FEATURED COMMENTARY & ANALYSIS

Lichfield quoted in NBC news on Germany-Russia relations

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
Lichfield quoted in NBC news on Germany-Russia relations

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
Lichfield quoted in NBC news on Germany-Russia relations

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

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Content

In the News

Mar 1, 2022

Lichfield quoted in NBC news on Germany-Russia relations

Read the full article here.

Economic Sanctions
Economy & Business

New Atlanticist

Mar 1, 2022

Will Germany’s geopolitical awakening last?

By Roderick Kefferpütz

For Germany’s new government, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is a geopolitical baptism by fire.

Crisis Management
Europe & Eurasia

In the News

Mar 1, 2022

Sullivan joins Asharq News to discuss NS2 bankruptcy
Arabic
Economic Sanctions

New Atlanticist

Feb 27, 2022

Experts React: What’s behind Germany’s stunning foreign-policy shift?

By Atlantic Council experts

Our Europe Center experts weigh in on Germany’s about-face on military spending, arming Ukraine, and the Nord Stream 2 pipeline.

Conflict
Defense Policy

Inflection Points

Feb 27, 2022

Ukraine has finally prompted the West to shift course on Putin

By Frederick Kempe

The Zelenskyy delegation’s chance to succeed in talks at the Belarus border with a Russian delegation would be far greater if Putin were confident that the West has Ukraine’s back.

Conflict
Crisis Management

New Atlanticist

Feb 17, 2022

Twenty questions (and expert answers) about what’s happening with Ukraine and Russia

By Atlantic Council experts

As the crisis in Eastern Europe continues to unfold, we tapped our expert network to answer the burning questions about the implications for Russia, Ukraine, and the wider world.

Conflict
Crisis Management

New Atlanticist

Feb 9, 2022

Will Germany’s new leader be reliable enough for Washington? 

By Rachel Rizzo

Chancellor Olaf Scholz must recommit Germany to the transatlantic alliance. That's no easy task.

Germany
Politics & Diplomacy

UkraineAlert

Feb 7, 2022

Still not too late for Germany to honor its commitment to Ukraine

By Eugene Czolij

Germany says a sense of "historical responsibility" over Nazi crimes prevents Berlin from adopting a firmer stand against Russia. Many in Ukraine ask why this logic does not also apply to the millions of Ukrainian WWII victims.

Conflict
Economic Sanctions

In the News

Feb 3, 2022

Ashford in Foreign Policy: Will Germany hobble Western sanctions against Russia?

By Atlantic Council

On February 3, Emma Ashford co-authored an article in Foreign Policy with Rachel Rizzo, Senior Fellow in the Europe Center, on the problems for European energy sanctions related to the Ukraine crisis.  “The core issue, however, is less one of German intransigence but rather that there are limited options on the table for sanctions in the event […]

Crisis Management
Eastern Europe

Britain Debrief

Feb 3, 2022

#BritainDebrief – Britain and Germany’s Russia problem: A Debrief from Mathieu von Rohr

By Ben Judah

Mathieu von Rohr, the foreign editor of Der Spiegel, joins #BritainDebrief for a look at Britain and Germany's relations towards Russia, and how they have changed since the Chancellor Olaf Scholz took office.

Arms Control
Conflict
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Experts

Fellow

Nik Foster

Nonresident Fellow

Global China Hub

China Energy & Environment

Fellow

Valeska Esch

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Europe Center

European Union Germany

Fellow

Phyllis Berry

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security Transatlantic Security Initiative

Europe & Eurasia France

Fellow

Samuel Denney

Nonresident Fellow

Transatlantic Security Initiative

English Europe & Eurasia

Fellow

Tyson Barker

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Europe Center

Cybersecurity Digital Policy

Staff

James Batchik

Associate Director

Europe Center

Central Europe Digital Policy
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