Germany

commentary

Green Light for Cannabis Legalisation in Germany Is Not a Clear-Cut Decision

The new “traffic light” coalition in Germany recently agreed to regulate the sale of cannabis to adults for recreational purposes in licensed shops. International experience has shown that great care is needed in how cannabis policy is shaped.

Stijn Hoorens @StijnHoorens

commentary

Berlin Protests Highlight Need for Sound Employment Discrimination Laws in Germany

Germany has a legal tradition and a strong constitution that promotes equality for all those living within its borders. That tradition could end up being a factor as German policymakers consider whether it is advantageous for the nation as a whole that the newest members of its society should have the necessary legal protections to succeed socially and economically.

Laura Kupe

blog

Tree of Life, Social Media, Korea: RAND Weekly Recap

This weekly recap focuses on the Pittsburgh synagogue shooting, countering Russian social media influence, how Korea could unify, and more.

commentary

Merkel's Departure: A Star Begins to Dim

German Chancellor Angela Merkel's decision to not seek re-election may signal an end to two key features of post-WWII Europe.

James Dobbins

commentary

Americans Don't Sleep Enough, and It's Costing Us $411 Billion

Sleep and sleep loss are often considered to be among the most intimate of personal behaviors, but sleep matters to all aspects of society, from an individual's health to the success of the global economy.

Marco Hafner, Wendy M. Troxel @wendytroxel

commentary

Why Brexit Won't Necessarily Hurt NATO

Concerns that the Brexit vote could weaken NATO are overblown. There will likely be a wide range of fallout that will spread beyond the economic realm, but the European Union is not NATO and it's far too early to expect dramatic outcomes.

Michael Spirtas

commentary

Ukraine Crisis Is a Geopolitical Game Changer

Russia's aggression abroad and repression at home have altered the basic assumptions of earlier Western policy. By misjudging the tolerance for aggression in Europe, Moscow is bringing on the encirclement it fears. The West is now better prepared to deal with any further aggression and more confident that Ukraine's future will be as part of an enlarged Europe.

Ian Bond, Denis Corboy, et al.

commentary

The Greatest Challenge to U.S.-European Security Cooperation Today: The Ukraine Crisis

Germany and America are leading Western policy in addressing the Russia-Ukraine crisis. The basic strategy is to support Ukraine and pressure Moscow to halt aggression, while leaving the door open to diplomacy. Sustaining Western unity is essential, but may not be easy to achieve.

Ian Bond, William Courtney @courtneywmh, et al.

commentary

A Diplomatic Solution for Ukraine

Despite uncertainty about Russian military plans and the outcome of Ukrainian operations against pro-Russian separatists, it's not too soon to consider how to lay the foundations for a negotiated solution. If Moscow were unwilling to reach a fair settlement, the West would have options to increase its leverage.

Ian Bond, Denis Corboy, et al.

commentary

A First Step in Geneva

The Geneva agreement is only a first step toward a comprehensive deal but it is an important achievement. Iran's ability to move toward a nuclear weapons breakout capability has been halted in return for limited sanctions relief.

Alireza Nader

commentary

N. Korea Could Fall Faster Than We Think

The United States, South Korea and their allies would be well advised to factor in the possibility that North Korea could collapse in a fit of revolt and economic decay at any time, just as East Germany did, writes Bruce Bennett.

Bruce W. Bennett @bwbennett

commentary

Americans Dying Twice as Fast as French from Treatable Conditions

Despite high per-capita expenditures in the U.S., Americans under the age of 65 are less likely than their peers in France, Germany, or the United Kingdom to receive timely and appropriate health care, writes Ellen Nolte.

Ellen Nolte

commentary

The Fall of the Wall: A World Restored?

The fall of the Berlin Wall retains its status as an epoch-making event inmodern world history, even as it passes from recent into truly historical memory, writes Christopher Chivvis.

Christopher S. Chivvis

commentary

America Is Punishing Germany for Its Iraq Opposition

Published commentary by RAND staff.

James Dobbins

commentary

How Deep an Ocean?

Whether or not there is war in Iraq, NATO, the European Union and transatlantic relations already have been deeply affected, posing the gravest challenge to all three since at least the end of the Cold War, writes Robert Hunter in an commentary.

Robert E. Hunter

commentary

Europe Is Split in a Number of Different Ways

Published commentary by RAND staff.

James Dobbins

commentary

Mr. Bush and Herr Schroeder, Tear Down This Wall

Published commentary by RAND staff.

F. Stephen Larrabee