BERLIN — The European Union’s great eastward expansion in 2004 was a moment for hope and optimism.

BERLIN — US President Donald Trump has proved truly disruptive to the transatlantic relationship. His questioning of America’s mutual-defence commitments presents NATO with an ominous and potentially existential crisis.

BERLIN — From a European perspective, 2019 promises to be another difficult year, dominated by large challenges that could easily turn into menacing crises. Barring a major reversal, the United Kingdom will withdraw from the European Union on March 29.

BERLIN — Politically, 2019 will be an extraordinarily important year for the European Union. The United Kingdom is currently on track to leave the EU on March 29, 2019.

BERLIN — After US President Donald Trump’s recent European tour, which culminated in his infamous press conference with Russian President Vladimir Putin, there can no longer be any doubt that he and his supporters want to destroy the American-led international order and global tr

BERLIN — It is now clear that the twenty-first century is ushering in a new world order.

BERLIN — US President Donald Trump’s decision earlier this month to withdraw the United States from the Iran nuclear agreement, and to shift towards a policy of renewed sanctions and confrontation, will make the future of the Middle East even more uncertain.

BERLIN — The ongoing conflict in Syria has much in common with the Thirty Years’ War, which devastated the heart of Europe, particularly the German city of Magdeburg, the Aleppo of the time, from 1618 to 1648.

Europe finally appears to have moved past its multi-year economic crisis, but it remains unsettled.