An English translation of a joint effort by three journalists at Der Spiegel, Germany Left Out of Global Policy Loop, chronicles Merkel & Co.'s dissapointment at getting ignored by the likes of Middle East negotiators and the IMF as a medium-sized power, "especially after going through the first six months of the year basking in the warm glow of German-led multilateralism."

In the converse, Canada's Angus Reid Global Monitor lauds the The Stable Ms. Merkel but wonders about the durability of her coalition, one that comprises a rainbow of parties from the left and right and seems to be more about power-sharing than common goals.

Foodie blog alert! A motley crew of anglo expatriot epicurians present hungry in Berlin, offering how-tos and wry commentary on the ins and outs getting proper groceries in a land dominated by Wurst, Kraut und Brot. Among other topics, h.i.B. parses the wide spectrum of German creams (Sahne) for English readers and investigates what "Asia" really means anyway.

Pop quiz: who single-handedly personifies German-American relations and promotes the perm as a viable male hair style? Time's up: da Hoff! The Guardian's Organ Grinder compiles a top twenty greatest incarnations of David Hasselhoff as a Viral Video Chart. Believe us, there are some doozies on there. The phrase "being embarrassed for someone else" comes to mind. Ah, sweet Schadenfreude.