March 2018 ISSN 1864-3973

HYPER TENSION Diagnosis: The US president and his “America first”policies are a shock to the international system. What treatments should be prescribed?

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Extra time First defense The SPD has given the green light to the next It’s time for a real European security initiative IS GOOD grand coalition with Merkel’s Union to bridge the gulf between rhetoric and reality FOR THE UN

scandal revealed that the country is also There are two dominant paradigms for BY THEO SOMMER far from meeting its goal of reducing BY MARK LEONARD pondering European defense: promoting EDITORIAL BY PUBLISHER toxic emissions. The future of work, integration and building capabilities. But DETLEF PRINZ ermany is back. Almost six education, pensions, healthcare and his is the hour of Europe – a by trying to pursue both goals within its months after the inconclu- elderly care all require much attention. unique opportunity to unite a first few steps, the EU risks achieving In summer 2018, the 72nd General Gsive federal elections last Sep- Rescuing the dilapidated public infra- Tdivided continent by showing neither. Assembly of the United Nations in tember, after tortuous negotiations structure – roads, bridges, schools and that unity is the first line of defense in a The launch of Permanent Structured New York will decide on Germany’s between five of the seven parties in the universities, railways and army barracks dangerous world. But thus far there is a Cooperation (PESCO) triggered a big application for a seat on the and after heart-wrenching – from further decay, modernizing the continent-sized gulf between the Euro- debate between the pro-integration and Security Council in 2019 and 2020. soul-searching among the Social Dem- tax system and boosting domestic secu- pean government’s rhetoric on global the pro-capability camps. PESCO now Germany’s application for one ocrats on whether to team up once rity pose additional challenges. disorder and the unambitious, techno- has 25 members, including some whose of the non-permanent seats was more with the CDU and its Bavarian Fortunately, Germany is buoyant. The cratic initiatives it has launched. There stated goal is to block EU integration announced in June 2016 by then sister party CSU, another grand coali- rate of employment is at its highest ever, is still much time remaining to close it. (such as Hungary) and those whose prin- Foreign Minister Frank-Walter tion has been given the green light. and unemployment at its lowest since A thought experiment: Imagine it was ciple goal is to obstruct cooperation with Steinmeier. On March 14, will be reunification. Exports have reached a still 2007, and you were asked to identify NATO (such as Cyprus). Maybe coun- As a German citizen, I like the idea sworn in as chancellor of the Federal record high. The economy is running the most extreme scenario that would tries that fail to make progress will be that the Federal Republic has Republic for the fourth time. on a budget surplus of €36 billion. Yet lead Europeans to take seriously the idea expelled at some point – but that seems applied for one of the seats soon to It will be her last stint in office – and lurking in the small print of the coalition of providing for their own security. You unlikely. As an analogy, imagine how be vacated; as the publisher of this it is quite possible that she won’t even agreement are lots of hidden costs that might have suggested that they would much progress would have been made if newspaper, I would like to take this serve out the term. In many regards she jeopardize the “black zero” principle wake up if, say, Russia invaded two of its member states had been allowed to join opportunity to give reasons why is a diminished figure. The coalition of Germany’s budget policy. For this neighbors and annexed their territory; or if the euro before making reforms to meet Germany would be a good choice agreement saw her make important reason, strife and friction between the the European neighborhood was afflicted the Maastricht convergence criteria. It is for membership of the Security concessions to the Social Democrats; coalition partners can’t be ruled out. by a string of proxy wars, driving millions clear that the adopted model does not Council. according to some analysts, 70 percent Foreign policy is a different story. of people from their homes, including build capabilities. In the nearly 70 years since it was of the government program betrays the Irrespective of who will be the next over a million refugees to Germany alone; But PESCO is equally unlikely to build founded on May 23, 1949, the handwriting of her junior partner. foreign minister, Germany’s diplomacy or if many European countries would unity. The development of real capa- Federal Republic of Germany has In addition, she will be marked become victims of bilities could have become Europe’s largest economy, was constrained to by continuity terrorist attacks; rebuilt solidarity providing its now 82.5 million relinquish six min- and consis- or if cyber war had in a union divided inhabitants with a life of freedom, istries to the SPD, tency. Europe traveled from sci- between north, peace, unity, security as well as chief among them THIS WILL BE will again be ence fiction novels PESCO IS south, east and material and cultural prosperity. For the weighty foreign, the top prior- to the front pages west by showing the stability of these five pillars of finance and labor MERKEL’S ity. Her first of newspapers. UNLIKELY how Europe can a successful life, the people in this departments. As trip abroad And if what for- make a difference country can thank two things: their the CDU/CSU had will take Chan- eign intelligence on the matters that own effort and the goodwill of their garnered a third of LAST STINT cellor Merkel agencies were TO BUILD most concern its neighbors and friends. the vote in the elec- to Paris. Presi- fighting informa- citizens, from Rus- We, the citizens and their tions, and the SPD IN OFFICE dent Emman- tion wars inside UNITY sian aggression government, are willing and able only 20.5 percent, uel Macron the EU, and even and uncontrolled to repay this goodwill to other this caused consid- will finally trying to hack our borders to ter- countries that could benefit from erable uproar in the get a German elections? And if rorism and cyber our positive experience as they party. Merkel had to placate her critics response to his ambitious plans to one of the EU’s two nuclear powers – attacks. But the “fake inclusivity” of continue working to erect those five by rejuvenating the cabinet – by 15 push the EU project forward. While the one with the highest share of the PESCO means that these issues will be pillars to enable their citizens to live years on average – and appointing Jens Paris and Berlin do not yet see eye to EU’s defense spending – chose to leave addressed by small-scale technical proj- successful lives. Spahn, her young, dynamic and ambi- eye on a fair number of issues, they will the EU? And then to top it all off the ects rather than by a political initiative Freedom: All is nothing without tious challenger, to the health ministry. leave no stone unturned in building a United States began retreating from many that could capture imaginations. More it. Peace: All is in doubt without She will no longer be able to lay down stronger, more efficient EU, revamping theaters and even questioning its commit- significantly, putting unity above -effec it. Unity: There is no peaceful the line unquestioned. the eurozone and beefing up Europe’s ment to NATO? tiveness forces countries that are serious coexistence without it. Security: The agenda of the new grand coalition defense configuration. Most people in 2007 would have had to about European defense to join coalitions There is no peace without it. is contained in the 177-page agreement And there are other quickly evolving suspend their disbelief about any of these outside EU structures, like France with its Prosperity: There is no dignity hammered out by the party negotiators challenges they need to tackle: averting fantastic developments. Upon doing so, newly launched European Intervention without it. But how does it all work? – a document chock-full of good inten- – or girding themselves to fight – a trade they might have predicted that European Initiative. Tackle each goal separately, and tions, but also dreary detail. Manag- war with Donald Trump’s America; countries would be trying intently to How can EU leaders launch a real then all of them as a whole? In ing immigration and the integration of confronting an aggressive Russia and an tackle their vulnerabilities and launch security initiative to turn things around? facing this conundrum, Germany the 1.2 million refugees who recently ever more assertive China; handling the a major new initiative to build strategic First, Europe must look more carefully can apply and share its nearly 70 flocked to Germany is an urgent task. Brexit negotiations; coping with Italy’s autonomy. And that is actually what at removing the barriers to investment years of knowledge and experience. The country’s “welcome culture” is a malaise; containing the bleak illiberal- happened – at least in speeches. When in military capabilities. The EU should Our country’s membership of the thing of the past; some 200,000 new- ism of Viktor Orban’s Hungary and the horror scenarios unfolded, every one exclude investment in European defense United Nations Security Council comers a year will be its future limit. Jaroslaw Kaczynski’s Poland; securing from Jean-Claude Juncker and Federica capabilities from the Maastricht rules would be a smart choice. It is Digitization – a field in which - Ger Europe’s Mediterranean borders; and Mogherini to Emmanuel Macron and and include a defense component in the precisely in unsettled times like many is shamefully lagging – is another removing the causes of migration in Angela Merkel have tried to awaken the next Multiannual Financial Framework these – and certainly in the next priority issue. So is job security and North Africa. There is plenty to do. “Sleeping Beauty of European Defense.” (MFF). EU money could be used to form a two years to come – that Germany social justice in a world of rapid auto- Germany is back in the game. The Unfortunately, the rhetoric does not yet compensation fund for defense industrial would be perfectly suited to the UN mation and robotization. The diesel hard work can now begin. match reality. losses caused by joint procurement as Security Council. continued on page 6

RUSSIAN EVOLUTION REFUGEES BETRAYED LIGHTS OUT BREAKING EVEN COMING BACK

Putin is widening his footprint Summer of 1938. Delegations from After the end of World War II, the The Wall divided Berlin for more A steadily growing number of across the globe. Katja Gloger looks 32 countries met in Evian to discuss Allies dismantled Berlin’s industrial than 28 years – and now it’s been Israelis are moving to Berlin. at the elections on March 18 and how and by whom Jews fleeing the facilities and large corporations fled 28 years since it came down. Some are even opening up great charts Russia’s path to superpow- Nazis could be helped. The ten days the fault line of the brewing Cold Wearing the weight of the past and new restaurants. Franziska Knupper erdom. at the spa town ended with a defeat War. The German capital has suffered reveling in its present glory, the city checked out the dishes and the page 4 for civilization. Looks a lot like the consequences of war and division is coming into its own, says Frank people preparing them. today, thinks Peter H. Koepf. ever since, writes Benjamin Walter. Hofmann. page 19 page 8 page 14 page 16 2 The German Times March 2018 POLITICS

Making the business world cyber proof WORDS OF NOTE he Munich Cyber Security The Munich Security Conference in quotes Conference 2018 (MCSC), Theld in the run-up to this year’s Munich Security Confer- ence (MSC), convened decision- erhaps the most peculiar news from makers from the business and the Munich Security Conference MSC (11) political world alike to discuss P(MSC) emerged just as proceedings the role and responsibility of were coming to a close: Iran’s Minister of top management in dealing with Foreign Affairs Mohammad Javad Zarif, cyber risks. With a solution on a regular invitee, was almost unable how to guarantee cyber safety to attend. The oil companies at the in the age of digitization and the Munich airport had announced their Internet of Things still lacking, reluctance to refuel Zarif’s jet for fear numerous specialists discussed of violating US sanctions against Iran. necessary and possible steps to The Bundeswehr had to send a tank ward off or better contain attacks truck to resolve the issue. The chairman such as WannaCry. of the MSC, Wolfgang Ischinger, was “With the threat of cyberat- rather critical: “Whatever one thinks tacks now widely acknowledged, of sanctions, here they almost led to a and increasing in likelihood, dangerous situation in which we could no company can afford to fall , German Minister of Defense (left): “We want to not even speak with each other.” Theresa May, British Prime Minister: “As we leave the EU and forge a new behind in terms of cybersecurity,” remain trans-Atlantic – while also becoming more European. We want Other than that, Europeans could be path for ourselves in the world, the UK is just as committed to Europe’s warned Robert Joyce, cyberse- to enable Europe to also carry more weight in terms of military power.” heard echoing one another that, in a security in the future as we have been in the past.” (with MSC Chairman curity coordinator at the White (with her French counterpart Florence Parly) world filled with crises, a range of players Wolfgang Ischinger) House. In his analysis of the geo- lusting to become major powers, and a political landscape, he claimed quixotic US president, they wanted – and that more than 100 countries needed – to shoulder more responsibil- now have digital units developing ity. German Defense Minister Ursula a cyber arsenal. He expressed his von der Leyen teamed with her French deep concern with the increasing counterpart, Florence Parly, to open this fragmentation of the internet. year’s conference; last year her partner “The exchange of data between had been US Secretary of Defense Jim countries must be continued and Mattis. The symbolism here could not strengthened,” said Joyce. “We be overlooked. “We want to remain are already experiencing a Bal- trans-Atlantic,” she explained, “while kanization of the internet, which also becoming more European.” Europe could gravely endanger both the must also be able to throw more military its safety and functionality.” weight onto the scale. Having more In the light of emerging cyber autonomy and more individual respon- risks and cyber crimes, European sibility – in NATO as well: “This is our commissioner for security Union Sergey Lavrov, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Russia (center): “It is in Russia’s European task for the future.” António Guterres, UN Secretary General (right): “We are now facing a nuclear Sir Julian King urged that the interests to have a strong and predictable European Union for a neighbor, German Foreign Minister Sigmar threat. (...) A development made in total contradiction to the will of the interna- industry rethink its digital pro- an EU that would be able to act as a responsible member of international life Gabriel called the trans-Atlantic coop- tional community and in clear violation of several resolutions of the Security file and “become a provider of in the polycentric world that is becoming reality right before our very eyes.” eration between the US and Europe Council.”(with his predecessor Kofi Annan and former Austrian Chancellor safety.” According to King, pro- (with Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu) “the only promising way to preserve Wolfgang Schüssel) ducers should not view security as the architecture of freedom.” Europe a cost factor, but instead recog- must “project its power in the world nize it as a competitive advantage as a united entity” not based on mili- and a standardized basis for their tary might alone. He stressed that the products. With 34 percent of coalition agreement for the new gov- EU citizens already having fallen ernment foresees “massive investments victim to cyberattacks, the digital in foreign, security and development industry has a particular duty to policy.” Expenditure for crisis preven- fulfill: making security a central tion, humanitarian aid and development part of its business strategy. cooperation will rise as well as that for Jeff Moss, founder and CEO defense. of DEF CON, one of the world’s President of the EU Commission Jean- largest hacker conferences, Claude Juncker conceded that the EU pointed out that no one can is thus far “not geared towards global truly feel safe these days. Prevent- political capacity. For a long time we ing hacking is near impossible. were not capable of world politics.” Therefore, it is not the defense Current circumstances – implying above against possible attackers that is Benjamin Netanyahu, Prime Minister of Israel: “The nuclear agreement with all the new US policy – dictate “that we Mohammad Javad Zarif, Iranian Minister of Foreign Affairs: “The US and crucial, but the securing of a com- Iran has begun the countdown to an Iranian nuclear arsenal in little more must strive for world political capability. its local clients in our region are suffering from the natural consequences pany’s operations after an attack. than a decade. And the sanction relief that the deal provided has not moder- And this is especially true in the defense of their own wrong choices. But they use this and other fora to revive the “If we can’t keep the cyberattack- ated Iran.” sector.” Europe wants to emancipate hysteria on Iran’s foreign policy.” ers out, then we should think itself, but not in defiance of NATO or about how to clean up the mess the US. The accusation that the EU risked they leave behind.” Moss recom- becoming too independent in matters of mends that companies should defense and security policy he dismissed reconsider which data systems are as preposterous. most important for their business Britain’s Prime Minister Theresa May after an attack and align their reminded her audience that her coun- security strategy accordingly. try was NATO’s second largest defense The debate in Munich high- spender and that not all EU states had lighted the problem of the huge reached the goal of investing 0.7 percent maturity gaps in terms of cyber- of gross national income on international security between states and development. “We will continue to meet businesses. As a result, more these commitments,” she added. Her coun- cooperation and better common try plans to leave the EU, but not Europe. global standards are crucial in French Prime Minister Édouard providing more cybersecurity in Philippe promised that France would the future. This topic alone will meet the 2-percent goal by 2025. “After surely create enough room for Jean-Claude Juncker, President of the EU Commission: “We can not rely all, the fact that Europe is not interested Jens Stoltenberg, NATO Secretary General: “NATO’s goal is a world without debates at future Munich Cyber on allies alone. We have to do something ourselves to protect our security in war does not mean that war is not nuclear weapons. (...) A world where Russia, China and North Korea have Security Conferences. OR interests; and we want to do that too.” interested in Europe.” PHK nuclear weapons, but NATO does not, is not a safer world.”

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Publisher Detlef W. Prinz “Don’t just talk, act!” Executive Editor Theo Sommer Editor in Chief In the International Russia or Turkey Peter H. Koepf Press Lounge for will.” Editors the The Security Borisov identi- Lutz Lichtenberger Times, Boyko Bor- fied refugee and Jonathan Lutes isov demanded that asylum policies Art Director Paul M. Kern the European Union as additional focal further engage with points of his work. Friends: Boyko Borisov and EU Commissioner Günther Oettinger. Layout Johanna Trapp, Gordon Martin the countries of the According to him, Western Balkans. the EU spends too Advertising Janine Kulbrok The Bulgarian prime much time discuss- Publishing House minister and current ing who should be Times Media GmbH EU Council presi- deemed responsi- Tempelhofer Ufer 23-24 dent made another ble for taking in the 10963 Berlin Tel.: +49 30 21505-400 statement in Febru- refugees rushing ary, on the eve of Something to hold on to: The Security Times. to Europe and too Printed in Berlin by Dogan Media GmbH the Munich Security little time “talking An der Brücke 20-22 Conference: “It is the EU’s task to invest in these about what can be done to help the countries 64546 Mörfelden-Walldorf countries, and not to leave this responsibility to they were forced to flee.” Ideally, the EU would The German Times is a registered other powers.” Bulgaria wants to use its 6-month invest in “eliminating the problems at their source. trademark of Times Media GmbH. Press lounge: Boyko Borisov with Theo Sommer, Executive Editor of www.times-media.de term to support the attempts by Yugoslavia suc- After all, it is impossible to solve the refugee crisis cessor states and Albania to join the EU, because without first solving the problems plaguing the The Security Times and The German Times (left) and publisher Detlef Press deadline March 9, 2018 “if the EU doesn’t secure these countries, China, countries being fled.” Prinz (middle). March 2018 The German Times 3 POLITICS IMAGO/IPON Just married (again) Germany spent almost six months forging a new government. Angela Merkel remains chancellor, but the excitement has changed the nation’s politics

Leading women: Angela Merkel is starting her fourth term as chancellor. SPD party head will be an ally and rival in their party’s new grand coalition.

had simply assumed that the four Europe without a stable govern- nationalism; however, it does not vying up federal ministries. The liked among Germans in general BY LUTZ LICHTENBERGER parties involved would be able ment at home. foresee a quick expansion of the SPD demanded three of the most but valued less in his own party. to agree on a government coali- Steinmeier’s words had the EU. prestigious posts, including foreign Yet his popularity couldn’t prevent he wait is over. The Bund- tion. However, just before nego- desired effect on the SPD, which In the realm of refugee policy – minister, finance minister and min- him from losing the office he had estag is poised to form a tiations were set to end, the FDP then began talking with the Union, the most volatile political issue of ister of labor and social affairs. The so visibly embraced since becom- Tnew government. President announced it was backing out, but first and foremost with itself. the day – the coalition partners are Union was unwilling to concede ing foreign minister in January Frank-Walter Steinmeier has for- complaining that Merkel had not Eventually, an SPD party con- in agreement on certain steps that all three to the Social Democrats, 2017. mally proposed to the German paid them enough consideration, gress came back with 56 percent appear to lead to a cautious restric- at which point the entire endeavor In the meantime, Chancellor parliament that Angela Merkel and retreated hastily in a collective in favor of coalition negotiations. tion in the number of refugees. began to teeter on the edge of col- Merkel has managed to make a once again be elected federal sulk. They even posted an image on The result of those negotiations However, the agreement states that lapse. The silence coming from number of course-setting person- chancellor in a vote scheduled for Facebook that had been prepared came quite quickly in the form of no changes be made in terms of the both sides must have been deafen- nel decisions, thus placating many March 14, 2018. days before: “It is better not to a 179-page coalition agreement, a basic right to asylum. The docu- ing: “I had no idea people could critics in her own party and simul- In the six months since the fed- govern than to govern badly,” it political document whose contents ment assumes that the total number be so quiet for so long,” Seehofer taneously maneuvering the can- eral election on Sept. 24, 2017, read. are not legally binding. The deal of immigrants in the coming years would later remark. didate she wishes to succeed her Germany has witnessed many This was followed by more contains many soft phrases that will be around 180,000 to 220,000 After meetings that lasted well into a strategic position. Merkel exciting events, including a spec- weeks of preliminary and explor- express the parties’ “intent” and individuals. These numbers are to into the wee hours, the CDU/CSU designated Annegret Kramp-Kar- tacularly ill-fated attempt to form atory talks between the CDU/CSU “plans” to carry out good and include war refugees, those in tem- ultimately gave in. To placate See- renbauer, until recently minister- a so-called “Jamaica” coalition, – referred to as the “Union” parties sensible policies, while at the same porary need of protection, family hofer, who had wanted one of the president of Saarland, a small fed- followed by prolonged and prob- – and the SPD. After experienc- time deferring or simply disregard- members coming to live with indi- three large ministries for himself, eral state in southwestern Germany, lematic negotiations between ing a traumatically low score in ing other pressing issues. viduals already in Germany and the Interior Ministry was expanded as the new general secretary of the Merkel’s Christian Democratic the September election, the Social In the realm of foreign rela- relocated persons. The numbers to include the realms of building CDU. (The position most closely Union (CDU) and its former and Democrats had been enthusiastic tions, the agreement states that would be reduced by those indi- and Heimat (homeland). resembles that of a national party future coalition partner, the Social about becoming the official opposi- Germany’s security policy should viduals forced to return to their The coveted position of minister chairman in the US; however, party Democratic Party (SPD). The SPD tion. But now, suddenly, they were become “more independent and home country, voluntary repatria- of foreign affairs was reserved by organizations play a larger role was obliged to ask its members to back in demand. In fact, a new capable of taking action”; that the tions and migrant workers. The Schulz for himself; this, however, in German politics, which means vote on whether they should in fact grand coalition between the Union defense budget should increase in highly contentious term “upper would have catapulted Sigmar that the position is seen as much form a new coalition government parties and the Social Democrats Gabriel – the SPD stalwart who more prestigious.) Berlin’s politi- with the CDU, and those members was the only conceivable option currently holds the position – out cal community has read Merkel’s responded with a subdued yet deci- left on the table. of the game. Embarrassingly for decision as a clear indication that sive “yes.” This paved the way for However, this was precisely the Schulz, back in November, not she wishes Kramp-Karrenbauer to a new, not so “grand” coalition scenario the SPD did not want. only had he attempted to exclude be her successor. made up of the CDU – in concert A renewal of the forced marriage the possibility of a new grand coali- Also interesting is the rather with its sister party, the Bavarian between itself and the powerful tion by issuing a resolution in the cautious manner in which a grow- Christian Social Union (CSU) – Chancellor Merkel – whom they party presidium; he had also said ing section of Merkel’s CDU has and the SPD. Together, the parties blamed for their significant loss PICTURE ALLIANCE / GREGOR FISCHER/DPA he would never join any cabinet begun to push for her departure would occupy 399 of 709 seats in in voter confidence in the - pre under the leadership of Merkel. from the political stage. The chan- the Bundestag. vious election – was seen as a But now, after negotiating with the cellor has been in office since 2005, As compared with 2013, the new great burden. With Union, Schulz was willing to give and her liberal approach to the grand coalition has diminished in as their candidate, the SPD had up his party presidency to Andrea refugee crisis and Europe’s various size. While five years ago the CDU/ achieved a paltry 20.5 percent of Nahles in return for the position financial predicaments has long CSU and SPD boasted 504 of 631 the vote, a decline of more than 5 of foreign minister. However, he since ruffled the feathers of many in votes, giving them a majority of percentage points. This result had lacked support in his party on the conservative wing of her party. more than two-thirds, they will made the party’s desire to “come will be the new minister of foreign affairs in Merkel’s fourthcabinet. this issue and had already lost a They blame Merkel for the rise of now have only 53.4 percent of alive again” in the role of official The 51-year-old Social Democrat previously served as justice minister. significant amount of prestige and the far-right populist party known votes. opposition even greater. “He will do an excellent job,” said his predecessor after the credibility in the space of only a as , which Yet these lean numbers do not After the surprise end to the announcement on March 9, 2018. couple of weeks, whereby he had received 12.6 percent of the vote in reflect the entire spectrum of Jamaica talks, the SPD found had to revise one hasty statement last September’s election. dramas – both big and small – itself being courted by its erstwhile line with expenditures in develop- limit” does not appear anywhere after the other. One of the chancellor’s sharpest that have played out on Germany’s political opponent once again, this ment aid that the number of sol- in the deal. Nevertheless, Nahles and newly critics in the CDU is the ambi- main stage and behind the scenes time with the Christian Demo- diers in Afghanistan should exceed The coalition agreement sees designated Finance Minister Olaf tious 37-year-old , who in the past six months. It has been crats appealing to them to keep the currently mandated limit of asylum procedures as being car- Scholz went along with the deal. hails from the right wing of the an extraordinary time for what is in mind their “responsibility” to 980 soldiers; that the training of ried out at so-called “anchor facili- Together, Nahles and Scholz con- party and has openly considered usually a rather orderly state of the country. The SPD was by no Kurdish fighters in northern Iraq ties” – arrival and return centers stitute the new power center of himself to be a potential candi- affairs in German politics. Indeed, means interested in carrying out should come to an end; and that where all new immigrants would the SPD, and the fact that their date for chancellor. Merkel has the country experienced a series this “service” to Germany, nor future foreign policy there should have to stay until their identity is inner-party rival Gabriel would be now designated Spahn to become of nail-biting nights worthy of a did they wish to enter into yet be more focused on stabilizing the established. According to the deal, out of a job suited them just fine. minister of health, not the most storyline on House of Cards. another loveless marriage with the situation. the duration of their stay should However, on the morning after coveted post, in her new cabinet. The first breathtaking moment CDU/CSU. It took some strong The deal also expresses the coali- not exceed 18 months, and in the the announcement of the minis- It is highly likely that as soon came when Merkel failed – after words and a strict reminder from tion partners’ openness to the euro case of families with children, a terial shuffle, pressure from the as Merkel launches her fourth several long and tense weeks in President Frank-Walter Steinmeier reforms suggested by French Presi- half-year at most. Refugees with regional associations of the SPD term in office, both Kramp-Kar- November 2017 – to form a new – himself an SPD member and dent Emmanuel Macron, but fails good prospects of staying would grew enormously; only two days renbauer and Spahn will have government with a “Jamaica” former foreign minister in a grand to make any suggestions of its own. then be able to leave the central later, an exasperated Schulz gave already started trying to outma- coalition. The Caribbean refer- coalition until 2017 – to persuade It states that the EU budget should facilities, although it is not yet in and renounced any claim to a neuver one another into a position ence comes from the colors of them not to frivolously and cat- be strengthened, but leaves open clear exactly when. The deal also ministerial post. This most likely to succeed her. Merkel has stated parties that would have matched egorically refuse the offer. exactly how this should be accom- foresees making deportations more marked the end of his political her intention of carrying out her the black, yellow and green of Steinmeier also let it be known plished. The deal also expresses a efficient and declaring Algeria, career, less than a year after having full term, so if things progress Jamaica’s flag: the center-right that he would not be issuing the desire to make Europe more attrac- Morocco and Tunisia to be safe been hailed as the savior of the SPD “naturally,” the date of succession CDU/CSU, the pro-business Free endorsement required to call a new tive as a business location, stating countries of origin. So far, so good in March 2017. would be as far off as 2021, the Democrats (FDP) and -lean- federal election. For their part, that all coalition partners are in – at least for business as usual. Still, even this abdication – which next elections. However, if there’s ing environmental party known the CDU and CSU ruled out the favor of coordinating the taxation Late that night in February, was clearly anything but voluntary one thing we’ve learned over the as Alliance 90/The Greens. Prior option of a minority government, of companies in Europe. The deal things finally got exciting when – did not help to pacify the party. past six months, it’s to let go of to the breakdown of the Jamaica arguing that Germany could not be contains a fundamental rejection Merkel’s CDU, Horst Seehofer’s The battle for the foreign office any notion of politics as usual in talks, all parties in the Bundestag an effective leader in Germany and of protectionism, isolationism and CSU and Schulz’ SPD began div- flared up again; Gabriel is well- Germany. 4 The German Times March 2018 POLITICS DPA/TASS/MIKHAIL METZEL DPA/TASS/MIKHAIL

PUTIN FOREVER? Russia’s perennial leader is bent on completing his country’s return to superpower status and recasting the global order in its favor

In Putin’s brand of “sovereign BY KATJA GLOGER democracy,” nothing can be left to chance. Accordingly, election n February 1990, a young day – March 18 – has its own KGB officer departed from significance as a historic date for Ihis first – and last – foreign the new Russia; it is the fourth posting and returned to a coun- anniversary of the “homecoming” try that was still called the Soviet of the Crimea, the peninsula’s Union. Vladimir Putin had spent reintegration into the Russian Hail to the chief: Russian President Vladimir Putin at a campaign rally at Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow in March. five years in and Federation following an illegal bought a used car (a “Volga”) annexation from Ukraine. Although US experts are doubt- Dmitry Medvedev was already Second, Moscow sees a historic This is because the nuclear card with his savings. His return lug- Unassailable and unsanction- ful this arsenal can already be talking about a zone of Rus- opportunity to end the era of US is back on the table, in both the gage also included a used wash- able, Vladimir Putin can be voted deployed, or if it even exists sian “privileged interests,” which hegemony, which it regards as a East and West. Critics even fear ing machine – a gift from his for as an “independent” can- in full, Putin’s warning to the basically includes all post-Soviet “unipolar” aberration. The US is the complete collapse of nuclear neighbors. didate, a ruler seemingly with US was clear: Russia is not states except the Baltic NATO on the retreat strategically as it suf- arms control. The INF Treaty, In Dresden, Vladimir Putin had his own, unique, czar-like power impressed with Donald Trump’s members. Developments in the fers under its inner contradictions. which was concluded in late 1987 experienced the fall of the Berlin who is now cementing his place plans for nuclear proliferation post-Soviet world could influ- Although Moscow had initially between Soviet General Secre- Wall and learned to view civil in history. With apparent tireless- and his expected decision in April ence power structures in Russia placed its hopes on real political tary Gorbachev and US President rights activists as a threat. A simi- ness, the “nationalny lider,” as to massively expand the US mis- itself. Frozen conflicts in places deals with Trump, he appeared to Reagan and allowed the destruc- lar implosion of state institutions he is known in Russia, is working sile defense system now targeted such as Georgia, Moldova and be the far better alternative to the tion of some 3,000 nuclear mis- took place in the . to fulfill his mission to complete against Russia. As he concluded: Nagorno-Karabakh are intended despised Hillary Clinton. siles stationed on land, is being Like many Russians, Putin did not Russia's resurrection and shape “We wanted to draw our part- to safeguard Moscow’s escala- But this optimism quickly undermined. regard Mikhail Gorbachev's per- a new world order as the ruler of ners into negotiations, but no tion dominance. vanished, and not just because The first real ban on a category estroika as a new beginning, but a sovereign superpower. one wanted to talk with us, or In Ukraine, the situation is of “Russiagate.” The apparent of weapons was both a military as a collapse, a humiliation and a Russian Foreign Minister to listen to us. Listen to us now!” much more complicated and dan- incompetence of the US presi- and political turning point in dangerous sell-out to the West: a Sergei Lavrov postulated a “post- In this respect, Vladimir Putin gerous. The Minsk Agreement dent, his unpredictability and his Europe; the Intermediate-Range “paralysis of power,” as he would Western era” almost noncha- agrees with the majority of Rus- is being undermined by Kiev as rhetorical readiness to escalate, Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF) later say. He regarded the West’s lantly at the Munich Security sia’s population, which follows well as Moscow. In rebel-held such as in the conflicts with North ended Western Europe’s direct de facto victory in the Cold War Conference last year. Indeed, it a centuries-old reflex comprising Eastern Ukraine, the ongoing Korea and Iran, make Moscow nuclear threat from Soviet SS-20 as a kind of “Russian Versailles.” can be assumed that a globally a fateful mix of feelings of infe- war, the people’s disastrous living uneasy, not to mention the almost missiles while the withdrawal of Fortunately for him, the old confrontational foreign policy riority and self-deception; they conditions and infighting among hysterical proclivity in the US American Pershing 2 missiles from networks – contacts mostly cul- will mask the essential social and believe that Russia is respected local warlords over money, weap- Congress for anti-Russian sanc- Western Europe enhanced the tivated by intelligence agents economic structural reforms the only when Russia is feared. “We ons, coalmines and steel works tions. Moscow’s relationship with security of the Soviet Union. The and (former) party members – Russian elite is unprepared for. are morally right,” said Sergei are also causing problems for the US has never been so bad since INF Treaty heralded the beginning survived the upheaval. This old Unlike Russia, China, for Karaganov, one of the Krem- Moscow. The announced delivery the end of the Cold War. of the end of the Cold War. and new elite enabled his ascent example, has taken advantage of lin’s better-known foreign policy of armor-piercing weapons by the But the foreign policy vacuum For years, the US has been to the inner circles of power. globalization, staking its claim to advisers, and “we are smarter, US to Ukraine has increased the left by the US is being filled wher- suspecting Russia of violating He was “steadfast in a military global leadership through gigan- stronger and more determined.” risk of further military escalation. ever the opportunity arises. Putin the treaty. Beyond (permit- way,” as Russia’s president at the tic economic projects such as In any case, in Moscow’s But Russia's most important for- is a risk-taking tactician who views ted) development and testing, time, Boris Yeltsin, described his the “New Silk Road.” Russia, view, the US-dominated “lib- eign policy goal in the post-Soviet politics as a zero-sum game. Every it is believed that new SS-C-8 successor in late 1999. meanwhile, remains a structur- eral order” is coming to an end space seems to have been reached: day in Syria, Russian bombers and (9M729) medium-range missiles One of the most notable politi- ally weak country. Putin’s new – a view Donald Trump seems halting the eastward enlargement helicopters defied Angela Merkel’s have actually been deployed in at cal careers in recent history strength and the legitimacy of to confirm day after day. The of NATO and the EU. mantra that there could be “no least two battalions of the Rus- had begun. Now in power for his power are manifested in his “post-Cold War order” and its Ukraine will not become a military solution.” Putin wagered sian armed forces. The NATO 18 years – longer than Angela willingness to opportunistically democratic declarations such as member of NATO even in the that neither the US nor Europe partners were informed of these Merkel – Vladimir Putin is one use Russia’s resurgent military the 1990 Charter of Paris for long term, and full membership in would intervene. His bet paid off. movements last November by the of the world’s longest serving strength, if necessary in hybrid a New Europe have had their the EU is likewise a distant goal. The Islamic State suffered defeat US, although hard evidence was leaders. He is the overwhelming form. The reality that the West, day. Now, the new multipolar, Moscow wants to play for time and Bashar al-Assad won the war. apparently not submitted. favorite to win the Russian presi- and especially Germany, must post-Western world is return- in Ukraine and work towards a This is how Russia is establishing Russia could well have a strate- dential “election” for the fourth face is one of confrontation over ing to the principles of classi- new, perhaps more pro-Moscow itself as a new global player, above gic interest in breaking out of the time when it is held in March of cooperation, mistrust over trust, cal power politics – a balance, government in Kiev. In doing so, all in the Middle East. INF Treaty, for example to better this year. There is no alternative. as well as conspiracy theories With two military bases in shield itself in the east against the Opposing candidates? Several and deadlocked narratives on Syria, Russian presence in the unstoppable rise of China. At the were permitted to register, all both sides. And there is no end Mediterranean seems secured for same time, Moscow can use the belonging to the official opposi- in sight. “Our biggest mistake a long time to come. Deployment INF crisis to test NATO’s unity. tion and therefore bit players was to trust you too much,” ALL OF RUSSIA’S of the S-400 anti-aircraft missile Whereas one NATO member who know their roles in a staged Putin said in response to a ques- system effectively grants Moscow state – Poland – is debating the democracy. Putin’s only serious tion from a German participant ATTEMPTS TO FIND sovereignty over the country. possible stationing of US nuclear rival in the long term, Alexei at the 2017 Valdai Discussion The potential reconstruction of weapons, another member – Ger- Navalny, is barred from running. Club, “and your mistake was to the war-ravaged country with many – wants to avoid all discus- The Kremlin's political strategists interpret and abuse this trust as A LEGITIMATE ROLE the help of international funds sion of an arms buildup. are reported to be aiming for a weakness.” promises lucrative business for The Russian leadership denies it “70/70” outcome: 70 percent At the beginning of March, IN EUROPE HAVE BEEN Russian companies. And with US is breaching the treaty. According turnout, 70 percent for Putin. Vladimir Putin presented himself Middle East policy in disarray, to Putin, Russia can defend itself The turnout, however, is a to the Russian Federal Assembly Moscow – as during the Soviet with ship-based medium-range source of concern. Not voting as the invincible supreme com- THWARTED IN THE era – is proving itself a major dip- missiles, like those used in Syria, could be seen as a sign of pro- mander of a well-fortified state lomatic power in the region as it for example. The Kremlin points test. Faced with growing repres- prepared for any sacrifice. The PAST 25 YEARS defines common security interests to NATO’s conventional supe- sion and condemned to politi- event had been relocated to the with Israel, Turkey, Saudi Arabia riority and the US anti-missile cal passivity, younger people technologically better equipped and Iran. Putin maintains good shield, currently based in Roma- in particular are turning their Moscow exhibition center, relations with Egypt’s President nia, whose launchers are similar backs on the cynical farce of Manege, where Putin used however unstable, among the Russia is also betting that Euro- Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, and not only to the ship-based Aegis Ashore Russian politics. Although par- gigantic video screens to show- major powers of Russia, the US pean leaders will grow tired of regarding arms exports. anti-aircraft system. Aegis, ticipants numbered only in the case five new nuclear weapons and China. backing Ukraine. It has been an astonishing suc- Russia suspects, can also launch low tens of thousands, nation- systems in a saber-rattling ses- In this sense, Putin's Russia is Targeted weakening of Europe’s cess. Russia, once a declining medium-range missiles. wide youth protests of the past sion lasting a good 30 minutes: a revisionist power. Neither trea- already troubled democracies is regional power, is establishing Each side accuses the other of year were certainly a warning A new Sarmat intercontinental ties nor laboriously negotiated also safeguarding Russia’s hege- itself as an “indispensable” nation. seeking pretexts for breaking out to the elites, as “Generation rocket soars to the heavens; and compromises are what really mony in the post-Soviet space. In dealing with this new Russia, of the INF treaty. The looming Putin” took to the streets against a new-fangled Kh-101 cruise matter, but rather the right of Moscow views the EU as nothing Western capitals have been count- security dilemma could lead to Russia’s bleak authoritarian- missile hisses westward target- the strongest. It is no coincidence but an appendage of the US. Instead ing – rather helplessly – on dual a new nuclear arms race, and of ism. Young people protested ing Florida. Powered by nuclear that in his speech to the UN of negotiating energy deals with strategies from the Cold War, course that would be big busi- against the false values of an propulsion, it can simply zip three years ago, Vladimir Putin Brussels, Russia is seeking to clinch as was spelled out long ago in ness for arms companies on both alleged new “Russian world” through the US strategic missile explicitly referred to the “order bilateral agreements with the EU’s 1967 by Belgian Foreign Min- sides. The US Congress approved that is strictly anti-Western and defense system undeterred. He of Yalta,” the division of Europe conservative, pro-Moscow and ister Pierre Harmel: The West initial funds for the development demands patriotic obedience – a also introduced a nimble under- into spheres of influence. often populist “illiberal democra- should advocate deterrence and of new medium-range missiles. world in which Russia resembles water drone bearing a nuclear Russia's decoupling from the cies.” In this way, Russia is work- containment while signaling desire Vladimir Putin is claiming his a besieged fortress. Thousands warhead, a nuclear torpedo and West has been going on for a ing to establish itself as a kind of for de-escalation. The implication place in history as architect of of demonstrators were arrested a hypersonic wonder rocket good ten years. Clear warn- veto power at Europe’s periphery. here is an emphasis on dialogue, Russia’s survival against the West and harsh sentences imposed – named Kinschal, the saber. These ing signs were ignored. Putin’s After all, in the past 25 years, as strategic patience and “principled and subsequent resurgence. Mon- authorities would not permit a are lethal weapons Putin coolly fiery Munich speech against Russia sees it, all its attempts to find pragmatism,” as it was called – all uments built to commemorate his repeat of the 2012 mass demon- deemed “fantastic”; weapons, US hegemony in 2007 was just a legitimate place in Europe have the while seeking to maintain stra- rule are only a matter of time. strations that the Kremlin says Putin boasts no other country the beginning. One year later, been thwarted – and this point of tegic stability. But this approach were instigated by the West. possessed: “invincible.” then-Russian (interim) President view is not without merits. too is under threat. continued on page 7 March 2018 The German Times 5 POLITICS Rumors of real war

Russia and the US must agree on shared rules, set up common PICTURE ALLIANCE / WHITE HOUSE VIA CNP /MEDIAPUNCH control centers and develop a system of cyber control

Trump or no Trump. The mantle after the Cold War will survive To a certain degree, the situ- BY MICHAEL STÜRMER of leadership is there to be seized together or perish separately. ation reminds observers of – but there are few takers willing It is time for an agonizing reap- the confrontation between the he Cold War was by and able to act while the world praisal of NATO and the idea of superpowers, a half a century and large better than its is in such turmoil. The Federal international order that it rep- ago. President John F. Kennedy Treputation, especially in Republic of Germany? A reluctant resents, including its limitations demanded the “agonizing reap- hindsight. It imposed, as never leader at best, a wholly ineffective and its achievements. And it is praisal” of America’s nuclear before, a kind of long nuclear one at worst. simultaneously time for a new posture, including its long- peace upon the global powers When the US refuses to carry Russia policy, one that avoids the established strategic wisdom. and forced minor players to con- the burden of the world, like Atlas somewhat dated concept of a dis- Through this radical, unortho- form. French philosopher Ray- in Greek mythology, leaving old tinctively German Ostpolitik. As dox approach, Kennedy prepared How to avert a nuclear confrontation? US President John F. Kennedy confers mond Aron described what he friends to their own devices; when Henry Kissinger tends to remind the way for strategic arms con- with Secretary of Defense Robert S. McNamara in the midst of the Cuban saw in telegram-style: “Guerre deterrence no longer rests on a us, the demonization of the man trol. Arms control and a measure Missile Crisis in October 1961. improbable, paix impossible.” credible strategy and new military in the Kremlin does not suffice as of disarmament ushered in an era But the Cold War is over, for and civilian technologies change a long-term answer to the dangers of détente. Given the rise in uncertainty, But even more important is the better or for worse, and a repeat every equation; when a US presi- of our era. Today they offer ever less the question remains: Is it sensible future of missile defense. When performance does not seem dent daydreams about the use of In this effort, Germany is not mutual trust and strategic equi- to turn the Crimea Question into President George W. Bush can- near on the horizon. What this nuclear weapons while discount- the lonely but inevitable mediator librium without which a reason- the shibboleth of East-West rela- celled US participation in the means for the United States will ing arms control and backchannel and moderator – this is better left able measure of peace is not tions? Who stands to win in the ABM system, he put paid to a be decided to a large degree in diplomacy; when the last of the to the five permanent members feasible. When the microphones end? Not Russia, not the US, not well-balanced regime that had Washington. What it will mean superpowers renounces the liberal of the UN Security Council. But are off, seasoned diplomats from the West as a whole, but China. proved its worth. It is essential – for Europe in general, and Ger- world order it more or less called Germany has an existential inter- both Russia and the US can be So what is wrong with circum- and in the interest of both sides many in particular, is an open into being after World War II – est in taming the new military heard enunciating the pessimistic venting the Ukrainian roadblock – to once again agree on shared question. As far as the US is as these realities have combined technologies before they fall into view that since Berlin and Cuba on the way to a safer world? The rules, set up common control cen- concerned, leadership has all but to create the new normal, we the hands of inexperienced actors more than fifty years ago, the Cold War was also an exercise in ters and develop a system of cyber disappeared and been reduced find ourselves in a newly peril- and light the world ablaze. world has never been so close to strategic patience. control. Cold War management to a catch-all phrase – “America ous world. This time around, however, war – real war – as it is today. The White House assumption of the nuclear standoff through first” – by Trumpists and a new If the time is indeed visibly an exclusively nuclear approach The foremost challenge is to that economic sanctions will limitation and verification is not nationalism. “out of joint”; if cyber warfare will not be enough, nor will a find a way out of the confronta- produce political regret has not an unfeasible solution for dealing The new US National Security has no beginning and no end, so bipolar approach suffice, given tion over Crimea and Eastern seemed to work. “It’s the economy, with new and largely untested Strategy sounds reassuring. But that terms like “offensive” and the Middle Kingdom’s inexo- Ukraine. All that has happened stupid” is an American slogan, but technologies. will it serve its purpose? For the “defensive” lose their meaning rable rise. As they did after the since early 2014 – the annexa- not a means to force Mother Rus- However, the Cold War expe- time being, no firm ground is in and are replaced by a menac- Berlin and Cuba crises of the tion of the strategic peninsula, sia’s clumsy hand. Who will blink rience is a stark reminder that sight, not for NATO, not for ing factor of strategic ambiguity early 1960s, the powers must hybrid warfare, half-hearted first? What has happened so far is an exclusively military-industrial the EU and, by implication, not – in short, if the world refuses once again discover their ulti- sanctions by both sides and unlikely to bring peace. approach will not suffice to revive for the Federal Republic of Ger- predictability while the strangely mate dependence on each other’s US threats to supply defensive Putin’s promise to protect Rus- trust and reliability. What is many. “The time is out of joint” familiar logic of MAD becomes reasonability as well as their vital weaponry to the front – has sians wherever they can be found required is Russian self-restraint, – Hamlet, Prince of Denmark, imponderable, what is there to interest in finding a formula to not reversed Ukraine’s territorial is more than ominous. “A ques- a broad-based Western Ostpolitik, is often quoted these days, even do? Deny reality and close your ensure long-term survival. losses while it has cost Russia tion of war and peace,” he keeps a thorough understanding of the in the most unlikely places. If eyes or panic and prepare for Once again, this will require the space for political maneuvering, repeating to himself. But even if a relevant history and geopolitics taken seriously, this means that surrender? We are living in ever cultivation of strategic dialogue economic comfort and West- new steady state can be achieved as well as an appreciation of the nothing less than a new security more interesting times, where and, unavoidably, the abandon- facilitated modernization. The within the Russian space, it will new technologies and their disrup- architecture is in order. In the face everything depends on our ability ment of a number of precondi- Kremlin can ill afford this kind not be enough to recover trust and tive potential. In other words, we of an unreconciled Russia, NATO to reconstruct trust and predict- tions. If the big nuclear powers of posturing between half-war confidence on the world stage. need a combination of statecraft must be redesigned with a much ability and to put a new cor- are not on speaking terms with and half-peace. The longer criti- We need CSBMs: confidence- and and bold diplomacy. Biding our more coherent European contri- relation of forces, unstable as it one another, confidence- and cal oil prices remain where they security-building measures. Rein- time to see what comes next is the bution, and Europe reinvented may be, into treaty language and security-building measures of all have been for quite some time, vigorating OSCE and its rulebook worst of all options: a leap into the accordingly, Brexit or no Brexit, verification practice. The world kinds will have no chance. the more Moscow stands to lose. could do the trick. dark with open eyes. 180205_AZ_SecurityTimes_260x290_aw.qxp_AZ 05.02.18 14:45 Seite 1

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President for a half-year

Continued from page 1 First defense The German Times spoke with Boyko Borisov, prime minister of Bulgaria and the current president well as for more generous sup- France’s post-colonial wars. This of the European Council, about the country’s role in and for Europe port of states participating in EU initiative should be widened into and non-EU European military a broader European Security operations. Initiative, designed explicitly to We have known for some time address other nations’ security he Bulletin of the Atomic societies in transit and host coun- The two-pronged approach has For six months now Bulgaria that the EU could achieve more concerns. Scientists has advanced the tries. This has led to the rise and its logic. The deterrence activities is going to chair the Council of capabilities for the same price by Part of this could include the Tbig hand of its Dooms- development of nationalist and are entirely defense-oriented and in the European Union. The UK is pooling and sharing its equip- establishment of a combat-ready day Clock, which forecasts the radical political entities in Europe, accordance with international law. saying goodbye to the EU, while ment. The diversity of EU weap- European military force made up destruction of the world through which carrying with them risks for However, dialogue is absolutely many Eastern European countries ons is six times higher than that of soldiers from different Euro- nuclear war; the time is now two these democratic societies. necessary for two reasons: first, are at least partially governed by of the US – for every model of US pean member states who train minutes before midnight. The Bul- through dialogue we can present nationalist, right-wing populist or destroyer or frigate, the EU has together and use the same equip- letin’s justification was the war How does Bulgaria assess the our arguments; and second, it is Eurosceptic parties. What are Bul- seven. But most governments are ment. This force should even- threats levied between the US and new threat posed by Russian the only way we can narrow the garia’s plans for using its council more interested in the job-cre- tually comprise up to 100,000 North Korea – which have aggra- policy in Ukraine, the Crimea gaps between opposing positions presidency to advance European ation potential of procurement soldiers and include its own vated tensions between America and Transnistria? and find a way out of the ongoing solidarity? than in capability. Moreover, as separate capability. States want- and its rivals in China, Iran and The events in Ukraine changed conflict burdening international The motto of the Bulgarian long as governments or parlia- ing to join this force should face Russia – as well as the expansion the security environment in relations. Instead of an escalation presidency is “United We Stand ments of member states retain ambitious entry requirements, of existing atomic arsenals and Europe and NATO-Russia rela- of tensions, we need cooperation Strong.” This motto also hangs veto power over deployment of including a minimum contribu- the complete and utter lack of tions. The military build-up in towards resolving conflicts and over the entrance of the Bulgarian their forces – which I support – tion of troops and minimum arms control talks. In Asia, China Crimea poses additional chal- fighting terrorism. I believe we can Parliament. Bulgaria will strive to a complete pooling and sharing defense spending. These thresh- is seeking to dominate its neigh- lenges. Breaching the principles achieve a sustainable resolution be an honest broker in leading the will not increase capabilities, but olds must move beyond the flaws bors, while North Korea has risen of international law is unaccept- of the Ukraine crisis within the discussions on the issues that con- rather paralyze Europe. of PESCO. to become yet another country in able. The integrity of borders is Normandy Quartet, which would nect us and unite us; we want to be The famous “European army” This could be established in the atomic weapons club. And in inviolable, and this is especially also allow for the normalization of part of all the integration processes is therefore out of the question parallel to a stabilization and Eastern Europe, former member important in today’s democratic NATO-Russia relations. of the Union – Schengen, the euro- for now. However, common civilian component – including states of the Warsaw Pact are Europe. We do not need new zone, asylum policy, the new secu- investment and acquisition is police, border guards and other cowering before Russia. Is the military conflicts. We need peace, How would you evaluate develop- rity and defense policy. Our coun- much easier to push in terms facilities. world again becoming a place cooperation, prosperity and ments in neighboring Turkey? try ranks second in terms of public of newer technologies such as This would not be a European to fear? respect for territorial integrity Turkey is one of the most impor- confidence in European values; our cyber, drones and artificial intel- army but rather a flexible force, and sovereignty. Any actions that tant partners of the EU. The Bul- citizens have been seeing for them- ligence (AI). As these technolo- and more importantly would What dangers do you see in contradict these established prin- garian president will be hosting an selves the benefits of European gies have not existed for long, leave fully functional national Europe? ciples should be deemed threats. EU-Turkey Summit, because there solidarity – in 2017 we witnessed 4 there are fewer national idiosyn- military forces intact. The gulf There is a general international Such actions we cannot and will needs to be direct dialogue with percent economic growth, and the crasies to overcome. between the rhetoric of Euro- trend of growing insecurity. We not accept. Turkish leadership, dialogue not same rate is expected for this year The second component should pean autonomy and the reality have a crisis in Ukraine; Crimea funneled through the media. Yes, as well; the unemployment rate is be the development of a flex- of small-scale technical projects is occupied; the eastern Mediter- NATO is pursuing a two-pronged there are problems, with human now at 6 percent; highways have ible European security force. not only harms our security, but ranean is unstable; and then there’s approach in terms of Russia: rights protection, for example, but been constructed; waste and water Macron’s proposal for a Euro- also threatens the legitimacy Syria and Iraq. These are all pro- While readying its defenses and the right approach is to talk things treatment plants as well as energy- pean Intervention Initiative is a of the European project and cesses that reflect the general secu- focusing on deterrence, it is also through in an open and frank way. efficiency projects for residential promising start, but it is likely the possibility of re-establishing rity situation. Radicalization and reaching out to seek common We have many topics of common buildings have been implemented; to fail if other member states solidarity through a union that terrorism also generate threats. understanding through direct interest – combatting terrorism, in our ten years of membership we perceive it simply as a vehicle protects. The EU must close this Migration is becoming an ever- dialogue. What are the most migration. Renewing dialogue will have seen a 16-percent growth in to rally other nations to fight gulf now. deeper problem for democratic pressing topics for discussion? benefit both the EU and Turkey. employment; incomes have been

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18-02-16_003_ID18062_eAz_Gotthard_GermanTimes_290x260_RZfo.indd 1 16.02.18 12:18 March 2018 The German Times 7 POLITICS

going up; per capita GDP based on When you see active European Rather hope than concern. France EU comes from the fact that each stability. Education programs Continued from page 4 disposable income went up from policy cooperation between and Germany are the motor of member state has its say and its are needed for young people, Putin forever? 27 percent to 40.8 percent com- France and Germany, do you feel European integration. The move- voice is heard. The issues we for it is frequently they who are pared to EU; and our economy hope for new progress towards ment ahead of the whole Euro- have to solve require rapid solu- encouraged to go to Western has grown by 41 percent. People integration, or rather concern pean structure depends on the tions. Each member state carries Europe just to be able to send The remainder of his tenure in Bulgaria have never lived better over German-French dominance proper functioning of this motor. responsibility for finding them 50 or 100 euros a week to their will feature about as much since the country joined the Euro- within the EU? Of course, the uniqueness of the and should make its contribution. relatives in their home country. democracy as it will profound pean Union. We aim to work on At the same time we should make economic or political modern- the issues that are on the European In 2015, Bulgaria also bore the no compromise with the smug- ization; an increase in any of agenda in a way that the EU citi- brunt of a high number of refu- glers who literally trade in human these would mean the begin- zens will feel they are the focus of gees. Many now fear a new wave lives. How many people have died ning of the end of the Putin European policies. This will help of refugees from Syria and Africa. on their way to “salvation”? The system. Yet, as his oligarchs strengthen European solidarity, What to do? entry to the EU is through the plunder the country in an including on topics where there is As I have said multiple times: First official border checkpoints, where unprecedented manner, it must currently no consensus. and foremost we should seek to asylum-seekers will receive ade- also be noted that under Putin, address the root causes. And the quate care. Bulgaria is a role model many everyday Russian lives What are your thoughts on the activeness of European diplomacy as the country that best guards the have improved for the first time efforts to establish a European in the process of solving the crises external EU border, despite not in decades, at least temporar- defense union, or Permanent should increase. The EU should being admitted to Schengen. It is ily. While the center of power Structured Cooperation (PESCO)? continue to support development also necessary that we continue increasingly resembles a czar’s The launch of PESCO is an impor- and humanitarian policies. The working with the states border- court, political stagnation at tant step for the fulfillment of solution is to help origin countries ing the conflict countries, such as home is hailed as stability. the European integration project eliminate the causes for migration Turkey. Since the agreement with Perhaps he is grooming a suc- and the building of the European by overcoming poverty, investing the EU has come into force, migra- cessor from the group of new- Defense Union. PESCO brings the in their economies and guar- tion pressure from Turkey on our comers who have arisen amid EU closer to its goal of improving anteeing political border has dropped 84 percent. his extensive staffing reshuffling the cost-effectiveness of defense of recent years – quiet, efficient, spending and becoming a serious smooth technocrats such as chief partner in the field of international of staff Anton Vaino or the new security. We support an adequate, Minister for Economic Develop- ambitious and transparently func- ment Maxim Oreshkin. They tioning rule-based PESCO that are all loyal followers who, like will contribute to the security of the younger Putin, seem “stead- the EU and the enhancement of the fast in a military way.” European pillar within NATO. IMAGO / JÜRGEN HEINRICH In 2024, at the end of his next PESCO’s success will term, Vladimir Putin would be depend on the prog- 72 – not exceedingly old. But ress of concrete the country is hostage to Putin projects, which – just as he is a prisoner of the we expect to system he created. “As long as be officially there is Putin, there is Russia,” adopted soon. his deputy chief of staff once said of him. “Without Putin – no Russia.” Putin forever? People initially laughed at the thought. No one is laughing anymore.

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When the world betrayed the Jews In July of 1938, delegations from 32 countries met in Evian to discuss how and by whom refugees fleeing the Nazis could be helped. The ten days at the spa town ended with a defeat for civilization

Could have. A half million in 27,370 people from Germany Golda Meir, who would later part of the world, and provided across 28 countries. It was a BY PETER H. KOEPF Jews were living under the Nazis that year – men and women, became prime minister of Israel, excuses that were at least as good shameful, utter failure of the at that point; only 50,000 had rich and poor, from all races wrote in her memoirs: “Sitting there as those aired by European states. system of nation states. t has been almost 80 years fled since Hitler took power and faiths. The prepared speeches in that magnificent hall and listen- But they showed some interest The summary by the Evian com- since a Swiss court first con- on Jan. 30, 1933. Pressure was made it patently clear: The US ing to the delegates of 32 countries as well; the Central American mittee, which comprised both aid Ivicted a Swiss citizen for a mounting, and US President would raise neither its immi- rise, each in turn, to explain how countries – Costa Rica, Hon- organizations and stakeholders, humane, indeed heroic act. Adolf Franklin D. Roosevelt would gration quotas nor its financial much they would have liked to take duras, Nicaragua and Panama read as follows: “The moving Studer, a mechanic from Basel, seize the initiative. In a cabinet contributions to the cause. Any in substantial numbers of refugees – declared themselves ready to reports delivered to the subcommit- was arrested at the German meeting on March 18, he asked: additional expenditures would and how unfortunate it was that take in refugees if other partici- tee lay bare an enormous human border town of Weil am Rhein “America was a place of refuge have to come from private orga- they were not able to do so, was a pating states were also prepared tragedy requiring immediate mea- for using a counterfeit day visa for so many Germans during the nizations. terrible experience. […] I wanted to do so with numbers propor- sures to improve the situation, and to smuggle a stateless Jew named revolution of 1848. Why can’t The Belgian Robert de Foy to get up and scream at them all, tional to each country’s land area. a challenge to the conference to Leo Silberg from Vienna into we offer them a home now?” also created a pretext for limited ‘Don’t you know that these “num- They already had enough mer- agree promptly on cooperative Switzerland. Swiss authorities However, Roosevelt did not possibilities by emphasizing his bers” are human beings, people chants and intellectuals, yet had action.” But the resolution once imposed a fine of 20 francs and seem to represent the majority of country’s dense population and who may spend the rest of their no money to help new arrivals. again recited all the reasons to five days in prison. The -judge his people; a survey conducted in pressing unemployment, the latter lives in concentration camps, or Cuba’s delegate, Juan Escobar, forgo a quota system. An aid pro- ment was issued on July 7, 1938. March 1938 revealed that three- of which was also bemoaned by wandering around like lepers, if refused to accept any refugees in gram for refugees was necessary, In the wake of the Anschluss, quarters of those asked objected Canada’s Hume Wrong, while the you don’t let them in?’ I didn’t excess of statutory quotas; how- but the countries of origin needed the Nazis were hurrying to “liber- to granting entry to a greater Brazilian Helio Lobo feigned a know then that not concentration ever, tourists depositing a check to be prepared to work together, ate” Austria of its 200,000 Jews, number of Jewish refugees from sense of responsibility in warning but death camps awaited the refu- worth at least $5,000 would be to allow the prospective emigrants most of whom lived in Vienna. Germany. Only 17 percent were of what European Jews should gees whom no one wanted.” welcome along with investors to bring assets and valuables with On April 16, 1938, for instance, in favor of the idea. expect to find in São Paulo and Rio But with whom did the burden staking at least $25,000, albeit them and to organize an orderly in Pama and Kittsee, two towns Nevertheless, Roosevelt’s ini- de Janeiro: unemployment. And lie to grant asylum to Jews? only if such an investment did not departure. It was also decided to in eastern Austria, they dragged tiative provided impetus for an Australia’s Lieutenant Colonel Colombia’s Jesus Maria Yepes economically disadvantage local meet next in London and to form Jews from their beds, transported international conference. But Thomas Walter White gave free averred: “My esteemed French populations. an intergovernmental commit- them to the Czech border and where could it take place? Three reign to his cynicism and xeno- peers, my esteemed English peers, But how were the Jewish refu- tee that would begin its work in interned them on a breakwater countries refused to host, includ- phobia in claiming that his country my esteemed Dutch peers, you gees to procure so much money? August. “From that day forward,” in the middle of the Danube. ing Switzerland, which feared had never had a race problem, and take precedent.” Today, the rea- Most were destitute, having been writes Thies, “all plans, having However, neither Czechoslova- its neighbors to the north and did not want to acquire one. soning is that refugees should stay plundered by a German regime only been vaguely formulated, were kia nor Hungary were willing to stressed its neutrality when faced The New York Times was in their regions: Africans in Libya, that forbade them to leave the further muddied.” take in the 51 undesired and now with the prospect of accepting quick to note which way the Syrians and Iraqis in Jordan and Reich with significant amounts of Ten months later, on Apr. 6, stateless individuals. When the throngs of refugees. Hence the wind was blowing. Charles Streit Turkey. And autocratic heads of money or valuables in tow. 1939, Edward Turnour, Lord international press, including The choice of Evian; the French spa wrote of a “none too trustful state in these reasons are – rightly Argentina, which announced Winterton, recognized the fail- New York Times and the Neue town on the south shore of Lake poker game.” The great nations so – currently receiving funds its visa requirement on the sev- ure in an address in Britain’s Zürcher Zeitung, reported on Geneva ultimately welcomed sought to ward off immigration from the EU for this purpose. enth day of the conference – July lower house of parliament. The their fate, a Jewish relief organi- delegations from 32 countries, and offload the burden to others. Emmanuel Macron has plans to 12, 1938 – joined with Ecua- plan to save the Jews foundered zation took them in until a coun- 39 private organizations and 200 An “atmosphere of inhospitable- build reception camps in north- dor and Uruguay to declare that under the reality “that not one try agreed to allow them entry. journalists. ness” prevailed. ern Africa, which can be seen they could only accept blue-collar of the thirty-two IGC Govern- But no one wanted them. Swiss ments was prepared to admit authorities feared a “Jewifica- neither any moral obligation to tion” of their country, and they solve the refugee question nor blamed the Nazi regime for the financial liability for the -trans flood of refugees. The chief of fer and upkeep (...) or for the the border and alien police, Hein- PICTURE ALLIANCE/IMAGNO permanent settlement of refu- rich Rothmund, objected “with gees.” Instead, “the unhappily all seriousness…to Jews being pervasive (...) sub-current of anti- smuggled in…with the help of the Semitism or anti-alienism” pro- Viennese police.” Switzerland – hibited governments from doing he made it known – needed Jews more for refugees than they did “just as little” as Germany did. for their own people. Instead, Since March 31, 1933, direc- the German and Austrian Jews tives “addressing the immigration were shoved “every which way of Israelites” prevailed in Swit- across the map.” “One moment zerland, yet some 5,000 Jewish they’re in Madagascar, the next Austrians succeeded in finding it’s Alaska, and in the end they’re refuge there after the Anschluss. stuck behind lowered boom This was the result of a number of gates.” Evian became a “Jewish factors, such as empathetic offi- Munich.” Kristallnacht was but cials; one of which was a police 117 days away. captain who allowed hundreds of refugees to cross the border, and, like Adolf Studer, was later tried and convicted for breach of duty and the falsification of documents. In the meantime, the 51 Jews Besmirching themselves: Hitler Youth forced Austrian Jews to scrub the streets after Austria’s Anschluss in March 1938. The crowd looked on. on the Danube tugboat were awaiting the outcome of a con- Hitler would send jeers from Commentary in French newspa- as detention centers acting as a laborers. At last, Peru’s repre- ference on refugees, which – one Königsberg: “I can only hope and pers, however, took on a defen- bulwark against a renewed “flood sentative, Garcia Calderon Rey, day before Studer’s conviction in expect the other world, which sive posture. The title page of of asylum seekers.” offered words with a humanistic Evian – promised to bring help feels such deep sympathy for these the daily newspaper Journal fea- The Swiss delegate to the con- ring to them: At the very least, to German and Austrian Jews. criminals, is at least generous tured historian Louis Madelin, a ference was Heinrich Rothmund, a continent should provide no But let it be known: Not one of enough to convert this sympathy member of the Académie fran- the man who had said his country opportunity for hate. But he then the participating delegations from into practical help. As far as I çaise, citing that the number of needed Jews just as little as Ger- continued with some conditions; 32 countries in Europe and the am concerned, we are prepared individuals driven from their own many did. In Evian he announced he saw the “civil peace” as being Americas as well as Australia and to place our luxury ships at the countries and living in France was that, at best, his country could endangered by minorities “who Jochen Thies’ book Evian 1938 New Zealand assumed adequate disposal of these countries for the growing, while “our low birth act as a transit country. Already, are not open to our traditions was published by Klartext Essen responsibility for the crisis, and transportation of these criminals.” rate presents the danger that one he calculated, each Swiss citizen and aims.” In other words, those in December 2017, not one was able to fulfill the And thus began the defeat of day soon the French could lose was paying 40 francs for “the who do not subjugate themselves 200 p., €18.95. hopes of the 51 refugees on the civilization. Britain’s chief nego- their own country.” He openly foreigners,” while countries of to the – to use a contemporary ship nor the half million Jews in tiator, Edward Turnour, declared feared what we now refer to as the former Danube Monarchy term – “dominant culture” are The scorn and derision of the Austria and Germany. They failed on the first day: “Great Britain a “flood of asylum seekers.” The – Hungary and Czechoslova- themselves responsible for the Völkischer Beobachter reached the this test of humanity and – just is not an immigration country.” newspaper La Croix shared this kia – had closed their borders. results. emissaries as they were still con- as disgracefully as they do today Asylum would only be conceiv- concern, as its editorial board Switzerland had thus been forced Paraguay’s Gustavo A. Wien- vening in Evian: “No one wants – sought to justify their inaction. able under “strict limits.” Den- warned of “self-destruction at to introduce visa requirements green conceded that his country them,” read the Nazi party organ The Berlin-based journalist and mark then announced the visa the alter of neighborly love,” and for Austrian passport holders. needed the people in order to on July 13. Adolf Hitler took his historian Jochen Thies wrote a requirement for Austrian Jews it limited the scope of Christianity’s Naturally Switzerland wanted to exploit its natural resources; those time in delivering an evaluation of fact-filled book (Evian 1938. had implemented at the beginning obligation of philanthropy and help, he conceded, but that was willing to work would be granted the conference. From a speech he When the world betrayed the of July. Turnour’s French coun- good samaritanism to include dependent on the quotas that entry. Albeit, the government had gave in the Reichstag on Jan. 30, Jews) on the Evian conference terpart, Henry Victor Bérenger, only fellow countrymen. countries overseas were prepared decreed the previous March that 1939: “It is a shameful spectacle that stretched from July 6 to July followed with his own pre-emp- Evian saw much talk of human- to establish. According to Gösta only those that could contribute to see how the whole democratic 15 in 1938. His account retraces tive defense by citing the number ity and brotherly love, but talk Engzell, Sweden, too, wanted to to Paraguayan agriculture would world is oozing sympathy for the the ten days during which the – 200,000 – of refugees already it remained. Members of the 24 look beyond Europe’s borders be welcome. poor tormented Jewish people, world betrayed the Jews; it is a enjoying asylum in France as well participating non-governmental to find host countries for the Jochen Thies was distraught to but remains hard-hearted and story of falsehood, mendacity and as the number – more than three organizations (NGOs), including refugees from Germany and Aus- read the documents before him: obdurate when it comes to help- the obfuscation of responsibility. million – of foreign nationals the Reich Association of Jews in tria. His country was in favor of “Only evasions, only excuses, ing them.” The French-language conference living in his country at that time. Germany and the Aid Organiza- an institution taking care of the procrastination ad infinitum.” Jochen Thies asks: “Has the report, which languished largely He saw only “limited possibili- tion of German Jews (Austrian issue, and was prepared to take At issue was the distribution of world learned nothing from the unnoticed in a Bavarian archive, ties,” which echoed the perspec- NGOs were prohibited from in a certain number of refugees 500,000 refugees across the entire non-event of 80 years ago? What led Thies to conclude that “had tive of Beucker Andreae, the taking part) became quickly dis- with the qualifications Sweden globe. This “less than utopian has changed since 1938?” His the conference taken a different director of legal affairs for the illusioned. Each was allotted but required – even Jews who were number” could possibly have answer is ultimately damning: “If course, it could have saved the Dutch foreign ministry. one speaker who could address not considered political refugees. been saved by a little good will. one recalls the reasoning of the 32 lives of countless German Jews, The US representative Myron C. the conference for ten minutes, However, representatives from And 77 years later, 500 million states in Evian, very little. Even the and presumably European Jews Taylor, an industrialist, pointed which was later limited to only countries overseas resisted this Europeans could not manage parlance of then resembles that as well.” out that his country had taken five minutes. deportation of Jews to their to distribute 1 million refugees of now.” March 2018 The German Times 9

SHUTTERSTOCK

the ban treaty could seriously BY MICHAEL RÜHLE undermine the Nuclear Non-pro- liferation Treaty (NPT), the only e are still living in the near-universal framework for second nuclear age. regulating nuclear possession and WUnlike the first nuclear non-possession. Already under age, which was shaped by the strain by the structural changes of bipolar nuclear standoff between the second nuclear age, the legal the United States and the Soviet stigmatization of nuclear weap- Union, the second is far more ons could damage the NPT to the complex. The spread of nuclear point of obsolescence. Thus, the weapons has made deterrence GAME CHANGERS third nuclear age might well be a multiplayer game; Asia has one without any agreed nuclear emerged as the region with the Six developments that could lead to structural governance. greatest potential for nuclear con- The return of great power com- flict; and new nuclear aspirants changes to the global nuclear order petition and the emergence of new can benefit from the technological nuclear weapons states such as progress made by others as well North Korea point to the undi- as from the emergence of semi- minished importance of nuclear private nuclear supply networks. if it were intended only for politi- fundamentally change the percep- in a volatile region could compel their nuclear abstinence. Hence, deterrence as an integral part of Some developments indicate, cal posturing and would not cause tion of the military and political several neighbors to exercise the should the US appear to waver Western defense. However, criti- however, that a third nuclear age major casualties – would be a utility of nuclear weapons. “plutonium option,” i.e. use on its extended deterrence com- cism of nuclear deterrence will also may be approaching. Indications game changer of tremendous sig- 3. Nuclear terrorism. Building their civilian light-water reactors mitments, or should a new major grow stronger. Any sound West- range from the rapid progress of nificance. For some, it would rein- a nuclear weapon still requires to produce weapons-grade plu- challenger emerge that the US ern security policy must therefore North Korea’s missile program force the conviction that nuclear elaborate state infrastructure. tonium. As light-water reactors cannot or will not counterbalance, explain the importance of nuclear to the treaty aimed at banning deterrence remains essential for Should terrorists nonetheless continue to spread, the number of some of its allies, particularly in deterrence without trivializing its nuclear weapons. While these prevailing in a nuclearized world, manage a credible threat of states that acquire such a “break- Asia, may well conclude that the risks. It must also remind Western developments seem contradictory, while others would see the detona- nuclear use, or should a funda- out” capability will grow as well. time has come to opt for national publics that managing a complex they contribute to the emergence tion as proof that nuclear weapons mentalist regime come to power Should a major change in their nuclear deterrence. This would nuclear reality requires more than of a new nuclear age in which have failed as a means of inducing in a nuclear weapons state, a new security environment compel them deal a major blow to the global merely claiming the moral high nuclear deterrence may become restraint in international relations. nuclear age will have arrived. to declare themselves nuclear non-proliferation regime, which ground; if proposals such as the more important yet also more dif- 2. A major accident in the With religious justifications for powers, it would trigger a “pro- has always been far more depen- ban treaty would make major war ficult to sustain. Six developments nuclear military infrastructure of mass murder and the glorifica- liferation cascade” that would dent on US engagement than most more likely, they do not constitute could lead to structural changes to a nuclear weapons state. Whether tion of martyrdom entering the not only invalidate most of the observers dare to admit. a morally superior alternative. To the global nuclear order that may through sabotage or simply nuclear equation, the rules of non-proliferation efforts of the 6. A major change in the legal prevent a third nuclear age, West- justifiably be termed a “third” through insufficiently trained the first and second nuclear age past 50 years, but also dramati- framework for nuclear gover- ern leaders have their work cut nuclear age: staff, a major accident could foster would become unhinged. Nuclear cally increase the risk of nuclear nance. A nuclear weapons ban out for them. 1. Nuclear use. In the summer the perception among the broader deterrence would remain an conflict. treaty, which seeks to stigma- of 2017, North Korea’s foreign public that nuclear weapons are a essential tool for managing inter- 5. The decline of extended tize nuclear weapons as illegal, minister suggested that Pyongyang no longer a security provider but state relations, yet its limits in the deterrence. The degradation of the is now a foregone conclusion. MICHAEL RÜHLE is head of the Energy Security may detonate a nuclear device a security liability. Similarly, the face of non-rational actors could credibility of the US as a promul- Since a treaty that they persis- Section at NATO’s Emerging above the Pacific. After more than temporary loss of control over severely reduce that concept’s gator of extended deterrence could tently oppose cannot bind the Security Challenges Division. 70 years of non-use of nuclear nuclear weapons due a cyber perceived value. spell the end of the successful deal nuclear weapons states and their The author’s views are solely weapons, the actual employment attack against the nuclear weap- 4. A nuclear tipping point. A that provides American nuclear allies, it will not lead to global his own. of a single nuclear weapon – even ons infrastructure of a state could new nuclear hegemon emerging deterrence to allies in exchange for nuclear abolition. However,

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QW_AZ__290x260-Bulga_RZ.indd 1 29.01.18 11:36 10 The German Times POLITICS TREATMENT US President Donald Trump has infected trans-Atlantic relations with uncertainty, instability and anxiety. Three experts seek remedies for The German Times CENTER

REMAIN ALERT

Keeping Washington tethered to the international community will make it easier to repair Trump’s wreckage

neo-Nazi protesters in Charlot- In similar fashion, the interna- BY CHARLES A. KUPCHAN tesville, his insults toward Hispanic tional community should keep immigrants, his decision to send working on Trump regarding ne down, three to go. back Haitians, Salvadorans and issues like climate change and And judging by Trump’s others who came to the United trade. But in the meantime, the rest Ofirst year in office, the States to escape conflict and natu- of the world is right to stand by next three should be long and ral disaster, his disparaging com- the Paris climate agreement, even painful. As the US backs away ments about Africa – this is the though Trump has renounced from is traditional role as team real Donald Trump, not a political it. The same goes for the Trans- captain, its “America First” for- concoction of his handlers. Pacific Partnership; its remain- eign policy is setting the world on Confronted with this sobering ing members are doing the right edge. Trump has already pulled reality, how should the inter- thing by proceeding with a trade out of the Trans-Pacific Partner- national community handle the deal despite Trump’s withdrawal ship and the Paris Climate Agree- remainder of Trump’s tumultuous from the pact. If Trump seeks to ment. Next on his chopping block presidency? back away from the World Trade may well be the Iran nuclear deal First, America’s partners should Organization, it will be up to other STAY IN TOUCH and US participation in NAFTA continue to try to connect with members to defend a rules-based and the World Trade Organiza- Trump, seeking to exercise what- trading order. “America first” means America alone tion. ever influence they may have While engaging Trump, Ameri- America’s deliberate undermin- over his behavior. Trump craves ca’s partners, and Europe in par- ing of the rules-based international respect and acceptance; shunning ticular, must prevent him from paper as a benchmark against none of this is a return to nor- order it worked so hard to estab- and isolating him will only make dismantling the liberal norms and BY CONSTANZE which to measure their actions. malcy. Trumpism is not the lish after World War II has left matters worse. Moreover, engage- rules-based institutions that have STELZENMÜLLER Within the executive, it helps latest iteration of an American America’s partners understandably ment indeed has the potential to long anchored the West. Europe the national security adviser and retrenchment following a period vexed, and wondering when it is yield concrete payoffs. Even when should make sure that the next US n past decades – a time we his or her staff align other agen- of (over-)extension. It is rather a time to give up on Trump. But Trump appears ready to start dis- president does not assume office may yet come to refer to wist- cies with the administration’s massive and radical discontinu- even if justified, their approach is mantling policies he does not like, in a Western world that has been Ifully as “the good old days” political preferences. For the ity. Trump is the first president to ill-advised. he tends to offer an escape hatch. reduced to rubble. – America’s national security national security staff itself, it question the validity of an inter- Instead of turning their backs on Rather than simply dismantling Third, America’s friends must elites have tended to be some- can be a useful tool for building national order based on norms Trump in anger and frustration, the Iran deal, he handed it over prevent popular opposition to what blasé about the National consensus and exerting message and cooperation, and the first to friends of the US should engage the to Congress to address his con- Trump from transforming into Security Strategy (NSS). In discipline. decry globalization as a nefari- president with hopes of curbing his cerns. He announced the end of the anti-American sentiment. Even 1986, a Congress alarmed by Last and probably least, it ous ideology (“the false song destructive instincts. Trump will program allowing Dreamers (resi- if anger toward Trump may be US policy failures in Vietnam, lends gravitas to signals the of globalism”) rather than an do more damage if he feels iso- dents who entered or remained in understandable, and even if poli- Iran and Grenada had decreed US government sends to the economic and political fact. Fur- lated, rejected and cut loose, while the country illegally as minors) to ticians are tempted to cater to that this document should be rest of the globe. Thus, back thermore, his more mainstream holding him close provides at least stay in the US, but then opened a it, doing so risks setting demo- produced at the outset of each when things were “normal,” advisers have not managed to some leverage over his behavior dialogue with Democrats about cratic societies against the US. If new administration to explain the publication of a new NSS “normalize” the administration; and may impress upon him that preserving it. He declared he was leaders around the world are to the principles and goals of the meant that analysts, journal- at best, they have achieved less partnership has its advantages. rescinding health care subsidies remain committed to working with president’s grand strategy. ists and diplomats the world bad outcomes, such as kicking Moreover, the Trump presidency needed to fund Obamacare, but Trump whenever possible – as On occasion these exercises over would heave a sigh, pour the responsibility of reviewing will not last forever. Trying to keep soon thereafter entertained a well as reaching out to the US proclaimed a genuine strategic themselves some extra-strong the Iran nuclear deal over to Washington tethered to the inter- bipartisan proposal to salvage bureaucracy, Congress, and state shift that would make headlines coffee and inspect the text with Congress rather than just tear- national community during his the funding. Even though Trump and local officials, all of which worldwide. This was the case in a fine-toothed comb to extract ing it up. tenure will make it easier to repair has announced his intention to may be better partners than the 2002, when President George any available insights into the Under these circumstances, the wreckage he leaves behind. withdraw from the Paris climate White House – they must ensure W. Bush issued a NSS declar- superpower‘s latest strategic the publication of the Trump Learning to live with the Trump agreement, the US cannot formally that their own electorates have not ing that the US might undertake intentions. administration’s first National presidency means accepting the exit the accord until 2020, leaving come to write off the US. preventive strikes against adver- But the Trump era is anything Security Strategy in late Decem- harsh reality that what you see is room to maneuver. Otherwise, any hope of sus- saries armed with weapons of but business as usual. Never has ber of 2017 was met with signif- what you get. Indeed, his presi- It is difficult to know whether taining a sense of solidarity and mass destruction. After appalled an American president so reck- icantly more than the customary dency is likely to get worse, not Trump’s stop-and-go style is a community among the Atlantic reactions from the international lessly dispensed with the formal- tepid specialist interest. But the better, in the months ahead. The sign of genetic inconstancy or democracies will prove illusory. community, this never-imple- ities of international relations, document does not resolve the adults in the room – John Kelley, part of a shrewd negotiating strat- Otherwise, the US president fol- mented threat was retracted in or so liberally threatened allies tension between the normaliz- Rex Tillerson, H.R. McMaster, egy. But it does mean that the lowing Trump may preside over the subsequent document. and adversaries alike, from call- ers and the radicals – indeed, it James Mattis – are unable to tame door is open to negotiation, and a country that has turned sharply Far more often they produced ing NATO “obsolete” to threat- enshrines it. Trump, and some of them may concerned parties should walk inward and lost its international- a stew of strategic platitudes ening Europe with trade wars On the one hand, the NSS well jump ship in the near future, through that door. In the end, ist calling. rendered in boilerplate lan- and North Korea with nuclear makes dozens of references to eliminating whatever moderat- Trump may or may not uphold The United States, long the guage, a testament to the tor- obliteration. partners and allies. It also makes ing influence they may exercise. the Iran deal, allow Dreamers to anchor of republican ideals and tuous “interagency process” Of course, unilateralism, a point of restating the presi- Trump is also likely to ramp up his stay in the US, preserve the health multilateralism, is backing away by which the American federal skepticism of “foreign entangle- dent’s late and reluctant re-com- hard-edged populism as the mid- insurance of Americans in need from both under Trump’s leader- executive explains its thinking ments” (George Washington) mitment to the mutual defense term elections draw near. With or return to the Paris Agreement. ship. This turn in US politics is to itself. Sometimes a paper was and protectionism are American clause in Article 5 of the NATO the Democrats poised to do well Nonetheless, it is certainly worth part of a broader surge in illib- no sooner published than it was traditions as old as the republic Treaty. On the other hand, it in November, Trump will seek to trying to bring him around. To eralism and populist nationalism obviated by events. Survivors itself. Presidents Clinton, Bush emphatically reinforces the dic- rally his base by doubling down walk away from Trump is to playing out in many quarters of of the process were prone to and Obama oversaw NATO tate delivered in a now-noto- on his nationalist and populist encourage his worst instincts. the globe. intimate in a strangled whis- (and EU) enlargement after the rious op-ed written in May by agenda. Second, engaging Trump does To help ensure that we are wit- per that they would rather be fall of the , yet all National Security Advisor H.R. Having alienated the more cen- not mean bending to his wishes; nessing only a temporary setback waterboarded than have to go made serious efforts to retrench McMaster and Gary Cohn, pres- trist voters who helped him win it means attempting to bring him – not a permanent reversal – in through it all again. the US military and diplomatic ident of the National Economic the presidency, Trump is retreating around to sensible positions, and the fortunes of liberal politics, Germany’s “Iron Chancellor” engagement in Europe. Council: the fundamental para- to his faithful base, which at least standing one’s ground when that America’s partners should keep Otto von Bismarck famously One faction of Trump explain- digm of American power in the for now has commandeered the effort fails. On the Iran nuclear reaching out to Trump and resist said that two things should ers in Washington – let's call them age of Trump is one of zero-sum Republican Party. The Republi- deal, America’s partners must the temptation to distance them- never be exposed to public view: the “nothing to see here” faction competition rather than coop- can establishment is running for staunchly defend the pact, come selves from the US. Engaging the making of sausage and the – suggests ignoring presidential eration. And the rationale made cover in the face of a mobilized what may; it is the only game Trump will limit the damage he making of laws. Were he alive language and looking instead by the NSS for US support of its and angry base. Whether he likes in town. However, Europeans can do, and make it more likely today, he would likely include at events, or rather everything allies in Europe and elsewhere is it or not, Trump is beholden to an should engage Washington on that the Trump era represents a the writing of national strategy that has not happened: NATO self-interested in the narrowest ascendant insurgency of populist the deal’s sunset provisions and dark detour for Americans – and papers. is still standing, they say; and possible terms: America’s “allies nationalists; he has already lost how best to counter Iran’s mis- not the new normal. Nevertheless, even the most what wars has he started? They and partners magnify US power much of the rest of the country. sile program and its destabilizing jaded critics will admit that also point out – fairly – that this and extend US influence.” Trump has gravitated to the far regional behavior. Exploring side CHARLES A. KUPCHAN producing a NSS has its merits. uniquely disruptive president is The NSS also insists, rather right by inclination as much as by agreements or follow-on arrange- is professor of International On the domestic front, it helps surrounded by a multitude of remarkably, that the institutions necessity. Even as Steve Bannon, ments for addressing these issues Affairs at Georgetown and remind the executive of the prin- political appointees, civil ser- of domestic democracy must Sebastian Gorka and other fer- may succeed in convincing Trump Senior Fellow at the Council ciple of separation and balance vants and military officers, all be made resilient to political vent ideologues have been ban- not to scuttle the deal. A good on Foreign Relations. This of powers; Congress will keep of whom are attempting to hold interference from abroad. This ished from the White House, faith effort to address Trump’s article draws on an essay a watchful eye on the shaping the administration to standards new emphasis on challenges to originally published in Trump’s racially tinged brand of concerns – rather than dismissing Süddeutsche Zeitung and of foreign and security policy and processes that will make it US dominance by other great nationalism has continued, if not them – may be just enough to keep Foreign Policy. by a president and his advisers, more stable and predictable. powers – specifically, Russia and deepened. His equivocation over him on board. It is worth a try. and it intends to use the strategy Others have a different take: China – was amplified shortly The German Times 11 POLITICS TREATMENT US President Donald Trump has infected trans-Atlantic relations with uncertainty, instability and anxiety. Three experts seek remedies for The German Times CENTER SHUTTERSTOCK

after publication of the NSS by the new National Defense Strategy and its motto of “compete, deter, and win.” Written at the Pentagon under the aegis of Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis, this docu- ment is notable for its embrace of allies and partners, which EXERCISE MORE it describes as “crucial” to American strategy. Given the President Trump cannot prevent us from forging stronger trans-Atlantic ties increasingly aggressive global assertiveness of both Russia and China, this re-focusing guishing one policy field from from politics. As more and more ics, local politicians and all many’s Ruhr Valley – both of of US strategy makes sense, BY METIN HAKVERDI the other. eyewitnesses of that era – those those who see multilateralism which have been hit hard by and Europeans can and should Unlike any president before with vivid recollections of the as self-evident and desirable. the structural changes of recent engage with it. s far as the world econ- him, Trump has been able to liberation of Germany – fade For example, in the realm of decades – will immediately rec- If only the commander in omy is concerned, it convince people who were not into the background, the more climate protection, California ognize that liberal and Western chief agreed. President Trump Ais interlinked,” dead- profiting from our new world difficult it becomes for the is currently showing that it is democracies will have to work has made it clear – in his panned the famous German sati- order that he understood their younger generation to bridge possible for reasonable environ- together to provide political speeches on the launch of the rist Kurt Tucholsky in the early woes. In fact, these were the this emotional gap. mental policies to succeed even solutions to address the anger NSS, his Davos speech and his 1930s. Although uttered in the very people who put him in This is why we need new nar- without adherence to the Paris and hopelessness felt by those State of the Union address – Weimar Republic, the remark office. Indeed, the 2016 election ratives that can revitalize our Climate Agreement. referred to in German as Ratio- that he does not share the stra- applies today as much as ever. has been referred to as the “can trans-Atlantic relationship. In fact, there are plenty of nalisierungsverlierer, or “ratio- tegic framework advocated by Indeed, while some observers you hear me now?” election. These stories can no longer areas in which we can work now nalization losers.” This is where his advisors. Trump contin- see President Donald Trump’s Today, these “losers of mod- revolve around military libera- to refine our shared values. For domestic and foreign policy ues to argue for cooperation words at this year’s World ernization” are exerting their tion; instead, they must focus on example, it is urgent that we intersect; indeed, without the with Putin’s Russia, and sees Economic Forum in Davos – influence on the future of the what makes liberal democracies explore the impact of digitiza- anger and hopelessness felt by China chiefly as a trade adver- “America first does not mean Western world order. That being such as the US and Germany so tion on the economy and the former coalminers in in the Rust sary; the top three threats he America alone” – as a gesture said, we cannot forget that this successful. This involves shared workplace in both our coun- Belt, Trump’s electoral success obsesses over are immigrants, of conciliation, this would be development is not entirely new; liberal democratic values, equal- tries. Our response to the chal- would have been inconceivable terrorists and North Korea. an incorrect reading. American and it’s not just taking place in ity before the law and an open, lenges of the fourth industrial – and there would have been no He remains disdainful of the economic policy will be part of the US. tolerant society. In fact, in order revolution will have to reflect resulting shift in policy alliances notion that has underpinned a new global public policy that Has the trans-Atlantic rela- to be a part of this community, our liberal tradition and thus be in the West. US strategy since World War has a tangible impact on Ger- tionship been shattered by the our countries need not even differ greatly from the solutions Politicians of my generation II: American stewardship of a many as well. After Davos, there efforts of one person? Certainly share interests – which, indeed, offered by authoritarian regimes are now obliged to use the liberal international order is in can be no doubt about this. not. At this point, our approach they often do not. such as Russia and China. But coming years to establish reli- the American interest. And yet, as unpleasant and pro- should be to take advantage First of all, it would suffice how exactly can this work in a able and sustainable contacts as Even more importantly, tectionist as Trump’s “America of Trump’s political egoism, to have open and fair elections. globalized market? well as to address the key chal- Trump appears to believe first” slogan may sound, it is his contempt for national and Indeed, for all of us who doubt In our era of growing populism lenges of our time – both in and that the US should to be nothing we haven’t heard before. international institutions, his the strength of democracy under within liberal democracies, the outside of the political sphere. able to use nuclear weap- While his term – or terms – in rejection of multilaterism and Trump, we need only look at the “future of work” is perhaps the The self-absorption of Trump’s ons, would win a trade war office will be sure to drag on, his utter disdain for the idea of latest elections for governor in most important trans-Atlantic presidency provides us with a against China and could his administration will not usher a united Europe as an opportu- New Jersey and Virginia as well theme on which to focus. How living reminder that we must emerge victorious from a pre- in the “demise of the West.” nity to revitalize and redefine as the Senate special election in can we achieve a fair tax and explore, nurture and develop ventive “bloody nose” strike Although Trump is indeed foster- the trans-Atlantic relationship. Alabama. The results show that trade policy? What should be the our shared values on both sides against North Korea. Should ing a sense of alienation among Indeed, it is up to us to do our the liberal tradition not only nature of internet regulation? In of the Atlantic time and again. any of these come to pass, the trans-Atlantic partners, he is far homework now so we can enjoy alive, but vibrant – and that we order to answer these and other After all, the more we know world would become a dif- from legitimizing the reasons for the fruits of our labor while would behoove us to put aside questions, it is imperative that about each other, the less Trump ferent place. But even if they doing so. Trump is still president and, our typical German pessimism we engage in an intensive trans- will be able to spread his (mis-) are avoided, the president’s The debate launched by the more importantly, when he is in this case. The confident and Atlantic dialogue. interpretation of the situation. inability or unwillingness to recent “In Spite of It All, Amer- no longer in office. professional media so despised I am optimistic that we will We must never forget that the tone down his rhetoric, his ica” manifesto examining the The US and Germany share a by Trump is serving its purpose succeed in this endeavor. On my trans-Atlantic relationship does overt disagreements with future of the trans-Atlantic rela- common horizon of experience by fulfilling its journalistic man- travels throughout the US, which not belong to the president in his advisors or his contempt tionship is on the right path, that began – however inauspi- date. In other words, there will have often taken me deep into Washington; it belongs to the for allies will lead America’s but it is too monothematic in ciously – during World War II. be a time after Trump – and we rural areas, I have experienced people who fill it with life. friends to hedge their bets. parts. Although my intention is With this in mind, it is impor- should be prepared for it. an American society steeped As for America’s adversar- by no means to question or deny tant to note that one reason What can we do in the mean- in the tradition of Woodrow ies, they will feel encouraged the importance of foreign and for today’s rising alienation is a time to revitalize and redefine Wilson; that is, not only do to fill the vacuum the super- security policy, an approach that generational shift in the politi- the trans-Atlantic relationship? people want a better America, power leaves behind. reduces the debate to this topic cal sphere, one that has noth- While Trump is in office, it is they also want a better world. At METIN HAKVERDI (SPD) is a member of the alone gets me thinking. After all, ing to do with the current US urgent and necessary to identify its core, the community of values German-American this approach neglects the fact administration. Over the past and reach out to the president’s in the West has always been Parliamentary Group in CONSTANZE that globalization, automation several years, a number of politi- antagonists, especially those shaped by an image of man as a the Bundestag. He is also STELZENMÜLLER is the inaugural Robert and digitization have long since cal figures whose yearning for working in the complicated US bearer of freedom and dignity. a member of the Atlantik- Bosch Senior Fellow at the caused domestic and foreign the West had been fed by the system of checks and balances. Anyone who travels through Brücke. Brookings Institution. policy to move closer together direct experience of WWII and These include elected members the industrial wastelands of the while blurring the lines distin- the post-war years have retired of Congress, scientists, academ- Ohio Valley and then visits Ger- A CLASS OF THEIR OWN. “No other ships today can match the high standards set by MS EUROPA and MS EUROPA 2 and their crews.” Douglas Ward, Berlitz Cruise Guide

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DOWN THE WRONG PIPE The construction of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline is highly contentious. Is Europe becoming dependent on Russia? Or on the US? Two German experts present their differing views for The German Times

Qatar, Iran, Azerbaijan, Russia ing Gazprom with additional of the project are based on the an industrial scale. BY FRIEDBERT PFLÜGER and, not least, the United States market access? If so, this should BY RALF FÜCKS estimate of a long-term increase The new double pipeline also with its shale gas industry. Most be clearly stated in order to in natural gas consumption in crosses several highly sensi- s polarized as the dis- recently, Israel, Cyprus, Greece prevent the erosion of European f we listen to those groups the EU. For today’s needs, this tive ecological areas. Indeed, cussion surrounding and Italy signed a memoran- rule of law, not veiled in eco- advocating on behalf of pipeline is simply superflu- building this pipeline involves ANord Stream 2 may dum for the construction of nomic or legal pretext. INord Stream 2 – the second ous. In 2015, Nord Stream 1 massive interventions in the be, each side posits legitimate the world’s longest underwater Moreover, a crackdown double pipeline designed to operated at a capacity of only maritime biosphere. Environ- arguments deserving of care- pipeline to supply Europe over on Nord Stream 2 would move Russian natural gas 71 percent. There are also the mental protection organizations ful consideration. It is thus 2,000 kilometers with up to not help Ukraine. In a study through the Baltic Sea – we reserve capacities contained in criticize both the route and essential to discard doomsday 16 billion cubic meters of gas for the European Centre for might come to think the new the continental pipeline system the superficial environmental scenarios, return to reason per year. The industry seems Energy and Resource Security project is a highly energy- as well as increasing capacities impact assessment. and soberly substantiate the far from suffering a lack of (EUCERS) at King’s College efficient project and politi- available at liquefied natural gas The claim that Nord Stream 2 debate. Four main issues are demand. London, Andreas Goldthau cally quite harmless. Accord- terminals geared to meet future is a purely commercial project at stake: This is good news for Europe. argues that while the country ing to them, Nord Stream 2 demand. In other words, there is naïve. It would be severely Detractors of Nord Stream The continent’s emerging and would indeed miss out on tran- will increase European energy is no shortage in natural gas negligent to overlook the fact 2 argue that European energy diverse portfolio of gas imports sit fees should the majority of security – after all, the Soviet import capacity today, nor will that this pipeline is part of a security is already impaired contributes to the overall secu- gas flows to Western Europe Union was a reliable provider there be a shortage in the future. geopolitical game played by by an over-dependency on rity of supply, to competition circumvent its network, it also – and remain a purely com- For Nord Stream 2 to be used the Kremlin. The goal of this Russian gas. As was the case and thus to affordable gas prices stands to gain from new West- mercial project. They argue at full capacity, it would require game is to eliminate Ukraine and with previous energy coop- for households and industry. ern import options boosting its that the European Commission either an enormous increase Poland as transit countries, to eration projects, such as the For better or for worse, the standing in price negotiations would do well to stay out of in EU gas consumption or a cement European dependence on German-Russian gas-for-pipes advanced integration of the with its eastern neighbor and the matter, and should refrain squeezing-out of other suppliers energy imports from Russia and deal of the 1970s (“Röhren- European gas market and the lowering its gas bill. And this from interfering in Germany’s and transport routes. Neither of to drive a wedge between EU embargo”), it is first and fore- need for redundant, parallel would not be a first; the com- energy sovereignty. Objection, these scenarios would be in the countries. While Europe contin- most Washington that is in infrastructure – as the new Nord pletion of the Lithuania’s float- your Honor! interest of Europe. They would, ues to lack a common strategic opposition, ostensibly in the Stream strands would provide ing Klaipėda LNG terminal in The “European Energy Secu- however, be in the interest of energy policy, the Russian side belief that Russia covers the – were demonstrated at the end 2014 brought an immediate rity Strategy” adopted by the Gazprom & Co. continues to expand its energy vast majority of European gas of last year by an unfortunate 20-percent price reduction EU Commission in 2014 con- A sustained increase in the empire. Part of this game also demand. However, this share, explosion at a major gas hub for Russian gas imports, even tains three explicit objectives: level of natural gas consump- involves the strategically placed often exaggerated in the US, in Baumgarten, Austria, affect- before any significant volumes an increase in primary energy tion is incompatible with the construction of nuclear power has been fluctuating over the plants designed to export elec- past decade between roughly tricity to the EU, such as the one-quarter and one-third. 2400-megawatt complex on the

But more importantly, SHUTTERSTOCK Belarusian-Lithuanian border after the Ukrainian gas crises and an equally large facility in in 2006 and 2009 – which Kaliningrad. in some Central and East- Gazprom is not your average ern European countries led corporation. Together with the to serious supply shortages oil giant Rosneft, it forms the and justified concerns – the economic basis of the authori- EU took decisive action to tarian regime in Moscow. Oil drastically diversify supply and gas are the most impor- sources and improve energy tant sources of income for the security. What emerged is a Russian state and the richest functional and highly flex- source of systemic corruption. ible European gas market, At the same time, Gazprom lacking confining destination and Rosneft are at the center clauses and boasting new of the Kremlin’s economic net- interconnectors, storage works in Europe. Indeed, it facilities, reverse flow capa- will be interesting to see how bilities and over 30 European German ex-Chancellor Ger- LNG import terminals (suffi- hard Schröder navigates these cient to cover more than half waters in his role as a leading of EU demand). While just Gazprom and Rosneft lobbyist. a decade ago the EU might There is a much less expensive still have been susceptible alternative to a second Baltic to blackmail, we are now Sea pipeline: the modernization witnessing a much-improved of the continental transport net- energy landscape where gas work. This would comprise a can scarcely be weaponized. multilateral project that would Prospective European gas benefit everyone. If Ukraine and demand is a similar point Poland were to be eliminated as of contention. Will not intermediaries for Russian gas the triumphant advance of exports to Western Europe, they renewables and efficiency would lose billions of euros in measures make additional annual transit fees. In addition, gas import capacity superflu- ing markets all the way from of liquefied gas had reached the generation, the diversification of climate policy goals of the EU. the Kremlin would be able to turn ous? In a recent speech, EU Italy to the UK. The incident Baltic state. supplier countries and delivery What we need is an extensive off the gas at any time without Climate Action and Energy promptly triggered an order for Political leaders in Europe routes, and a joint approach of decarburization of the energy jeopardizing its export business. Commissioner Miguel Arias a short-term LNG delivery. Inci- and the US should think twice EU states with regard to third sector by mid-century. Instead Ukraine would then become even Cañete made abundantly clear dentally, this order came from before doing precisely what they countries. Nord Stream 2 clashes of creating path dependencies more vulnerable to Russian poli- that this is not the case: “Gas Gazprom’s Russian competitor, accuse the Russians of doing: with all three of these objectives. in fossil energy imports over cies of intimidation. This, too, is has an important role to play Novatel, which had inaugurated using energy as a political tool. First, the project speculates that decades, our goal should be part of the political dimension of in our decarbonization efforts its Yamal liquefaction facility Pipelines such as Nord Stream natural gas imports to the EU to remain flexible in terms Nord Stream 2. [and] will shift towards a role just days earlier. 2 do not represent subservi- will rise. Second, it increases of supply sources and trans- If Germany’s goal is to achieve where it will complement var- The issue of subsidies has ence to Moscow – they create dependency on Russia, which – port routes. In the short term, a cooperative European energy ious renewables and replace been raised, including whether stabilizing interdependence. already the largest gas supplier demand for natural gas may system, then we should not more polluting fuels.” they can be justified on the This is as true now as it was by far – accounts for roughly pick up as a result of the support the policy pursued by In the short and medium highly developed European gas during even the most precari- 30 percent of gas delivered to gradual phasing-out of coal the Kremlin. Our Central and term, Europe will continue market. But as long as inves- ous periods of the Cold War, Europe. Finally, Nord Stream 2 and a further reduction in oil Eastern European neighbors to require large volumes of tors bear the cost and risk of when energy remained the only has also become a divisive ele- consumption. Over the long will no doubt express a critical low-carbon fuels for heating, a new infrastructure project significant area of continued ment for the EU, which is inter- term, however, consumption yet understandable sensitivity if transportation and shipping, themselves – as is the case with cooperation between East and nally at odds over the project. of natural gas will also experi- their interests and concerns are as well as for the substitution Nord Stream 2 – and do not West. Europe and the US would A coalition comprising the ence a decline. One key factor ignored in another grand bargain of coal in electricity generation. pass it on to governments or be well advised to bring calm SPD, the Federal Government in this process is the continuing between Germany and Russia. Even if consumption levels taxpayers, consumers should and composure back into this and the German Committee on improvement of energy effi- Nord Stream 2 is a test of how remain stable, import neces- welcome the prospect of every debate. Eastern European Economic ciency in the building sector serious Germany’s commitment sity will expand due to dwin- additional gas molecule reach- Relations is driving this project and heavy industry. Another to “more Europe” truly is. dling availability of domestic ing our shores, irrespective of forward against resistance from factor is the substitution of nat- gas resources; in the Nether- its origin. the EU Commission. In the eyes ural gas by means of synthetic lands, for instance, production However, even if Nord Stream of Poland, the Baltic republics gas (hydrogen and methane) dropped from 81 bcm in 2013 2 possesses a business rationale FRIEDBERT PFLÜGER, and Scandinavian countries, derived from excess renewable German State Secretary of to 47 bcm in 2016 due to con- and poses no threat to European Nord Stream 2 is yet another electricity. Also, the greater the Defense (ret.), is director cerns over seismic activity. energy security, some argue it example of Germany pursu- share of wind and solar energy RALF FÜCKS of the European Centre for Opponents of Nord Stream may still be objectionable from ing its narrow national interest in Europe’s mix of electric- was the longtime head of Energy and Resource Security the Heinrich Böll Stiftung, 2 also challenge the business a geopolitical perspective. Is it (EUCERS) at King‘s College without any coordination with ity, the more urgent becomes sense behind the pipeline. But not in our best interest to play its European neighbors. the issue of converting excess an independent political London, senior fellow with foundation affiliated with Russia is far from alone in tough and oppose Nord Stream A pipeline with a transport amounts of electricity. Any fix- the Atlantic Council’s Global Germany’s Green Party. recognizing the opportunities 2 in order to offer an unam- Energy Center and managing volume of 55 billion cubic meters ation on the import of natural He is now the director of on the European gas market. biguous response to Russian director of Pflüger International per year and investment costs of gas would only serve to delay the Berlin-based think tank Other present and prospective transgressions in Ukraine and GmbH. up to €10 billion will be built to the development of alternative Zentrum Liberale Moderne. contenders include Norway, elsewhere, instead of reward- last for decades. The economics state-of-the-art technologies on 14 The German Times March 2018 BPK/ADOC-PHOTOS

Lights out in Elektropolis Busy hall: a workforce assembly at a Berlin turbine factory in 1940.

had painstakingly constructed commercial hub as well as its comprised the disassembly of ser- him he deemed “organized van- deconstruction and loss of capac- BY BENJAMIN WALTER an assembly line exclusively largest banking center and the vices and transportation facili- dalism directed not alone against ity suffered by Berlin industry after for peacetime products: steam seat of its largest stock exchange. ties – with the aim of destroying Germany, but against the US the end of the war,” wrote Harms- f nothing else, the French engines, compressors, pumps, Berlin’s labor force participation Germany’s potential to wage war forces of occupation.” sen. “This factor is the true cause military governor of Greater cooling systems, chemical instal- rate of 54.3 percent outshone the – the seizure of foreign assets In May 1946, US General Lucius of the economic crisis.” IBerlin, Jean Ganeval, was lations, boilers and steam tur- 51.3 average for the Reich, while and the exploitation of ongoing Clay suspended all American During the blockade from June thorough. Shortly after World bines. But all their pleading and the city’s per capita productivity production facilities as well as the sector dismantlements destined 1948 to May 1949, Berlin was War II, all Nazi armament facili- begging came to naught. The was one-third higher. In 1995, German work force in general. for the Soviet Union. Americans forced to realize that its location, ties were marked for removal Borsig Works, residing in the Frank Zschaler, now a professor Stalin’s soldiers were the first and Britons proceeded with their deep in the east of Germany, was – a policy the Allies had agreed former West Berlin district of of economic and social history in to reach the German capital. His disassembly regardless. Although a further disadvantage. Berlin upon at Yalta. Included, of Wedding, would remain idle Eichstätt, Bavaria, published the squadrons were eager to carry out they dropped 858 companies from recognized that it now lacked a course, were the Borsig Works, until 1950. study of a historical commission the plan before the other Allies their reparations list in 1947, 682 nearby market and thus would which Ganeval’s command had Before the war, Berlin was Ger- on Berlin, which showed that the could make it to Berlin – first businesses remained. Bremen’s accrue high transportation costs. “marked for liquidation.” In a many’s largest industrial base city allowed other regions in Ger- in the west of the city, then the Senator of Commerce Gustav Wil- Suffering more than most were desperate letter on Mar. 1, 1947, and the focus of its most modern many to share in its wealth: Only east, and finally throughout the helm Harmssen, who had been a the machine builders, who had employee representative Lübcke technology. Economic historian one-fifth of tax revenue collected Soviet zone of occupation. They board member for the navy sup- lost a significant market share and plant manager Fröhlich Johannes Bähr has dubbed the in the city was spent there. “The proceeded to confiscate company plier Atlas Elektronik until 1942, to the West German companies openly opposed the orders of city “Elektropolis” for its leading largest portion by far served the accounts and plunder the city’s noted in 1951 that the victorious that didn’t need to transport the former resistance fighter role in electrotechnology and its financial administration of the industry. By the time they were powers had dismantled a total of their goods long distances to find and Buchenwald internee. The claim of 41 percent of Germany’s Reich, which thus fed national finished, they had seized 60 per- 460 Berlin companies, in most consumers. Although Rosinen- factory had already been “fully electronics industry work force. interests in what may be referred cent of the industrial capacity cases down to every last inven- bomber, or Candy Bombers, were dismantled” by the Red Army Berlin was particularly strong in to as a form of revenue sharing.” Berlin was able to muster by the toried finished and semi-finished employed by Siemens & Halske in the May and June of 1945, machine, steel and automobile However, post-war Berlin was end of the war. Most intensely felt good. Machinebuilding lost 90 to fly raw materials to the city they wrote; 2,000 machines manufacturing, the iron, steel the largest field of rubble in the was the city’s loss of mechanical percent of its capacity; 20 per- and then 6,000 tons of finished with a combined weight of some and metal-ware industries and world. In comparison to 1936, and electrical engineering capa- cent through war damages and 70 products back out, this was a 11,000 tons and a value of 25 in construction, as well as highly the city had lost three-quarters of bilities. percent through disassembly. In significant expense. million Reichsmark had been specialized facilities for processing its industrial capacity, but Allied When the Western Allies took the 12 leading sectors of Berlin’s As a result, within a few years at disassembled and carted off by anything from consumer goods bombing was not to blame; it over the west of Berlin on July machine tools industry (includ- least 900 companies migrated to the Soviets. The current factory to textiles. Pre-war Berlin had was the systematic dismantling of 4, 1945, they soon realized – to ing the Soviet sector), only 8 of the American, British and French comprised repaired machines an industrial work force almost the city’s industrial capacity that their horror – the extent of the the former 25,000 machine tools occupation zones while hundreds and equipment salvaged from equaling that of Bavaria or weakened Berlin. dismantling by the Soviets; Edwin remained after the dismantling. In relocated individual business units the rubble of Allied bombs; Saxony. The services sector also The Allies had agreed in Yalta W. Pauley, the US representative the electrical industry, losses were out of the former capital, and these had been patched together producer above-average revenue, to regulate and divide reparations of the Allied Reparations Com- so great that Harmssen attested to numerous West German com- at considerable costs, in part as could be expected from a bus- through a joint commission. To mission, prophesized the “com- a “complete dismantling.” “Ber- panies shuttered their Berlin with public funds. Over the last tling capital city. Berlin was also be carried out in the two years plete destruction of employment lin’s current economic difficulties branches. The electrical industry half-century, they argued, Borsig Germany’s transportation and following capitulation, the plan opportunities.” What lay before are first and foremost due to the and engineering sector headed

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AMAXX_Worldwide_SecurityTimes_290x260_Feb18.indd 1 25.01.18 10:51 March 2018 The German Times 15 BUSINESS

After the end of World War II, the Allied Powers dismantled Berlin’s industrial facilities and large corporations fled the fault line of the brewing Cold War. The German capital has suffered the consequences of war and division ever since

primarily to southern Germany, dated the influx of 4.5 billion deutsch- “Germany’s southern federal states according to Bähr. This procession mark to Berlin through 1961 – money of Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg to the west dealt a long-term blow to that several federal politicians would benefitted more than any other from Berlin’s industry as well as to local rather have invested in West Ger- Berlin’s loss of primacy,” argues Bähr, tax proceeds. many. while providing some convincing fig- “This is irreparable,” says Bähr Khrushchev’s ultimatum and the ures: South Germany’s share of the today. “Siemens will always remain construction of the Berlin Wall in work force was 16.4 percent in 1939; in Munich, and Deutsche Bank in 1961, which initially caught the West in 1955 it was 42.3 percent. Chief Frankfurt am Main, while their sup- off-gaurd, created renewed insecurity beneficiaries of companies’ exodus pliers and subcontractors also settled and led to a new flight of capital. from Berlin included the areas around elsewhere as a consequence.” As com- “The relocation of savings accounts, Munich (Siemens & Halske), Nurem- panies fled Berlin, so did individual the establishment of West German berg/Erlangen (Siemens-Schuckert), Germans, especially those most quali- operational facilities and the outflow Stuttgart (SEG/Lorenz) and Frankfurt fied for various professions. “Those of profits are simple facts,” wrote (AEG as well as banks). Moreover, hoping to make a career for them- Doris Cornelsen. Not even the finan- countless large corporations set up selves headed west. That was Berlin’s cial assistance by the federal govern- branches in structurally weak regions single greatest loss: human capital.” ment could drive the expansion of of , particularly in Senator for Economics Paul Hertz economic capacities and performance; Bavaria. (SPD) stated in 1957 that in years Berlin remained a risky investment. The fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 after the war, even those in gov- No other German city sank so low seemed to bring an end to the historic ernment circles doubted “whether after World War II; no other had situation that had caused the city’s it made any sense at all to consider such difficulty getting back on its feet. overwhelming need for subsidies. The reinvigorating Berlin’s economy and While the West German economy federal government quickly scaled creating the potential for the city to progressed after the currency reforms back its assistance to Berlin – with again stand on its own two feet. Of of 1948, Berlin was not only left disastrous consequences: more migra- course no one wanted to abandon behind, but further regressed. If one tion out of the city and further busi- Berlin to its own fate. But sometimes were to assign 1936 a production ness closures. The companies in East people seemed more willing to pay index of 100, 1950 West Germany Berlin also lost a significant portion for Berliners’ permanent support than would have already exceeded it with of the markets they had recently to use loans to risk financing the 109, while Berlin stagnated at 32. In enjoyed. reconstruction of the city’s economic the Bizone – the US and British zones The final analysis renders unequivo- framework – an endeavor many con- taken as one – electrical industry cal results: Berlin – West and East sidered to be hopeless.” production had already reached 1936 – suffered the repercussions of the This doubt had already manifested levels by August 1948, and increased Germany’s division like no other itself in December 1949, when the by 64 percent and 48 percent in 1948 city in the republic, and it bears this HENSKY BPK/HERBERT European Recovery Program man- and 1949 respectively. burden still. Empty hall: a production site in an electronics factory in post-war Berlin after dismantlement.

done with walls Berlin #FreiheitBerlin

be.berlin

BePa_GermanTimes_DoneWithWalls_290x260_ISOnewspaper.indd 1 08.03.18 15:20 16 The German Times March 2018

1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 Breaking even The Wall divided Berlin for more than 28 years. Now 28 years have passed since it came down. Bearing the weight of the past and reveling in its present glory, the city has come into its own

era in which the East German the increasingly permeable Wall. larly attracts around 800,000 Artists and existentialists joined At the same time, Auguststraße BY FRANK HOFMANN regime tried to live out its dream The GDR was a pressure cooker visitors each year. The former hobby philosophers from all over in Berlin-Mitte began attract- of socialist modernism in those waiting to explode. Wehrmacht soldier Rainer Hil- the world and young West Berlin- ing a flush of artists thanks to t was a day just like any pre-fab apartment buildings – These and many other histori- debrandt founded the museum ers who didn’t want to pay any a unique policy set up by the other. Feb. 5, 2018, how- “Plattenbauten” – found near cal aspects are on display today on Oct. 19, 1962, right after the rent – and they all began experi- district of Mitte’s Public Housing Iever, had tremendous mean- the TV Tower on Alexanderplatz along Bernauer Straße and in Wall was built, partially as a menting with new ways of living. Association – one for which other ing to the once-divided city and all the way to Lichtenberg the Tränenpalast Museum at way of making personal amends, The Tacheles art center on cities envy Berlin to this day. of almost 4 million inhabit- and Marzahn. It was a life lived S-Bahnhof Friedrichstraße, but mostly as a protest against Oranienburger Straße became Acknowledging that it would ants. This date tells a special according to the party member where the focus is on the past. the concrete border. This was an icon of this development. take years for courts to process story, one of growing together, book of the SED; indeed, no On Friedrichstraße, for example, where international guests had to One night, in a cloak-and-dag- the re-transfer claims of previous of hope, but also of a younger other city in East Germany had visitors can walk through the make their way to “their” border ger operation, Russian artists homeowners – which included generation who no longer cares as many Plattenbauten in such a former passport check-in coun- crossing at Checkpoint Charlie rammed two Mig jets into the many Jewish families across the exactly where the Wall once small area. ters where all West Germans vis- if they wanted to get through ground of the inner courtyard, globe – policymakers offered stood and whether they’re in Erich Honecker was the SED iting experienced late the very Wall that East Berliners without thinking about whether artists one-year rental contracts the former West or East Berlin. Central Committee Secretary 20th-century German totalitari- found so prohibitive that they they were allowed to. In Berlin, and required them to pay elec- On Feb. 5, 2018, Berlin had responsible for security mat- anism in the form of rough treat- would go to tremendous lengths art was able to do anything it tricity and heating costs only. seen as many days – 10,315 to ters at the time and thus for ment by a GDR border guard to overcome it. At the Wall wanted; here, “everything goes” The advantage to this was that be precise – without the Wall as “Operation Rose,” that is, the before having to exchange their Museum, visitors can see small was a lived credo. the homes were prevented from it had with the dreary eyesore. construction of the Wall. Hon- deutschmarks for ostmarks. cars with secret hiding places, Only a couple of years later, deteriorating any further. Gal- special ladders and even flying when officials began arguing that lery owners soon moved in and

DPA devices people used in trying to the jets were in violation of the made exhibition spaces out of the make it over the border. Today, War Weapons Control Act, the studios. By the time US President a section of the Wall stands in the artists soon had to pack up their Bill Clinton visited the city to give corner; visitors can walk right bags. At the time, the state often a speech that many hoped would up to it and touch it here, at the resorted to obscure laws when top John F. Kennedy’s famous memorial on Bernauer Straße. confronted with such unique and “Ich bin ein Berliner,” anything In other words, the once mighty overwhelming challenges. Indeed, was possible in Berlin. Berlin Wall, which inspired fear who wants to have to call out Addressing Berliners gath- and anguish in so many people, people illegally drawing electric- ered at the Brandenburg Gate is now no more than a museum ity in a city where every second in July 1994, Clinton said: “We piece. household had had to resort to stand together where Europe’s And yet, the events in Europe such methods in the wake of a col- heart was cut in half and we that led to the erection of the lapsed GDR economy? Instead of celebrate unity.” This is speech wall – perhaps the most famous that, it was much more important writing at its best. “We stand manifestation of the Cold War that someone had one of those where crude walls of concrete – are on the agenda once again. beloved pump showers that could separated mother from child, and Indeed, 28 years after the fall of the Wall – and 56 years after the Wall was built – the jingoism that led to the Holocaust and two catastrophic world wars in the 20th century has reared its ugly head again. PARENTS SHOW In 1992, Francis Fukuyama cheerfully announced in his book The End of History, that THEIR CHILDREN the fall of the Iron Curtain sig- naled the achievement of the WHAT IT WAS LIKE moment described by the great German philosopher Georg Wil- helm Friedrich Hegel as the final WHEN THE CITY synthesis. He argued that the end of the conflict between East WAS DIVIDED and West meant that all would be right with the world again. Many disagreed with him at the time. And today, in a world that must grapple with a right-wing populist in the White House, – at least briefly – warm you up we meet as one family. We stand dangerous and illiberal leaders in in those old, cold and coal-heated where those who sought a new Warsaw and Budapest, the frus- apartments. life instead found death. And trations that led to Brexit, lib- Back then, every day felt like we rejoice in renewal.” Clinton eral Europe is once again forced the weekend, especially in Berlin- soothed Berlin’s wounded soul, to address issues many believed Mitte, where DJs dropped their especially in the West. “Berliners, to have been long settled. This beats for free in any number of you have won your long struggle. comes as a surprise to a lot of run-down candlelit buildings. You have proved that no wall can people in the West. Contrary to what you might have forever contain the mighty power Indeed, nationalism presents heard, people at the time were of freedom.” a challenge to the project of playing more than just electronic Back then, this sounded a bit European integration and to the music; it was rock, pop, techno, ridiculous to those fresh young dream that the continent would house and basically anything a Berliners who’d turned jetfight- finally be unified in peace under couple of speakers could amplify. ers into art and those DJs who the rule of law after years of In addition to Tacheles, another were starting to make well-paid division symbolized by the Wall. hotspot of Berlin’s alternative cul- jobs out of their hobby. “Berlin It is suddenly clear that EU gov- ture was the “Eimer” in a building is free” was Clinton’s cliffhanger ernments have come up short at Rosenthaler Straße 68. You sentence, but young people in the in the more than two post-Wall could also enjoy music and a beer city had figured that out years Summer in the unified city: Berlin’s Mauerpark, where the Wall once stood, became a hotspot for all ages. decades. Indeed, they are guilty in basements on Steinstraße and before. of having under-integrated the Tucholskystraße. By that time, And yet, more than two It had been erected by Socialist ecker would go on to become Visitors to Berlin are still fas- continent and missing a great Dimitri Hegemann had already decades later, this speech rings Unity Party (SED) leader Walter General Secretary of the SED cinated by the city’s history. opportunity to further unify founded Tresor, the world’s most out like a challenge, especially Ulbricht, Erich Honecker and Central Committee and head Today, however, there is no need Europe. “We have to want this famous club, on Leipziger Straße. in light of the right-wing popu- others who sought to cut off of the GDR in 1971, at which for fear. These days, the only new Europe,” says Lech Walesa, The Love Parade was growing lists who are giving 19th-century West Berlin but instead ended point he continued to tend to negative vibes along the former former leader of the Solidarność larger every year and Berlin was answers to 21st-century ques- up building a prison wall around his concrete wall. After that, a Wall arise when the popular movement in Poland, which constantly abuzz. It was as if tions. Today, Berlin has lived their GDR co-citizens. From new generation was born and lookout platform at the Bernauer emerged as the Wall was begin- the city were trying to forget the without the Wall for 28 years. the day construction began on the Wall started to take on its Straße memorial has to be closed ning its downward crumble. But gravity of its own former divi- The city has caught up to the Aug. 13th, 1961, it took 10,215 characteristic gray appearance. again for staircase renovations. why hasn’t the joy at seeing the sion by dancing it off as quickly other great European capitals days to reach that happy night However, in the late 1980s, there But no worries, visitors just have Berlin Wall fall led to the cre- as possible. and is mentioned in the same of Nov. 13th, 1989, on which were simply no funds available to cross the street to see the old ation of an order able to prevent In the Berlin Senate, Urban breath as London and Paris. the divided city was reunited. to complete the necessary reno- East German border tower and a re-emergence of nationalism? Development Director Hans Isn’t it time we took on the And on February 5th, 2018, the vations. Indeed, the GDR was at a few remaining sections of the How could it come to this? Stimmann worked for six years political challenges of our day? Wall had been gone for exactly its end both economically and Wall to have an eerie experience. After the Wall came down, starting in 1991 at erasing Ber- What city is better positioned 10,315 days. morally; the aged leadership of The open-air Wall memorial Karl Popper’s notion of an open lin’s division architecturally. to most effectively oppose Every day, hundreds of tour- the East German workers’ and remains one of the city’s most society became popular in the Building cranes and jackham- authoritarianism than Berlin, ists and school groups visit the peasants’ state proved ineffec- popular spots: Just about one countries of Central and Eastern mers soon greeted the club-goers a city that suffered for years one-kilometer open-air Berlin tive in responding to the reforms million people visited in 2017. Europe; these were the principles emerging from Tresor in the wee under a dictatorship of concrete? Wall museum and memorial on underway in the Soviet Union. The Wall memorial regularly guiding the transformation of hours of the morning and spill- Berlin prides itself on all the new Bernauer Straße to reflect on the Mikhail Gorbachev’s poli- comes in at number two on the Poland and Hungary from social- ing out on to Potsdamer Platz Berliners who live there today horrors of the former border. cies of Perestroika and Glas- list of most-visited contempo- ism to a market economy. In this next door. After the Wall came because they loathe the Orbáns, Parents show their children what nost were ushering in changes rary museums in the city, with era, Berlin became the cultural down, the city also had twice Kaczynskis and Trumps of the it was like when the city was that extended all the way to free the Topography of Terror on symbol of this transformation as many theaters and operas as world. Let’s show them what divided by this brick-and-cement speech. The idea was to engage the former Gestapo site on Nie- into a continent divided no more. any major city would need; and we’ve learned in the 28 years monster with its armored barri- in discussions that would help derkirchnerstraße at number In the space of only a few months yet it was precisely this situation we’ve lived without the barrier ers and firing orders that ripped save socialism and reduce the one. Also on that list is the in 1990, the eastern part of the that gave Berlin the opportunity referred to by Willy Brandt as friends and families apart for ever-growing number of GDR privately run Wall Museum at city saw roughly 120 mostly to assert its cultural hegemony the “Schandmauer” or “Wall almost three decades. It was an citizens applying to leave across Checkpoint Charlie, which regu- empty homes become occupied. in the German-speaking world. of Shame.”

1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 March 2018 The German Times 17 LIFE

BY TONG-JIN SMITH want to allot to which type of usage and who will develop the old or build new structures in lexanderplatz, the famous place of the ruins we see today,” and infamous central SQUARE ONE says Ephraim Gothe, the deputy Asquare in Berlin-Mitte district mayor responsible for was named for Czar Alexander Berlin’s Alexanderplatz is ever in the making urban development in Mitte. after his visit to Berlin in 1805. “Our hope is to set an example It was used for military parades that will radiate beyond Haus der and farmers’ markets until the Statistik itself,” adds Manfred end of the 19th century. Almost political debate and still waits to be fitness club topped by 32 floors development of Alexanderplatz ment agencies for almost a decade. Kühne, referring to the demo- one hundred years later, it was realized. But with Berlin’s massive of luxury apartments. Prices are and its surroundings in a yearlong The other former GDR showpieces cratic planning process and its the site of peaceful demonstra- population growth and soaring expected to start at about 5,000 public dialogue process with more lining the streets around Alex- outcome. “Our ambition is to tions during the downfall of the property prices, developers are euros per square meter and apart- than 10,000 citizen participants. anderplatz were converted into make this the nucleus of a new East German regime. Today, the seizing the moment. ment sizes will be upwards of 30 Among the postulated guide- modern office spaces and partially development for Mitte and to “Alex” – as Berliners call it – is a The American real estate invest- square meters, with penthouses lines are also the need to create a declared heritage sites, protecting increase the quality of Alexan- landmark and commercial center ment firm, Hines, is set to build offering a breathtaking view of the connection to the history of the them from alteration and demoli- derplatz by curtailing its current, lined with shops and eateries, Alexanderplatz Residential on the Berlin skyline. city center, opening the space in tion. However, Haus der Statis- radically capitalistic agenda.” train and tram stations, the TV northeast corner of the square. On the other side of Alexa, front of City Hall south of the tik, which has remained federal This should include rethinking tower and the Park Inn hotel. It’s Designed by star architect Frank Dutch investor Dekor Vastgoed TV tower for democratic political property, has been more or less the entire program that is the a meeting point, a stage for street Gehry, plans for Berlin’s first resi- has begun building yet another debate, and ensuring that Ber- abandoned, and is now crumbling Alex – attracting countless visi- artists and musicians, a tourist dential skyscraper were introduced residential high-rise. Not quite as lin’s center is firmly established – a fact that has infuriated Berlin- tors all throughout the year, and attraction and traffic junction – to the public in 2013. The struc- high, but no less expensive than its as a place for art and culture. ers and provoked public debate, then rejecting them. and some might say an eyesore. ture’s sculptural design made head- neighbors, Grandaire will be 20 “We have the unique situation especially in the wake of a growing People do not generally come lines, prompting Regula Lüscher, stories of condominiums starting here that nearly all of the current housing shortage and the refugee Up in the air: Far beneath here to spend their lunch break Berlin’s chief building director, to at 4,800 euros per square meter. residential buildings and many of crisis of 2015. the planned building, safety or enjoy an afternoon stroll with say: “On the one hand, Gehry’s Connected to the tower will be a the commercial spaces surround- But change is in sight. In an concerns regarding a subway the kids. Quite to the contrary, design has an expressive form 12-story apartment building with ing Alexanderplatz, reaching all agreement between Berlin and line are currently holding for Berliners Alexanderplatz is and an unusual, eccentric, new about 100 rental units – something the way down to the old town the federal government, the up construction. a throughway, a hub to change shape for this location. And yet, the city needs more than luxury center in Nikolaiviertel, belong to city purchased Haus der Statis- from train to subway or to rush its façade emits a pleasant sense condos for the international jet set. the city’s public housing society tik in 2017 at market from a department store to the of calm. In addition, the design The architecture is less eccentric WBM,” explains Manfred Kühne, value and planning Alexa mall on the other side of fits well into its surroundings and and more in tune with the Bauhaus director for urban development for the building’s Grunerstraße. In a sense, the Alex conveys well the aspect of Metro- idea that “form follows function”; in Berlin’s Senate Department for future has moved of today is an evolution of the politan living.” However, realiza- it is a building Berliners can relate Urban Development and Housing. forward rather place Alfred Döblin describes in tion of this 150-meter tower has to with more ease. “This opens the opportunity to quickly. his 1928 novel Berlin Alexander- been halted by concerns regarding But the question remains as to give more cultural and social insti- The coalition platz, where his protagonist Franz possible damages to the subway how Alexanderplatz can become tutions affordable spaces instead agreement envi- Biberkopf encounters hustle and tunnel below. With preparations a more welcoming urban space, of focusing on achieving the high- sions a mixed bustle, clamor and chaos, prosti- now completed, construction is a place Berliners and visitors est possible rent by giving prefer- usage for the tution and crime. Commerce now scheduled to begin soon to meet alike will enjoy and where one ence to fast-food restaurants and 40,000 square reigns supreme and has replaced the planned 2019 deadline. might consider taking an after- other highly commercial chains.” meters, providing the once rough yet charming soci- In the race for Berlin’s first dinner walk. “One key aspect will This idea was echoed by a civil space for admin- ality of the pre-war years and the residential skyscraper, competi- undoubtedly be how we decide society initiative formed to rescue istrative, cultural,

GDR. tion is welling across the street to regulate traffic in the future,” and develop the ruins of Haus der social and educa- COMMUNICATIONS HINES CORPORATE And critics fear that things will on the corner of Grunerstraße says Carola Bluhm, chairwoman Statistik, one of several buildings tional purposes as not improve once the international and Alexanderstraße, where Rus- of the parliamentary group Die constructed in the 1970s by the well as apartments developers, who purchased prop- sian developer MonArch plans to Linke in the Berlin city parlia- GDR. Contrary to its sisters – for people from all erties along the edges of the square, erect another 150-meter high-rise ment. “Alexanderplatz itself may Haus des Lehrers, Haus des Rei- walks of life, includ- bring to life what was laid out in designed by Berlin-based architects one day become less commercial sens, Haus der Elektroindustrie, ing newcomers to a master plan in 1993. Identifying Ortner & Ortner. According to and offer more sojourn quality, Haus des Berliner Verlags and the city. The public Alexanderplatz as a high-rise loca- its marketer, Bewocon, Alexan- but we need to talk about the Kongresshaus – the large building is participating in tion in a city otherwise dominated der Tower will sport a three-story multi-lane streets surrounding it.” complex along Otto-Braun-Straße the planning and by buildings with a maximum shopping mall – in direct competi- Making the plaza more accessible north of Alexanderplatz was aban- development. “It is height of 22 meters, the master tion to neighboring Alexa – and an and walkable is one of ten prin- doned in 2008, prior to which it a matter of deciding plan has been an object of heated in-house private movie theatre and ciples established for the further had been used by federal govern- how much space we

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www.grothgruppe.de 18 The German Times March 2018 LIFE 1 4 6

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1 Zillestraße 98-100, inner courtyard. Artist: Gert Neuhaus, 1979 | 2 Frobenstraße/Schwerinstraße. Artist: Shepard Fairey, 2017 | 3 Oranienstraße/Manteuffelstraße. Artist: ROA, 2011 | 4 Neheimer Straße 2-6. Artists: Collin van der Sluijs and Super A, 2016 | 5 Bernauer Straße/Strelitzer Straße. Artist: Marcus Haas, installed by XI-Design (Die Dixons), Size Two and Mario Mankey, 2016 | 6 Skalitzer Straße/Oranienstraße 195. Artist: Victor Ash, 2007 | 7 Falckensteinstraße 41. Artist: BLU, 2007 | 8 Prinzenallee/Badstraße. Artist: Artistgruppe Graco, 2013 | **Book: Norbert and Melanie Martins: Hauswände statt Leinwände – Berliner Wandbilder (Walls not Canvases – Berlin Murals), c. 300 color photos, hardcover, 29.90 euros. GROWN ON CONCRETE Large murals inhabit exposed façades left behind by World War II bombs

BY JOHANNA TRAPP from the district, probably above the zipper, with the rest Murals were first painted in the Tiergarten S-Bahn station, and slogans. As the empty lots AND ANDREAS SCHOELZEL* because no such application of the wall in a beautiful turn- Mexico. Frida Kahlo’s husband, Ben Wagin and three colleagues began disappearing, so did many has been submitted. In other of-the-century look. But that Diego Rivera, became famous painted the city’s first mural, of these murals. But new paint- *PHOTOS words, if the rules were taken would have cost three times in 1929 when he painted the Weltbaum – Grün ist Leben ings are still being created today. his image is more than seriously, the three Boateng as much and was simply too interior walls of the National (World Tree – Green is Life), Indeed, local housing associa- a mural,” says Norbert brothers would have to go. expensive for the client. Palace in Mexico City. In 1933 a clarion call for environmen- tions recently discovered that TMartins, “it’s a monu- Norbert Martins knows the At the time, a mural like he was invited to create a mural tal preservation. Wagin thereby homes with attractive murals are ment.” The work of art he’s story behind these images like no Zipper would have cost 20,000 in Rockefeller Center in New also helped protect the house easier to rent out. referring to is located in the other. He has published a book** deutschmarks and the paint York City, but a scandal ensued from a scheduled demolition. Last year, a new work at the multicultural, working-class on Berlin’s street-art jungle and would have been applied by when people noticed that his Today, however, it looks like Wall Memorial along Bernauer district of Wedding and por- takes tourists on regular guided brush. Today, artists earn less Man at the Crossroads con - the Weltbaum’s time has come, Straße caused many heads to trays three brothers next to the tours. Roughly 750 such murals and can work much faster with tained portraits of Lenin, Marx, as there are current plans to turn. Martins was one of the words “gewachsen auf Beton” have been created since 1975 spray cans. Engels and Trotsky. build offices and a hotel on the people who was not crazy about (grown on concrete). Two of and he has photographed them Kosmonaut/Astronaut by Germany discovered street art site. The building contractor can the image of a raw piece of meat the men, Jérôme and Kevin- all. Sometimes he was even there Victor Ash was created in 2007 in the 1970s. In 1971 the city of even point to the fact that back being sliced by a knife: “When I Prince Boateng, play soccer in when they were made. and also harbors a secret you Bremen commissioned destitute in the 1970s Wagin admitted first saw it, I was shocked,” he the world’s biggest stadiums Gert Neuhaus’ Zipper was can only discover in the dark. artists to paint public buildings the painting was not a work of says. “How can you paint some- and are venerated by the youth created in 1979 on an exposed While visiting the site at night, and civilian bunkers. In 1975 the art, and thus it is not protected. thing like that?” But when he of Berlin. No one would think brick wall zipping up a fin the artist noticed that a nearby movement reached the “frontier The Berlin Senate then spon- looked closer, he saw the dates of removing this monument, de siècle façade. As Martins spotlight casts the shadow of a town” of West Berlin, where sored competitions for “Kunst 1961–1989 and the outline of even though it violates public explains, Neuhaus would have flagpole onto the wall. These there were still countless vacant am Bau” (Art on Buildings) and Berlin’s districts. Now a fan of law; indeed, the mural also hap- liked to have shown more fin de days, at night, the hand of the lots destroyed by WWII bombs; “Farbe im Stadtbild” (Color in the piece, Martins says: “Only pens to be an advertisement for siècle and less exposed brick; astronaut stretches in the direc- the exposed walls overlooking the Urban Landscape). House here, at this site, is it possible a sports shoe company and has in fact, the original idea was tion of the shadow as if trying these spaces offered naked, bare squatters also made use of to paint such a provocative and yet to receive official approval to have the brick visible only to grab hold of it. and ugly canvases. Across from façades for illegal protest images disturbing image.”

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Photograph: © 2018 Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar Resort March 2018 The German Times 19 LIFE PER MEURLING, BERLIN FOOD STORIES, WWW.BERLINFOODSTORIES.COM

A hands-on experience: Yafo is drawing Berliners to its tables with feasts for the eyes, ears and stomach.

tightly networked, and not just BY FRANZISKA KNUPPER in terms of food. As luck would have it, Shani lives right across ere it not for the war, The proof is in from Gordon Café. In her black Berlin would never leather jacket and sunglasses Whave happened.” She she leaves her building and delivers this sentence almost waves across the street. “Guten casually, followed by a smile the pudding Morgen!” answers Doron, in outlined by red lipstick.“My German. Most newcomers over cousin was killed, my brother the last five years have settled was drafted and I was certain How the price of a chocolate dessert is fueling an influx of young Israeli in Neukölln. Suddenly, within we would all die. I was con- a radius of four kilometers from stantly drunk for three straight restaurateurs who now feed locals’ appetite for hummus Sonnenallee to Kottbusser Tor, months and just totally out of it. Hebrew can again be heard on I couldn’t wait to get out of there the streets of Berlin. The Shruna, somehow.” It was summer 2014 tables while persistently nipping come for economic reasons. The moment. We’re making the café “The main thing is good olive or neighborhood, is critical, says when Shani packed her bags in at her glass of red wine. Now cost of living in Israel has risen into a restaurant serving modern, oil, lots of vegetables, the right Doron. It’s a safety net that soft- Tel Aviv and moved to Germany and again she eyes the plates in sharply over the past decade. Middle Eastern cuisine.” spices. Everything has to be fresh. ens the arrival in a foreign coun- to live with her then boyfriend the hands of the waiters. “It’s During a three-month-long tent If you think about it, what For me, that is Israeli cuisine.” try and helps lessen the anonym- Felix. In her home country on important for me that the food protest in 2011, younger genera- actually is Israeli food?” This She still can’t believe she has ity of a large city. Shani agrees: the Mediterranean, Operation is well presented. It has to look tions denounced the exorbitant question is indeed a difficult one to teach Germans to eat with “In Germany, the independence Protective Edge was wreak- nice enough for me to want to rental prices in Israel’s largest to answer. The national meals their hands, she says, laughing, and freedom of the individual ing havoc between Israel and eat it.” cities. And three years ago, a have their roots in Morocco, her black curls bobbing up and are primary. I respect that. But Gaza. In Berlin, Shani waited Baked eggplant, cauliflower in Facebook post by a young Israeli Lebanon, Spain, Poland, Russia down. Hanging on the wall is a in Israel you experience more of with trepidation for the verdict lemon juice and sesame sauce from Berlin made quite a stir. and Romania. Nir’s mother portrait of her grandmother – a a community feeling. And I miss from the municipal authorities with garlic seems to appeal to “Chocolate pudding, 19 cents. comes from Yemen. “I often call smiling face wrapped in a white that here.” on whether her application for Berliners; indeed Israeli food is See you in Berlin!” wrote the her to ask about meals we had headscarf. Her head is tilting, a restaurant license would be ascendant in the German capital. 25-year-old. The entry quickly when we were kids. And then I as is her smile. Shani also has approved. Mugrabi in Kreuzberg, Gordon gained almost one million hits. cook them here.” Israel has long roots in Yemen. “You can really Tel Aviv natives Nir Ivenizki (l) Three years later. The boy- in Neukölln and Kanaan in Pren- “Olim L’Berlin” (Hebrew for been a country of immigration, tell. She’s so caring, and always and Doron Eisenberg (r) friend is no more, but the restau- zlauer Berg – the arrival of Israe- “Let us ascend to Berlin”), as the in the culinary sense as well. loud.” It’s a close-knit group; in their café-meets-record store rant – Yafo, in Berlin-Mitte – is lis in Berlin was accompanied by sudden mass migration came to Falafel from Egypt, gefilte fish Berlin’s Israeli community is “Gordon” in Berlin-Neukölln. jam-packed. “Yafo” is Hebrew chickpeas and balls of falafel. be known, would culminate in from Poland and shakshouka – for “beauty” and also the name Benedict Berlin on Uhlandstraße the Israeli Finance Minister Yair eggs poached in tomato sauce of the Arab quarter of Tel Aviv has an all-day Israeli breakfast Lapid labeling the initiator of – from North Africa. But it’s the separated from the Jewish center and Hummus & Friends in Mitte the chocolate-pudding scandal question of chickpea suprem- JENS KALAENE of town by cliffs and a strip of is 100 percent kosher. Berlin “anti-Zionist.” acy that has caused the most coastline. The language spoke is popular among the youngest For Doron Eisenberg and Nir culinary strife between Israelis at Yafo in Berlin is a mixture adult generation in the Holy Ivenizki, the reason for moving and their Arab neighbors over of English and Hebrew. But it’s Land and around 12,000 to to Berlin was neither economic the past several decades. Who more shouted than spoken, more 20,000 Israelis currently reside nor political. “We came here invented hummus? hustled than strolled. Suddenly, here. The exact number is not for the music,” explains Doron. Who was first to cook the the sound of cheering and clink- known, as most of the expats Their Gordon Café is thus a legume in its own stock to make ing glasses. One of the bartend- possess a European if not bistro as well as a record store, msabbaha? Did the Israelis liter- ers is celebrating their birthday German passport. The reasons a result of the duo’s interest in ally assimilate a central element and arak – the Israeli variant of for the migration of young Israe- melding personal passion with of Arab cuisine? ouzo – is being handed around. lis cover a broad spectrum; like cultural identity. The sound Shani would like to liberate Shani is in constant motion, Shani, several were fleeing con- of a drill blasts from behind Middle Eastern cuisine from cul- passing on orders and seating flict in their native land. Others Nir. “We’re renovating at the tural and geographical borders.

ANSWERING THE TRANS-ATLANTIC CALL

Over eleven years ago, the first Seventy-four editions of issue of The German Times The German Times have been was published. It was the first released thus far. Its sister- German newspaper written in paper, The Atlantic Times, was (2) KRUPPA English to serve as a platform first published in October 2004 for European dialogue. The new as a bridge between Europe publication appeared in all 27 and the US, and ran exactly 100 member states of the EU and editions. reached an audience of both Beginning with this edition, we national and EU politicians, are merging both publications the business community and to bring you a unique newspa- countless others. Altogether, per addressing both Europe around 50,000 decision-makers and the US with an original and in Europe received it. nuanced approach. On Jan. 17, 2007, the first issue The German Times aims to be was presented to German both a platform for a German Chancellor Angela Merkel at the perspective on the world as Executive Editor Theo Sommer (left) and publisher Detlef Prinz (middle) EU Parliament in Strasbourg. A well as a forum for voices from Executive Editor Theo Sommer (right) hands Chancellor Angela Merkel present the very first Atlantic Times together with then US Senator and then European Parliament President Hans-Gert Pöttering Richard G. Lugar (right) on Oct. 6, 2004 at the ambassador residency grand inaugural event in London both sides of the Atlantic, with the first edition ofThe German Times. in Washington D.C. followed that same evening. the hope of finding solutions to Soon after, the paper was the problems we face together introduced at other locations, and further promoting the idea including Brussels, the seat of of a new trans-Atlantic era for the European Commission. Europe, the US and the world. F LY

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