The wine, the greatcoat and the rifle

Back in 2016, I went on a road trip around the Czech Republic and Slovakia with a friend I’d met a few years earlier in the Middle East. The journey took a surreal turn when we met a man called Hugo.

Dear Reader,

This week, my newsletter for members took a look at Friedrich Merz’s blitzstart as chancellor. I argue that he has successfully changed the narrative around Germany on the world stage by replacing his predecessor's reputation for dithering with action and camaraderie. But, look a little deeper, and the differences to Olaf Scholz become less clear. Plus, I round up the important news of the week.

Now to today’s newsletter…