German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas’ call for a new international payment system is but part of Europe coming out on its own. Independent of Trump’s USA. For the large majority of Europeans, the 2nd WW comes out of history books or at most from an octogenarian’s tale in the family. Yet the most relevant consequence…
-
Trump’s low summit scores: madness, method and meaning
In his recent appearances at different summits, Trump’s behavior followed a certain pattern. Is it just the mad behavior of a hooligan in international affairs? Does he follow a long-term game plan of radical ‘Realpolitik’ where might ultimately trumps (sic) right? Or does he represent a major shift in the system of international relations? Probably…
-
The “Indo-Pacific”: Voices of India and the US about a new strategic concept
The relatively new strategic term “Indo-Pacific” is getting internationally acknowledged. The Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has put it at the centre of his strategic outreach; the US Secretary of Defence James Mattis has publicly recognized its relevance and the Hawaii-based US Pacific Command in charge of US military activities in the Pacific has been…
-
India lets China dominate the Indian Ocean
For India’s prestige and strategic image, the so-called Doklam standoff last year ended in a tactical advantage. Chinese troops and road construction teams had to withdraw from a contested corner at the Bhutan-China border. Since then, Indian armed forces have seemed to be able and willing to oppose Chinese attempts to challenge the common border…
-
Asia vs China, Europe vs Russia: parallels?
The ongoing discussion in many countries of the Asia-Pacific with regard to future attitude towards China, and the equivalent discussion in and among European countries regarding Russia – as exemplary shown in the context of the Skripal poisoning incident in London – have a common denominator. How should countries in either region handle their relations…
-
Recent developments in and around Iran
Iran remains a topic in moves of world powers and others: a) the USA may follow increasingly Trump’s inclinations against Iran; b) France has unsuccessfully tried to mediate between Iran’s claims to a sovereign missile defence and the US’ tentative rejection of the Nuclear Agreement; c) Switzerland has upgraded its trade relations with Iran. The…
-
India’s Prime Minister Modi and US-President Trump at the WEF 2018 in Davos
The leaders of two large economies at the World Economic Forum in Davos were invited to open resp. to close the debate. Stark contrast between the statements of India’s Prime Minister Modi and of US President Trump PM Modi was this year’s opening key note speaker at the WEF in Davos. You would have to…