The war in Ukraine has not only military but also significant political and strategic consequences for Europe. Experts like Viktoria Boiko and Hans-Dieter Heumann warn against dangerous illusions of a quick peace. They emphasize that Russia has weakened Europe's ability to act through hybrid warfare, which jeopardizes support for Ukraine. An early attempt at peace, when Russia is in a strong position and Ukraine in a weak negotiating position, could have severe consequences for European security.

In this discussion, Anke Plättner moderates an in-depth conversation about the geopolitical challenges in the Middle East. Experts Melinda Crane, Prof. Thomas Jäger, Hans-Dieter Heumann, and Moritz Koch discuss, among other things, proposals for the reconstruction of Palestinian territories, which have been brought up by various political actors, including Donald Trump. Special attention is given to how Arab states are involved in this discussion. While some Arab countries may play a role in the reconstruction process, it remains unclear how they will address the question of whether and how Palestinians could settle in their countries. The experts also discuss the opportunities and challenges of normalizing relations between Israel and the Arab states and their significance for the stability of the region.

Volker Kronenberg, a political scientist, assesses the recent vote in the Bundestag on asylum policy as problematic. The CDU/CSU passed their proposal to tighten asylum laws by securing the support of the AfD for the first time. Kronenberg sees this move as risky, as it exposes the political dilemma of the Union: While they are responding to growing public dissatisfaction, there is a lack of sustainable majorities in the political center. The impact on upcoming elections remains unclear, but the political divide is likely to persist.

In the interview, Volker Kronenberg discusses Friedrich Merz's election campaign strategy and its potential impact on the CDU. Kronenberg addresses the current political situation of the CDU, which finds itself in a challenging environment. The party is under pressure to strengthen its position in the political center, while also facing challenges from increasing political polarization and the rise of populist movements. The CDU must find a way to gain the support of a broad range of voters without losing its traditional base. In this context, Merz's election campaign strategy plays a crucial role in positioning the CDU in a changing political climate and ensuring long-term success.

The interview with Dr. Ali Fathollah-Nejad addresses Iran's geopolitical situation and its region, particularly regarding the impact of the fall of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad on Iran's foreign policy. It discusses the fragility of the Iranian regime and the far-reaching consequences of foreign and regional setbacks, as well as the ongoing economic crisis in Iran. Dr. Fathollah-Nejad highlights the weaknesses in Iran's regional policy, which has increasingly wavered due to instability in Syria and the shrinking of Iran's military alliances.

Friedrich Merz is sending a political signal with a new initiative and is aiming for a clear direction for the CDU. In an interview, Volker Kronenberg explains how this step could help Merz position the CDU as a strong opposition force.

In an interview with ntv, Dr. Joachim Weber explains that Donald Trump's demand for lower oil prices to end the Ukraine war is unlikely to be effective. He describes this strategy as typical of Trump, who often proposes simple, populist solutions. According to Weber, a reduction in oil prices would not significantly harm the Kremlin, as Russia has become better at coping with price fluctuations.

The new US president has announced high import tariffs on Chinese products to protect the US economy and reduce the trade deficit with China. China expert Maximilian Mayer points out that during Trump’s first term, the US trade deficit with China grew by 200 billion dollars, costing many jobs in the US.