4. European Energy Costs And German Politics - JUDY DEMPSEY & THADDEUS MCCOTTER 091526

European Energy Costs And German PoliticsJudy Dempsey and Thaddeus McCotter analyze European energy vulnerabilities and German political turmoil. Global diesel shortages and rising fuel prices are straining European economies and driving inflation, while U.S. aid to Ukrainehas dropped by 99%. President Trump requested Ukraine cease targeting Russian refineries, though Kyiv lacks sufficient air defenses. In Germany, Chancellor Friedrich Merz faces severe pressure over long-overdue economic reforms alongside electoral gains by the far-right AfD in Saxony-Anhalt and upcoming state elections. Meanwhile, Polandexperiences growing anti-Ukrainian sentiment, and Germany's military is shifting focus toward protecting Ukrainianinfrastructure. (4)