Table.Briefings

Feature

'Poland is back'

Politicians from Berlin and Brussels reacted with relief to the possible change of power in Poland, even though the final results are yet to be announced. And PiS leader Kaczyński could still try to rally a majority behind him after all.

By Redaktion Table

DSA application: cold start for the Commission

The Digital Services Act is still only in force for a few providers. But the crisis caused by the attack on Israel left the EU Commission with no time to spare: It initiated the first investigation proceedings against platforms much earlier than intended. This is good news for EU Digital Commissioner Thierry Breton – this way, he could show before the European elections that the DSA is working.

By Falk Steiner

Portraits de David O`SULLIVAN

EU Special Envoy O'Sullivan: 'Sanctions are Working'

David O'Sullivan has been EU Sanctions Coordinator since the beginning of the year and, in his new role, has already visited a number of third countries to close the main loopholes in the sanctions regime against Russia. In an interview with Stephan Israel, the former top official and EU ambassador in Washington takes positive stock of the situation.

By Stephan Israel

230214 -- BEIJING, Feb. 14, 2023 -- Chinese President Xi Jinping holds a welcoming ceremony for visiting President of the Islamic Republic of Iran Ebrahim Raisi prior to their talks at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Feb. 14, 2023.  CHINA-BEIJING-XI JINPING-IRANIAN PRESIDENT-TALKS CN YanxYan PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxCHN

Middle East: between image and interests

The Hamas attack on Israel and the potentially spreading conflict jeopardize China's image as a selfless mediator. After all, Beijing certainly has tangible interests in the region: above all, oil. A trend is already visible. Xi Jinping remains silent. This upsets Israel, but in the long run, it will bring China cheap energy and sympathy in the Arab world.

By Michael Radunski

Ai-Weiwei-photo-credit-Ai-Weiwei-Studio

'Authoritarianism also exists in the West'

Ai Weiwei does not spare any side criticism. For his current exhibition, "Know Thyself," he has briefly returned to his former place of residence, Berlin. Fabian Peltsch spoke with Ai about how he believes the city has never been particularly important in the international art world and that Western countries like Germany also struggle with authoritarian systems.

By Fabian Peltsch

El alto representante de la Union Europea para Asuntos Exteriores y Politica de Seguridad Josep Borrell, durante su comparecencia tras la reunion informal de cooperacion al desarrollo de ministros de la UE a 05 de septiembre del 2023 en Cadiz Andalucia, Espana. La ciudad de Cadiz acoge este martes, 5 de septiembre, la reunion informal de cooperacion al desarrollo de ministros de la Union Europea, en la que estara presentes Josep Borrell, alto representante de la Union Europea para Asuntos Exteriores y Politica de Seguridad. Nacho Frade / Europa Press 05/9/2023, Cadiz Andalucia, Espana Espana Aton_748798 *** The High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell, during his PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: NachoxFradex/xEuropaxPress

Borrell's message to China: 'Take the EU more seriously!'

EU chief diplomat Josep Borrell finally catches up on his trip to China. His mission: Making it clear to his Chinese interlocutors that the EU and its members are not marionettes of the United States, but want to be taken seriously as geopolitical players.

By

El alto representante de la Union Europea para Asuntos Exteriores y Politica de Seguridad Josep Borrell, durante su comparecencia tras la reunion informal de cooperacion al desarrollo de ministros de la UE a 05 de septiembre del 2023 en Cadiz Andalucia, Espana. La ciudad de Cadiz acoge este martes, 5 de septiembre, la reunion informal de cooperacion al desarrollo de ministros de la Union Europea, en la que estara presentes Josep Borrell, alto representante de la Union Europea para Asuntos Exteriores y Politica de Seguridad. Nacho Frade / Europa Press 05/9/2023, Cadiz Andalucia, Espana Espana Aton_748798 *** The High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell, during his PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: NachoxFradex/xEuropaxPress

Borrell's message to China: 'Take the EU more seriously!'

EU chief diplomat Josep Borrell finally catches up on his trip to China. His mission: Making it clear to his Chinese interlocutors that the EU and its members are not marionettes of the United States, but want to be taken seriously as geopolitical players.

By

200105 -- BEIJING, Jan. 5, 2020 -- Chinese President Xi Jinping and foreign leaders walk to attend the opening ceremony of the Second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation in Beijing, capital of China, April 26, 2019.  XINHUA-PICTURES OF THE YEAR 2019 LixXueren PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxCHN

Fewer heads of state at the Silk Road Forum

The third Silk Road Forum will be held in Beijing next Tuesday and Wednesday. In the run-up to the event, a white paper emphasizes the initiative's achievements. However, the guest list is shorter than in previous years.

By Jörn Petring