Even if you think Russia has some legitimate grievances, this war thing is not good. M’kay? It’s a horrible waste of life and property, and it will hardly just be the civilians of Ukraine and Russia paying a steep economic price. But it would never have happened if Russia couldn’t afford the world’s third-largest military — with only the 11th-largest GDP. Where is it getting the hard currency to oil that war machine (pun intended)? It’s essentially fossil fuel exports to our NATO allies, and especially the largest of them, Germany. And yes, even some exports to the United States.

Labels, both good and bad, often mean little. That’s why Angela Merkel’s refusal to call herself a feminist hasn’t gotten in the way of women rising to power in today’s Germany.

Angela Merkel, the former German chancellor, refused to call herself a feminist. But after stepping down last year following 16 years in power, it’s now clear her strongest legacy might be the path she’s paved for other women.

As Germany goes to the polls this weekend, I am reminded of a slogan used by Konrad Adenauer, the first chancellor of West Germany, in his 1957 re-election campaign: Keine Experimente! (“No Experiments!”). It was his way of cautioning the electorate to avoid taking risks on untested parties and politicians and to stick with the steady postwar stability Adenauer and his party were offering.

Angela Merkel’s farewell visit to the White House was shadowed Thursday by pressing issues as well as good will, as she met with Joe Biden to discuss differences over a major Russian pipeline and their nations’ views on China as a rising global power.

The German chancellor, who is not seeking another term in September elections, is nearing the end of a political career that has spanned four American presidencies. And as she prepares to leave office, there are concerns on both sides about how they will negotiate growing disagreements.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said she believes Twitter and other social media companies' decision to ban President Donald Trump from their platforms is "problematic," a spokesman told reporters in Berlin on Monday.

European nations tightened restrictions designed to check the spread of the coronavirus, with Germany banning gatherings of more than two people, Spain moving to extend a state of emergency and Italy ordering a halt to domestic travel.

Angela Merkel, the Chancellor of Germany, spoke at an event for the German Chamber of Industry and Commerce in Berlin last week. During the speech, she attempted to explain why limits to freedom of expression must exist, accidentally demonstrating the intentional attempt by many to erode the fundamental foundation of liberty - freedom of speech.

Chancellor Angela Merkel on Saturday urged Europe to defend democracy and freedom as Germany marked 30 years since the fall of the Berlin Wall, warning that such gains must not be taken for granted.

At a solemn ceremony in a church standing on the former "death strip" that divided East and West, Merkel said the Berlin Wall reminds "us that we have to do our part for freedom and democracy".

"The values upon which Europe is founded ... they are anything but self-evident. And they must always be lived out and defended anew," she told guests from across the continent.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel announced on Monday that she would not seek re-election when her term expires in 2021.

Germany's Angela Merkel has said she will step down as chancellor in 2021, following recent election setbacks.