Proximity and Distance – Science in a Democracy

Democracies are under pressure, and the questions societies must decide on are becoming ever more complex. What role should science play in this? This article argues for a tense yet productive relationship: science should inform politics, not replace it – close enough to society to stay relevant, and far enough from political interests to remain independent.
© Hereon/Bianca Seth, AI generated

Europe’s New Security Architecture – The Fear of a Transatlantic Retreat

Europe's security policy debate has changed fundamentally in the autumn of 2026. It is no longer only about how much the European NATO states must spend on defense or how long they can support Ukraine militarily. At its center now is a more uncomfortable question: what must Europe be able to do on its own if the United States permanently reduces its military role on the continent?
Image: Bundesregierung/Steffen Kugler

Brazil After the First Round: Bolsonaro Leads Lula, and Europe Must Prepare for Two Very Different Paths

After the first round of its presidential election, Brazil faces a decision on its future direction with significant consequences far beyond South America. Flávio Bolsonaro of the right-wing Partido Liberal (PL) surprisingly emerged as the strongest candidate from the first round on Sunday. Incumbent Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva of the Workers' Party (PT) follows closely behind. The decision on the political leadership of Latin America's largest economy will therefore not be made until October 25.

US Midterms 2026: The Battle for Congress Is Wide Open

With just over a month to go before the American midterm elections, the political landscape in the United States has shifted considerably. What was seen at the start of the election year primarily as a difficult defensive task for Democrats in the Senate has, by early October, turned into an open fight for both chambers of Congress.

Brazil’s Decisive Vote: Lula vs. Bolsonaro

One week before Brazil's presidential election, the race between President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and his challenger Flávio Bolsonaro is intensifying. Lula is pushing a new strategy against organized crime and defending his ban on online betting, while Bolsonaro challenges him to a first head-to-head TV debate on Thursday. With around 160 million voters heading to the polls on October 4, Latin America's largest economy faces a deeply polarized decision.
Photo left: Ricardo Stuckert. Photo right: Carlos Moura/Agência Senado

Ursula von der Leyen’s “State of the Union” speech: lots of rhetoric, little narrative – many goals, little strategy

Ursula von der Leyen's 2026 "State of the Union" speech brought many new initiatives but no change of course. The EU sets too many goals and has too little strategy. The war in Ukraine, the new China shock and artificial intelligence show that Europe must finally become strategically capable. © European Union, 2026, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Europe or China? Washington’s Difficult Two-Front Deterrence

The United States is reviewing its troop presence in Europe while Russia puts Ukrainian air defenses under pressure with new drones. At the same time, Taiwan is waiting for American weapons. A strategic question is therefore growing in the US Senate: Can Washington deter Russia and China simultaneously – or must it choose between Europe and the Indo-Pacific? Xi Jinping and Putin © Kremlin.ru, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Reeperbahn Festival 2026: When Small Stages Become Big Discoveries

For four days, St. Pauli once again became a stage for the music of tomorrow. At Reeperbahn Festival 2026 in Hamburg, EV impressed with British rap and rave energy, while Bayonne created hypnotic soundscapes at Mojo Club. The real discovery, however, was Hetta Falzon, whose voice and piano delivered one of the festival's most beautiful moments at Nochtspeicher. Reeperbahn Festival © David Reineke

Trending now

Europe’s Uneasy Shift: When War Becomes Part of the Everyday Consciousness
“Ukraine Is Fighting for All of Us”: Matjaž Nemec on War, Responsibility and Europe’s Next Steps
Europe Confronts Its Housing Challenge: A New Political Priority Emerges
Europe’s Housing Question: A Social Crisis Demanding a Continental Answer