The origin of the phrase “necessity is the mother of invention” is often attributed to the works of the ancient Greek philosopher Plato. However, it has assumed a much more modern relevance in 2025 for Germany.

The action-packed first 100 days of Ursula von der Leyen’s second five-year term as president of the European Commission suggests that the remainder of it could be one for the history books.

The relationship between the Middle East and Europe has been shaped by centuries of cultural, political, and economic interaction. Today, energy security and geopolitics, in particular, have become even bigger drivers of the important bilateral relationship.

Fifty years to the week after Margaret Thatcher became leader of the UK’s Conservative Party, comparisons are often drawn between that so-called Iron Lady and the party’s new leader, Kemi Badenoch.