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Country Reports

Short political reports of the KAS offices abroad

Publications

IMAGO / MediaPunch

Local Elections, National Significance

November Elections in Several U.S. States are Decisive for Political Parties

Neither the President nor any members of Congress are up for election this year. But on November 4, important decisions will be made at the state and local levels—offering a key opportunity to gauge the political mood of the country.

Dr. Hardy Ostry, Jan Bösche
October 23, 2025
Country reports
IMAGO / ABACAPRESS

U.S. Reactions to Trump’s Middle East Peace Plan

Celebrations and Questions after the Ceasefire

U.S. President Donald Trump has achieved a diplomatic breakthrough. Through a combination of negotiation skills, strategic pressure, and personal commitment, he has successfully persuaded Hamas and Israel to sign a peace agreement. As a result, hostilities have ceased, humanitarian aid has been delivered, and—most notably—Israeli hostages have been released. Following celebrations in the region and widespread praise for the president, American experts are now asking: What comes next?

Dr. Hardy Ostry, Jan Bösche
October 16, 2025
Country reports
IMAGO / Anadolu Agency

Department of War: Change of Name, Change of Mission?

The Trump Administration's Defense Strategy

This fall, the Trump administration is expected to release its National Defense Strategy. While few details have been disclosed, a strong indicator of its direction is the recent 200th executive order, which renames the Department of Defense to Department of War.

Dr. Hardy Ostry, Maša Ocvirk
September 26, 2025
Country reports
IMAGO / ZUMA Press Wire

Reactions to US President Trump's peace efforts for Ukraine

Momentum — but toward what end?

One of President Donald Trump's campaign promises was a quick end to the war in Ukraine. After months of mixed signals about what such a solution might entail, Trump met first with Russian President Vladimir Putin, then with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and several European heads of state and government.

Dr. Hardy Ostry, Jan Bösche
August 21, 2025
Country reports
European Union, 2025, CC BY 4.0

Trade Agreement Between the U.S. and EU Enables Further Transatlantic Cooperation

The Stakes Go Beyond Tariffs

The outcome is sobering: at the eleventh hour, the EU and the U.S. reached a trade agreement that imposes tariffs once considered unthinkable. Important transatlantic trade is paying the price for further transatlantic cooperation on security issues.

Dr. Hardy Ostry, Jan Bösche
July 31, 2025
Country reports
IMAGO / Le Pictorium

From a “Dormant to a Leading Middle Power"

Foreign and Security Policy of Germany’s New Government

Germany finds itself alongside its European allies and partners in a complex security environment. Russian aggression in Ukraine continues to threaten broader European security, while the concerning escalation in the Middle East, transatlantic trade tensions, and global power competition are further complicating the geopolitical landscape.

Dr. Hardy Ostry, Maša Ocvirk
July 4, 2025
Country reports
IMAGO / ZUMA Press Wire

Making a Statement in Washington

Chancellor Merz's first visit to President Tump

Friedrich Merz has completed his first visit to Washington, DC as Federal Chancellor. After spending a night at the President’s guest house, he had his first in-person meeting with President Donald Trump in the Oval Office of the White House. Merz later stated that there was “a good atmosphere for discussion.”

Dr. Hardy Ostry, Jan Bösche
June 10, 2025
Country reports
IMAGO / NurPhoto

Just How American Is the American Pope?

U.S. Reactions to the Election of Robert Prevost as Pope Leo XIV.

The election was a surprise: for the first time in the history of the Catholic Church, there is a Pope from the USA. Leo XIV was born in Chicago, lived in Peru for a long time and most recently worked in Rome. For Catholics in the USA, his election is a gift - and a challenge.

Dr. Hardy Ostry
May 29, 2025
Country reports
Bundesregierung/Steffen Kugler

New Faces and New Focus

Chancellor Friedrich Merz Leads New Government in Germany

Germany has a new government with Friedrich Merz from the CDU elected as Chancellor by the Bundestag. His cabinet consists of 17 ministers from the coalition parties CDU, CSU, and SPD. They aim to address the backlog of reforms in Germany and set new priorities in foreign policy.

Dr. Hardy Ostry, Jan Bösche
May 13, 2025
Country reports
IMAGO / ZUMA Press Wire

President Trump Bids Farewell to Free Global Trade

Liberating Tariffs

A tough measure, long announced: President Trump has imposed extensive tariffs on the USA's trading partners. For him, it was a “day of liberation”, freeing the USA from what he sees as unjustified trade barriers. For critics, the tariffs are not a suitable means of changing trade balances, but rather a threat to economic development.

Dr. Hardy Ostry, Jan Bösche
April 4, 2025
Country reports

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About this series

The Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung is a political foundation. Our offices abroad are in charge of over 200 projects in more than 120 countries. The country reports offer current analyses, exclusive evaluations, background information and forecasts - provided by our international staff.

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Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung e.V.