An Austrian’s Journey, 1969–2026 By Wolfgang Geissler The Britain I first knew existed in the imagination of a Viennese boy. Born in 1943, I grew up in bomb-damaged Vienna, divided among four occupying powers. We lived in the British sector; across the Danube Canal lay the Soviet sector. On 15 May 1955, my ... Weiterlesen >
Why I defended him in 2021 and view him more critically today By Wolfgang Geissler Sebastian Kurz was an exceptionally talented political entrepreneur. He recognised genuine problems, rescued the ÖVP and implemented several worthwhile changes. At the same time, his political system came to rely ever more heavily on power, loyalty and control. ... Weiterlesen >
by Colin Munro On 15 June at the Diplomatic Academy (DA) Professor Melanie Sully gave a vivid description of the mood, in England, ten years ago. The EU was perceived as an economic issue, not as a peace process. It seemed to me, as a remain voting Scot, that she was describing ... Weiterlesen >
by Alexander Christiani With great fascination I am currently reading a book by the well-known German long-time foreign journalist Erich FOLLATH about "The Last Dictators" with the subtitle "As a reporter with the tyrants of our time" In 50 years of his work, Follath has met numerous dictators in the 20th century, interviewed ... Weiterlesen >
A Question Of Origin? By Jochen Ressel I constantly meet fascinating people in Vienna. Most of them are not originally from Vienna, the centuries-old melting pot of cultures where Germanic, Romanic, Slavic and Magyar influences have come together to create an extraordinary cultural wealth. Many of the people I work with and am ... Weiterlesen >
by Colin A. Munro 2025 is a year of anniversaries. 75 years ago, the French foreign minister, Maurice Schumann, proposed a Coal and Steel Community that would be the basis of what is now the EU. 50 years ago, the UK voted by 67%, in a consultative referendum, to remain in the European ... Weiterlesen >
by Prof Melanie Sully He fought for decades for Britain to leave the EU. He scored huge electoral successes with different parties and was instrumental in bringing about the downfall of three prime ministers: David Cameron, Theresa May and Rishi Sunak. He is reckoned to be one of the most influential politicians in ... Weiterlesen >
A Dangerous Shift in Global Politics BY WOLFGANG GEISSLER The world is witnessing a dramatic transformation in its political landscape. From the United States to Europe, right-wing populist movements have surged in popularity, challenging the traditional political order and raising serious concerns about the future of democracy. In Austria, Germany, Hungary, Italy, and ... Weiterlesen >
A Review Of Domestic And Foreign Policy By Prof Melanie Sully This ABS Blog article is based on a lecture by Prof Dr Melanie Sully for the Austrian Society for Foreign Policy and the United Nations (ÖGVAN), Vienna Hofburg, November 2024 It is not necessary to recall the results of the election on ... Weiterlesen >
by Colin A. Munro On 3 October I attended a briefing at the Diplomatic Academy by Col. Markus Reisner Phd. and on 4 October I attended the 20th annual award of the Bruno Kreisky Prizes for Services to Human Rights. Sir William Browder KCMG (WB), Chairman of the Global Magnitsky Justice Campaign, pronounced ... Weiterlesen >
