Kiev under siege, CNN, 25 February 2022: What does Putin want in Ukraine? The conflict explained, Al Arabiya, 25 February 2022: Russia facing ‘greater resistance’ than expected from Ukraine: US defense official, France24, 25 February 2022: Putin calls on Ukrainian army to ‘take power’ into own hands (if the situation weren’t so dangerous, one would actually have to laugh out loud: Russian state terrorist and war criminal Putin seriously accuses Ukraine of “mass murder of Russians,” which isn’t happening at all, while Putin himself wants to wipe out Ukraine and all Ukrainians with it. It is hard to gauge how far Putin has already departed from reality), Gulf Times, 25 February 2022: Thousands cross borders out of Ukraine, men told to stay and fight, Al Arabiya, 25 February 2022: NATO leaders agree to bolster eastern forces after invasion, Politico.eu, 25 February 2022: Ukraine slams West’s inaction as Russian forces bear down on Kyiv, Gulf News, 25 February 2022: Dramatic photos show Russia’s attack on Ukraine as it unfolds, Politico.com, 25 February 2022: NATO deploys troops to eastern flank as Russian attack escalates in Ukraine, Al Arabiya, 25 February 2022: US sanctions Russia’s Putin, Lavrov and other top officials after Ukraine invasion, The National, 25 February 2022: Nato deploying rapid reaction force for the first time to defend eastern borders, Forward, 25 February 2022: Jewish history is repeating itself in Ukraine. This time, we must fight Putin back, Irish Times, 25 February 2022: ‘The situation now is threatening for Kyiv’, says mayor as Russian missiles pound the city, Los Angeles Times, 25 February 2022: Ukrainian brothers — former world boxing champs — ready to fight Russian troops, Times of Israel, 25 February 2022: US says Russian forces lose momentum to stiff Ukraine resistance, Politico.eu, 25 February 2022: EU to freeze Putin and Lavrov’s assets, Forward, 25 February 2022: Claiming “De-Nazification,” Putin’s actions recall other Nazi crimes, Al Arabiya, 25 February 2022: US troops in Latvia tells Putin ‘don’t mess with us,’ minister says, Arab News, 25 February 2022: LIVE: Russian invasion of Ukraine enters second day, Politico.com, 25 February 2022: Russia-Ukraine conflict: What Does Putin Really Want?, BBC, 25 February 2022: Snake Island: Ukraine says soldiers killed after refusing to surrender (Snake Island, Attack on Snake Island, Hero of Ukraine), CNN, 25 February 2022: Soldiers’ defiant last words as Russian warship targets Snake Island, Politico.eu, 25 February 2022: ‘Go fuck yourself,’ Ukrainian soldiers on Snake Island tell Russian ship before being killed, Jerusalem Post, 25 February 2022: After Ukraine, Russia warns Finland of ‘military reprecussions’ if it joins NATO, The Hill, 25 February 2022: Cell phone carriers waive charges, allow free long-distance calling to Ukraine, The Atlantic, 25 February 2022: Bury the Old World Order, Al Arabiya, 25 February 2022: Council of Europe suspends Russia over Ukraine invasion, Times of Israel, 25 February 2022: Russia ejected from rights body, loses sports hosting roles, ousted from Eurovision, The National, 25 February 2022: Russia-Ukraine war latest: Russia military ordered to advance, The Guardian, 25 February 2022: Where has fighting been focused on day two of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine?, Jerusalem Post, 25 February 2022: Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is the death of international law, Al Arabiya, 25 February 2022: Ukrainian expats protest in Jordan capital against Russia’s invasion, CNN, 25 February 2022: NATO Response Force activated for first time, The Times, 25 February 2022: Ukraine’s resilience raises the stakes for Russian troops, The Guardian, 25 February 2022: Live Russia-Ukraine latest: explosions heard in Kyiv; Nato to deploy more troops to eastern Europe, Times of Israel, 25 February 2022: For some Russian-speaking Israelis, Putin is a hero; others would ‘kill the bastard’, Forward, 25 February 2022: Here’s how to help Ukraine’s Jewish community, CNN, 25 February 2022: Biden instructs State Department to release up to $350 million in security assistance to Ukraine, The New York Times, 25 February 2022: Russia vetoes a U.N. Security Council resolution calling on it to withdraw from Ukraine., The Guardian, 25 February 2022: Explainer: Where has fighting been focused on day two of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine?, The Times, 25 February 2022: Russian invasion of Ukraine: the latest pictures, CNN, 25 February 2022: Seven crucial questions about Putin’s war on Ukraine, The Guardian, 25 February 2022: Russia’s war in Ukraine: Complete guide in maps, video and pictures, Al Arabiya, 25 February 2022: Russia says it is surprised by Lebanon’s condemnation of invasion, The Guardian, 25 February 2022: Effort under way to challenge Russia’s right to seat on UN security council, CNN, 25 February 2022: Video shows explosion after fighter jet shot down, official says, The Times, 25 February 2022: Mikhail Khodorkovsky: ‘I thought Putin was a new type of leader but he’s a madman’, The Guardian, 25 February 2022: ‘It’s not rational’: Putin’s bizarre speech wrecks his once pragmatic image, DW, 25 February 2022: Ukraine will survive — but the West should be ashamed, NPR, 25 February 2022: Russia vetoes UN Security Council resolution that denounces its invasion of Ukraine, CNN, 25 February 2022: Europe finds itself in a bind over Ukraine response at the end of a truly dreadful week, The Guardian, 25 February 2022: We’re appalled by Putin now, but be clear: the west gave him the green light, Al Arabiya, 25 February 2022: EU approves Russian asset freeze that includes President Putin and Sergey Lavrov, BBC, 25 February 2022: Ukraine conflict: Champions League final moved from Russia & F1 GP cancelled, The Times, 25 February 2022: Ukraine arms civilians as Russians advance on Kyiv, The Guardian, 25 February 2022: It’s Putin’s tale of two cities – London for his oligarchs, Kyiv for his bombs, The Times, 25 February 2022: Ukraine arms civilians as Russians advance on Kyiv, Irish Times, 25 February 2022: German rude awakening on Russia infuriates Poland, Gulf News, 26 February 2022: Months of planning, warnings: How conflict has unfolded, CNN, 26 February 2022: Putin’s war was launched on a runway of lies, Gulf News, 26 February 2022: Russia attacks Ukraine: Ukrainians shelter in subway stations, basements, BBC, 26 February 2022: Ukraine maps: Tracking Russia’s invasion, Gulf News, 26 February 2022: Russia attacks Ukraine: Scenes from the frontlines, CNN, 26 February 2022: Annexations, a rump state or puppet rulers. Here’s what Putin may be planning for Ukraine, BBC, 26 February 2022: Ukraine’s Zelensky asks citizens to resist and Europe to do more, The National, 26 February 2022: Russia launches missile and artillery barrage on Ukrainian cities, Gulf News, 26 February 2022: TV comedian president finds his role as wartime leader, CNN, 26 February 2022: US to impose sanctions on Putin following Ukraine invasion, BBC, 26 February 2022: Kyiw warns of sabotage groups as curfew imposed, The National, 26 February 2022: Germany lifts block on sending lethal weapons to Ukraine, Times of Israel, 26 February 2022: Russia bans words ‘invasion’ and ‘assault’ in media, warns several outlets, The Washington Post, 26 February 2022: U.S. and allies vow to cut off some Russian banks from key network, Arab News, 26 February 2022: Ukraine’s leader vows to continue fighting Russian assault as he appeals for more outside help, The Washington Post, 26 February 2022: ‘Weapons to anyone’: Across Ukraine, militias form as Russian forces approach their cities, Jerusalem Post, 26 February 2022: Israel fails to sign onto US text condemning Russia at UNSC, The Washington Post, 26 February 2022: Campaigns to boycott Russia build momentum, Los Angeles Times, 26 February 2022: U.S., European allies bar Russian banks from critical SWIFT banking network, Times of Israel, 26 February 2022: As Ukraine puts up a fight, Germany and others begin stepping up military aid, The Washington Post, 26 February 2022: Ukrainians flee to E.U. nations, including some that previously spurned refugees, CNN, 26 February 2022: Battle rages for strategic bridge in southern Ukraine after days of fighting, Los Angeles Times, 26 February 2022: Three maps explaining the Russia-Ukraine conflict, CNN, 26 February 2022: Two vast explosions seen in Kyiv appear to be around Vasylkil, Politico.eu, 26 February 2022: Protesters take to the streets across Europe to oppose invasion of Ukraine, Haaretz, 26 February 2022: Vladimir Putin Is Not Adolf Hitler, but the Echoes Are More Than Troubling, CNN, 26 February 2022: There have been “more than 250” missile launches by Russians at Ukraine as of this morning, US official says, Politico.com, 26 February 2022: Half of Russian troops amassed around Ukraine now invading, U.S. says, The Washington Post, 26 February 2022: Mapping the Russian invasion of Ukraine, CNN, 26 February 2022: In pictures: Protests across the world show support for Ukraine, Politico.com, 26 February 2022: White House asks Congress for extra $6.4B to help Ukraine, The New York Times, 26 February 2022: Live Updates: Russia Bombards Kyiv in Renewed Night Assault, Los Angeles Times, 26 February 2022: Ukrainian forces fight to hold on to Kyiv amid Russian onslaught, The Hill, 26 February 2022: Biden says Putin is ‘producing the exact opposite effect that he intended’, CNN, 26 February 2022: Zelensky refuses US offer to evacuate, saying ‘I need ammunition, not a ride’, Politico.eu, 26 February 2022: Putin’s miscalculation, DW, 26 February 2022: Ukraine: Kyiv fights back against Russian assault, The Hill, 26 February 2022: US, allies to kick certain Russian banks out of SWIFT banking system, New York Magazine, 26 February 2022: The Seize of Moscow, France24, 26 February 2022: Cancellations, revocations and repudiations: Russia becomes persona non grata in sport, The New York Times, 26 February 2022: See where the fighting is taking place across Ukraine., The Hill, 26 February 2022: Live coverage: US officials say Russia frustrated with Ukraine’s resistance, DW, 26 February 2022: Ukraine: Anti-war protests take place around the world, France24, 26 February 2022: War in Ukraine: Invasion takes Russians near the border by surprise, NPR, 26 February 2022: Select Russian banks are being booted off the SWIFT bank messaging system, The New Yorker, 26 February 2022: Putin’s Bloody Folly in Ukraine, DW, 26 February 2022: Germany reverses ban on weapon sales to Ukraine — as it happened, France24, 26 February 2022: France, allies preparing ‘crushing’ sanctions on Russia, foreign ministry says, BBC, 26 February 2022: Ukraine: France seizes Russian ship over sanctions, The Hill, 26 February 2022: People around the world protest Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Politico.eu, 26 February 2022: Germany to send Ukraine weapons in historic shift on military aid, France24, 26 February 2022: As it happened: Kyiv under curfew as France, Germany pledge to arm Ukraine, DW, 26 February 2022: EU, US, UK to exclude some Russian banks from SWIFT, Irish Times, 26 February 2022: Ukrainians and Russians gather in Dublin as bombs rain down on Kyiv, Al Arabiya, 26 February 2022: Finland, Sweden comments on NATO show how Putin miscalculated: President Biden, NPR, 26 February 2022: A part of the NATO treaty could turn Russia’s invasion of Ukraine into a wider war, Al Arabiya, 26 February 2022: US will provide $350 million in new military aid to Ukraine: Blinken, BBC, 26 February 2022: Roman Abramovich gives Chelsea ‘stewardship’ to trustees of charitable arm, Al Arabiya, 26 February 2022: Russian army ordered to broaden Ukraine advance: Defense ministry, The Hill, 26 February 2022: Russian military threatens Ukraine nuclear power plant, Al Arabiya, 26 February 2022: Russia-bound cargo ship intercepted by French navy in English Channel, Reuters, 26 February 2022: Chechen leader, a close Putin ally, says his forces have deployed to Ukraine, Al Arabiya, 26 February 2022: Russia watchdog bans media from using ‘invasion, assault’ in Ukraine attack reports, France24, 26 February 2022: Poland, Sweden refuse to play Russia as Abramovich hands over Chelsea control, Al Arabiya, 26 February 2022: Chechnya forces deployed in Ukraine: Kadyrov, Irish Times, 26 February 2022: ‘Stop Putin, stop war’: Protests sweep Europe against Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Al Arabiya, 26 February 2022: Russia vetoes UN Security action on Ukraine as China, India abstains, Politico.eu, 26 February 2022: What if Putin attacks NATO next?, The Washington Post, 26 February 2022: Germany abandons muted approach to aid for Ukraine, sending weapons and green-lighting sanctions, The Times, 26 February 2022: Volunteers hunt traitors and Kremlin spies as paranoia grips Kyiv, Politico.com, 26 February 2022: Half of Russian troops amassed around Ukraine now invading, U.S. says , The Times, 26 February 2022: Inside Putin’s mind: absolute power blinds the new tsar, Al Arabiya, 26 February 2022: Germany to supply Ukraine with anti-tank weapons, missiles: Chancellor Scholz, The Times, 26 February 2022: Taking on Putin with peashooters, Politico.eu, 26 February 2022: Putin’s European pals have to eat their words, The Times, 26 February 2022: Back to the new USSR, Putin’s empire of profit, Foreign Policy, 26 February 2022: China and Russia’s Friendship in Ukraine Is Without Benefits, Gulf News, 27 February 2022: Russia attacks Ukraine: People in Kyiv take cover as Russian troops approach, BBC, 27 February 2022: Ukraine conflict: Your guide to understanding day three, CNN, 27 February 2022: Norway says its sovereign fund will divest from Russia, Foreign Policy, 27 February 2022: 3 Things the World Should Know About Putin, BBC, 27 February 2022: How badly will Russia be hit by new sanctions?, DW, 27 February 2022: Ukraine: Russian strikes hit energy installations — live updates, BBC, 27 February 2022: Putin puts nuclear deterrent on ‘special alert’, DW, 27 February 2022: Germany’s reversal on Ukraine weapons policy ‘response to Putin’s aggression’, BBC, 27 February 2022: Ukraine invasion: Russian planes face near-total airspace ban to west, DW, 27 February 2022: German Chancellor holds speech on Russian invasion of Ukraine, France24, 27 February 2022: Live: Ukraine agrees to talks with Russia at Belarusian border, The Guardian, 27 February 2022: Kharkiv: Governor claims Russian troops repelled from city, CNN, 27 February 2022: Molotov cocktails and personal arms. See how Ukrainians are fighting back, BBC, 27 February 2022: Russia central bank urges calm amid cash run fears, France24, 27 February 2022: Nations ban Russian planes from their ‘democratic skies’, The Guardian, 27 February 2022: Full report: Vladimir Putin puts Russia’s nuclear deterrence forces on high alert, CNN, 27 February 2022: Putin orders deterrence forces — which includes nuclear arms — to be put on high alert (meanwhile, state terrorist and war criminal Putin is apparently so nervous about the prospect of a crushing defeat in his war on Ukraine that, after only four days of conventional war, his only option left is the nuclear card. Who would have thought that a bunch of Ukrainian militias could cause so much trouble for the self-proclaimed “superpower” Russia? Good thing and “move on”!), BBC, 27 February 2022: Ukraine invasion: Kharkiv fighting ‘like Star Wars above your head’, The National, 27 February 2022: Japan sanctions Russia’s Putin over Ukraine invasion, The Guardian, 27 February 2022: Flight bans Germany, Italy and France join airspace block on Russian aircraft, France24, 27 February 2022: Putin orders nuclear forces on high alert (it is remarkable how many people are unsettled by Madman Putin because of the “alertness of the Russian nuclear forces”: 1. The nuclear forces are always on alert in order to be able to react immediately to first strikes with second strikes. 2. If you use your nuclear arsenal first, you only die second, so you gain nothing. 3. What some people seem to overlook is that the West is also very well equipped with nuclear weapons. So Putin’s “threat” with the nuclear card is the announcement of a passive suicide. Too cowardly to hold the gun to his own forehead, he tries to provoke a situation where the West does it for him), The National, 27 February 2022: US says Putin nuclear high alert order part of pattern of manufacturing threats, CNN, 27 February 2022: Ukrainian foreign minister: Putin’s nuclear readiness move attempts to put pressure on Ukraine, Arab News, 27 February 2022: EU to ban Russian state media RT and Sputnik says von der Leyen, The Guardian, 27 February 2022: Ukraine: Volodymyr Zelenskiy appeals for foreign volunteers to join fight against Russia, The National, 27 February 2022: EU funds purchase of weapons for Ukraine, steps up Russia sanctions, targets Belarus, Arab News, 27 February 2022: Thousands protest against Russia across European cities, Haaretz, 27 February 2022: The Israeli Kettle and the Russian Pot, Times of Israel, 27 February 2022: Putin’s claim to rid Ukraine of Nazis is especially absurd given its history, The Washington Post, 27 February 2022: A Ukrainian ‘IT army’ is fighting Russian propaganda, The New York Times, 27 February 2022: Ukraine Invasion Tests Ties Between Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping, Irish Times, 27 February 2022: Russian military admits that some of its troops have been killed and wounded in Ukraine, Los Angeles Times, 27 February 2022: Russians hold anti-war rallies amid ominous threats by Putin, The Atlantic, 27 February 2022: Who is Vladimir Putin’s Revisionist History For?, Irish Times, 27 February 2022: Ireland to fund provision of non-lethal equipment to Ukrainian military, The Guardian, 27 February 2022: Live Russia-Ukraine: US condemns Putin’s nuclear deterrence order; EU to buy arms for Ukraine, The Sunday Times, 27 February 2022: Germany hikes defence spending as allies expel Russia from Swift banking system, France24, 27 February 2022: Russia’s faithful conflicted over Ukraine war, The Guardian, 27 February 2022: Media: EU to ban Russian state-backed channels RT and Sputnik, Gulf News, 28 February 2022: Russia attacks Ukraine: ICC to investigate alleged war crimes, The National, 28 February 2022: Russia-Ukraine war latest: US states move to punish Russia for war, The New York Times, 28 February 2022: Ukraine Presents a Moral Crisis, Not Just a Military One, Gulf News, 28 February 2022: A look at West’s toughest sanctions yet on Russia, Forward, 28 February 2022: In Ukraine, a long history of Russian crimes against Jews, The National, 28 February 2022: Turkey blocks warships from Bosphorus and Dardanelle straits, The New York Times, 28 February 2022: Switzerland, setting aside a tradition of neutrality, said it would freeze Russian assets., Gulf News, 28 February 2022: FIFA throws Russian team out of World Cup, IOC calls for Russia sports ban, The National, 28 February 2022: Levee en masse: The old law of war guiding Ukraine’s citizen soldiers, The New York Times, 28 February 2022: Sanctions Leave Russian Economy Reeling, Times of Israel, 28 February 2022: War crimes likely being committed in Ukraine, The Hague says, opening probe, The National, 28 February 2022: ‘Syria Was Putin’s Laboratory. Now He’s Taking His Methods to Ukraine’, NPR, 28 February 2022: Russia’s central bank doubles a key interest rate as sanctions spark economic turmoil, Arab News, 28 February 2022: World must prove that might does not make right, The New York Times, 28 February 2022: Live Updates: Ukrainians Flee as Russia Bombards Civilians, Jerusalem Post, 28 February 2022: ICC prosecutor to proceed with investigation into alleged war crimes in Ukraine, France24, 28 February 2022: ‘Putin is weak when we are together,’ says ex-Ukrainian president Poroshenko, Al Arabiya, 28 February 2022: US orders Russian diplomats expelled from country for ‘espionage activities’, Los Angeles Times, 28 February 2022: Putin’s fears of a unified, stronger Europe are fast becoming a self-fulfilling prophecy, Haaretz, 28 February 2022: Two Jewish-Russian Oligarchs Call to End ‘Bloodshed’ in Ukraine, France24, 28 February 2022: Live: Presidents of 8 EU states call for immediate talks on Ukrainian membership, The Hill, 28 February 2022: Multinationals flee Russia, punishing Moscow, Al Arabiya, 28 February 2022: Ukraine offers amnesty and money to Russian soldiers who lay down their weapons, Los Angeles Times, 28 February 2022: Russians line up at banks as ruble plunges, interest rates jump and sanctions bite, Miami Herald, 28 February 2022: Dan Le Batard: With war raging in their home country, Klitschko brothers fight for their beloved Ukraine, The National, 28 February 2022: Russia’s military vulnerability exposed by Ukraine hardware, Al Arabiya, 28 February 2022: Russian rocket strikes kill 11 in Ukrainian city of Kharkiv, says regional official, France24, 28 February 2022: Belarus approves hosting nuclear weapons, Russian forces permanently, Arab News, 28 February 2022: Turkey blocks warships from Bosphorus, Dardanelles, The Hill, 28 February 2022: Live coverage: Russian military convoy stretching 40 miles outside Kyiv, Politico.com, 28 February 2022: Russia-Ukraine conflict: European plan to donate fighter jets to Ukraine collapses, France24, 28 February 2022: ‘Take oligarchs’ Riviera villas’: Ukraine war hijacks French presidential campaign, Miami Herald, 28 February 2022: Does Miami have a Little Russia or a Little Ukraine? This is where the war hits home, BBC, 28 February 2022: Day 5: Tracking Russia’s invasion in maps, CNN, 28 February 2022: Russia is waking up to sanctions. The West must not stop here, The Atlantic, 28 February 2022: What Volodymyr Zelensky’s Courage Says About the West, The Hill, 28 February 2022: US sees Putin nuke threat as posturing, CNN, 28 February 2022: Two Russian oligarchs call for an end to Putin’s war, Los Angeles Times, 28 February 2022: Zelensky is beating Putin — at least in the public relations battle, France24, 28 February 2022: From the Maidan protests to Russia’s invasion: Eight years of conflict in Ukraine, BBC, 28 February 2022: Fresh fighting forces Kyiv residents back into shelters, CNN, 28 February 2022: Ukrainian intel suggests Belarus is prepared to join Russian invasion and US suspends operations at embassy, The Atlantic, 28 February 2022: Putin Accidentally Revitalized the West’s Liberal Order, The Washington Post, 28 February 2022: In just 72 hours, Europe overhauled its entire post-Cold War relationship with Russia, CNN, 28 February 2022: The first five days of Russia’s Ukraine invasion have not gone well. Here’s why, The Hill, 28 February 2022: Ukrainian forces need more weapons, ambassador warns senators, The Guardian, 28 February 2022: Ukraine conflict leads EU to rid itself of Russian sacred cows, CNN, 28 February 2022: Vladimir Putin is facing stiffer opposition than expected — both inside and outside Ukraine, The New Yorker, 28 February 2022: In Ukraine, Daily Life in the Face of War, New York Magazine, 28 February 2022: Russia’s War of Self-Destruction, CNN, 28 February 2022: Russia faces financial meltdown as sanctions slam its economy, The Washington Post, 28 February 2022: U.S., European allies freeze ‘Putin’s war chest’ as Russia careens toward economic crisis, The Guardian, 28 February 2022: War crimes: ICC prosecutor to launch investigation into Ukraine crisis, CNN, 28 February 2022: White House closely monitoring Russian convoy now reported to be more than 40 miles long, DW, 28 February 2022: Could Turkey close the Bosporus to the Russian navy?, Jerusalem Post, 1 March 2022: Ukraine conflict: Mastercard blocks multiple Russian financial firms, France24, 1 March 2022: Russia, Belarus suspended by World Rugby ‘until further notice’, The Washington Post, 1 March 2022: What to know about Volodymyr Zelensky, Ukraine’s TV president turned wartime leader, France24, 1 March 2022: Live: Kyiv residents take shelter amidst reports of Russian air strike, CNN, 1 March 2022: Russia bombs residential area of Kharkiv and intensifies Kyiv assault as talks with Ukraine end, Gulf News, 1 March 2022: Russia attacks Ukraine: Putin underestimated West’s response to attack, says Biden, The National, 1 March 2022: Russian rouble’s freefall comes to a halt after central bank intervention, Der Spiegel, 1 March 2022: European Commission Vice President Margrethe Vestager: “This Is a Cold War for the 21st Century”, Jerusalem Post, 1 March 2022: Ukraine-Belarus border: Russia preparing 300 tanks to enter Ukraine, Gulf News, 1 March 2022: Zelenskiy tells EU: ‘Prove that you are with us’, The National, 1 March 2022: No Nato allies considering no-fly zone over Ukraine, says Boris Johnson, NPR, 1 March 2022: Russia bombards a Kyiv TV tower and the Babyn Yar Holocaust memorial site, Jerusalem Post, 1 March 2022: Pro-Putin Chechen general who led ‘gay purge’ killed in Ukraine, The Hill, 1 March 2022: Worries grow over Putin’s stability, mindset, Politico.com, 1 March 2022: Canada wants ICC probe of Russia for alleged war crimes, Haaretz, 1 March 2022: Apple pauses sales in Russia and stops all exports, The Hill, 1 March 2022: Belarus president stands in front of battle map indicating Moldova invasion plans, BBC, 1 March 2022: Ukraine conflict: What is a vacuum or thermobaric bomb?, New York Magazine, 1 March 2022: It’s Probably Too Late for the Oligrachs to Stop Putin, NPR, 1 March 2022: Putin’s claim of fighting against Ukraine ‘neo-Nazis’ distorts history, scholars say, BBC, 1 March 2022: No-fly zone: What it means and why the West won’t act, Politico.com, 1 March 2022: Putin’s ‘Denazification’ Claim Shows He Has No Case Against Ukraine, The Hill, 1 March 2022: International Court of Justice will hold public hearings on allegations of genocide in Ukraine, CNN, 1 March 2022: Zelensky urges Biden to send strong message on Russia and says: ‘I’m not iconic. Ukraine is iconic’, The New York Times, 1 March 2022: Russia appears to be targeting civilian areas with increasingly powerful weapons. See which cities have been attacked today., New York Magazine, 1 March 2022: Could Putin Go Nuclear?, France24, 1 March 2022: Ukraine war brings Sweden, Finland even closer to NATO, CNN, 1 March 2022: Why did it take the West so long to wake up to Putin’s outrages?, Al Arabiya, 1 March 2022: Russia should be removed from UN Human Rights Council: US Secretary, France24, 1 March 2022: War in Ukraine: Increased NATO presence in Romania is ‘legitimate’, FM says, The New York Times, 1 March 2022: As Large Convoy Nears Capital, Violence Looks Set to Escalate, CNN, 1 March 2022: The West’s $1 trillion bid to collapse Russia’s economy, France24, 1 March 2022: ‘We need to impose sanctions on Belarus too,’ says Latvian FM Edgars Rinkevics, The Washington Post, 1 March 2022: Moscow steps up assault on residential areas, Los Angeles Times, 1 March 2022: Huge Russian convoy advances on Kyiv as missile hits heart of Kharkiv, France24, 1 March 2022: UN member states condemn Russia’s war in Ukraine during General Assembly meeting, CNN, 1 March 2022: Opposition to Putin’s war is alive on Moscow’s streets. But no trace of it is covered on Russian TV, Politico.eu, 1 March 2022: Get ready for a long war, France24, 1 March 2022: Ukraine: ‘Nobody is adding to the escalation except Putin,’ says Georgia’s Zurabishvili, The Guardian, 1 March 2022: Live Russia-Ukraine war: Kyiv TV tower hit, killing five, as Moscow threatens ‘high-precision strikes’, DW, 1 March 2022: On German-Polish border, residents rally to help Ukrainians, Politico.eu, 1 March 2022: EU countries won’t send Ukraine fighter jets after all, CNN, 1 March 2022: Airstrikes on Kyiv hit a Holocaust memorial, Ukrainian official says, France24, 1 March 2022: Ukraine conflict: Is Putin’s nuclear escalation hot air or a genuine threat?, DW, 1 March 2022: Munich Philharmonic drops star conductor Valery Gergiev over Putin ties, Jerusalem Post, 2 March 2022: Ukraine foils assassination attempt on Zelensky by Chechen special unit, The Washington Post, 2 March 2022: Biden: Russian forces targeting civilian areas, The New York Times, 2 March 2022: Key Southern City Falls; Bombing of Civilian Targets Intensifies, The Hill, 2 March 2022: Russian economy taking ‘serious blows,’ Kremlin says, The New York Times, 2 March 2022: Eastern European countries fear catastrophe as Vladimir Putin seeks to reclaim Russia’s lost sphere of influence., The Washington Post, 2 March 2022: U.S. to expand financial attack, aiming to seize billions held by Putin allies, The New York Times, 2 March 2022: Much of the world has denounced Russia’s aggression. In Asia, reactions are more mixed., Gulf News, 2 March 2022: Russia attacks Ukraine: Russia, Ukraine ceasefire talks Thursday on Belarus-Poland border, The National, 2 March 2022: Russia-Ukraine war latest: UN votes to condemn Moscow’s aggression, Arab News, 2 March 2022: What is on the table at crucial Ukraine-Russia talks?, Al Arabiya, 2 March 2022: UN General Assembly in historic vote denounces Russia over Ukraine invasion, Jerusalem Post, 2 March 2022: Russian seizure of Chernobyl 1st military clash in nuke disaster area – IAEA chief, NPR, 2 March 2022: How everyday Russians are feeling the impact from sanctions, Haaretz, 2 March 2022: The Biggest Winner in Ukraine So Far: Turkey’s Erdogan, CNN, 2 March 2022: The shifting map of Ukraine makes Russia’s intentions clearer, The Atlantic, 2 March 2022: Why the Cultural Boycott of Russia Matters, France24, 2 March 2022: As it happened: UN General Assembly overwhelmingly reprimands Russia for Ukraine invasion, BBC, 2 March 2022: Ukraine crisis: Biden threatens to punish Putin over invasion, Politico.eu, 2 March 2022: EU officially boots Russia’s RT, Sputnik outlets, NPR, 2 March 2022: Photos: Russian missile strikes intensify the destruction in Ukraine, France24, 2 March 2022: ‘The invasion of Ukraine is suicide for Putin,’ says Kremlin critic Mikhail Khodorkovsky, CNN, 2 March 2022: Europe is making once-unimaginable decisions to counter Putin’s aggression, DW, 2 March 2022: Ukraine: ICC to investigate suspected war crimes — live updates, The Guardian, 2 March 2022: Live Russia-Ukraine war: 38 countries including UK, refer atrocities to ICC, The Times, 2 March 2022: ‘The Nazi who should be de-Nazified is one man — and his name is Putin’, DW, 2 March 2022: UN: Large majority backs condemnation of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, BBC, 2 March 2022: Russia faces war crimes probe for Ukraine invasion, Irish Times, 2 March 2022: More than 2,000 Ukrainian civilians killed since Russian invasion began – state emergency service, DW, 2 March 2022: Ukraine: Zelenskyy says Russia wants to ‘erase our country’, The Times, 2 March 2022: Dnipro ‘will be a Stalingrad for the Russian attackers’, France24, 2 March 2022: War in Ukraine sparks anti-Russian cultural backlash, DW, 2 March 2022: Sanctions on Russia: Death by a thousand cuts (if Putin continues his wars as before, he will lead Russia to total ruin just as his Soviet predecessors successfully did with the Soviet Union. That would be extremely desirable for the democracy, security, freedom and stability of the world. In addition, it will also become very uncomfortable for Putin domestically if, as at the end of the Soviet era, a veritable famine spreads. These are excellent prospects in the medium and long term), The Guardian, 2 March 2022: UN: Emergency session votes to condemn Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and calls for withdrawal, The Times, 2 March 2022: Putin is set on genocide, claims UN envoy, DW, 2 March 2022: Ukraine conflict: Japan stiffens resolve on Russia, but it comes with a price, Irish Times, 2 March 2022: Russian oligarchs’ yachts on the move as sanctions reveal reach of dirty cash, The New york Times, 3 March 2022: Russia Gains Ground in Southern Ukraine, DW, 3 March 2022: Ukraine: The situation in Kyiv one week into the war, The Washington Post, 3 March 2022: After call with Putin, Macron is convinced ‘worst is yet to come’ and Russia wants all of Ukraine, French official says, France24, 3 March 2022: As it happened: Russia, Ukraine agree on need for humanitarian corridors to evacuate civilians, The New york Times, 3 March 2022: A call between the French and Russian presidents left France persuaded that Russia wants “control of all of Ukraine.”, The Algemeiner, 3 March 2022: ‘Get Out of Ukraine, You B*stard’: Holocaust Survivors in Kyiv Send Defiant Message to Putin, BBC, 3 March 2022: Ukraine: Amateurs dig in to fight Russian troops from Kyiv forests, DW, 3 March 2022: Germany to ship anti-aircraft missiles to Ukraine — reports (shortly before the impact, the pilots who were shot at will think “Wait a minute, I know them!” .. sort of “friendly fire”), BBC, 3 March 2022: Mariupol under siege: ‘We are being completely cut off’, CNN, 3 March 2022: Russia’s largest airline yanked from global reservation systems, NPR, 3 March 2022: Russians seize nuclear plant after attack, Ukrainian officials say, CNN, 3 March 2022: France seizes superyacht owned by sanctioned Russian oligarch, BBC, 3 March 2022: Ukraine conflict: Drone shows extent of damage in Borodyanka, The Guardian, 3 March 2022: Putin has a history of atrocities. Just how far will Russian forces go in Ukraine?, CNN, 3 March 2022: CNN reporter identifies strange moment in new Putin speech, The Guardian, 3 March 2022: History demands the west deploy every legal and financial weapon against Putin, France24, 3 March 2022: War in Ukraine: ‘If civilians are directly targeted, that is a crime,’ says ICC prosecutor, The Guardian, 3 March 2022: Ikea: Retailer closes all stores and factories in Russia amid exodus of western firms, CNN, 3 March 2022: Biden’s Middle East allies change tune on Ukraine war as conflict escalates, The Guardian, 3 March 2022: War brought Vladimir Putin to power in 1999. Now, it must bring him down, BBC, 3 March 2022: Ukraine: How might the war end? Five scenarios, The Guardian, 3 March 2022: Russia’s war in Ukraine: Complete guide in maps, video and pictures, CNN, 3 March 2022: Russians struggle to understand Ukraine war: ‘We didn’t choose this’, DW, 3 March 2022: Ukraine fighting for survival: Has Russia’s dirty war only just begun?, The Guardian, 3 March 2022: Live Russia-Ukraine war: Zelenskiy asks Putin for direct talks after Macron tells Russian president he is making a ‘major mistake’, The Times, 3 March 2022: Putin ‘hid invasion plan from cabinet, who are now too scared to resign’, The New york Times, 3 March 2022: Russia Has Suffered a Crushing Moral Defeat. And Russians Know It., CNN, 3 March 2022: Russian oil isn’t sanctioned, but nobody wants to touch it anyway, DW, 3 March 2022: Russia: Fewer independent media outlets every day, Irish Times, 3 March 2022: War in Ukraine: 10 terms and concepts explained, The Times, 3 March 2022: Russian invasion of Ukraine: latest maps, pictures and video, Los Angeles Times, 3 March 2022: Palaces, super-yachts, Swiss accounts. How rich is Putin and can sanctions hurt him?, Politico.eu, 3 March 2022: Economic pain keeps on coming for Russia as invasion rages, Foreign Policy, 3 March 2022: Why Putin Keeps Talking About Kosovo, Los Angeles Times, 3 March 2022: Russian forces strike, seize a nuclear plant as they pound southern Ukraine, Politico.eu, 3 March 2022: French volunteers rally to Zelenskyy’s call to join war in Ukraine, Haaretz, 3 March 2022: Panic in First Captured Ukrainian City: ‘Russians Are Entering Houses, There’s Looting’, Times of Israel, 3 March 2022: Ukraine, Russia agree on humanitarian corridors to evacuate civilians, DW, 3 March 2022: Are bans against Russian arts targeting the right people?, The Washington Post, 4 March 2022: Russia seizes nuclear plant in Ukraine, The Hill, 4 March 2022: How the US is helping Ukraine fight Russia, The Washington Post, 4 March 2022: Europe awakens to the Russian threat, CNN, 4 March 2022: One million refugees flee Ukraine as Russia escalates bombardment of key cities, The Hill, 4 March 2022: The Hill’s Morning Report – Russia’s war against Ukraine grinds on, Times of Israel, 4 March 2022: We need air defenses from Israel, not goodwill statements, Lviv commander tells ToI, CNN, 4 March 2022: Russia squeezes southern Ukraine amid warning ‘worst is yet to come’, Gulf Times, 4 March 2022: Russia’s crypto volumes are stalling across major exchanges, Ukraine sets up multiple crypto wallets, The Guardian, 4 March 2022: Live Russia-Ukraine war: ‘World narrowly averted nuclear catastrophe’ over Zaporizhzhia fire, says US envoy to UN, Gulf News, 4 March 2022: Russia attacks Ukraine: G7 urges Russia to stop attacks near Ukraine nuclear plants, Arab News, 4 March 2022: US envoy to UN slams ‘reckless’ Russian attack on nuclear plant, Moscow denies shelling, Al Arabiya, 4 March 2022: NATO rejects calls for no-fly zone over Ukraine, The National, 4 March 2022: Foreign fighters answer Zelenskyy’s call to defend Ukraine, Al Arabiya, 4 March 2022: US taking ‘all measures’ to stop Russia benefiting from IMF assets: Treasury official, Arab News, 4 March 2022: NATO rejects Ukraine no-fly zone, says ‘not part of this war’, The New York Times, 4 March 2022: Panicked Rush to Flee Kyiv as Russian Forces Bear Down, Al Arabiya, 4 March 2022: Russian police search offices of banned rights group Memorial, sparking outcry, The New York Times, 4 March 2022: The fire at the nuclear complex was only about 1,500 feet from a reactor, maps show., Jerusalem Post, 4 March 2022: UNHRC votes 32-2 to probe Russian human rights violations in Ukraine, The New York Times, 4 March 2022: The U.S. and Europe are using sanctions to punish Vladimir Putin and fuel unrest in Russia over the war., Haaretz, 4 March 2022: ‘I Fled the Nazis, Now I’m Fleeing the Russians’: Jewish Refugees From Ukraine Find Shelter in Moldova, NPR, 4 March 2022: Russia blocks access to Facebook, The New York Times, 4 March 2022: ‘I Want Peace.’ Zelensky’s Heroic Resistance Is an Example for the World., NPR, 4 March 2022: The battle for Ukraine could test the limits of closer ties between China and Russia, The Hill, 4 March 2022: Putin can be prosecuted for crimes of aggression — but likely not any time soon, The New Yorker, 4 March 2022: The War That Russians Do Not See, Politico.eu, 4 March 2022: The EU’s plan to cure its Russian gas addiction, New York Magazine, 4 March 2022: Putin’s War Looks Increasingly Insane, Politico.eu, 4 March 2022: Brussels paves way to slap trade tariffs on Russia, Miami Herald, 4 March 2022: Russia told Germany to hand over a U.S. citizen. After invasion, he was sent home to Miami, Politico.eu, 4 March 2022: Economic meltdown gives Putin a route back to Soviet repression, Los Angeles Times, 4 March 2022: Russians seize nuclear power plant amid heavy bombardment of Ukraine, CNN, 4 March 2022: Russia’s second biggest oil company calls for an end to Putin’s war, Politico.eu, 4 March 2022: Russian shelling of nuclear plant raises radioactive threat in Ukraine, DW, 4 March 2022: Do cryptocurrencies offer Russians a way round sanctions?, CNN, 4 March 2022: Putin, the emperor with no clothes, The Washington Post, 4 March 2022: Zelensky calls for direct talks with Putin as U.S. Embassy calls nuclear plant attack ‘a war crime’, CNN, 4 March 2022: ‘It is not just Ukraine we are protecting’, BBC, 4 March 2022: Ukraine conflict: Before and after images reveal Russian destruction, Politico.eu, 4 March 2022: The fighting is in Ukraine, but risk of World War III is real, BBC, 4 March 2022: Ukraine war: ‘My city’s being shelled, but mum won’t believe me’, France24, 4 March 2022: When a country becomes a battlefield and what it means for Ukrainian women, DW, 4 March 2022: Ukraine: EU foreign ministers slam Russian attacks on civilians, France24, 4 March 2022: In pictures: Ukrainians struggle between flight or living under fire on ninth day of Russian invasion, CNN, 4 March 2022: Why NATO hasn’t imposed a no-fly zone in Ukraine, France24, 4 March 2022: ‘If not us, then who?’: Polish postal workers risk their lives to bring aid into Ukraine, DW, 4 March 2022: Ukraine President Zelenskyy urges victory of ‘freedom over slavery’ — live updates, France24, 4 March 2022: Shoigu and Gerasimov: Masters of Putin’s wars, BBC, 4 March 2022: Ukraine crisis: Kharkiv residents still sheltering underground a week on, France24, 4 March 2022: Near Ukraine border, Western arms arrive quickly and discreetly, The National, 4 March 2022: Russia is worried not only about Ukraine in Nato, but also about Nato in Ukraine, DW, 4 March 2022: Ukraine: NATO’s Stoltenberg says coming days ‘likely to be worse’, France24, 4 March 2022: Live: Russia blocks Facebook and restricts Twitter access, stifling war coverage, The Economist, 5 March 2022: Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine is wrecking two countries, The Times, 5 March 2022: Ten days of war through the eyes of Ukrainians, Irish Times, 5 March 2022: Fintan O’Toole: Greater Russia ends up as Lesser China. Good luck with that, The Times, 5 March 2022: Merciless Putin shells evacuees, Los Angeles Times, 5 March 2022: Increasingly isolated, Putin finds a few allies in Latin America, Jerusalem Post, 5 March 2022: Last surviving Nuremberg Trials prosecutor: Putin should be ‘behind bars’, Irish Times, 5 March 2022: Russians brace for big squeeze as rouble loses third of value, The Times, 5 March 2022: Sandbags on streets and mines on beaches: Odessa braces for war, The New Yorker, 5 March 2022: Volodymyr Zelensky Leads the Defense of Ukraine with His Voice, Jerusalem Post, 5 March 2022: Russia-Ukraine war: Over 350 civilians killed so far, UN confirms, The Times, 5 March 2022: How does Putin extract himself from this nightmare of his own making?, Irish Times, 5 March 2022: Ukrainian statehood in jeopardy says Putin, blaming leaders for continuing conflict, Politico.eu, 5 March 2022: Russia obstructs Iran nuclear deal as the Kremlin frets over its oil income, BBC, 5 March 2022: Putin says sanctions over Ukraine are like a declaration of war (grteat, that the sanctions are obviously working pretty well. The more, the better), The National, 5 March 2022: Singapore to impose sanctions on Russian banks and cryptocurrency funding, Los Angeles Times, 5 March 2022: Cease-fire in two southern Ukrainian cities falls apart, stalling evacuations, The Times, 5 March 2022: The Kremlin mercenaries hunting Zelensky, BBC, 5 March 2022: War in Ukraine: Thousands march in Kherson against occupiers, CNN, 5 March 2022: ‘They shoot at anyone who tries to leave.’ Ukrainians describe terror of living under Russian occupation, The National, 5 March 2022: Russia-Ukraine war latest: Mariupol evacuation postponed as city officials blame Russia, Arab News, 5 March 2022: The world’s leading luxury brands suspend business in Russia, Al Arabiya, 5 March 2022: Russia’s Putin says Western sanctions are akin to declaration of war, Forward, 5 March 2022: Jewish Ukrainians gear up for fierce Russia fight, alongside the ‘neo-Nazis’ they say Putin is lying about, The Guardian, 5 March 2022: Live Russia-Ukraine war: Biden and Zelenskiy discuss more support for Ukraine as Visa, Mastercard pull out of Russia, DW, 5 March 2022: Ukraine’s Zelenskyy urges citizens to fight — live updates, France24, 5 March 2022: The battle for Kyiv: ‘Come here, and you’ll see what kind of a reception you’ll get!’, Irish Times, 5 March 2022: ‘My family have been bombed’: Emotional Ukrainians protest in Dublin, BBC, 5 March 2022: Ukraine conflict: Your guide to understanding day 10, Politico.eu, 5 March 2022: White House weighs 3-way deal to get fighter jets to Ukraine, France24, 5 March 2022: Protests ring out in Europe demanding end to Ukraine invasion, DW, 5 March 2022: Members of Putin’s inner circle hit by Western sanctions, CNN, 5 March 2022: Chinese Foreign Minister: “Evolution” of Ukraine situation is “something China does not want to see”, DW, 5 March 2022: How vital is nuclear energy for Ukraine?, Politico.eu, 5 March 2022: Putin likens sanctions to declaration of war, says Ukraine statehood at risk, CNN, 5 March 2022: US working with Poland on the possibility of providing fighter jets to Ukraine, San Francisco Chronicle, 5 March 2022: Their home countries are at war. But this Bay Area couple are united by their Ukrainian and Russian roots, The Atlantic, 5 March 2022: The Russian Elite Can’t Stand the Sanctions, France24, 5 March 2022: Live: Russia, Ukraine blame each other as second attempt to evacuate Mariupol fails, Gulf Times, 6 March 2022: US lawmakers vow to release $10bn in aid to Zelensky, Jerusalem Post, 6 March 2022: US working with Poland to provide Ukraine with fighter jets, Times of Israel, 6 March 2022: Putin says future of Ukraine statehood in doubt as ceasefires collapse, Gulf Times, 6 March 2022: Protests in Hamburg, Paris against Ukraine war, The National, 6 March 2022: Russians rush to shop amid fears for the future and a free-falling rouble, CNN, 6 March 2022: Video shows Russian jet falling from the sky, France24, 6 March 2022: Putin threatens Ukraine ‘statehood’ as Moscow sanctions tighten, The National, 6 March 2022: US and Europe discuss plans to ban Russian oil imports, Blinken says, Al Arabiya, 6 March 2022: Approximately 20,000 foreign volunteers in Ukraine fighting against Russians: FM, The New York Times, 6 March 2022: Police Detain Thousands at Antiwar Protests Across Russia, Times of Israel, 6 March 2022: ‘Putin is a fascist’: Hundreds of protesters march for Ukraine in Tel Aviv, Haaretz, 6 March 2022: We Jews Know Where Putin’s Dehumanizing Language on Ukraine Leads, CNN, 6 March 2022: Defiance and disobedience are flourishing in Russian-held Ukraine, The New York Times, 6 March 2022: Ukrainians Find That Relatives in Russia Don’t Believe It’s a War, Los Angeles Times, 6 March 2022: Russian attacks intensify in Ukraine; Zelensky again pleads for no-fly zone, CNN, 6 March 2022: Ukrainians are giving two lessons in democracy that Americans have forgotten, BBC, 6 March 2022: Ukraine: Russia has attacked schools and hospitals, says deputy PM, The Atlantic, 6 March 2022: What a Decade-Old Conflict Tells Us About Putin, The New York Times, 6 March 2022: The Cancellation of Mother Russia Is Underway, CNN, 6 March 2022: US and Europe weigh plans for Ukrainian government in exile, BBC, 6 March 2022: Ukraine war: Residents run from Russian shelling in Irpin, near Kyiv, France24, 6 March 2022: Investigation: civilian zones in Kharkiv hit by Russian cluster munitions, NPR, 6 March 2022: Russia invades Ukraine live updates: More than 360 civilians have been killed, The Sunday Times, 6 March 2022: Sandbags on streets and mines on beaches: Odessa braces for war, CNN, 6 March 2022: The disaster we should have seen coming, BBC, 6 March 2022: Protests across Russia see thousands detained, France24, 6 March 2022: Live: US has seen ‘very credible’ reports Russia committed war crimes, says Blinken, DW, 6 March 2022: Correspondent perspectives: Reporting on the war in Ukraine, DW, 6 March 2022: How useful are Turkish-made drones fighting in Ukraine?, DW, 7 March 2022: Ukraine rejects humanitarian corridors that lead to Russia — live updates (now the illegal forced Russification and forced assimilation (very similar to that with the Uyghurs in China) is taking place, as was the case after the theft of Crimea and the start of the war in eastern Ukraine in 2014. In this way, these people are not only torn from their homeland, but also robbed of their Ukrainian identity in order to wipe out Ukraine and the Ukrainians in this way as well. If you look at the Russian demographics, from their point of view this is even necessary for survival, because nobody wants to become Russian voluntarily, not even the Russians themselves, because, among other things, reproduction has declined to such an extent that there are hardly any real Russians left. At least that gives hope for the future, because then the loyalties are of course clear – fortunately they don’t lie with Russia), France24, 7 March 2022: Live: Macron condemns Putin’s ‘moral cynicism’ over humanitarian corridors, CNN, 7 March 2022: Ukraine slams Moscow’s offer to evacuate civilians to Russia and Belarus as ‘immoral’ (apparently, the wars in Chechnya and Syria with the most severe destruction and war crimes, including in Grozny and Aleppo, are now the role models for Putin’s war against Ukraine), The Washington Post, 7 March 2022: Odessa braces for Russian assault, DW, 7 March 2022: DW correspondent perspectives: Reporting on the war in Ukraine, The Washington Post, 7 March 2022: Democrats, Republicans reach deal to ban Russian energy imports, suspend normal trade relations, The New York Times, 7 March 2022: Civilians Caught in Escalating Russian Attacks, NPR, 7 March 2022: Levi’s halts sales in Russia, evoking Cold War scrambles for blue jeans, New York Magazine, 7 March 2022: The West’s Sanctions on Russia Are Working Too Well, The Hill, 7 March 2022: Putin’s attacks on civilians raise pressure on US, NATO, The National, 7 March 2022: Russia-Ukraine war latest: Europe steps back from US effort to ban Russian oil and gas, Al Arabiya, 7 March 2022: Putin has deployed nearly 100 pct of pre-staged forces into Ukraine: US official, NPR, 7 March 2022: Russia is trying to recruit Syrians to fight in Ukraine, U.S. says, Politico.eu, 7 March 2022: Putin is likely to hit NATO in the Baltic if he wins in Ukraine, EU vice president warns, The National, 7 March 2022: Russia has deployed nearly all staged forces in Ukraine, Pentagon says, Al Arabiya, 7 March 2022: Russian no show at UN court hearings on Ukrainian war, Jerusalem Post, 7 March 2022: Kremlin announces humanitarian corridors from Ukraine to Russia, Belarus, Haaretz, 7 March 2022: Ukraine War: Time Is No Longer on Putin’s Side, The Times, 7 March 2022: Russia offers to end war ‘in a moment’ if Ukraine accepts demands, Politico.eu, 7 March 2022: Ukraine slams Moscow’s humanitarian corridors to Russia as ‘absurd’, BBC, 7 March 2022: War in Ukraine: ‘It’s hell, it’s really hell’ – Families flee bombs in Irpin, The Times, 7 March 2022: Xi is the only leader who can stop this war, BBC, 7 March 2022: Russian shelling prevents evacuations once again, Jerusalem Post, 7 March 2022: Russia destroyed Ukraine nuclear neutron generator – IAEA chief, The National, 8 March 2022: US intel chiefs expect Putin to ‘double down’ in Ukraine with ‘no sustainable end goal’, Arab News, 8 March 2022: Russia recruiting Syrians to fight in Ukraine, Pentagon says, DW, 8 March 2022: Joe Biden bans US imports of Russian oil, gas after Ukraine’s pleas, The National, 8 March 2022: UN rights chief decries Russian protest arrests, Al Arabiya, 8 March 2022: In nod to Russia, Ukraine says no longer insisting on NATO membership, Times of Israel, 8 March 2022: Ukraine accuses Russia of attacking humanitarian corridors as civilians flee cities, The National, 8 March 2022: Call for Russia to allow independent inspectors into seized Ukrainian nuclear sites, Al Arabiya, 8 March 2022: Biden bans all Russian oil imports to the US, but warns ‘it will cost us’, DW, 8 March 2022: Ukraine: Civilians flee as first safe corridors open — live updates, France24, 8 March 2022: Pentagon estimates 2,000 to 4,000 Russian soldiers killed in Ukraine, The National, 8 March 2022: China ‘ready to play constructive role’ in Ukraine peace talks, Al Arabiya, 8 March 2022: Pentagon estimates 2,000 to 4,000 Russian soldiers killed in Ukraine, France24, 8 March 2022: Russian generals face peril as Ukraine invasion intensfies (there is no single Russian war hero in all of Ukraine, only helpers of state terrorist and war criminal Putin. Very well done by the Ukrainian resistance forces. Congrats! :-) ), The National, 8 March 2022: Russia-Ukraine war latest: Biden imposes ban on Russian oil, coal and gas, BBC, 8 March 2022: Ukraine: Civilians evacuated from two areas under attack, France24, 8 March 2022: War in Ukraine: How the Russian army is surrounding Kyiv, Al Arabiya, 8 March 2022: Germany calls on OPEC to increase oil output, Politico.eu, 8 March 2022: Russian military’s corruption quagmire, France24, 8 March 2022: Live: Biden announces ban on Russian oil imports over Ukraine invasion, Irish Times, 8 March 2022: Fintan O’Toole: West needs to think carefully about endgame in Ukraine, BBC, 8 March 2022: Ukraine: Are arms shipments from the West making a difference?, Politico.eu, 8 March 2022: Commission plans to get EU off Russian gas before 2030, Irish Times, 8 March 2022: United Nations advises staff against using ‘war’ or ‘invasion’ regarding Ukraine, CNN, 8 March 2022: ‘He said he was going towards Kyiv.’, The Times, 8 March 2022: Russian invasion of Ukraine: latest maps, pictures and video, The Guardian, 8 March 2022: Live Russia-Ukraine war: Ukraine accuses Russia of breaking Mariupol ceasefire and shelling humanitarian corridor, Los Angeles Times, 8 March 2022: Ukraine welcomes tougher Western sanctions against Moscow; U.S. bans Russian oil imports, CNN, 8 March 2022: Putin’s clumsy military campaign in southern Ukraine makes little sense, The Washington Post, 8 March 2022: U.S. to ban imports of Russian oil, Los Angeles Times, 8 March 2022: Polish plan to get fighter jets to Ukrainian military complicates Harris’ visit to Warsaw (the vehemence with which President Selenskyj presents his demands for fighter jets is of course absolutely understandable. Nobody would do it differently in his position. On the other hand, in the event of the delivery of the Polish jets, the security of 450 million EU citizens would be in danger. Therefore, for the time being, the answer can only be negative. Of course, it cannot be completely ruled out, especially since Putin could of course escalate further at any time, so that NATO would have to intervene and then additionally equip Ukraine considerably), New York Magazine, 8 March 2022: The Terrible Case for a No-Fly Zone in Ukraine, The New Yorker, 8 March 2022: “We Watch the News and We’re Crying”, Politico.eu, 8 March 2022: EU makes it clear crypto is covered in sanctions against Russia, Belarus, The Hill, 8 March 2022: Angry Putin set to ‘double down’ in Ukraine, intel chiefs warn lawmakers, The New York Times, 8 March 2022: Putin Has No Good Way Out, and That Really Scares Me, The Atlantic, 8 March 2022: Of Course Putin Is Being Canceled, Politico.eu, 8 March 2022: ‘We told you so!’ How the West didn’t listen to the countries that know Russia best, NPR, 8 March 2022: Russia-Ukraine war: What happened today (March 8), The National, 9 March 2022: Pentagon: Russia drops ‘dumb’ bombs as US and allies work to build Ukraine’s air defence, Arab News, 9 March 2022: Airstrike hits Ukraine maternity hospital, 17 reported hurt, The National, 9 March 2022: Blinken: Russia will suffer ‘long, bloody, drawn-out mess’ in Ukraine, Politico.com, 9 March 2022: U.S. closes door on sending fighter jets to Ukraine, The New York Times, 9 March 2022: Live Updates: ‘No Water, No Heating, No Gas’ in Besieged Ukraine City as Maternity Hospital Is Hit, Los Angeles Times, 9 March 2022: Russian strike hits children’s hospital amid evacuation effort, Ukraine says, New York Magazine, 9 March 2022: Russia’s Antiwar Protesters Are Terrified And still marching., NPR, 9 March 2022: War in Ukraine: Russian strike devastates a maternity hospital in Mariupol, Zelenskyy says, The New Yorker, 9 March 2022: Reëxamining Putin’s Military Interventions in the Middle East, The Times, 9 March 2022: Putin infuriated by Russian intelligence failures in Ukraine war, The Hill, 9 March 2022: US, Poland still discussing possible jet deal, CNN, 9 March 2022: Mariupol mayor asks for help and calls for no-fly zone after maternity hospital bombing, DW, 9 March 2022: Correspondent perspectives: Reporting on the war in Ukraine, The Times, 9 March 2022: ‘Dumb bombs’ make Russian aircraft vulnerable to attack, CNN, 9 March 2022: How Putin ‘destroyed’ the ruble and brought Russia to the brink of default, DW, 9 March 2022: War in Ukraine: Former NATO commander Wesley Clark talks to DW, The Guardian, 9 March 2022: Live Russia-Ukraine war: Russia admits using thermobaric weapons, UK says; fears Putin could use chemical attack, DW, 9 March 2022: Ukraine war: How a ‘fact-checking’ website is spreading Russian propaganda, The Washington Post, 9 March 2022: Fearing crackdown, thousands of Russians crowd into few remaining trains and planes to flee, CNN, 9 March 2022: Ukraine’s first lady emerges as a staunch defender of her nation on social media, DW, 9 March 2022: Scholz: Sending Polish jets to Ukraine via US base in Germany ‘certainly’ not an option, NPR, 9 March 2022: Olena Zelenska, Ukraine’s first lady, says Russia is waging mass murder of civilians, The Guardian, 9 March 2022: History is brutally back, and Ukraine will test Europe’s appetite for the consequences (leaving aside the question to what extent “complicity through active passivity or complete omissions” is not already a fact, it is obvious that NATO and the EU are in a lost position as long as they play by rules while Putin knows none. He is completely indifferent to the dead, even in his own ranks. The already devastating destruction and enormous human casualties are not enough for him at all. His anger and ruthlessness are heightened by Russian casualties, his army’s ineptness, and the increasing desertions of his soldiers. Even if it goes against all Western understanding and all Western logic, NATO and the EU will not be able to avoid the question of when they have to intervene to stop Putin’s genocide against Ukraine and the Ukrainians for much longer. This war, too, is documented far too well and in real time for one to be able to excuse oneself later with pretended, alleged unawareness of the situation on the ground), CNN, 9 March 2022: ‘He’s in a corner’: Expert breaks down Putin’s nuclear threats, DW, 9 March 2022: EU parliament demands end to ‘golden passports’ for Russians, The Hill, 10 March 2022: Fears grow over Russian chemical threat to Ukraine, France24, 10 March 2022: Ukraine: Mothers, children and elderly adapt to life underground, The Times, 10 March 2022: Britain to boost Ukraine’s defences with laser-guided missile system, France24, 10 March 2022: As it happened: Russian tanks advance northeast of Kyiv, EU leaders hold crisis talks at Versailles, New York Magazine, 10 March 2022: Ukrainian Family Killed in Russian Bombing Identified, DW, 10 March 2022: Russian gas edging towards extinction in Europe, NPR, 10 March 2022: Photos: As millions flee, Russia defends attack on Ukrainian maternity hospital, Forward, 10 March 2022: ‘Our city is totally destroyed’: One refugee’s story as she crosses the border from Ukraine, France24, 10 March 2022: Video: Irpin mounts resistance against Russian tanks advancing on Kyiv, DW, 10 March 2022: Ukrainian sports stars who have taken up arms, Los Angeles Times, 10 March 2022: As Ukraine-Russia talks falter, battles intensify in Kyiv suburbs, Israel Hayom, 10 March 2022: Putin’s cardinal mistakes, The New Yorker, 10 March 2022: The Growing Fear of a Wider War Between Russia and the West, France24, 11 March 2022: Live: From Kharkiv to Mariupol, humanitarian situation worsens in Ukraine’s besieged cities, The Hill, 11 March 2022: NATO: Russia is launching many air operations from Belarus, France24, 11 March 2022: As Odesa prepares for war, residents are divided over which side to take, NPR, 11 March 2022: Russian strikes hit western Ukraine as offensive widens, The National, 11 March 2022: Russia-Ukraine war latest: Zelenskyy claims Ukraine has reached ‘strategic turning point’, The Hill, 11 March 2022: The best possible US endgame in Ukraine is not what you may think, The National, 11 March 2022: Russia says 16,000 Middle East volunteers want to join Ukraine invasion, Jerusalem Post, 11 March 2022: Belarus may be preparing to invade Ukraine, France24, 11 March 2022: ‘We won’t be welcoming the Russians with roses’: Odesa prepares for attack, Jerusalem Post, 11 March 2022: Russia to allow thousands of Middle East volunteers to fight Ukraine, The National, 11 March 2022: Russia’s bioweapon claims deemed unfounded at UN Security Council, Jerusalem Post, 11 March 2022: Israel’s mediator role can’t justify lackluster support – Ukrainian envoy, NPR, 11 March 2022: Why Belarus is so involved in Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Jerusalem Post, 11 March 2022: China’s computers hacked by US to attack Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, The National, 11 March 2022: Biden moves to strip Russia of preferred trade status, Jerusalem Post, 11 March 2022: Russia-Ukraine war: US, G7, EU to strip Russia of ‘most favored nation’ status – source, Al Arabiya, 11 March 2022: Syrians can volunteer to fight for Russia in Ukraine: Kremlin, Jerusalem Post, 11 March 2022: EU unveils fourth set of sanctions against Russia, Haaretz, 11 March 2022: The Great Jewish Oligarchs’ Escape: ‘The Ground Is Trembling. They Will Stream Into Israel’, Arab News, 11 March 2022: Stoltenberg: Ukraine conflict must not spark NATO-Russia war, Jerusalem Post, 11 March 2022: Ukraine claims Russia planning false flag terrorism in Donbas, Times of Israel, 11 March 2022: What does Putin think he’s doing? An expert’s primer on why he invaded, what’s next, Haaretz, 11 March 2022: Putin Wanted Another Crimea. He May Get Another Chechnya, Al Arabiya, 11 March 2022: Ukraine says Russia is relying on conscripts and mercenaries, Jerusalem Post, 11 March 2022: UNSC to discuss US, Ukraine ‘biowarfare labs’ at Russia’s request, The New York Times, 11 March 2022: Live Ukraine Updates: Biden Moves to Suspend Normal Trade With Russia, Times of Israel, 11 March 2022: Senate passes $1.5 trillion spending bill including Iron Dome aid, Ukraine help, The Hill, 11 March 2022: Russian regulators restrict access to Instagram, Haaretz, 11 March 2022: Russia-Ukraine Updates: Ukrainian Official Says Israel’s Mediation Is Useless, ‘Bennett Wants Us to Surrender’, The New York Times, 11 March 2022: Over Ukraine, Lumbering Turkish-Made Drones Are an Ominous Sign for Russia, The Hill, 11 March 2022: Misinformation colors how Russians are seeing the Ukrainian war, The Washington Post, 11 March 2022: Biden, European allies move to strip Russia of trade status, NPR, 11 March 2022: War in Ukraine live updates: Russia intensifies air attacks; U.S. blocks Russian imports of vodka and other goods, The Hill, 11 March 2022: Biden: Direct conflict between NATO and Russia would be ‘World War III’, Los Angeles Times, 11 March 2022: Biden, Europe revoke Russia’s trade status, ratcheting up economic pain for Putin, The Hill, 11 March 2022: Mayor of Ukrainian city Melipotol detained by Russians, CNN, 11 March 2022: Russia’s misinformation offensive impedes diplomatic efforts to end the war, Politico.com, 11 March 2022: Biden moves to reimpose Cold War trade restraints on Russia, CNN, 11 March 2022: Biden warns Russia will pay a ‘severe price’ if it uses chemical weapons in Ukraine, The Atlantic, 11 March 2022: The West Isn’t Doing Enough to Save My Homeland, DW, 11 March 2022: Putin’s inner circle: Who has the Russian president’s ear on the war in Ukraine?, CNN, 11 March 2022: Russia’s richest businessman tells Putin: Don’t take us back to 1917, NPR, 11 March 2022: Russia plans to limit Instagram and label Meta an extremist group, CNN, 11 March 2022: The 40-mile-long Russian convoy near Kyiv has moved. Here’s what it means for the Ukrainian capital, Politico.eu, 11 March 2022: EU hits Russia with new sanctions on luxury goods, metals and energy projects, The Guardian, 11 March 2022: G7 nations strip Russia of ‘most favoured nation’ status, CNN, 11 March 2022: In Moscow, McDonald’s packs up, radio falls silent and the brain drain begins, DW, 11 March 2022: Kherson, Ukraine: Life under Russian occupation, Politico.com, 11 March 2022: Ukraine is on the brink of a humanitarian catastrophe, The Guardian, 11 March 2022: Two weeks of war in Ukraine – photo essay, CNN, 11 March 2022: It’s 8:30 p.m. in Kyiv. Catch up on the latest developments in Ukraine, Irish Times, 11 March 2022: Ukraine: Situation in Mariupol ‘critical’ as EU ready to impose harsher sanctions on Russia, DW, 11 March 2022: Joining the war: Foreign nationals flock to Ukraine, BBC, 11 March 2022: Watch: Our correspondent goes into no-man’s land with the Ukrainian army, The Guardian, 11 March 2022: Russians using Serbian loophole to avoid EU flights ban, The Cut, 11 March 2022: TikToking From a Bomb Shelter, DW, 11 March 2022: Debate about Polish fighter jets for Ukraine was divisive — and distracting, The Times, 11 March 2022: Meet Ukraine’s Ghost of Kyiv who is ‘coming for Russia’s soul’, Politico.eu, 11 March 2022: Removing Russia’s trade privileges — what you need to know, Irish Times, 11 March 2022: Endgame in Ukraine: How could the war play out?, Politico.com, 11 March 2022: Trudeau blasts social media disinformation — in Russia and Canada, The New Yorker, 11 March 2022: The Russian Military’s Debacle in Ukraine, CNN, 11 March 2022: After over three decades of covering Russia, I leave in despair. One man has extinguished the bright hope many once felt, DW, 11 March 2022: EU leaders pledge increased military aid for Ukraine — live updates, The New York Times, 11 March 2022: The Price of Putin’s Belligerence, BBC, 11 March 2022: Ukraine war: Large Russian convoy redeploys near Kyiv – satellite images, The National, 11 March 2022: Chernobyl’s orphans are grown up but war threatens a new generation of parentless children, The Guardian, 11 March 2022: Live Russia-Ukraine war: Russia could use chemical and biological weapons, US warns, as sanctions against Moscow are tightened, France24, 11 March 2022: ‘We fight for democratic values. We need help,’ says Kyiv mayor Vitali Klitschko, The Times, 11 March 2022: African fighters prepare to join Russian troops, The National, 11 March 2022: Russian general killed and clutch of spy chiefs arrested, Irish Times, 11 March 2022: We should not be neutral when it comes to naked military aggression, DW, 12 March 2022: Scholz, Macron speak with Putin again over Ukraine conflict — live updates, France24, 12 March 2022: Live: Russia forces encircle Kyiv and continue Mariupol siege, CNN, 12 March 2022: End of an era in Russia as sanctions bite and Western companies take flight, DW, 12 March 2022: Life in wartime Ukraine: Silence and violence, France24, 12 March 2022: Thousands in Florence gather to hear Zelensky, protest war, CNN, 12 March 2022: Significant destruction seen in Makariv, a Ukrainian village 30 miles west of Kyiv, Los Angeles Times, 12 March 2022: Russia intensifies assault, warns U.S. weapons sent to Ukraine are ‘legitimate targets’, The New York Times, 12 March 2022: Ukraine Live Updates: Desperation Grows in Cities Under Continued Russian Assault, Gulf News, 12 March 2022: Russia-Ukraine crisis updates: France says Putin is not ready to end Ukraine war, fighting rages; Zelensky open for talks with Putin in Israel, The National, 12 March 2022: Russia-Ukraine war latest: Russian forces close in on Kyiv and bombard other cities, Arab News, 12 March 2022: US denounces Russian claims of Ukrainian biological weapons as a ‘false flag’, The Washington Post, 12 March 2022: Russian forces take strategic city as Kyiv, other areas face fierce bombardment, The New Yorker, 12 March 2022: What the Russian Invasion Has Done to Ukraine, NPR, 12 March 2022: Photos: Ukrainian refugees assisted by the EU government as they flee their country, The Guardian, 12 March 2022: Live Russia-Ukraine war: Russia will only take Kyiv if city is ‘razed to the ground’, Zelenskiy says, as Moscow threatens western shipments, Politico.eu, 12 March 2022: EU’s Borrell makes premature pledge of €500M more military aid to Ukraine, The Times, 12 March 2022: Could Putin and Russia really lose the war with Ukraine?, The Atlantic, 12 March 2022: The War in Ukraine Is Just Beginning, BBC, 12 March 2022: Ukrainians resort to desperate measures for food and water, NPR, 12 March 2022: Russia’s wars in Chechnya offer a grim warning of what could be in Ukraine, Arab News, 12 March 2022: The world is entering uncharted territory, BBC, 12 March 2022: Ukraine war: Evacuations ‘extremely difficult’ amid shelling, The Times, 12 March 2022: Born to the sound of bombs, the Ukraine babies bringing hope amid the despair of war, Politico.eu, 12 March 2022: Around 1,300 Ukrainian soldiers have been killed, Zelenskyy said, BBC, 12 March 2022: Ukraine war: Kyiv prepares for Russian attack, Irish Times, 12 March 2022: Ukraine accuses Russia of killing civilians trying to flee fighting near Kyiv, The Times, 12 March 2022: The new legion of foreign fighters: who are they and where do they come from?, BBC, 12 March 2022: War in Ukraine: How Russia is recruiting mercenaries, The National, 13 March 2022: Nato warned ‘very little time’ left before Russia attacks Poland as 35 killed in strikes, Arab News, 13 March 2022: Russia strikes military base near Polish border, 35 dead, Ukraine says, Al Arabiya, 13 March 2022: Russia bombs Ukraine military base where foreign instructors worked, 35 dead, The Times, 13 March 2022: Russian airstrikes hit Ukraine military base near Polish border, The National, 13 March 2022: Ukraine is upending the world order – but not how Russia thought it would, Al Arabiya, 13 March 2022: US: Russian use of chemical weapons in Ukraine would cross ‘shocking additional line’, The Times, 13 March 2022: Putin wipes out entire Ukrainian city of Volnovakha, The New York Times, 13 March 2022: Ukraine Live Updates: Russian Airstrikes Kill at Least 35 at Base Near Polish Border, The Washington Post, 13 March 2022: Dozens dead in attack near Poland, The Times, 13 March 2022: Andrey Kurkov: Ukrainians will never be Russians, Los Angeles Times, 13 March 2022: Russia strikes Ukrainian military training base near Poland, killing at least 35, NPR, 13 March 2022: Russia invades Ukraine live updates: A Russian attack on a base near the Polish border leaves 35 dead, The Times, 13 March 2022: Russia ‘using banned white phosphorus bombs’ in attack on Ukrainian city, Politico.eu, 13 March 2022: Death toll rises to 35 in Russian missile strike on base in western Ukraine, close to Poland’s border, Irish Times, 13 March 2022: Russian attack on Ukrainian base near Polish border leaves 35 dead – regional governor, BBC, 13 March 2022: Ukraine war: ‘Sky turned red’ as missiles hit Lviv military base, The Times, 13 March 2022: Navalny still needling the tsar from his ‘friendly concentration camp’, France24, 13 March 2022: More than 800 detained in Ukraine protests across Russia, DW, 13 March 2022: Putin will take his quest as far as Russians allow (meanwhile, Putin and his fascist gang are not only indiscriminately killing Ukrainian women and children, they are also bombing churches and monasteries, thereby once again underpinning the image of Russia and the Russians: a gang of uneducated, uncultured, dishonorable criminals), The Guardian, 13 March 2022: Live Russia-Ukraine war: dozens reportedly dead after military base hit; US journalist killed by Russian forces, France24, 13 March 2022: Video: ‘Some groups of Russian soldiers are still hidden in the nearby forest’, BBC, 13 March 2022: Russia widens assault to hit military base near Poland, DW, 13 March 2022: Ukraine: Talks with Russia could yield results in days, Kyiv says — live updates, France24, 13 March 2022: Live: Russian missiles strike Ukrainian military base near Lviv at Polish border, The Guardian, 13 March 2022: Toxic Putin is going for bust. The west must stop him before this contagion spreads, Foreign Policy, 13 March 2022: Odesa’s Defense Stiffened by Belarusian Volunteers, The Washington Post, 13 March 2022: Russia asks China for weapons, U.S. officials say, Financial Times, 13 March 2022: US officials say Russia has asked China for military help in Ukraine, Foreign Policy, 13 March 2022: The Intellectual Catastrophe of Vladimir Putin, New York Magazine, 13 March 2022: Sixteen Days in Ukraine: The first generation born after Ukraine won independence documents the beginning of the Russian invasion., The Guardian, 14 March 2022: Live Ukraine war: civilians leave Mariupol via humanitarian corridor; Russian ex-foreign minister calls for ceasefire, The Washington Post, 14 March 2022: What shocking images of Ukraine’s dead say about media — and our biases, Politico.eu, 14 March 2022: China insists it’s ‘not a party’ to Russia’s war with Ukraine, The Guardian, 14 March 2022: ‘They’re lying to you’: Russian TV employee interrupts news broadcast, The New York Times, 14 March 2022: Live Updates: U.S. Warns China Not to Help Russia as Strikes Continue in Ukraine, The National, 14 March 2022: Russia-Ukraine war latest: US and China have ‘substantial talks’ on Ukraine and Russia, The Washington Post, 14 March 2022: Employee bursts onto live Russian state TV to denounce war: ‘They are lying to you here’, Los Angeles Times, 14 March 2022: Russian forces edge closer to Ukraine’s capital as leaders plan more talks, The National, 14 March 2022: Russia’s offensive ‘stalled’ in Ukraine but Moscow not backing down: Pentagon, Irish Times, 14 March 2022: Can Ukraine triumph over the Russian Goliath?, The Hill, 14 March 2022: UN allocates $40 million for humanitarian aid to Ukraine, Politico.eu, 14 March 2022: Ukraine presses the EU to get real about trading with the enemy, The Atlantic, 14 March 2022: Putin Needs an Off-Ramp, Irish Times, 14 March 2022: Anti-war protester disrupts Russian state live TV news, The National, 14 March 2022: EU imposes fourth set of sanctions against Russia, The Hill, 14 March 2022: International Criminal Court to issue ruling on allegations of genocide against Russia, Irish Times, 14 March 2022: Aircraft lessors face billions in write-offs as planes re-registered in Russia, The National, 14 March 2022: Russia’s KUB-BLA kamikaze drone intercepted in Ukraine, CNN, 14 March 2022: Russia could default on its debt within days, The Times, 14 March 2022: Russian debt default on the cards after Kremlin issues warning, Haaretz, 14 March 2022: Ukrainian Official Slams Yad Vashem Over Zelenskyy’s Speech Request, CNN, 14 March 2022: China has expressed some openness to providing military and financial aid to Russia, US cable suggests, Irish Times, 14 March 2022: Hundreds of Ukrainians flee besieged port of Mariupol as death toll mounts, BBC, 14 March 2022: Ukraine war: Drone shots show Mariupol devastated by fighting, The Times, 14 March 2022: Russia-Ukraine war: latest maps, pictures and video, France24, 14 March 2022: US expresses ‘deep concerns’ on Russia-China ‘alignment’, CNN, 14 March 2022: Anti-war protester interrupts Russian state TV news broadcast, BBC, 14 March 2022: Ukraine war: Editor interrupts Russian TV news show, France24, 14 March 2022: As it happened: Over 2.8 million have fled Ukraine, EU agrees on fourth set of Russian sanctions, DW, 14 March 2022: Ukraine demands ‘immediate’ cease-fire — live updates, Reuters, 15 March 2022: Russia quits Council of Europe rights watchdog, The Washington Post, 15 March 2022: Russia has lost Ukrainians forever, The New York Times, 15 March 2022: Ukraine Live Updates: 3 European Leaders Say They’re in Kyiv in Show of Support, The Washington Post, 15 March 2022: How Ukrainian children understand the war, The National, 15 March 2022: Meet Russia’s siloviki — Putin’s inner circle, Al Arabiya, 15 March 2022: Russian invasion poses ‘clear, growing threat’ to food security in Ukraine: FAO, Arab News, 15 March 2022: European leaders visit Kyiv, Zelenskiy hints at compromise outside NATO, Los Angeles Times, 15 March 2022: European leaders travel to Ukraine as attacks kill civilians near central Kyiv, DW, 15 March 2022: What would Russian WMDs mean for NATO’s ‘red lines’?, The Hill, 15 March 2022: Lawmakers raise pressure on White House to back Poland plan, DW, 15 March 2022: Russia formally departs Council of Europe, The Atlantic, 15 March 2022: Putin’s Nuclear Threats Are a Wake-Up Call for the World, DW, 15 March 2022: Russia seeks 13-year jail term for Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny, The Algemeiner, 15 March 2022: ‘We Know What Real Nazism Is’: Jews in Beleaguered Ukrainian City of Odessa Denounce Putin’s ‘Massacre’, France24, 14 March 2022: Russian TV journalist fined for on-air Ukraine war protest, CNN, 15 March 2022: In new letter, Republican lawmakers urge Biden to supply air defense systems and fighter jets to Ukraine, France24, 15 March 2022: Ukraine official says there is ‘room for compromise’ in ‘very difficult’ Russia talks, The Guardian, 14 March 2022: Live: More than 3m have fled Ukraine, says UN, as Czech, Polish and Slovenian leaders arrive for Zelenskiy meeting, BBC, 15 March 2022: Marina Ovsyannikova: Russian journalist tells of 14-hour interrogation, France24, 15 March 2022: Russia says quitting Council of Europe, NPR, 15 March 2022: A Russian who protested the war on live TV refused to retract her statement in court, BBC, 15 March 2022: Russia sanctions Joe Biden, Hillary Clinton and others, Politico.eu, 15 March 2022: The case for a no-fly zone in western Ukraine, The Times, 15 March 2022: Ukraine peace talks are progressing, says Zelensky, NPR, 15 March 2022: What Ukraine war news looks like from Russia, Times of Israel, 15 March 2022: Putin has zombified my kind, good friends back in Russia, The Times, 15 March 2022: Russia seeking to impose ‘Stalinite police states’ in Ukraine, Politico.eu, 15 March 2022: The war in Ukraine is not ‘a picnic’, Irish Times, 15 March 2022: Ukraine: 20,000 flee Mariupol as Biden to travel to Brussels for Nato summit, DW, 15 March 2022: Fact Check: Is Russia using butterfly mines in Ukraine?, The Times, 15 March 2022: Brain drain: educated Russians flee Putin’s regime while they can, Al Arabiya, 16 March 2022: Russia quits Council of Europe rights watchdog, DW, 16 March 2022: Opinion: Courageous show of solidarity with Ukraine, The Times, 16 March 2022: Russian journalist Marina Ovsyannikova fears for her safety after TV protest, DW, 16 March 2022: The Azov Battalion: Extremists defending Mariupol, The National, 16 March 2022: Russia weighing sending more troops to Ukraine, Pentagon says, DW, 16 March 2022: International Court of Justice orders Russia to suspend invasion of Ukraine, Haaretz, 16 March 2022: Even if Zelenskyy Accepts a Humiliating Peace Deal, Putin Won’t Abide by It , DW, 16 March 2022: Viral protests: Russians continue to denounce war, risking imprisonment, The New York Times, 16 March 2022: Live Updates: Ukraine Counterattacks as Russia Pounds Civilian Targets, The Washington Post, 16 March 2022: Stop imagining Putin’s overthrow. Fantasies won’t help Ukraine., Miami Herald, 16 March 2022: Zelenskyy pleads for help in impassioned speech to Congress, Los Angeles Times, 16 March 2022: Zelensky prods Biden to pledge more Ukraine aid in emotional, end-run speech to Congress, The New Yorker, 16 March 2022: What Young Ukrainians Have Lost Overnight, The Hill, 16 March 2022: Zelensky challenges conscience of Congress, New York Magazine, 16 March 2022: Zelenskyy Invokes Pearl Harbor and 9/11 in Impassioned Speech to Congress, The Hill, 16 March 2022: Five takeaways from Zelensky’s virtual address to Congress, The Atlantic, 16 March 2022: Vladimir Putin Has Fallen Into the Dictator Trap, The Guardian, 16 March 2022: Joe Biden calls Vladimir Putin a ‘war criminal’ – as it happened, BBC, 16 March 2022: Olga Smirnova: Ballerina leaves Russia for Netherlands after denouncing war, NPR, 16 March 2022: Fears are growing that Russia will default on its debt. Here’s what you need to know, BBC, 16 March 2022: Russia’s state TV hit by stream of resignations, The Times, 16 March 2022: Germany accused of trying to water down Russia sanctions, The Guardian, 16 March 2022: Live: Mariupol theatre sheltering civilians bombed; Biden calls Putin ‘war criminal, The Times, 16 March 2022: ‘Hundreds trapped’ after Russian strike on Mariupol theatre, BBC, 16 March 2022: Kremlin fury over Biden ‘war criminal’ comment, The Times, 16 March 2022: US gives another $800m in arms after Zelensky appeal, Politico.com, 16 March 2022: Biden announces fresh aid to Ukraine but stops short of Zelenskyy’s demands, Irish Times, 16 March 2022: Russia dropped powerful bomb on Mariupol theatre where hundreds sheltered, Ukraine says, Die Zeit vom 16.03.2022: Krieg in der Ukraine: Luftangriff auf Theater mit Schutzsuchenden in Mariupol, France24, 17 March 2022: Russian in exile over Putin’s invasion of Ukraine: ‘I hate this war’, Der Spiegel, 17 March 2022: Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine: “Putin Lives in Historic Analogies and Metaphors”, Haaretz, 17 March 2022: To Understand Putin, You First Need to Get Inside Aleksandr Dugin’s Head, Politico.eu, 17 March 2022: Inside the mind of Putin’s attack dog: Diary of a warlord, CNN, 17 March 2022: Anatomy of the Mariupol hospital attack, DW, 17 March 2022: NGOs and tech firms join forces to help Ukraine, Politico.eu, 17 March 2022: Ukraine’s businesses want EU cash and Turkish battleships to keep economy alive, Jerusalem Post, 17 March 2022: Syria to supply Russia with 40,000 mercenaries – Ukrainian Defense Min., The Washington Post, 17 March 2022: Russia’s military is incompetent. That makes it more dangerous., Politico.eu, 17 March 2022: Kremlin’s occupation blueprint goes up in smoke as Ukraine fights back, DW, 17 March 2022: Ukraine war: Russia blocks ships carrying grain exports, France24, 17 March 2022: Live: ‘A thousand’ Chechen volunteers heading to fight for Russia in Ukraine, Kadyrov says, The Atlantic, 17 March 2022: I Have a Message for My Russian Friends, Arab News, 18 March 2022: Putin appears at big rally as troops press attack in Ukraine, The New York Times, 18 March 2022: Biden Warns China of ‘Consequences’ if It Aids Russian War, The Washington Post, 18 March 2022: Mixed signals on peace talks unsettle West, The New York Times, 18 March 2022: What Happened on Day 23 of Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine, The New Yorker, 18 March 2022: Ukraine’s Radio Station of National Resistance, Los Angeles Times, 18 March 2022: Explainer: Why Putin uses WWII to justify war with Ukraine, The New York Times, 18 March 2022: A Realist Take on How the Russia-Ukraine War Could End, The Hill, 18 March 2022: Support in both parties grows for providing air power to Ukraine, The Atlantic, 18 March 2022: Only NATO Can Save Putin, Al Arabiya, 18 March 2022: Russia blasted by West at UN for spreading bioweapons ‘nonsense’ over Ukraine, France24, 18 March 2022: Odessa ‘turned into a fortress’ as city readies for war, NPR, 18 March 2022: 109 empty strollers sit in a Lviv square, representing children killed in the war, CNN, 18 March 2022: Putin celebrates anniversary of Crimea annexation at stadium rally amid Russia’s onslaught of Ukraine, Al Arabiya, 18 March 2022: Hezbollah denies sending fighters to Ukraine in support of Russian invasion (that’s better for them. If they should mess with the West, that would be their complete end, for then they will be hunted down until there are none of them left – especially in their homes), DW, 18 March 2022: Swiss commodities traders help fill Putin’s war coffers, France24, 18 March 2022: War in Ukraine: The bombing continues, Biden warns China against helping Russia, CNN, 18 March 2022: Russia has attacked Lviv. Here’s why the western city is so important to Ukraine’s defense, Politico.eu, 18 March 2022: From ‘Londongrad’ to Kremlin foe: City of London sours on Moscow business, The Times, 18 March 2022: Specialist Ukrainian drone unit picks off invading Russian forces as they sleep, The New York Times, 18 March 2022: China’s Information Dark Age Could Be Russia’s Future, DW, 18 March 2022: Schwarzenegger to Putin: ‘You can stop this war now’, CNN, 18 March 2022: Biden uses call with Xi to lay out consequences for China if it supports Russia attack on Ukraine, The Guardian, 18 March 2022: Live: Fighting in centre of Mariupol; Biden outlines ‘consequences’ if China aids Russia, BBC, 18 March 2022: Ukraine war: Drone footage shows level of devastation in Mariupol, DW, 18 March 2022: Ukraine: Hundreds still trapped under Mariupol theater, Zelenskyy says — live updates, The Times, 18 March 2022: Ukraine crisis: 130 saved from destroyed theatre in Mariupol, The Guardian, 18 March 2022: Syrians join Russian ranks in Ukraine as Putin calls in Assad’s debt, BBC, 18 March 2022: Putin hails Crimea annexation and war with lessons on heroism, The Times, 18 March 2022: Vitali Klitschko: The Russians are not stupid people, but they have the wrong government, Irish Times, 18 March 2022: Ukraine: 130 people rescued from bombed Mariupol theatre but more may be trapped, Politico.eu, 18 March 2022: EU has ‘very reliable evidence’ China is considering military support for Russia, The Hill, 19 March 2022: Ukraine mobilizes volunteer ‘IT Army,’ crypto community in war with Russia, The Washington Post, 19 March 2022: Nearly 10 million have fled their homes, but defiant defense stalls Russians, NPR, 19 March 2022: With small, portable weapons, Ukraine’s fighters keep Russia at bay, The Hill, 19 March 2022: Zelensky calls for peace, warns Russia effects of war will last for generations, NPR, 19 March 2022: Russia invades Ukraine: Russia says it used a hypersonic missile to hit a munitions warehouse in Ukraine, CNN, 19 March 2022: Dozens of troops reported killed in strike on Ukrainian barracks, DW, 19 March 2022: Wounded Russian soldiers fill Belarusian hospitals, CNN, 19 March 2022: How aid organizations are responding to the crisis in Ukraine — inside the country, at the border and beyond, The Times, 19 March 2022: Russia-Ukraine peace talks a ‘smokescreen’ for war crimes, France24, 19 March 2022: Russian troops enter central Mariupol, air strikes take place in Mykolaiv, The Hill, 19 March 2022: Ukraine mobilizes volunteer ‘IT Army,’ crypto community in war with Russia, Al Arabiya, 19 March 2022: Africa mostly quiet amid widespread condemnation of Russia, CNN, 19 March 2022: New satellite image shows massive damage to Mariupol theater after bombing, Al Arabiya, 19 March 2022: Ukraine to receive more US Javelin and Stinger missiles within days: Official, Haaretz, 19 March 2022: Ukraine Is Making Nationalism Great Again, Al Arabiya, 19 March 2022: Ukraine’s Zelenskyy urges Switzerland to crack down on Russian oligarchs, The Hill, 19 March 2022: Pentagon chief says Russia has ‘struggled with logistics,’ made ‘missteps’ in Ukraine invasion, Al Arabiya, 19 March 2022: Russia used hypersonic missiles in Ukraine: Defense ministry, The National, 19 March 2022: Russians push deeper into ‘destroyed’ Mariupol as locals plead for help, Times of Israel, 19 March 2022: Canada trolls Russia with mock edits to its proposed UN resolution on Ukraine, The National, 19 March 2022: Around 100 Ukrainian soldiers feared dead after Russian strike on barracks, Arab News, 19 March 2022: Saudi FM meets Ukraine envoy in Riyadh, expresses support for de-escalation in war, The National, 19 March 2022: Ukraine says conflict kills fifth Russian general, Al Arabiya, 19 March 2022: UAE offers civilian assistance amid Russia invasion of Ukraine: Foreign minister, The National, 19 March 2022: Russia uses ‘Kinzhal’ hypersonic missile for first time in Ukraine war, Arab News, 19 March 2022: Russia claims hypersonic missile strike as Ukraine urges peace deal, BBC, 19 March 2022: Ukraine war: ‘Tanks in streets’ as fighting hits Mariupol centre, The National, 19 March 2022: Russia-Ukraine war latest: ‘destroyed’ Mariupol on brink of conquest, BBC, 19 March 2022: Ukraine conflict: Scores feared dead after Russia attack on Mykolaiv barracks, The Guardian, 19 March 2022: Live: Russia-Ukraine war latest: Boris Johnson criticised for comparing conflict with Brexit, as 190,000 civilians ‘evacuated from frontline’, BBC, 19 March 2022: Russia claims first use of hypersonic Kinzhal missile in Ukraine, The New York Times, 19 March 2022: Putin Made a Profound Miscalculation on Ukraine, The Guardian, 19 March 2022: Those on the right who loudly praised Putin have now fallen strangely silent, Irish Times, 19 March 2022: Fintan O’Toole: Putin miscalculated the loyalty of his cheerleaders in the West, The New York Times, 19 March 2022: While Putin Shrinks, Zelensky Soars, The Times, 19 March 2022: White van army of British volunteers mobilises for Ukraine, NPR, 19 March 2022: Ukrainian women are volunteering to fight — and history shows they always have, The New York Times, 19 March 2022: Deadly Strike on Ukraine Barracks Punctuates Russian Military Gains, Irish Times, 19 March 2022: War in Ukraine: Russian forces push deeper into Mariupol, The New Yorker, 19 March 2022: The Complexities of the Ukraine Dilemma, Los Angeles Times, 19 March 2022: As Russia pushes into the heart of Mariupol, Ukraine’s Zelensky urges direct talks with Putin, The New York Times, 19 March 2022: What Happened on Day 24 of Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine, Politico.eu, 20 March 2022: ‘I don’t feel safe going back.’ Russia’s future has gone into exile, NPR, 20 March 2022: Ukrainian officials say Russia has bombed a school with 400 people sheltering inside, Haaretz, 20 March 2022: Iron Dome and Beyond: Israel Can, and Must, Save Lives in Ukraine, The Washington Post, 20 March 2022: Ukrainian officials: Russian forces bombed art school with 400 inside, Forward, 20 March 2022: In appeal to Israel, Zelenskyy invokes the final solution: ‘You cannot mediate between good and evil’, Jerusalem Post, 20 March 2022: US suggests Turkey to transfer Russian-made missile defense system to Ukraine, Haaretz, 20 March 2022: War in Ukraine: ‘Putin Is Failing on All Fronts,’ NATO Deputy Chief Tells Haaretz, CNN, 20 March 2022: Zelensky to CNN: If talks fail, there will be a wider war, Al Arabiya, 20 March 2022: Officials confirm death of senior Russian naval officer in Mariupol, Jerusalem Post, 20 March 2022: Ukraine claims more Wagner mercenaries trying to assassinate Zelensky, Haaretz, 20 March 2022: Zelenskyy Tells Israeli Lawmakers: Russia Is Plotting ‘Final Solution’ Like the Nazis, The New York Times, 20 March 2022: Live Updates: Ukraine Rejects Demand to Surrender Mariupol, NPR, 20 March 2022: Russia-Ukraine war: What happened today (March 20), Al Arabiya, 20 March 2022: Hacktivist group Anonymous launches series of cyberattacks against Russia, The New York Times, 20 March 2022: Russia Will Remake Itself. But It Has to Crumble First., France24, 20 March 2022: Negotiation is only way out of war, Ukraine’s Zelensky says, Los Angeles Times, 20 March 2022: Ukraine accuses Russia of bombing shelter, deporting citizens, The New York Times, 20 March 2022: It’s Now Putin’s Plan B in Ukraine vs. Biden’s and Zelensky’s Plan A, NPR, 20 March 2022: More than 900 civilians have died in Ukraine. The true number is likely much higher, The Hill, 20 March 2022: Russian navy commander killed in Mariupol fighting, The New York Times, 20 March 2022: Truth Is Another Front in Putin’s War, The Sunday Times, 20 March 2022: Ukraine accuses Russia of killing 56 care home residents in Luhansk, The National, 20 March 2022: UK’s Liz Truss appalled at reports of forced Mariupol deportations, The New York Times, 20 March 2022: Russian Forces Bombard Mariupol From Land, Air and Sea, The Washington Post, 20 March 2022: As Mariupol faces a Russian onslaught, the hope for negotiations becomes murky, The Guardian, 20 March 2022: Live: Russia-Ukraine war: 56 elderly people killed by Russian forces, official says; Zelenskiy compares Russian offensive to Nazi Germany, DW, 20 March 2022: Ukraine’s Zelenskyy pressures Israel for air-defense systems — live updates, CNN, 21 March 2022: Calling Putin a war criminal is a bigger deal than you think, Times of Israel, 21 March 2022: Israeli lawmakers tear into Zelensky for Holocaust comparisons in Knesset speech (of course, major historical events are never repeated 1:1 and President Zelensky exaggerated a bit in his speech here, but who can blame him in the current situation? Probably nobody. At the same time, he is not wrong either, because the Russian war criminal Putin does not recognize the statehood of Ukraine and therefore not the Ukrainians themselves. Apparently he wants to erase Ukraine bit by bit from the map, and with it its history and culture. Unlike Hitler who was mainly fixated on Jews during the Holocaust, Putin is apparently taking the path of “creeping genocide” against all Ukrainians, regardless of religious affiliation. Ukrainians are wiped out through killings, but above all through expulsions and forced Russifications. It’s less gory, takes longer, generates less international backlash, but overall is at least as “effective” as the Holocaust was. In a way, it is a “mixture” of the Holocaust and the actions of the Chinese against the Uyghurs, regardless of religious affiliations or affiliations to population groups), France24, 21 March 2022: Fears of food shortages after Russian attacks on grocery stores in Ukraine, CNN, 21 March 2022: Russia bombards Mariupol; hundreds of thousands trapped, BBC, 21 March 2022: War in Ukraine: Kyiv shopping centre hit by Russian missile, Jerusalem Post, 21 March 2022: Yemeni-Houthi leader: Ukraine at war because it is led by a Jew, France24, 21 March 2022: Live: EU accuses Russia of committing ‘massive war crime’ in Ukraine’s Mariupol, BBC, 21 March 2022: Live: As it happened: Ukrainian resilience making Russia reassess – negotiator, The Guardian, 21 March 2022: $17bn of global assets linked to 35 Russians with alleged ties to Putin, The Times, 21 March 2022: Ukrainian cities being ‘wiped off the face of the Earth’, DW, 21 March 2022: Ukraine: EU’s Borrell slams Russian ‘war crime’ in Mariupol, The Guardian, 21 March 2022: Live: Russia-Ukraine war: US sees ‘clear evidence of war crimes’ as Boris Johnson said to be ‘desperate’ to visit Ukraine, The Times, 21 March 2022: Struggling Russians ‘plant mines’ and dig in for a long war, BBC, 21 March 2022: Ukraine conflict: Russia trying to starve Mariupol into surrender – MP, The Guardian, 21 March 2022: Lukashenko is dragging Belarus closer to a war that most of its citizens don’t want, The National, 21 March 2022: Russia’s diplomatic isolation set to deepen in fresh UN vote on Ukraine, The Times, 21 March 2022: West ‘naive’ to think China will abandon Russia over Ukraine, The Hill, 21 March 2022: Zelensky says Mariupol being ‘reduced to ashes’, Los Angeles Times, 21 March 2022: Global outrage grows over Putin’s merciless attacks in Ukraine, NPR, 21 March 2022: Russia-Ukraine war: What happened today (March 21), The New York Times, 21 March 2022: Ukraine Live Updates: As Russia Pounds Ukrainian Cities, U.S. Lobbies an Anti-Kremlin Alliance, The National, 22 March 2022: Russia-Ukraine war latest: referendum will be held on any peace deal, says Zelenskyy, The Washington Post, 22 March 2022: Biden warns Russia could resort to chemical weapons; Zelensky says some cities bombed beyond recognition, NPR, 22 March 2022: Ukrainian President Zelenskyy to address Japanese parliament, The National, 22 March 2022: Russia-Ukraine war latest: referendum will be held on any peace deal, says Zelenskyy, The Washington Post, 22 March 2022: Biden warns Russia could resort to chemical weapons; Zelensky says some cities bombed beyond recognition, NPR, 22 March 2022: Ukrainian President Zelenskyy to address Japanese parliament, Jerusalem Post, 22 March 2022: Ukraine’s Zelensky will take part virtually in NATO summit, Politico.eu, 22 March 2022: Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskyy tops POLITICO 28 poll as most powerful person in Europe, Haaretz, 22 March 2022: Explained: Why Israel’s Iron Dome Won’t Help Ukraine Against Russia, The National, 22 March 2022: Ukraine‘s western backers confident in weapons supplies, Politico.eu, 22 March 2022: ‘The only thing Putin understands is strength’: US aircraft carrier flexes muscle in the Med, Arab News, 22 March 2022: ‘This war is unwinnable:’ UN chief renews plea for Ukraine peace talks, CNN, 22 March 2022: What we know about Russia’s death toll in Ukraine (ultimately, the exact numbers are initially irrelevant. They are accomplices to the war criminal Putin, so the more the better), Politico.eu, 22 March 2022: Vladimir Putin is making Ukrainians more Ukrainian, BBC, 22 March 2022: A bomb hit this theatre hiding hundreds – here’s how one woman survived, CNN, 22 March 2022: Putin spokesman refuses to rule out use of nuclear weapons if Russia faced an ‘existential threat’, Washington Post, 22 March 2022: Russian air force action increases despite flood of antiaircraft missiles into Ukraine, Jerusalem Post, 22 March 2022: Russia withdrew from WWII peace treaty talks with Japan, Politico.eu, 22 March 2022: Alexei Navalny given 9-year jail term after being found guilty on fraud charges, Washington Post, 22 March 2022: Americans may be greatly underestimating the impact of 10 years of Putin’s propaganda, The New York Times, 22 March 2022: Live Updates: Pentagon Says Russian Combat Forces Have Shrunk as Ukraine Mounts Defense, The Times, 22 March 2022: Russian forces retreating and deserting, Ukraine claims, CNN, 22 March 2022: Belarusian military could ‘soon’ join war in Ukraine, US and NATO officials say, The Times, 22 March 2022: Run on banks and empty shelves as sanctions bite in Russia, BBC, 22 March 2022: US slams Russian refusal to rule out nuclear arms, The New Yorker, 22 March 2022: The Purges in Putin’s Shrinking Inner Circle, The Atlantic, 22 March 2022: Ukraine Must Win, The Times, 22 March 2022: Crowdfunded drones give Ukrainians an edge, The Guardian, 22 March 2022: Why is Mariupol so important to Russian forces?, The Times, 22 March 2022: Russia accused of using white phosphorus in Ukrainian city, The New York Times, 22 March 2022: The Grand Theory Driving Putin to War, Washington Post, 22 March 2022: Meet the author of Putin’s deadly playbook, CNN, 22 March 2022: Consequences of Putin’s “aggression against Ukraine span well beyond Europe,” EU Commission President says, The Times, 22 March 2022: Russia plans kidnapping and violence in ‘great terror’ to end Kherson protests, The Atlantic, 22 March 2022: How Western News Is Getting Around Putin’s Digital Iron Curtain, The New York Times, 22 March 2022: Odessa and the Ukraine That Should Have Been, The New Yorker, 22 March 2022: The Purges in Putin’s Shrinking Inner Circle, The Times, 22 March 2022: Putin and Biden learnt lessons from Syria’s gassing of civilians, The Guardian, 22 March 2022: Olena Zelenska thanks other first ladies for supporting Ukraine, The Hill, 22 March 2022: Five ways US sanctions are hurting Russia, The New Yorker, 22 March 2022: The Devastation of Kharkiv, Ukraine, DW, 22 March 2022: Ukraine says Kherson faces ‘humanitarian catastrophe’ — live updates, NPR, 22 March 2022: Russia-Ukraine war: What happened today (March 22), DW, 22 March 2022: Can Ukraine negotiate with ‘a war criminal’?, France24, 22 March 2022: Kremlin critic Navalny sentenced to nine years in prison for embezzlement, DW, 22 March 2022: Zelenskyy offers ‘compromise for everyone’, Haaretz, 23 March 2022: Ukraine Fears ‘Europe’s Last Dictator’ ‘Will Join the Russian Invasion, The Guardian, 23 March 2022: ‘We’re going back to a USSR’: long queues return for Russian shoppers as sanctions bite, CNN, 23 March 2022: Ukrainians push back Russian forces east of Kyiv, The Hill, 23 March 2022: US determines Russia has committed war crimes in Ukraine, Los Angeles Times, 23 March 2022: Biden administration formally accuses Russia of war crimes as humanitarian crisis in Ukraine deepens, NPR, 23 March 2022: Russia-Ukraine war: What happened today (March 23), New York Magazine, 23 March 2022: U.S. Officially Accuses Russia of War Crimes in Ukraine, The Hill, 23 March 2022: Close Putin ally warns of nuclear dystopia, NPR, 23 March 2022: U.S. officially declares that Russian forces have committed war crimes in Ukraine, Daily Mail, 23 March 2022: Russian military secrets could be laid bare after Ukraine captures electronic warfare systems (Krasukha), France24, 23 March 2022: ‘Russian forces have committed war crimes in Ukraine,’ Blinken says, Arab News, 23 March 2022: As Ukraine war ends first month, Putin hits back at sanctions with oil payment changes, Al Arabiya, 23 March 2022: NATO Arctic drill takes on new significance after Russia invasion of Ukraine, Jerusalem Post, 23 March 2022: Russian losses in Ukraine exceed Soviet losses in Afghanistan, Times of Israel, 23 March 2022: New drone footage shows massive extent of devastation in Ukraine’s Mariupol, The Times, 23 March 2022: Ukraine war: Putin ‘at risk of coup’ by Russian security services, Politico.eu, 23 March 2022: Rubles for gas: Putin trolls the West over its energy addiction, Irish Times, 23 March 2022: War in Ukraine: Veteran Putin aide resigns and leaves Russia as thousands remain trapped in Mariupol, BBC, 23 March 2022: Nato to boost forces in eastern Europe as Ukraine war rages, The Guardian, 23 March 2022: Nearly a month in, the Russia-Ukraine war is defying all expectations, The Times, 23 March 2022: The experts were wrong: Russia hasn’t won, and it’s not going to, BBC, 23 March 2022: Russian veteran reformer Chubais quits job as Putin envoy, The Guardian, 23 March 2022: Live Russia-Ukraine war latest news: Russians now adopting defensive positions outside Kyiv, says US; concern for trapped Chernihiv residents – live, CNN, 23 March 2022: The bodies of Russian soldiers are piling up in Ukraine, as Kremlin conceals true toll of war, BBC, 23 March 2022: Ukraine war: Ukrainian fightback gains ground west of Kyiv, France24, 23 March 2022: Threat looms of Russian attack on undersea cables to shut down West’s internet, DW, 24 March 2022: Putin’s war in Ukraine may still fail, The Guardian, 24 March 2022: Live: Nato has never been more united, says Biden; Russia and Ukraine exchange prisoners, DW, 24 March 2022: Ukraine’s Zelenskyy calls for global protests one month since Russia’s invasion – live updates, Arab News, 24 March 2022: West unites to back Ukraine and seek ‘ruinous cost’ for Putin, DW, 24 March 2022: Putin’s war in Ukraine may still fail, Al Arabiya, 24 March 2022: Putin made ‘big mistake’ invading Ukraine: NATO chief, Haaretz, 24 March 2022: Putin’s Oligarchs’ Rush for Israeli Luxury Rentals, Preferably in Cash, The Atlantic, 24 March 2022: Putin Doesn’t Realize How Much Warfare Has Changed, Politico.eu, 24 March 2022: Germany’s Scholz rejects Putin’s rubles-for-gas demand, The Times, 24 March 2022: ‘Butcher of Mariupol’ inflicts brutality he learnt in Syria, DW, 24 March 2022: Renault suspends Russia operations after backlash, Politico.eu, 24 March 2022: Oil has an autocracy problem, The Times, 24 March 2022: Defenders sink prized enemy ship after role in propaganda video, Times of Israel, 24 March 2022: Jewish businessman paid for Nazi graffiti in Ukraine before Russia invaded – report, Irish Times, 24 March 2022: Ukraine sinks Russian ship amid claims Moscow deporting civilians, BBC, 24 March 2022: Russia’s cost of living soars by more than 14% (that should at least be doubled to 30% and more, just to remind the Russians on a daily basis how great and awesome their leadership is), France24, 24 March 2022: The battle of Irpin: Meeting the Ukrainian resistance, The Times, 24 March 2022: Ukrainians close to reclaiming Irpin as Russia suffers ‘heavy losses’, Politico.eu, 24 March 2022: NATO leaders warn China: Don’t act as Russia’s enabler, BBC, 24 March 2022: Ukraine counter-attacks gain more ground near Kyiv, UK says, The Guardian, 24 March 2022: Putin may ramp up his war in Ukraine – here’s how Nato should respond, Irish Times, 24 March 2022: Europe facing ‘long haul’ over Russian invasion, says Taoiseach, BBC, 24 March 2022: Defiant Ukrainian troops tell Russians: ‘Go home while you’re still alive’, DW, 24 March 2022: Chechen and Tatar Muslims take up arms to fight for Ukraine, France24, 24 March 2022: ‘Putin banked on NATO being split, he’s getting the opposite,’ Biden says, Der Spiegel, 24 March 2022: Surrogate Motherhood in Ukraine: “Keep Calm. The Life of Your Child Depends On It”, The Washington Post, 24 March 2022: The worse things go for Putin in Ukraine, the more China will back him, The Atlantic, 24 March 2022: Ukraine’s Three-to-One Advantage, Jerusalem Post, 25 March 2022: Ukraine-Russia war: Chernihiv effectively cut off by Russian troops – gov., Times of Israel, 25 March 2022: 300 feared dead in Russian strike on Mariupol theater, city hall says, France24, 25 March 2022: Russian invasion of Ukraine: Kremlin’s propaganda machine running at full throttle, The Times, 25 March 2022: Nato will act if Russia uses chemical weapons in Ukraine, says Joe Biden, France24, 25 March 2022: Ukraine says it has destroyed a large Russian landing ship in Berdiansk, CNN, 25 March 2022: Ukrainian crew member who tried to sink a yacht linked to an oligarch: ‘It was my first step for the war with Russia’, The New York Times, 25 March 2022: Russia Says Focus Is Shifting Away From Kyiv, Toward Eastern Ukraine, The Times, 25 March 2022: Putin’s crimes will stain Russia for decades, France24, 25 March 2022: Live: Russia signals scaled-back war aims, France summons envoy over dead body tweet, The Washington Post, 25 March 2022: Ukrainians have faced Russian terror before, The New York Times, 25 March 2022: America Thinks the War Is About Ukraine. Russia’s Neighbors Disagree., The Washington Post, 25 March 2022: The ‘deglobalization’ of Moscow, Los Angeles Times, 25 March 2022: Coinciding with Biden visit to Poland, Russia signals scaled-back goals in Ukraine, The New Yorker, 25 March 2022: The Biden Official Who Pierced Putin’s “Sanction-Proof” Economy, New York Magazine, 25 March 2022: A Mayor at War: Vitali Klitschko on keeping himself and Kyiv alive., NPR, 25 March 2022: Russia-Ukraine war: What happened today (March 25), The Guardian, 25 March 2022: US plan to provide 15bn cubic meters of natural gas to EU alarms climate groups (umm .. Putin is a war criminal and dictator, but not a “climate group”), The National, 25 March 2022: France’s Macron: no reason to accept Russia demands for gas payments in roubles, The Guardian, 25 March 2022: Putin’s bombs and missiles rain down, but he will never destroy Ukraine’s culture, Haaretz, 25 March 2022: Russia’s New Disinformation Tactic: Fighting ‘Fake News’ With Fake News, The Guardian, 25 March 2022: Ukraine will not surrender one inch of land to Russia – the west must understand this, Politico.eu, 25 March 2022: Russian brigade commander killed by his own forces (“know your real enemy”), Arab News, 25 March 2022: France, Turkey, Greece working on ‘humanitarian operation’ for Mariupol evacuations: Macron, Irish Times, 25 March 2022: Russia-Ukraine war: what we know on day 30 of the invasion, Politico.eu, 25 March 2022: Macron says France will spearhead operation to evacuate Mariupol, The Guardian, 25 March 2022: Live: Hope for Mariupol evacuation as France negotiates plan; Moscow says first phase of invasion complete, Politico.eu, 25 March 2022: Leaders rebuff Zelenskyy’s latest pitch to join EU, The Times, 25 March 2022: Russia hints at scaling back war on Ukraine, Irish Times, 25 March 2022: Russia scaling back ambitions as it claims first phase of war complete, CNN, 25 March 2022: One month into war, Zelensky is done with niceties, The Times, 25 March 2022: Ukraine diary: echoes of Syria as great cities are gutted and innocent lives lost, BBC, 25 March 2022: Next stop Kyiv – the battle on the capital’s outskirts, France24, 25 March 2022: Russian journalists quit over Putin ‘propaganda’, CNN, 25 March 2022: Russia says first phase of war is over as its advances in Ukraine appear to have stalled, Politico.com, 25 March 2022: Russia’s Kyiv offensive stalls, as Ukrainians counterattack in the south, BBC, 25 March 2022: War in Ukraine: Estimated 300 dead in Mariupol theatre strike, Haaretz, 26 March 2022: Russia Enters a Ukrainian Catch-22, The Times, 26 March 2022: Russian troops ‘drove a tank over own colonel’ after losing half their brigade, DW, 26 March 2022: Ukraine: Biden calls for Putin’s removal during Warsaw speech, Los Angeles Times, 26 March 2022: In fiery speech, Biden calls out Putin on Ukraine: ‘This man cannot remain in power’, Al Arabiya, 26 March 2022: Putin ‘cannot remain in power,’ says Biden, The Hill, 26 March 2022: Biden declares Putin ‘cannot remain in power’ in fiery Warsaw remarks, Los Angeles Times, 26 March 2022: Russia spread anti-vax lies in Ukraine. Will it cause a COVID crisis for Europe?, NPR, 26 March 2022: Biden says of Putin: ‘For God’s sake, this man cannot remain in power’, The Guardian, 26 March 2022: Live: Russia-Ukraine war: Biden says Putin ‘cannot remain in power’; US offers further military support, CNN, 26 March 2022: Biden says Putin ‘cannot remain in power’, Politico.com, 26 March 2022: Biden, off the cuff, says Putin ‘cannot remain in power’, The New York Times, 26 March 2022: Biden’s Barbed Remark About Putin: A Slip or a Veiled Threat?, BBC, 26 March 2022: Vladimir Putin ‘cannot stay in power’, Biden says, CNN, 26 March 2022: What the second month of war in Ukraine may bring, The Times, 26 March 2022: Farce as White House clarifies Biden assertion that Putin must be toppled, BBC, 26 March 2022: Ukraine war: Ros Atkins on… Putin’s false ‘Nazi’ claims, The Guardian, 26 March 2022: Wanted: Russian revolution to topple tyrant. Internal applicants welcome, DW, 26 March 2022: Ukraine: Biden decries Putin’s rule during Warsaw address, CNN, 26 March 2022: Zelensky’s Ukraine is real. Putin’s doesn’t exist, France24, 26 March 2022: As it happened: Multiple rockets hit Lviv in western Ukraine, DW, 26 March 2022: Ukraine: Russians living in Prague stage anti-war rally, BBC, 26 March 2022: Ukraine war: Five wounded after explosions hit western city of Lviv, France24, 26 March 2022: Fight against Russia’s Ukraine war is a ‘new battle for freedom’, Biden says, DW, 26 March 2022: Ukraine: Russian strikes wound several in Lviv — live updates, Arab News, 26 March 2022: Ukraine represents a watershed moment for global corporations, Times of Israel, 27 March 2022: Ukraine said to recapture several villages, as Russia hits Kharkiv nuclear facility, The National, 27 March 2022: Russia-Ukraine latest: Russia trying to split Ukraine in two, says intelligence chief, Jerusalem Post, 27 March 2022: Putin launched a regime change war, and some think he’s the victim, The National, 27 March 2022: Russia-Ukraine latest: Russia trying to split Ukraine in two, says intelligence chief, Al Arabiya, 27 March 2022: In call with Putin, Turkey’s Erdogan stresses need for ceasefire, The Hill, 27 March 2022: Rand Paul standoff throws Russia bills into limbo, The New York Times, 27 March 2022: Ukraine Live Updates: Russian Forces Regroup, Focusing Efforts on Strategic Targets, Politico.eu, 27 March 2022: Supplying Ukraine an ‘evolving conversation,’ says U.S. ambassador to NATO, The Washington Post, 27 March 2022: Zelensky open to ‘neutrality’ and negotiations over Donbas, The Hill, 27 March 2022: Ukraine can defeat Russia — but the West must help, Politico.com, 27 March 2022: Biden’s trip to Europe: A triumph, a walk back, and no clearer end game, The Sunday Times, 27 March 2022: Moscow-backed Luhansk ‘to hold vote on leaving Ukraine to join Russia’, DW, 27 March 2022: Joe Biden gives strong speech on Ukraine, freedom, BBC, 27 March 2022: Ukraine war is our war, say Brit ex-squaddies heading to Lviv, DW, 27 March 2022: Ukraine warns Russia is trying to split country in two — live updates, CNN, 27 March 2022: Ukrainians disrupt and derail Russian offensive as war moves to new phase, DW, 28 March 2022: Ukraine: Civilian evacuations suspended over Russian ‘provocations’ — live updates, France24, 28 March 2022: Live: Ukraine retakes control of Irpin, ‘catastrophic’ situation in Mariupol, DW, 28 March 2022: Russia labels Deutsche Welle a ‘foreign agent’, CNN, 28 March 2022: Zelensky says Moscow is ‘frightened’ after Kremlin bans his interview, The Guardian, 28 March 2022: Live: Russia-Ukraine war: Roman Abramovich and Ukrainian peace negotiator had ‘symptoms consistent with poisoning’, NPR, 28 March 2022: Biden says he was expressing ‘moral outrage’ when saying Putin shouldn’t stay in power, The Times, 28 March 2022: The West must back Ukraine for a long war, NPR, 28 March 2022: Russia-Ukraine war: What happened today (March 28), The Hill, 28 March 2022: Biden: Putin comments were an expression of ‘moral outrage,’ not policy change, The New York Times, 28 March 2022: Live Updates: Biden Says He Stands by His Putin Comments, Los Angeles Times, 28 March 2022: A Russian empire ‘from Dublin to Vladivostok’? The roots of Putin’s ultranationalism, Arab News, 28 March 2022: UN chief steps up efforts to secure humanitarian truce in Ukraine, The National, 28 March 2022: Europe recommends ending golden passports and visas for Russians, Haaretz, 28 March 2022: Russia Just Hit a Holocaust Memorial in Ukraine. Israel Doesn’t Want to Talk About It, The Washington Post, 29 March 2022: Germany, urged to ‘stop Putin’s war machine,’ resists Russian energy embargo, Politico.eu, 28 March 2022: Excuses, excuses? Why some companies won’t stop trading in Russia, The New York Times, 28 March 2022: Putin and the Myths of Western Decadence, Politico.eu, 28 March 2022: EU ‘ready’ to set up fast-track trade routes for Ukraine, The New Yorker, 29 March 2022: Why Do So Many Russians Say They Support the War in Ukraine?, The Hill, 29 March 2022: Top commander in Europe: US not ‘currently training’ Ukrainian forces in Poland, Poltico.com, 29 March 2022: Biden: ‘We’ll see’ whether Russia reduces offensive around Kyiv, NPR, 29 March 2022: How Putin Conquered Russia’s Oligarchy, The New Yorker, 29 March 2022: The One Place in Lviv Where the War Is Never Far Away, The Washington Post, 29 March 2022: Ukraine outlines peace proposals; Russia says it will reduce Kyiv, Chernihiv attacks, The Hill, 29 March 2022: Biden skeptical of Russian claims it will reduce military assault in Ukraine, The Atlantic, 29 March 2022: The Rhino of Kyiv, France24, 29 March 2022: Navalny top aide: ‘Putin shortened his time in power when he went to war in Ukraine’, Los Angeles Times, 29 March 2022: Russia says it will reduce attacks as talks with Ukraine resume, The Washington Post, 29 March 2022: Ukraine to negotiators: Don’t eat or drink at Russia talks amid poison concern, BBC, 29 March 2022: Ukraine war: Russia says it will curb Kyiv assault as peace talks progress, France24, 29 March 2022: War in Ukraine: Latest developments, The New York Times, 29 March 2022: Live Updates: As Talks Progress, Russia Says It Will Reduce Attacks in Northern Ukraine, BBC, 29 March 2022: Ukraine war: Dozens of Russian diplomats expelled by four EU nations, DW, 29 March 2022: Russia pledges to scale down military activity near Kyiv, Chernihiv — live updates, CNN, 29 March 2022: Why Turkey is in a unique position to mediate, Politico.eu, 29 March 2022: Russia says it will reduce Kyiv offensive to ‘increase trust’ for future peace talks, France24, 29 March 2022: Russia is using abductions to intimidate Ukrainians in occupied territories, The Times, 29 March 2022: Ukraine peace talks: Russia says it will ease assault on Kyiv, BBC, 29 March 2022: UK and US urge caution on Russian pledge to reduce attacks, CNN, 29 March 2022: Russia says it will reduce troop numbers and military operations around Kyiv and Chernihiv, but Biden and other US officials express skepticism, Politico.eu, 29 March 2022: Visegrad defense meeting called off over Russia split, The Times, 29 March 2022: Putin’s war is going nowhere, but neither is he, Irish Times, 29 March 2022: Russia says it will ‘dramatically’ scale back military activity around Kyiv, Politico.eu, 29 March 2022: US Treasury: More Western sanctions to target Russian economy, supply chains, The New York Times, 29 March 2022: What if Putin Didn’t Miscalculate?, The Guardian, 29 March 2022: Live Russia-Ukraine war: western officials urge caution over Russia’s peace talk promises, Al Arabiya, 29 March 2022: US weighs $500 mln more for Ukraine despite peace talks, Forward, 29 March 2022: I am a Ukrainian Jew. I have lost my mother to Russian disinformation, Arab News, 29 March 2022: Russia promises to scale back Ukraine war but West skeptical, The National, 29 March 2022: Germany sees Russian fossil fuel purge as ‘de facto embargo’, The Times, 30 March 2022: ‘Ukrainian missiles’ hit munitions depot in Russia, Politico.com, 30 March 2022: Rebuilding Ukraine Will Be Costly. Here’s How to Make Putin Pay., The Guardian, 30 March 2022: Live Russia-Ukraine war: Putin demands Mariupol surrender; US promises financial support for Ukraine, Irish Times, 30 March 2022: Russian forces bombard outskirts of Kyiv despite promise to scale back, CNN, 30 March 2022: Protest posters pop up all over Ukraine, The Times, 30 March 2022: Russia ‘using banned landmines’ in northeastern Ukraine, CNN, 30 March 2022: Orban’s juggling act with Putin and Europe faces a key test, Politico.eu, 30 March 2022: Boris Johnson: Sanctions should intensify until all Russian troops leave Ukraine, France24, 30 March 2022: Several EU countries expel Russian diplomats over alleged spying, CNN, 30 March 2022: This was their beloved home. But life in these Ukrainian towns will never be the same, France24, 30 March 2022: Defiance and destruction as Ukraine recaptures towns near Kyiv, Politico.com, 30 March 2022: U.S. to send Ukraine additional $500M, Biden tells Zelenskyy, France24, 30 March 2022: Russia’s war on Ukraine: ‘Time and strategic military advantage is on Ukraine’s side’, BBC, 30 March 2022: Ukraine refugee exodus reaches four million, CNN, 30 March 2022: Aid agency complex was struck at least twice, new images show. A Ukrainian official called the attacks a ‘gross violation of the 1949 Geneva Conventions’, BBC, 30 March 2022: Ukraine War: Putin demands Mariupol surrender to end shelling, France24, 30 March 2022: Live: Russia regrouping forces to focus on ‘key fronts and Donbas’, BBC, 30 March 2022: War in Ukraine: Russia launches new attacks after peace promise, DW, 30 March 2022: Ukraine: Chernihiv governor says shelling continues despite Russian pullback promise — live updates, Jerusalem Post, 30 March 2022: South Ossetia to hold referendum to join Russia in future, The National, 30 March 2022: Mila Kunis and Ashton Kutcher raise over $35m for Ukrainian refugees, NPR, 30 March 2022: War in Ukraine live updates: Heavy losses force Russian troops to regroup in Belarus and Russia, the U.K. says, The New York Times, 30 March 2022: ‘Like Living in a Horror Movie’: A Ukraine Town Dying a Slow Death, The Hill, 30 March 2022: US says Putin feels ‘misled’ by Russian military, The New Yorker, 30 March 2022: Why I Chose to Stay in Ukraine, The Washington Post, 30 March 2022: Ukraine has widened the breach between U.S. and Persian Gulf countries, Los Angeles Times, 30 March 2022: Attacks hit Ukraine’s north despite Russian pledges to scale back, The New York Times, 30 March 2022: Putin Was Misinformed on Ukraine, U.S. Intelligence Shows, The Washington Post, 30 March 2022: In bloodied front-line town, Ukrainian forces push Russians back, BBC, 31 March 2022: Germany condemns Putin gas supply “blackmail”, Time, 31 March 2022: ‘Putin’s Appetite Will Only Grow.’ Estonia’s Prime Minister Says We’re Not Doing Enough to Stop Russia, Arab News, 31 March 2022: Europe’s Russian gas in jeopardy, Ukraine braces for new assaults, BBC, 31 March 2022: Ukraine war: Russia threatens to stop supplying gas if not paid in roubles, Los Angeles Times, 31 March 2022: U.S. military veterans answer Zelensky’s call to fight, but not all are chosen, Politico.eu, 31 March 2022: Zelenskyy to Belgium: Value peace over Russian diamonds, BBC, 31 March 2022: Ukraine war: Russian forces regrouping for attack – Nato, The Guardian, 31 March 2022: Only total military failure will curb Putin’s ambitions in Ukraine, DW, 31 March 2022: Kyiv waits for evidence of Mariupol cease-fire — live updates, CNN, 31 March 2022: Ukrainian women escaped to give birth in a country free of war. They want their children to know why Putin forced them to flee, Politico.eu, 31 March 2022: EU countries should set up Ukrainian cash conversion scheme, Commission suggests, The Guardian, 31 March 2022: Ukraine in fresh effort to evacuate Mariupol after Red Cross warnings, NPR, 31 March 2022: Russia’s war in Ukraine reminds Georgians of what they survived in 2008, The Times, 31 March 2022: Oil prices fall as President Biden considers release from strategic reserve, BBC, 31 March 2022: Ukraine war: Russian troops leave Chernobyl, Ukraine says, The New York Times, 31 March 2022: Putin ‘Just Threw Over the Chess Board,’ and Russians Feel Shame and Dismay, The Guardian, 31 March 2022: Live: Russia-Ukraine war latest: Russian forces leave Chernobyl; Germany rejects Putin’s gas supply ‘blackmail’, The Times, 31 March 2022: Diminished Putin has already lost, says UK defence chief, Jerusalem Post, 31 March 2022: ‘Murderous European dictator is back’ – Holocaust survivor, The National, 1 April 2022: All Russian forces leave Chernobyl site after radiation exposure, The Times, 1 April 2022: Putin threatens Europe’s gas supply — but backs down, DW, 1 April 2022: Sergey Lavrov visits India with US relations at a crossroads, The National, 1 April 2022: Zelenskyy says situation in some places tough as he fires top officials, The Times, 1 April 2022: Born under Putin, died for Putin: the teenage conscripts bearing the brunt of the assault on Ukraine, The National, 1 April 2022: Ukraine retakes Sloboda and Lukashivka villages on supply route near bombarded Chernihiv, Jerusalem Post, 1 April 2022: China should not interfere with sanctions on Russia, EU says, The National, 1 April 2022: UN nuclear experts begin mission to Chernobyl next week, Politico.com, 1 April 2022: U.S. quietly approves more aid as Ukraine braces for ‘chemical and biological’ attacks, NPR, 1 April 2022: ‘Russian mutants lost this round,’ Ukraine says after troops leave Chernobyl, France24, 1 April 2022: As it happened: Ukraine denies attacking fuel depot inside Russia, The National, 1 April 2022: Russia-Ukraine latest: Ukraine says it foiled attempted missile strike on Odesa region, NPR, 1 April 2022: Russia threatens to fine Wikipedia if it doesn’t remove some details about the war, CNN, 1 April 2022: Saudi-led coalition and Houthis agree on truce in Yemen, raising hopes for the ‘start of a better future’, France24, 1 April 2022: On the ground: Kharkiv residents caught in the line of fire, BBC, 1 April 2022: Ukraine war: Gruesome evidence points to war crimes on road outside Kyiv, CNN, 1 April 2022: International Red Cross team was unable to reach Mariupol and will try again tomorrow, The Guardian, 1 April 2022: Live: Russia-Ukraine war: Kyiv says Ukraine not behind attack on Russian oil depot; exchange of captured troops reported, The New Yorker, 1 April 2022: How Far Is the West Prepared to Go for Ukraine?, BBC, 1 April 2022: The heavy losses of an elite Russian regiment in Ukraine, The Washington Post, 1 April 2022: Some young Russian men fear ending up in battle as military launches conscription push, New York Magazine, 1 April 2022: How Russia’s Oligarchs Laundered Their Reputations in the West, The New York Times, 1 April 2022: Why Putin Went Straight for the Nuclear Threat, Los Angeles Times, 1 April 2022: Ukraine reclaims territory as it strikes inside Russia, The Washington Post, 1 April 2022: Painful choices lie in the path to peace in Ukraine, The New York Times, 1 April 2022: What Happened on Day 37 of Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine, The Atlantic, 1 April 2022: What Ukrainian Families Can Learn From Taiwan, The Times, 1 April 2022: UK missile shoots down first Russian helicopter in Ukraine war, DW, 1 April 2022: Ukraine: EU parliament president visits Kyiv, Politico.eu, 1 April 2022: ‘We will help you rebuild your cities,’ European Parliament president tells Ukrainians, DW, 1 April 2022: Ukraine: Red Cross convoy forced to turn back from Mariupol — live updates, The National, 2 April 2022: Ukraine claims control over capital Kyiv region as Russia shifts to east, Al Arabiya, 2 April 2022: Almost 300 people buried in ‘mass grave’ in Bucha outside Kyiv: Mayor, France24, 2 April 2022: Ukraine regained control of ‘whole Kyiv region’ says defence official, The National, 2 April 2022: Russia-Ukraine latest: ‘heavy battles ahead’ despite Russian pullback near Kyiv, France24, 2 April 2022: Ukraine claims Kyiv region as Russians pull back, bodies in nearby towns, The Algemeiner, 2 April 2022: Russia Headed for Recession Despite Ruble Rebound, US Says, BBC, 2 April 2022: War in Ukraine: Street in Bucha found strewn with dead bodies, The Hill, 2 April 2022: Ukrainian civilians executed, people buried in mass graves in city of Bucha, officials say, CNN, 2 April 2022: Putin is making the same mistakes that doomed Hitler when he invaded the Soviet Union, BBC, 2 April 2022: Ukraine says it has retaken entire Kyiv region, The New York Times, 2 April 2022: Putin Is Losing in Ukraine. But He’s Winning in Russia., The Times, 2 April 2022: Boris Johnson eager to arm Ukraine for defence of Odesa, Los Angeles Times, 2 April 2022: Ukrainian officials warn of executions of civilians as Russian forces retreat in Kyiv region, The New York Times, 2 April 2022: What Happened on Day 38 of the War in Ukraine, New York Magazine, 2 April 2022: Ukraine’s Life-or-Death Therapy Sessions, Politico.eu, 2 April 2022: US will reportedly help Ukraine by sending Soviet-made tanks (great. Friendly fire at its best), NPR, 2 April 2022: UNESCO says 53 cultural sites in Ukraine have been damaged since the Russian invasion (no matter how hard Putin’s cultural Taliban try, they will not be able to wipe out Ukrainian culture), DW, 2 April 2022: Experts warn Black Sea mines pose serious maritime threat, Irish Times, 2 April 2022: War in Ukraine: Talks with Ukraine ‘hostile’ but must continue, Kremlin says, Politico.eu, 2 April 2022: Pope lashes out at ‘potentate’ Putin over ‘anachronistic claims’ on Ukraine, Jerusalem Post, 2 April 2022: China carried out massive cyberattack operation on Ukraine, DW, 2 April 2022: Ukraine says its troops regain full control of Kyiv region — live updates, The Hill, 3 April 2022: NATO chief calls Bucha executions ‘horrific’, The Washington Post, 3 April 2022: Zelensky, entering new stage of war, faces political test, The Hill, 3 April 2022: NATO chief says Russia shifting strategy: ‘This is not a real withdrawal’ , NPR, 3 April 2022: War in Ukraine: Scenes of devastation emerge in recently liberated areas around Kyiv, The New York Times, 3 April 2022: “This is true barbarity”: Residents of one town described weeks of hunger and horror under Russian occupation., The Hill, 3 April 2022: Zelensky accuses Russia of genocide, The New York Times, 3 April 2022: Ukraine Is the First Real World War, The Hill, 3 April 2022: Pope Francis condemns ‘sacrilegious war’ in Ukraine, The New York Times, 3 April 2022: Live Updates: Reports of Atrocities in Ukraine Spur Outrage, The Hill, 3 April 2022: Dead bodies in Bucha spark push for harsher action against Russia, NPR, 3 April 2022: Russia-Ukraine war: What happened today (April 3), The Hill, 3 April 2022: Evidence of Russian war crimes mounts along with global outrage, The Washington Post, 3 April 2022: Scenes of horror in Bucha spark outcry, Los Angeles Times, 3 April 2022: Ukraine, U.S. and other countries condemn Russia for alleged civilian executions, The Washington Post, 3 April 2022: Odessa rocked by explosions as Russia claims strikes on oil refinery, fuel depots, The Sunday Times, 3 April 2022: Superior tactics frustrate Russia but Ukraine’s supply line may be vulnerable, Al Arabiya, 3 April 2022: Ukraine says 410 bodies found near Kyiv, witnesses traumatized, The Sunday Times, 3 April 2022: Russian missiles hit Ukraine’s key port of Odesa, Irish Times, 3 April 2022: ‘We are being exterminated’: Kremlin accused of war crimes after Bucha attack, Arab News, 3 April 2022: Russia accused of ‘apparent war crimes’, Moscow denies killing civilians in Bucha, Irish Times, 3 April 2022: Russian ambassador to be invited to attend Zelenskiy address to Dáil, The Sunday Times, 3 April 2022: War in Ukraine: Town of Bucha shattered by Russian invaders’ atrocities, CNN, 3 April 2022: Is Putin banking on an endless war?, Irish Times, 3 April 2022: The horrors of Bucha: Bodies turned into ‘human rugs’ by Russian tanks, France24, 3 April 2022: Slideshow: Death, destruction in wake of Russian troop withdrawal from northern Ukraine, BBC, 3 April 2022: Ukraine war: Bucha street littered with burned-out tanks and corpses, DW, 3 April 2022: Ukraine: Germany’s Scholz vows response over Bucha deaths — live updates, CNN, 3 April 2022: Here’s what a CNN team on the scene of a mass grave in the Ukrainian town of Bucha saw, France24, 3 April 2022: Bucha mourns at mass graves in wreck of Russian retreat, The Guardian, 3 April 2022: Live: Russia-Ukraine war: Ukrainian prosecutors find hundreds of bodies in towns near Kyiv, Politico.eu, 3 April 2022: EU warns of tougher sanctions after reports of civilian executions in Russia-held Ukrainian towns (Instead of insisting on the complete exit from Russian natural gas, which is currently not possible at all, it would make sense to first reduce imports of Russian oil and coal to zero in order to then gradually follow suit on the subject of natural gas. As long as there are not enough replacement supplies, there is no point in thinking about “quick exits”.), The New York Times, 3 April 2022: Putin Had No Clue How Many of Us Would Be Watching, BBC, 3 April 2022: Global leaders condemn ‘despecable’ Bucha killings, France24, 3 April 2022: Live: Zelensky slams ‘torture of whole nation’ as Bucha killings spark outrage, Politico.eu, 3 April 2022: EU warns of tougher sanctions after reports of civilian executions in Russia-held Ukrainian towns, The Guardian, 3 April 2022: How alleged atrocities in Bucha compare to previous Putin campaigns, Politico.eu, 3 April 2022: Peace, putsch or European Syria: 3 endgames for Ukraine, DW, 4 April 2022: Ukraine: Satellite image shows trench at a mass grave site in Bucha — live updates, The National, 4 April 2022: US and UK seek Russia’s removal from UN body over Bucha atrocities, Politico.eu, 4 April 2022: Zelenskyy calls out Angela Merkel, Nicolas Sarkozy for blocking Ukraine’s NATO bid (even if it may seem cynical, Ukraine’s NATO accession would still be out of the question based on objective criteria, even more than 10 years after the Bucharest decisions. With all due respect for Ukraine’s desire for admission, this was and is not the fault of Merkel or Sarkozy, but the responsibility of the Ukrainian governments – NATO, 3 April 2008:Bucharest Summit Declaration , The Guardian, 2 December 2008: Nato allies divided over Ukraine and Georgia), Jerusalem Post, 4 April 2022: Liberman equivocates after Lapid condemns Russian war crimes in Bucha (Liberman’s position, as the representative of Russian Jews in Israel, has been clear for years), Haaretz, 4 April 2022: Russia-Ukraine Conflict: Israel’s Lieberman Condemns War Crimes but Says There Are ‘Mutual Accusations’, The New York Times, 4 April 2022: As Russia Pulls Back, the Horror and Atrocities Mount, The Washington Post, 4 April 2022: Bucha massacre tests Europe’s ‘red lines’ on Russian energy, Der Spiegel, 4 April 2022: War Crimes in Ukraine: Peace in Europe Must Now Be Defended Against Putin’s Russia, CNN, 4 April 2022: It’s 8:30 p.m. in Kyiv. Catch up with the latest developments in Ukraine., DW, 4 April 2022: Ukraine: Germany expels Russian diplomats with Bucha deaths in focus — live updates, BBC, 4 April 2022: Biden calls for Putin war crimes trial over civilian killings, The Guardian, 4 April 2022: Orbán’s victory in Hungary adds to the darkness engulfing Europe, The Times, 4 April 2022: Putin ‘wanted conquest — now it’s annihilation’, CNN, 4 April 2022: Pro-Putin leaders win two elections in Europe, reminding the Kremlin it has friends in high places, The Times, 4 April 2022: Wagner Group’s hardened mercenaries pictured in eastern Ukraine, The Guardian, 4 April 2022: Live: Russia-Ukraine war: Biden calls for Putin war crimes trial; Borodyanka worse than Bucha, says Ukrainian prosecutor, Politico.eu, 4 April 2022: Germany, France to expel Russian envoys after reports of atrocities in Ukraine, The Times, 4 April 2022: Recognise genocide in Bucha, Zelensky tells world, DW, 4 April 2022: Russian invasion is a chance to reinvigorate the climate fight, Politico.eu, 4 April 2022: EU weighs ban on Russian oil over war crimes as pressure builds on Berlin, NPR, 4 April 2022: U.S. ambassador to the U.N. calls for suspending Russia from the Human Rights Council, The Hill, 4 April 2022: Zelensky visits Bucha, says Russian atrocities will make talks ‘very difficult’, Jerusalem Post, 4 April 2022: Russia to resume flights with Israel and 51 other ‘friendly’ countries, Los Angeles Times, 4 April 2022: Biden calls for war-crimes trial of Putin after mass graves found around Ukraine capital, The National, 5 April 2022: Germany and France expel Russian diplomats with suspected spy-agency links, Jerusalem Post, 5 April 2022: The endless ignorance of tying Ukraine needs to Israel’s Iron Dome (“This was odd, considering Israel had condemned the invasion and was helping Ukrainians.” – by not sending any weapons and by helping Jewish Ukrainians only), The Washington Post, 5 April 2022: Zelensky to address U.N. Security Council; E.U. eyes ban on Russian coal, Jerusalem Post, 5 April 2022: Zelensky: Ukraine will be like Israel, not demilitarized like Switzerland after war, Politico.eu, 5 April 2022: Von der Leyen, Borrell to meet Zelenskyy in Kyiv, The Hill, 5 April 2022: Zelensky to call for more help from West in address to UN Security Council, The Washington Post, 5 April 2022: Zelensky demands accountability after ‘terrible war crimes’, France24, 5 April 2022: EU allies expel almost 200 Russian diplomats amid outrage over Bucha killings, BBC, 5 April 2022: Zelensky accuses Russia of worst crimes since WW2, CNN, 5 April 2022: Russia is focusing on eastern Ukraine. Retired general explains how to stop them, Al Arabiya, 5 April 2022: US to ban ‘all new investment’ in Russia on Wednesday: Source, CNN, 5 April 2022: Europe is finally coming after Russia’s energy, France24, 5 April 2022: Live: Zelensky tells UN that Russia turning Security Council veto into ‘right to die’ for Ukraine, CNN, 5 April 2022: Bodies tied up, shot and left to rot in Bucha hint at gruesome reality of Russia’s occupation in Ukraine, BBC, 5 April 2022: Ukraine war: More than 60% of Putin’s war chest frozen, Truss says, The Guardian, 5 April 2022: ‘Motorcade of shame’: outrage over pro-Russia displays at Berlin rally (these scumbags live in safe, democratic, liberal Germany and glorify the war criminal Putin and his war of aggression and annihilation on Ukraine. They should all have been taken into custody pending deportation and deported to Putinstan), The Times, 5 April 2022: Russian troops ‘trying to quit’ after heavy losses in Ukraine, CNN, 5 April 2022: It’s Tuesday night in Kyiv. Here’s what you need to know., The Times, 5 April 2022: Satellite images show bodies in Bucha before Russian retreat, DW, 5 April 2022: Germany closes Russian darknet market Hydra, The Guardian, 5 April 2022: EU to propose fresh sanctions including ban on Russian coal, The Hill, 5 April 2022: Saudi state oil producer set to raise prices amid Ukraine crisis, DW, 5 April 2022: EU to propose ban on Russian coal, The Times, 5 April 2022: Hunt for the ‘Butcher of Bucha’, a commander blessed by the Orthodox Church, NPR, 5 April 2022: Russia-Ukraine war: What happened today (April 5), DW, 5 April 2022: Ukraine warns of full-scale Russian attack in eastern regions — live updates, The Hill, 6 April 2022: What comes after Putin?, Politico.eu, 5 April 2022: Ukraine says EU road links won’t make up for loss of Black Sea trade, Politico.eu, 5 April 2022: How Russia’s vigorous ruble defense could backfire, Jerusalem Post, 6 April 2022: Hungary’s foreign ministry summons Ukrainian envoy over ‘insults’, Times of Israel, 6 April 2022: UK sanctions EJC chief Moshe Kantor in latest round of measures against Russia, Al Arabiya, 6 April 2022: New US sanctions target Russia’s largest bank, Putin’s kids, The National, 6 April 2022: Russia pays bondholders in roubles after US blocks dollar payments, The Washington Post, 6 April 2022: By denying a Ukrainian culture, Putin flattens his own, Jerusalem Post, 6 April 2022: Turkey detonates stray naval mine in Black Sea amid Ukraine war, Al Arabiya, 6 April 2022: US training small number of Ukrainians on Switchblade drones: Defense official, DW, 6 April 2022: In the shadow of the atomic bomb: Life during the Cold War, Haaretz, 6 April 2022: U.K. Slaps New Sanctions on Russian Oligarch Moshe Kantor, The National, 6 April 2022: Russia’s isolation deepens as UN suspension vote looms, Al Arabiya, 6 April 2022: Russia’s war could last for years as Putin still wants ‘whole of Ukraine’: NATO chief, The New York Times, 6 April 2022: Ukraine Live Updates: Civilians Flee Eastern Regions as the West Ramps Up Sanctions on Russia, Arab News, 6 April 2022: UK security guard extradited from Germany over Russia spy charges, The New York Times, 6 April 2022: Why Russian Sanctioins Won’t Stop Putin, Los Angeles Times, 6 April 2022: More sanctions hit Russia as Zelensky warns of new wartime hardships, The New York Times, 6 April 2022: New Russian Land Mine Poses Special Risk in Ukraine, The Washington Post, 6 April 2022: In Bucha, the scope of Russian barbarity is coming into focus, The New Yorker, 6 April 2022: Collecting Bodies in Bucha, The Washington Post, 6 April 2022: Is coup against Putin possible? Russia’s history offers clues., Politico.eu, 6 April 2022: UK delays tariffs on Russian whitefish, The New York Times, 6 April 2022: NATO Nations See Differing Paths as Ukraine War Enters Uncertain Stage, Politico.eu, 6 April 2022: British man charged with passing information to Russia, NPR, 6 April 2022: Russia-Ukraine war: What happened today (April 6), The Times, 6 April 2022: Putin’s big lie makes most Russians complicit, Politico.eu, 6 April 2022: UK targets biggest Russian bank with fresh sanctions, The Times, 6 April 2022: Ukrainian forces use Russians’ ‘blazing sun’ thermobaric weapon against them, The Hill, 6 April 2022: Senators close in on deal on Russia trade, oil ban, The Times, 6 April 2022: Ukraine can ‘break’ Russians if West supplies enough weapons, Politico.eu, 6 April 2022: Bucha killings not ‘far short of genocide,’ Boris Johnson says, The Guardian, 6 April 2022: Russian teacher ‘shocked’ as she faces jail over anti-war speech pupils taped, The Times, 6 April 2022: Nato needs more eastern bases, says US general, The Guardian, 6 April 2022: Live: Russia-Ukraine war: Russia’s retreat from Kyiv ‘largely complete’; people in east told to flee, The Times, 6 April 2022: Flee now or risk death, people in eastern Ukraine are warned, The Guardian, 6 April 2022: After the horrors of Bucha, Ukrainians have changed the way we look at this war, CNN, 6 April 2022: US pushes Russia to the brink of default, Politico.eu, 6 April 2022: Russian war crimes in Ukraine: So much for ‘never again’, CNN, 6 April 2022: The fight for Sloviansk may be ‘the next pivotal battle’ of Russia’s war in Ukraine, The Times, 6 April 2022: EU to snatch Kremlin’s oil and gas profits to rebuild Ukraine, DW, 6 April 2022: German term ‘Putinversteher’ goes international, BBC, 6 April 2022: British embassy guard charged with spying for Russia, DW, 6 April 2022: Russia must not win the war, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz tells Bundestag, CNN, 6 April 2022: It’s just past 11 p.m. in Kyiv. Here’s what you need to know., DW, 6 April 2022: Ukraine: US announces new sanctions, hitting Putin’s daughters, major Russian banks — live updates, France24, 6 April 2022: ‘Putin will be gone soon’: Exiled Russian dissident Ilya Ponomarev, BBC, 6 April 2022: Who are Putin’s daughters? What we know about his family, France24, 6 April 2022: Ukraine braces for fresh Russian offensive in east, DW, 6 April 2022: European Parliament President Metsola saw courage and resilience in Zelenskyy, France24, 6 April 2022: French priest renowned for uncovering massacres warns of ‘Buchas everywhere’, NPR, 7 April 2022: Ukraine seeks more arms as U.S. and allies consider new penalties for Russia, DW, 7 April 2022: UN votes to suspend Russia from its Human Rights Council despite opposition, The Washington Post, 7 April 2022: Germany says it picked up messages on killings, undermining Moscow’s claims it was not involved, The National, 7 April 2022: Russia-Ukraine live: UN suspends Moscow from Human Rights Council, France24, 7 April 2022: War in Ukraine: Mariupol evacuees ‘exhausted psychologically, physically’, The Times, 7 April 2022: Russia-Ukraine war: latest maps, pictures and video, CNN, 7 April 2022: A Ukrainian mother had plans to change her life this year. Russian forces shot her as she cycled home., France24, 7 April 2022: Live: Kremlin says Russia has suffered ‘significant losses’ in Ukraine, The National, 7 April 2022: Klitschko accuses Russian troops of using mobile crematoriums to hide atrocities, France24, 7 April 2022: Act or dissolve, Zelensky challenges UN, but Ukraine atrocities already pile pressure on Russia, NPR, 7 April 2022: Putin’s daughters were just sanctioned. Here’s what we know about them, France24, 7 April 2022: Kadyrov’s men: a brutal force serving Putin in Ukraine, CNN, 7 April 2022: Drone video team turns the tables on hiding Russian vehicle, The National, 7 April 2022: Nato offers hope of more military aid after Ukraine plea for ‘weapons, weapons, weapons’, BBC, 7 April 2022: Bucha murders: German report says Russian troops discussed killings, CNN, 7 April 2022: CNN speaks to Ukrainians forcibly deported to Russia, France24, 7 April 2022: In east Ukraine, an evacuation under bombardment, DW, 7 April 2022: ‘We have to defend ourselves’ — young Ukrainians and the war, BBC, 7 April 2022: Battles in Donbas will look like World War Two, says Ukraine, DW, 7 April 2022: Investigation: How Russia could get away with attacks on Ukraine hospitals, The Times, 7 April 2022: UN suspends Russia from human rights body over atrocities in Ukraine, CNN, 7 April 2022: Russian troops discussed killing Ukrainian civilians in radio transmissions intercepted by Germany, source says, Irish Times, 7 April 2022: Russia suspended from UN human rights council over Ukraine, Politico.eu, 7 April 2022: Scholz holds up German tank deliveries to Ukraine, DW, 7 April 2022: Ukraine: EU agrees new sanctions targeting Russian coal — live updates, The Times, 7 April 2022: Kyiv begins to bloom again after Russian withdrawal, Al Arabiya, 7 April 2022: Russia rejects suspension from UN rights council as ‘illegal, politically motivated’, Politico.eu, 7 April 2022: The power of a story: Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s Ronald Reagan remake, NPR, 7 April 2022: U.N. members vote to suspend Russia from the Human Rights Council, The New York Times, 7 April 2022: How Germany Became Putin’s Enabler, The Guardian, 7 April 2022: Live: Russia-Ukraine war: Kremlin admits ‘significant’ troop losses; Russia suspended from UN human rights council, Al Arabiya, 7 April 2022: Credible reports of ‘torture, rape, killings’ by Russian soldiers in Ukraine: Blinken, The New York Times, 7 April 2022: Russians discussed killings of civilians in radio traffic intercepted by Germany, officials say., DW, 7 April 2022: Germany intercepted Russian troop calls on atrocities in Ukraine: report, NPR, 7 April 2022: Satellite photo shows Russian troops were stationed in Chernobyl’s radioactive zone, The New York Times, 7 April 2022: Ukraine Live Updates: In Congress and at U.N., Votes to Further Isolate Moscow, Arab News, 7 April 2022: United Nations suspends Russia from human rights body over Ukraine, Al Arabiya, 7 April 2022: Russia will defend its interests, Kremlin says after UN human rights body suspension, DW, 7 April 2022: Germany intercepted Russian troop calls on atrocities in Ukraine: report, The New Yorker, 7 April 2022: The “Shadow” of International Law, The Times, 8 April 2022: Russian metals giant demands war crimes inquiry over Bucha, Al Arabiya, 8 April 2022: Scene in Borodianka near Kyiv ‘much more horrific’ than Bucha: Zelenskyy, The Times, 8 April 2022: Ukraine needs weapons now in battle for Donbas, Nato told, The Hill, 8 April 2022: Russian missile that struck rail station had ‘for the children’ written on it, Politico.eu, 8 April 2022: UK and Germany won’t send tanks to Ukraine, The New York Times, 8 April 2022: What Happened on Day 44 of Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine, The National, 8 April 2022: Boris Johnson says former Warsaw Pact countries key to meeting Ukraine weapons needs, France24, 8 April 2022: Life under the bombs in the western Ukrainian town of Zhytomyr, CNN, 8 April 2022: Aftermath shows devastation after missile strikes train station, Politico.eu, 8 April 2022: EU freezes assets of 4 Russian banks, The Hill, 8 April 2022: Here are Russia’s alleged war crimes in the Ukraine invasion, France24, 8 April 2022: ‘This is home’: Kyiv slowly awakens after Russia withdraws, The National, 8 April 2022: Russia-Ukraine live: Dozens killed or wounded in rocket strike on train station, Politico.eu, 8 April 2022: UK and Germany won’t send tanks to Ukraine, France24, 8 April 2022: War in Ukraine: Courage and resilience amid Russian offensive, Irish Times, 8 April 2022: EU leaders arrive in Kyiv to reassure Zelenskiy on membership bid, Arab News, 8 April 2022: Ukraine seeks tough reply after missile kills 52 at station, France24, 8 April 2022: ‘Evil with no limits’: More than 50 killed in rocket attack on Kramatorsk rail station in Ukraine, Politico.eu, 8 April 2022: Von der Leyen on Putin: ‘He has to fail’, The Times, 8 April 2022: ‘The Russians are determined to kill our civilians and children too — they booby trap teddy bears’, DW, 8 April 2022: Ukraine: EU chief offers Kyiv fast track to membership, CNN, 8 April 2022: Europe turns its back on Russian coal. Is oil next?, France24, 8 April 2022: As it happened: EU’s Von der Leyen promises to speed up Ukraine membership process, Irish Times, 8 April 2022: War in Ukraine: At least 50 people killed in rocket strike at railway station, DW, 8 April 2022: German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier calls for Putin war crimes probe after Bucha killings, CNN, 8 April 2022: ‘Kill them all, for f**k sake’: Shocking intercepted audio reveals conversation between Russian soldiers, The Guardian, 8 April 2022: Live Russia-Ukraine war: children among at least 50 people killed in Kramatorsk train station attack, DW, 8 April 2022: Ukraine: 50 people die in rocket strike on Kramatorsk train station, France24, 8 April 2022: God, church, Tsar: The world of Russian oligarch Malofeyev and his Western associates, CNN, 8 April 2022: Russia or die, DW, 8 April 2022: Ukraine: Scholz, Johnson condemn ‘atrocious’ train station strike — live updates, BBC, 8 April 2022: Biden blames Russia for ‘atrocity’ at station that killed 50, The New York Times, 8 April 2022: U.K. Takes a Hawkish Lead on Russia, but Will Europe Follow?, The Atlantic, 8 April 2022: Why Europe Needs Ukraine, CNN, 8 April 2022: There are “international war crimes being committed” in Ukraine, European Parliament president tells CNN, NPR, 9 April 2022: This is what a Ukraine town looks like after Russian troops withdraw, The Washington Post, 9 April 2022: What is the Wagner Group, the Russian mercenary entity in Ukraine?, The Times, 9 April 2022: Fleeing Ukraine women and children among the dozens dead in Russian strike on Kramatorsk train station, The New York Times, 9 April 2022: Boris Johnson Visits Kyiv as Slovakia Sends Air Defense System, The Washington Post, 9 April 2022: Ukraine braces for a new and potentially more challenging phase in war, The New York Times, 9 April 2022: NATO has shifted to providing Ukraine with longer-range weapons to counter an expected Russian offensive., Jerusalem Post, 9 April 2022: Global donors pledge 9.1 billion euros to support Ukrainian refugees, NPR, 9 April 2022: Russia-Ukraine war: What happened today (April 9), The Hill, 9 April 2022: Ukraine, allies brace for the worst as Russia regroups, Politico.eu, 9 April 2022: ‘Why isn’t the world helping?’ Ukrainians plead for more weapons from the West, The Times, 9 April 2022: Civilians from Ukraine went to Kramatorsk station to escape Russia’s attacks. It turned into a killing zone, Irish Times, 9 April 2022: Ukraine prepares for ‘hard battle’ in country’s east as rail attack death toll rises to 52, Politico.eu, 9 April 2022: EU’s diplomatic delegation to Ukraine moves back to Kyiv, Los Angeles Times, 9 April 2022: Zelensky forecasts ‘hard battle’ in Ukraine’s east as civilians flee expected fighting, BBC, 9 April 2022: Ukraine: Johnson pledges aid to Zelensky in Kyiv meeting, The Guardian, 9 April 2022: Live Russia-Ukraine war: Johnson makes surprise trip to Kyiv for talks with Zelenskiy, The Times, 9 April 2022: Putin is in a hurry to end the war in Ukraine but his demoralised army is scrambling for reserves, CNN, 9 April 2022: Putin appoints new commander for Ukraine, DW, 9 April 2022: Ukraine: Boris Johnson in Kyiv meeting with Zelenskyy — live updates, Politico.eu, 9 April 2022: Live: Ukraine’s Zelensky calls on West to follow UK example on military aid, CNN, 9 April 2022: These Russians are turning on Putin and burned an effigy of him, The Times, 9 April 2022: Mariupol: Documenting a medieval siege in the 21st century, BBC, 9 April 2022: Ukrainians told to flee eastern region immediately, DW, 9 April 2022: Germany: Bundeswehr arms deliveries to Ukraine ‘reached a limit’, CNN, 9 April 2022: Ukrainians shocked by ‘crazy’ scene at Chernobyl after Russian pullout reveals radioactive contamination, The Washington Post, 10 April 2022: Russian students are turning in teachers who don’t back the war, The New York Times, 10 April 2022: How Do We Deal With a Superpower Led by a War Criminal?, The Washington Post, 10 April 2022: Exodus swells to more than 4.5 million as battles lines shift, Haaretz, 10 April 2022: Ukrainians Are Starting to Stream Back Home, Bracing for War of Attrition With Russia, The National, 10 April 2022: Russia-Ukraine live: Russians stole lethal substances from Chernobyl, claims Ukraine, Arab News, 10 April 2022: Kyiv keeps pressure on West to do more, as battle looms in Ukraine’s east, Al Arabiya, 10 April 2022: Ten civilians killed in strikes in eastern Ukraine: Governor, Politico.eu, 10 April 2022: Russian bombs rupture a Greek community fighting for its history, NPR, 10 April 2022: From Nuremberg to Darfur, history has seen some war criminals brought to trial, Los Angeles Times, 10 April 2022: Ukrainian forces brace for a redoubled Russian assault in the east and south, Politico.eu, 10 April 2022: Russian oil and gas embargo could stop war within weeks, says former Putin adviser, CNN, 10 April 2022: The struggle to hold Putin accountable, The Times, 10 April 2022: Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya aims to topple ‘Kremlin’s puppet’ in Belarus, NPR, 10 April 2022: War in Ukraine: Eastern Ukraine is bracing for an expected Russian onslaught, The Hill, 10 April 2022: Zelensky on NATO: ‘no longer interested in their diplomacy’, Irish Times, 10 April 2022: War crimes in Ukraine: Justice unlikely unless Russia is defeated, CNN, 10 April 2022: Satellite images show apparent Russian military convoy east of Kharkiv, DW, 10 April 2022: Russian ex-foreign minister: Genuine diplomacy is not working in Ukraine, The Times, 10 April 2022: Refugees fearing atrocities flee eastern Ukraine, DW, 10 April 2022: Ukraine: Pro-Russia demonstrations spark outrage in Germany (where and if possible, directly withdraw residence permits, expel them and prohibit re-entry. Where this is not possible, impose maximum fines and/or imprisonment for glorifying Putin’s war crimes. We have enough domestic enemies of democracy and the constitution in Germany, so that Putin’s idiots shouldn’t be given any space or even encourage them), Irish Times, 10 April 2022: War in Ukraine: Dnipro airport ‘destroyed’ as battle looms in east, The New York Times, 10 April 2022: Ukraine’s Draft Dodgers Face Guilt, Shame and Reproach, DW, 10 April 2022: Ukraine: Scholz and Zelenskyy vow justice for ‘war crimes’ in phone call — live updates, The National, 11 April 2022: Ukraine says tens of thousands killed in Mariupol, BBC, 11 April 2022: War to cut Ukraine’s economy by nearly half, The National, 11 April 2022: Russia tries to triple force numbers for new offensive in eastern Ukraine, Jerusalem Post, 11 April 2022: Russia-Ukraine war: ‘Germany made an obligation to support Ukraine with weapons’ – Habeck, Al Arabiya, 11 April 2022: Zelenskyy calls for more military aid ahead of Russian offensive on eastern Ukraine, The National, 11 April 2022: Russia-Ukraine live: Poland vulnerable to Russian attack as it supplies arms to Ukraine, Arab News, 11 April 2022: EU outlier Orban faces isolation due to support for Putin, Al Arabiya, 11 April 2022: Mariupol mayor says Russia’s siege has killed more than 10,000 civilians, The National, 11 April 2022: Has Putin lost Asia too?, The New York Times, 11 April 2022: Ukraine Live Updates: Claims of Atrocities Mount as Russia Prepares a Renewed Offensive, The Washington Post, 11 April 2022: Ukraine braces for new Russian offensive in east, Arab News, 11 April 2022: Ukraine braces for fall of Mariupol, Russian assault on east, BBC, 11 April 2022: Hidden wealth of one of Putin’s ‘inner circle’ revealed, The New York Times, 11 April 2022: Putin’s War in Ukraine Is a Watershed. Time for America to Get Real., DW, 11 April 2022: Austrian chancellor concludes ‘tough’ talks with Putin in Moscow, BBC, 11 April 2022: Ukraine conflict: Why is Russia losing so many tanks?, The Washington Post, 11 April 2022: Austrian chancellor says he had ‘tough’ talks with Putin, DW, 11 April 2022: Borodyanka — liberated, but in ruins, BBC, 11 April 2022: Ukraine facing ‘crucial’ period as Russia focuses on east, France24, 11 April 2022: Live: Pro-Russia separatists say in control of Mariupol port, CNN, 11 April 2022: Russia has appointed a new general for Ukraine. Can Moscow reboot its war in time for Putin to claim a victory?, DW, 11 April 2022: Power and myth of the Kremlin, NPR, 11 April 2022: Russia-Ukraine war: What happened today (April 11), BBC, 11 April 2022: Ukraine War: Russia warns Sweden and Finland against Nato membership (just another emergency reminder for Finland und Sweden to join NATO as soon as possible), Politico.eu, 11 April 2022: Slovakia in talks over possible transfer of MiG jets to Ukraine, CNN, 11 April 2022: Austria’s leader says his face-to-face meeting with Putin was ‘not a friendly visit’, DW, 11 April 2022: EU to help ICC investigate war crimes in Ukraine — live updates, Politico.eu, 11 April 2022: France kicks out Russian spies working ‘under diplomatic cover’, France24, 11 April 2022: France expels six suspected Russian spies ‘operating under diplomatic cover’, CNN, 11 April 2022: Here’s what we know about Russia’s new general for Ukraine, Politico.eu, 11 April 2022: Austrian chancellor says trip to see Putin was ‘not a friendly visit’, BBC, 11 April 2022: Ukraine: ‘Russian soldiers raped me and killed my husband’, CNN, 11 April 2022: Turkish drones have become a symbol of the Ukrainian resistance, The Times, 11 April 2022: Putin may use white phosphorus bombs to take Mariupol, Britain warns, Politico.com, 11 April 2022: Russia’s War on Ukraine: Russians readying for new offensive in eastern Ukraine, U.S. official warns, Irish Times, 11 April 2022: Russian forces ramp up efforts to gain control of Mariupol, The Guardian, 11 April 2022: Live Russia-Ukraine war latest: child among Kharkiv shelling victims, says mayor; Austrian leader’s talks with Putin ‘open and tough’, The Times, 11 April 2022: Ukrainians braced for ‘last battle’ in Mariupol as ammunition runs low, Irish Times, 11 April 2022: Pandora Papers: New release reveals more than 800 Russians behind secret companies, Al Arabiya, 12 April 2022: US expects new ‘atrocities’ in Ukraine from Russian general dubbed ‘Butcher of Syria’, The New York Times, 12 April 2022: Ukraine Live Updates: Putin Says Peace Talks Hit ‘Dead End’ and Vows That War Will Go On, Haaretz, 12 April 2022: Coalition of Holocaust Museums Condemn Russian ‘War Crimes’ in Ukraine, The New York Times, 12 April 2022: A Ukrainian Philosopher on What Putin Never Understood About Ukraine, NPR, 12 April 2022: Photos: 10 million displaced as eastern Ukraine braces for major Russian assault, Los Angeles Times, 12 April 2022: ‘New stage of terror’ possible, Zelensky warns as Russia menaces Ukraine’s east and Putin vows to press on, Politico.eu, 12 April 2022: Putin and Lukashenko describe Bucha killings as ‘fake’ and ‘staged by Englishmen’ (in doing so, they adopt the strategy of war criminal and dictator Joseph Stalin. After he invaded eastern Poland and had hundreds of thousands of Poles slaughtered, he claimed that it all came from the Poles themselves and that of course he was completely innocent. In Russia today there are people who actually want to believe that, just as they want to believe the lies of the war criminal Putin), NPR, 12 April 2022: Russia-Ukraine war: What happened today (April 12), DW, 12 April 2022: Does Russian commander in Ukraine deserve his ‘bloody’ reputation?, Al Arabiya, 12 April 2022: US unable to confirm Russia’s use of chemical weapons in Ukraine: Pentagon, BBC, 12 April 2022: Ukraine war: Putin vows to continue invasion until ‘noble’ aims met, France24, 12 April 2022: Russian invasion of Ukraine: UN officials say Ukrainian women and children need more protection, The Guardian, 12 April 2022: Live Russia-Ukraine war latest: Zelenskiy announces capture of Putin ally in Ukraine, CNN, 12 April 2022: Putin’s bullying backfires as Finland and Sweden edge closer to joining NATO (Russia has never had a say in the admission of new NATO members and it will remain so. It does, however, have a humorous component, because without the constant threats to Finland and Sweden from Russia, the countries would not even aspire to NATO membership. So Putin shot himself in both feet again. In addition, Putin had Iskander missiles stationed in Kaliningrad years ago), BBC, 12 April 2022: Grieving Russians can’t believe talk of war crimes in Ukraine, DW, 12 April 2022: Ukraine says pro-Russian politician Medvedchuk recaptured — live updates, The Times, 12 April 2022: Belarus leader Lukashenko: Britain staged Bucha massacre of civilians, France24, 12 April 2022: Chemical weapons threat raises stakes for Mariupol’s last stand, BBC, 12 April 2022: Donbas: Battle in east Ukraine expected to be bloody and decisive, The National, 13 April 2022: Zelenskyy mocks Putin for saying war is going to plan, CNN, 13 April 2022: Putin ally Viktor Medvedchuk detained in “special operation,” Zelensky says, Irish Times, 13 April 2022: Putin defends ‘noble’ war and says diplomacy at ‘dead end’, The National, 13 April 2022: Russia-Ukraine live: US pledges another $800m in military aid to Ukraine, CNN, 13 April 2022: Kremlin-connected children grew up in the very countries whose societies their parents claim to reject, The National, 13 April 2022: Opec cuts 2022 supply and demand forecasts amid Ukraine conflict and high inflation, Haaretz, 13 April 2022: Jew vs. Jew: How Putin’s Ukraine War Has Torn Apart the Russian-speaking Jewish World, Al Arabiya, 13 April 2022: Russia’s war on Ukraine is ‘terrorism,’ Moscow ‘worse than Nazis’: Baltic leaders, The National, 13 April 2022: What is genocide and will Biden’s accusation hurt Russia?, The New York Times, 13 April 2022: Ukraine Live Updates: Putin’s Aim to Weaken NATO Falters as Finland and Sweden Weigh Joining, Arab News, 13 April 2022: Russia says no escape for last defenders of Ukrainian port, prepares for new offensive, Al Arabiya, 13 April 2022: Russia using same tactics in Ukraine as in Syria: Ukraine FM Kuleba, The New York Times, 13 April 2022: U.S. and Ukrainian Groups Pierce Putin’s Propaganda Bubble, The Washington Post, 13 April 2022: Western leaders pledge more military support as Russian troops reposition, NPR, 13 April 2022: Russia-Ukraine war: What happened today (April 13), Al Arabiya, 13 April 2022: Explainer-Mariupol: Ruins of port could become Russia’s first big prize in Ukraine, The Hill, 13 April 2022: US mulls using forces stationed in Eastern Europe to train Ukrainian troops, The Atlantic, 13 April 2022: Zelensky’s Prayer, NPR, 13 April 2022: Images of Zelenskyy show the physical toll that trauma and stress can have on the body, BBC, 13 April 2022: Ukraine war: Mass surrender of troops in Mariupol, says Russia, Politico.eu, 13 April 2022: Ukraine announces capture of top Putin pal Viktor Medvedchuk, Irish Times, 13 April 2022: Russia likely to target other countries if Ukraine does not receive more weapons – Zelenskiy, CNN, 13 April 2022: Putin shrugs off setbacks despite Russia’s pariah status and heavy losses in Ukraine, The Times, 13 April 2022: Truth will out about Russian war crimes in Ukraine, says British prosecutor, The Guardian, 13 April 2022: Live Russia-Ukraine war latest: Zelenskiy pleads for weapons to avoid ‘bloodbath’; Trudeau echoes Biden on use of word ‘genocide’, DW, 13 April 2022: Ukraine: Germany’s Scholz vows to send more weapons — live updates, CNN, 13 April 2022: Top US State Department official: US will likely determine genocide has been committed in Ukraine, France24, 13 April 2022: Detained tycoon Viktor Medvedchuk: Putin’s man in Ukraine, DW, 13 April 2022: Mass graves and destruction in Bucha and Hostomel, The New York Times, 13 April 2022: Free Advice for Putin: ‘Make Peace, You Fool’, The National, 14 April 2022: Russia-Ukraine live: Russia says missile cruiser sinks after claimed Ukrainian missile hit (Awesome! You just have to love the Ukrainian defenders), Arab News, 14 April 2022: Russia warns of nuclear deployment if Sweden and Finland join NATO, The New York Times, 14 April 2022: Live Updates: Russian Warship Ukraine Claimed to Have Hit Has Sunk, Moscow Says, Los Angeles Times, 14 April 2022: After Ukrainian missile attack, Russia reports its Black Sea flagship sank while being towed, CNN, 14 April 2022: Medvedev warns Russia would bolster military over potential Swedish and Finnish NATO membership, NPR, 14 April 2022: Russia-Ukraine war: What happened today (April 14), The Hill, 14 April 2022: Russian military’s damaged Black Sea flagship sinks, CNN, 14 April 2022: Some Belarusians want to fight Russians in Ukraine. They also hope to free their country from Putin’s grip, Irish Times, 14 April 2022: Moscow accuses Ukraine of striking villages on Russian territory (if so, that would be great news. The closer Ukraine can bring Putin’s war of aggression and annihilation against Ukraine to Russia, the less effective Putin’s propaganda lies will be), NPR, 14 April 2022: A Russian woman is jailed for replacing store price tags with anti-war messages, CNN, 14 April 2022: What images of Russian trucks say about its military’s struggles in Ukraine, Politico.eu, 14 April 2022: Ukraine claims missile strikes on Russia’s ‘fuck yourself’ warship, The Times, 14 April 2022: Russia’s Black Sea flagship sinks after ‘direct hits’, The Guardian, 14 April 2022: Live Russia-Ukraine war latest: Russia says Moskva warship has sunk after reported missile strike – live, DW, 14 April 2022: Russian warship ‘Moskva’ has sunk — What do we know?, Irish Times, 14 April 2022: Sinking of Russian flagship Moskva has symbolic importance beyond Ukraine, CNN, 14 April 2022: Russian warship Moskva sinks in Black Sea, Russian Ministry of Defense reported via state media, DW, 14 April 2022: Why Ukraine’s Donbas region is so important to Putin, Politico.eu, 14 April 2022: Russia’s propaganda machine takes another hit, France24, 14 April 2022: Russia says flagship Moskva cruiser of its Black Sea fleet has sunk, New York Post, 14 April 2022: Ukrainian woman raped, killed by Russian troops found in mass grave in Bucha, DW, 14 April 2022: Courageous rail workers keep Ukraine running amid war, The Times, 14 April 2022: Ukraine-Russia war 50 days in: before and after pictures show devastation, DW, 14 April 2022: Ukraine’s Wladimir Klitschko: ‘We are prepared for anything’, Irish Times, 14 April 2022: Russia’s flagship Black Sea vessel sinks while being towed after explosion, DW, 14 April 2022: War in the world’s breadbasket, France24, 14 April 2022: US indicts Russian lawmaker for alleged anti-Ukraine propaganda campaign, DW, 14 April 2022: Ukraine: Russia says its Black Sea flagship ‘Moskva’ has sunk — live updates, Arab News, 14 April 2022: Russian authorities arrest journalist for reports on Ukraine, The Guardian, 14 April 2022: Russia’s Moskva cruiser sinks following Ukrainian claim of missile strike, BBC, 15 April 2022: Russian warship: Moskva sinks in Black Sea, Al Arabiya, 15 April 2022: Russia says Black Sea flagship Moskva has sunk, BBC, 15 April 2022: Russia ‘hits Kyiv missile plant’ after losing iconic warship, The National, 15 April 2022: Russia-Ukraine live: Police say 900 bodies recovered in Kyiv region, The National, 15 April 2022: Ukraine expects Russia to seek military ‘trophy’ in time for May 9 parade, The New York Times, 15 April 2022: Live Updates: Putin Draws Line on U.S. Arms for Ukraine, Al Arabiya, 15 April 2022: Sunken Russian warship was an early symbol of Ukrainian defiance, BBC, 15 April 2022: Ukraine war: Russia threatens to step up attacks on Kyiv, The New York Times, 15 April 2022: How Russia Media Uses Fox News to Make Its Case, The National, 15 April 2022: Ukraine war leads to Poland doubling size of army, BBC, 15 April 2022: Russian warship: Moskva sinks in Black Sea, The New York Times, 15 April 2022: $100 Billion. Russia’s Treasure in the U.S. Should Be Turned Against Putin., CNN, 15 April 2022: Russia formally protests US weapons shipments to Ukraine, The Times, 15 April 2022: Ukrainian fighter pilots launch ‘buy me a jet’ campaign, France24, 15 April 2022: Ukrainian FM Kuleba urges France to call atrocities in Ukraine a ‘genocide’, The Guardian, 15 April 2022: Live Captain of sunken warship killed in explosion, says Ukraine; Kyiv official says 900 civilian bodies found, The Times, 15 April 2022: US troops to give Ukrainians a crash course in battlefield weapons, CNN, 15 April 2022: Exclusive: Zelensky says world should be prepared for possibility Putin could use nuclear weapons, The Hill, 15 April 2022: Zelensky says world should prepare for Russia to use nuclear weapons, BBC, 15 April 2022: 900 civilian bodies recovered in Kyiv region – chief of police, The Times, 15 April 2022: Russia humiliated as Ukraine celebrates destruction of Black Sea flagship, The Hill, 15 April 2022: Pentagon backs Ukraine’s claim it hit Russian warship with two missiles, CNN, 15 April 2022: Moskva sinking: What really happened to the pride of Russia’s fleet?, France24, 15 April 2022: Live: More than 900 civilian bodies found in Kyiv region, police say, CNN, 15 April 2022: US assesses two Ukrainian missiles struck Russian warship, The Hill, 15 April 2022: Ukraine has used facial recognition tech to notify hundreds of Russian families of dead soldiers: report, The Times, 15 April 2022: Kremlin targets Kyiv anti-ship missile plant, Irish Times, 15 April 2022: Kyiv accuses Russia of killing civilians as war intensifies in eastern Ukraine, NPR, 15 April 2022: Russia-Ukraine war: What happened today (April 15), The Hill, 15 April 2022: Russia sends formal letter warning US to stop arming Ukraine: report, Los Angeles Times, 15 April 2022: Russia renews attacks on Kyiv and fights to seize Mariupol, NPR, 15 April 2022: As Ukraine investigates Russian war crimes, the U.S. and EU allies offer assistance, DW, 15 April 2022: Ukraine war: Germany boosts military aid budget to €2 billion — live updates, The New Yorker, 15 April 2022: The Siege of Chernihiv, The Hill, 15 April 2022: Ukrainian defense minister quips sunken Russian warship ‘a worthy diving site’, DW, 15 April 2022: On the road with Ukraine’s territorial defense force, NPR, 15 April 2022: A Russian warship in the Black Sea was sunk by Ukrainian missiles, U.S. official says, Politico.eu, 15 April 2022: Russia’s Moskva warship sinks in Black Sea, DW, 15 April 2022: Expert interview: What Russia did in Syria, may predict what happens next in Ukraine, Politico.eu, 15 April 2022: Ukrainians protest Pope’s Good Friday reconciliation gesture (a clear distinction must be made here. While Ukraine has decided for itself that ALL Russians are its enemies, Ukrainians and Russians have been living and working together in good and friendly ways for decades in the West. It makes absolutely no sense to try to drive a wedge between the two migration groups. On the contrary: For the host countries it is even important in the sense of social and societal peace that this does not happen. In this respect, one can take note of Ukraine’s objections here, but nothing more. There are certainly those Russians or those of Russian descent living in the West, who have fallen completely for the propaganda lies of the Putin regime. As a rule, these people have integrated little or not at all in their host countries and are otherwise of little or no use as well. In Germany, less than 10% of Russian speakers have this problem. So there is no reason to impute this to all Russians), The National, 16 April 2022: Hope, fear and tears: Five stories from Ukraine’s border with Poland, The Economist, 16 April 2022: What is at stake in Ukraine, Reuters, 16 April 2022: Text at pope’s Good Friday service scrapped after Ukrainian protest, The National, 16 April 2022: Germany to provide over €1bn in military aid to Ukraine, Al Arabiya, 16 April 2022: Russia bans entry to British PM Boris Johnson, high-level government officials, The National, 16 April 2022: More military aid will shorten war, says Ukraine’s Zelenskyy, The New York Times, 16 April 2022: Live Updates: Russia Targets Military Facilities Across Ukraine and Steps Up Attacks in East, The Hill, 16 April 2022: Putin’s gambit: To kill a president, DW, 16 April 2022: Ukraine: UN Security Council lacks teeth, The National, 16 April 2022: Russia-Ukraine live: Boris Johnson and other top UK officials banned from entry to Russia, The Hill, 16 April 2022: Ukraine weathers previously unthinkable: 50 days of Russian war, DW, 16 April 2022: Ukrainians queue up for Russian warship stamp, BBC, 16 April 2022: Ukraine war: Russia bans Boris Johnson from country over Ukraine war, Los ANgeles Times, 16 April 2022: Blasts rock Kyiv and Lviv as Ukraine braces for payback over sunken Russian flagship, The Hill, 16 April 2022: Sinking of Russian warship offers Ukraine a morale — and maybe strategic — boost, CNN, 16 April 2022: Russia bans UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson and other top officials from entering the country, NPR, 16 April 2022: Russia-Ukraine war: What happened today (April 16) , Irish Times, 16 April 2022: Ukraine: Missiles strike Kyiv as Russia claims to have taken control of Mariupol, CNN, 16 April 2022: ‘We all realize that we will not be forgiven.’ Ukraine braces for new assault after sinking of Russian flagship, France24, 16 April 2022: Behind the frontlines, Ukrainians find world of ways to help, The Guardian, 16 April 2022: Russia bans Boris Johnson, Liz Truss and Ben Wallace from entering country, The Times, 16 April 2022: Lessons from history: how Ukraine will be rebuilt, France24, 16 April 2022: Live: ‘Elimination’ of last Ukrainian troops in Mariupol would end negotiations, says Zelensky, The Guardian, 16 April 2022: Live Russia-Ukraine war: Moscow attacks UK’s ‘anti-Russian hysteria’; Zelenskiy and Johnson discuss Mariupol, BBC, 16 April 2022: Talks over if Mariupol defenders killed – Zelensky, DW, 16 April 2022: Germany holds Easter peace marches in shadow of Ukraine war (a bunch of out-of-time weirdos. The mere cheekiness of recommending that the Ukrainians lay down their arms so that the war would supposedly end faster, but in fact of course to be slaughtered by the mercenaries of the Russian serial war criminal Putin, completely discredits the bunch), The Guardian, 16 April 2022: Russians who fled at outbreak of Ukraine war reluctantly go home, Haaretz, 17 April 2022: Russia Summons Israeli Envoy After Lapid’s ‘Regrettable’ Remarks on Ukraine War, Politico.com, 17 April 2022: Zelenskyy on Mariupol: ‘With each passing day, it’s growing more unstable’, Jerusalem Post, 17 April 2022: Russia summons Israeli ambassador after slamming Lapid condemnation, The New York Times, 17 April 2022: Atrocities in Ukraine War Have Deep Roots in Russian Military, Politico.com, 17 April 2022: Austrian chancellor: Putin ‘in his own war logic’, Al Arabiya, 17 April 2022: A Ukrainian-made weapon that delivered Russia a huge naval loss, what is the Neptune?, The National, 17 April 2022: Russia-Ukraine live: Kyiv pauses civilian evacuations from eastern region, Al Arabiya, 17 April 2022: Russia’s Putin has ‘his own war logic’, believes he’s winning: Austria’s Chancellor, CNN, 17 April 2022: Russian forces to close entry and exit to Mariupol and introduce pass system, mayor’s adviser says, The New York Times, 17 April 2022: Last Troops in Mariupol Hold On as Russia Demands Surrender, CNN, 17 April 2022: Injured, alone and destined for a Russian orphanage, a 12-year-old Ukrainian girl is recruited for Moscow’s information war, BBC, 17 April 2022: Ukraine war: Trucks stuck at Poland-Belarus border as EU sanctions deadline passes, Arab News, 17 April 2022: Ukraine vows to fight to the end in Mariupol as ultimatum expires, France24, 17 April 2022: In Irpin, Ukrainian police try to collect evidence against Russian military, CNN, 17 April 2022: Ukraine’s prime minister: Mariupol “still has not fallen”, BBC, 17 April 2022: Mariupol defenders ignore Russia surrender deadline, Irish Times, 17 April 2022: Mariupol defenders continue to defy Russian order to surrender, France24, 17 April 2022: Ukraine vows to ‘fight to the end’ in Mariupol as Russian ultimatum expires, CNN, 17 April 2022: Ukraine rejects deadline to surrender in Mariupol as Russia threatens to eliminate resistance, DW, 17 April 2022: Ukraine: Mariupol situation remains dire, says Zelenskyy — live updates, The Atlantic, 17 April 2022: How to Seek Justice for Rape in the War on Ukraine, BBC, 17 April 2022: Ukraine forces in Mariupol will ‘fight to the end’, Al Arabiya, 18 April 2022: ISIS vows ‘revenge’ for ex-leader’s death, calls for taking advantage of Ukraine war, The Hill, 18 April 2022: Zelensky on Russian military actions in southern Ukraine: ‘This is nothing but deliberate terror’, NPR, 18 April 2022: War in Ukraine live updates: Russian strikes in Lviv cause the far-western city’s first fatalities, Jerusalem Post, 18 April 2022: Zelensky: We don’t think the world believes in ‘never again’ – CNN, Politico.com, 18 April 2022: Lonely Anatoly: The Russian ambassador is Washington’s least popular man, Jerusalem Post, 18 April 2022: Russia-Ukraine War: More Russian soldiers refusing to fight in Ukraine – GUR, The National, 18 April 2022: Russia has begun offensive for eastern Ukraine, says Zelenskyy, Al Arabiya, 18 April 2022: Russia says destroyed large depot of US, EU weapons in Ukraine, Manager Magazin, 18 April 2022: Why so much of the world won’t stand up to Russia, The National, 18 April 2022: US to train Ukrainian troops on howitzer use against Russia, Al Arabiya, 18 April: Putin honors troops posted in Bucha for ‘heroism, courage’ as Kyiv decries atrocities (the Russian serial war criminal Putin honors the serial war criminals he deployed in Ukraine for serial war crimes committed there with an award for serial war criminals), The Hill, 18 April: Putin honors brigade accused of Bucha war crimes, Forbes, 18 April: Putin Honors Army Unit Accused Of Bucha Killings, The New York Times, 18 April 2022: Ukraine Live Updates: Russian Offensive in East Has Started, Ukraine Says, Jerusalem Post, 18 April 2022: Ukraine-Russia War: Russia uses Ukrainian children as human shields – GUR, The National, 18 April 2022: Ukraine fears Russia will hold sham referendum in occupied Kherson, The New York Times, 18 April 2022: Bleak assessments of the Russian economy clash with Putin’s rosy claims., CNN, 18 April 2022: Zelensky: Russia will have difficulty replenishing arsenal amid sanctions, BBC, 18 April 2022: Battle for the Donbas has begun, says Zelensky, DW, 18 April 2022: Ukraine says Russia is launching attacks in Donetsk, Luhansk — live updates, Los Angeles Times, 18 April 2022: Russian assault in eastern Ukraine has begun, Ukraine President Zelensky says, NPR, 18 April 2022: Russia-Ukraine war: What happened today (April 18), CNN, 18 April 2022: Western exodus could cost 200,000 jobs in Moscow, says mayor, BBC, 18 April 2022: Ukraine war: Dramatic images appear to show sinking Russian warship Moskva, Politico.com, 18 April 2022: Zelenskyy: Russian offensive in eastern Ukraine has begun, The Guardian, 18 April 2022: Live Russia-Ukraine war: Russia has started Donbas offensive, says Zelenskiy; seven killed in strikes on Lviv, France24, 18 April 2022: Biden has ‘no plans’ to visit Ukraine: W.House, CNN, 18 April 2022: Ukrainian woman on Vladimir Putin: ‘Why can’t they stop this one idiot?’, BBC, 18 April 2022: Ukraine war: First civilian deaths in Lviv shatter sense of safety, France24, 18 April 2022: Live: Russia has launched its offensive in Ukraine’s east, says Zelensky, The Algemeiner, 18 April 2022: PA President Abbas Expresses Support for Putin Over Ukraine Invasion as Russia Slams Israeli ‘Illegal Occupation’, Al Arabiya, 19 April 2022: Ukraine’s Zelenskyy says Russia has begun ‘battle of Donbas’, Politico.com, 18 April 2022: Russia unleashes offensive on Ukraine, ushering in new phase of war, Al Arabiya, 19 April 2022: Putin bears responsibility for ‘war crimes’ in Ukraine: Germany’s Scholz, NPR, 19 April 2022: Who is the real Elvira Nabiullina?, The New York Times, 19 April 2022: Ukraine Live Updates: Russia Declares New Phase of War as Forces Clash in East, Los Angeles Times, 19 April 2022: Russia intensifies its assault with fresh strikes on eastern Ukraine, NPR, 19 April 2022: Ukraine says Russia’s offensive in Donbas has begun. Here’s what we know, Al Arabiya, 19 April 2022: Ukraine: Russia using bunker-buster bombs on Mariupol plant where civilians shelter, The Guardian, 19 April 2022: Live Russia-Ukraine war latest: Mariupol ‘offered ceasefire’ for surrender; eastern city captured by Russia, The National, 19 April 2022: What is the Stormer missile system the UK is planning to send to Ukraine?, BBC, 19 April 2022: Forces clash along Ukraine’s eastern front line, Arab News, 19 April 2022: Ukraine war exposes how much Tehran has tilted toward Moscow, Der Spiegel, 19 April 2022: The Scholz Problem: Discontent Grows in Berlin over Chancellor’s Ukraine Response (the “German solo effort” has been going on for quite a while. While other NATO partners are providing what they can, the Scholz government is refusing help where it can and could. Germany is once again on the wrong side of history. The consequences are thousands of dead Ukrainians and a triumphant serial war criminal Putin. This will not be forgotten either nationally or internationally: While the Scholz government is “thinking about making heavy equipment available to Ukraine,” other NATO partners are making the heavy weapons provided to them by Germany available to Ukraine as a matter of course. It doesn’t get any more absurd than that. On the other hand, this of course answers questions: by refraining from action, those who have relied on military support from an SPD-led Germany in times of dire need are made aware that they are abandoned as soon as the SPD darling Putin is at stake . The SPD had eight weeks to deliver heavy weapons to Ukraine. Not one was actually delivered in that period. The analysis is as simple as it is devastating: the SPD would rather sacrifice Ukraine, Ukrainians, Eastern Europe, democracy and freedom than defend Ukraine and Europe against the war criminal Putin), The New York Times, 19 April 2022: China and Russia Are Giving Authoritarianism a Bad Name, Al Arabiya, 19 April 2022: Russia focused on Mariupol, atrocities could be worse than Bucha: European official, France24, 19 April 2022: Live: UN chief denounces Russia’s eastern offensive, calls for four-day ‘humanitarian’ truce, The National, 19 April 2022: Wagner Group wipeout sees 3,000 mercenaries killed in Ukraine, The New York Times, 19 April 2022: Russia-Ukraine war: What happened today (April 19), CNN, 19 April 2022: Zelensky says situation in Mariupol remains “brutal and unchanged”, Arab News, 19 April 2022: The decline in Israel-Russia ties, Politico.eu, 19 April 2022: The plan to rebuild a green Ukraine, The Times, 19 April 2022: ‘Our beloved city is shelled day and night – but we will not break’, DW, 19 April 2022: West pledges weapons for Ukraine as Russia hits Donbas — live updates, The New York Times, 19 April 2022: The U.S. Races to Arm Ukraine With Heavier, More Advanced Weaponry, CNN, 19 April 2022: What happens to weapons sent to Ukraine? The US doesn’t really know, The Guardian, 19 April 2022: The Guardian view on war in Ukraine: a new but no less brutal phase, Irish Times, 19 April 2022: Russia captures town in eastern Ukraine in new phase of war, The Times, 19 April 2022: Russia begins assault across Ukraine’s eastern front, The Guardian, 19 April 2022: ‘Russian warship, go …!’: Ukrainians queue for stamp celebrating act of defiance, BBC, 20 April 2022: Ukraine war: Kyiv’s allies pledge more weapons to help win war, The National, 20 April 2022: Russian oligarch under western sanctions denounces Kremlin’s ‘massacre’, Haaretz, 20 April 2022: As Ukraine Bleeds, Putin’s Puppets in Europe Are Getting Stronger, France24, 20 April 2022: Civilians still trapped as Mariupol evacuation fails, says Ukraine deputy PM, The National, 20 April 2022: Russia-Ukraine live: Moscow tests nuclear-capable intercontinental ballistic missile, Arab News, 20 April 2022: Many civilians still trapped in Mariupol as Russian deadline expires; refugees top 5 million, Al Arabiya, 20 April 2022: ‘Present to NATO’: What do we know about Russia’s new nuclear-capable missile?, The Atlantic, 20 April 2022: Russia’s Isolation From the West Will Outlast the War, The Times, 20 April 2022: Russia upgrades northern fleet as Finland debates joining Nato (to put even more military pressure on Finland, just to make sure that the country will finally ask for NATO admission is a great act of support. Thanks for that one, Vladimir), France24, 20 April 2022: Taciturn Scholz under fire for hesitant Ukraine stance, The New York Times, 20 April 2022: Ukraine Live Updates: Fighting Flares in East, as Russia Issues Warning With Missile Test, The Times, 20 April 2022: Germany refuses request to send weapons to Ukraine, Los Angeles Times, 20 April 2022: Ultimatum ignored in Mariupol as attacks intensify in east Ukraine, The Algemeiner, 20 April 2022: Israel Agrees to Supply Helmets, Vests to Ukraine Rescue Services, BBC, 20 April 2022: Anguish for thousands trapped in Mariupol as evacuation stalls, The National, 20 April 2022: Little Ukraine and the solidarity of a diaspora in New York, CNN, 20 April 2022: Pushed back from Kyiv, what’s Russia’s military strategy now?, The Atlantic, 20 April 2022: Liberation Without Victory, The Guardian, 20 April 2022: Putin’s key supporters are now playing a desperate face-saving game in Ukraine, CNN, 20 April 2022: Zelensky says discussions with European Council president were “substantive”, DW, 20 April 2022: Ukraine says planned Mariupol evacuations fell short — live updates, The Hill, 20 April 2022: Russia test launches intercontinental ballistic missile amid war, Politico, 20 April 2022: Forged by war: Ukraine’s new sense of nationhood, DW, 20 April 2022: Will the West ever deal with Putin again?, BBC, 20 April 2022: Russian tycoon lambasts country’s ‘massacre’, The Guardian, 20 April 2022: Live Russia-Ukraine war: Russia demands Mariupol surrender as fewer civilians than hoped escape besieged city, NPR, 20 April 2022: Russia-Ukraine war: What happened today (April 20), Irish Times, 20 April 2022: Soldiers besieged in Mariupol call to be evacuated with civilians, Politico, 20 April 2022: Russian and Belarusian tennis players banned from competing at Wimbledon, DW, 20 April 2022: Cracking down on peace: How Russian anti-war protesters face persecution, Irish Times, 20 April 2022: Ukraine war: Mariupol resistance on verge of collapse, The Times, 21 April 2022: Call off steelworks attack, says Putin as Russia ‘liberates’ Mariupol, BBC, 21 April 2022: Seal off last Mariupol fighters, Putin tells forces, The Times, 21 April 2022: Battle for drone supremacy in struggle for control of Donbas region, France24, 21 April 2022: Live: Russia pummels last Ukrainian defenders in port city Mariupol, DW, 21 April 2022: Lviv: Living in the shadow of Russia’s war with Ukraine, The Times, 21 April 2022: Putin warns West with long-range Satan 2 missile, The New Yorker, 21 April 2022: Is the Russian Military a Paper Tiger?, DW, 21 April 2022: Why is the Donbas so important for Russia?, The Times, 21 April 2022: ‘There might not be a city for my family to return to’, Irish Times, 21 April 2022: War in Ukraine: Putin claims victory in ‘liberated’ Mariupol, The Times, 21 April 2022: Mothers of Russian soldiers ‘encourage them to kill civilians’ (great, that the Ukrainians already killed that many facist Russian war crimiinals. The more the better and where ever you can find them!), CNN, 21 April 2022: Putin rattles his ‘Satan II’ nuclear saber to hide Russian failures in Ukraine war: analysts, The New York Times, 21 April 2022: ‘I Don’t Think It’s Going to Stop in Ukraine’: 10 Americans on Putin’s War, The Times, 21 April 2022: Battle for drone supremacy in struggle for control of Donbas region, Foreign Policy, 21 April 2022: Russia’s Military Has a Railroad Problem, The New York Times, 21 April 2022: The U.S. will outfit five artillery battalions for Ukraine and provide new drones that explode on impact., Al Arabiya, 21 April 2022: Pentagon developed custom-made ‘Ghost drone’ for Ukraine to use against Russia, The Hill, 21 April 2022: Staggering Ukrainian refugee numbers show no sign of slowing, The New Yorker, 21 April 2022: The Long Holy War Behind Putin’s Political War in Ukraine, Al Arabiya, 21 April 2022: Ukraine says Russia buried up to 9,000 civilians in new mass grave near Mariupol, Los Angeles Times, 21 April 2022: Russia claims Mariupol amid fresh evidence its troops killed civilians, The New York Times, 21 April 2022: Biden Says Putin ‘Will Never Succeed’ in War; U.S. to Send Ukraine More Aid, Al Arabiya, 21 April 2022: US says Russia’s claim of victory in Ukraine’s Mariupol is more ‘disinformation’, Times of Israel, 21 April 2022: Russian envoy: We’ll ‘respond accordingly’ if Israel gives Ukraine defensive gear, The National, 21 April 2022: Russia could ‘still win’ in Ukraine, western officials fear, The Washington Post, 22 April 2022: Trump says he threatened not to defend NATO against Russia, The New Yorker, 22 April 2022: This Earth Day, We Could Help the Environment – and Ukraine, NPR, 22 April 2022: Possible mass graves near Mariupol shown in satellite images, The National, 22 April 2022: London police receive 50 referrals over possible war crimes in Ukraine, The New York Times, 22 April 2022: One Ukrainian War Casualty: The World’s Largest Airplane, The Washington Post, 22 April 2022: Commander: Russia seeks ‘control’ of south, The National, 22 April 2022: Russia wants full control of southern Ukraine after Mariupol ‘liberation’, The New York Times, 22 April 2022: Hackers Claim to Target Russian Institutions in Barrage of Cyberattacks and Leaks, Arab News, 22 April 2022: Kremlin pursues more cases against critics of Ukraine war, The Hill, 22 April 2022: Hillicon Valley — Ukraine postal service hit with cyberattack, Al Arabiya, 22 April 2022: Amsterdam Trade Bank, part of Russia’s Alfa Bank, declared bankrupt, DW, 22 April 2022: Why isn’t Germany supplying Ukraine with heavy weapons?, The Hill, 22 April 2022: Russia-Ukraine war: What happened today (April 22), The New York Times, 22 April 2022: What Happened on Day 58 of the War in Ukraine, DW, 22 April 2022: Russia says it seeks ‘full control’ of southern Ukraine, access to Moldova’s Trans-Dniester region — live updates, The Hill, 22 April 2022: Fears grow for Mariupol — the ‘center of hell’, The Times, 22 April 2022: Russian submarines launch cruise missiles at Ukraine from Black Sea, Irish Times, 22 April 2022: The dead and the survived: A tale of two Ukrainian soldiers, NPR, 22 April 2022: Another possible mass grave with as many as 9,000 bodies is found near Mariupol, CNN, 22 April 2022: It’s just past 7 p.m. in Kyiv. Here’s what you need to know., The Times, 22 April 2022: Russians guilty of war crime horrors in Ukraine could face ‘Nuremberg’ trials, The Guardian, 22 April 2022: Live Russia-Ukraine war latest: Russia still bombing Azovstal steelworks, Ukraine says; UN secretary general to meet Putin, Politico.eu, 22 April 2022: Olaf Scholz cites risk of nuclear war in refusal to send tanks to Ukraine (in real life, Scholz and the SPD’s Putin fan club apparently don’t want to spoil things entirely with the tsar. Finally, the Kremlin hands out lucrative consultancy contracts), BBC, 22 April 2022: UN must help evacuate Mariupol – Ukraine’s deputy PM, Politico.eu, 22 April 2022: Trolling Russia, Ukraine registers Moskva shipwreck as ‘underwater cultural heritage’ (*hahahaha*), CNN, 22 April 2022: Russian troops use rape as ‘an instrument of war’ in Ukraine, rights groups allege, Irish Times, 22 April 2022: Allies delivering weapons to Ukraine, says Zelenskiy as Russia seeks control of country’s south, BBC, 22 April 2022: Ukraine war: Inside Kyiv’s trench defences, The Times, 22 April 2022: Putin’s ability to shock is his best weapon, CNN, 22 April 2022: ‘We don’t realize how strong we actually are’: How Alexey Navalny became Russia’s opposition leader, France24, 22 April 2022: Mariupol holds out while EU calls for the opening of humanitarian corridors, BBC, 22 April 2022: Ukraine war: Russia aiming for full control of south, commander says, France24, 22 April 2022: In ruined Kyiv suburb, residents ask, ‘What have we done to Putin to be slaughtered like this?’, DW, 22 April 2022: Why isn’t ?Germany supplying Ukraine with heavy weapons?, Jerusalem Post, 23 April 2022: Berlin institute taps World War Two experience to document Ukraine war crimes, Politico.eu, 23 April 2022: Ballistic missiles won’t make the difference in the Donbas — drones will, The National, 23 April 2022: What is the Phoenix Ghost killer drone the US is giving Ukraine?, Jerusalem Post, 23 April 2022: Russia using weapons supplied by France, Germany against Ukraine, The New York Times, 23 April 2022: The Former Chancellor Who Became Putin’s Man in Germany, Arab News, 23 April 2022: Turkey closes airspace to Russian planes carrying troops to Syria, Al Arabiya, 23 April 2022: Zelenskyy threatens to quit talks if Russia holds ‘pseudo-referendums’, The New York Times, 23 April 2022: What Happened on Day 59 of the War in Ukraine, The Hill, 23 April 2022: 5 things to know about Russia-Ukraine war this week, The Guardian, 23 April 2022: Putin has ignited a new anti-colonial struggle. This time, Moscow is the target, Los Angeles Times, 23 April 2022: Ukraine fends off Russian attacks as Mariupol, Odesa take pounding. Top U.S. officials to arrive, The Guardian, 23 April 2022: Back in the USSR: Lenin statues and Soviet flags reappear in Russian-controlled cities, The Hill, 23 April 2022: US races clock to ship weapons to Ukraine, The Guardian, 23 April 2022: In Mariupol, Putin now rules a wasteland pitted with mass graves, Politico.eu, 23 April 2022: Getting out alive: Ukrainian civilians flee the Russian onslaught, The Guardian, 23 April 2022: Live Russia-Ukraine war: baby killed in missile attack on Odesa, Zelenskiy says; Ukrainian president to meet Antony Blinken on Sunday, DW, 23 April 2022: Ukraine says missiles hit residential buildings in Odesa — live updates, BBC, 23 April 2022: Mariupol steelworks: Video appears to show children in Azovstal bunker, CNN, 23 April 2022: It’s 11 p.m. in Ukraine. Catch up on today’s developments here, DW, 23 April 2022: North of Kyiv, battle of Teterivske demonstrates ‘imprecise’ Russian military style, BBC, 23 April 2022: Odesa apartment block hit by missiles, France24, 23 April 2022: Several killed in Russian missile strike on Ukraine’s Odesa, The Guardian, 24 April 2022: Live Russia-Ukraine war: Blinken and Austin in Kyiv for Zelenskiy talks, says adviser, Jerusalem Post, 24 April 2022: Russia wants to force Ukrainian POWs to donate blood – Ukrainian official, Arab News, 24 April 2022: Ukraine leader pushes for more arms; US officials to visit, The Guardian, 24 April 2022: The awful truth is dawning: Putin may win in Ukraine. The result would be catastrophe, The New York Times, 24 April 2022: Ukraine Live Updates: Commander Says Mariupol Steel Plant Hasn’t Fallen, The National, 24 April 2022: Russia-Ukraine live: Zelenskyy says Orthodox Easter gives ‘great hope’ of victory, Arab News, 24 April 2022: The search for a magic formula to end Russia-Ukraine war, The New York Times, 24 April 2022: With Us or With Them? In a New Cold War, How About Neither., NPR, 24 April 2022: Russia-Ukraine war: What happened today (April 24), The Sunday Times, 24 April 2022: Retired US general calls for Nato troops in Ukraine, DW, 24 April 2022: Ukraine: Zelenskyy meets Blinken, Austin in Kyiv, says Ukrainian official — live updates, Politico.com, 24 April 2022: U.S., Ukrainian officials weigh ‘high possibility’ of Putin invading Moldova, The Sunday Times, 24 April 2022: Gerhard Schröder defends lucrative work for Russian energy giants, DW, 24 April 2022: Are there still Russian soldiers in Belarus?, CNN, 24 April 2022: It’s 6 p.m. on Sunday in Kyiv. Here’s what you need to know, BBC, 24 April 2022: Odesa missile attack: ‘My world was destroyed by a Russian missile’, DW, 24 April 2022: Mariupol: Before and after pictures show extent of devastation, The National, 25 April 2022: German coalition divide over heavy weapons supplies to Ukraine deepens (actually, one would have to laugh at the naive ignorance and stupidity of “Olaf und den Ampelmännchen” (chancellor Scholz’s coalition) if the consequences weren’t so dramatic: 1. so far, one has obviously learned far too little from the completely failed appeasement policy towards Putin, and it even gives the impression that one wants to return to it in order to satisfy the love for Putin and the passionate anti-Americanism of the left wing of the SPD, 2. turning a blind eye to facts and figures out of sheer cowardice is exactly what spurs on bar thugs like serial war criminal Putin even further. They start small (Georgia and Moldova) and, after realizing that the West only wets itself anyway and at most gives Sunday speeches, then really get going. Assuming that Putin would cease warfare after he might take Ukraine is as likely as Easter and Christmas on the same day. In fact, in that case he would move on to Georgia and Moldova, target Finland and the Baltics, and finally attack at least Poland. This is also why it is of the utmost importance that he is not allowed to win in the Ukraine and that this must therefore be prevented by all means, regardless of whether German Putinversteher, who are now apparently completely disconnected from reality, “do not want to inflict humiliation on the poor, little serial war criminal Putin “, 3. Putin wants to achieve Russian imperialism with the complete destruction of Western values and ways of life. According to his ideas, all European states should be militarily subdued, democracy, freedom and the rule of law should be abolished, NATO should be abolished and, of course, the American security umbrella for Western and Central Europe should be cleared. The German government is making his efforts easier for him by shining through active passivity, instead of doing what would be right better yesterday than tomorrow, by helping Ukraine to create the best defensive possible, while at the same time draining Putin’s coffers and putting up an effective European security architecture (if the Visegrad states still don’t want to participate, they can stay out and take care of their own security – which of course won’t succeed, although Hungary’s Orban apparently can’t wait to finally become part of the Soviet Union again) as quickly as possible. This is grossly negligent and thus violates the oath of office taken to avert damage to Germany. In fact, the federal government has already caused massive damage to Germany in the few months it has been in office, 4. in Putin’s troubled world, all states south and west of Russia’s true borders are already warring parties. Berlin’s attempt to use the excuse “Moscow could see us as a war party” to avoid having to deliver has thus become obsolete. Putin has viewed Germany as a war party for weeks. There are no longer any credible excuses for Berlin to continue refusing to work. Organizing any nonsense or making untenable statements to distract from the topic no longer work as smokescreens either, 5. What has apparently also remained completely unconsidered is that President Biden in the USA could certainly be replaced in the next election by #45 and, even after the start of Putin’s war of annihilation against Ukraine, he positioned himself very clearly in favor of Putin and against NATO. The significant security risks for Germany and the EU would then come from two sides (not even considering China)), Jerusalem Post, 25 April 2022: Russia-Ukraine War: ICC joins team probing alleged war crimes in Ukraine, The Atlantic, 25 April 2022: Ukraine and the Words That Lead to Mass Murder, Jerusalem Post, 25 April 2022: Explosions heard near gov’t building in pro-Russia Transnistria (for sure a Russian false flag attack, in order to “justify” the expected Russian escalation against Moldova), Politico.eu, 25 April 2022: US seeks to ‘weaken’ Russia as it pledges more military help for Ukraine, The New York Times, 25 April 2022: Explosions hit Transnistria, a Russian-allied region of Moldova, amid fears of a new front in the war., Politico.eu, 25 April 2022: Putin wants to de-Nazify Ukraine — that’s ludicrous, say the country’s Jews, The New York Times, 25 April 2022: Ukraine Live Updates: U.S. Says It Wants Russian Military Weakened, Politico.eu, 25 April 2022: Commission wants EU agency to protect evidence of war crimes in Ukraine, Irish Times, 25 April 2022: US officials pledge more military aid on visit to Kyiv, CNN, 25 April 2022: It’s Monday night in Kyiv. Here’s what you need to know., The Times, 25 April 2022: Russian ‘nail bomb’ shells killed civilians in Bucha, BBC, 25 April 2022: Ukraine war: US wants to see a weakened Russia, France24, 25 April 2022: ICC prosecutor to join EU team investigating crimes in Ukraine, CNN, 25 April 2022: Foreign investors are ditching China. Russia’s war is the latest trigger, BBC, 25 April 2022: Ukraine: Facing the Russian Army on the front line in Donbas, France24, 25 April 2022: Mariupol is almost wiped out but will ‘never surrender’, says top Zelensky adviser, DW, 25 April 2022: Russia announces expulsion of 40 German diplomats in tit-for-tat move — live updates, Der Spiegel, 26 April 2022: “We Have Never Seen Such Firepower”: Russia Ramps Up the Pressure in Eastern Ukraine, DW, 26 April 2022: Germany will deliver anti-aircraft tanks to Ukraine, Arab News, 26 April 2022: Russia pounds eastern Ukraine as West promises Kyiv new arms, DW, 26 April 2022: Russian missile attack claims civilian lives in Odesa, The Times, 26 April 2022: Drones suspected after strike on Russian depots, DW, 26 April 2022: US plans regular Ramstein Air Base meetings on Ukraine, The Washington Post, 26 April 2022: Putin agrees to international aid with Mariupol evacuations, Al Arabiya, 26 April 2022: Germany to supply Ukraine with heavy weaponry for first time, Arab News, 26 April 2022: Chernobyl radiation ‘abnormal’ since Russian takeover: IAEA chief, The Washington Post, 26 April 2022: ‘Putin never imagined’ this global support for Ukraine, U.S. defense secretary says, Al Arabiya, 26 April 2022: Swiss veto German request to re-export tank ammunition to Ukraine, The New York Times, 26 April 2022: Live Updates: Allies Send More Arms to Ukraine as Russia Accuses NATO of Proxy War, The Washington Post, 26 April 2022: U.S. monitors blasts reported in Moldova breakaway region bordering Ukraine, Los Angeles Times, 26 April 2022: Escape from Mariupol: 10 minutes to pack up, then a risky 11-hour drive, Politico.eu, 26 April 2022: It’s time to be bolder to help Ukraine, The Times, 26 April 2022: Russian military equipment losses ‘will take years to replace’, The Hill, 26 April 2022: Defense & National Security — Austin huddles with counterparts on Ukraine, The Times, 26 April 2022: Nervous Germany agrees to send anti-aircraft guns, CNN, 26 April 2022: Germany agrees to send heavy weapons to Ukraine after major policy U-turn, Politico.eu, 26 April 2022: US rallies global allies to help Ukraine repel Russia, NPR, 26 April 2022: Russia-Ukraine war: What happened today (April 26), CNN, 26 April 2022: Exclusive: Top US general tells CNN ‘global international security order’ is at stake following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Politico.com, 26 April 2022: Amid the war in Ukraine, PR firms defend Russian-tied clients, The Guardian, 26 April 2022: Live Russia-Ukraine war: Moscow warns UK of ‘proportional response’ if it continues ‘provoking’ Ukraine to attack, BBC, 26 April 2022: Germany to send tanks to Ukraine in U-turn, DW, 26 April 2022: Germany will deliver anti-aircraft tanks to Ukraine, France24, 26 April 2022: ‘Very dangerous’: Chernobyl marks anniversary amid war, DW, 26 April 2022: Is Switzerland right to prevent the delivery of ammunition to Ukraine?, CNN, 26 April 2022: US forces have had close encounters with drones on Belarusian border, defense official says, DW, 26 April 2022: US plans regular Ramstein Air Base meetings on Ukraine, BBC, 26 April 2022: Ukraine war: Russia accuses UK of provoking attacks on its territory, DW, 26 April 2022: Russian missile attack claims civilian lives in Odesa, BBC, 27 April 2022: Putin warns against ‘outside intervention’ in Ukraine, Jerusalem Post, 27 April 2022: Microsoft discloses onslaught of Russian cyberattacks on Ukraine, The Times, 27 April 2022: Ukraine can use British weapons to hit Russian territory, says armed forces minister, Haaretz, 27 April 2022: Ukrainian Holocaust Survivors Flee for Their Lives a Second Time, The National, 27 April 2022: What is Transnistria and how could it be the next Ukraine war flashpoint?, Jerusalem Post, 27 April 2022: Russia sees its oil output falling by up to 17% in 2022, The New York Times, 27 April 2022: Ukraine Live Updates: War’s Effects Widen as Russia Vows More Reprisals, Haaretz, 27 April 2022: As Israel Remembers the Holocaust, Genocide Is Again Happening in Europe, NPR, 27 April 2022: U.S. war aims shift in Ukraine — and bring additional risks, The National, 27 April 2022: Amal Clooney: Ukraine a ‘slaughterhouse right in the heart of Europe’, The New York Times, 27 April 2022: Russia Uses Cyberattacks in Ukraine to Support Military Strikes, Report Finds, NPR, 27 April 2022: Photos: As many flee, Russia aims to take control of eastern Ukraine, The Times, 27 April 2022: Russia’s casual savagery is seared into its soul, Los Angeles Times, 27 April 2022: Russia cuts gas to Poland and Bulgaria as West mounts new arms push, The Hill, 27 April 2022: Five things to know about Transnistria, a potential hot spot in Russian conflict, The Times, 27 April 2022: Liz Truss fears Russia’s war on Ukraine will last a decade, NPR, 27 April 2022: Chechnya once resisted Russia. Now, its leader is Putin’s brutal ally in Ukraine, Politico.com, 27 April 2022: What’s Putin’s Next Move? Look to Syria, The Times, 27 April 2022: Putin warns Ukraine’s allies: I’ll retaliate as quick as lightning, Irish Times, 27 April 2022: Russia’s attempt to strong-arm EU on gas could backfire, BBC, 27 April 2022: As it happened: Putin warns against ‘outside intervention’ in Ukraine, The Guardian, 27 April 2022: Live Russia-Ukraine war: Putin warns of ‘lightning fast’ retaliation if west intervenes; Mariupol commander makes urgent plea, CNN, 27 April 2022: How Transnistria, a Russian-backed region in Moldova, is getting pulled into the war in Ukraine, The New York Times, 27 April 2022: Fears Are Mounting That Ukraine War Will Spill Across Borders, The Times, 27 April 2022: Push to send arms before Russians encircle Donbas, BBC, 27 April 2022: Transnistria and Ukraine conflict: Is war spreading?, CNN, 27 April 2022: Russia shifts tactics, steps up pace of assault in Ukraine’s east and south, Al Arabiya, 28 April 2022: ‘Postcard from Moscow’: Russia strikes Kyiv during UN chief visit, Ukraine says, Arab News, 28 April 2022: UN chief in Ukraine after EU-Russia gas row, Politico.com, 28 April 2022: White House sends Congress $33B request for Ukraine, Al Arabiya, 28 April 2022: US considering listing Russia as state sponsor of terrorism over Ukraine war: Blinken, The National, 28 April 2022: Russia-Ukraine live: Security Council failed to ‘prevent and end war’, admits UN chief, Al Arabiya, 28 April 2022: UN Security Council ‘failed to do everything to end Ukraine war’: Guterres, France24, 28 April 2022: UN team ‘shocked’ but ‘safe’ after strikes hit Kyiv during Guterres visit, The Guardian, 28 April 2022: Moldova facing ‘dangerous moment’ amid fears it could be drawn into Ukraine war, BBC, 28 April 2022: Ukraine conflict could last years, Nato warns, The Atlantic, 28 April 2022: Photos: Two Months of War in Ukraine, Al Arabiya, 28 April 2022: Ukraine says identified ‘more than 8,000 cases’ of suspected war crimes, BBC, 28 April 2022: Mysterious Zamestim artwork in St Petersburg signals Russia’s anti-West defiance, The Guardian, 28 April 2022: Live Russia-Ukraine war: Kyiv rocked by missile strikes as UN chief visits Ukraine capital – live, CNN, 28 April 2022: He was tortured by Russians for 8 days and left in the forest to die, BBC, 28 April 2022: Biden proposes $33bn to help Ukraine in war, Politico.eu, 28 April 2022: Latvia’s foreign minister wants planes for Ukraine — and sees ‘momentum’, The Times, 28 April 2022: Sending Ukraine weapons risks security of Europe, Russia tells Nato (what a joke. The only ones who endanger Europe’s security permanently are the serial war criminal Putin and his gang of murderers. No one else), Politico.eu, 28 April 2022: Ukraine files first war crimes charges against Russia over Bucha killings, CNN, 28 April 2022: Ukrainian president says missiles struck Kyiv while UN chief was visiting, Politico.eu, 28 April 2022: Commission’s ruble-for-gas scheme won’t work, Bulgaria warns, NPR, 28 April 2022: Photos: In Ukraine war, grief and desperation hang over week 9 of battle, Politico.eu, 28 April 2022: Germany signals more Ukraine support, wavers on defense spending, The Washington Post, 28 April 2022: Kremlin slams West for backing Ukraine’s right to strike Russia (of course they do, as they know far too well that the winey Russian war criminals and losers won’t see daylight again if Ukraine would retaliate), NPR, 28 April 2022: Canada’s House backs a motion recognizing Russia’s actions in Ukraine as genocide, DW, 28 April 2022: UN chief Guterres decries ‘absurdity’ of war in visit to Ukraine — live updates, The New Yorker, 28 April 2022: The War in Ukraine Is a Colonial War, Los Angeles Times, 28 April 2022: Russia launches new wave of attacks on Kyiv as U.N. chief visits; Biden seeks massive new aid package, DW, 28 April 2022: Ukraine: German lawmakers overwhelmingly approve heavy weapons deliveries, The National, 29 April 2022: Russia-Ukraine live: Russian troop frustration mounts over slow gains in Ukraine, Al Arabiya, 29 April 2022: Russia FM Lavrov reacts to sanctions: West has always been ‘Russia phobic’ (the exact opposite is the case. Russian war criminals find it very difficult to deal with the fact that their country is an economic dwarf, politically insignificant, unable to compete with the West and its very successful social model. The resulting insignificance for Russia is therefore compensated with military means in order to at least persuade itself that things would be different. Normally the West feels sorry for such underdeveloped countries and their people, so development aid is given. After the gratifying collapse of the Soviet Union, this also happened at first. However, ever since Putin developed Russia into a fascist state very similar to Nazi Germany, the West has naturally distanced itself from Russia. After Putin launched the war of aggression and annihilation against the whole of Ukraine in February 2022, Ukraine naturally received maximum support from the West. Putin’s party clown Lavrov is once again confusing cause and effect and at the same time trying to reverse guilt. But he won’t succeed in doing that for a single moment because of the overwhelming evidence), The Guardian, 29 April 2022: Live Russia-Ukraine war: Russian forces suffering ‘colossal losses’ in eastern battles, says Kyiv, DW, 29 April 2022: India defends its Russia position, criticizes West at Raisina Dialogue, Politico.eu, 29 April 2022: Russia faces threat of sanctions on nuclear power industry as Germany backs uranium ban, The National, 29 April 2022: Russia admits firing submarine-launched missiles at Ukraine, DW, 29 April 2022: Elvira Nabiullina: The central banker Vladimir Putin is relying on to clean up Russia’s economic mess, Al Arabiya, 29 April 2022: Lavrov: ‘Special operation’ in Ukraine aimed to protect Donetsk, Luhansk republics (Putin’s court clown at work), Politico.eu, 29 April 2022: EU ‘shocked and appalled’ by Russian strikes on Kyiv during UN chief visit, Foreign Policy, 29 April 2022: Biden’s Dangerous New Ukraine Endgame: No Endgame, The Times, 29 April 2022: Ghost of Kyiv dies in battle ‘after shooting down 40 Russian aircraft’, DW, 29 April 2022: Ukraine: Radio Free Europe journalist killed in Kyiv shelling — live updates, CNN, 29 April 2022: A new realization dawns for Washington, Europe, Kyiv and Moscow, The Times, 29 April 2022: ‘Suspicious’ neighbours caught up in Ukraine’s hunt for collaborators, France24, 29 April 2022: Zelensky says Russia talks close to collapse as fighting rages in east Ukraine, CNN, 29 April 2022: Pentagon spokesperson gets emotional talking about Putin’s actions in Ukraine, The Times, 29 April 2022: Kremlin turns to submarines after loss of Moskva, The Guardian, 29 April 2022: Editorial: The Guardian view on Putin’s nuclear threats: Russia is losing in Ukraine, BBC, 29 April 2022: Russia building up troops for fresh attacks in the east – Ukraine, Irish Times, 29 April 2022: Putin condemned for ‘depravity’ in Ukraine as Russia takes ‘colossal losses’ in eastern battle, CNN, 29 April 2022: At least five Russian businessmen have died by apparent suicide in just three months, The Times, 29 April 2022: Why Putin dare not lose the battle for Donbas, France24, 30 April 2022: Dnipro residents mobilise to support their fellow citizens and the war effort, BBC, 30 April 2022: Civilians escape besieged Mariupol steelworks, DW, 30 April 2022: Ukraine: Kyiv police find bound men in Bucha as Russia continues eastern assault — live updates, BBC, 30 April 2022: Ukraine – the narrative the West doesn’t hear, France24, 30 April 2022: 20 civilians have been evacuated from Mariupol’s Azovstal site, The Times, 30 April 2022: Inside Transnistria: is this next on Putin’s hit list?, Irish Times, 30 April 2022: Peace in Ukraine: What will it take and how can it happen?, The Guardian, 30 April 2022: Live Russia-Ukraine war: Moscow says threat of nuclear war must be kept to minimum; 20 wounded civilians evacuated from steel plant, Irish Times, 30 April 2022: Ukrainian forces hold back Russian advance as 100,000 civilians remain in Mariupol, The Times, 30 April 2022: Has Russia already started World War Three?, Arab News, 30 April 2022: Russia pounds Ukraine’s south and east, knocks out Odesa airport, Al Arabiya, 30 April 2022: Twenty civilians leave Mariupol’s Azovstal site: Ukraine regiment, Arab News, 30 April 2022: ‘Russia does not consider itself to be at war with NATO, but NATO does,’ Lavrov tells Al-Arabiya (Putin’s propaganda party clown is at it again *hahaha*), The Hill, 30 April 2022: Georgia presses US for support amid fears of Russian wars, Jerusalem Post, 30 April 2022: China-Russia relationship increasingly worrying Americans – PEW poll, The New York Times, 30 April 2022: What Happened on Day 66 of the War in Ukraine, NPR, 30 April 2022: Rape has reportedly become a weapon in Ukraine. Finding justice may be difficult, The Hill, 30 April 2022: For victims in Ukraine, saying ‘genocide’ does matter, The New York Times, 30 April 2022: Ukrainian Official Outlines Intentional Ambiguity on Strikes Inside Russia, The Atlantic, 30 April 2022: Putin Isn’t The Only Autocrat Misusing History, Times of Israel, 30 April 2022: US slams Putin’s ‘depravity,’ dismisses Russia’s Ukraine invasion reasoning as ‘BS’, Los Angeles Times, 30 April 2022: Russian artillery pounds cities, towns and villages in eastern Ukraine, France24, 1 May 2022: US Speaker Pelosi meets Ukraine’s Zelensky on unannounced visit to Kyiv, DW, 1 May 2022: Vladimir Putin has gravely miscalculated in Ukraine, BBC, 1 May 2022: Ukraine war: US accuses Russia of depravity and brutality, France24, 1 May 2022: UN confirms deal with Russia, Red Cross on evacuating civilians from Mariupol plant, The Atlantic, 1 May 2022: ‘We Can Only Be Enemies’, DW, 1 May 2022: In Ukraine war, Twitter Sherlocks are coming of age, The Guardian, 1 May 2022: Live Russia-Ukraine war: UN evacuation under way from Mariupol steelworks; Pelosi dismisses fears of provoking Russia, BBC, 1 May 2022: Safe passage for civilians to leave Mariupol under way – UN, DW, 1 May 2022: Ukraine’s Zelenskyy says 100 civilians evacuated from Mariupol steel plant — live updates, BBC, 1 May 2022: How Ukraine’s ‘Ghost of Kyiv’ legendary pilot was born, CNN, 1 May 2022: Pelosi makes unannounced trip to Kyiv, becoming highest-ranking US official to meet with Zelensky since the war began, The Guardian, 1 May 2022: ‘I don’t feel safe here’: Transnistria fears could spark Moldova exodus, CNN, 1 May 2022: Russians plunder $5M farm vehicles from Ukraine — to find they’ve been remotely disabled, The Times, 1 May 2022: ‘Putin fixer’s troll factory’ turns fire on social media and pop stars, BBC, 1 May 2022: Ukraine war: Mariupol civilians evacuated from steelworks bunker, The Times, 1 May 2022: Russia ‘is already paving the way for a takeover of Moldova’, CNN, 1 May 2022: Large fires break out at Russian military installation in Belgorod, The Times, 1 May 2022: First civilians evacuated from Mariupol steelworks after ceasefire agreed, Irish Times, 1 May 2022: Ukraine war: United Nations confirms evacuation of civilians under way from Mariupol, NPR, 1 May 2022: About 100 civilians escape Mariupol steel plant as Pelosi visits Zelenskyy in Kyiv, The New York Times, 1 May 2022: Ukraine Live Updates: About 100 Civilians Are Evacuated From Mariupol Steel Plant, Politico.eu, 1 May 2022: Scholz hits out at critics who oppose sending arms to Ukraine, Arab News, 1 May 2022: Nancy Pelosi visits Kyiv and vows US will stand by Ukraine ‘until victory is won’, The Hill, 1 May 2022: Pelosi secret visit to Ukraine highlights expanse — and limitations — of US support, Arab News, 1 May 2022: Russia shoots down Ukrainian bombers as civilians evacuated from Mariupol, The New York Times, 1 May 2022: Long lines at Ukrainian gas stations reveal just the tip of a looming crisis., Arab News, 1 May 2022: Ukraine clarifies ‘Ghost of Kyiv’ legend after reported death of heroic pilot, Jerusalem Post, 1 April 2022: Lavrov claims Zelensky has Jewish blood ‘just like Hitler’, Haaretz, 1 May 2022: Lavrov Compares Ukraine’s Zelenskyy to Hitler, Who Also ‘Had Jewish Blood’, Jerusalem Post, 1 April 2022: More Mariupol residents died in Russian invasion than under Nazi occupation – mayor, France24, 2 May 2022: Live: Civilians attempt evacuation from Ukraine’s besieged Mariupol, The New Yorker, 2 May 2022: The Costs of War, NPR, 2 May 2022: Russia-Ukraine war: What happened today (May 2), The National, 2 May 2022: Russia-Ukraine live: Putin’s forces lose ‘a quarter of combat power’ in nine weeks, The New York Times, 2 May 2022: Live Updates: West Works to Put Ukraine Pledges Into Action, DW, 2 May 2022: Ukraine: UEFA bans Russian teams from Champions League — live updates, France24, 2 May 2022: Russia thrown out of women’s Euro, banned from European club football next season, The National, 2 May 2022: Indian PM Modi offers Ukraine war warning as he visits Germany, The New Yorker, 2 May 2022: How Ukrainians Saved Their Capital, DW, 2 May 2022: Germany ready to support EU ban on Russian oil, The National, 2 May 2022: Ukraine has pushed Russian forces 40 kilometres east of Kharkiv, Pentagon says, The Guardian, 2 April 2022: What would victory actually mean now for Ukraine – and for Europe?, DW, 2 May 2022: Modi, Scholz call for peace in Ukraine following talks in Berlin, Politico.eu, 2 May 2022: Amid broken ties and families, Crimean views toward Russia start to shift, Irish Times, 2 April 2022: Ukraine war: Russia ‘resumed shelling’ of Mariupol steel plant after first group evacuated, The Guardian, 2 April 2022: Live Russia-Ukraine war: rocket strike hits Odesa; people trapped in Mariupol steelworks face evacuation delays, The Times, 2 May 2022: Russian ‘nuclear tsunami’ will wipe out Britain, Kremlin-backed media threatens, BBC, 2 May 2022: Russian war effort ‘minimal at best’ – US official, France24, 2 May 2022: Civilians attempt evacuation from Ukraine’s besieged Mariupol, CNN, 2 May 2022: There will be civilian evacuations from Mariupol on Tuesday, city council says, The Times, 2 May 2022: Ignore Putin’s threats and expand Nato now, BBC, 2 May 2022: Russia attacking Mariupol steelworks after evacuations, says Ukraine commander, Haaretz, 2 May 2022: From Antisemites to Golda Meir, Ukraine Plans to ‘de-Russify’ Street Names, Times of Israel, 2 May 2022: Israel: ‘Message made clear’ in rebuke of Russian envoy for Lavrov’s Hitler remarks, Jerusalem Post, 2 May 2022: Lavrov’s antisemitism means Israel no longer neutral on Ukraine-Russia (for Israelis, Lavrov’s anti-Semitic provocation is challenging in two ways: For security reasons (Syria), the Israeli government did not want to take a clear position on Putin’s war of aggression and annihilation against Ukraine. That is now changing and it remains to be seen what direct consequences this will have for the country. At the same time, there is solidarity at least with the Ukrainian President Selenskyj, although many Jews find it difficult to show solidarity with Ukraine, especially because of the role of some Ukrainians during the Holocaust and the rather slow historical processing up to now), The New York Times, 2 May 2022: Israel condemns Russian foreign minister’s comments as antisemitic., Haaretz, 2 May 2022: Bennett Condemns Russian FM’s Hitler ‘Lies’ (what’s interesting is that the Russian leadership has been arguing anti-Semitic nonsense inside the country for years, but that seems fine. It was only after Lavrov made his statements on Italian television that they resonated internationally. That’s quite astonishing, especially since under Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Putin was still considered a “true friend of Israel”. Apparently, the categorization “true friend” has slipped in a very right-wing manner), Palestine Chronicle, 2 April 2022: Israel Summons Russian Ambassador over Lavrov’s Comments on Hitler, Antisemitism (VIDEO), Times of Israel, 2 May 2022: Ukraine FM responds to Lavrov: ‘He can’t hide the deeply rooted antisemitism’, Haaretz, 2 May 2022: Lavrov’s ‘Grotesque’ Hitler Remarks Fuel ‘Global Antisemitic Fire,’ U.S. Jewish Leaders Say, Al Arabiya, 2 April 2022: Zelenskyy: Lavrov a ‘great Hitlerism connoisseur’, will Russia-Israel ties remain?, The National, 2 May 2022: Israel denounces Lavrov’s ‘Hitler had Jewish blood’ claim and summons Russian ambassador, Politico.eu, 2 May 2022: Israel condemns Sergey Lavrov’s remark that Hitler ‘had Jewish blood’, Al Arabiya, 2 April 2022: Israel denounces Lavrov’s Hitler comments as ‘unforgivable,’ summons Russian envoy, The Guardian, 2 April 2022: Sergei Lavrov Israel summons Russia envoy over minister’s Hitler comments, DW, 2 May 2022: Is Putin’s threat of ‘lightning-fast’ response escalation or empty rhetoric?, France24, 2 May 2022: Outrage in Israel as Russia’s Lavrov claims Hitler had Jewish roots, CNN, 2 May 2022: Russia’s Sergey Lavrov asserts Hitler “had Jewish blood,” prompting Israeli government fury, BBC, 2 May 2022: Israel outrage at Sergei Lavrov’s claim that Hitler was part Jewish, The New York Times, 3 May 2022: Ukraine Live Updates: Biden Speaks at Missile Factory, as Evacuees from Mariupol Steel Plant Reach Safety, Jerusalem Post, 3 May 2022: Russia claims Israel supports neo-Nazis in Ukraine after Lavrov-Hitler flap, Times of Israel, 3 May 2022: Moscow, under fire for Hitler comments, says Israel backing ‘neo-Nazis’ in Ukraine, The Hill, 3 May 2022: Russia doubles down on diplomat’s Hitler remarks, The Times, 3 May 2022: Russia accuses Israel of supporting Kyiv ‘neo-Nazis’, Arab News, 3 May 2022: Israel, furious over Lavrov’s Hitler comment, cannot burn its bridges with Russia, The Guardian, 3 May 2022: Russia: Moscow accuses Israel of backing ‘neo-Nazis’ in Kyiv as diplomatic row grows, Los Angeles Times, 3 May 2022: Port city Mariupol under renewed Russian fire after evacuations; more attacks in the east, The New York Times, 3 May 2022: Russia’s War Has Been Brutal, but Putin Has Shown Some Restraint. Why?, Politico.eu, 3 May 2022: EU smells trouble, and Trump, in US abortion fight, NPR, 3 May 2022: The complex effort to hold Vladimir Putin accountable for war crimes, The Times, 3 May 2022: Russia bombards Azovstal steelworks as first survivors reach safety, Politico.eu, 3 May 2022: Finland and Sweden ‘can count’ on Germany for protection and NATO membership support, The National, 3 May 2022: Russia-Ukraine live: Russian forces storming Mariupol plant, The Times, 3 May 2022: Britain sends Malloy T150 drones to carry heavy kit to Ukrainian front, Politico.eu, 3 May 2022: Hungary ‘outraged’ by Kyiv’s claim it was warned by Russia of Ukraine invasion (what is interesting, of course, is that Orban has been so deeply in Putin’s pocket for years that it is much more likely that the information from Kyiv is more accurate than that from Budapest. When looking at the vehement reaction from Budapest, Kyiv obviously has a point here. In the end it will be seen who was right), The Times, 3 May 2022: To beat Vladimir Putin the West must help Belarus too, The Guardian, 3 May 2022: Live Russia-Ukraine war: Russia attacks Azovstal plant after first civilians evacuated from steel works reach safety, France24, 3 May 2022: Scores of civilians reach safety as Russia renews assault on Mariupol plant, BBC, 3 May 2022: Relief as Mariupol steelworks refugees arrive to safety, CNN, 3 May 2022: Why May 9 is a big day for Russia, and what a declaration of war would mean, DW, 3 May 2022: Russian war censorship denounced on World Press Freedom Day, Jerusalem Post, 3 May 2022: EU targets Russian Patriarch Kirill in new round of proposed sanctions, DW, 3 May 2022: Ukraine: Russia steps up attacks on Mariupol steel plant — live updates, Haaretz, 4 May 2022: Israeli President: ‘Lavrov Is Spreading Antisemitic Lies. I Expect Him to Apologize’, Times of Israel, 4 May 2022: Lavrov’s ‘Jewish Hitler’ comments are latest manifestation of an old, dangerous myth, Haaretz, 4 May 2022: Moscow: Israeli ‘Mercenaries’ Fighting Alongside Ukrainian neo-Nazis, Palestine Chronicle, 4 May 2022: Israeli Mercenaries Fight alongside ‘Ukrainian Neo-Nazis’, Moscow Says, The Washington Times, 4 May 2022: Russia intensifies missile attacks, hitting transport hubs, The National, 4 May 2022: Russia-Ukraine live: EU proposes ban on Russian oil imports, Haaretz, 4 May 2022: Russia’s Antisemitic Attack on Israel Is Shocking and Deliberate, The National, 4 May 2022: Ukraine accuses Russia of planning military May 9 Victory Day parade in Mariupol, The Economist, 4 May 2022: Putin is failing in Ukraine but succeeding at oppressing Russia, The National, 4 May 2022: Germany will train Ukrainian gunners despite escalation warning, Foreign Policy, 4 May 2022: Belarus Is the Other Loser in Putin’s War, DW, 4 May 2022: Pope Francis clearly points the finger at Russia, The National, 4 May 2022: Biden to speak with G7 about further Russia sanctions, CNN, 4 May 2022: Drone footage shows how Russians destroyed one Ukrainian town in savage battle, DW, 4 May 2022: Ukraine: Contact restored with Azovstal defenders amid heavy fighting — live updates, CNN, 4 May 2022: Russia’s attacks on Ukraine’s supply lines are intensifying. Ukraine’s national railway hasn’t buckled, France24, 4 May 2022: Trading strikes as tension builds in Ukraine no-man’s land. CNN, 4 May 2022: Ukraine retakes a Kharkiv region village and inches closer towards Russian border, The Times, 4 May 2022: True horror of Mariupol theatre strike revealed, BBC, 4 May 2022: Ukraine war: Russia denies it plans to declare war on 9 May (and everyone was like, “Of course, if Putin says that, then it must be true!” *hahaha*), CNN, 4 May 2022: It’s 11 p.m. in Kyiv. Here’s what you need to know, Irish Times, 4 May 2022: War in Ukraine: Russian forces enter territory of Mariupol plant as EU proposes oil imports ban, Politico.eu, 4 May 2022: Welcome to Russia’s ‘holy war’, NPR, 4 May 2022: Russia-Ukraine war: What happened today (May 4), Los Angeles Times, 4 May 2022: Grave by grave, police and war crimes investigators comb a Ukrainian forest, Al Arabiya, 4 May 2022: Amid tensions with Russia, Israel considers expanding military aid to Ukraine: Report, The New York Times, 4 May 2022: Ukraine Live Updates: Fears of Expanded War Rise as Russia’s Victory Day Approaches With No Change on Battlefield, Al Arabiya, 4 May 2022: Russia stalled near Donbas, looking to cut power for railroads in Ukraine: Pentagon, Arab News, 4 May 2022: Russia pounds Ukraine, targeting supply of Western arms, NPR, 4 May 2022: Evacuees from Mariupol describe how they survived inside the Azovstal steel plant, The New York Times, 4 May 2022: U.S. Intelligence Is Helping Ukraine Kill Russian Generals, Officials Say (very good. The more of Putin’s state terrorists are brought to their final destination, the fewer war crimes trials have to be conducted later), BBC, 5 May 2022: Ukraine war has dragged on, admits Putin ally Lukashenko, The Times, 5 May 2022: Russian troops ‘storm Azovstal steel plant’ in Mariupol, BBC, 5 May 2022: Evacuation convoy heading to Mariupol ‘hellscape’ says UN, The National, 5 May 2022: Russia-Ukraine live: EU nations nearing agreement on new sanctions, top diplomat says, The Guardian, 5 May 2022: Live Russia-Ukraine war: Israel says Putin has apologised for Lavrov’s Hitler comments; fresh attempt to evacuate Azovstal civilians, DW, 5 May 2022: Western companies leave Russia — taking Russian jobs with them, Al Arabiya, 5 May 2022: The longer EU pays for Russian oil, ‘the longer this war will continue’: Ukraine FM, The National, 5 May 2022: Putin fighting ‘logistics war’ to keep forces armed, BBC, 5 May 2022: Putin sorry for Lavrov’s claim Hitler was part Jewish – Israel PM, Arab News, 5 May 2022: Moscow says Western aid cannot prevent Russian victory in Ukraine, The National, 5 May 2022: Jill Biden to meet Ukrainian refugees in Romania and Slovakia, The Times, 5 May 2022: US gives Ukraine tank-busting Ghost drone for war against Russia, Arab News, 5 May 2022: Why Europe is engaging emerging powers in Africa and Asia-Pacific, DW, 5 May 2022: Russia’s war in Ukraine has ‘backfired,’ David Petraeus tells DW, The New York Times, 5 May 2022: Ukraine Live Updates: Russia Presses on Eastern Front and Targets Final Fighters in Mariupol, The Times, 5 May 2022: War in Ukraine: Hi-tech Russian tank left a smoking wreck, DW, 5 May 2022: Moldova: ‘I’m worried about the children’, The Hill, 5 May 2022: Pentagon denies US shared intel to target Russian generals, CNN, 5 May 2022: It’s nighttime in Ukraine. Catch up on the latest here, Irish Times, 5 May 2022: Russia calls on remaining Mariupol defenders to surrender as evacuation convoy heads to city, France24, 5 May 2022: UN again trying to evacuate Mariupol civilians, says Guterres, DW, 5 May 2022: Ukraine: Russia continues attack on Azovstal steel plant — live updates, The Times, 5 May 2022: Russian generals turning on each other to avoid Putin’s purge, says Ben Wallace, France24, 5 May 2022: Ukrainian forces flooded village of Demydiv to hamper Russian advance on Kyiv, CNN, 5 May 2022: Russians steal vast amounts of Ukrainian grain and equipment, threatening this year’s harvest (in addition to the less desired and above all very negative aspects of grain shortages and the resulting significant price increases, a very positive aspect from Putin’s point of view is of course that he will now be able to play te the “great savior” in Africa with the help of grain stolen from Ukraine, where up to now Ukrainian grain has covered up to 50% of the total requirements, by using grain as a weapon in order to tie African countries more closely to himself. Ultimately, of course, the Africans don’t care where the grain comes from, the main thing is that it is delivered and at a reasonably bearable price. The fact that the price only goes through the roof because Putin is waging his war of annihilation against Ukraine plays a rather subordinate role in view of empty stomachs), France24, 5 May 2022: Modi, Macron call for ‘immediate’ end to Ukraine hostilities, but differences remain, BBC, 6 May 2022: Fifty civilians evacuated from besieged steel plant, The National, 6 May 2022: Amnesty accuses Russia of war crimes and unlawful killings in Ukraine, France24, 6 May 2022: How ‘Babushka Z’ became the unlikely icon of Russian propaganda, BBC, 6 May 2022: Who is Alina Kabaeva, Putin’s alleged girlfriend?, The National, 6 May 2022: Pentagon denies helping Ukraine ‘target’ Russian generals, France24, 6 May 2022: Biden announces more artillery, radars for Ukraine’s war against Russia, The Guardian, 6 May 2022: Live Russia-Ukraine war: Mariupol being ‘tortured to death’, says Zelenskiy; US deflects questions on intelligence-sharing, The National, 6 May 2022: Biden, G7 and Ukraine’s Zelenskyy to hold talks before Moscow Victory Day, France24, 6 May 2022: Ukraine: Whats does it take to prosecute war crimes?, The Guardian, 6 May 2022: Moskva: US shared location of cruiser with Ukraine prior to sinking, The National, 6 May 2022: Second Russian warship burns after ‘hit by missile’ claims, DW, 6 May 2022: Germany to send self-propelled howitzers to Ukraine, France24, 6 May 2022: Ukrainian army specialists hunt for explosives left behind by Russian forces, The Guardian, 6 May 2022: Kyiv: Wives of Mariupol soldiers dispersed by police at protest, DW, 6 May 2022: Victory Day in Europe: Ukraine war puts spotlight on Russia, The National, 6 May 2022: Russia-Ukraine live: Mariupol ‘destroyed completely’, Zelenskyy says, CNN, 6 May 2022: Zelensky accuses Russia of using blockade of Mariupol as form of “torture” by starvation, DW, 6 May 2022: Ukraine: Will the railroad be what decides the war?, The Times, 6 May 2022: Russia’s Victory Day is make or break for Putin, The Hill, 6 May 2022: Pentagon moves $1.45 billion to restock Javelin, Stinger missiles sent to Ukraine, CNN, 6 May 2022: White House walks a fine line with intelligence sharing in Ukraine, DW, 6 May 2022: Ukraine: 50 civilians evacuated from Mariupol’s Azovstal steel plant — live updates, Irish Times, 6 May 2022: The Irish Times view on Europe-Russia relations: the continent’s fateful barriers, CNN, 6 May 2022: Woman searches for husband and son taken by Russians, Politico.eu, 6 May 2022: Ukraine urges allies to step up arms deliveries (the Ukrainian government should think about how to formulate the desire for support, because if the way supporters are treated remain like now, Western publics will sooner rather than later turn against Ukraine, and that will also have a negative impact on the scope of the support measures), The Hill, 6 May 2022: Biden, Zelensky to take part in G-7 meeting ahead of May 9, The Times, 6 May 2022: Russia won’t stop until it reaches Poland, says Tolstoy’s great-great-grandson, Irish Times, 6 May 2022: G7 and Ukraine to hold talks as EU seeks accord on new Russia sanctions, The Hill, 6 May 2022: Biden says US will send more aid to Ukraine, Politico.eu, 6 May 2022: Germany sends seven howitzers to Ukraine, The New York Times, 6 May 2022: Italy seizes a superyacht tied to Putin., Der Spiegel, 6 May 2022: Vladimir Potemkin: Putin’s Disaster and What Could Happen Next, Los Angeles Times, 6 May 2022: 22 hours to safety: Fleeing Ukraine’s embattled east by train, Arab News, 6 May 2022: UN races to rescue civilians from Mariupol plant, The New York Times, 6 May 2022: Live Updates: Ukraine Tries to Push Russia Back From Key Cities, DW, 7 May 2022: Mysterious series of deaths among Russian oligarchs, CNN, 7 May 2022: Macron vows to “help democracy and courage” prevail in Ukraine during inauguration, The National, 7 May 2022: Russia-Ukraine live: Civilian evacuation of Mariupol steel plant is complete, Ukraine says, NPR, 7 May 2022: All civilians have been evacuated from a besieged steel plant in Mariupol, The New York Times, 7 May 2022: Russia’s Grave Miscalculation: Ukrainians Would Collaborate, CNN, 7 May 2022: High casualties feared after school shelter in Ukraine bombed, The Times, 7 May 2022: Russia is killing Mariupol soldiers as they try to evacuate Azovstal, fighters warn, The New York Times, 7 May 2022: Live Updates: Ukraine Pushes Russians Back From Kharkiv Before Key Holiday, CNN, 7 May 2022: “All women, children and elderly” have been evacuated from Azovstal, Ukrainian government says, DW, 7 May 2022: Russia’s war in Ukraine: Germany faces a reckoning (hardly to assume that the Ukraine will soon disappear from the western agenda. The representatives of Ukraine will take care of that. The more important question is how the Russia networkers can be prevented from doing business with the regime for an as yet unclear period of time, in order to ensure that the country is placed in an economic situation that precludes further foreign policy adventures for a longer period of time. Opinions can obviously differ about the rejection of Ukraine’s membership to the NATO in 2008. In view of the situation at the time, I still think the decision was okay, but there are different points of view. Since then, the starting position has changed several times. Recently even so dramatic that a complete reassessment is required. While Ukraine’s NATO membership was refrained from in 2008 to prevent Putin from invading Ukraine, this argument has been obsolete since February 2022 at the latest (actually since the Russian invasion of Crimea and eastern Ukraine from 2014), so that only some formal aspects against Ukraine’s admission to NATO are left. The priority is that the party to be admitted is not at war. This is another reason why it is important that Ukraine wins the war against the aggressor Russia. Admission to the EU should be easier, but not much easier. Taking Cyprus as an example, the entire country, including the territory occupied by Turkey in the north, was admitted to the EU. The same could be done with Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia, in a way that does not damage or devalue the “normal admission procedure” to the EU. Of course, it is also clear that the admission processes will not be a question of months but of years), Jerusalem Post, 7 May 2022: Russia uses Libyan, Syrian mercenaries, US Senior Defense official confirms, DW, 7 May 2022: Ukraine says all women, children and elderly out of besieged Azovstal plant — live updates, The Hill, 7 May 2022: Ukraine and Russia conduct prisoner exchange, Politico.eu, 7 May 2022: What will Putin pull out of his ‘Victory Day’ hat?, France24, 7 May 2022: Ukraine’s Zelensky says several hundreds were saved from Azovstal plant, Los Angeles Times, 7 May 2022: Civilians evacuated from Mariupol plant; Ukraine says it’s mounting a counteroffensive elsewhere, The Hill, 7 May 2022: Intel leaks show US success in Ukraine — but come with risks, The New York Times, 8 May 2022: Live Updates: Jill Biden Visits Ukraine, in Latest Show of U.S. Support, The National, 8 May 2022: Ukrainians vow to fight to the end at ruined Mariupol steelworks, BBC, 8 May 2022: Ukraine: Intense shelling as troops battle to regain Kharkiv region, DW, 8 May 2022: With Ukraine war, Putin tarnishes ‘Great Victory’, The New York Times, 8 May 2022: May 9 Is a Revered Day in Russia. For Many, Putin Has Hijacked It., DW, 8 May 2022: Ukraine: G7 to impose fresh sanctions on Russia — live updates, BBC, 8 May 2022: Ukraine war: Civilians now out of Azovstal plant in Mariupol, France24, 8 May 2022: G7 countries pledge to stop Russia oil imports, DW, 8 May 2022: Scholz: Ukraine won’t accept Russian dictatorship, France24, 8 May 2022: As Russia prepares military pomp, Ukraine blames it for deadly school bombing, Politico.eu, 8 May 2022: Germany’s Scholz: Russia can’t dictate peace deal in Ukraine, BBC, 8 May 2022: War in Ukraine: Zelensky WW2 speech accuses Russia of Nazi atrocities, The Guardian, 8 May 2022: Live Russia-Ukraine war: Zelenskiy says 60 civilians killed in school bombing; Jill Biden makes unannounced Ukraine visit, Politico.com, 8 May 2022: Biden administration braces for Putin’s Victory Day surprise, NPR, 8 May 2022: Russia’s Victory Day celebrations take on new importance for the Kremlin this year, The Hill, 8 May 2022: UN ambassador: Russia has ‘nothing to celebrate’ on Victory Day, Los Angeles Times, 8 May 2022: Jill Biden, Justin Trudeau visit Ukraine; dozens feared dead in school bombing in eastern battle zone, Al Arabiya, 8 May 2022: US imposes sanctions on 27 Gazprombank executives, Russian TV stations, Arab News, 8 May 2022: Sixty feared dead in Ukraine school bombed by Russia, governor says, NPR, 9 May 2022: Russia-Ukraine war: What happened today (May 9), The National, 9 May 2022: Biden signs Ukraine ‘lend-lease’ bill in jab at Putin, The Hill, 9 May 2022: Leaks raise concern Ukraine will spill into US-Russia proxy war, Al Arabiya, 9 May 2022: US has completed training hundreds of Ukrainian forces on new weapons: Pentagon, Arab News, 9 May 2022: Ukrainians report fierce fighting as Russia marks Soviet WW2 victory, Jerusalem Post, 9 May 2022: EU should seize Russian reserves to rebuild Ukraine, Borrell says – FT, The National, 9 May 2022: Russia-Ukraine live: Putin praises ‘heroism of troops’ in Victory Day speech (in the real world he is celebrating Russia’s serial war criminals), BBC, 9 May 2022: Ukraine War: Putin gives few clues in Victory Day speech, CNN, 9 May 2022: Exclusive: Putin ‘has recognized he has no victory to celebrate,’ US ambassador to UN says, DW, 9 May 2022: Moldova’s struggle with ‘frozen conflict’ and Russian uncertainty, The New York Times, 9 May 2022: Ukraine Live Updates: Putin Delivers Defiant Speech, but Stops Short of Escalation, The Guardian, 9 May 2022: For Vladimir Putin, the sinister cult of victory is all that is left, CNN, 9 May 2022: What we learned from Putin’s ‘no Victory’ Day speech, Los Angeles Times, 9 May 2022: Putin defends invasion of Ukraine during display of Russian might, CNN, 9 May 2022: Russian Ambassador doused with red paint at Soviet cemetery, DW, 9 May 2022: Destruction in Mykolaiv after Ukraine blocks Russian advances, The Guardian, 9 May 2022: Putin may have high ratings – but Russians are terrified too, The Times, 9 May 2022: Russian ambassador pelted with red paint at Victory Day in Warsaw, DW, 9 May 2022: Chancellor Olaf Scholz finds clear words on Ukraine, BBC, 9 May 2022: Intense fighting around towns in eastern Ukraine, CNN, 9 May 2022: Biden tests how much he can ratchet up the pressure on Putin, DW, 9 May 2022: Russia: Vladimir Putin defends Ukraine war in Victory Day speech, The Times, 9 May 2022: Ukrainian troops shell Russians with American howitzers, DW, 9 May 2022: Fact check: Vladimir Putin’s Victory Day speech, The Guardian, 9 May 2022: Live Russia-Ukraine war: Russia trying to storm Azovstal plant, says Ukraine; European council president caught up in Odesa shelling, DW, 9 May 2022: Germany’s Scholz hosts Macron in Berlin, CNN, 9 May 2022: Biden calls on Congress to pass Ukraine aid this week, The Times, 9 May 2022: What Putin said in his Victory Day speech — and what he didn’t say, Irish Times, 9 May 2022: ‘We will not be held to ransom’ over protocol, says O’Neill, DW, 9 May 2022: Ukraine: Zelenskyy vows ‘two Victory Days’ — live updates, France24, 9 May 2022: Putin uses anniversary of Europe’s WWII victory to justify Ukraine invasion, The National, 10 May 2022: Sanctions imposed on Russia over Ukraine invasion hit ransomware gangs, Arab News, 10 May 2022: Putin’s Victory Day speech passionate but empty, Irish Times, 10 May 2022: Putin defends ‘pre-emptive’ invasion of Ukraine on second World War Victory Day, Jerusalem Post, 10 May 2022: Belarus to deploy special forces to southern border near Ukraine, France24, 10 May 2022: Heavy shelling in Odesa places global grain shipments at risk, CNN, 10 May 2022: CNN explains pivotal role bridges play in Russia’s military strategy, The National, 10 May 2022: Russia-Ukraine live: UN says more than 8 million people displaced within Ukraine, BBC, 10 May 2022: Putin preparing for long war in Ukraine – US spy chief, CNN, 10 May 2022: Top US spy chief says war in Ukraine will likely become ‘more unpredictable and escalatory’, France24, 10 May 2022: On the front lines with volunteer Ukrainian soldiers near Izium, The Guardian, 10 May 2022: Live: Putin preparing for prolonged war and will turn to more drastic measures to achieve aims, says US, BBC, 10 May 2022: Ukraine war: Bodies of 44 civilians found as battle for Izyum rages, The Times, 10 May 2022: Russian dead ‘slung onto huge pile’ in Ukraine, CNN, 10 May 2022: Lithuanian foreign minister: Russian regime must be removed to stop “warmongering”, Politico.eu, 10 May 2022: Atomic energy chief: Ukraine’s nuclear safety situation ‘far from being resolved’, Irish Times, 10 May 2022: Ukraine civilian death toll ‘thousands higher’ than official figure of 3,381, says UN, The Guardian, 10 May 2022: Russia-Ukraine war: Putin could use nuclear weapon if he felt war being lost – US intelligence chief, Politico.eu, 10 May 2022: Germany tells Ukraine ‘no shortcut’ to EU membership as Baerbock meets Zelenskyy, Irish Times, 10 May 2022: Ukrainian troops retaking territory in east as Russian forces focus on Donbas, Politico.com, 10 May 2022: Congress races to pass $40B Ukraine aid package, The New York Times, 10 May 2022: Ukraine Live Updates: As Russia Claims Gains in the East, U.S. Warns of a Long Fight, DW, 10 May 2022: Frontline residents in Ukraine hold out hope for peace, NPR, 10 May 2022: Leonid Kravchuk, independent Ukraine’s 1st president, dies at age 88, DW, 10 May 2022: Displaced Ukrainians return as Russian forces retreat, The Hill, 10 May 2022: China ‘learning lessons’ from Russia war in Ukraine, intelligence officials say, Al Arabiya, 10 May 2022: Belarus to deploy special forces to southern border near Ukraine, DW, 10 May 2022: Leonid Kravchuk: The man who buried the Soviet Union, Al Arabiya, 10 May 2022: US Senators to introduce resolution to designate Russia a state sponsor of terrorism, Arab News, 10 May 2022: Ukraine pushes Russian troops back in counter-offensive near Kharkiv, The Guardian, 11 May 2022: Live Russia-Ukraine war: UK vows support if Sweden or Finland attacked; peace talks harder ‘with each new Bucha’, says Zelenskiy, CNN, 11 May 2022: Pussy Riot’s Maria Alyokhina says she escaped Russia dressed as a food courier, The National, 11 May 2022: More than 560 Ukraine National Guard soldiers killed in war, BBC, 11 May 2022: Ukraine war: Russia pushed back from Kharkiv – report from front line, CNN, 11 May 2022: Putin’s current dilemma was JFK’s worst fear, The Times, 11 May 2022: Putin sidelines FSB over intelligence failures in Ukraine, Irish Times, 11 May 2022: Ukraine reports counterattack gains towards Russian border as Kyiv shuts gas flow, BBC, 11 May 2022: Ukraine war: Snake Island and battle for control in Black Sea, CNN, 11 May 2022: It’s just after 7 p.m. in Kyiv. Catch up on the latest developments in Russia’s invasion of Ukraine., The Times, 11 May 2022: Collaborator government asks for occupied Kherson to join Russia, Politico.eu, 11 May 2022: Ukraine needs €500B to €600B for reconstruction: Commission’s Dombrovskis, NPR, 11 May 2022: Wives of Ukrainian soldiers in Mariupol’s steel plant plead for an evacuation, The Hill, 11 May 2022: What’s included in the Ukraine aid bill?, Los Angeles Times, 11 May 2022: Ukraine retakes territory in the east amid more Russian attacks, The New York Times, 11 May 2022: What Happened on Day 77 of the War in Ukraine, Arab News, 11 May 2022: Ukraine pushes Russian forces back, restricts gas flow to Europe, DW, 11 May 2022: ‘You cannot seriously sit down with Putin anymore,’ MSC chair tells DW, Politico.eu, 11 May 2022: Czech Senate recognizes Russian actions in Ukraine as genocide, France24, 12 May 2022: Live: Ukraine to hold first war crimes trial of captured Russian soldier, BBC, 12 May 2022: Ukraine war: Russia pushed back from Kharkiv – report from front line, The Times, 12 May 2022: Dmitry Medvedev warns of Russia-Nato nuclear war over western help to Ukraine, The Guardian, 12 May 2022: Live Russia-Ukraine war: Moscow warns of ‘retaliatory steps’ over Finnish Nato bid; Russia inflicting ‘pure evil’, says Ukraine, CNN, 12 May 2022: Ukrainian migration service doing “audit” of Russian expats to identify unfriendly activity against Ukraine, The Times, 12 May 2022: Ukraine forces destroy Russian tank behind enemy lines in Donetsk, Politico.eu, 12 May 2022: If Finland and Sweden join NATO, it’s on Russia, The Times, 12 May 2022: Russian battalion wiped out trying to cross river of death, Reuters, 12 May 2022: In Berlin, Ukraine’s Kuleba welcomes positive changes in Germany’s position, NPR, 12 May 2022: Among the many losses of the war in Ukraine: nearly 5 million jobs, The New York Times, 12 May 2022: Life in a Ukrainian Unit: Diving for Cover, Waiting for Western Weapons, Politico.eu, 12 May 2022: Putin’s war backfires as Finland aims to join NATO, Los Angeles Times, 12 May 2022: Putin refuses to waver on east Ukraine; Finland’s leaders endorse NATO bid, The New York Times, 12 May 2022: Ukraine Live Updates: Finland’s Move to Join NATO Upends Putin’s War Aims, The National, 12 May 2022: Russia suffers heavy losses in Kharkiv at hands of ‘highly motivated Ukrainians’, Arab News, 12 May 2022: NATO to welcome Nordic members as Ukraine pushes back Russian forces, The National, 12 May 2022: Russia-Ukraine live: UN to set up inquiry into possible Moscow war crimes, Haaretz, 12 May 2022: The Fake Accounts Whitewashing Oligarchs’ Wikipedia Pages, DW, 12 May 2022: Ukraine: UN human rights chief ‘shocked’ by killings near Kyiv — live updates, CNN, 13 May 2022: Ukraine blows up Russian helicopter on Snake Island, France24, 13 May 2022: Georgia’s breakaway region to hold referendum on joining Russia in July: leader, BBC, 13 May 2022: Ukraine aiming to arm a million people, The Times, 13 May 2022: Putin’s ex-wife and family members added to sanctions list, Politico.eu, 13 May 2022: UK sanctions Putin’s ex-wife and alleged girlfriend, CNN, 13 May 2022: Snake Island: The tiny speck of land playing an outsized role in Russia’s war on Ukraine, DW, 13 May 2022: Ukraine: Germany’s Scholz and Russia’s Putin discuss stalled peace talks — live updates, France24, 13 May 2022: Pentagon chief urges ‘immediate’ Ukraine ceasefire in call with Russian counterpart, The Times, 13 May 2022: Eastern Europe puts boots on the ground to stamp out Putin’s bounceback, BBC, 13 May 2022: Bloody river battle was third in three days – Ukraine official, CNN, 13 May 2022: Ukrainian prosecutor general is investigating more than 11,000 alleged war crimes by Russia, The Guardian, 13 May 2022: Georgia: Breakaway region to hold referendum on joining Russia, DW, 13 May 2022: Putin losing confidence in Ukraine war, former Russian PM says, CNN, 13 May 2022: Ukraine sends images of dead Russian soldiers to their families in Russia. Hear the responses they received back, France24, 13 May 2022: Live: EU ramps up military aid to Ukraine as diplomatic efforts intensify, BBC, 13 May 2022: Ukraine begins first war crimes trial of Russian soldier, CNN, 13 May 2022: See how gamers are outwitting and helping to kill Russian soldiers, The Guardian, 13 May 2022: Live Russia-Ukraine war: Zelenskiy ‘ready to speak to Putin’; Russia to cut electricity supply to Finland after Nato decision, Politico.eu, 13 May 2022: Western allies diverge over Ukraine war aims, DW, 13 May 2022: Russia’s nuclear threat ‘an attempt to intimidate NATO’: former NATO chief Rasmussen, France24, 13 May 2022: Ukraine river ambush shows again Russian military is ‘not up to scratch’, CNN, 13 May 2022: Russia’s retreat from Kharkiv, another key Ukrainian city, reveals new evidence of atrocities, The Guardian, 13 May 2022: Full report: First Russian soldier goes on trial in Ukraine for war crimes, Politico.eu, 13 May 2022: Zelenskyy: Macron asked Ukraine to make concessions to help Putin save face, Miami Herald, 13 May 2022: Sanctioned by U.S. allies, a former Russian banking titan lies low in South Florida, Los Angeles Times, 13 May 2022: First war crimes trial starts in Ukraine as new sanctions target the ‘wallet’ of Putin’s family and friends, The New York Times, 13 May 2022: Ukraine Live Updates: Western Nations Take Steps to Frustrate Putin, Al Arabiya, 13 May 2022: Pentagon chief speaks to Russian counterpart for first time since Feb. 18, DW, 14 May 2022: Ukraine says Russian forces withdrawing from Kharkiv — live updates, CNN, 14 May 2022: Russia must take responsibility for Ukraine war, German foreign minister says, DW, 14 May 2022: G7 warn of global food crisis, vow indefinite supply of weapons for Ukraine, CNN, 14 May 2022: Exclusive: Russian general who oversaw atrocities in Syria led cluster bomb attacks on civilians in Ukraine, DW, 14 May 2022: Ukraine and Russia fight intense battles for Snake Island, Arab News, 14 May 2022: G7 ‘will never recognize’ borders changed by force by Russia, Al Arabiya, 14 May 2022: Top US Senate Republican McConnell meets Zelenskyy in Kyiv, The New York Times, 14 May 2022: Live Updates: Ukraine Pushes Russia Back From Kharkiv as U.S. Senators Visit Kyiv, Politico.eu, 14 May 2022: G7 presses China to put real pressure on Putin to stop Ukraine war, Los Angeles Times, 14 May 2022: Ukraine appears to drive Russians from Kharkiv; Finland, Sweden draw closer to NATO, Politico.com, 14 May 2022: McConnell leads delegation of Republican senators to Kyiv, CNN, 14 May 2022: What you need to know about Finland, Sweden and NATO, Irish Times, 14 May 2022: G7 nations call on China not to help Russia amid global food and energy crises, The Times, 14 May 2022: From hedonism to war: meet the young ravers of Kyiv, CNN, 15 May 2022: Lethal Russian flechette projectiles hit homes in Ukrainian town of Irpin. ‘They are everywhere,’ say residents, France24, 15 May 2022: Live: Blinken ‘confident’ Finland and Sweden will join NATO despite Turkey’s concerns, BBC, 15 May 2022: Ukraine war: Russia’s invasion not going to plan, Nato says, CNN, 15 May 2022: Ukraine claims Russians are suffering “significant losses” as they try to advance west, The Guardian, 15 May 2022: Live Russia-Ukraine war: Sweden says it will follow Finland in applying to join Nato; Russian Donbas offensive ‘loses momentum’, Al Arabiya, 15 May 2022: Burning munitions seen over Mariupol plant, expert says possible phosphorus attack, BBC, 15 May 2022: Ukraine war: Sweden and Finland confirm Nato plans in historic shift, Al Arabiya, 15 May 2022: Kadyrov asks Erdogan not to evacuate ‘murderers, atheists’ at Azovstal plant, France24, 16 May 2022: Ukrainian fighters ‘evacuated from steel plant in Mariupol’, DW, 16 May 2022: Ukraine forces in Kharkiv push through to Russian border — live updates, France24, 16 May 2022: Fighting for the future: Ukraine tackles rebuilding cities destroyed by war, The National, 16 May 2022: McDonald’s to exit Russia over ‘humanitarian crisis in Ukraine’, NPR, 16 May 2022: Hundreds of Ukrainian soldiers evacuated from steel plant to Russian-held territory, France24, 16 May 2022: War in Ukraine: Latest developments, NPR, 16 May 2022: Ukraine says it’s downed 200 aircraft, a mark of Russian failures in the sky, France24, 16 May 2022: War in Ukraine: Irpin residents return to ruins after Russian withdrawal, The New Yorker, 16 May 2022: A Ukrainian City Under a Violent New Regime, Los Angeles Times, 16 May 2022: Ending weeks of standoff, Russia takes Mariupol but sees setbacks elsewhere, Al Arabiya, 16 May 2022: France says will defend Sweden, Finland against any attack amid Russian threats, Arab News, 16 May 2022: Putin says new military infrastructure in Finland, Sweden would demand reaction, Politico.eu, 16 May 2022: Europe’s leaders fall out of key on Ukraine, Irish Times, 16 May 2022: Nato says Kyiv can win war as Moscow accused of causing food crisis, Al Arabiya, 16 May 2022: Russia using mercenaries to replace troop losses in Ukraine: US analysts, Irish Times, 16 May 2022: ‘This city is invincible’: Kharkiv breathes again after repelling Russian forces, Politico.eu, 16 May 2022: Putin says Russia has ‘no problems’ with Finland, Sweden in NATO, Irish Times, 16 May 2022: Zelenskiy congratulates Kyiv’s soldiers on ‘reaching Russian border’ in Kharkiv region, The Guardian, 16 May 2022: Live Russia-Ukraine war: Turkey says it won’t approve Finland and Sweden’s Nato membership; Zelenskiy praises soldiers in Kharkiv, The New York Times, 16 May 2022: After 32 years, McDonald’s plans to sell its Russia business. (now, that’s a very precise and at the same time painful kick in the butt of the Putin regime. McDonald’s activities in Russia once embodied a spirit of optimism, peace and East-West rapprochement. The departure shows quite unmistakably how Putin’s Russia is actually doing today: once again on a steep downward course. No Western company’s departure could better symbolize the hopelessness and lack of future prospects of the Russian population), The Guardian, 16 May 2022: McDonald’s to sell its business in Russia after 30 years, CNN, 17 May 2022: Not lovin’ it: How Russians reacted to McDonald’s closing, BBC, 17 May 2022: McDonald’s to leave Russia for good after 30 years, CNN, 17 May 2022: McDonald’s is leaving Russia altogether, DW, 17 May 2022: ICC sends war crimes investigative team to Ukraine — live updates, The National, 17 May 2022: Putin ‘must be defeated’ in Ukraine, Greek PM tells US Congress, BBC, 17 May 2022: Talks to end Ukraine war on hold as both sides trade blame, DW, 17 May 2022: In Ukraine, volunteers help the wounded, The Guardian, 17 May 2022: Mariupol: Fate of hundreds of Ukrainian soldiers unclear as Azovstal resistance ends, BBC, 17 May 2022: Retired colonel speaks out on Russian TV, The Times, 17 May 2022: Azovstal steelworks evacuated as Ukraine ends combat mission in Mariupol, DW, 17 May 2022: ‘Like hell’: An eyewitness recounts her evacuation from the Azovstal steel plant, CNN, 17 May 2022: The fall of Mariupol could conceal war crimes evidence from the world and give Russia’s offensive a boost, The Times, 17 May 2022: Partisans who helped to halt Russia’s advance on Kyiv paid with their lives, The New York Times, 17 May 2022: Live Updates: Ukrainian Soldiers Who Surrendered Face Uncertain Future, CNN, 18 May 2022: It’s nighttime in Kyiv. Here is the latest on Russia’s war in Ukraine, NPR, 18 May 2022: In a war crimes trial, a Russian soldier pleads guilty to killing a Ukrainian civilian, BBC, 18 May 2022: Mariupol: Ukraine doing everything to save remaining fighters, The New York Times, 18 May 2022: Live Updates: With Soldier’s Trial and Mariupol Surrender, Ukraine and Russia Fight Information War, NPR, 18 May 2022: A member of Ukraine’s parliament now trains a recon and sabotage unit to fight Russia, CNN, 18 May 2022: Setbacks in Ukraine trigger rare criticism of Russia’s war effort by Russian bloggers, France24, 18 May 2022: US reopens Kyiv embassy as Russian soldier pleads guilty at first war crimes trial, Politico.eu, 18 May 2022: Russia takes first steps to withdraw from WTO, WHO (once again on the express way to it’s final downfall. Congrats!), BBC, 18 May 2022: Zelensky seeks to extend martial law in Ukraine, The Times, 18 May 2022: Russia deploys its ‘Terminator’ vehicle in sign of frustration, France24, 19 May 2022: US Congress approves new $40 billion Ukraine aid package, BBC, 19 May 2022: Biggest-ever US aid package approved for Ukraine, The Guardian, 19 May 2022: Live Russia-Ukraine war: Russia ‘will only open ports if sanctions reviewed’; Nato chief ‘confident’ in quick decision for Finland and Sweden, The National, 19 May 2022: US accuses Russia of using food as a weapon in Ukraine, The Times, 19 May 2022: Black Sea blockade in Russia-Ukraine war threatens world food supply (Putin is killing Africans and Asians en mass), CNN, 19 May 2022: US Senate overwhelmingly approves $40 billion in aid to Ukraine, The Times, 19 May 2022: Senior Russian commanders fired for military failures, Irish Times, 19 May 2022: European Parliament accuses Russia of using rape as weapon of war, NPR, 19 May 2022: Russia-Ukraine war: What happened today (May 19), The Hill, 19 May 2022: Biden authorizes $100 million in weapons, equipment to Ukraine, The New York Times, 19 May 2022: New Evidence Shows How Russian Soldiers Executed Men in Bucha, Los Angeles Times, 19 May 2022: Moscow says hundreds of Ukrainian troops in custody; U.S. Senate approves $40-billion in new aid, Arab News, 19 May 2022: UN urges Ukraine grain release, warn of ‘mass hunger’ that could last for years, DW, 19 May 2022: Ukraine: Zelenskyy warns population of a long war – live updates, The New York Times, 19 May 2022: Live Updates: Senate Approves $40 Billion in New Aid for Ukraine, Arab News, 19 May 2022: US intel shows Kremlin officials alarmed over Russian abuses against Mariupol defenders, DW, 19 May 2022: Chancellor Olaf Scholz tells German parliament ‘Russia must not win this war’, The New York Times, 20 May 2022: Ukraine Live Updates: Russia Vows to Halt Gas Exports to Finland as War’s Fallout Spreads, Al Arabiya, 20 May 2022: US says diplomats not ready for talks with Russian counterparts over Ukraine war, The National, 20 May 2022: Russia-Ukraine live: Moscow claims to have taken full control of Mariupol, Politico.eu, 20 May 2022: Infowars: Putin’s propaganda permeates Italian media, Al Arabiya, 20 May 2022: Military command orders stopping defense of Mariupol: Ukraine’s Azov Regiment, Politico.eu, 20 May 2022: Poroshenko: Time to hit Putin where it really hurts, Politico.eu, 20 May 2022: Western allies ramp up rhetoric against Russia, want to see ‘defeat’ of Moscow, Los Angeles Times, 20 May 2022: Russian bombardment has turned Ukraine’s Donbas into ‘hell,’ Zelensky says, Politico.eu, 20 May 2022: G7 raises close to $20B for Ukraine, The Guardian, 20 May 2022: Live Russia ‘takes control of Azovstal steel plant’; gas supply to Finland to be cut on Saturday, CNN, 20 May 2022: US likely to keep 100,000 troops in Europe for foreseeable future in face of Russian threat, US officials say, BBC, 20 May 2022: Ukraine says giant Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant can’t supply Russia, France24, 20 May 2022: Russia claims full control of Mariupol after nearly three-month siege, CNN, 20 May 2022: New York Times: Investigation reveals potential war crime in Bucha involving Russian forces, Politico.eu, 20 May 2022: Vladimir Putin is no Peter the Great, BBC, 20 May 2022: Russia says it has taken control of devastated Azovstal steelworks, CNN, 20 May 2022: Russia claims it has “completely liberated” the besieged Azovstal plant in Mariupol, The New York Times, 21 May 2022: The Russian Orthodox Leader at the Core of Putin’s Ambitions, The Hill, 21 May 2022: Russia cuts off natural gas supply to Finland amid NATO dispute, The New York Times, 21 May 2022: Live Updates: Biden Signs $40 Billion Ukraine Aid Package as Russia Presses Its Campaign, CNN, 21 May 2022: Days-long roadblocks, missiles and ‘lots of blood.’ Civilians recall terrifying attempts to escape Ukraine’s cities as Russian forces tighten grip, The Hill, 21 May 2022: Biden signs $40B Ukraine aid package into law, The New York Times, 21 May 2022: We Must Prepare for Putin’s Worst Weapons, CNN, 21 May 2022: After bloody battles, Ukraine war will end with diplomacy, Zelensky vows in anniversary interview, Al Arabiya, 21 May 2022: Russia bans 963 Americans from entering country, adds 26 new Canadians (very funny. If there hadn’t been a newspaper report about it, nobody would have noticed. Not even the sanctioned themselves. As if there were anyone stupid enough to go to Russia voluntarily right now. In fact, even the Russians themselves are fleeing Russia), Los Angeles Times, 21 May 2022: Russia cuts off gas to Finland amid wider push into Ukraine’s east, Al Arabiya, 21 May 2022: Russia stops Finland gas flow over payments dispute, Politico.eu, 21 May 2022: Putin’s Russia vision shows need to equip Moldova, UK’s Truss says, Arab News, 21 May 2022: Joe Biden signs $40 billion for Ukraine assistance during Asia trip, Politico.eu, 21 May 2022: Russia halts gas supply to Finland amid payments, NATO rows, Irish Times, 21 May 2022: Russia stops delivering gas to Finland as Zelenskiy says only diplomacy will end war, The Times, 21 May 2022: Why Kremlin propagandists now tell Russians they’re at war with the whole West, The Guardian, 21 May 2022: Mariupol: Zelenskiy signals readiness for new talks if troops are not harmed, DW, 21 May 2022: Ukraine: Diplomacy only way to end war, Zelenskyy says — live updates, BBC, 21 May 2022: Zelensky: Only diplomacy can end Ukraine war, DW, 21 May 2022: Prisoners of war from Azov: Do the fighters face the death penalty in Russia?, The National, 22 May 2022: Russia-Ukraine live: Kyiv rules out ceasefire, The Algemeiner, 22 May 2022: Yandex Wants to Move Headquarters to Israel, With Conditions, Los Angeles Times, 22 May 2022: Ukraine says it’s holding off Russia’s intensified thrust in the east, The New York Times, 22 May 2022: Ukraine Live Updates: Russia Renews Assault on Key Eastern City as Advances by Both Sides Slow, NPR, 22 May 2022: Russia-Ukraine war: What happened this weekend (May 21-22), Politico.eu, 22 May 2022: Ukraine must ‘decide its own future,’ Poland’s Duda tells MPs in Kyiv, Irish Times, 22 May 2022: Ukraine extends martial law as artillery battle rages for Donbas, CNN, 22 May 2022: Russian officer reveals why he risked it all to quit Putin’s war, The Guardian, 22 May 2022: Live Russia-Ukraine war: airstrikes target Mykolaiv and Donbas regions; Ukraine EU bid ‘could take 20 years’, CNN, 22 May 2022: UK Prime Minister to “redouble efforts” to provide humanitarian aid to Ukraine, Downing Street statement says, BBC, 22 May 2022: Ukraine peace deal: Kyiv rules out ceding land to Russia, France24, 22 May 2022: Live: Russia intensifies push into Donbas as Polish president visits Kyiv, DW, 22 May 2022: Ukraine must decide its own future, says Poland’s Duda — live updates, The Atlantic, 23 May 2022: The War Won’t End Until Putin Loses, France24, 23 May 2022: Chernihiv residents recall dramatic downing of Russian fighter jet, The National, 23 May 2022: Russian encirclement of key Donbas city Severodonetsk ‘inevitable’, The New York Times, 24 May 2022: Russia’s Shrinking War, DW, 24 May 2022: Ukraine says 200 bodies have been found in Mariupol basement — live updates, The National, 24 May 2022: Joe Biden says Quad leaders are ‘navigating a dark hour’, DW, 24 May 2022: Germany’s Scholz decries Putin’s ‘imperialistic’ war in Ukraine, The New York Times, 24 May 2022: Live Updates: World Leaders Call for Action to Free Trapped Ukrainian Food, France24, 24 May 2022: Ukraine says more than a dozen civilians killed in Russian attacks in Donetsk and Luhansk, DW, 24 May 20222: Russia: Alexei Navalny appeal fails, will move to a ‘maximum-security’ jail, The National, 24 May 2022: Russia-Ukraine live: EU blames Moscow for global food crisis, France24, 24 May 2022: Population decline in Russia: ‘Putin has no choice but to win’ in Ukraine, Los Angeles Times, 24 May 2022: Russian troops move to encircle strategic city in eastern Ukraine, Jerusalem Post, 24 May 2022: Russia taunts US on global food security crisis (“Russian harvest” means that they have stolen several thousand tons of Ukrainian wheat to use it as a weapon in Asia and Africa. If Putin isn’t reaching his goals in these regions he will starve millions of Africans and Asians to death), NPR, 24 May 2022: Three months of war: Russia underachieves, Ukraine overachieves, The Times, 24 May 2022: Russian general shot down in battle for key eastern city, CNN, 24 May 2022: Ukrainian special forces release video of military using foreign-made kamikaze drones, Irish Times, 24 May 2022: Ukraine says fierce fighting for Donbas may decide fate of country, Arab News, 24 May 2022: Criticism of Western double standards over Ukraine ‘fair’: RUSI chief, The Guardian, 24 May 2022: Live Russia-Ukraine war: more than 200 bodies found in Mariupol basement; invasion in ‘most active phase’, says Ukraine, Jerusalem Post, 25 May 2022: Russia offers fast-track citizenship to residents of occupied Ukraine (Russia does not offer citizenship but instead imposes citizenship on Ukrainians from eastern and southern Ukraine. This is part of the strategy to wipe out Ukraine), Haaretz, 25 May 2022: ‘Denazification’? Neo-Nazi Groups Fighting Alongside Russian Forces in Ukraine, Jerusalem Post, 25 May 2022: Russia and Iran discuss swapping supplies for oil and gas, goods logistics, Al Arabiya, 25 May 2022: Explainer: Ukraine looks for ways to get its grain out, The New York Times, 25 May 2022: Live Updates: Russia Makes Small Gains in Ukraine’s East in Narrowly Focused Attacks, Los Angeles Times, 25 May 2022: Russia takes steps to bolster army and tighten grip on Ukraine, DW, 25 May 2022: Baltic Sea countries rally together against Russia, BBC, 25 May 2022: Putin weaponising Ukraine’s crops, says Polish PM, France24, 25 May 2022: Live: Fighting reaches ‘outskirts’ of key east Ukraine city Severodonetsk, Politico.eu, 25 May 2022: Russian parliament green-lights closure of ‘unfriendly’ Western news bureaus, DW, 25 May 2022: Ukraine calls Putin’s passport plan ‘criminal’ — live updates, France24, 25 May 2022: In Davos, Ukraine says it ‘badly’ needs rocket systems, The Times, 25 May 2022: Advance is slower than planned, admits Russian defence minister, The Guardian, 25 May 2022: Live Russia-Ukraine war: Nato ‘doing literally nothing’ to stop Russia, says Kyiv, CNN, 25 May 2022: Putin announces 10% hike in state pensions and minimum wage as inflation rises in Russia , The Times, 25 May 2022: Briton narrates Kremlin video attacking Ukrainian ‘Nazis’, BBC, 25 May 2022: Severodonetsk: Battle for key road as fighting reaches Ukraine city, CNN, 25 May 2022: Zelensky condemns Kissinger idea for negotiations with Russia as 1938-style appeasement, The Times, 25 May 2022: Kissinger’s cynicism is music to Putin’s ears, The National, 26 May 2022: Ukraine war at ‘maximum intensity’ as Russia shells 40 towns, The New York Times, 26 May 2022: Ukraine Live Updates: In Wake of Davos, a Growing Debate on Ending the War, The National, 26 May 2022: Germany’s Chancellor Olaf Scholz says Russia will not win its war in Ukraine, Politico.eu, 26 May 2022: Ukraine gets symbolic win as WHO countries condemn Russia, Los Angeles Times, 26 May 2022: Russians shell dozens of Ukrainian towns in fierce battle for the Donbas, The Guardian, 26 May 2022: Live Russia-Ukraine war: shelling intensifies in Kharkiv as Ukrainian general warns of Russian advantage in Luhansk, DW, 26 May 2022: Ukraine says war in Donbas at ‘maximum intensity’ — live updates, BBC, 26 May 2022: Russian mum’s fight to save sons from Putin’s war, DW, 26 May 2022: Enough talking — it’s time to act, CNN, 26 May 2022: US is preparing to approve long-range rocket systems as it becomes Ukraine’s top request, Politico.com, 26 May 2022: One Ukrainian family’s perilous journey through Russia’s ‘filtration camps’, DW, 26 May 2022: ‘Putin must not win this war,’ Germany’s Olaf Scholz tells Davos, France24, 26 May 2022: Russia shells Kharkiv, war in Donbas reaches ‘maximum intensity’, BBC, 26 May 2022: As it happened: Ukrainian forces may retreat from eastern area, Politico.com, 26 May 2022: Blinken calls China ‘most serious long-term’ threat to world order, The Guardian, 27 May 2022: Live Russia-Ukraine war: experts warn of ‘serious and imminent’ risk of Ukraine genocide, Washington Post, 27 May 2022: Biden says Putin is trying to ‘wipe out’ Ukrainian culture, identity, DW, 27 May 2022: Ukraine: Separatists claim to have control of key Donbas town — live updates, BBC, 27 May 2022: Russia gains control of another city in Ukraine’s east, Washington Post, 27 May 2022: U.S. is preparing to send long-range rocket systems to Ukraine, DW, 27 May 2022: German minister slams Putin over food crisis on Ukraine trip, The National, 27 May 2022: Russia-Ukraine live: Severodonetsk close to falling to Russian forces, The New York Times, 27 May 2022: Live Updates: Russian Attacks Intensify, Along With Accusations of Genocide, DW, 27 May 2022: Scholz: Putin’s war not just against Ukraine, but European values too, France24, 27 May 2022: Ukraine fighting to keep control of key town in Donbas, CNN, 27 May 2022: Zelensky promises Donbas will be “Ukrainian again,” as Russian forces continue to make gains, Politico.eu, 27 May 2022: Putin: We could reopen Odesa, but we want sanctions removed (since when are war criminals like Putin are allowed to make demands?), Irish Times, 27 May 2022: ‘Serious risk of genocide’ as Russian troops grind their way forward in Donbas, The National, 28 May 2022: Russia-Ukraine live: Moscow claims it has captured key town in Donbas, The New York Times, 28 May 2022: Live Updates: Street Fighting in Key City as Russia Gains Ground in Ukraine’s East, The Hill, 28 May 2022: Navalny in prison: How a thorn in Putin’s side reaches the outside world, Politico.eu, 28 May 2022: How to end Russia’s Black Sea blockade, Los Angeles Times, 28 May 2022: Russia takes small cities, aims to widen battle in eastern Ukraine, The Hill, 28 May 2022: Supplying freedom in Ukraine, The Times, 28 May 2022: 100 days of war in Ukraine — and it’s still not clear who’s winning, NPR, 28 May 2022: Ukrainians say they’re badly outgunned by Russia in the battle for the Donbas, The Guardian, 28 May 2022: ‘Get ready for Nuremberg 2.0’: Kremlin mulls show trials based on second world war tribunals, Irish Times, 28 May 2022: Ukraine: Russia takes control of strategic eastern town as assault on Donbas continues, The Times, 28 May 2022: Russia is winning battle to control the world’s wheat, DW, 28 May 2022: Ukraine: Russia amps up pressure in Donbas and confirms capture of key town — live updates, BBC, 28 May 2022: Russia scraps age limit for new troops in Ukraine push, The Guardian, 28 May 2022: Live Russia-Ukraine war: Russia claims capture of strategic town as fighting rages in east; Johnson and Zelenskiy hold talks, The National, 28 May 2022: Defiant Zelenskyy vows Ukraine will resist and rebuild as Russia attacks Donbas, France24, 28 May 2022: Live: Macron and Germany’s Scholz urge Putin to hold ‘direct negotiations’ with Zelensky, DW, 28 May 2022: Lysychansk holdouts await end to Russia’s Donbas attacks, CNN, 28 May 2022: Zelensky vows that Ukraine will “take everything back” from Russia, BBC, 28 May 2022: Ukraine war: Putin urged to hold ‘direct, serious negotiations’ with Zelensky, France24, 28 May 2022: War in Ukraine: Aboard the train taking Ukrainians away from the Donetsk, Luhansk regions, DW, 28 May 2022: DW fact check: Is hunger being used as a weapon in the Ukraine war?, Al Arabiya, 28 May 2022: Pro-Moscow Kherson official sees decision ‘toward next year’ on joining Russia, The Guardian, 29 May 2022: Live Russia-Ukraine war: situation in Luhansk ‘extremely escalated’ amid intense shelling; Zelenskiy visits troops in Kharkiv, Los Angeles Times, 29 May 2022: Russian troops storm city amid bombardments in eastern Ukraine, The New York Times, 29 May 2022: Live Updates: Ukraine Strikes Back in South, as Zelensky Visits Eastern Front, BBC, 29 May 2022: Ukraine war: President Zelensky visits Kharkiv in first trip outside Kyiv region, CNN, 29 May 2022: Russian ship arrives in Syria with more grain allegedly stolen from Ukraine, Irish Times, 29 May 2022: Russian forces make slow gains in Donbas as Ukraine calls for longer-range weapons, Haaretz, 29 May 2022: In the Battle Against Tsar Putin, Don’t Trust Sultan Erdogan, DW, 29 May 2022: Ukraine: Zelenskyy rules out ‘military means’ to regain all lost territory — live updates, Financial Times, 29 May 2022: Baltics attack Franco-German talks with Putin over Black Sea blockade, NPR, 29 May 2022: Ahead of this week’s EU summit, France and Germany urge Putin to meet Zelenskyy, France24, 30 May 2022: Biden rules out sending rocket systems ‘that can strike into Russia’ to Ukraine, DW, 30 May 2022: Ukraine: Fierce fighting underway Sievierodonetsk, governor says — live updates, Politico.eu, 30 May 2022: Latvian PM: ‘Russia has to lose’, France24, 30 May 2022: Russian speakers reject the ‘language of the enemy’ by learning Ukrainian, DW, 30 May 2022: War in Ukraine: What is Germany’s strategy?, France24, 30 May 2022: Documenting destruction: The race to map Ukraine’s historic buildings, The Guardian, 30 May 2022: Live Russia-Ukraine war: Moscow to halt gas supplies to Netherlands; US will not supply long-range rocket systems to Kyiv, DW, 30 May 2022: Could naval convoys lift the blockade on Ukraine grain?, BBC, 30 May 2022: Ukraine reports 15,000 suspected war crimes, CNN, 30 May 2022: It’s Monday night in Kyiv. Here’s what you need to know, The National, 30 May 2022: Russia-Ukraine live: Moscow’s forces enter outskirts of key city in Donbas, The New York Times, 30 May 2022: Ukraine Live Updates: Europe’s Leaders Hammering Out Deal on Russian Oil Embargo, BBC, 30 May 2022: As it happened: City residents warned to stay in as chemical plant bombed, The Hill, 30 May 2022: Biden rules out sending Ukraine rockets that can strike into Russia, The Times, 30 May 2022: Who will be the victor, Ukraine or Russia?, Arab News, 30 May 2022: Study shows Arabs more likely to blame NATO than Russia for Ukraine war, Los Angeles Times, 30 May 2022: Street fighting rages in key east Ukrainian city that lies ‘completely ruined’, Arab News, 30 May 2022: Our YouGov Ukraine poll exposes deep Arab mistrust of the West, Al Arabiya, 30 May 2022: Putin tells Erdogan Russia ready to export fertilizers, food if sanctions are lifted, Arab News, 30 May 2022: Despite direct economic consequences, study finds majority of Arabs do not care about Ukraine-Russia war, The New York Times, 31 May 2022: Live Updates: E.U. Looks to Get Ukraine Grain Exports Moving Again, BBC, 31 May 2022: City residents warned to stay in shelters as chemical plant bombed, Politico.com, 31 May 2022: Biden: U.S. will provide precision rockets to Ukraine, DW, 31 May 2022: Ukraine court jails 2 Russian soldiers for war crimes — live updates, The Times, 31 May 2022: ‘My daughter and two grandsons are dead — and we can’t even bury them’, The Guardian, 31 May 2022: Alexei Navalny: Putin’s political foe faces extra 15 years in jail over ‘extremism’ claims, The New York Times, 31 May 2022: Russian Military Is Repeating Mistakes in Eastern Ukraine, U.S. Says, NPR, 31 May 2022: Russia-Ukraine war: What happened today (May 31), The Guardian, 31 May 2022: Live Russia-Ukraine war latest: Russian troops control most of Sievierodonetsk; Russia cuts gas supplies to Netherlands, Denmark and Germany, DW, 31 May 2022: ICC hopes to open office in Kyiv to investigate war crimes in Ukraine, The National, 31 May 2022: Russia-Ukraine live: Russian forces control ‘most’ of Severodonetsk, The New York Times, 31 May 2022: The War in Ukraine May Be Impossible to Stop. And the U.S. Deserves Much of the Blame., Arab News, 31 May 2022: Saudi FM says Kingdom supports efforts aimed at ending Russia-Ukraine crisis, DW, 31 May 2022: ‘We all know who’s responsible’: Ukraine’s top prosecutor, NPR, 31 May 2022: These Belarusians join the fight against Russia, defying their Moscow-backed regime, The Times, 31 May 2022: Let Germany lead the rebuilding of Ukraine (yes, that should indeed be imposed on Germany, simply because deliveries of heavy weapons are constantly being announced but are not happening, even though the industry could have been delivering for eight weeks. Thousands of Ukrainian civilians have already died as a result. Subsequent generations in Germany will have to listen to this and have no choice but to agree to the allegations. In the meantime, one can no longer even hope that it won’t become more dramatic, because it is not only foreseeable but already clearly recognizable that things will get worse. All this apparently just so that the SPD can help its favorite dictator and serial war criminal, Tsar Vladimir, to secure the throne at any price and even overtake the AfD on the right and the SED successor club, Die Linke, on the left. Completely irresponsible and absolutely unworthy of a German federal government), Los Angeles Times, 31 May 2022: Russian forces close in on takeover of eastern Ukrainian province, CNN, 31 May 2022: Ukrainian official says most rural settlements around Severodonetsk have fallen to Russian forces, France24, 31 May 2022: Live: Russian forces now control ‘most’ of Severodonetsk, local governor says, Arab News, 31 May 2022: Russia takes most of Sievierodonetsk city in eastern Ukraine, The New York Times, 31 May 2022: President Biden: What America Will and Will Not Do in Ukraine, DW, 31 May 2022: Jailed Kremlin critic Navalny says he faces 15 more years imprisonment (well, here too Putin shot himself in both feet. With each additional sentence, rather than a full rehabilitation of Navalny, Putin achieves the exact opposite of what he set out to achieve: he created a martyr), Arab News, 31 May 2022: EU bans Russian oil; Zelensky calls Donbas situation ‘extremely difficult’, CNN, 1 June 2022: Ukrainian official says about 80% of Severodonetsk is occupied by Russian forces, Al Arabiya, 1 June 2022: US announces new military aid package for Ukraine worth $700 mln, NPR, 1 June 2022: A look inside the Ukrainian ‘billionaire’s battalion’ fighting Russian forces, The Atlantic, 1 June 2022: Western Support for Ukraine Has Peaked, Politico.eu, 1 June 2022: Switzerland reportedly blocks Danish request to send tanks to Ukraine, Jerusalem Post, 1 June 2022: Wheat can’t be ‘weapon of war’, Pope says, urging lifting of Ukraine block, Al Arabiya, 1 June 2022: Ukraine promised US not to use rocket launchers to target inside Russia: Blinken, DW, 1 June 2022: Germany promises modern air defense systems to Ukraine — live updates, CNN, 1 June 2022: More than a month after Russians left this village, Ukrainian officials find ‘evidence of their presence’, Al Arabiya, 1 June 2022: Lavrov: Gulf countries will not impose sanctions on Russia over Ukraine, Politico.com, 1 June 2022: Russia’s War on Ukraine: ‘They are carpet-bombing us’: Ukrainian troops are getting pounded as they await heavy weapons from the West, France24, 1 June 2022: Severodonetsk mayor says only 20% of city still under Ukrainian control, Arab News, 1 June 2022: Gulf united on Russia-Ukraine war, says Saudi foreign minister, The National, 1 June 2022: Russia-Ukraine live: Moscow forces down to slightly over half pre-war strength, DW, 1 June 2022: Why Ukraine’s Sievierodonetsk is so important, France24, 1 June 2022: Exclusive: Embedded with the Karpatska Sich battalion in Ukraine’s Donbas, The New York Times, 1 June 2022: A whistle, then a deadly barrage. Ukraine’s soldiers are under relentless fire., DW, 1 June 2022: Germany’s Olaf Scholz defends record on arms to Ukraine, Haaretz, 1 June 2022: The Truth About Ukrainian Nationalism and Claims It’s Tainted by Nazism, The New York Times, 1 June 2022: Live Updates: Street Fighting Rages in Key City as Russia Nears Prize, The National, 1 June 2022: Biden sends rockets to Kyiv as US warns Ukraine war will last many months, BBC, 2 June 2022: Ukraine war: Russia says US ‘adding fuel to fire’ by sending longer-range rockets, CNN, 2 June 2022: Ukrainian forces claim significant progress in southern offensive, The Guardian, 2 June 2022: Russia is winning the economic war – and Putin is no closer to withdrawing troops, BBC, 2 June 2022: The times Prince Louis stole the show at the Queen’s Jubilee, France24, 2 June 2022: Live: West must brace for ‘long haul’ in Ukraine, says NATO chief, BBC, 2 June 2022: In pictures: The Royal Family at Jubilee celebrations, DW, 2 June 2022: Ukraine: Zelenskyy says potential for turning point in war — live updates, The Guardian, 2 June 2022: Live Russia-Ukraine war latest: Russia occupying 20% of Ukraine, says Zelenskiy; Merkel condemns ‘barbaric war of aggression’, Los ANgeles Times, 3 June 2022: After 100 days of war, Russia may be in Ukraine to stay, Al Arabiya, 3 June 2022: Putin’s invasion of Ukraine forces Biden to rewrite US security plan, Politico.com, 3 June 2022: U.S. general calls on West to send fighter jets to Ukraine ‘as soon as possible’, DW, 3 June 2022: Military hardware for Ukraine: Who plans to supply what?, Al Arabiya, 3 June 2022: Zelenskyy says ‘victory will be ours,’ on day 100 of Russian invasion, France24, 3 June 2022: As it happened: Zelensky vows victory on 100th day of Russian invasion, BBC, 3 June 2022: Ukraine war: Zelensky says Russia controls a fifth of Ukrainian territory, The Guardian, 3 June 2022: Live Russia-Ukraine war: Ukrainian forces ‘recapture 20% of territory lost in Sievierodonetsk’, The Washington Post, 4 June 2022: Ukraine claws back part of Severodonetsk, DW, 4 June 2022: Ukraine says Russia suffering ‘huge casualties’ in Sievierodonetsk — live updates, France24, 4 June 2022: Live: Kyiv says it has regained ground in Sievierodonetsk; Russia reports Ukrainian retreat, Irish Times, 4 June 2022: Ukraine says Russia suffering ‘huge casualties’ in Severodonetsk, The Times, 4 June 2022: Morale suffers as Ukraine army’s losses grow, BBC, 4 June 2022: Ukraine war: Chernobyl scarred by Russian troops’ damage and looting, DW, 4 June 2022: European prosecutors join forces to bring justice for Ukraine, The Guardian, 4 June 2022: Live Russia-Ukraine war latest: US supports international inquiry into war crimes – live, Irish Times, 4 June 2022: Ukraine has become a sacred cause, beyond the bounds of compromise, Politico.com, 4 June 2022: Macron: Putin shouldn’t be humiliated over ‘historic’ mistake, The New York Times, 4 June 2022: Live Updates: As Battles Rage, Ukraine Rejects Macron’s Plea Not to ‘Humiliate’ Russia, DW, 4 June 2022: Ukraine: Crowdfunding campaigns vital to national defense, BBC, 4 June 2022: Ukraine anger as Macron says ‘Don’t humiliate Russia’ (Macron is right, of course, because no one wants to experience what the world would face in the form of nuclear warheads if Russia were to lose too clearly. As expected, people will see things differently in Kyiv, but this is no longer just about Ukraine’s security and revenge, but about the livability of Europe as a whole), Politico.com, 4 June 2022: NATO chief to meet with Finnish, Swedish, Turkish officials in Brussels, DW, 4 June 2022: Ukraine says Russia suffering ‘huge casualties’ in Sievierodonetsk — live updates, CNN, 4 June 2022: Ukrainian defense minister says ‘optimistic’ forecast sees war over by end of the year, Los ANgeles Times, 4 June 2022: Momentum shifts in Ukraine war as Russia advances in the Donbas, The National, 4 June 2022: Russia-Ukraine live: Ukrainian forces push back in Severodonetsk, CNN, 4 June 2022: Ukraine foreign minister lambasts France’s Macron for saying Russia should not be “humiliated”, The Times, 5 June 2022: Is Putin winning the economic war over Ukraine?, DW, 5 June 2022: Ukraine: Russian missiles hit Kyiv, Putin issues threat — live updates, France24, 5 June 2022: Ukraine says its military controls ‘half’ of Severodonetsk, The New York Times, 5 June 2022: Ukraine Live Updates: Russian Missiles Hit Kyiv, as Putin Issues Warning to the West, CNN, 5 June 2022: Zelensky meets with soldiers and displaced Ukrainians during trip to Zaporizhzhia region, The Guardian, 5 June 2022: Live Russia-Ukraine war latest: Russia launches airstrikes into Kyiv and warns of further attacks, Irish Times, 5 June 2022: Kyiv says rocket attacks threaten nuclear sites and decries Macron appeal, Arab News, 5 June 2022: The war in Ukraine is reshaping Europe, Jerusalem Post, 6 June 2022: Israeli-Russian trade still prospering despite Ukraine War, CNN, 6 June 2022: First Russian strikes on Kyiv in weeks among key developments from this weekend, The Guardian, 6 June 2022: Live Russia-Ukraine war: Sievierodonetsk and Lysychansk being ‘levelled’, says Luhansk governor, as Russian shelling intensifies, DW, 6 June 2022: Ukraine forces ‘holding positions’ in Sievierodonetsk — live updates, Jerusalem Post, 7 June 2022: Russia pressured Moscow Chief Rabbi to publicly support Ukraine war — He refused, The Economist, 7 June 2022: NATO should avoid learning the wrong lessons from Russia’s blunder in Ukraine, says Michael Kofman, The Guardian, 7 June 2022: Live Russia-Ukraine war: almost 600 people ‘detained in torture chambers’ in Kherson, says Ukraine, BBC, 7 June 2022: As it happened: Ukraine conflict settling into ‘WW1-style trench warfare’, CNN, 7 June 2022: Russia claims it has opened a land corridor to Crimea through occupied Ukrainian territory, The Hill, 7 June 2022: Zelensky: Stalemate in Ukraine’s war with Russia ‘not an option for us’, The New York Times, 7 June 2022: Live Updates: Lost Ground in the East Creates Stark Choices for Ukraine) – continue reading here: Vladimir Putin, hands off Ukraine!. - Nord Stream 2 is an economic project whose implementation has been facing headwinds for a while, especially from Eastern Europe and the US. Poland and Ukraine want to prevent the pipeline because they can not generate an income through transit fees. On the other hand, Trumps USA wants to sell uncompetitive, too expensive and produced by fracking processes liquid petroleum gas (LNG) to the EU, in order to increase the share of currently less than 1% in the EU energy mix, but also to sell the LNG surplus that, thanks to the Trump-triggered trade war with China has emerged, somehow (The Washington Post, 21 October 2018: A 14-year-long oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico verges on becoming one of the worst in U.S. history). Poland and Lithuania are about to built large LNG terminals, so that the Baltics and the New East Bloc will be able to buy and process as much uncompetitive US LNG in future as they like to be happy. Still each EU state and its consumers decide themselves about the desired energy mix. After Trump has contributed to a doubling of the price of oil with his so-called “foreign policy” (sanctions against Iran), it is unacceptable to buy heavily over-priced US LPG on top (In addition, there are difficulties encountered by other oil-exporting countries such as Venezuela – BBC, 22 August 2018: How Venezuela’s crisis developed and drove out millions of people). Russia was already a reliable supplier of natural gas and oil during the Cold War. This is mainly because raw material sales represent the lifeline for the Russian state budget. This will not change in the future (Eurasia Review, 10 November 2017: US Buying Russian Gas, Reselling It To EU, DW, 10 January 2018: Why would Russia be selling natural gas to the US?, Reuters, 29 January 2018: Poland wants U.S. sanctions to cover Nord Stream 2, The Irish Times, 21 July 2018: Nord Stream 2: Gas pipeline from Russia that’s dividing Europe, Financial Times, 12 August 2018: EU energy: Opposition to Nord Stream 2 makes no sense for America or Europe, The Guardian, 26 November 2018: Kerch confrontation puts Crimean crisis back in spotlight, The New York Times, 26 November 2018: Ukraine Declares Martial Law Over Naval Attack by Russia, France24.com, 26 November 2018: Ukrainian president declares martial law, France24, 13 January 2019: US pressures Germany over Russian gas pipeline, DW, 13 January 2019: US Ambassador Richard Grenell threatens German firms over Russian pipeline, DW, 19 March 2019: Germany: US ambassador Richard Grenell should be expelled, says FDP deputy leader (Trump has also failed in his choice for the Ambassador to the United Kingdom, Robert Wood Johnson, as well – The Guardian, 2 March 2019: US ambassador to UK under fire over defence of chlorinated chicken) and other of his ambassadors in Europe), Reuters, 7 February 2019: In blow to Germany, France to back EU rules on Nord Stream 2, France24, 8 February 2019: France, Germany compromise on Russia’s Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline, DW, 8 February 2019: EU adopts French, German compromise on Nord Stream 2 pipeline to Russia, The Guardian, 25 February 2019: Nord Stream 2 Russian gas pipeline likely to go ahead after EU deal, Bloomberg, 13 May 2019: Senators Draft Bill to Sanction Work on Nord Stream 2 Pipeline, CBS News, 29 May 2019: Energy Department refers to natural gas as “freedom gas” in press release, DW, 30 October 2019: Denmark gives go-ahead for Nord Stream 2 Russian pipeline segment, Politico.eu, 30 October 2019: Nord Stream 2 clears final hurdle — but delays loom, Bloomberg, 7 December 2019: Nord Stream 2 Sanctions to Be Included in Must-Pass Defense Bill, Financial Times, 10 December 2019: US lawmakers agree bill to force Trump on Nord Stream 2 sanctions, The Wall Street Journal, 11 December 2019: Russia’s Gas Pipeline to Europe Faces Sanctions Under U.S. Defense Bill, DW, 12 December 2019: Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline faces sanctions under US defense bill, DW, 17 December 2019: US Senate approves Nord Stream 2 Russia-Germany pipeline sanctions, Al Arabiya, 20 December 2019: Russia, Ukraine, EU agree ‘in principle’ on new gas deal, says EU official, France24, 21 December 2019: Trump approves sanctions on builders of Russia-to-Europe gas pipelines, BBC, 21 December 2019: Trump approves sanctions on Russia gas pipeline, France24, 21 December 2019: Germany, EU hit out at US over US sanctions on Russian gas pipeline. The whole fuss about Nord Stream 2 is hardly understandable. The Polish PiS government in particular desperately wants to import US fracking gas to become a distributor for Eastern Europe and to ensure that Americans can continue to enjoy fracking contaminated drinking water. BBC, 21 December 2019: Nord Stream 2: Germany and Russia decry US sanctions, Politico.eu, 21 December 2019: Pipe-laying company suspends Nord Stream 2 work over US sanctions, Financial Times, 22 December 2019: US envoy defends Nord Stream 2 sanctions as ‘pro-European’ (Trump’s lapdog Grenell on the blatant anti-Germany and anti-EU Nord Stream 2 sanctions and the pro-US fracking nonsense (afterwards he will once again fabulate about alleged “anti-USA basic attitudes”. Whoever behaves like an impeached crook is treated like this) If he wants to poison his own countrymen, then of course he can do it. Europeans are still deciding for themselves about their future, which hopefully has nothing to do with Donnie or his rabble ..), France24, 23 December 2019: Berlin expects US sanctions to slightly delay Russian pipeline, DW, 23 December 2019: German think tank calls for ‘climate tariffs’ in response to US sanctions on Nord Stream 2, DW, 25 December 2019: Russia can complete Nord Stream 2 pipeline by itself: Kremlin, The National, 8 January 2020: Turkey hosts Russia’s Vladamir Putin for inauguration of TurkStream gas pipeline, Politico.eu, 14 May 2020: 5 challenges Nord Stream 2 faces in meeting EU regulations, Daily Sabah, 27 May 2020: US plans new sanctions against Russia’s Nord Stream 2 pipeline (since the domestic fracking industry is currently very hard hit and in total decline due to the situation on the world oil and gas market, the Trumpanzees are now begging the world to somehow still be able to enter the export market. Now all they have to do is to learn how perfectly fine begging works. Sanctions won’t help at all. Until then, Russian gas for the EU is exactly the right answer to all sanctions threats from the United States. The Trumpanzees should better learn very quickly how to beg properly, otherwise the door to the EU energy market will remain closed for many years to come), Reuters, 3 June 2020: U.S. senators move to tighten sanctions on delayed Russia-to-Germany gas pipeline (the US fracking industry is now doing so badly that one can already speak of “comatose” and largely insolvent. Obviously, European energy customers should therefore be forced to buy US scrap products in order to wake the uncompetitive US gas industry from its coma and at the same time enter into an unwanted dependency instead of continuing the decades old and geopolitically important supply relationships with Russia. This represents a massive interference in the basic security needs of the EU and must therefore be vehemently rejected. In addition, there are other considerations: Trump tries to enter into a forced marriage with the EU by creating one-sided dependencies in order to intensify his trade war against China with the help of the EU and to build up a bipolar world with Washington, D.C. on the one hand and Beijing on the other. This is also not in the interest of the EU and is to be rejected even more so. Domestically, the drumming up in the United States is important because the Republicans’ core voters are farmers and the fracking industry. Some of these companies are in the constituencies of democratic senators, which explains why the Democrats are also involved in these hostile anti-EU measures), Bloomberg, 3 June 2020: Senators to Back Expanding Nord Stream 2 Sanctions to Insurers, Politico.eu, 5 June 2020: US crusade against ‘Putin’s pipeline’ intensifies (if the sanctions were actually imposed, counter-sanctions would be considered, which would completely prevent the import of US liquefied petroleum gas, petrochemical and agricultural products in particular to hit Trump’s core electorate, and of course would also have to hit the US politicians who drafted and supported the aggressive sanctions hostile to Germany and the EU, above all, of course, Trump’s right-wing lapdog Richard Grenell), DW, 8 June 2020: Opinion: Punishment for disobedient Germany, DW, 18 June 2020: Can Nord Stream 2 pipeline still be completed despite US sanctions?, Reuters, 29 June 2020: EU prepares response to Nord Stream U.S. sanctions threat, The Wall Street Journal, 9 July 2020: Denmark Gives Russia’s Nord Stream 2 Pipeline a Path to Completion, Wall Street Journal, 15 July 2020: Secretary of State Pompeo Lifts Sanctions Exemption From Nord Stream 2 Pipeline (what else can the Trumpists do? The US oil and gas industry is almost bankrupt, so they must try to use sanctions to bring their overpriced products on the market. Otherwise they won’t be able to “sell” anything at all), Der Spiegel, 2 August 2020: China as a Systemic Rival to the EU: “The Security of Our Citizens Is at Stake”, France24, 3 August 2020: France halts ratifying extradition treaty with Hong Kong in wake of security law, Politico.eu, 3 August 2020: Why post-Merkel Germany will change its tune on China, Financial Times, 15 July 2020: US steps up threats over Nord Stream 2 pipeline, The New york Times, 24 July 2020: A Russian Gas Pipeline Increases Tension Between the U.S. and Europe (they obviously still believe that European customers will save their completely bankrupt fracking industry and need the signal for the November elections. What will happen is the exact opposite: You don’t negotiate with blackmailers), DW, 7 August 2020: Nord Stream 2: US senators threaten German port with ‘crushing’ sanctions (the answer can only be to impose counter-sanctions against all US senators who mobilize against Nord Stream 2 and an additionally import ban for US LNG and all oil-based US products and all of this as soon as possible, because it will hit Trump’s core electorate ahead of the presidential elections. The boys want “power play”? Lets get it started. Ultimately, of course, one always have to keep in mind that the US is slipping into bankruptcy (Trump’s only proven expertise), has millions of unemployed, social cases, homeless, war veterans and opioid addicts that they can no longer finance. At the same time, the pressure on world market prices has killed the fracking industry, which is why they now want to tap into the development aid pots of this world, financed by European taxpayers. The EU is already the largest donor of development aid in the Levant and North Africa. So now the USA is also applying for aid money, but of course they have to fill out the same forms as everyone else), Al Arabiya, 10 August 2020: Germany bristles at US sanctions threat over Russia gas pipeline (after all, with Mayor Kracht, the laughing stock Richard Grenell and the light sailors Ted Cruz, Tom Cotton and Ron Johnson have now foound a conversation partner on eye level, instead of boring the state or federal government with their nonsense), Politico.eu, 10 August 2020: Germany blames Trump in pursuit of Nord Stream 2 pipeline (Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA)), The New York Times, 25 August 2020: German Town Fears Ruin by U.S. Effort to Stop Russian Pipeline, DW, 6 September 2020: German politicians warn ex-Chancellor Gerhard Schröder to quit Russian posts, DW, 7 September 2020: Opinion: Merkel should pull Germany from Nord Stream 2, DW, 9 September 2020: Nord Stream 2: Who needs the Russian gas pipeline after all?, Politico.eu, 10 September 2020: Why Germany can’t say no to Nord Stream, Politico.eu, 11 September 2020: 6 ways Germany could kill the Nord Stream 2 pipeline, France24, 17 September 2020: Cold War comes to Germany’s Sassnitz, centre of the Nord Stream 2 project, DW, 7 October 2020: Nord Stream 2: Poland fines Gazprom billions, Politico.eu, 20 October 2020: Reporter’s Notebook: Trump, Biden and the ‘f****** Germans’ (one can probably assume that the German government would have even voluntarily let Nord Stream 2 disappear into oblivion, if the nutjobs of the governments of the EU eastward expansion and the Trump administration had not so vehemently demanded it. Instead, completing the project has now become a matter of credibility. After Trump’s dealings with the EU and individual EU states over the past four years, it is of course also about not making a single political success possible for him before the presidential elections, no matter how small, and that works surprisingly well. Although the Trump administration is currently trying desperately to promote the “Three Seas Initiative” in order to increase its influence on the EU eastward expansion along the way, the USA can directly bury its economic goals without the cooperation of the EU core countries. Neither Paris, Rome nor Berlin will submit to the Trump dictation. This, of course, against the background that Trump’s policies are just as insane as Putin’s policies. However, this cannot hide the fact that neither Berlin, Paris nor Brussels have any convincing counter-strategies. “We wait for the next US president” is neither sufficient nor a strategy at all. All current and many future challenges are already known, so that appropriate concepts for investments can be developed, which in the end should lead to much more European self-sufficiency in order to, among other things, decouple from Trump’s trade war with China. Also in other areas, such as NATO / Common Security (the EU sees itself as “soft power”, but without appropriate armament and defense structures that take part in solving problems in Europe, the Levant and North Africa with credible clout, from “soft power” only “chat room” remains) or international treaties (e.g. the Iran deal), it is clear that the EU has to develop its own lines and solutions in order to be able to keep up with future global competition), Politico.com, 21 October 2020: French government blocks U.S. LNG deal as too dirty, DW, 27 October 2020: Polish mega merger primed to stress test EU antitrust stance, Politico.com, 27 November 2020: How Biden may save U.S. gas exports to Europe, DW, 29 November 2020: Nord Stream 2: Construction of disputed pipeline to restart in December, DW, 4 December 2020: US lawmakers agree to widen sanctions on Russian-German pipeline, DW, 15 January 2021: Germany says construction can continue (Trump levies special tariffs on EU products. We are building a gas pipeline and thereby depriving Trump’s fracking buddies of the economic basis in Western Europe. That’s how power politics works. Someone should write down why pressure leads to back pressure or, in this case, will certainly lead to the completion of the pipeline for the obviously heavily disturbed Trump administration. Of course, mistakes were made by the German government in the preparation of the pipeline too, especially with regard to the overall European situation and the sensitivities of the EU eastward expansion and Ukraine. The whole issue could then have been taken off the table through diplomatic channels, i.e. the project shelved, but instead some parties opted for volume, leaving the federal government no choice but to enforce the project), Al Arabiya, 15 January 2021: Germany approves resuming Russia subsea gas pipeline work, DW, 16 January 2021: Nord Stream 2: German foundation fights possible US sanctions, Politico.eu, 18 January 2021: Germany’s ‘malign’ Nord Stream 2 problem won’t go away, DW, 19 January 2021: Russia vows to complete Nord Stream 2 despite new US sanctions, Politico.eu, 22 January 2021: US-German tensions over Russia-backed Nord Stream 2 pipeline, DW, 30 January 2021: Dead in the water despite construction reboot?, DW, 1 February 2021: France presses Germany to ditch Nord Stream 2 over Navalny, DW, 3 February 2021: France ‘won’t meddle’ in German choices over Nord Stream 2, DW, 6 February 2021: Construction resumes in Danish waters, Al Arabiya, 6 February 2021: Pipe laying for Nord Stream 2 restarts in Danish waters despite US pressure, The Times, 9 February 2021: We owe Russia the Nord Stream pipeline over Nazi atrocities, says German president, DW, 9 February 2021: Germany’s Steinmeier angers Kyiv with his comments on Nord Stream, WWII, DW, 10 February 2021: Germany offered US ‘dirty deal’ to drop Nord Stream 2 sanctions, Politico.eu, 13 February 2021: EU foreign policy RIP, Financial Times, 15 February 2021: Germany’s bridges to Russia split open Europe, DW, 23 February 2021: European companies back out of Nord Stream 2: US report, The Times, 24 February 2021: New doubts over Russia’s Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline to Europe, Arab News, 12 March 2021: The politics behind Nord Stream 2 project, Al Arabiya, 28 March 2021: US Secretary Blinken says finishing Nord Stream 2 pipeline ultimately up to builders, Politico.eu, 31 March 2021: German official calls for construction ‘moratorium’ on Nord Stream 2 to repair US relations, Politico.com, 7 April 2021: Biden looks to appoint special envoy to kill Russia-Germany energy pipeline, Foreign Policy, 9 April 2021: Sanctions Won’t Stop Nord Stream 2. Diplomacy Will., Politico.eu, 14 April 2021: 6 questions looming over the Nord Stream 2 pipeline, DW, 19 May 2021: Nord Stream 2: Biden waives US sanctions on Russian pipeline, The Washington Post, 19 May 2021: U.S. calls off key sanctions on Russian pipeline as Blinken holds first meeting with Moscow, Reuters, 4 June 2021: Ukraine must show good will if it wants Russian gas transit, Putin says (is Nord Stream 2 just an economic project? Obviously not. It is a political weapon of the Kremlin. The partner countries’ warnings about Russian reprisals are becoming true. Berlin has to take countermeasures here and shouldn’t even start gas deliveries through the pipeline), France24, 9 July 2021: Nord Stream 2: A pipeline too far?, DW, 11 July 2021: Can Europe escape Gazprom’s energy stranglehold?, DW, 12 July 2021: Nord Stream 2: Angela Merkel reassures Ukraine on gas transit, France24, 15 July 2021: Merkel, Biden stress friendship but remain at odds over pipeline after meeting, Politico.com, 20 July 2021: U.S. urges Ukraine to stay quiet on Russian pipeline (besides the Germany bashing, it was largely forgotten that Italian and Dutch companies brought Russia in the position to complete the pipeline with its own ships by providing the necessary technology – so Trump’s boss in the Kremlin has every reason to celebrate), Al Arabiya, 21 July 2021: Biden invites Ukraine president to DC after US-Germany deal on Russian pipeline, Politico.com, 21 July 2021: ‘I’m not happy about it’: Dems torch Biden’s Russian pipeline deal, DW, 21 July 2021: Germany, US strike Nord Stream 2 compromise deal, Politico.eu, 22 July 2021: Ukraine hits back as US, Germany reach deal on Nord Stream 2, DW, 22 July 2021: Nord Stream 2 — Angela Merkel’s damaging legacy, Politico.eu, 22 July 2021: US and Germany have Nord Stream 2 deal, but lack authority to implement it, DW, 22 July 2021: Mixed responses to US-Germany Nord Stream 2 deal, Arab News, 23 July 2021: US, Germany seal deal on Russian gas pipeline, DW, 23 July 2021: Nord Stream 2 deal stokes fears of Russian aggression in eastern Europe, DW, 23 July 2021: The history of Nord Stream, Politico.eu, 26 July 2021: In Nord Stream 2 fight, Ukraine gives EU taste of its own bureaucracy, CNN, 2 August 2021: Top Democrat and European counterparts slam US-Germany deal on Nord Stream 2, The Hill, 2 August 2021: Menendez, counterparts from multiple nations join in opposition to Nord Stream 2, Al Arabiya, 20 August 2021: US will impose sanctions related to Russia’s Nord Stream 2 pipeline, Politico.eu, 20 August 2021: Merkel confronts Putin about Navalny on 1st anniversary of poisoning, DW, 21 August 2021: Merkel in Ukraine: Zelenskyy hopes for gas transit ‘guarantees’, Politico.eu, 22 August 2021: Ukraine insists Nord Stream 2 is ‘dangerous’ despite German reassurances, DW, 22 August 2021: Ukraine: Nord Stream 2 a ‘dangerous geopolitical weapon’, Irish Times, 22 August 2021: Russia warned not to use pipeline as ‘geopolitical weapon’ against Ukraine, France24, 22 August 2021: Merkel vows to prevent Putin from using Nord Stream 2 pipeline as a ‘geopolitical weapon’, DW, 23 August 2021: Merkel leaves Ukraine with a difficult legacy, Politico.eu, 23 August 2021: Crimea summit a reminder: The West hasn’t undone Russian annexation, DW, 26 August 2021: Ukraine could move from gas transit nation to hydrogen exporter (that would be very good for the country. Germany has promised billions in support. Both sides of the Atlantic will be watching very closely whether the commitments are being kept), DW, 6 September 2021: Nord Stream 2: Last piece of gas pipeline is in place, Gulf Times, 10 September 2021: Gazprom says Nord Stream 2 pipeline ‘fully completed’, DW, 10 September 2021: Controversial Nordstream 2 pipeline completed, Gazprom says, DW, 19 September 2021: Germany is ignoring Gazprom’s attempted blackmail, Gulf Times, 13 October 2021: New contracts needed to boost Europe gas supplies: Russia, CNN, 13 October 2021: Putin: Russia not using energy as weapon, Politico.eu, 13 October 2021: Putin promises gas to a Europe struggling with soaring prices (when Putin is denying something, you can bet a large amount on the opposite outcome), BBC, 13 October 2021: Putin denies weaponising energy amid Europe crisis, DW, 13 October 2021: Russia says gas supplies to EU are maxed out, DW, 16 October 2021: Russia: Deputy PM addresses European gas supply crunch, France24, 18 October 2021: Nord Stream 2 says first line is filled with gas, Politico.eu, 18 October 2021: EU’s Borrell fires back at Putin by saying gas price surge is political, Politico.eu, 22 October 2021: The EU’s impotent rage at Putin’s gas games, Politico.eu, 26 October 2021: EU flexes antitrust muscle to counter Putin’s gas gamesmanship, DW, 26 October 2021: Germany says Nord Stream 2 not a security threat, Politico.eu, 28 October 2021: Nord Stream 2 will only make Europe’s gas problem worse, The Times, 16 November 2021: Threat of rising gas bills as Germany blocks new Russian pipe, The Guardian, 16 November 2021: Germany: Approval for controversial Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline suspended, BBC, 16 November 2021: Gas prices soar after setback for Russian pipeline, France24, 22 November 2021: US slaps sanctions on another Nord Stream firm, DW, 22 November 2021: US imposes more Nord Stream 2 sanctions, Politico.eu, 28 November 2021: New German government should change tack over Nord Stream 2, Poland’s PM says, The Hill, 28 November 2021: Germany calls on Congress not to sanction Nord Stream 2 pipeline: report, DW, 29 November 2021: Nord Stream 2 pipeline Angela Merkel’s ‘biggest mistake’, says Donald Tusk, The Guardian, 30 November 2021: UK urges Nato allies to block Russian pipeline, The Guardian, 9 December 2021: Germany: Foreign minister under pressure over Nord Stream 2 sanctions, The Guardian, 13 December 2021: Gas crisis: Gazprom profits as Russia prospers from Europe’s gas crisis, The Guardian, 13 December 2021: Natural gas: Prices near record highs as Berlin rejects pipeline from Russia, Al Arabiya, 18 December 2021: Russian natural gas exports to Europe via Yamal pipeline drop sharply, DW, 18 December 2021: Germany warns Russia of pipeline ‘consequences’, Al Arabiya, 18 December 2021: Germany warns Russia of consequences for Nord Stream if it attacks Ukraine, Reuters, 21 December 2021: European gas prices hit record as Russian flows via Yamal reverse (so much for “Nord Stream 2 is a purely economic project”. The Kremlin terrorist tries to secure his only reliable source of income through blackmail and military aggression and at the same time wants to prevent the energy transition. It is time to turn to other, albeit more expensive, alternatives and at the same time to devote more time to the energy transition), The Guardian, 22 December 2021: Gas: Kremlin denies restricting supplies to Europe for political gain (it’s so obvious that denying won’t work), DW, 23 December 2021: Nord Stream 2: Who wins, who loses?, The Guardian, 23 December 2021: Nord Stream 2: how Putin’s pipeline paralysed the west, DW, 28 December 2021: Is Putin escalating gas weaponization?, DW, 28 December 2021: Putin’s gas weaponization hits a hot spot in Berlin, DW, 29 December 2021: Russia says Nord Stream 2 loaded with gas, no alternatives needed (if Russia says something like that, it is better to already have an alternative up and running), New York Post, 3 January 2022: Biden stands idle as Germany endangers Ukraine over Russia’s gas, The Guardian, 4 January 2022: Europe: Gas price hike of more than 30% stokes fears for home bills, Bloomberg, 4 January 2022: Europe Sleepwalked Into an Energy Crisis That Could Last Years, CNBC, 5 January 2022: Nord Stream 2 could be major leverage against Russia — but using it is complicated, Politico.com, 5 January 2022: Dems shift gears on Russian pipeline, backing Biden against Cruz’s gambit, DW, 14 January 2022: Nord Stream 2: US Senate Democrats defeat sanctions bill, Politico.eu, 15 January 2022: Russia says ‘short-sighted’ EU has only itself to blame for energy crisis (of course, it’s always the fault of the others. Laughable), Gulf Times, 15 January 2022: US ‘talks to energy firms’ over EU gas supply in case of Russia-Ukraine conflict, Politico.eu, 18 January 2022: Scholz: Germany will discuss Nord Stream 2 penalties if Russia attacks Ukraine, France24, 18 January 2022: Germany may consider halting Nord Stream 2 if Russia attacks Ukraine, Scholz says, The Guardian, 25 January 2022: Russia: US finalising plans to divert gas to Europe if Moscow cuts off supply, CNN, 25 January 2022: How Putin’s $11 billion pipeline split NATO and the EU at a time of crisis, Arab News, 25 January 2022: Europe should work with Gulf amid emerging security threats, The Washington Post, 25 January 2022: As Ukraine crisis looms, Europe fears Kremlin will cut off its gas supply, DW, 25 January 2022: Ukraine: Joe Biden says US could sanction Vladimir Putin, CNN, 27 January 2022: Russian buildup near Ukraine has increased ‘in the last 24 hours’, Pentagon says, Arab News, 27 January 2022: US confident Nord Stream 2 ‘will not’ proceed if Russia invades, CNN, 27 January 2022: Europe could live with less Russian gas. A complete shutdown would be ‘catastrophic’, BBC, 27 January 2022: Pipeline won’t open if Russia invades Ukraine – US, Politico.eu, 28 January 2022: Ex-German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder mocked for Ukraine comments (“Putin’s gas man” is a textbook example of a corrupt politician whose bank account is apparently far more important to him than the interests of his home country, without which he would never have become chancellor. In retrospect it would obviously have been better if this had not happened. However, it is hardly less disturbing that a large number of German politicians and business leaders are still listening to him), Politico.eu, 28 January 2022: German industry bosses to meet with Putin this year (they beg for an audience with the war criminal), Al Arabiya, 28 January 2022: US, EU working to source natural gas in case of Russia ‘supply shocks’: Statement, The Times, 28 January 2022: Gas supplies from the Gulf may come with a catch, Foreign Policy, 28 January 2022: Russia Can Win in Ukraine Without Firing a Shot, CNN, 29 January 2022: EU chief tells CNN ‘nothing off table’ in response to Russia, DW, 30 January 2022: Nord Stream 2 unlikely to start operations before summer — regulator, Wall Street Journal, 1 February 2022: U.S., Allies Wonder if They Can Count on Germany in Russia-Ukraine Crisis, DW, 1 February 2022: Nord Stream 2’s second power struggle, Politico.eu, 2 February 2022: Europe is ready to pay the cost of Russia sanctions, DW, 4 February 2022: Germany’s former Chancellor Gerhard Schröder to join Gazprom board (that makes it easier at least, because now we can tell Gazprom in German where they can stick their Nord Stream 2 pipes), Politico.eu, 4 February 2022: Former German Chancellor Schröder nominated for Gazprom board, DW, 5 February 2022: Habeck: Germany must not rely on Russian gas, The New York Times, 6 February 2022: Germany’s “invisible” chancellor, Olaf Scholz, will meet President Biden amid criticism over Berlin’s Ukraine approach., DW, 6 February 2022: Why the EU needs Russian energy giant Gazprom, The Washington Post, 6 February 2022: Scholz says response to Russia will be ‘united and decisive’ if Ukraine is invaded, DW, 6 February 2022: Germany’s Olaf Scholz goes to Washington amid criticism, DW, 6 February 2022: How Russia is helping the US reassert its dominance in European security, Politico.com, 7 February 2022: Biden vows to shut down Nord Stream 2 if Russia invades, as U.S. and Germany pledge unity (after the press conference one can only feel even more ashamed of German politics. The only thing that comes to mind is “Oh, if only he had stayed silent”. At least that wouldn’t have made it worse. It would have been better if he had kept the wishy-washy stuff that the Chancellor said to himself and had not attended the press conference at all. Doesn’t give clear answers, evades questions, says something that has nothing to do with the questions at all and thus continues to play into Putin’s hands. Any student would have gotten a straight F for such a performance), Politico.eu, 7 February 2022: Olaf Scholz’s hard lessons in German leadership, CNN, 7 February 2022: US and Germany still split on Russian pipeline, The Times, 7 February 2022: Former general Leonid Ivashov attacks Putin for ‘provoking war’, Politico.eu, 7 February 2022: Germany to deploy 350 troops to Lithuania to try to reassure allies, CNN, 7 February 2022: Macron takes lead on Europe’s efforts to defuse crisis, The New York Times, 7 February 2022: Putin Warns the West and Ukraine, but Keeps His Intentions a Mystery, The Times, 7 February 2022: Britain will not flinch over Ukraine, says Johnson, The Washington Post, 7 February 2022: Biden vows to stop natural gas pipeline to Europe if Russia invades Ukraine, DW, 7 February 2022: Biden promises no Nord Stream 2 if Russia invades Ukraine, The New York Times, 7 February 2022: A Russia-to-Germany gas pipeline project would not go forward if Moscow invades Ukraine, President Biden said., DW, 7 February 2022: Baerbock: Germany ‘ready to pay high economic price’ for Ukraine peace, CNN, 7 February 2022: Nord Stream 2 pipeline proves to be a sticking point in Biden and new German chancellor’s show of unity, Politico.eu, 8 February 2022: Top French minister: Europe shouldn’t be ‘dragged’ into following US on Nord Stream 2, CNN, 8 February 2022: What is Nord Stream 2 and can Biden kill it?, Al Arabiya, 8 February 2022: Explainer: What’s Russia’s Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline to Europe?, The New York Times, 8 February 2022: Europe Is on the Brink of War, and Germany Has Gone Missing, ABC News, 9 February 2022: Slovakia lawmakers approve defense military treaty with US, Reuters, 9 February 2022: Slovakia backs U.S. defence pact despite opposition during Ukraine crisis, DW, 11 February 2022: Nord Stream 2 approval depends on geopolitical developments, vice chancellor says, The Times, 12 February 2022: Putin’s Nord Stream 2 pipeline: the Stasi connection, CNN, 14 February 2022: Putin could turn off Europe’s gas tap. This is the solution, France24, 14 February 2022: Russia using Nord Stream 2 as ‘geopolitical weapon’, Zelensky warns Germany’s Scholz, Politico.eu, 21 February 2022: Europe faces sanctions nightmare of paying for Putin’s war, CNN, 22 February 2022: Germany halts key pipeline project over Ukraine crisis, Politico.eu, 22 February 2022: Germany shelves Nord Stream 2 pipeline (now the same ones will be crawling out from under their rocks and out of their caves who were already of the opinion in 2014 that Russia would be able to cope even if the West stopped buying oil and gas at all, especially since one could finally sell to China. Sure, just like in 2014, you could also sell to China in 2022, but then as now at significantly reduced purchase prices than those paid by the West. Since the Russian state budget is dependent on the income, it will have the already known consequences: Real wages continue to fall, investments cannot or only partially take place, Russian in-house production, including in the food sector, is of ridiculous quality and the Russian economy is still decoupling further away from the world market than it has already done. As a small foretaste, the Russian stock exchanges reacted to the “positive prospects” with a price drop of 17%. As usual, Putin’s far-sightedness extends to the tip of his own nose – DW, 22 February 2022: Gold, oil prices surge as Putin orders troops to Ukraine), The Algemeiner, 22 February 2022: Germany’s Scholz Halts Nord Stream 2 as Ukraine Crisis Deepens, Irish Times, 22 February 2022: Ukraine-Russia: EU to ban lending to Russian central bank after Putin orders troops over border, Al Arabiya, 22 February 2022: Nord Stream 2 pipeline has been killed ‘for good’: US official, The Atlantic, 24 February 2022: Russia Probably Won’t Cut Off Europe’s Gas, Because It’s ‘Essentially an Act of War’, Gulf Times, 25 February 2022: European natural gas halts rally as flows from Russia ramp up, The Guardian, 25 February 2022: Business: How can Europe wean itself off Russian gas?, The National, 28 February 2022: How Europe can boost energy security and reduce its reliance on Russian gas, Jerusalem Post, 4 March 2022: Russia’s Yamal-Europe westbound gas pipeline flows stopped on Friday, Politico.eu, 4 March 2022: The EU’s plan to cure its Russian gas addiction, DW, 4 March 2022: Europe looks to Africa to fill natural gas gap, DW, 10 March 2022: Russian gas edging towards extinction in Europe, Politico.eu, 11 March 2022: EU leaders fail to set a date to end energy dependence on Russia, CNN, 11 March 2022: Europe sets 2027 deadline to end reliance on Russian oil and gas, The New York Times, 12 March 2022: A Trans-Atlantic Energy Pact Would Counter Russia’s Might, DW, 13 March 2022: Can Venezuela help tame global energy prices?, France24, 15 March 2022: Nobel laureate Stiglitz calls on Europe to do without Russian gas, Politico.eu, 23 March 2022: Rubles for gas: Putin trolls the West over its energy addiction, Politico.eu, 24 March 2022: Oil has an autocracy problem, Politico.eu, 24 March 2022: Germany’s Scholz rejects Putin’s rubles-for-gas demand, The National, 25 March 2022: US to increase natural gas supplies to EU to reduce reliance on Russia, The New York Times, 25 March 2022: European Union countries agree to jointly purchase gas., CNN, 25 March 2022: US and EU announce task force on reducing dependence on Russian oil and gas, The New York Times, 25 March 2022: Biden strikes a natural gas deal to reduce Europe’s reliance on Russia., The National, 25 March 2022: France’s Macron: no reason to accept Russia demands for gas payments in roubles, Irish Times, 25 March 2022: EU moves to cut Russian energy dependence and curb cost crisis, The Guardian, 25 March 2022: US plan to provide 15bn cubic meters of natural gas to EU alarms climate groups (umm .. Putin is a war criminal and dictator, but not a “climate group”), Arab News, 25 March 2022: Oil update — Prices drop as supply concerns ease, US to provide EU with more LNG to reduce Russian dependency, Politico.eu, 25 March 2022: US pledges to boost gas imports to the EU, France24, 25 March 2022: US strikes liquid gas deal with EU as bloc seeks to cut dependency on Russia, DW, 25 March 2022: Germany seeks to wean itself off Russian energy imports, Politico.eu, 25 March 2022: EU chiefs channel energy at cutting off Russian gas, Politico.eu, 28 March 2022: Putin’s useful German idiots (unfortunately, this has been true for a few years now. Who, in his right mind, would ever trust East Block governments? No one, e.g. not even Russians trust Russians. How one can then come up with the idea in the West that everything is actually completely different eludes clear common sense), The Washington Post, 29 March 2022: Germany, urged to ‘stop Putin’s war machine,’ resists Russian energy embargo, Politico.eu, 30 March 2022: Poland to EU: Follow our lead on scrapping Russian energy (instead of telling the usual BS, they should actually do it at first, as Polands dependency on Russia is as high as Germanys. Never trust the PiS government. Only smokes and mirrors, but no substance at all. As by far the largest recipient of EU development aid money for decades, it is foremost a burden for German taxpayers. Poland will never be successful on its own, which is mainly due to the PiS government’s ultra-nationalist, anti-democratic, anti-foreigner and anti-EU policies. It is unlikely that Poland will be able to regain confidence from Brussels), NPR, 30 March 2022: Poland says its ban on all Russian oil and gas imports is the most radical in Europe, Politico.eu, 30 March 2022: EU raided Gazprom in Germany: report, BBC, 31 March 2022: Germany condemns Putin gas supply “blackmail”, Arab News, 31 March 2022: Europe’s Russian gas in jeopardy, Ukraine braces for new assaults, BBC, 31 March 2022: Biden orders ‘unprecedented’ release of oil reserves, The Guardian, 31 March 2022: Live: Russia-Ukraine war latest: Russian forces leave Chernobyl; Germany rejects Putin’s gas supply ‘blackmail’, BBC, 31 March 2022: Ukraine war: Russia threatens to stop supplying gas if not paid in roubles, The Times, 31 March 2022: Oil prices fall as President Biden considers release from strategic reserve, Irish Times, 31 March 2022: European governments reject Putin threats over gas supplies as ‘blackmail’, Reuters, 1 April 2022: Russia’s Gazprom exits German business amid row over pricing, The Times, 1 April 2022: Putin threatens Europe’s gas supply — but backs down, CNN, 1 April 2022: Europe rejected Putin’s ultimatum. So why is Russian gas still flowing?, Al Arabiya, 1 April 2022: Russia will not turn off gas supplies to Europe from Friday: Kremlin, Politico.eu, 4 April 2022: EU weighs ban on Russian oil over war crimes as pressure builds on Berlin, Politico.eu, 4 April 2022: ‘Mistake’ not to object to Nord Stream 2, says German president, Politico.eu, 4 April 2022: Germany puts Gazprom subsidiary temporarily under state control, The New York Times, 5 April 2022: Why Germany Can’t Just Pull the Plug on Russian Energy, France24, 5 April 2022: Baltic states end Russian gas imports – but can the rest of Europe follow suit?, CNN, 5 April 2022: Europe is finally coming after Russia’s energy, DW, 6 April 2022: Germany presents new Ukraine-accelerated renewables plan, The Times, 6 April 2022: EU to snatch Kremlin’s oil and gas profits to rebuild Ukraine, DW, 8 April 2022: Germany could be off Russian gas by winter says economic think tank, Politico.eu, 10 April 2022: Russian oil and gas embargo could stop war within weeks, says former Putin adviser, The Hill, 10 April 2022: 5 things to know about liquefied natural gas and its role in the Ukraine crisis, Politico.eu, 13 April 2022: How Germany Inc. played Russian roulette — and lost, DW, 14 April 2022: Germany earmarks €3 billion for floating LNG terminals, Politico.eu, 17 April 2022: Diversification from Russian gas ‘possible and feasible,’ says Draghi, The Times, 18 April 2022: German state leader Manuela Schwesig ‘colluded with Russians on gas pipeline’, The Hill, 18 April 2022: LNG exports will add to climate change, Politico.eu, 19 April 2022: German Social Democrats face more heat over Russian energy ties, The National, 26 April 2022: Russia suspends gas supplies to Poland and Bulgaria, The New York Times, 26 April 2022: Why U.S. Oil Companies Aren’t Riding to Europe’s Rescue, Politico.eu, 26 April 2022: Russia to halt gas shipments to Poland and Bulgaria, CNN, 26 April 2022: Russia will shut off gas supplies to Poland, state-run company says, BBC, 26 April 2022: Ukraine war: Russia halts gas exports to Poland and Bulgaria, France24, 26 April 2022: Russia’s Gazprom to halt gas supplies to Poland, Bulgaria, DW, 26 April 2022: Russia’s Gazprom to halt gas supplies to Poland, Bulgaria, Politico.eu, 27 April 2022: You’re next: Kremlin warns anyone not paying in rubles also faces gas shutoff, DW, 27 April 2022: Russia’s Gazprom halts gas supplies to Poland, Bulgaria, Los Angeles Times, 27 April 2022: Russia cuts gas to Poland and Bulgaria as West mounts new arms push, Politico.eu, 27 April 2022: Poland and Bulgaria start life with no Russian gas, DW, 27 April 2022: Europe prepared for Russia’s gas ‘blackmail,’ EU chief says — live updates, Irish Times, 27 April 2022: Russia’s attempt to strong-arm EU on gas could backfire, France24, 27 April 2022: EU says ‘era of Russian fossil fuels in Europe is coming to an end’, Politico.eu, 27 April 2022: You’re next: Kremlin warns anyone not paying in rubles also faces gas shutoff, CNN, 27 April 2022: Poland and Bulgaria are receiving gas from EU neighbors, European Commission president says, BBC, 28 April 2022: How reliant is the world on Russia for oil and gas?, DW, 28 April 2022: Germany top buyer of Russian energy since Ukraine invasion began: report, NPR, 28 April 2022: What Russia cutting off energy to Poland and Bulgaria means for the world, BBC, 28 April 2022: Ukraine War: Russia gas supply cuts ‘blackmail’, says EU, Politico.eu, 28 April 2022: Commission’s ruble-for-gas scheme won’t work, Bulgaria warns, France24, 29 April 2022: Can Europe afford to wean itself off Russian gas?, DW, 30 April 2022: Europe cooperates on gas, as Russia turns off taps to Poland and Bulgaria, The National, 6 May 2022: Russia puts Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline to domestic use).
- After Donald Trump has stepped out of the Iran deal (Nuclear program of Iran) following pressure from Benjamin Netanyahu and has re-established and later tightened sanctions on Iran, the preservation of the agreement by the remaining partys, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, the EU, China, Russia and Iran, will be a big challenge. The sanctions are two-tiered and are aimed, on the one hand, against companies that are active in Iran and, on the other hand, against states that buy oil and natural gas from Iran. However, the number of feasible and effective countermeasures is limited and requires banks (or similar institutions) to agree to accompany the business transactions. It would need banks that are neither active in the US business, nor doing business on a dollar basis. The same applies to the companies that want to remain active in Iran. For large companies, the measures are therefore largely out of question, but are meant for small and medium-sized companies (SMEs) of which show an astonishing amount of interest to do business in Iran. At the same time, Trump’s action ensures that his autocratic sponsor Vladimir Putin can rehabilitate the Russian budget and the severely depressed Russian economy, as the price of oil has increased significantly and the sale of oil and gas is the main source of income for the Kremlin (Haaretz, 31 May 2018: Ex-Mossad Chief Says He Questioned Legality of Netanyahu’s Order to Prepare Iran Strike, BBC, 25 September 2018: Trump at UN: Iran ‘sowing chaos, death, destruction’, DW, 25 September 2018: EU and Iran create ‘special vehicle’ for trade despite US sanctions and Haaretz, 25 September 2018: EU, China, Russia Seek to Bypass U.S. Sanctions on Iran With New Payment Channels). Here is another aspect: The affair surrounding the assassination of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, which is making big waves internationally, is shaking Trump’s entire “Middle East policy” (if it exists at all), as it is build on Saudi Arabia’s important role as a regional power player and policymaker, especially with regard to Iran. After the evidence against Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman intensify, Democrats and influential Republicans are increasingly calling for the US to move away from Saudi Arabia and impose sanctions on the country. For Trump, but especially for Benjamin Netanyahu, that would be a bitter defeat. In particular, the latter hope for a major breakthrough in the Middle East conflict from the recent rapprochements between Saudi Arabia and Israel, especially as the appeal of Saudi Arabia to the Muslim world has considerable weight. Against the background, it is understandable why Trump and Netanyahu are desperately looking for ways out of the crisis (for the Saudi crown prince). Before Trump, this would’t have been possible (National Review, 28 August 2017: How to Get Out of the Iran Nuclear Deal, The New York Times, 23 May 2018: Deep in the Desert, Iran Quietly Advances Missile Technology, Haaretz, 20 November 2018: Trump: U.S. to Remain Steadfast Partner to Saudi Arabia to Ensure Israeli Interests, The Guardian, 20 November 2018: Trump ‘stands with’ Saudi Arabia and defends crown prince over Khashoggi, The New York Times, 20 November 2018: In Extraordinary Statement, Trump Stands With Saudis Despite Khashoggi Killing, The New York Times, 20 November 2018: In Pardoning Saudi Arabia, Trump Gives Guidance to Autocrats, The Washington Post, 20 November 2018: For Trump, the bottom line on Saudi Arabia takes precedence over human rights, The Guardian, 21 November 2018: Turkey attacks Trump’s ‘comic’ stance on Khashoggi killing, The New York Times, 21 November 2018: Trump’s Black Friday Sale: Oil, Guns and Morals, Haaretz, 22 November 2018: Israel’s Iron Dome Defense of Saudi Arabia Aims to Avert Collapse of Trump and Netanyahu’s Entire Middle East Strategy, Newsweek, 13 December 2018: Trump’s Iran Sanctions Create a Triple Threat to the West, The Washington Post, 23 November 2018: How the Khashoggi killing ruinously defined Trump (Saudi Gazette, 1 October 2019: KSA enemies using Khashoggi case to tarnish image (in the West, the topic was in the headlines for weeks and the incident became known at a very unfavorable time. Experts immediately assumed that the act could not have been carried out without the knowledge of the royal family. The Crown Prince had just completed a very successful series of visits to the West. As a result, politics and press were almost unanimously enthusiastic and hoped for further liberalization and opening of Saudi Arabia. The killing of Khashoggi caused great public consternation and almost completely destroyed all previous positive developments, confidence-building measures and hopes. It will take some time for this trust and hope to be rebuilt)), Reuters, 11 December 2018: German exports to Iran soar ahead of U.S. sanctions, ABC News, 25 December 2018: Iran submits first budget since US sanctions were restored, The Washington Post, 9 January 2019: Iran supreme leader calls US officials ‘first-class idiots’, The Washington Post, 9 January 2019: Already reeling from tariff war, some farmers aren’t receiving government support checks amid shutdown, France24, 9 January 2019: EU sanctions Iran over assassination plots, Politico.eu, 18 January 2019: Trump seeks to split EU as fight intensifies over Iran nuclear deal, Jerusalem Post, 18 January 2019: Are European countries moving closer to Trump on Iran?, Handelsblatt, 21 January 2019: Mahan Air: Berlin bans Iranian airline after EU slaps sanctions on Tehran, Bloomberg, 24 January 2019: EU Says Preparations for Iran SPV Are at ‘Advanced Stage’, The Washington Post, 28 January 2019: Germany says EU soon to launch Iran funding scheme, Times of Israel, 28 January 2019: Trump warns Europeans not to try to evade Iran sanctions, The New York Times, 29 January 2019: On North Korea and Iran, Intelligence Chiefs Contradict Trump, Times of Israel, 30 January 2019: Rouhani: Iran facing ‘greatest pressure and economic sanctions’ in 40 years, The New York Times, 31 January 2019: 3 European Nations Create Firm to Trade With Iran, but Will Anyone Use It?, European Comission: Iran, The Guardian, 31 January 2019: Europe sets up scheme to get round US sanctions on Iran, Bloomberg, 31 January 2019: Europe Protects Itself From Trump’s Caprice, Instex (AP News, 8 August 2019: Designated Head of Europe-Iran Trade Entity Won’t Take Job, Jerusalem Post, 8 August 2019: German Ambassador se to run EU-Iran trade resigns, linked to Holocaust denier), Jerusalem Post, 6 February 2019: Ambassador urges Germany to change anti-Israel stance at U.N. (while in the real world, Germany isn’t voting against Israel, instead in very own and EU interests), Foreign Policy, 13 February 2019: Iran’s Economy Is Crumbling, but Collapse Is a Long Way Off, The Guardian, 19 February 2019: House investigates ‘White House plan’ to share nuclear technology with Saudis, The New York Times, 19 February 2019: House Opens Inquiry Into Proposed U.S. Nuclear Venture in Saudi Arabia, France 24, 22 February 2019: Iran is holding up its end of nuclear deal, shows IAEA report and Times of Israel, 22 February 2019: UN nuclear watchdog say Iran staying within limits of 2015 deal, Reuters, 25 February 2019: Iran’s Foreign Minister Zarif, architect of nuclear deal, resigns, The Guardian, 25 February 2019: Iran’s foreign minister Javad Zarif announces resignation, The New York Times, 25 February 2019: Iran’s Foreign Minister, Architect of Nuclear Deal, Says He Is Resigning, The Washington Post, 25 February 2019: Iran’s foreign minister, who became the face of his country, tenders his resignation, France24, 27 February 2019: Iran’s Rouhani rejects Foreign Minister Zarif’s resignation, Times of Israel, 27 February 2019: Iranian president rejects Foreign Minister Zarif’s resignation, Washington Post, 27 February 2019: Iran’s Rouhani rejects chief diplomat’s resignation, calling it ‘against national interests’, Times of Israel, 20 March 2019: Pompeo in region to counter Iran, boost Netanyahu, Haaretz, 20 March 2019: Pompeo Arrives in Israel to Discuss Iran Threat, Energy and Regional Issues, Times of Israel, 6 April 2019: US said set to declare Iran’s Revolutionary Guards as terrorist group, France24, 8 April 2019: US designates Iran’s Revolutionary Guards a ‘terrorist organisation’, The New York Times, 8 April 2019: Trump Designates Iran’s Revolutionary Guard a Foreign Terrorist Group, Jerusalem Post, 8 April 2019: Netanyahu praises Trump for putting Iran’s Revolutionary Guards on terror list, Times of Israel, 8 April 2019: Netanyahu says Trump designated Iran Guards a terror group at his request, Bloomberg, 3 April 2019: First Images of Saudi Nuclear Reactor Show Plant Nearing Finish (the country that is, inter alia, behind 9/11 and the financing of ISIL, while Iran is referred to as a “terrorist state”), The New York Times, 22 April 2019: U.S. Moves to Stop All Nations From Buying Iranian Oil, BBC, 22 April 2019: Iran oil: US to end sanctions exemptions for major importers, Reuters, 22 April 2019: U.S. to end all waivers on Iran oil imports, crude price jumps, Jerusalem Post, 22 April 2019: Netanyahu lauds Trump decision to eleminate Iran oil waivers, Times of Israel, 22 April 2019: Iran threatens to close Strait of Hormuz after US ends sanction waivers, France24, 23 April 2019: US sanctions over Iran oil will ‘intensify Mideast turmoil’: China, Times of Israel, 24 April 2019: Iran threatens ‘consequences’ if US takes ‘crazy measure’ of blocking oil sales, Times of Israel, 25 April 2019: Zarif accuses Netanyahu and Saudis of trying to provoke US into war with Iran, The Guardian, 24 April 2019: Iran will continue to defy US oil sanctions, says Tehran (Netanyahu and Trump (The New York Times, 9 July 2019: Who Is a Bigger Threat to His Democracy: Bibi or Trump?) obviously want to drive Iran to self-defense actions and then, of course, once again, mendacious and hypocritical as both are, cry into the cameras that Iran would have to take full responsibility for it. Netanyahu and Trump apparently assume that the rest of the world is just as limited in their ability to think as they are themselves. At any rate, they are closer to their goal of imposing war on Iran than ever before (2020 United States presidential election, Rally ’round the flag effect, United States sanctions against Iran, The Guardian, 6 May 2019: US deploys aircraft carrier and bombers after ‘troubling indications’ from Iran, gunboat diplomacy, psychological warfare, BBC, 6 May 2019: US sends aircraft carrier and bomber task force to ‘warn Iran’, France24, 8 May 2019: Iran nuclear deal: what happens now?, The Guardian, 8 May 2019: Trump’s antics over Iran have endangered us all. The stakes are now lethally high, The National, 8 May 2019: European pressure on Tehran is needed, The Guardian, 8 May 2019: Iran announces partial withdrawal from nuclear deal, BBC, 8 May 2019: Iran nuclear deal: Tehran urged to honour commitments, The New York Times, 8 May 2019: U.S. Threatens New Sanctions as Iran Plans to End Compliance With Parts of Nuclear Deal, Washington Post, 8 May 2019: Why Russia is the big winner of the Iran deal fallout, Washington Post, 8 May 2019: Iran announces it will stop complying with parts of landmark nuclear deal, Times of Israel, 8 May 2019: Democrats warn Trump is leading US toward war with Iran, France24, 8 May 2019: Trump tightens Iran sanctions as France warns against ‘escalation’, The Guardian, 9 May 2019: EU rejects Iran’s two-month ultimatum on nuclear deal, France24, 9 May 2019: Europe rejects Iran’s ‘ultimatum’ but stands by nuclear deal, The Guardian, 10 May 2019: Trump’s foolish Iran policy only makes war more likely, The Washington Post, 11 May 2019: Why the U.S.-Iran Conflict Is Now Coming to a Head, i24 News, 12 May 2019: Analysis: Will escalation between US, Iran revive Netanyahu’s decade-old strike plans?, Times of Israel, 12 May 2019: Amid US-Iran tension, Israeli minister fears Tehran ‘may fire rockets at Israel’, The Guardian, 12 May 2019: US war against Iran is impossible, claims Iranian general, The Guardian, 13 May 2019: Iran-US tensions are reaching new heights – and neither is likely to blink, The Guardian, 13 May 2019: Europe urges Mike Pompeo and US to show restraint towards Iran, The New York Times, 13 May 2019: White House Reviews Military Plans Against Iran, in Echoes of Iraq War, The National, 13 May 2019: Mike Pompeo delays Russia visit to lobby against Iran deal in Brussels, The National, 13 May 2019: The US and Europe must unite over Iran, The Washington Post, 13 May 2019: Pompeo crashes Brussels meeting of E.U. diplomats but changes few minds on Iran, The Times, 14 May 2019: US could stumble into a war with Iran, allies tell Mike Pompeo, The New York Times, 14 May 2019: It’s Time for the Leaders of Saudi Arabia and Iran to Talk, The Washington Post, 14 May 2019: It’s up to Israelis to stop Iran’s nuclear program. Here’s how they did it before., Times of Israel, 15 May 2019: Allies split with US over Iranian threat as war worries mount, The New York Times, 14 May 2019: Skeptical U.S. Allies Resist Trump’s New Claims of Threats From Iran, Haaretz, 15 May 2019: Iran Vows to Defeat ‘American-Zionist Alliance’ as Putin Warns Against U.S. Pressure, BBC, 15 May 2019: US pulls ‘non-emergency staff’ from Iraq as Iran tensions mount, Times of Israel, 15 May 2019: Iran’s defense minister: ‘We will defeat the American-Zionist front’, Arab News, 16 May 2019: Iran must not go unpunished, Haaretz, 16 May 2019: If the U.S. Goes to War With Iran, Netanyahu Will Be the Prime Suspect, Arab News, 18 May 2019: Gulf nations ‘approve US request to deploy troops in the Gulf’, Times of Israel, 18 May 2019: Saudi newspaper calls on Washington to launch strikes on Iran, Jerusalem Post, 19 May 2019: Saudi Arabia says it seeks to avert war, ball in Iran’s court, Times of Israel, 20 May 2019: Trump warns if Tehran attacks, it will be ‘official end of Iran’, Haaretz, 20 May 2019: Trump: ‘If Iran Wants to Fight, That Will Be the Official End of Iran’, The Guardian, 20 May 2019: Iran hits back at Trump for tweeting ‘genocidal taunts’ (the whole extent of Trump’s stupidity shows again: Only those who are members of a club can change its rules. On the other hand, anyone who leaves the club and roars around from the fence just looks like a ridiculous idiot. With Benjamin Netanyahu’s forced unilateral termination of the Iran deal, the US president has reached exactly this position. An emperor without clothes), Jerusalem Post, 20 May 2019: Iranian commander: We are ready to confront the enemy, Times of Israel, 20 May 2019: Hitting back at Trump, Zarif says ‘genocidal taunts won’t end Iran’, Times of Israel, 20 May 2019: Iran quadruples low-enriched uranium production, Times of Israel, 21 May 2019: Rouhani: In current situation, Iran chooses path of ‘resistance only’, The New York Times, 23 May 2019: Trump Officials Prepare to Bypass Congress to Sell Weapons to Gulf Nations, New York Post, 23 May 2019: Dianne Feinstein had dinner meeting with Iranian minister amid US tensions, Times of Israel, 24 May 2019: Trump to invoke emergency to sell arms to Saudis, citing Iran threat, CNN, 24 May 2019: Trump declares emergency to expedite arms sales to Saudi Arabia and UAE, Jerusalem Post, 24 May 2019: Controvery in Iran amid reports Zarif met U.S. senator, Times of Israel, 29 May 2019: Netanyahu uncommonly quiet as US-Iran crisis escalates, Jerusalem Post, 29 May 2019: German intel: Iran wants to expand to weapons of mass destruction, France24, 31 May 2019: Saudi king demands firm action against ‘criminal’ Iran at Arab summit, Times of Israel, 31 May 2019: Iran accuses Saudi Arabia of ‘sowing division’ to Israel’s benefit, Times of Israel, 1 June 2019: Saudi king says will reject US measures that ‘prejudice’ Jerusalem, Jerusalem Post, 1 June 2019: Handshakes, Jerusalem and Iran: The politics of the Saudi summits, Times of Israel, 1 June 2019: Iran president says Islamic Republic won’t be ‘bullied’ into US talks, Times of Israel, 1 June 2019: Khomeini’s legacy looms over Iran, 30 years after his death, Times of Israel, 6 June 2019: Saudi missile program expanded with help from China, US intel said to show, Iran Press, 6 June 2019: German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas to visit Iran next week, Times of Israel, 6 June 2019: Trump signals readiness for negotiations with Iran, Jerusalem Post, 7 June 2019: Iran rejects French call for wider talks beyond nuclear deal – state TV, The New York Times, 7 June 2019: Trump Allows High-Tech U.S. Bomb Parts to Be Built in Saudi Arabia, France24, 7 June 2019: Iran rejects France’s call for wider talks beyond nuclear deal, Times of Israel, 8 June 2019: Iran said accelerating uranium centrifuge production, anticipating deal collapse, Times of Israel, 8 June 2019: US hits Iran with new sanctions targeting petrochemicals, Times of Israel, 8 June 2019: Iran says new US sanctions show offer for talks is ‘hollow’, France24, 8 June 2019: Iran says selling oil through ‘unconventional’ means, Jerusalem Post, 8 June 2019: Understanding the Saudi, UAE arms deals and Iran, The Guardian, 10 June 2019: Iran’s foreign minister warns US ‘cannot expect to stay safe’, Jerusalem Post, 10 June 2019: Iran welcomes German FM to pressure Europe on nuke deal, France24, 10 June 2019: Germany urges Iran to stick to nuclear deal, Times of Israel, 10 June 2019: Iran’s top envoy: Netanyahu wants to destroy us, and we will respond, Jerusalem Post, 10 June 2019: Iran foreign minister slams Netanyahu and Trumo ‘deal’, Times of Israel, 10 June 2019: UN nuclear watchdog: Iran uranium production up, can’t confirm compliance, Times of Israel, 12 June 2019: Japan premier hopes to ease US-Iran tensions in Tehran visit, Times of Israel, 13 June 2019: Khamenei: Iran doesn’t want nuclear bomb, but US couldn’t stop us if we did, The Guardian, 13 June 2019: Two oil tankers struck in suspected attacks in Gulf of Oman, France24, 13 June 2019: US blames Iran for attacks on oil tankers in Gulf of Oman, The Guardian, 14 June 2019: US says video shows Iranian military removing mine from tanker, France24, 14 June 2019: US releases video accusing Iran of tanker attack, Tehran blasts ‘Iranophobic campaign’, The Guardian, 14 June 2019: Trump blames Iran for oil tanker attacks and calls country a ‘nation of terror’, The New York Times, 14 June 2019: Distrusting Both Iran and U.S., Europe Urges ‘Maximum Restraint’, The New York Times, 14 June 2019: Was Iran Behind the Oman Tanker Attacks? A Look at the Evidence, The New York Times, 14 June 2019: Iran and the U.S. Are on a Collision Course, France24, 14 June 2019: Trump accuses Iran of tanker attacks but flags need for talks, The Guardian, 15 June 2019: Iran-US dispute grows over attacks on oil tankers in Gulf of Oman, Times of Israel, 15 June 2019: Israel said to blame Iran’s Revolutionary Guard for attacks on oil tankers, Times of Israel, 16 June 2019: Saudi prince blames Iran for tanker attacks, says won’t hesitate on ‘threats’, The New York Times, 16 June 2019: In Face-Off With Iran, Escalation May Depend on Who Prevails Inside Washington and Tehran, The New York Times, 17 June 2019: Iran Threatens to Violate Nuclear Deal’s Limits on Uranium Enrichment, The Guardian, 17.06.2019: Iran to break uranium stockpile limit set by nuclear deal, Times of Israel, 17 June 2019: After enrichment threat, US accuses Iran of ‘nuclear extortion’, Times of Israel, 17 June 2019: Germany, UK warn Iran over enrichment threat; EU takes wait-and-see approach, Jerusalem Post, 17 June 2019: U.N. officials: U.S. planning a ‘tactical assault’ in Iran, Times of Israel, 18 June 2019: US deploying 1,000 more troops to Middle East as Iran tensions soar, France24, 18 June 2019: US deploys 1000 more troops to Middle East, citing ‘hostile behaviour’ from Iran, The Guardian, 18 June 2019: US to send 1,000 more troops to Middle East, citing ‘hostile behavior’ by Iran, The Guardian, 18 June 2019: The Trump administration’s dangerous fever dream about Iran, The Guardian, 19 June 2019: UK, France and Germany in last-ditch effort to save Iran deal, The Guardian, 19 June 2019: A US war with Iran looms. Don’t for one second think that it is justified, Times of Israel, 18 June 2019: , The Guardian, 18 June 2019: The Iran crisis was created in Washington. The US must be talked down, Jerusalem Post, 19 June 2019: Kremlin says Russia-Us_Israel meeting ‘very important’, CNN, 20 June 2019: Iran shoots down US drone aircraft, The Guardian, 20 June 2019: Iran shoots down US drone, The New York Times, 20 June 2019: Attacking Iran Is Congress’s Call, Times of Israel, 20 June 2019: US official confirms Iran shot down drone, says it was in international airspace, The Guardian, 20 June 2019: Iran shoots down US ‘spy’ drone, Times of Israel, 20 June 2019: Moscow to look out for Iranian interests in upcoming Jerusalem meet, The Guardian, 20 June 2019: US joins four rogue countries seen as likely forces for bad, poll finds, The Guardian, 21 June 2019: Donald Trump ‘cancelled Iran strikes with planes in the air’, France24, 21 June 2019: US approved, then scrapped Iran strikes after drone shooting, US media say, CNN, 21 June 2019: Military operation against Iran was set before Trump called it off, CNN, 21 June 2019: How Donald Trump created one hell of a mess with Iran, The New York Times, 21 June 2019: Trump Stopped Strike on Iran Because It Was ‘Not Proportionate’, The National, 21 June 2019: Prince Khalid bin Salman: Saudi Arabia supports ‘maximum pressure’ on Iran, The Guardian, 21 June 2019: The Guardian view on Iran and Trump: the risks remain, The National, 21 June 2019: Donald Trump confirms reversing order for strikes on Iran, Arab News, 21 June 2019: Trump warned Iran via Oman that US attack was imminent, called for talks, Reuters, 21 June 2019: Trump’s half-cocked and loaded tweet draws barrage of reaction, Arab News, 21 June 2019: Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman speaks with Donald Trump on Iran, The New York Times, 21 June 2019: Urged to Launch an Attack, Trump Listened to the Skeptics Who Said It Would Be a Costly Mistake, The Guardian, 22 June 2019: Foreign Office minister to visit Iran to call for ‘urgent de-escalation’, France24, 23 June 2019: US launched cyber attack on Iranian computer systems, The National, 23 June 2019: US-Iran tensions remain high as UAE calls for de-escalation, The Guardian, 23 June 2019: Trump says ‘absolutely broken’ Iran will face major new sanctions, France24, 23 June 2019: Saudi minister of state for foreign affairs: ‘Iran’s policies are not acceptable and have to change’ (Netanyahu has been trying to engage Iran in war for decades, first with the help of the Bush II administration, now with the help of the Trump administration, and the Iranian leadership simply does not fall for his tricks – how mean of them. It remains to be seen what the simpletons Netanyahu and Trump will come up next with to reach their goal in any case. Again, it is obvious that Iran is playing “3D chess“, while Netanyahu and Trump are just able to play “Mensch ärgere Dich nicht“. Read more about the topic in the article Arab–Israeli and Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
It appears to be time to take countermeasures against Israel and the US to get compensation for the damage caused by the two administrations in the EU, and of course to make it clear that the EU will not allow the two hasardeurs Netanyahu and Trump to endager the EU’s very own interests and security. If Netanyahu had actually assumed that the EU would allow to be drawn into his shabby game, then he has once again made a serious mistake. At the same time, it is becoming increasingly clear that Israel’s membership in the EU is ruled out, since the goals are completely opposite and there remains very little common basis of values, especially as the already fragile Israeli democracy collapses further and further through measures taken by the Likud. Israel, however, adapting more and more to the customs in neighboring countries, which of course is an unequivocal statement itself. It will be interesting to see how this renewed escapade of the two protagonists will additionally negatively affect foreign direct investment in the USA and Israel), Hawala, Remittance, Economy of Iran, Germany–Iran relations, Iran–European Union relations). - The Syrian Civil War will continue for quite some time, and has cost more than 500,000 lives to date, also as a result of grave war crimes by the Assad regime and its allies. At the same time, more than 11.6 million Syrians are internally (6.3 million) and outside Syria displaced. Russia and Iran, in particular, have supported the Assad regime with the utmost violence and severity, which makes a soon end of the war at least unlikely. At the same time, a proxy war developed between Iran and Saudi Arabia. Meanwhile, Turkey and Israel are active parts in the fights, while the US and the International Alliance have largely withdrawn from combat. Due to the intensity and duration of the conflict, it will take years for the country to calm down again. The biggest obstacle is dictator Bashar al-Assad himself. Nevertheless, Russian President Vladimir Putin has called on the international community to fund the reconstruction of Syria with billions in aid, to which the respondents have largely reacted in a negative way. Commentators from the West are already talking about “Russia’s second Afghanistan. Countries that want to be major powers, need to bear the consequences of their actions.” Read more about the topic in the article Arab–Israeli and Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
- Relations between the EU and Israel remain difficult. The years ago planned integration of Israel into the EU has been abandoned until further notice. There are a number of good reasons given for it (no internationally recognized borders, settlement policy, two-state solution, Syria, Lebanon, etc.). In the light of the frequent and sometimes very severe hostilities and attacks by Likudniks and their even more right-wing partners towards the EU (backed up with wrong and false information, often sponsored by the Ministry of Disinformation (known as Ministry of Strategic Affairs and Hasbara in Israel – Times of Israel, 23 January 2019: Jerusalem accuses EU of giving €5 million to NGOs that back Israel boycotts and Haaretz, 28 January 2019: Canadian Government Accuses Leading Jewish Charity of Supporting IDF and West Bank Settlements). Fortunately, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini and her team are responding to these failures as usual in a timely, sovereign and clear manner), Brussels has obviously made the right decision here. In addition to the Visegrad Group, there is certainly no need to bring in any further EU skeptics/EU enemies (Haaretz, 29 October 2018: Survey: 41 Percent of Israelis Think Anyone Calling for Boycott Should Be Denied Entry, Jerusalem Post, 28 January 2019: Hungarian, Polish, Czech, Slovakia leaders to meet Netanyahu in Jerusalem and Times of Israel, 28 January 2019: Israel to host 4 Central European leaders, including Hungary’s Orban), although you can of course also take the exact opposite position. After all, autocracies (or so-called: illiberal democracies) have been growing in Poland, the Czech Republic and Hungary for years, in the latter possibly even a dictatorship, since the necessary conditions and infrastructure have already been fully created. Netanyahu’s Israel brings the same preconditions with it, so that this reason for the membership rejection is weakened. Nevertheless, some bilateral agreements have been reached between some EU states and Israel to help deepen scientific and economic co-operation for which appropriate aid is to be provided by the EU states. Whether this will actually be implemented in practice is of course another matter. Given the practices of the nationalistic right-wing Israeli government over the past few months, it can at least be doubted, but sounds good at first sight (Times of Israel, 3 October 2018: Merkel heads to Israel amid deep disagreements over Palestinians, Iran, The Washington Post, 4 October 2018: Middle East: Merkel, Netanyahu play down differences during Israel visit and Germany–Israel relations). At the same time, however, China is investing heavily in Israel. In addition to the acquisitions of the ports of Ashdod and Haifa to strengthen the Belt and Road Initiative, tech companies are also involved in further strengthening Chinese high-tech companies (China–Israel relations, Council on Foreign Relations, 21 June 2018: What’s Behind Israel’s Growing Ties With China?, BBC, 19 July 2018: Unlikely partners? China and Israel deepening trade ties, AP News, 22 October 2018: Chinese VP Kicks Off Visit to Israel and South China Morning Post, 24 October 2018: Chinese Vice-President Wang Qishan meets Israeli and Palestinian officials on Mideast tour). In addition, there are constant cross-cuts of the Israeli government in order to interfere in this way without any legitimacy in EU policies and/or the policy of its member states. Netanyahu and his troupe should have learned how to deal with the EU out of the damage caused by the Israeli interference in US politics, past US President Barack Obama. Obviously, this has not happened yet, so that further high-impact learning sessions are needed (The EU–Israel Association Agreement (2000), Jerusalem Post, 6 September 2017: When will a foemal EU-Israel dialogue take place?).
- .. and then there is still the decades-old ongoing issue: the Middle East and Israeli-Palestinian conflict. A very ungrateful and troublesome task, which will certainly not be taxed with a pleasure tax in the future, why understandably no one wants to take over, but even this challenge needs to be solved. That Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, isn’t available as a constructive interlocutor in this issue, nor in the successful implementation of the Iran deal, the problem of the illegal Israeli settlements in Palestine and the two-state solution, he makes clear at every opportunity, which, in turn, doesn’t make it easier to handle the anyway difficult Israeli right-wing government as a whole (Politico, 9 October 2014: Why the Middle East Still Doesn’t Matter, The New York Times, 4 September 2019: The Secret History of the Push to Strike Iran, Haaretz, 4 September 2019: ‘Bibi-sitting’ and Drones Out of Azerbaijan: Report Reveals How Close Israel Came to Striking Iran, Die Zeit, 6 September 2019: “If Someone Rises Up To Kill You, Kill Him First”, Arab News, 1 June 2020: The decline of Europe’s strategic Middle Eastern role).
Sources
In addition to own investigations, assessments and reviews these are: The National from Abu Dhabi (UAE). Die Presse and Kurier from Austria. NATO and Politico.eu from Belgium. Al Arabiya and Gulf News from Dubai (UAE). Arte and France24 from France. Bertelsmann Stiftung, Bundesagentur für Arbeit, Bundeskriminalamt, Bundeszentrale für politische Bildung, Cicero, Der Spiegel, Deutsche Welle (DW), Die Welt, Die Zeit, Focus, Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, Frankfurter Rundschau, Handelsblatt, 3sat (Germany, Austria, Switzerland), heute-journal, International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA), Jetzt.de, Konrad Adenauer Foundation (KAS), n-tv, Statista.com, Süddeutsche Zeitung, Tagesschau and The European from Germany. The Irish Times from Ireland. Haaretz, Israel Hayom, i24 News, The Jerusalem Post and The Times of Israel from Israel. Palestine Chronicle and The Palestine Telegraph from Palestine. Al Jazeeera and Gulf Times from Qatar. Arab News and Saudi Gazette from Saudi Arabia. BBC, Middle East Eye, Reuters, The Guardian and The Telegraph from the United Kingdom. Al-Monitor, Bloomberg, CNN, Council on Foreign Relations, Financial Times, NBC News, NPR, PBS, Politico.com, The Atlantic, The Huffington Post, The New York Times, The Washington Post and USA Today from the United States of America and other sources linked in the text. The linked articles and contributions reflect the views, opinions and analyzes of the respective editorial offices, authors and journalists.
This contribution is sporadically supplemented and extended.
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