Society, Culture & Politics
Relations between Israel and Germany in the Shadow of Günter Grass’s Poem
Having faded from the media spotlight, the Günter Grass poem aroused quite a bit of criticism – and questions – in the weeks following its release. Now, Ambassador Shimon Stein, former Israeli Ambassador to Germany, reflects back on the debate surrounding the poem and what it really meant for German-Israeli relations.
German Afghanistan Veteran’s Homecoming
In an interesting article in the Washington Post, Michael Birnbaum outlines how Germany’s participation in the war in Afghanistan has given rise to discussions how the country is treating homecoming soldiers. While Germany’s history gives this question a unique dimension, echos of the debate about the treatment of soldiers returning with PTSD… Read more >
New Systemic Risks: Challenges and Opportunities for Transatlantic Cooperation
The project “New Systemic Risks: Challenges and Opportunities for Transatlantic Cooperation” analyzes governance of systemic risks in the United States and the EU in three relevant policy fields. Differences and similarities of the transatlantic partners in the four pillars of risk governance—assessment and evaluation of risks, risk management, and risk communication—within the policy fields of economic and financial policy, raw materials policy, and security politics will be identified with the help of case studies (single case studies and comparative analyses). The project is undertaken in cooperation of SWP and AICGS.
What Really Must Be Said
As the dust slowly begins to settle following the uproar created by Günter Grass’s poem on Israel’s military stance towards Iran, Harry & Helen Gray Senior Fellow Dr. Lily Gardner Feldman takes an opportunity to highlight four lessons that relate to a larger context surrounding this affair: the depth, complexity, and fundamental stability of German-Israeli relations.
Structure of the German Health Care System
Insurance In Germany, individuals purchase insurance through a system characterized by public-private partnership. Federal law requires all Germans to hold health insurance, but does not provide coverage directly. In the German system, about 85 percent of residents purchase heavily regulated, non-profit insurance referred to as Gesetzliche Krankenversicherung (Statutory Health Insurance, GKV), approximately… Read more >
A Small Step for the German Government, a Giant Leap for Germany’s Universities
AICGS Senior Fellow Dr. Tim Stuchtey explains the attempts at constitutional reform in Germany regarding higher education and the positive outcomes of such a move.
Variations on Democracy
In this At Issue, Executive Director Jack Janes examines the election – whether at local, regional, or federal levels – as a cornerstone of a successful modern day democracy.
Germany Seeks Forgiveness
Germany marked a cathartic moment on February 22nd with a somber ceremony surrounding the deaths of eight individuals killed over a decade by Nazi sympathizers throughout the country(Relatives Seek Closure After Killings Tied to Neo-Nazi Ring, New York Times, Merkel Asks Victims’ Relatives for Forgiveness, Spiegel Online International). The revelation of these… Read more >
The Legal Framework of Abortions in Germany
With campaigns in full swing leading up to the U.S. presidential election in November of this year, the issue of birth control and abortion has generated substantial debate on both sides of the political spectrum. Though the laws and views of the U.S. on this sensitive subject have been brought to the forefront, the stance of other countries tends to be left out. In this AICGS Spotlight, Susanne Dieper explains the laws surrounding birth control and abortion in Germany, including a brief history on how these laws have evolved.
Managing Majorities
In this weeks At issue, Executive Director Jack Janes looks at Chancellor Merkel’s struggle to sustain political support for the increasingly complicated agenda of the euro zone, as well as the interests and actors shaping the battle lines.
