FEATURED COMMENTARY & ANALYSIS

Scowcroft Strategy Scorecard: Germany’s China strategy represents a shift in thinking, but still leaves questions

Report Nov 10, 2025

Germany’s policy on China: From win-win to strategic competition

By Valbona Zeneli

Germany’s China policy has shifted from economic optimism to cautious competition—balancing trade interests with mounting security concerns. Once built on deep interdependence, Berlin now prioritizes “de-risking” and resilience in its approach to Beijing.
China Economy & Business
Scowcroft Strategy Scorecard: Germany’s China strategy represents a shift in thinking, but still leaves questions

New Atlanticist Sep 16, 2025

Dispatch from Berlin: To succeed, Merz must resist the false choice of focusing at home or abroad

By Jörn Fleck, Rachel Rizzo

The chancellor’s coalition will have to tackle both Germany’s economic renewal and the threat to European security from Russia.
Economy & Business Europe & Eurasia
Scowcroft Strategy Scorecard: Germany’s China strategy represents a shift in thinking, but still leaves questions

New Atlanticist Aug 28, 2025

Germany wants to double its defense spending. Where should the money go?

By Atlantic Council experts

After decades of Berlin underinvesting in its defense, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has plans to transform the Bundeswehr into Europe’s strongest military. 
Defense Policy Europe & Eurasia

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Summit on the Future of Energy Security
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Germany’s digital minister on Europe’s digital competitiveness
Digital Policy Economy & Business Germany

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Content

Scorecard

Jul 24, 2023

Scowcroft Strategy Scorecard: Germany’s China strategy represents a shift in thinking, but still leaves questions

By Atlantic Council

Atlantic Council strategists and experts assess Germany’s new China strategy and grade it according to five criteria.

China
Economy & Business
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz meets Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing, China November 4, 2022.

New Atlanticist

Jul 14, 2023

Is Germany shifting its approach on China?

By Atlantic Council experts

Germany released its first-ever China strategy. Experts weigh in on what this means for the future of relations between Berlin and Beijing.

China
Defense Policy

New Atlanticist

Jul 11, 2023

Europe needs a nuclear deterrent of its own

By Jacques Lanxade, Denis MacShane, Margarita Mathiopoulos, and Klaus Naumann

Only a trilateral British, French, and German nuclear umbrella, combined with a US umbrella, all under the command and control of NATO, will be a credible deterrent for Russia.

Defense Policy
Europe & Eurasia

New Atlanticist

Jun 14, 2023

The hits and misses in Germany’s new national security strategy

By Atlantic Council experts

Chancellor Olaf Scholz has just released Germany's national security strategy. Atlantic Council experts answer the most urgent questions about the document and the path forward for this major European power.

Defense Policy
Germany
Sunset at the Treasury Department

Econographics

May 23, 2023

There is no alternative to US Treasuries

By Josh Lipsky

In the wake of a US default, investors searching for safe assets may have no viable alternative to US Treasuries.

China
Economy & Business

New Atlanticist

May 20, 2023

Experts react: A ‘game changer’ G7 summit in Japan

By Atlantic Council experts

As leaders of the Group of Seven countries gather in Hiroshima, Atlantic Council experts share their insights on what is coming out of the summit about Russia, China, the global economy, and more.

Economy & Business
European Union

UkraineAlert

May 4, 2023

Ukraine seeks more German support on Russia’s invasion and EU accession

By Alyona Getmanchuk

Many Ukrainians have been disappointed by Germany's cautious approach to countering Russian aggression against Ukraine and Berlin's preoccupation with avoiding anything that might provoke Putin, writes Alyona Getmanchuk.

Conflict
Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion

Event Recap

Apr 18, 2023

Decarbonization solutions for addressing Europe’s green industrial policy challenge 

By Transform Europe Initiative

The Atlantic Council co-hosted a high-level workshop on “Decarbonization solutions for addressing Europe’s green industrial policy challenge” in Paris with the German Council on Foreign Relations (DGAP) and Groupe d’études geopolitiques (GEG).

Energy Markets & Governance
European Union

In the News

Apr 14, 2023

Blakemore quoted in E&E News on the future of LNG with the G7
Energy Markets & Governance
Energy Transitions

Event Recap

Mar 20, 2023

PUBLIC EVENT STREAM: Decarbonization solutions for addressing Europe’s green industrial policy challenge

By Transform Europe Initiative

The Atlantic Council, the German Council on Foreign Relations, and Groupe d'études géopolitiques were honored to host "Decarbonization solutions for addressing Europe's green industrial policy challenge," a high-level workshop on decarbonization with Laurence Boone, Secretary of State for European Affairs at the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, among others.

Energy Markets & Governance
European Union
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Experts

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Didi Kirsten Tatlow 

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Global China Hub

China Politics & Diplomacy