Germany

man at podium

Coalition of small island states makes a case that greenhouse gas emissions are covered by UN Law of the Sea

​​​​​​​In Hamburg, Germany, an international tribunal makes rulings on the UN’s Law of the Sea, which deals with marine territorial rights and navigation, and requires states to prevent and control marine pollution. This week, a coalition of small island states is asking the court to rule on an unusual case: that greenhouse gas pollution is covered under this law of the sea. 

Coalition of small island states makes a case that greenhouse gas emissions are covered by UN Law of the Sea
The site at Campus Galli near the German-Swiss border where carpenters are erecting a medieval utopia.

A group of carpenters in Germany is erecting a medieval utopia using only 9th-century tools

A group of carpenters in Germany is erecting a medieval utopia using only 9th-century tools
On the outer edge of a bog in Kohlhütte nature reserve, the land is drier than it used to be. Once, this dirt would have been more like thick mud.

In Germany’s Black Forest and beyond, a quiet loss of biodiversity

In Germany’s Black Forest and beyond, a quiet loss of biodiversity
Cars queuing to cross the border into Kazakhstan at the Mariinsky border crossing, about (250 miles south of Chelyabinsk, Russia, Tuesday, Sept. 27, 2022.

Anti-war Russians who fled for safety now face deportation

Anti-war Russians who fled for safety now face deportation
two white wind turbines outside

War in Ukraine speeding up Germany's transition to renewables

War in Ukraine speeding up Germany's transition to renewables
black and white image of four people

Historians are learning more about how the Nazis targeted trans people

This is an important case. It was the first time a court recognized the persecution of trans people in Nazi Germany. It was followed a few months later by the Bundestag, Germany’s parliament, formally releasing a statement recognizing trans and cisgender queer people as victims of fascism.

Historians are learning more about how the Nazis targeted trans people
Denmark's military officers stand next to a Leopard 2A7 tank at the Tapa Military Camp, in Estonia, Jan. 19, 2023.

Tanks for Ukraine are 'ready to go' when Germany and US strike a deal, retired Navy Adm. says

As Germany faces mounting pressure to supply tanks to Kyiv for the ongoing war in Ukraine, retired Navy Adm. James Stavridis talks with The World's host Marco Werman about what the delivery of heavy weapons could mean for the war.

Tanks for Ukraine are 'ready to go' when Germany and US strike a deal, retired Navy Adm. says
Parliament buildings over looks the city of Belfast, Northern Ireland, Oct. 28, 2022. 

State reformation: Part I

This week's Critical State, a foreign policy newsletter by Inkstick Media, takes a deep dive into what might happen should Ireland and Northern Ireland fall under one government again.

State reformation: Part I
An F/A-18 E launches from the deck during flight training ops aboard the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford Thursday, Oct. 6, 2022, off the Virginia Coast.

Left unresolved: Part II

Critical State, a foreign policy newsletter by Inkstick Media, takes a deep dive into the beliefs of citizens of Germany and the Netherlands on the use of US nuclear weapons — especially as informed by partisan belief.

Left unresolved: Part II
Sueddeutsche Zeitung Photo / Alamy Stock Photo

Revealed: Untold story of the CIA/Stasi double agent abandoned after 22 years of service

A double agent who operated for the CIA and the Dutch security service against the Stasi tells his story for the first time.

Revealed: Untold story of the CIA/Stasi double agent abandoned after 22 years of service
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, left, shakes hands with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, as French President Emmanuel Macron, looks on before a meeting in Kyiv, Ukraine

Many Germans fear 'active participation in war' as country increases military aid to Ukraine

The German public has been reluctant to become involved in Ukraine's war. But the government in Berlin plans to deliver on a promise that Chancellor Olaf Scholz made in February to supply military assistance, citing a “turning point” for Europe.

Many Germans fear 'active participation in war' as country increases military aid to Ukraine
A general view of a G7 leaders meeting with outreach guests as part of the working session of the G7 leaders summit, Kruen, Germany

NATO to boost reaction force, Ukraine support

As Western leaders come together for a series of meetings, NATO says it plans to increase the number of its rapid reaction forces, and that allies will agree to deliver further military support to Ukraine when they convene on Tuesday in Spain.

NATO to boost reaction force, Ukraine support
Port cranes load a climate friendly LNG, liquefied natural gas, powered container ship at the import and export harbor in Hamburg, Germany

Europe’s new liquified gas infrastructure puts climate targets in question

In a race to stop buying Russian natural gas, European countries are building new infrastructure that many fear could lead to a fossil-fuel “lock-in.” Germany houses six of the nearly dozen liquified natural gas import facilities across Europe.

Europe’s new liquified gas infrastructure puts climate targets in question
The Kyiv Symphony Orchestra rehearses at the National Philharmonic in Warsaw, Poland, the day before the premiere performance of the "Voice of Ukraine" tour that took them to nine cities across Poland and Germany

The Kyiv Symphony Orchestra fights on the war's 'cultural front'

The Ukrainian Ministry of Defense granted special permission for the male musicians to leave the country, calculating that the world will be more motivated to protect Ukraine if it sees its culture as something precious and worth saving.

The Kyiv Symphony Orchestra fights on the war's 'cultural front'
A train passes by Republika Power Plant in town of Pernik, Bulgaria, April 21, 2022. The only nuclear power plant, generating over a third of Bulgaria’s electricity, runs on uranium from Russia.

EU proposes oil ban after bloc’s largest economy drops opposition

Germany has now been able to slash its dependence on Russian oil since the war in Ukraine started in February. But Hungary and Slovakia — still heavily reliant on Russian oil — still oppose the deal.

EU proposes oil ban after bloc’s largest economy drops opposition