Today we are dealing with the negotiations at the EU summit on Brexit, with Donald Trump's Syria policy becoming ever stranger. And with the protests against Bernd Lucke.
The next Brexit drama in Brussels
DPA / PA Wire / Stefan Rousseau
More in the SPIEGEL
Issue 42/2019
Never again?
The assassination of Halle and the everyday hatred of Jews in GermanyDigital Edition | Printed Edition | Apps | SUBSCRIPTION
European Union leaders meet today in Brussels to discuss Brexit. There is some evidence that it may come to an agreement with the British in the last few meters and that withdrawal from the EU can actually take place on 31 October. But you never know about Brexit. In any case, several British media report that British Prime Minister Boris Johnson wants to travel to Brussels early to conduct Brexit talks. That sounds positive.
EU Council President Donald Tusk said the foundation for this agreement was ready and could be approved in theory. On the side of the EU and the UK, it was also said that there were still contentious issues. If Johnson could actually do the trick of reaching an agreement with the EU, for which he would then get a majority in his parliament, one would have to say: Respect. If things go wrong again, a guilty party is wanted. One almost suspects: Johnson then points to the EU. And the EU points to Johnson. This is called "Blame Game".
- Nervous negotiations: Brussels wants to force Brexit agreement
What's up with Trump?
The White House / Handout via REUTERS
US President Donald Trump seems completely out of the woods. The Syria crisis and the Ukraine affair are clearly increasing. Now a letter has been posted to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan that is so bizarre and confused that it is hard to believe it is genuine. But he is really by Trump: The writing is only a few lines long and in the typical Trump-Twitter language set up: "Let's negotiate a good deal," Trump demands from Erdogan. "Do not be a fool!" And: "I'll call you later." The letter with the President's golden coat of arms looks like the caricature of a presidential letter. Erdogan should have laughed heartily.
US Vice President Mike Pence and US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo meanwhile have to do the right job. They are to mediate in Ankara in the northern Syria conflict between Turkey and Kurdish militias. Their mission is more than delicate and the question arises as to what Americans can achieve at all. In any case, Erdogan has already shunned the US demand for a ceasefire. Erdogan also rejects the "deal" with the Kurds proposed by Trump, he does not speak with terrorists, he clarified. The Turkish president is feeling very strong at the moment, which is probably due to the fact that the invasion of his troops in northern Syria is well received by many of his constituents.
Above all, however, Trump's withdrawal of the Americans from Erdogan's point of view creates clear conditions: the US is practically out of the game for him in Syria, so why should he care for them at present? He prefers to discuss the future of the region elsewhere, with the protective power of the Syrian regime. Russian President Vladimir Putin invited Erdogan to a meeting in Sochi for the coming week. The two will certainly arrange things brotherly among themselves.
- Erdogan's Syria Offensive: Warlord of Putin's Graces
Syria and German powerlessness
Virginia Mayo / AP / dpa
These are the times when Germany is shown that in the end it is only a regional power with limited influence. The fact that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan makes fun of Foreign Minister Heiko Maas, calling him a "political dilettante" is not only so annoying because it comes from Erdogan, but also because it hits a nerve.
Germany's handling of crises as it is now in Syria is not amateurish, but often acts helplessly . When autocrats such as Erdogan or Vladimir Putin wreak havoc, the official German side always "reminds", "warns" or "regrets". That was it mostly. Then the foreign minister flies somewhere, for example to Brussels, there are crisis talks with other EU countries - and it is again "reminded", but this time in close coordination with the EU partners. Then everyone looks to Washington and hope that the Americans somehow get a handle on the matter.
It is a tragedy for which there is no real solution except that Germany and the other Europeans join together to form a true community that is not only numerically a world and regulatory power, but also political.
- Syria conflict: GroKo politicians discuss sanctions against Turkey
THE LOCATION live at the book fair
DPA
The book fair is on in Frankfurt, and there are plenty of exciting interviews and discussions at the SPIEGEL stand (Hall 3.0, D56). Every trade fair day is opened with "DIE LAGE live". Here are authors of our morning briefing with interesting guests, today at 10 clock is, for example Wolfgang Schroeder there who has written a book about the AfD in the German party system. The title: "Smart Splitters".
Yesterday, my colleague Dirk Kurbjuweit spoke with the American Stephen Holmes about his book "The Light That Lapsed". One of his theses: Russia would imitate US foreign policy, he says. Holmes calls it "a violent imitation." If you are at the fair, you are welcome to visit the SPIEGEL booth. Here is more information about the daily program.
Loser of the day ...
picture alliance / dpa
... ... is Bernd Lucke, one of the founding fathers of the AfD. Raised students have prevented with protests that Lucke could hold his first lecture after his return as a professor at the University of Hamburg. Lucke was also called a "Nazi pig". This is nonsense, because the economic expert Lucke is indeed a conservative, whose views can be really divided opinion, but he is not a Nazi. As a student in the third semester, you may not be interested in such distinctions if you think you are involved in the right political thing with your heart and soul. Nevertheless, they should not go under in political discourse. Peaceful protest against Lucke is still in order: He bears as the founder of a share of responsibility for the strengthening of the AfD, he can not deny. The spirits he called are and remain his spirits.
The compact news overview in the morning: current and opinionated. Every morning (weekdays) at 6 o'clock. Order directly here:
The latest news from the night
- White House Crisis: Opposition leader Nancy Pelosi reports being insulted at a meeting by Donald Trump. She now cares about the health of the President
- Trump's bizarre letter: "Do not be a fool!" Writes the US President to his Turkish counterpart - and threatens blatantly
- Boxer Patrick Day is dead: The 27-year-old had gone down on the weekend after heavy head hits. He did not wake up from the coma
The SPIEGEL + recommendations for today
- Career disadvantage East: Why do not East Germans make it to the boardroom?
- Truths beyond statistics: Politics are done with dark figures
- Pupil fool Amazon Reviews: Five stars for nothing
- Bestselling author Martin Suter: "I've often stinged rich people"
- Psychiatrist in interview: Why kill young people?
I wish you a good start to the day.
Your Roland Nelles
