Articles | Lowy Institute

30 Oct 2023
Germany
Left behind: Sahra Wagenknecht’s new populism

Marcus Colla

Germany’s forgotten voters are finding voice in anti-mainstream parties that defy classical definitions of “left” or “right”.
21 Sep 2023
Germany

Review
Plumbing the depths of the former East Germany’s grotesque delusion

Mark Pierce

A mostly unsentimental new memoir of life in the GDR ruminates on the what-ifs.
25 Aug 2023
Germany
Whether on Russia or China, clearly Baerbock is driving Germany’s change

Ian Kemish

It might seem surprising it’s been the leader of the German Greens, with its pacifist traditions, who has pushed so hard for a more hawkish stance.
1 Aug 2023
Germany
Friedrich Merz and the fall of the “Berlin firewall”

Marcus Colla

To remain mainstream, Germany’s centre-right has employed all manner of tactics. Will it resort to cooperation with the populist far-right?
31 Jul 2023
China

China's Economy

Europe's Economy

European Union

Germany
Berlin’s economic “de-risking” model could be Europe's answer to the Taiwan question

Karl Ragas

Germany's aim is not to “decouple” from China, but to reduce its exposure to risk. And the potential winner is Taipei.
17 May 2023
China

European Union

France

Germany
Europe’s divisions over China could hamper G-7 unity

Dominique Fraser

If European capitals, Brussels, and Washington are not aligned, immediate economic interests will overshadow common, long-term goals.
3 Nov 2022
China

European Union

Germany
Make or break: Scholz’ Beijing business

Dominique Fraser

What happens in Europe won’t stay in Europe. Rifts on China risk common understanding with partners, Australia included.
1 Sep 2022
European Union

Germany

Russia

Ukraine
A new solidarity? Olaf Scholz on the future of Europe

Marcus Colla

Acknowledging the continent’s centre is “moving eastwards” marked the German chancellor’s address as visionary, of sorts.
27 Jul 2022
Australia

Defence & Security

France

Germany

United Kingdom

United States
France can help Albanese fix AUKUS

Alan J. Kuperman

Labor faces a dilemma over nuclear-powered subs and the non-proliferation regime. An old partner might offer an answer.
3 Mar 2022
Germany

Ukraine
The half-hour that fundamentally split Germany from Russia

Ian Kemish

A massive boost to arms spending by Berlin, once unthinkable, is suddenly policy as the Ukraine crisis deepens.
3 Feb 2022
Germany

Russia

Ukraine
Can the new German foreign minister make a difference?

Ian Kemish

Calls for a fresh approach from Berlin amid Russia-Ukraine tensions.
15 Dec 2021
Germany
Merkel mark II?

Jan Bielicki

He’s not called the Scholzomat for nothing, but there are radical reforms on the new German chancellor’s agenda.
23 Nov 2021
Germany
The revenge of the Scholzomat

Marcus Colla

After a lifetime in the wings, Olaf Scholz’ moment has come. But the task ahead is daunting.
18 Nov 2021
Russia

European Union

Energy

Germany
Nord Stream 2: Will you go to the Gazprom with me?

Mateo Szlapek-Sewillo

The latest ructions over the Russian pipeline should lead Europe to hasten a turn away from gas to renewable energy.
8 Oct 2021
European Union

Germany
Germany and Europe: “Ampel” time for reform

Marcus Colla

The Merkel model may no longer be fit for purpose in a rapidly evolving European Union.
29 Sep 2021
Germany
Deciding Germany’s next direction in the world

André Leslie

Whoever ends up becoming chancellor next, expect the country’s foreign policy to stay on pretty much the same track.
27 Sep 2021
Australian Diplomacy

Germany
Dankeschön Frau Merkel

Ian Kemish

A former Australian ambassador to Germany reflects on the Chancellor’s significant impact in the Indo-Pacific.
2 Sep 2021
Defence & Security

Europe

South China Sea

European Union

Germany

United Kingdom

France
Europe and the South China Sea

Loro Horta

More warships in disputed waters may cause instability. But the presence of navies from afar sends a clear message, too.
16 Aug 2021
Germany
Germany’s federal election: choose any colour you like

Marcus Colla

The looming headache of Germany’s coalition arrangements will play out again this September.
28 Jul 2021
Germany
Merkel and beyond

Jan Bielicki

With grace under pressure, Angela Merkel has led Germany through several emergencies. What of the next Chancellor?
21 Jun 2021
Europe

United States

Russia

European Union

Germany

United Kingdom

France
Believing Biden

Daniel Woker

The US President has persuaded European allies of his values-based policy. But will such faith carry home?
3 Jun 2021
United States

Russia

European Union

Energy

Germany
Nord Stream 2: Assessing Russia’s “serious geopolitical victory”

Nikola Mikovic

The US has realised the energy pipeline is nearly completed. But that might not be the end of the opposition.
17 Feb 2021
Europe

Russia

European Union

Germany

France
Russia vs the EU

Daniel Woker

A visit to Moscow by Europe’s top envoy did nothing to calm a growing diplomatic spat. What if Washington weighs in?
5 Feb 2021
Germany
Germany’s ordinary new world

Marcus Colla

Nobody knows the size of the personal vote Angela Merkel will take with her, or the consequences for German politics.
26 Nov 2020
Europe

European Union

Germany
The outlines of a European policy on the Indo-Pacific

Lisa Louis

Germany and the Netherlands have new strategies for the Indo-Pacific, and maybe the beginnings of a common EU stance.
11 Jun 2020
Syria

War Crimes

Germany
With Syrian prosecutions, a rare case of universal jurisdiction

Craig Hershowitz

A seldom-used legal concept demonstrates the reach of justice even in the most hopeless circumstances.
11 Mar 2020
Germany
A Thuringian eruption in Germany

Marcus Colla

A fiasco turns to farce, enlivening the far right and leaving succession plans for Angela Merkel in shreds.
20 Jan 2020
Europe

China

Germany
No end in sight for Germany’s troubles with Huawei

Björn Alexander Düben

As other European capitals look for a cue, German politicians are sharply divided over the Chinese tech company.
20 Dec 2019
Germany

United Kingdom

Review
Favourites of 2019: Babylon Berlin

Hervé Lemahieu

A well-crafted look back at the Weimar Republic’s fragile democracy in 1929 shows how societies come apart at the seams.
3 Sep 2019
Germany
Germany’s enigmatic East and the fate of Europe’s right-wing populists

Marcus Colla

The far-right gained at weekend elections, but only in a cycle of division that leaves politics increasingly fragmented.
15 Apr 2019
China

Germany
The souring mood towards Beijing from Berlin

Björn Alexander Düben

Germany was a major Western country to keep on side with China, only ties are now plagued by wariness and suspicion.
2 Nov 2018
Germany
The Merkel legacy – a study in shades

Marcus Colla

Success and failure mark all careers in high office. Angela Merkel could often persuade, but not always inspire.
23 Oct 2018
European Union

Germany
Europe: Merkel, May, and Moscovici

David Ritchie

This month's election in Bavaria is yet another sign of Europe in disarray.
2 Oct 2018
Europe

Germany
Germany: A tale of two conservatisms

Marcus Colla

Merkel is facing a slow moving political crisis caused by a schism between mainstream and far-right conservatism.
5 Jul 2018
Germany
Tail wagging the dog: Seehofer in Germany

Daniel Woker

Germany’s Minister of the Interior is the latest right-wing leader in Europe to surf the populist political wave.
21 Jun 2018
Australia

China

Germany
Australia and Germany should work together on China

Frances Kitt , Lucrezia Poggetti

Both regions would benefit from exchanges to strengthen democratic resilience in the face of Chinese influence.