After the assassination of Soleimani - an analysis Analysis In a targeted missile strike on 3 January of this year, the US killed the Iranian Major General Qasem Soleimani, Commander of the Quds Force and hence the most important strategist behind Iran’s military engagement in the region. Our Heads of Office in Washington, Beirut and Tel Aviv take us through the significance of the recent events for Iran-US relations and the wider Middle East. Dr. Anja Hoffmann, Joachim Paul, Steffen Hagemann, Bastian Hermisson
Of Engineers and Visionaries: Germany and France as Partners for Saving the Multilateral Order Analysis Close coordination and smooth cooperation between Berlin and Paris is crucial for Europe and its foreign politics, particularly considering rising intricate geopolitical rivalries. Differences in style and approach must not impede cooperation on substance and common interests. Ronja Scheler
Germany’s Central European Strategy Bites Back Analysis As 2020 opens with dramatic global events demanding attention and care, the countries of the European Union remain divided on crucial issues from climate change to foreign policy. The relationship between Germany and the countries of Central Europe is pivotal to many of these impasses. Zsuzsanna Végh
'The EU has to invest more to avoid further escalation of the existing crises.' - An interview on the US-Iran conflict Interview After the assassination of Iran’s high General Qassem Soleimani by the US on Friday 3rd January 2020 in Iraq, the already very strained situation between the US and Iran, became even more critical. Head of Global Transformation Programme at Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung Brussels European Union, Anna Schwarz, spoke to MEP Hannah Neumann (Greens/EFA) about how the EU is to react to the further escalating conflict between the US and Iran. Hannah Neumann , Anna Schwarz
Gender Ideology and the Crisis of Care in Poland Interview Across Europe and beyond, actors on the nationalist right are instrumentalising the concept of gender for their own political gains. In Poland the incumbent right-wing Law and Justice party, backed by the Catholic Church, demonised LGBT organisations in its recent successful electoral campaign. Adam Ostolski, Agnieszka Graff
Böll EU Newsletter forwarding Newsletter Latest newsletter of the Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung European Union office.
[COP25] A Process on the Brink of Collapse Confronts a World on the Move Analysis The governments gathered in Madrid failed to embrace the urgent need for progress towards climate justice and higher ambitions. A broad analysis of the global climate negotiations addressing various angles: from fossil fuels, ecosystems and biodiversity, climate finance and justice, gender and indigenous people's rights, to emissions trading and Latin America. Sébastien Duyck, Erika Lennon
'There is so much more the world should know about Afghanistan' Interview Omaid Sharifi is a pioneer Afghan activist and one of the co-founders of ArtLords, an artist association which has been attracting widespread international attention in recent years. Lin Xin, Luzie Mayer
[COP25] Why the failure of the climate negotiations in Madrid could be a good thing Commentary The climate conference in Madrid had to be extended longer than any climate conference to date. Negotiations lasted until Sunday morning. And yet only a weak final document was agreed which postponed almost all essential questions until next year. A failure, even a catastrophe for the efforts to save the planet? Was this failure nonetheless even a good thing in the end? Focus on emissions trading. Jörg Haas
Tackling hate speech requires the protection of freedom of expression Analysis In a digitalized and increasingly polarised world, questions about how to protect freedom of expression online while curbing hate speech and online abuse, are at the centre of discussions about human rights protection. Patricia Meléndez
