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Facts and Findings

Selected contributions to the series with international relevance

Publications

A New Dynamic in European Security Policy

Thoughts on the European Commission’s Reflection Paper

The European Commission's Reflection Paper on defense and security is an example of the new dynamic in the European Union's Common Security and Defense Policy (CSDP). This analysis describes key elements of the Reflection Paper in the context of other current initiatives designed to strengthen CSDP, explains the reactions from various players, and outlines what remains to be done to improve European security through more effective EU cooperation.

Erst das wirtschaftliche Fundament, dann die soziale Säule

Kommentar zum Reflexionspapier der Europäischen Kommission zur sozialen Dimension Europas

Am 26. April veröffentlichte die Europäische Kommission ein Reflexionspapier zur sozialen Dimension Europas. Es skizziert drei Optionen für diekünftige Rolle der EU in den Bereichen Soziales, Bildung, Gesundheit, Beschäftigung und Jugend. Das Papier enthält einige sinnvolle Vorschläge, der Subsidiaritätsgedanke kommt aber zu kurz. Keine der drei Optionen ist vollends überzeugend, stattdessen sollte sich die EU nach dem Motto „Weniger, aber effizienter“ auf Maßnahmen u.a. zur Stärkung der Arbeitnehmerfreizügigkeit oder zur gegenseitigen Anerkennung von Abschlüssen konzentrieren.

Business as Usual in Brussels? NATO’s strategic outlook under Trump

In response to Russia's aggression, NATO has re-emphasized territorial defense and has strengthened its deterrence posture in Europe's East. Questions remain, however, regarding the credibility and durability of that posture. Further, the unstable situation in Northern Africa and the Middle East creates anxiety for European allies. With the election of Donald Trump to the U.S. presidency, a dose of uncertainty about the viability of the transatlantic bond has been introduced into alliance affairs. This paper analyzes NATO's strategic situation and gives recommendations on how to proceed.

Die Zukunft der Wirtschafts- und Währungsunion (I) – Eine staatliche Insolvenzordnung für den Euroraum

Für die dauerhafte Stabilität der Europäischen Wirtschafts- und Währungsunion (EWWU) ist die Glaubwürdigkeit und Durchsetzung des institutionellen Regelwerks erforderlich. Von Bedeutung sind insbesondere die No-Bailout-Regelung (Art. 125 AEUV), das Verbot der monetären Haushaltsfinanzierung (Art. 123 AEUV) und im Sekundärrecht der Stabilitäts- und Wachstumspakt, Six- & Two-Pack, Europäisches Semester und der Fiskalvertrag. Der hier vorgeschlagene „staatliche Insolvenzmechanismus“, verbunden mit einer im Ultima Ratio rechtsverbindlichen „Austrittsklausel“ wäre ein Lösungsansatz.

Lessons from the stress test

What the EU has learned – and still needs to learn – from the refugee crisis

Over the last 20 months, the EU has come under a great deal of criticism regardingits response to the refugee crisis. From outside of Europe, the EU has been accusedof a lack of political will and common purpose. However, the external criticism wasexceeded by far by the opposition from some of the Member States and its exaggerateddepiction as a policy of non-compliance by some of the media.Contact to the authors: Christina.Krause@kas.de; Olaf.Wientzek@kas.de

Christians in Syria

Current Situation and Future Outlook

Syria is said to be a secular country which guarantees religious freedom. While that has never been the case, the country’s Christians were able to live their faith without experiencing any serious problems up to 2010. Many church leaders hope that situation will return, as do many Christians. The civil war has already cost over 500,000 lives, 6.5 million Syrians are now internally displaced persons and there are almost 5 million refugees. The number of Christians has dropped by half. They have fled the war, the regime and the Islamists. Will they return to Syria once the conflict is over?

Glimmer of hope for the Common Security and Defence Policy

One of the priorities of the EU is a commitment to enhanced cooperation in the area of the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP). The process initiated in September 2016 to further strengthen the CSDP includes pragmatic measures. In view of the security policy challenges the EU is facing, the proposals only represent a small step in the long run. Further steps in both institutional and operational terms are required to turn the CSDP into an effective instrument.

Zika and Ebola: What we should learn from health crises

Health crises such as Ebola and Zika will be the rule rather than the exception. The international community should adapt to this reality and implement the far-reaching reforms developed after the Ebola crisis. It would be a mistake to orient reforms in global health policy too strictly on an Ebola-specific scenario. Zika has shown that every health crisis presents different challenges. Germany has assumed a leadership role in global health policy in recent years and can make a significant contribution with its partners to strengthen the international health architecture.

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About this series

The series informs in a concentrated form about important positions of the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung on current topics. The individual issues present key findings and recommendations, offer brief analyses, explain the Foundation's further plans and name KAS contact persons.

 

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Editor

Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung e.V.

Dr. Kristin Wesemann

Dr

Head of Strategy and Planning

kristin.wesemann@kas.de +49 30 26996-3803

Sophie Steybe

Referentin Publikationen

sophie.steybe@kas.de +49 30 26996-3726