FEATURED COMMENTARY & ANALYSIS

Found in translation: the deeper meaning of the German ‘Panzer’ for Ukraine and Europe

New Atlanticist May 6, 2025

Is Merz’s double-take chancellor vote a sign of things to come in Germany?

By Jörn Fleck and Jurek Wille

It took two rounds of voting in the Bundestag to elect Friedrich Merz chancellor, a sign of division unprecedented in modern German history.
Defense Policy Elections
Found in translation: the deeper meaning of the German ‘Panzer’ for Ukraine and Europe

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
Found in translation: the deeper meaning of the German ‘Panzer’ for Ukraine and Europe

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.
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Online Event Tue, May 6, 2025 • 10:00 am ET

What to expect from Germany’s next government
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Debriefing Germany’s federal elections
Elections European Union Germany Politics & Diplomacy

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Content

German Leopard 2 tank driving through mud, with Bundeswehr Iron Cross visible on the turret

Inflection Points

Jan 29, 2023

Found in translation: the deeper meaning of the German ‘Panzer’ for Ukraine and Europe

By Frederick Kempe

To understand the significance of Germany’s tank decision, it’s worth understanding the history and the emotion behind the word itself.

Conflict Eastern Europe

UkraineAlert

Jan 28, 2023

Poland is leading Europe’s response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine

By Diane Francis

Poland was the unsung hero of the recent landmark decision by Berlin and Washington to provide Ukraine with tanks as Polish leadership continues to shape the European response to Russia's genocidal invasion.

Conflict Economic Sanctions

In the News

Jan 27, 2023

Watts in CNBC on tanks in Ukraine

By Atlantic Council

On January 25, Forward Defense Nonresident Senior Fellow John Watts was quoted in CNBC on Germany’s change of heart regarding the supply of Leopard 2 main battle tanks to Ukraine.

Conflict Defense Policy
Satellite image captures military transport aircraft at Russia’s Tsentralny military air base. (Source: Planet.com/DFRLab)

New Atlanticist

Jan 27, 2023

Russian War Report: Pro-Kremlin sources amplify forged diplomatic letters targeting Ukrainian refugees

By Digital Forensic Research Lab

As Russian shelling of Ukranian forces and civilian infrastructure continues, Ukraine receives the first of many tanks promised by NATO allies.

Conflict Defense Policy

UkraineAlert

Jan 25, 2023

Tanks are vital but Ukraine will need much more to defeat Putin’s Russia

By Jeffrey Cimmino, Shelby Magid

The decision by Germany and the United States to supply Ukraine with main battle tanks is an important landmark in international efforts to counter Putin's invasion but much more is required to defeat Russia.

Conflict Defense Industry

UkraineAlert

Jan 25, 2023

Scholz tank drama casts unflattering light on Germany’s Russia problem

By Diane Francis

After months of debates and delays, Germany finally succumbed to international pressure on January 25 and announced that it would be delivering German-made Leopard tanks to Ukraine and allowing others to do so.

Conflict Defense Industry

Fast Thinking

Jan 25, 2023

What Western tanks will mean for Ukraine

By Atlantic Council

With Leopard 2 tanks on the way to Ukraine, our experts rumble in with their takes on what the move signals about Germany's approach to the war effort.

Conflict Defense Industry

Experts react

Jan 25, 2023

Experts react: The West finally sends in the tanks. What will they mean for Ukraine’s fight?

By Atlantic Council experts

Is this a turning point for Germany’s participation in arming Ukraine? Our experts lay out what’s next.

Conflict Defense Policy

UkraineAlert

Jan 24, 2023

Leopard tank saga: Germany remains haunted by history

By Bohdan Vitvitsky

Germany's reluctance to send Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine reflects the ongoing influence of war guilt for the crimes of the Nazi era while also highlighting a failure to differentiate between modern Russia and the Soviet Union.

Conflict Defense Industry

New Atlanticist

Jan 24, 2023

What’s behind the Western divide over arming Ukraine?

By Eric Adamson

Two schools of thought have emerged on arming Ukraine—defeat Russia vs. avoid escalation. A recent conference hosted by the Atlantic Council in Stockholm investigated the roots of the divide.

Conflict Defense Policy
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Experts

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Jörn Fleck

Senior Director

Europe Center Transform Europe Initiative

Digital Policy Economy & Business

Fellow

Jacob Heilbrunn

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Eurasia Center

Media Europe & Eurasia

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Stuart Jones

Program Assistant

Europe Center

Europe & Eurasia European Union

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James Kirchick

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Europe Center

Central Europe Conflict

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Andrea Montanino

Nonresident Senior Fellow

GeoEconomics Center

Economy & Business Europe & Eurasia

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Jacopo Pastorelli

Program Assistant

Europe Center

Economy & Business Europe & Eurasia
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