by Leonid Bershidsky

The U.S. sanctions Russia, Europe says 'Ouch!'

The U.S. sanctions Russia, Europe says 'Ouch

By Kofi Annan

Why are only poor countries taking refugees?

It has now been almost two years since the world was confronted with the harrowing image of drowned Syrian toddler Aylan Kurdi washed up on a Turkish beach.

By Uri Savir

Abbas eyes Merkel as Plan B if Trump fails on Mideast peace

A senior Palestinian minister close to President Mahmoud Abbas told Al-Monitor that the Palestinian leadership is ready to seriously engage with the Trump administration on moving ahead with plans for a regional deal for Palestinian-Israeli peace.

By Anne Applebaum

For the U.S.-European alliance, everything has changed

For more than four months, the White House has confirmed no European ambassadors, filled no high-level diplomatic jobs and given no indication that it ever will.

By Simon A Waldman

Why Turkey needs Europe more than Europe needs Turkey

Following the ghastly attack in Manchester on 22 May, it is unsurprising that terrorism topped the agenda at last week’s NATO summit as the alliance pledged to join the anti-Islamic State (ISIL) coalition.

Avaye Rood to perform in Germany 

TEHRAN – The Iranian ensemble Avaye Rood led by Behzad Ansari will be performing a selection of Iranian traditional music today at the Rudolf Oetker Hall in Bielefeld, Germany.

Germany, Netherlands, Britain top investment making seekers in petchem sector

TEHRAN- Germany, the Netherlands and Britain stand on the top of the list of countries seeking investment making in Iran’s petrochemical sector in the post-sanctions era, IRNA reported on Saturday quoting Hossein Alimorad, director for investment making in National Petrochemical Company (NPC).

Iranian ensemble Bamdad to perform at two intl. festivals 

TEHRAN – Bamdad, an ensemble from the Iranian city of Mashhad, is scheduled to give performances at music festivals in Germany and Estonia.

Persepolis midfielder Rafiei on Heidenheim’s radar: report

Persepolis iconic midfielder Soroush Rafiei has been linked with a summer move to Heidenheim.

By Alan Philps

After the French vote, all eyes are on Germany

It is no surprise that a publisher has announced that an instant biography of Emmanuel Macron, the 39-year-old who will be inaugurated as president of France on Sunday, will have the title The French Exception. That France is unique – in its historic contribution to world politics, culture and of course cuisine – is a well-worn theme, most forcefully expressed in the words of the poet Victor Hugo, “France, without you the world would be alone”.

WWII Weapons that wait: clear them now

The evacuation of 50,000 people from Hannover this weekend, following the discovery of five unexploded second world war bombs, reminds us that conflicts can have a deadly impact long after the fighting ends.

By Patrick Wintour

What would Macron as France's leader mean for Europe?

A presidential win could offer a last chance for liberal reform of Europe but may prove bad news for Britain’s Brexit trade hopes

By Joschka Fischer

The French election and Europe’s future

A lot can happen between now and the second round of the French presidential election on May 7, so it is still too early to celebrate.

Iranian, German archeologists begin surveys in southern Iran

TEHRAN – A team of Iranian and German archeologists and researchers on Wednesday commenced research at Hasanabad-e Tall Kamin, a prehistoric site located on the outskirts of Marvdasht in the southern province of Fars.

 University of Kashan to host conference on Iranian stucco revetment

TEHRAN – Stucco revetment in Iranian architecture of the Islamic era will be discussed at the University of Kashan during a two-day conference, which is scheduled to open on Saturday.

‘Bronze-Age Iranian relics epitomize divine beings doing superhuman things’

TEHRAN – A senior German archaeologist has said Bronze Age Iranian relics, which are currently on show in Bonn, demonstrate conquer of the nature’s wild forces by the means of crafting divine beings doing superhuman things.

By Elmira Bayrasli

Is it too late for Turkey’s democracy?

Turkish democracy is on life support. On April 16, Turks will vote on 18 amendments to their country’s Constitution, including whether to abolish the office of the prime minister and transfer its powers to the president.

Prehistoric Iran, Persian Garden under spotlight at German museum

TEHRAN – Separate exhibitions on Iran’s prehistoric cultural heritage and Persian Garden open to the public today at the Art and Exhibition Hall of the Federal Republic of Germany -- Kunst und Ausstellungshalle der Bundesrepublik Deutschland – in Bonn.

Iranian group to give concert in Germany

TEHRAN – A group of Iranian musicians will come together at Kleiner Konzertsaal im Gasteig in Munich, Germany to perform pieces from Iranian traditional music on May 14.

The French election: Change is the only certainty

In less than two weeks’ time, France will go to the polls.

By Martin Kettle

Forget the waffle of ‘global’ Britain – and learn to hug Germany close

At the end of last week I sat in the spacious and splendidly restored country home of a former prime minister of Prussia, some 50 kilometers from the German-Polish border, and listened to two speeches in English. The first was given by Philip Hammond. The second, a couple of hours later, was given by Boris Johnson. Both professed undying friendship, respect and regard for Germany. Johnson even paraded a hitherto concealed family connection with the city of Stuttgart.

By Adam Taylor 

It’s nearly impossible to stop terrorists from using trucks as weapons

Nice, Berlin, London and now Stockholm. Over the past year, terrorist attacks using vehicles have become a sad fact of life in Europe.

By Richard W. Rahn

Thoughtless actions that provoke terrible consequences

April 6 marks the 100th anniversary of the U.S. entry into World War I — a war that claimed the lives of about 38 million people.

By Dominique Moisi

France’s extraordinary election

Sixty years after the signing of the Treaty of Rome, France is poised to hold an election that could make or break the European Union.

Iran ratifies attraction of over $12b of foreign investments in post-sanction era

TEHRAN- According to the latest report of Iranian Finance Ministry, the country approved attraction of $12.48 billion of foreign investments as of the implementation of its nuclear deal with the world powers in January 2016, Mehr news agency reported on Saturday.

Germany’s Steinmeier congratulates Rouhani on Noruz

TEHRAN - German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier congratulated President Hassan Rouhani on Noruz, Iran’s ancient festive which marks the beginning of the New Year in the country.

European premiere of “Salam Mumbai” set for March 31 

TEHRAN – Iranian filmmaker Qorban Mohammadpur’s melodrama “Salam Mumbai” will have its European premiere at several German cities on March 31.

By Maximilian Popp

Netherlands dispute gives Turkey perfect election fodder

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, it seemed, had run out of stories to tell. He had retold the legend of his rise from the very bottom of society to the political pinnacle, and of his energetic battle against his country's enemies, so often that his referendum campaign had long felt like a repeat of earlier elections.

Seyed Mohammad Hashemi

Germany’s September poll overshadowed by Trump, populism 

CNN's Fareed Zakaria on his GPS program said in February that “a senior European leader who attended the Munich Security Conference last week (17-19 Feb.) observed that despite some reassuring words from senior American officials, many of us are convinced that the White House is trying to elect Le Pen in France and defeat Merkel in Germany. And there is heavy talk Stephen Bannon about weakening the European Union and destroying the established order.” 

By Markus Feldenkirchen

Refugee crisis prevents honest dealings with Turkey

The fear that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan might cancel the refugee deal and allow masses of migrants to make their way to Germany has shackled Angela Merkel's policies toward the autocratic leader. It's time to come up with a European solution that decreases our dependence on Turkey.