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Markus Ziener

Markus Zieneris a professor at HMKW, a media University in Berlin. From 2006 to 2012 he was Washington Bureau Chief of Handelsblatt, Germany’s largest business daily. Prior to that he worked as a field reporter, covering the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. He has also served as correspondent in Moscow and Eastern Europe. From 1999 to 2001 he was Foreign Editor with the Financial Times Deutschland. Markus Ziener holds a doctorate in politics from Humboldt University Berlin.

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Russia emerges a winner in Iran war, while Ukraine and Germany come under greater pressure

The Iran war has handed Russian President Vladimir Putin a strategic windfall he could not have arranged better himself: an oil price spike filling Russia’s war chest.
The Iran war has handed Russian President Vladimir Putin a strategic windfall he could not have arranged better himself: an oil price spike filling Russia’s war chest.

Seeking stronger ties, Germany’s Merz takes his ‘principled realism’ doctrine to Beijing

Chinese Premier Li Qiang greeting Volkswagen CEO Oliver Blume as he welcomed the business delegation that accompanied German Chancellor Friedrich Merz (left, behind Mr Li) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Feb 25.
Chinese Premier Li Qiang greeting Volkswagen CEO Oliver Blume as he welcomed the business delegation that accompanied German Chancellor Friedrich Merz (left, behind Mr Li) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Feb 25.

Despite Munich smiles, Greenland shock hasn’t catalysed European defence collaboration

(L-R) British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and France’s President Emmanuel Macron pose at the start of the E-3 meeting, during the Munich Security Conference, on February 13, 2026 in Munich. Heads of state and government as well as foreign and defence ministers from all over the world are expected to attend the security policy talks from February 13 to 15, 2026. (Photo by THOMAS KIENZLE / POOL / AFP)
(L-R) British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and France’s President Emmanuel Macron pose at the start of the E-3 meeting, during the Munich Security Conference, on February 13, 2026 in Munich. Heads of state and government as well as foreign and defence ministers from all over the world are expected to attend the security policy talks from February 13 to 15, 2026. (Photo by THOMAS KIENZLE / POOL / AFP)

Europe’s new balancing act: Searching for stability in an unstable world

European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen speaking at the Berlin Global Dialogue on Oct 25.
European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen speaking at the Berlin Global Dialogue on Oct 25.

Trump’s meeting with Putin sends ripples far beyond Ukraine and Europe’s eastern flank

US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin are set to meet in Alaska on Aug 15.
US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin are set to meet in Alaska on Aug 15.

‘Made for Germany’: Is Chancellor Merz’s industrial push a mere rhetorical reset?

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz (centre) with Deutsche Bank CEO Christian Sewing (left) and Siemens CEO Roland Busch at the launch of the “Made for Germany” initiative in Berlin on July 21.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz (centre) with Deutsche Bank CEO Christian Sewing (left) and Siemens CEO Roland Busch at the launch of the “Made for Germany” initiative in Berlin on July 21.

Conscription, once buried, returns to the debate at a turning point in Germany’s defence arrangement

A German Army recruitment booth during a tech trade show in Berlin on May 23, 2025. In a recent survey, only 17 percent of Germans said they would defend their country if attacked. (Sergey Ponomarev/The New York Times)
A German Army recruitment booth during a tech trade show in Berlin on May 23, 2025. In a recent survey, only 17 percent of Germans said they would defend their country if attacked. (Sergey Ponomarev/The New York Times)

Pro-Trump nationalist Nawrocki wins Poland’s presidential election, rattling Europe’s unity

Polish presidential candidate Karol Nawrocki is a national conservative determined to obstruct the liberal agenda of Prime Minister Donald Tusk.
Polish presidential candidate Karol Nawrocki is a national conservative determined to obstruct the liberal agenda of Prime Minister Donald Tusk.

80 years after WWII in Europe: How Germany’s past shapes its present

mkwwII - The entrance of the German-Russian Museum in Berlin’s eastern district of Karlshorst, where Germany signed its unconditional surrender that ended World War 2 in Europe on May 8, 1945. The white letters on the perimeter wall reads "Ort der Kapitulation Mai 1945," German for "place of the capitulation May 1945."

Credit: Markus Ziener
mkwwII - The entrance of the German-Russian Museum in Berlin’s eastern district of Karlshorst, where Germany signed its unconditional surrender that ended World War 2 in Europe on May 8, 1945. The white letters on the perimeter wall reads "Ort der Kapitulation Mai 1945," German for "place of the capitulation May 1945."

Credit: Markus Ziener

Once Germany’s protector, Washington is no longer its North Star

U.S. Vice President JD Vance participates in a meeting with German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock and German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier at the the Munich Security Conference (MSC) in Munich, Germany, February 14, 2025. REUTERS/Leah Millis
U.S. Vice President JD Vance participates in a meeting with German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock and German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier at the the Munich Security Conference (MSC) in Munich, Germany, February 14, 2025. REUTERS/Leah Millis

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MDDI (P) 046/10/2025. Published by SPH Media Limited, Co. Regn. No.202120748H. Copyright © 2026 SPH Media Limited. All rights reserved.