Germany

Economics

Military & Security

Germany's lower house of parliament voted in favor of several constitutional amendments, including changes to debt rules to exempt defense spending from government borrowing limits and a 500 billion euro ($546 billion) fund for infrastructure investment, Reuters reported on March 18. 

Germany: Outgoing Parliament Approves Historic Financial Package and Debt Brake Reform

Politics

Friedrich Merz, the leader of the Christian Democratic Union and Germany's likely next chancellor, reached an agreement with his prospective coalition partners to significantly increase military and infrastructure funding while easing constitutional borrowing limits for defense spending, Reuters reported on March 5. 

Germany: Next Ruling Parties Agree on Reforms To Boost Investment in Defense and Infrastructure

Germany's center-right alliance between the Christian Democratic Union and the Christian Social Union began exploratory coalition talks with the center-left Social Democratic Party, Politico reported on Feb. 28.

Germany: Parties Begin Government Formation Talks Over 'Grand Coalition'

United States

Israel

The U.S. Trump administration repealed a February 2024 Biden-era directive that enabled the Department of State to suspend deliveries of U.S. weapons if recipients did not supply required, credible guarantees that they would not use those weapons in violation of international humanitarian law, specifically focusing on weapons' end use, The Washington Post reported on Feb. 24. 

Israel, U.S.: Trump Administration Repeals Biden-Era Directive on Weapons' End Use

German lawmakers rejected a controversial migration bill proposed by the center-right Christian Democratic Union, led by chancellor front-runner Friedrich Merz, ahead of the Feb. 23 federal elections, DW reported on Jan. 31.

Germany: Parliament Rejects Center-Right Migration Bill Amid Controversial Far-Right Backing and Political Backlash

Germany's Center-right Christian Democratic Union leader and chancellor front-runner Friedrich Merz proposed a major overhaul of Germany's migration policies and signaled his willingness to accept support from the far-right Alternative for Germany party to pass the legislation, Die Welt reported on Jan. 24.

Germany: Likely Next German Chancellor Merz Opens to Support From Far-Right Party

Europe

France

French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz described U.S. President Donald Trump's return to the White House as a "challenge" during a joint press conference in Paris, France, but emphasized Europe’s strength, unity and determination while remaining a "constructive and self-confident partner" for the United States, Reuters reported on Jan. 22.

France, Germany: Lame Ducks Macron and Scholz Pledge Unity in Dealing With Trump's U.S.

Syria

Italy

Energy

During a meeting between European, U.S. and Arab diplomats, Syrian and Saudi officials called on Western governments to ease sanctions on Syria, and European diplomats agreed to discuss sanctions relief in Syria during a Jan. 27 foreign ministers meeting, Al Jazeera reported on Jan. 12.

Syria: Arab Diplomats Call on EU To Ease Sanctions on Syria

Snapshots

Incoming German Chancellor Friedrich Merz addresses the Bundestag on March 18, 2025, before a vote on changes to the country's constitutional debt limits.

The historic reform will allow for increased investment and higher defense spending, which will help raise medium-term economic growth in both Germany and the euro area. 

The Economic Impact of Germany's Debt Brake Reform

Assessments

Ethiopia

Ukraine

Russia

Reichstag in Berlin with flags.

A look at what the coming week will bring -- and a list of recommended RANE articles from the week that was.

The Weekly Rundown: U.S.-Russia Contacts on a Ukraine Ceasefire, a Vote on Reforming Germany’s Debt Brake

A German flag flies above the Reichstag, the building that houses the Bundestag, on July 23, 2022, in Berlin. 

If approved, the constitutional reforms and unprecedented fiscal stimulus would unlock massive military spending and revitalize the German economy. 

German Parties Propose a Historic Overhaul of Spending, Defense Policies

CDU leader Friedrich Merz (left) and the party's secretary general, Carsten Linnemann, hold a post-election press conference in Berlin, Germany, on Feb. 24, 2025. 

Environment, Science & Technology

Global Elections

Russia-Ukraine Conflict

Science & Technology

Germany's new government will likely be more stable than its predecessor, enabling the CDU/CSU to pursue economic stimulus and a more assertive foreign policy.

German Election Results Position the Center-Right To Retake the Helm

South Africa

South Korea

United Kingdom

The Reichstag on Jan. 22 in Berlin. The center-right alliance between the Christian Democratic Union and its Bavarian sister party, the Christian Social Union, is widely expected to emerge as the largest bloc in the Bundestag after the Feb. 23 general election and lead the next coalition government.

The Weekly Rundown: German Elections, Macron and Starmer Meet Trump

Media

Podcasts

Will Germany's ''fire-wall'' against the far-right hold?

Essential Geopolitics: Germany's Pivotal Upcoming Election

Campaign posters featuring various German parties are pictured in Kastel, western Germany, on Jan. 22, 2025, ahead of parliamentary elections.

A two-party coalition could lead to more streamlined decision-making in Berlin, while a three-party coalition may lead to instability, prolonging policy uncertainty both domestically and within the EU.

Germany's Election: Potential Outcomes and Their Implications

Palestinian Territories

Indonesia

India

The West Front of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 17 in Washington. Donald Trump will be inaugurated as U.S. president on Jan. 20.

Israel-Hamas Conflict

The Weekly Rundown: The Gaza Ceasefire, Trump's Inauguration

Columns

On Geopolitics

A compressor gas station of the Yamal–Europe pipeline is seen on Feb. 19, 2022, in Wloclawek, Poland. 

The expiration of the Russia-Ukraine transit deal underscores Europe's ongoing efforts to sever its reliance on Russian resources, with far-reaching implications for energy markets and geopolitics in the region and beyond. 

The End of Russian Gas via Ukraine Cements Europe's New Energy Landscape

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Rwanda

A sign reading ''leader of insurgents'' on a photo of South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol's face is held up during a protest calling for Yoon's ouster in Seoul, South Korea, on Dec. 8, 2024. 

The Weekly Rundown: Putin's Annual Press Conference, Another Impeachment Vote in South Korea

Argentina

Bolivia

Brazil

Paraguay

Uruguay

(From left to right) Argentine President Javier Milei, Uruguayan President Luis Lacalle Pou, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and Paraguayan President Santiago Pena pose for a photo during the Mercosur summit in Montevideo on Dec. 6, 2024. 

Global Trade

The agreement offers significant market access and diversification opportunities for both trade blocs, but it also faces a complex ratification process and potential political backlash in Europe.

25 Years in the Making: Reviewing the EU-Mercosur Trade Deal

What are the long-term implications for German politics?

Essential Geopolitics: Germany's Government Collapse

<p>Germany is a country located in Central Europe, bordered by Poland, the Czech Republic, Austria, Switzerland, France, Luxembourg, Belgium, the Netherlands and Denmark. The country has mountainous terrain in the south, dominated by the Alps, with a plateau and forests in the center and the north. The Rhine, the Danube and the Elbe rivers, combined with Germany&#39;s central location in Europe and its access to the North Sea, allowed the country to become a leading exporter and one of the most prosperous economies in Europe. Between the late 10th and early 19th centuries, the territories of today&#39;s Germany were the heart of the Holy Roman Empire, a collection of small kingdoms, principalities, duchies and city-states. This led to the development of multiple seats of political and economic power that achieved unity in 1871. While Berlin is Germany&#39;s capital and most populous city, the country also has several economic and political centers, including Hamburg, Munich, Cologne and Frankfurt. Germany&rsquo;s location in the heart of the North European Plain has led to constant conflicts with its neighbors like France and Russia. After World War II, Germany was divided between East Germany, in the Soviet orbit, and West Germany, integrated to the European Economic Community and NATO. The country achieved reunification in 1990. Germany&rsquo;s main geographic challenge is preserving its territorial unity and maintaining a political balance between regions within the country. It also seeks to maintain a political alliance with France and a balance of power in Europe to preserve peace and keep markets open for trade. Berlin&#39;s efforts to keep the European Union closely integrated amid the current economic crisis are in line with this strategy.</p>

EU: Regional Blocs

Divided EU Foreign Policies

The Fate of the Eurozone

European Disintegration

SITUATION REPORTS

Germany: Outgoing Parliament Approves Historic Financial Package and Debt Brake Reform

Germany: Next Ruling Parties Agree on Reforms To Boost Investment in Defense and Infrastructure

Germany: Parties Begin Government Formation Talks Over 'Grand Coalition'

Israel, U.S.: Trump Administration Repeals Biden-Era Directive on Weapons' End Use

Germany: Parliament Rejects Center-Right Migration Bill Amid Controversial Far-Right Backing and Political Backlash

Germany: Likely Next German Chancellor Merz Opens to Support From Far-Right Party

France, Germany: Lame Ducks Macron and Scholz Pledge Unity in Dealing With Trump's U.S.

Syria: Arab Diplomats Call on EU To Ease Sanctions on Syria

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