| SPIEGEL ONLINE | INTERNATIONAL NEWSLETTER |
| Compiled on January 22, 2013, 07:29 PM CET |
| AN ARDUOUS FRIENDSHIP Differences of Opinion Mark Franco-German Relations Though France and Germany are coming together this week to celebrate 50 years of postwar friendship, the two countries are growing further apart. Both countries are less interested in finding common ground on important issues and that attitude is preventing them from solving problems facing Europe. |
| SEALED WITH A KISS Treaty Heralded New Era in Franco-German Ties Fifty years ago, German Chancellor Konrad Adenauer and French President Charles de Gaulle embraced after signing the Franco-German Friendship Treaty. Since then, the partnership between the two countries has become one of the cornerstones of European stability. |
| RHINE REALITIES A Local Look at French-German Relations German Chancelor Angela Merkel and French President François Hollande are celebrating 50 years of Franco-German relations in Berlin this week. But along the German-French border, thoughts of enmity or reconciliation are a thing of the past. Residents of two towns along the Rhine have different concerns. |
| GERMANY ABROAD 'Mealy-Mouthed' Foreign Policy Angers Allies German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle is intent on keeping his country out of military operations in Mali. But his insistence on playing the role of peacemaker is increasingly frustrating Berlin's allies. Many in Berlin are likewise unimpressed. |
| HE'S BACK State Vote Gives Social Democrats New Life Political pundits had begun writing off Peer Steinbrück, the Social Democrat nominee to challenge Chancellor Angela Merkel in general elections this September. But the SPD's victory in Lower Saxony has given the gaffe-prone politician a reprieve. The result shows Merkel is vulnerable despite her popularity. |
| GENERATIONAL CHANGE A New, Less Powerful Euro Group Head Dutch Finance Minister Jeroen Dijsselbloem has been appointed as the new head of the Euro Group, where he is expected to lead with a different style than his predecessor. The politician is considered a tough reformer, but his message of fostering growth is likely to be welcomed in Southern Europe. |
| 'PATHETIC COWARD' Prince Harry Blasted for Taliban Comments Taliban fighters are full of derision for Prince Harry following the broadcast of an interview in which he brags of killing rebel fighters. NATO officers in Kabul are likewise unimpressed. |
| 'SHARDS BRING LUCK' EADS Searches for Strategy after Failed Merger In October, German government officials blocked the merger of defense giants EADS and BAE Systems. The merger was a key part of EADS CEO Thomas Enders' strategy to rebalance the company's portfolio. In a SPIEGEL interview, Enders explains how the pan-European firm is picking up the pieces. |
| WINTER BLITZ Snow and Ice Blanket Germany Winter weather threw travel across Germany into turmoil early this week. Snow blanketed much of the country, causing hundreds of cancelled flights and road closures. Conditions began to improve on Tuesday, but not before skiers at ice skaters could have a little fun. |
