The New Germany, 20 Years On

Today is the 20th anniversary of German reunification. Der Spiegel has lots of coverage, including this interview with Condi Rice concerning America's attitude towards reunification and its negotiations with Moscow (as well as Paris and London and West Berlin), a discussion of whether sacrificing the deutsche mark was the price paid for reunification, and a photo gallery depicting the renovations in East Germany since 1990.

I don't think it's too much to say that the foundation of a new Germany is the most important event in Europe in the past 20 years. Everything that's come since then -- right up to the negotiations over eurozone bailouts -- stems from it. Amazing that the Chancellor, Angela Merkel, grew up in the East. It's worth reflecting on.