FEATURED COMMENTARY & ANALYSIS

Putin is attempting to intimidate Merz with yet more Russian red lines

New Atlanticist Feb 23, 2025

Germany shifts rightward: Our experts answer the big questions about the country’s election

By Atlantic Council experts

Our experts explain what the outcome of Germany’s elections will mean for policymakers in Berlin, Brussels, and Washington.
Defense Policy Economy & Business
Putin is attempting to intimidate Merz with yet more Russian red lines

New Atlanticist Feb 19, 2025

Germany’s economy has gone from engine to anchor. Here’s what the next chancellor faces.

By Piotr Arak

Revitalizing growth in Germany’s economy, which appears increasingly mired in stagnation, will demand urgent action from the next chancellor.
Economy & Business Elections
Putin is attempting to intimidate Merz with yet more Russian red lines

New Atlanticist Feb 4, 2025

The next German chancellor must lead from the front, not the middle, on European security

By Rachel Rizzo, James Batchik

From support for Ukraine to defense spending, German leaders would be wise to take the phrase Führung aus der Mitte permanently out of their vocabulary.
Elections Germany

Events

Online Event Tue, February 25, 2025 • 9:00 am ET

Debriefing Germany’s federal elections
Elections European Union Germany Politics & Diplomacy
Online Event Mon, February 3, 2025 • 9:00 am ET

What’s at stake in the US-Germany relationship in 2025
Economy & Business Elections Europe & Eurasia Germany

Program

The Europe Center promotes the transatlantic leadership and strategies required to ensure a strong Europe.

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Content

UkraineAlert

Apr 17, 2025

Putin is attempting to intimidate Merz with yet more Russian red lines

By Peter Dickinson

As Germany’s next chancellor Friedrich Merz prepares to boost support for Ukraine, the Kremlin is already seeking to deter him with intimidation tactics, writes Peter Dickinson. Merz's response will help define whether he is capable of leading Europe.

Conflict Defense Industry

TURKEYSource

Mar 25, 2025

How Germany’s incoming government will work with Turkey

By Hürcan Aslı Aksoy

A stronger German focus on national interests, security, and leading the EU may reshape Germany-Turkey relations to be more transactional in the years ahead.

Defense Policy Elections

Atlantic Debrief

Mar 10, 2025

#AtlanticDebrief – What was at stake in the German federal election? | A debrief with Jörn Fleck

Jorn Fleck, Senior Director of the Atlantic Council's Europe Center speaks with Rachel Rizzo about the German federal election.

Elections Europe & Eurasia

Balkans Debrief

Mar 7, 2025

Will Merz step up Germany’s role in the Balkans? | A Debrief with Gerald Knaus

Ilva Tare, Europe Center Resident Senior Fellow, speaks with Gerald Knaus about the German elections on February 23 and the next government's approach to the Western Balkans.

Elections European Union

New Atlanticist

Mar 6, 2025

How European leaders are responding to Trump’s approach to Ukraine and Europe

By Atlantic Council experts

From London and Berlin to Paris and Brussels, European leaders have taken several notable steps this week on security. This follows the blow-up between the Ukrainian and US presidents on February 28.

Europe & Eurasia European Union

In the News

Mar 5, 2025

Luetkefend co-authors essay with Army War College focused on Germany’s foreign policy shift since 2022

On February 27, Theresa Luetkefend, an Assistant Director in the Forward Defense program, co-authored an essay with Jeff Rathke, the President of the American-German Institute, through the US Army War College’s Strategic Studies Institute. Luetkefend’s essay, titled “The International Dimension: NATO, the EU, and Multinational Cooperation,” was featured in a broader report called Assessing the […]

English Europe & Eurasia

New Atlanticist

Mar 5, 2025

How Europe wants to rearm itself

By Piotr Arak

Ahead of an important European Union (EU) meeting on March 6, plans are in development at both the EU and member state levels to boost defense spending.

Conflict Defense Policy

New Atlanticist

Feb 28, 2025

How Merz can leverage Germany’s green transition for growth and security

By Carol Schaeffer

Cutting back on green policies would be an economic and strategic mistake. The incoming German government can either seize the momentum or let others lead the way.

Economy & Business Elections

Inflection Points Today

Feb 24, 2025

History’s clock is ticking (again) in Germany

By Frederick Kempe

Likely incoming Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s election-night mention of the need for “independence” from Washington signals the stakes of this moment for Germany and Europe.

Elections Germany

New Atlanticist

Feb 23, 2025

Germany shifts rightward: Our experts answer the big questions about the country’s election

By Atlantic Council experts

Our experts explain what the outcome of Germany’s elections will mean for policymakers in Berlin, Brussels, and Washington.

Defense Policy Economy & Business
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Experts

Fellow

Jacob Heilbrunn

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Eurasia Center

Media Europe & Eurasia

Staff

Stuart Jones

Program Assistant

Europe Center

Europe & Eurasia European Union

Fellow

James Kirchick

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Europe Center

Central Europe Conflict

Fellow

Andrea Montanino

Nonresident Senior Fellow

GeoEconomics Center

Economy & Business Europe & Eurasia

Staff

Jacopo Pastorelli

Program Assistant

Europe Center

Economy & Business Europe & Eurasia

Fellow

Rachel Rizzo

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Europe Center Transform Europe Initiative

Economy & Business English
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