Europe - Russia – United States

Rede des Bundesministers der Verteidigung, Dr. Franz Josef Jung

Rede des Bundesministers der Verteidigung, Dr. Franz Josef Jung, für das Transatlantic Colloquium der Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung am 7. September 2007 in Eltville-Erbach

Border Security and Immigration Reform

If there was any consensus among Senators during the heated immigration debate, it was that serious immigration reform was necessary. Though the Senate immigration bill failed to pass twice, the dire need for major reform has not subsided. A comprehensive bill cannot fix a problem as large and extensive as immigration. (Summary in German)

Next Steps in Iraq

The White House’s assessment report on progress in Iraq, published on July 12, showed positive results in less than half of the 18 benchmarks devised by Congress. Few believe that the new strategy (“surge”) will succeed and sufficient progress can be made until the final report is due in September. The U.S. Institute of Peace held a panel discussion on the options available for the way ahead. (Summary in German)

Assessing the Surge in Iraq

Beurteilung der neuen Militärstrategie für den Irak

In January President Bush presented a new strategy for Iraq, which included a "surge" of about 30,000 troops. With the troop increase recently completed, the American Enterprise Institute, the think tank which had proposed the new strategy, saw the time fit to make a first assessment of the surge’s success. (Summary in German)

Taking on Tehran

Strategies for Confronting the Islamic Republic

The book "Taking on Tehran" provides concrete, innovative solutions to the emerging Iranian global threat. It rules out “one-dimensional” approaches and instead describes six levels that have to be addressed in order to confront Iran effectively. (Summary in German)

Pakistan on the Edge

Stability of the Country stronger than reported

Pakistan is a vital partner for the United States in its “War on Terrorism.” The support provided by President General Pervez Musharraf, however, is not built on stable ground. Recent developments have shown that Musharraf lost some of his popularity and his time as president and/or commander-in-chief could thus expire. (Summary in German)

The German Presidency

The EU’s Agenda and Transatlantic Relations

The German EU and G8 presidencies offered Chancellor Merkel the opportunity to set a course on a regional as well as global level. Dr. Stefan Froehlich spoke about this topic at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars. He pointed out that Chancellor Merkel managed to awake a paralyzed EU and revive transatlantic relations. However, a united voice and active world politics are still missing in Europe. (Summary in German)

The State of the Military Today

The next U.S. President will become Commander-in-Chief of a military that is unmatched in its power and capability. However, the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq have stretched the military thin. An event at the Brookings Institution was to analyze the current state of the military and to present suggestions on how a future president could guarantee a strong and proficient force. (Summary in German)

Independent President?

Bloomberg leaves GOP

After New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg left the Republican Party last week, speculations about a possible bid for presidency as an independent candidate were spread in the media. (Summary in German)

Russia, the European Union and China

The State of the Energy Security Debate

The debate on energy security is also an important topic in the United States. Importance is attributed to the developments in Eurasia. An event of the conservative Hudson Institute focused on the Russian view on energy security. Particularly, Russia’s search for new markets and geopolitical considerations were discussed. (Summary in German)