Die Zeit / Hoover Institution / Freeman Spogli Institute
Publisher and editor of Die Zeit , a weekly German newspaper; author of Uberpower: The Imperial Temptation of America and The Myth of America's Decline: Politics, Economics, and a Half Century of False Prophecies; senior fellow of the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies and the Hoover Institution, both at Stanford University
Brexit’s Winners, Losers and Political Surprises The Brexit aftershocks continue today with front runner Boris Johnson surprisingly dropping out of the race for Prime Minister and his close ally UK Justice Minister Michael Gove, in a dramatic about-turn, stepping up instead. 7 days after the historic referendum Parliament churns with intrigue and global markets still have the jitters. Investors are waiting to see how the European Union will manage Britain’s withdrawal and member nations growing complaints that the EU is undemocratic. How will all of this uncertainty affect Europe’s handling of international security, migration, and humanitarian aid? One thing seems clear: Germany stands to gain power within the bloc and perhaps substantial financial benefits as businesses abandon London.
Should Britain Stay or Should It Go? David Cameron today told skeptics in Parliament that Britain should stay in the European Union because, "we have the best of both worlds." But the Prime Minister's credibility is being challenged as British voters prepare for a highly unusual referendum, and the outcome is increasingly uncertain. The US needs Britain to stay. So do France and Germany. But the refugee crisis and terrorism on the mainland are reminders that political unity can be costly. We hear what's at stake for international diplomacy and the global economy.
The US and Europe Put Pressure on Russia Today, Barack Obama made his first visit as President to Brussels, headquarters of both the European Union and the NATO alliance. In a speech to 2000 young people, he delivered his harshest words yet for Russia’s Vladimir Putin, calling him a "menace" to the international system built by the United States and Europe since World War II. He said, if Putin thought he could drive a wedge between the US and Europe, he "clearly miscalculated," and warned that Russia’s "isolation will deepen." We hear about his first visit as President to the headquarters of the European Alliance and NATO. Is he right that Russia is only a "regional power?" Who's showing the most strength — or weakness, the President or Vladimir Putin?
How Much Spying Is Too Much? President Obama has told German Chancellor Angela Merkel he didn't know her cell phone was tapped by America's National Security Agency and that he's put a stop to it. All government leaders know that nations spy on their friends as well as their enemies, but they also know the key is not to get caught. Now, due to revelations by former contractor Edward Snowden, America's National Security Agency is being called "out of control." The NSA says that everyone does it, but that may not catch on. Some indignant members of Congress are demanding reform. Has eavesdropping technology outrun the law? Have revelations about the past damaged diplomatic relations with the powerhouse of the European Union? Is the biggest problem the spying or the leaks that revealed it?
Is Time Running Out on the Eurozone? With a bigger economy than the United States, the Eurozone has the resources to avoid a break-up. But does it have the political will? With Greece imposing drastic austerity measures, Germany's parliament gave Chancellor Angel Merkel a bigger vote than expected today in support of increasing the Eurozone's bailout fund . We hear about the latest efforts to hold it together and the prospects for a double-dip recession worldwide.
Is Time Running Out on the Eurozone? The German Parliament today approved expanded powers for the European Union's main bail-out fund , a big victory for Chancellor Angela Merkel. But with Greece in the throes of protest over austerity measures, there's still concern that the can is being kicked down the road. How much longer will frugal Germans be willing to support other countries they regard as undisciplined spenders? Could Greece still default on its debt? Would that trigger an economic "contagion" threatening the global economy with drastic consequences for the United States?
UN Debates No-Fly Zone as Gadhafi Beats Down Rebels The Obama Administration has done an about-face on support for rebels in Libya. Tonight at the UN, it was expected that the Security Council would approve a resolution calling on the international community to stop Moammar Gadhafi from seizing Benghazi, the rebel stronghold, by force.
UN Debates No-Fly Zone as Gadhafi Beats Down Rebels As Colonel Moammar Gadhafi's forces get closer to the rebel stronghold of Benghazi, the US is now backing international intervention, but the UN Security Council has yet to agree. We hear from reporters travelling in northern Japan and from Libya, as well as different opinions about the wisdom of intervention.
Unified Global Strategy for Economic Recovery? Maybe Next Year This week in South Korea, the G-20 countries labored until early this morning to bring forth an agreement that left nobody satisfied. After days of dispute, the President of France today called the agreement "better than disagreement." Brazil and Germany opposed US plans to stimulate growth before reducing the deficit. China accused the United States of deliberately weakening the dollar. President Obama failed to get a free-trade treaty with South Korea, and conceded that "instead of hitting home runs, sometimes we're going to hit singles." What are the prospects of a trade war with China? How does global policy affect American standards of living?
Germany Ignites Debate on Multiculturalism, Integration Memories of the Holocaust made Germany sensitive to ethnic discrimination after the Second World War. But the demand for labor has led to the immigration of two million Turks who are now living in ethnic ghettos. A new book saying immigrants of inferior intelligence are changing the nation has become a best seller, and this week, Chancellor Angela Merkel told a political meeting that "multiculturalism has failed, totally."
Germany's Identity Crisis Memories of the Holocaust made Germany sensitive to ethnic discrimination after the Second World War. The country's demand for cheap labor has produced a Turkish minority two million strong in a nation of 80 million. New immigration laws allow Germany citizenship, but the Turks are living in ethnic ghettos, featuring women in veils and street signs in Turkish. Chancellor Angela Merkel says "multiculturalism" is a failure and that it's time for a change. Have the Turks refused to assimilate, or are they unwelcome? A best-selling anti-Islamic book has raised fears of a right-wing nationalism that's all too familiar given Germany's Nazi past.
It Was 20 Years Ago Today: The Fall of the Berlin Wall It seemed like a fact of geopolitical life that would never change: the Berlin Wall , part of the aftermath of World War II and an unyielding reality of the Cold War. But all that changed in the blink of an eye twenty years ago. In one of the most pivotal moments of the 20th century, the Wall came tumbling down. Communism crumbled, the Cold War ended, and a superpower faded. How has the world changed since the Iron Curtain was lifted? Has the triumph of democracy changed life for the better in East Germany? How has political power shifted within Europe? How are Third World countries, once courted as clients, been affected by the end of a two-superpower world? Above: A woman places flowers in the back wall (east side, looking west) of a preserved segment of the Berlin wall during a commemorative event to mark the 20th anniversary of the fall of the wall in Berlin today. Photo: John MacDougall/AFP/Getty Images
It Was 20 Years Ago Today: The Fall of the Berlin Wall It seemed like a fact of geopolitical life that would never change: the Berlin Wall , part of the aftermath of World War II and an unyielding reality of the Cold War. But all that changed in the blink of an eye twenty years ago. In one of the most pivotal moments of the 20th century, the Wall came tumbling down. Communism crumbled, the Cold War ended, and a superpower faded. How has the world changed since the Iron Curtain was lifted? Has the triumph of democracy changed life for the better in East Germany? How has political power shifted within Europe? How are Third World countries, once courted as clients, been affected by the end of a two-superpower world? Above: The individually painted dominos fall in front of Brandenburg Gate along the former route of the wall in Berlin, as part of the celebrations marking the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall. Photo: Axel Schmidt/AFP/Getty Images
Obama Visits Buchenwald President Obama today visited Buchenwald concentration camp in Germany, with survivor Elie Wiesel. Earlier, he continued his focus on Middle East peace, claiming the " moment is now " to press for an agreement. German Chancellor Angela Merkel joined him in pledging support for creation of a Palestinian state. Joseph Joffe is publisher and editor of the weekly German newspaper Die Zeit.
Trump's 'America First' goes missing abroad In the Middle East, President Trump is changing some policies of the Obama Administration—and reversing his own campaign attacks on Islam as a religion that "hates us." We hear about his visit to Saudi Arabia and what's at stake for the rest of his foreign excursion.
Janesville and the American Dream Janesville, Wisconsin is the hometown of Republican House Speaker Paul Ryan. But he couldn’t prevent the closing of the General Motors factory after 100 years. On this Memorial Day rebroadcast of To the Point, we hear what’s happened to what once was a model of American middle-class unity.