12 Nov 2024
The claustrophobia of German politics
With the three-party governing coalition in tatters, this is politics in panic mode.
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25 Sep 2024
Germany’s growing east-west divide
Populist movements are redefining local politics, and this carries international implications. -
30 Apr 2024
The God in the rubble
Germany’s struggle with morality is not only a concern of history but an animating factor in contemporary politics. -
15 Mar 2024
Shipping and the great shrinking waterways
With droughts a more regular feature due to climate change, the globe needs a big rethink on supply chains. -
15 Dec 2023
Germany’s digital dilemma
The European powerhouse is struggling to embrace all the opportunities of the information age. -
30 Oct 2023
Left behind: Sahra Wagenknecht’s new populism
Germany’s forgotten voters are finding voice in anti-mainstream parties that defy classical definitions of “left” or “right”. -
21 Sep 2023
Plumbing the depths of the former East Germany’s grotesque delusion
A mostly unsentimental new memoir of life in the GDR ruminates on the what-ifs. -
25 Aug 2023
Whether on Russia or China, clearly Baerbock is driving Germany’s change
It might seem surprising it’s been the leader of the German Greens, with its pacifist traditions, who has pushed so hard for a more hawkish stance. -
1 Aug 2023
Friedrich Merz and the fall of the “Berlin firewall”
To remain mainstream, Germany’s centre-right has employed all manner of tactics. Will it resort to cooperation with the populist far-right? -
31 Jul 2023
Berlin’s economic “de-risking” model could be Europe's answer to the Taiwan question
Germany's aim is not to “decouple” from China, but to reduce its exposure to risk. And the potential winner is Taipei. -
17 May 2023
Europe’s divisions over China could hamper G-7 unity
If European capitals, Brussels, and Washington are not aligned, immediate economic interests will overshadow common, long-term goals. -
3 Nov 2022
Make or break: Scholz’ Beijing business
What happens in Europe won’t stay in Europe. Rifts on China risk common understanding with partners, Australia included. -
1 Sep 2022
A new solidarity? Olaf Scholz on the future of Europe
Acknowledging the continent’s centre is “moving eastwards” marked the German chancellor’s address as visionary, of sorts. -
27 Jul 2022
France can help Albanese fix AUKUS
Labor faces a dilemma over nuclear-powered subs and the non-proliferation regime. An old partner might offer an answer. -
3 Mar 2022
The half-hour that fundamentally split Germany from Russia
A massive boost to arms spending by Berlin, once unthinkable, is suddenly policy as the Ukraine crisis deepens. -
3 Feb 2022
Can the new German foreign minister make a difference?
Calls for a fresh approach from Berlin amid Russia-Ukraine tensions. -
15 Dec 2021
Merkel mark II?
He’s not called the Scholzomat for nothing, but there are radical reforms on the new German chancellor’s agenda. -
23 Nov 2021
The revenge of the Scholzomat
After a lifetime in the wings, Olaf Scholz’ moment has come. But the task ahead is daunting. -
18 Nov 2021
Nord Stream 2: Will you go to the Gazprom with me?
The latest ructions over the Russian pipeline should lead Europe to hasten a turn away from gas to renewable energy. -
8 Oct 2021
Germany and Europe: “Ampel” time for reform
The Merkel model may no longer be fit for purpose in a rapidly evolving European Union. -
29 Sep 2021
Deciding Germany’s next direction in the world
Whoever ends up becoming chancellor next, expect the country’s foreign policy to stay on pretty much the same track. -
27 Sep 2021
Dankeschön Frau Merkel
A former Australian ambassador to Germany reflects on the Chancellor’s significant impact in the Indo-Pacific. -
2 Sep 2021
Europe and the South China Sea
More warships in disputed waters may cause instability. But the presence of navies from afar sends a clear message, too. -
16 Aug 2021
Germany’s federal election: choose any colour you like
The looming headache of Germany’s coalition arrangements will play out again this September. -
28 Jul 2021
Merkel and beyond
With grace under pressure, Angela Merkel has led Germany through several emergencies. What of the next Chancellor? -
21 Jun 2021
Believing Biden
The US President has persuaded European allies of his values-based policy. But will such faith carry home? -
3 Jun 2021
Nord Stream 2: Assessing Russia’s “serious geopolitical victory”
The US has realised the energy pipeline is nearly completed. But that might not be the end of the opposition. -
17 Feb 2021
Russia vs the EU
A visit to Moscow by Europe’s top envoy did nothing to calm a growing diplomatic spat. What if Washington weighs in? -
5 Feb 2021
Germany’s ordinary new world
Nobody knows the size of the personal vote Angela Merkel will take with her, or the consequences for German politics. -
26 Nov 2020
The outlines of a European policy on the Indo-Pacific
Germany and the Netherlands have new strategies for the Indo-Pacific, and maybe the beginnings of a common EU stance. -
11 Jun 2020
With Syrian prosecutions, a rare case of universal jurisdiction
A seldom-used legal concept demonstrates the reach of justice even in the most hopeless circumstances. -
11 Mar 2020
A Thuringian eruption in Germany
A fiasco turns to farce, enlivening the far right and leaving succession plans for Angela Merkel in shreds. -
20 Jan 2020
No end in sight for Germany’s troubles with Huawei
As other European capitals look for a cue, German politicians are sharply divided over the Chinese tech company. -
20 Dec 2019
Favourites of 2019: Babylon Berlin
A well-crafted look back at the Weimar Republic’s fragile democracy in 1929 shows how societies come apart at the seams. -
3 Sep 2019
Germany’s enigmatic East and the fate of Europe’s right-wing populists
The far-right gained at weekend elections, but only in a cycle of division that leaves politics increasingly fragmented. -
15 Apr 2019
The souring mood towards Beijing from Berlin
Germany was a major Western country to keep on side with China, only ties are now plagued by wariness and suspicion. -
2 Nov 2018
The Merkel legacy – a study in shades
Success and failure mark all careers in high office. Angela Merkel could often persuade, but not always inspire. -
23 Oct 2018
Europe: Merkel, May, and Moscovici
This month's election in Bavaria is yet another sign of Europe in disarray. -
2 Oct 2018
Germany: A tale of two conservatisms
Merkel is facing a slow moving political crisis caused by a schism between mainstream and far-right conservatism. -
5 Jul 2018
Tail wagging the dog: Seehofer in Germany
Germany’s Minister of the Interior is the latest right-wing leader in Europe to surf the populist political wave. -
21 Jun 2018
Australia and Germany should work together on China
Both regions would benefit from exchanges to strengthen democratic resilience in the face of Chinese influence.