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smarterpix / HayDmitriy

AI training requirements should be reformed to be more practical

Article 4 of the AI Regulation: Good for bureaucracy, bad in practice

Article 4 of the AI Regulation leads to abstract, one-off training courses that can be easily controlled bureaucratically. In practice, however, they offer little real added value; what is needed instead are agile, sector-specific teaching and learning programmes. The passage should therefore be modified with the Digital Omnibus.

Leonie Mader
February 20, 2026
kurzum
Smarterpix/ sweet_tomato

Europe in the Age of Geoeconomics

Can the “Buy European” Approach Strengthen Europe's Competitiveness and Resilience?

In addition to countervailing duties, international alliances, and innovation promotion, “Buy European” is being discussed as a tool for strengthening European industry. However, “Buy European” should be a last resort and only applied in narrowly defined areas. A combination of targeted countervailing duties in cases of unfair competition and an aggressive free trade agenda would be more effective.

Tim Peter
February 19, 2026
kurzum
IMAGO / Xinhua

World trade continues even without WTO reform

The EU can shape trade rules with its partners

From 26 to 29 March 2026, the 14th WTO Ministerial Conference will be held in Yaoundé, Cameroon. Expectations for this highest-ranking world trade body are extremely low. No one seriously believes that the deadlock that has persisted since the 4th Ministerial Conference in Doha can be broken. The fundamental reform of the WTO that has been called for years will not succeed this time either. While this is not good news for the global trade order, it does not mean that the constructive forces within the international community, and in particular the EU, have their hands tied. 

Gunter Rieck Moncayo
February 10, 2026
kurzum
IMAGO / Peter Homann

Youth protests against military service

Use school strikes against compulsory military service as a starting point for dialogue

After schoolchildren across Germany took to the streets in early December 2025 to protest against compulsory military service, politicians must not respond with rejection. They must openly address the concerns and needs of the younger generation. Only if young people are involved will measures such as the Military Service Modernisation Act or a potential community service find acceptance.

Martin Bieber
December 18, 2025
kurzum
IMAGO / epd

A defiant church? The new Protestant peace ethic at the turn of the century

The Protestant Church commits to a new pragmatism in security policy – an important step for the success of the turning point

For years, the Evangelical Church in Germany (EKD) has presented an ambivalent image when it comes to security policy. On the one hand, Easter marches and uncompromising pacifism shape the thinking of many church members. On the other hand, Protestant clergy are involved in military chaplaincy in the German armed forces and accompany soldiers on missions abroad.

Martin Bieber
December 4, 2025
kurzum
smarterpics / Sonulkaster

Securing academic freedom for the long term

Establish a national contact point for research safety in the short term

Research safety in international collaborations has been the subject of intense debate since well before the publication of the German Science Council's recommendations on research safety in May 2025. Until a few years ago, these collaborations were generally viewed positively, as internationality in research is considered a driver of knowledge and the gold standard. However, since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the risks of international collaborations have increasingly come into focus.

Christina Thelen
December 4, 2025
kurzum
Adobe Stock / gfxshakib2023

Short-term savings options in the statutory pension insurance scheme

The sustainability factor and early retirement regulations belong on the political agenda

Before the launch of the pension commission provided for in the coalition agreement, the respective positions are far apart. On the one hand, there are calls for savings, while on the other hand, any reduction in benefits is rejected. A necessary major pension reform that also addresses issues such as pensions, the retirement age and contribution levels should remain the goal, but this seems very ambitious in the short term. However, in order to make progress towards major reforms, there are at least two elements that should be politically feasible in the short term.

Dr. Jan Cernicky
September 18, 2025
kurzum
IMAGO / ZUMA Press Wire

The EU-US customs deal: Better than its reputation!

For European consumers, the decision not to impose retaliatory tariffs is good news!

Despite all the justified criticism of the tariffs agreement between the EU and the US, one aspect is being overlooked in the heated debate: European retaliatory tariffs on US imports would have led to rising prices and poorer choice for European consumers. Companies that rely on intermediate products from abroad would also be burdened by European retaliatory tariffs.

Gunter Rieck Moncayo
August 5, 2025
kurzum
Adobe Stock / kaliel

Do not rely on deceptive energy security!

Energy policy consequences of the Iran-Israel war for Germany

The conflict between Iran and Israel reveals Germany's continuing vulnerability in terms of energy supply. Despite progress in infrastructure and diversification, dependence on global markets remains a risk. Decisive action is needed now - for lower energy prices, resilient supply chains and a secure, economically viable energy transition.

Dr. Christian Hübner, Laura Philipps
June 26, 2025
kurzum
Adobe-Stock

Principles of German Foreign Policy

Impulses from the Young Foreign Policy Working Group

In the midst of global upheavals and growing uncertainties, a sustainable German for-eign policy needs groundbreaking principles. The Young Foreign Policy Working Group provides some impetus for value-based and at the same time interest-led foreign policy action – with a strategic focus on European sovereignty, multilateral capacity to act and a clear anchoring in Western alliances.

Ferdinand Alexander Gehringer
June 8, 2025
kurzum

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About this series

Concise, reduced to the essentials, but always highly topical. In our series “in short”, our experts summarise an issue or problem on a maximum of two pages.