Hampton Roads International Security Quarterly

The Atlantic Community has many members, all of whom are important. This year marked two anniversaries in a nation which played a pivotal role in the Cold War – Germany.

While the greater Cold War was a global struggle for power, influence and system change, the most immediate lens of this ideological and strategic conflict was always Germany – or, for more than four decades, the two Germanies. In many ways the two anniversaries celebrated in 2009 – the 60th year of the founding of the Federal Republic of Germany and the 20th year of the opening of the intra-German border – respectively symbolize the beginning and the end of the Cold War itself.

For that reason HRISQ 4/2009 has compiled a series of articles by German, European, American and Asian authors discussing the foundations of German democracy, the impact of reunification, current trends within German society, and of course Germany’s role on the world stage. Some items will surprise you - such as an Italian reporter's theory that a single question he asked at a press conference brought about the fall of the Berlin Wall.

As always, we wish you interesting reading.

Sidney E. Dean, Editor/Publisher

Hampton Roads International Security Quarterly

Volume IX, Nr. 4

Focus on Germany: 60 Years FRG, 20 Years Fall of the Berlin Wall

Two Beginnings: Germany Celebrates FRG Founding and National Reunification

Sidney E. Dean

The Federal Republic of Germany was founded 60 years ago; the Berlin Wall fell 20 years ago. Taken together, these two anniversaries symbolize the beginning and the end of the Cold War.

Milestones of Modern Germany

Germany celebrated two important anniversaries in 2009: 60 years ago, the Federal Republic of Germany was founded with the promulgation of the Basic Law (constitution); 20 years ago, the wall between east and west fell in Berlin. An overview of six German decades.

Why the FRG is No Weimar Republic

Frank-Walter Steinmeier

The Weimar National Assembly met 90 years ago: Federal Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier on the failure of the Weimar Republic and the foundations of the Basic Law.

The Basic Law: Foundation of Postwar German Democracy

Creating the constitution of the Federal Republic of Germany.

The Basic Law: Success Story of the German Constitution

An Interview with Federal Justice Minister Brigitte Zypries on the development, the strengths and the success story of the Basic Law.

Starring the Basic Rights

The Berlin-based director Harald Siebler made a film about the first 19 articles of the Basic Law (guaranteeing basic civil rights and forming the foundation of the democratic order) and brought it to the cinema screen in 2007. An interview about the making of the remarkable film project GG 19.

November 9, 1989: The Day the Berlin Wall Fell

On both sides of the wall, decades of pent-up frustrations released on the night of November 9, 1989 when the gates were thrown open.

The Day the Wall Came Down: A Brief Timeline

A day that went down in history: a few hours on 9 November 1989 changed the world.

The Question That Brought Down the Wall

Did an Italian Journalist Force the East German government to open the border crossings to the West?

The Fall of the Wall is Part of My Biography

Ulrich Wickert was abroad the day the Wall came down, but the famous journalist quickly realized that it would immediately be more exciting to work in Germany than anywhere else.

"Berlin is the Place to Be"

An interview with Berlin Mayor Klaus Wowereit.

“I’d Already Planned my Escape”

He regularly surprises his audience: now Jan Josef Liefers, one of the most popular German actors, talks about his life in the former GDR.

Literature on a Turning Point in History

The Peaceful Revolution, the fall of the Wall, unification, and then? The annus mirabilis - the miraculous year - is certainly a theme in German literature, but one that has many facets.

Young Germans East and West - Attitudes and Trends

An Interview with sociologist Martina Gille.

Generation 1989: Born When the Wall Came Down

The phrase "year zero" has long been applied to 1949, the year Germany started over as a political entity. The term can also be applied to 1989, when East and West Germany "rebooted" and began their move to a united future. How do people who never knew a divided Germany view the fall of the wall?

Germans Have Been Looking for a New Compass

William Boston, a freelance journalist from the USA who lives in Berlin, discusses the "New Germany".

“Berlin is Now One City Again”

Germany is “growing together” again, says Frederick Taylor. The British expert on German history recently presented his latest book, The Berlin Wall.

Equal Partner

Pascale Hugues initially worked as Germany correspondent of the French daily “Libération” and now reports from Berlin for the news magazine “Le Point”. She discusses French fears and hopes regarding German national reunification.

A Break from History

Rozalia Romaniec is a freelance Polish journalist working in Berlin. She discusses German-Polish Relations since 1989.

Searching for Clues in Berlin-Mitte

Paolo Petrillo, German correspondent of Italian daily newspaper Il Riformista, presents his impressions of the united German capital.

Fascinating Fall of the Wall

Jae Hyun Choi works in Berlin as correspondent for South Korea’s premier public television network, Korean Broadcasting System (KBS). She reflects on the process and problems of national reunification. Read the entire document.

Division of Germany - Places of Remembrance

An Interactive List of Museums and Memorials dedicated to the division of Germany and the victims of communist repression.

The World is Searching for a New International Order

Frank-Walter Steinmeier

International Involvement

Germany is a member of numerous regional and global international organisations.

Engagement for Peace and Security in Afghanistan

Civil reconstruction and military protection: Germany’s broad-based approach to promoting the future of Afghanistan.

Crisis Prevention and Global Engagement

Germany is involved in many UN and OSCE missions worldwide aimed at preventing crises.

For Fair Globalization

German policies on global sustainable development and social justice.

International Human Rights Policies

Germany participates worldwide in numerous projects and initiatives for the protection of human rights.

“The Desire for Freedom Exists All Over the World”

The Federal Government Commissioner for Human Rights Policy, Gunter Nooke, talks about Germany’s commitment to the protection of human rights and the work of the United Nations Human Rights Council.

Cultural Dialogue and Scientific Exchange

Whatever the vehicle – art exhibition, language course or research scholarship – culture, education and science can forge bonds between people more easily than words.

Strategies for More Sustainability

What can stop climate change? Which forms of energy will we use in the future? How can everyone be assured access to enough water? These important questions are closely linked to environmental and climate protection.

Europe – a Work in Progress

Klaus Harpprecht

Building Europe was the “raison d’être” of the Federal Republic from its very first day: it is the Europeanization of Germany that is being celebrated in the Federal Republic’s jubilee year.

‘Proceedings of the 45th Munich Security Conference

Sidney E. Dean

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Focus on Germany:
60 Years FRG, 20 Years Fall of the Berlin Wall

Jae Hyun Choi works in Berlin as correspondent for South Korea’s premier public television network, Korean Broadcasting System (KBS). She reflects on the process and problems of national reunification.
Read the entire document.