Four years after the start of Russia’s war of aggression, Ukraine played only a limited role in the German chancellor’s opening address at the Munich Security Conference. Instead, Friedrich Merz outlined the terms for a renewed transatlantic partnership – one built on a Europe capable of defending itself.
By Markus Bickel and Viktor Funk
At the Munich Security Conference, French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz pledged to deepen European defense integration. Yet recent procurement decisions – still largely shaped by national industrial interests – sit uneasily with the rhetoric.
By Gabriel Bub
Most countries in the Western Balkans and the EU member states of South-East Europe are continuing to slide down the new corruption index. What this means for the accession prospects of the six Western Balkan states – and why protests are growing.
By Frank Stier
International organizations only play a marginal role at the MSC. This is precisely why experts in Munich are hoping for a commitment from like-minded countries to strengthen the organizations.
By Katharina Horban
Chancellor Merz opens the 62nd Munich Security Conference at midday. There is great concern about the cohesion of Europe – in view of Franco–German disagreements and uncertainty about the direction US Secretary of State Rubio’s speech will take.
By Markus Bickel, Gabriel Bub and Wilhelmine Stenglin
A voluntary ESG standard promoted by the mining industry aims to streamline the fragmented landscape of certification schemes. However, NGOs argue that it remains too vague. They also criticize the insufficient involvement of affected communities in projects.
By Alex Veit
EVs developed in Hefei are set to be exported globally. Volkswagen wants to secure a competitive edge this way. The China-made vehicles, however, are not supposed to go to Europe.
By Julia Fiedler
Cooperation rather than war: As climate change intensifies, it does not inevitably lead to escalating conflict. The question is how governments – including Germany – can help turn shared climate risks into incentives for cooperation rather than confrontation.
By Kai Schöneberg
With its new Climate Action Program, the German government is, for the first time, setting sector-specific targets for the period from 2031 to 2040. These emission ceilings would require significantly steeper reductions by 2040 than currently projected – at a time when climate ambition is under political pressure.
By Bernhard Pötter
A year ago, Germany’s traffic-light coalition eased the rules for municipalities to introduce 30 km/h speed limits. The goal was to improve road safety and strengthen environmental protection. Yet for many reasons, there has so far been little use of the new provisions.
By Fritz Vorholz
