Deutsch
English
FrançaisSub menu: Home
Home / Index of Authors
Joffe, Josef
3 articles of this author have been cited in the European Press Review so far.
Germany is isolated
Germany should make a greater contribution to the European economic stimulus programme and abandon its isolated position within the EU, writes the weekly Die Zeit. "[German Chancellor Angela] Merkel and [Financial Minister Peer] Steinbrück are telling everyone who doesn't want to listen that Germany's extra expenses abroad are 'evaporating'. This may be true, but first of all 'abroad' is mainly the EU and therefore more like an extension of Germany and secondly it's not the done thing for an economic superpower (number one in Europe and number three in the world) to talk like a loser. As the world champion exporter, no other country profits more from Europe. Therefore the Germans should invest more in Europe than the smaller states. ... One more complaint: In times of crisis the big players are called on to act. The two second-largest, England and France, have seized the opportunity whereas the number one has let it pass as if in a state of mental blackout. Has it forgotten its power? Let's say rather that it forgot its duties."
» full article (external link, German)
More from the press review on the subject » Fiscal Policy, » Economic Policy, » Germany, » Europe
Self-destructive terrorism
Josef Joffe, publisher of the German weekly Die Zeit, comments on the decline of international terrorism: "So how is terrorism doing lately? Not so well, according to a new study by Canada's Simon Fraser University, and this carefully corroborated piece of evidence could - ironically - gladden the hearts of liberals and hardliners alike. The protectors of the state will be delighted because the 'global war on terror' is obviously bearing fruit, And civil rights activists will be happy because these 56 pages of objectively presented arguments provide ammunition against the rising tide of security measures. ... But the ... key factor was terrorism as terrorism's own worst enemy. AQI [Al-Quaida in Iraq], that heteronymous Sunni troop, tortured and killed not only 'renegade' Shiites, but also its own people. It got its comeuppance in 2007. In a survey, 100 (!) percent of the respondents - both Shiites and Sunnis - said terrorism against civilians was 'unacceptable'. ... To sum up the study results: the more terror there is, the fewer sympathisers it has. ... Our protectors of the state should read the Simon Fraser study because it recommends less fear and more optimism - and between the lines less zeal for new security legislation and surveillance apparatus."
» full article (external link, German)
More from the press review on the subject » Security Policy / Crises / War, » Global
Obama is no saviour
"We Western Europeans wish for nothing more dearly than Barack Obama at the helm of the USA. But he would still be president of a very strong superpower, and that means problems no matter what," writes Josef Joffe, publisher of Die Zeit. "Obama is no saviour. America, Obama writes in [his book] 'The Audacity of Hope', must proceed 'unilaterally' against those 'who are preparing to attack American targets'. This has a Bush-like ring to it - or worse, because Obama would even go after Al-Qaida in Pakistan. ... But Obama's candidacy has two additional negative points. His party plays with the fire of protectionism against goods and people. That is why Asia and Latin America are so sceptical about the Democrats. Then there is Obama's idealism, which provides a pretty projection screen for Europeans, and his lofty human rights policy. ... Obama fits firmly into the Democratic tradition here. From McCain, the dyed-in-the-wool Republican, by contrast, we can expect practical politics, not ideals."
» full article (external link, German)
More from the press review on the subject » International Relations, » EU Policy, » U.S., » Western Europe
© 2005-2012