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Brössler, Daniel
5 articles of this author have been cited in the European Press Review so far.
Guido Westerwelle can only make a mark in Europe
Germany's new foreign minister Guido Westerwelle has made his first public appearance with Chancellor Angela Merkel at an EU summit. The left-liberal daily Süddeutsche Zeitung evaluates Westerwelle's position: "Whenever he enters the international limelight, Angela Merkel is sure to be there ahead of him. ... He will have to make his mark as an authority on certain issues and set his own agenda. ... But when the Nobel Peace Prize laureate in the White House Barack Obama needs Germany's support Angela Merkel is the one he calls. ... Westerwelle will not be able to leave his own, liberal mark [in the US]. Only much closer to home will he have this chance. For example when the topic of the future of the European Union comes up. The coalition agreement between Merkel's CDU and Westerwelle's FDP stipulates that the accession of additional member states should be pursued 'with a sense of proportion'. ... It will be interesting to see if, and to what extent, Westerwelle opposes this. In any event, the idea of the EU as a Christian club is not likely to please a liberal spirit."
» more information (external link, German)
More from the press review on the subject » EU enlargement, » EU Policy, » EU neighbourhood policy, » Germany, » Europe, » U.S.
The US government needs partners
The left-liberal Süddeutsche Zeitung comments on the speech by US Vice President Joe Biden at the Munich Security Conference: "Even more than the pathos engendered by this new era in US politics, Europeans should be encouraged by America's new sense of sobriety. Barack Obama's government is not guided by ideology, but by common sense. And what it needs is not an entourage of admirers, but partners - in Afghanistan, in closing the prison at Guantánamo, and in its dealings with Russia and Iran. America will do more, Biden said. This is the good news. But it will also demand more. This need not necessarily be bad news for those keen to shoulder responsibility. Notwithstanding the egocentricity of individual heads of state (France) or the silly bickering between camplaining coalition partners (Germany), this opportunity must be seized on. You can't start a new era just by pressing a button."
» more information (external link, German)
More from the press review on the subject » International Relations, » Germany, » France, » Europe, » U.S., » Global
Opposition in Russia silenced
"The justice system in Russia has been reduced to an instrument of those in power. Laws are their weapons. It is in the nature of things that these weapons were used on the weekend against the former world chess champion Garry Kasparov," Daniel Brössler writes. "Kasparov has actually managed to capture the West's attention for a moment, but in Russia itself his voice if far too weak to be heard. This is why the state power's tough line may seem all the more surprising. It tells us that Russia's leadership no longer fears criticism from abroad but does fear anything that isn't under strict control in its own country. In reality Putin and his gang are those who have the least faith in the much-praised stability of the system. They're not willing to leave anything to chance - least of all free elections."
» to the homepage (external link, Süddeutsche Zeitung)
More from the press review on the subject » Domestic Policy, » Russia
Kosovo as a test case
Daniel Brössler points out that the international community's decision regarding Kosovo's status could have major repercussions for other conflicts involving separatist movements. "There are four areas within the region that are seeking independence: Abkhazia and South Ossetia in Georgia, Transnistria in Moldavia and Mountain-Karabach, which Armenia and Azerbaijan both lay claim to... Kosovo could set a precedent which adds fuel to these conflicts. Vladimir Putin has said in a television appearance that he wants to prevent violence, yet the escalating conflict between Russia and Georgia has shown that Russia is still wavering between its role as a fire brigade and its role as an arsonist... This is a great obstacle in the Kosovo negotiations. Every decision against Serbia is interpreted as a carte blanche for Abkhazia and co. – although the situation in these areas is very different to that in the Balkans."
» full article (external link, German)
More from the press review on the subject » International Relations, » Security Policy / Crises / War, » South East Europe, » Serbia
Moscow flexes its muscle
Daniel Brössler is convinced that Vladimir Putin is intent on demonstrating Russia's new power. "Russia sees itself as an independent and self-assured agent with loose ties to the CIS states, the EU and in particular, China and India. The US comes after all the others on Russia's list of important partners, yet this is more a reflection of its feeling insulted than of actual priorities... Putin is nonetheless aware that only genuine instruments of power can consolidate Russia's position. In today's energy-hungry world, Russia's vast resources could be that instrument. But those who use oil and gas as a means of exerting pressure lose the trust and respect of their partners – a price that Russia understandably doesn't want to pay."
» to the homepage (external link, Süddeutsche Zeitung)
More from the press review on the subject » International Relations, » Russia
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