Week after week, Europe finds itself faced with making decisions that will set the course for the future of the eurozone and beyond. While Spain, Italy and France are convinced of the need for the rapid introduction of financially strong mechanisms to combat the crisis in the eurozone, other countries such as Germany are more focused on budget consolidation, structural reforms and improved coordination. It may be protests and demonstrations that dominate the news headlines, but one thing is clear: Europe’s citizens are ready to play their part when it comes to taking difficult decisions.

by Gerhard Wahlers

U.S. President Obama Will Have to Work Hard to Get Re-elected

After a long drawn out nomination campaign, we now know that the Republican candidate who will challenge President Barack Obama in the coming presidential election is Mitt Romney, the former governor of Massachusetts. Romney still remains a somewhat unpopular candidate - for many Republicans, he is just not conservative enough. Nevertheless, they all share a common interest in seeing President Obama voted out of office. But whoever wins in November will have to face the fact that the U.S. is going to face huge challenges for a long time to come.

by Lars Hänsel, Roman Sehling

What Does the Future Hold for Côte d’Ivoire One Year After President Ouattara Took Power?

More than a year after the end of the civil war that cost the lives of around 3,000 people, the situation in Côte d’Ivoire remains tense. Its economic development suggests that the country is heading in the right direction. However, unless it can fully restore security and begin a process of reconciliation throughout the country, this goal is still a long way off. In the first year of Alassane Ouattara’s presidency, great strides have been made in rebuilding economy and infrastructure. But people are still worried about the security situation and the rising cost of living.

by Maria Zandt

A Lifeline after the Rise and Fall of the Celtic Tiger?

In the referendum held on 31 May 2012, 60 per cent of the Irish people voted in favour of accepting the European Fiscal Compact, thus agreeing that Ireland should in future be legally bound by its rules. For Ireland and the other countries in the European Union, the “Treaty on Stability, Coordination and Governance in the Economic and Monetary Union”, agreed by 25 of the 27 heads of state and government on 9 December 2011, is vital if we are to preserve the EU and the euro. In terms of financial and economic policy, the government is on the right track.

by Dieter W. Bennecke

The Role and Potential of the Visegrád Countries in the EU

Over 20 years ago, Poland, the former Czechoslovakia and Hungary formed the Visegrád Group (today known as the V4). Their goal was to integrate themselves into Western structures. Since that time, the original motives for cooperation have changed and the goals have shifted. For the future, a limited and realistic agenda should be pursued in the EU context. Examples of this are the Eastern Partnership, energy security and the Western Balkans. But these will only achieve success if mature, realistic proposals are put forward and unilateral action is avoided.

by Hubert Gehring, Laura Kirchner

It was a hundred years ago that a serious discussion began in the USA about future power shifts in world politics. Today, however, this view is widespread: “The Pacific Era will be led by China – and no one else.” So is it possible to define socio-political Asia with Western historical and sociological terms or should this approach be questioned? The basic issue that needs to be discussed here is that large parts of Asia are in a clear process of modernisation, which also increasingly includes politics. Is this modernising Asia ultimately on the path to democratic systems?

by Manfred Mols