Stepping Over the Line: Schäuble Criticizes ECB
German finance minister Wolfgang Schäuble was forced by Jens Weidmann, president of the powerful Bundesbank, to publicly state that he fully respects the independence of the European Central Bank (ECB) …
Transatlantic Traffic Jams
When the hundreds of government officials and international organization leaders make their way to Washington for the Spring Meetings of the IMF and the World Bank Group, an explosion of …
Chief Facilitator: The Legacy of Hans-Dietrich Genscher
The passing of Hans-Dietrich Genscher marks another milestone in the unique history of the leadership of the Federal Republic of Germany. His life and career embody the path of the …
Genscher and Genscherism
The career and success of Hans-Dietrich Genscher, who died at age 89 on March 30, illustrate the strength of continuity in office. Such continuity has long been a feature of …
Remembering Lothar Späth: Former AGI Trustee, Minister-President of Baden-Württemberg, and Successful Corporate Leader
AGI was honored to have Lothar Späth as a member of its Board of Trustees from 1997 until 2009. Dr. Späth died on March 18, 2016. I had the honor …
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Support Our WorkHans-Dietrich Genscher: A Life of Longing for Stability
The resounding response from the press to the death of Hans-Dietrich Genscher reminds us of how much German political equilibrium depends on the existence of central, idealized, larger-than-life figures. Mr. …
Hans-Dietrich Genscher, Remembrance of a German Statesman
Hans-Dietrich Genscher was German foreign minister when I first met him. On 1 October 1982, I was in Bonn to consult with Wolfgang Ischinger, his office director. Our meeting was …
Hans-Dietrich Genscher: Recollections
Hans-Dietrich Genscher’s impact on politics in Germany did not begin with foreign policy but in domestic politics and that is where I met him first. As Minister of the Interior …
LGBT Refugees: Perpetuated Persecution in Asylum
Life as an asylum seeker is not an easy one. Having faced persecution and violence in their home countries and uprooted their entire lives, these migrants face political, socioeconomic, and …
Transportation Gets Tricky for Germany
From April 23 to May 8, German rail operator Deutsche Bahn is expected to close an important stretch of track between Hanover and Kassel for construction work. This closure will …
British Referendum Pains and the EU Implications of BREXIT
On 23 June 2016, should a majority of British voters decide to leave the EU—nearly forty-five years after joining the Community—the EU would lose 17 percent of its GDP and …
The Refugee Crisis Confronts Germany’s Society with Three Major Challenges
The dominant theme of this year’s discussions is that of refugees. Factual debates have turned into power issues now. Who will win the fight about the implementation of “ceilings” for …
