Merkel set to address Congress

German Chancellor Andrea Merkel will address a joint session of Congress on Tuesday, becoming only the second German chancellor to do so.

Merkel is expected to speak about climate change, trans-Atlantic relations and the downfall of communism in Europe. It was announced that Merkel, who was reelected to a second four-year term in September, would address Congress last month.

The chancellor will also meet with President Barack Obama at the White House before the speech. The two are likely to discuss the war in Afghanistan and Iran's nuclear ambitions.

The two nations do not necessarily see eye to eye on the subjects, despite Merkel and Obama having a good relationship. The U.S. would like Germany to send more troops to Afghanistan, an unpopular proposition there. Obama would also like to impose tighter economic sanctions on Iran, which is a trading partner with Germany.

The first German chancellor to address Congress was Konrad Adenauer in 1957.

Merkel is likely to press the president to provide robust U.S. support for a climate deal at the Copenhagen conference next month.

"The world will be watching Copenhagen," she said in a video message this weekend, according to the BBC. "The fight against climate change is one of the most urgent tasks worldwide."

Middle East peace, financial reform and global economic recovery will also likely be on the agenda.