Bild: Thomas Gottschalk: Now it’s just the two of us! / Thomas Gottschalk: Jetzt nur noch wir 2!FAZ: Röttgen calls US strategy a „second Zeitenwende for Europe“ / Röttgen nennt US-Strategie „zweite Zeitenwende für Europa“
Funke: Berlin’s hospitals should prepare for war / Berlins Krankenhäuser sollen sich auf Krieg vorbereiten
Handelsblatt: Fear in the Mittelstand / Die Angst im Mittelstand
RND: Interview with Nobel Prize laureate Matwijtschuk: „What we want is peace – not occupation.“ / Gespräch mit Nobelpreisträgerin Matwijtschuk: „Was wir wollen, ist Frieden – nicht Besatzung.“
SZ: The next contentious issues are already waiting / Die nächsten Streitthemen warten schon
Tagesspiegel: Despite differences over Palestine, Merz promises Israel eternal support / Trotz Differenzen um Palästina: Merz verspricht Israel ewige Unterstützung
taz: New Syria, old ghosts / Neues Syrien, alte Geister
Welt: A disastrous report card for the government on pension policy / Desaströses Zeugnis für die Regierung in der Rentenpolitik
US SECURITY STRATEGY
Trump doctrine turns its back on allies: The new National Security Strategy of the US administration under Donald Trump marks a sharp departure from previous concepts of multilateral cooperation. At its core is an isolationist line that emphasizes withdrawing from global responsibility and obliges allies to become more self-reliant. handelsblatt.com, faz.net
- Europe: Washington sees democratic deficits, censorship, and a loss of national identity, while praising the rise of „patriotic parties.“ Transnational organizations such as the EU are said to weaken national sovereignty and restrict political freedom. Nevertheless, the strategy stresses that the US does not intend to abandon Europe: its economic strength and its „sentimental ties“ to the US remain important.
- Russia: Moscow is not viewed as a direct rival but as a state whose threat is perceived by „many Europeans as existential.“ The US aims to „manage“ relations with Russia and restore „strategic stability“ in Eurasia.
- China: China is considered primarily an economic main adversary, whose rise has been driven by unfair trade and strategic expansion. The US wants to secure military balance and deterrence in the Pacific, especially regarding Taiwan.
- Latin America: The doctrine ties back to the Monroe Doctrine and seeks to re-establish the region as a US sphere of influence. Washington relies on stable partner governments, strengthened military presence, and greater private-sector engagement.
- Middle East: The strategy sees the region’s development positively, considers Iran weakened after attacks, and praises states that combat extremism. The US no longer wants to engage in „nation-building,“ but views Syria as a potential future stabilizing factor.
- Africa: Africa is covered in just half of the document’s 29 pages. The US government rejects the promotion of liberal values and focuses on economic interests. Instead of development aid, the strategy prioritizes resource extraction and market access.
Reactions:
Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul announced he would „intensively analyze“ the new US security strategy. He emphasized that the US remained Germany’s most important ally in NATO. Regarding criticism in the US paper of freedom of opinion and the press, Wadephul said Germany needed „no external advice“—these rights were safeguarded by the constitution.
CDU foreign-policy expert Norbert Röttgen sees the new US security strategy as a „second Zeitenwende“ for Europe. He warns that under Trump, the US no longer stands with Europeans and could cooperate with internal enemies of liberal democracy in Europe. The EU’s very existence is threatened. spiegel.de
CDU defense expert Roderich Kiesewetter considers the new US security strategy the final break with traditional transatlantic values. Europe must now expand its societal, military, and economic self-reliance to avoid becoming a plaything for great powers.
Green Party leader Franziska Brantner sees both risks and opportunities for Europe. She calls for more European cooperation and investments in sovereignty to safeguard freedom and security in the long term and to shape the continent’s future independently.
EU foreign-policy chief Kaja Kallas emphasizes that the new US security strategy does not weaken close transatlantic relations. The US remains Europe’s biggest ally; despite differing views, Washington is still Europe’s most important partner.
Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni sees no reason for conflict with Europe stemming from the US strategy and dismissed speculation about a crisis in transatlantic relations.
The Kremlin welcomed the new US security strategy. Spokesman Dmitry Peskov praised that Russia is no longer described as a direct threat and that it contains a call for cooperation on issues of strategic stability. tagesspiegel.de
Bild-Sonntag poll by Insa: CDU/CSU 25 percent, AfD 25 percent (-1), SPD 15 percent, Greens 10 percent (-1), Left Party 11 percent (+1), BSW 4 percent, FDP 4 percent (+1), Others 5 percent. bild.de
Labour Minister Bärbel Bas open to pension reform based on contribution years: On ARD she described economist Jens Südekum’s proposal as „basically quite good“; retirement age would be based on years of contributions rather than biological age. Südekum believes the model is fairer, benefiting those who start work early. For academics it would mean retiring later since they begin paying contributions later. Bas said the idea should be discussed in the new pension commission. spiegel.de, rnd.de, tagesspiegel.de
Union faction provides chancellor’s majority on pension package: A looming conflict in the black-red coalition was avoided, after younger members of the CDU/CSU had criticized rising costs. Chancellor Merz announced a comprehensive pension reform would follow. Business groups criticize the lack of structural reforms, while the VdK social association sees protection against loss of purchasing power confirmed. sueddeutsche.de, faz.net
- The adopted measures include the „active pension,“ which incentivizes longer working lives. Strengthening company pensions, expanding mothers’ pensions, and securing the pension level form the core of the package.
- The new military service reform introduces mandatory medical assessments for young men born from 2008 onward. Actual service remains voluntary as long as enough volunteers come forward; nationwide, students protested the plan.sueddeutsche.de
- Detainees awaiting deportation will no longer be provided a mandatory lawyer. Parliament followed the proposal of Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt, who wanted to reverse the rule after 18 months to accelerate deportations.
- The government can now independently decide which countries are considered safe countries of origin. Approval from Bundestag and Bundesrat is no longer required, affecting numerous asylum procedures.
CSU leader Markus Söder calls for bringing forward the planned corporate tax cut: Given weak economic conditions, Söder wants relief for companies earlier—mid-2026 instead of 2028—if the budget allows. He sees it as an important stimulus and considers current measures inadequate. handelsblatt.com
Interior ministers’ autumn conference: Federal and state governments want closer cooperation in countering drones. They also agreed to expand criminal liability for possessing and consuming violent pornography. They called for changes to the partial legalization of cannabis to prevent commercial-scale dealing. Regarding stadium safety, ministers want more dialogue rather than confrontation. The federal government will finance new asylum centers at EU external borders, while five states pledged to build capacity. lto.de, butenunbinnen.de
CDU General Secretary Carsten Linnemann and the Police Union criticize the AfD after remarks by Alice Weidel: Linnemann accuses the AfD of ongoing radicalization. The trigger was Weidel’s interview on Welt TV, in which she called the intelligence service „sleazy Stasi informers“ and defended the language of a young AfD politician. The Police Union condemned the comments as targeted intimidation of security agencies. GdP leader Jochen Kopelke called them „inhumane attacks“ and warned of attempts to delegitimize the intelligence service. rnd.de (Linnemann) spiegel.de (GdP)
Other reports:
- CSU leader Markus Söder: Formal cooperation with the AfD is impossible. welt.de
- Head of the Chancellery Thorsten Frei announces a citizens’ income reform by Christmas. zdfheute.de
- Germans worry more about right-wing extremism than about immigrants. welt.de
SED victims’ commissioner Evelyn Zupke urges renaming Lenin and SED-related streets: Zupke calls on municipalities to rename remaining streets honoring Lenin or former SED leaders such as Wilhelm Pieck or Otto Grotewohl. Such names, she says, glorify figures unworthy of honor and symbolize the suffering caused by communist rule. In the 35th year of German unity, renaming them after resistance fighters against the GDR dictatorship would be appropriate.zeit.de
Police in North Rhine-Westphalia massively expand video surveillance: According to WDR research, 220 fixed surveillance cameras are now in use—ten years ago there were only twelve. The cameras are located in seven major cities, mainly in the Rhineland and the Ruhr area. Experts, activists, and police disagree on the effectiveness of video surveillance, as robust studies are lacking. wdr.de
CDU doubts testimony of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania’s Minister President Manuela Schwesig in the Nord Stream inquiry committee: Schwesig said the state acted within Germany’s foreign and economic policy framework and pursued no Sonderweg. CDU representative Sebastian Ehlers accused her of „fantastical dialectics.“ Schwesig’s statement that she aligned with the federal government „by no means“ implied approval, Ehlers said. The committee has been investigating since May 2022 whether the state government was influenced by Russian interests in the pipeline project. The final report is expected before the 2026 state election. ndr.de, nordkurier.de
Other news:
- Schleswig-Holstein: Green politician Samet Yilmaz is the new mayor of Kiel. ndr.de
- Baden-Württemberg: CDU lead candidate Manuel Hagel confirmed as state party chairman. sueddeutsche.de
- Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania: Gender equality commissioner Wenke Brüdgam resigns after tearing down German flags. ndr.de
Chancellor Friedrich Merz reaffirms solidarity with Israel: During a visit to Jerusalem, Merz criticized the Israeli army’s conduct in the Gaza war, while reaffirming German support for Israel. Israel has the right to defend itself but must uphold international law, Merz said after meeting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. He stressed that criticism of the Israeli government is legitimate and sometimes necessary, while underlining Germany’s historic responsibility for Israel’s security and existence. zeit.de
- With regard to peace talks, Merz again advocated a two-state solution. Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejects a Palestinian state that aims at „the destruction of Israel“ and demands the complete dismantling of Hamas as a prerequisite for peace. rnd.de
- Israel’s Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir has declared the withdrawal line agreed in the US plan to be a new border line. The so-called „yellow line“ is to serve as both defensive and offensive line and extends up to 6.5 km into the coastal strip. n-tv.de
- During his visit to Jerusalem, Chancellor Merz reaffirmed Germany’s permanent responsibility for Israel. At Yad Vashem, he stressed Germany must stand up for the existence and security of the Jewish state.
UKRAINE
Kyiv and Washington see progress in peace talks: US special envoy Keith Kellogg says the Ukraine negotiations are close to conclusion but notes unresolved questions concerning Donbas and Zaporizhzhia. According to the US State Department, an agreement now depends on Moscow’s willingness to compromise. Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky spoke with US negotiators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner about key points to secure Ukraine’s safety and territorial stability; he did not disclose details. Zelensky described the talks as constructive but not easy. tagesspiegel.de
- European leaders urge Zelensky not to accept a withdrawal from Donbas without binding US security guarantees. According to Bloomberg, they fear such a step could provoke a future, larger war with Russia. A European delegation plans to present these concerns in Washington.
- On Monday, Chancellor Merz, French President Emmanuel Macron, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will meet in London to discuss the state of peace talks. The meeting is meant to support ongoing US-mediated negotiations underway in Miami and aims to align European positions.
Final negotiation round on the EU supply-chain law: On Monday evening, EU state delegations and the European Parliament will discuss limiting the law to a few large companies and weakening climate requirements. Originally, the law was meant to apply more broadly, but support from right-wing populist parties enabled the current rollback. rnd.de
Chancellor Friedrich Merz pushes in Belgium for use of Russian assets: Merz wants agreement on using frozen Russian state assets to finance Ukraine before the mid-December EU summit. He met with Belgium’s Prime Minister Bart De Wever and Commission President Ursula von der Leyen; he canceled a planned trip to Norway. Belgium opposes the measure due to concerns about legal consequences and Russian retaliation. tagesschau.de, faz.net
Democracy prize for Belarusian opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: She receives the International Prize for Democracy and the Rule of Law in Bonn. The state of North Rhine-Westphalia and the association „International Democracy Prize“ honor her efforts for a free and democratic Belarus and her resistance to the authoritarian regime of Alexander Lukashenko. Tsikhanouskaya ran against Lukashenko in the 2020 presidential election after her husband was imprisoned and has lived in exile since then. deutschlandfunkkultur.de
Muted sales in the Christmas season: The German Retail Association sees the Christmas business as disappointing so far. According to an HDE survey, around two-thirds of retailers are dissatisfied with the current progress. Many customers are being cautious during their shopping trips in city centers. Things are going somewhat better in suburban areas and in individual sectors such as toys or consumer electronics. zeit.de
Other news:
- Head of Techniker Krankenkasse Jens Baas announces rising costs for statutory insurance members. spiegel.de
- Railways CEO Evelyn Palla announces an internal investigation into the renewed delay of Stuttgart 21. handelsblatt.com
- Long-distance Deutsche Bahn trains in November: Almost every second train delayed. rnd.de
- Streaming services and TV broadcasters reportedly plan to invest 15.5 billion euros in Germany as a film production location. dwdl.de
- Steel and metal trader Klöckner is reportedly to be sold to the US. sueddeutsche.de
- Danger to aircraft: More and more drones are threatening German airspace. n-tv.de
Ice Dippers
We are a Berlin-based community finding connection and resilience through cold water immersion. For us, dipping is more than a ritual—it’s a way to embrace nature, ourselves, and each other. We also support Kältehilfe, raising awareness and funds for those facing the cold not by choice, but by circumstance.
If you woke up on Saturday to a shoe full of chocolates, mandarins, or a mysteriously judgmental peanut, congratulations — you’ve experienced Nikolaus in true German style.
Unlike Santa, who deals with big-picture logistics, Nikolaus is more of a middle manager of morality: he shows up early in December, checks whether you’ve been reasonably civilized, and rewards you accordingly. But here’s the secret every expat eventually learns — Germans pretend it’s for the kids, yet fully grown adults will polish their boots on December 5th with the optimism of someone awaiting a performance bonus.
It’s wholesome, it’s charming, and yes — it’s the one day a year where footwear hygiene directly correlates with your chocolate intake.