(Own report) - In view of this year's US presidential elections, German government advisors have diagnosed major tensions in relations between Berlin and Washington, which have arisen because of the USA's grave economic difficulties demanding inevitable drastic austerity measures. It is also uncertain how long the dollar will be able to maintain its exceptional global . . .

(Own report) - Government advisors in Berlin are warning against continuing German complicity in the increasing incidence of "targeted killings" by the US armed forces and the CIA. A newly published study by the German Institute for International and Security Affairs (SWP) confirms that the United States is dramatically expanding its use of "targeted killings," . . .

(Own report) - German naval experts are predicting a dramatic shift over the next twenty years in the balance of power between the world's leading naval forces. Whereas the naval capabilities of several countries in East and Southeast Asia are growing considerably, those of the US are shrinking slightly. European naval units, including those of . . .

(Own report) - The debate around the modalities for troop withdrawals, due to begin next year, has become livelier, even before today's opening of the International Afghanistan Conference. A US expert in the Washington establishment proposes that Afghanistan be divided along an east-west axis. In the thereby separated north of the country, a continued loyalty . . .

(Own report) - German Navy circles are discussing US plans for the militarization of the Arctic. According to the latest edition of the German magazine "MarineForum", the US Navy is currently elaborating concrete scenarios for missions in the Arctic Ocean to develop arms programs for the next few years and is examining the possibility of . . .

(Own report) - Just before the opening of this years annual Munich Security Conference, German government advisors are assessing US global policy in the aftermath of the Bush era. The German Institute for International and Security Affairs (SWP) in Berlin writes that President Obama, upon taking office, aroused "great expectations" in terms of an intensified . . .

(Own report) - On the occasion of the 20 anniversary of the opening of the Berlin Wall, the German Chancellor is calling for the establishment of a new world order. Monday, at a conference focusing on the consequences of the GDR's collapse, Angela Merkel declared that the United States must be prepared to subordinate itself . . .

german-foreign-policy.com reports excerpts from a CIA document on Enhanced Interrogation Techniques. (Full text: documents.nytimes.com/c-i-a-reports-on-interrogation-methods#p=1 ) . . .

(Own report) - In the course of the German cabinet reshuffle, human rights organizations are raising grave accusations against the German government. In a recent Human Rights Watch statement, an expert is demanding that EU governments "reveal the true extent of torture carried out on their soil", because of their assistance in CIA abductions and . . .

(Own report) - Recently released US documents on CIA use of torture have brought to light crimes against humanity, committed by the West, with German support, in its "War on Terror". As became known from an internal CIA report, released Monday, even the new interrogation guidelines for the foreign intelligence agencies handed down in 2002, . . .

(Own report) - German companies are backing up their million dollar business deals with the Pentagon by providing special benefits to personnel of the US armed forces, according to NGOs in Germany and the USA. Employees of US military hospitals have their travel expenses to "congresses" and "trainings" paid particularly by pharmaceutical and medical technology . . .

(Own report) - EU political strategists are alarmed by US proposals for a closer cooperation between the USA and the People's Republic of China. According to the EU think tank European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR) "fears" are revived "within Europe that it could be sidelined in a new world order." These fears are fomented . . .

(Own report) - The US president's brief visit to Germany is being overshadowed by a long-term shift in the balance of power in trans-Atlantic relations. The bankruptcy of the US automobile giant, General Motors (GM), and Berlin's success in forcing it to relinquish its European subsidiaries (Opel, Vauxhall) to a Germany-linked consortium, has led to . . .

(Own report) - Prior to this year's Munich Security Conference, Berlin is pushing for a change in the Western Middle East policy. Wolfgang Ischinger, chairman and host of the Munich Security Conference is demanding a new approach to Teheran, and particularly that the USA establishes "normal relations with Teheran". High ranking Iranian politicians are expected . . .

(Own Report) - Before the new administration in Washington takes office, a new transatlantic accord concerning the future war strategy at the Hindu Kush is in the making. This accord foresees a rise in troop levels to 20,000 soldiers, while the civilian-military accompanying component will be given more importance, as Berlin demands. In addition, efforts . . .

(Own report) - The Bertelsmann Foundation presented a list of foreign policy demands to the new US administration. According to the Bertelsmann Foundation, the "Briefing Book," which was presented last week in Washington, is a "policy blueprint that proposes strategies" for the US president-elect and his team, "from a distinctly European perspective." The Briefing Book . . .

(Own report) - Reaffirming their desire for a position of global leadership, Berlin and Brussels have put forward their first demands to the incoming US administration. After last week's informal EU summit, European leaders stated that the EU would like to be a trail-blazer in overcoming the world's financial crisis. Concrete proposals have been elaborated . . .

(Own report) - In the run-up to next week's EU summit, a German EU politician has threatened the Irish government with "disastrous consequences". According to the influential German CDU member of the European Parliament, Elmar Brok, it is imperative that Dublin present its concrete proposals for winning a second referendum on the "Lisbon Treaty" at . . .

(Own report) - German banks and insurance companies are fighting for an appropriate portion of the multi-billion dollar US Government emergency bail out plan. On the weekend, the government confirmed its plan to expropriate at least US $700 billion from American taxpayers to prop up bankrupt private US institutions. This announcement included a restriction: Only . . .

(Own report) - The German-French arms manufacturer EADS' expansion attempt has become a topic of debate in the US presidential elections. After the Government Accountability Office criticized the contract awarded EADS and its US-American partner Northrop Grumman by the US Air Force for the delivery of refueling aircraft valued US $35 billion, observers are expecting . . .

(Own report) - German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeiner has again denied any earlier knowledge of torture in the US "war on terror". During last Thursday's session of the Committee of Inquiry in the German Bundestag, Steinmeier declared that reports of mistreatment in US confinement of Abdel Halim Khafagy, a German residing in Munich, played "no . . .

(Own report) - On Monday May 19, the Dalai Lama will terminate his visit to Germany after having met with the German Minister for Development and given a speech in Berlin. This time, following interventions from business circles, the German government has restrained its anti-Chinese provocations. Neither the chancellor, the foreign minister, nor the president . . .

(Own report) - Just after having been awarded the "contract of the century" by the US Air Force, the German-French arms manufacturer, EADS, announced its intention to take over companies in the United States. According to an internal EADS memorandum, the company will effectuate already in 2008 "at least one" acquisition in the USA. The . . .

(Own report) - New theories to legitimize counterinsurgency and war are being discussed in leading foreign and military policy circles in the German capital. Explanatory models are being used, deducing rebellions against poverty and insurrections against foreign occupation from demographic factors. Thus tensions and unrest in the Islamic world and in Africa are attributed to . . .

(Own report) - With the procurement of thousands of "extras", German firms are helping the US Army in its military training for illegal combat missions in Iraq. The company "Firma DSS" in Rostock (Mecklenburg-West Pomerania) for example, is supplying civilians ("Civilians on the Battlefield") for maneuvers to prepare for deployment, in a war being waged . . .

(Own report) - German foreign policy makers, are upping their political pressure on Beijing, and holding talks with a Chinese separatist. As the Munich based "World Uyghur Congress (WUC)" announced, its president, Rebiya Kadeer will also be received by the foreign ministry. The Uyghurs, a Muslim minority from the autonomous region Xinjiang (Western China), are . . .

(Own report) - The European Council's special reporter, Dick Marty, made serious accusations against the current German government and its "red-green" predecessor. Dick Marty, of Switzerland, had been entrusted for months with the investigation of the cooperation in torture carried out on behalf of the United States. In the report presented on the second weekend . . .

(Own report) - Under persistent pressure from Berlin and the EU, the United Nations Human Rights Council decided on December 13 to dispatch an "expert commission" to the West Sudanese civil war area of Darfur. Though this further internationalizes the civil war in Sudan, the debate in the German capital, Berlin, continues to rage around . . .

(Own report) - The government in Berlin is increasing pressure on Khartoum. A decision was taken Dec. 15 concerning an extension of the deployment of the German Armed Forces (Bundeswehr) in Sudan. The Sudanese government must allow UN troops into the civil war torn region of Darfur, insists the Human Rights Parliamentary Committee of the . . .

(Own report) – At the beginning of their careers, several top correspondents of German television's prominent First (ARD) and Second (ZDF) channels were in contact with CIA front organizations. The meeting place was a "mansion close to the Rhine, financed by the secret service", says the author of a documentary film broadcast by the French-German . . .

(Own report) - The German writer Heinrich Boell had worked for several front organizations of the US secret service. This is alleged in a TV documentation of the French-German television channel ARTE, which was introduced to the press in Berlin. "We all worked for the CIA", admitted the former business administrator of the base of . . .

(Own report) - The central command unit for world-wide kidnapping, torture and subversion operations is located in Frankfurt/Main. This command central consists of approximately 200 agents of the US secret service, CIA, and was involved in the abduction of German citizens - with the knowledge of the German authorities. This is to be learned from . . .

(Own report) - The German government's connivance in the escape of the Nazi mass murderer, Adolf Eichmann, has caused little public indignation in Germany, nor has it become a theme for the media. As head of the of the Third Reich's Section IV D4 of the Central Security Office (handling Jewish affairs and evacuation), Eichmann . . .

(Own report) - The transfer of reinforcements for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, by way of the Leipzig Airport, has begun. A contingent of 400 US soldiers landed last Sunday, as is being documented by photos, published here by german-foreign-policy.com. The troop transport arrived from the USA, as the German air traffic control confirmed . . .

(Own report) - The German government intends to respond to the US furnishing arms to India, with an economic policy offensive and with having German clout more clearly felt in New Delhi. President George W. Bush recently announced that the USA would like to fortify India's nuclear potential and assured appropriate deliveries. These offers are . . .

(Own report) - In spite of evidence of official German complicity in cases of abduction and torture, the authorities are refusing to take the consequences. This pertains to the former Ministers Josef Fischer and Otto Schily as well as members of the current government, Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Brigitte Zypries. During their periods in office, German . . .

The German chancellor wishes to secure his country's ascent in the UN by promising aid to the People's Republic of China. France supports him in the hopes for Beijing's consideration in return. Paris needs China's agreement in order to bring the fusion reactor ,,Iter"into France (total cost is 10 billion Euro). Berlin depends on China for its ascent in the . . .

The campaign by the German Federal Government to obtain full membership on the UN Security Council has failed. Under no circumstances will Berlin receive the desired veto right and must accept second or third class status. For the moment, this is the result of bitter objections voiced by the USA, Italy and several Eastern European UN members against Germany's demands. . . .

During a high profile policy speech, the German foreign minister, Joschka Fischer, offered ,,equal"partnership to the US administration for the purpose of, jointly, winning the struggle for a ,,new world order". The ,,new world order"would eliminate international ,,loss of order"and achieve ,,positive globalization."All methods must be employed and belligerent actions are not specifically ruled out. Rather it is meant . . .

As announced, the German-French enterprise EADS, the world's second largest aviation, space travel and armament consortium, begins its expansion into the United State's armaments market, displacing its main competitor Boeing. At the same time, the group extends its co-operation with Russian companies, which shall - especially in space travel - strengthen the consortium's position of independence vis a vis the USA. . . .

At present, the Middle East is viewed as a decisive battle ground in the competition for hegemony in the future ,,world order."Berlin and Washington recognize not only their mutual intentions ( ,,to pressure these countries to open themselves politically"), but also considerable differences which call for co-ordination, because only a joint effort promises success. Berlin sees German-European interests threatened by the . . .

The German ambassador to Washington recommends that Berlin and the EU should participate in the attempt of the USA to eliminate the ,,Fiction of the (...) equality of states"- if necessary by military means. As a countermove the United States is requested to give priority status to German interests in the ,,reorganisation"of the world. . . .

The US Congress is considering a law to prevent, if necessary with military force, charges of ,,Crimes against Humanity"when applied to US-interests. Among other things, this legislation is directed against German legal procedures which grant Berlin the right to prosecute globally such actual or fabricated crimes, ,,independent of the scene of the crime or the nationality of the participants."With that, . . .

While tensions between Berlin and Washington are stabilising, German foreign policy continues to be a source of division. While it is incumbent upon circles around the present administration to develop a long range competitive strategy, the present German political opposition attempts to reassure Washington. After respective contacts with the US administration, by Chancellor Schröder (SPD) . . .

One of the most influential political experts in Berlin believes that the opportunity has arrived to dispute ,,world hegemony"with the USA. He demands that the EU (which he sees as ,,a world power in the making") should make use of this chance. A foreign policy specialist of the SPD (Social Democrat Party) favours a rapprochement with the ,,islamic states"to . . .

The impending war has certainly put a cat among the pigeons, throwing all usual diplomatic relations into disarray. The row between Washington and Berlin has been particularly sharp. Yet within hours of having been re-elected on an anti-war and anti-American ticket, the government of Gerhard Schröder set about building its broken bridges with Washington. . . .

The European Union wishes to intensify its economic and political relations with Latin America and the Caribbean region. The German federal government and parliament had previously pressed for the common strategic policy, agreed under the German presidency of the EU in 1999 to be advanced and to overcome the opposition to it in various EU member states. US analysts saw . . .