International

On the escalation of violence in Israel and Palestine

Declaration by the Association for the Twinning of Cologne and Bethlehem

(4 June 2021) It is, unfortunately, the bitter reality: 25 years after the twinning of Cologne and Bethlehem and the founding of the association to promote this relationship – under the then mayor of Cologne, Norbert Burger – instead of anniversary celebrations we are seeing renewed violence, distress, death and misery, in our two twin cities of Bethlehem and Tel Aviv-Yafo.
“War preparations”

F-35s Bombing Gaza

by Manlio Dinucci*

(4 June 2021) The US, which has four ammunition storage bases in Israel, also provides an extensive arsenal there. Israel, which already has one of the most powerful air forces in the world, is currently testing F-35 fighter-bombers in combat operations against the Palestinians.

Questionable EU sanctions against China

by Rolf D. Cremer and Horst Löchel*

(29 May 2021) The EU hopes to improve the situation of the Uyghurs by imposing sanctions on China. This is the wrong way to go about it. The EU should view China’s rise as an economic and cultural asset and promote constructive agreements with the country.

"Defender 21: sabre rattling in Europe

by Alexander Neu*

(10 May 2021) A spectre is haunting Europe – once again. And, once again, it is not communism, but the opposite – the iron fist of US capitalism/imperialism: the US-led manoeuvre Defender-Europe 21. To be fair, one has to concede that the US-dominated NATO is the real iron fist of Western imperialism.

 
Ukraine, a powder keg

The US is pulling the strings in the background – with China and Europe as adversaries

by Ernst Wolff*

(10 May 2021) Ukraine is increasingly becoming a highly explosive powder keg for the international community. A few weeks ago, President Volodymyr Selenskyj deliberately fueled the conflict, which has been simmering for several years, by announcing his intention to retake the Crimean peninsula annexed by Russia in 2014 and the Donbass region dominated by pro-Russian separatists.

Memories of a balanced view of China

From: Helmut Schmidt "A Last Visit: Encounters with the World Power China"

by Reinhild Felten, Germany

(date) Helmut Schmidt (1918–2015) was German Chancellor from 1974 to 1982 and co-editor of "DIE ZEIT" since 1983. He remains one of the best-known and most popular politicians and publicists in Germany. He has published numerous books.

In his book "One last visit: encounters with the world power China",* published in 2013, Helmut Schmidt conveys an unusually balanced, benevolent view of China, considering he is a German politician.