Germany

Germany is a key player in the transatlantic relationship and—in cooperation with the United States—has been part of the backbone of the international order for decades. Germany is crucial to the European continent’s defense, with the role it played in reinvigorating NATO, and also Europe’s economic and political integration. Since war returned to the European continent in February 2022, the United States and Germany continue to bolster their cooperation, helping to pave the way for a strong US-European partnership, the benefits of which reverberate far beyond transatlantic shores.

FEATURED COMMENTARY & ANALYSIS

Cohen quoted in Deutsche Welle on sanctions related to Nord Stream 2

Dispatches Mar 2, 2026

Willkommen to Germany’s ‘super election year.’ Here’s what to expect.

By Phyllis Berry

A series of state elections between March and September could see gains by the far-right Alternative for Germany, further challenging Germany’s centrist parties.
Elections Germany
Cohen quoted in Deutsche Welle on sanctions related to Nord Stream 2

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
Cohen quoted in Deutsche Welle on sanctions related to Nord Stream 2

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

Events

Public Event Tue, October 28, 2025 • 5:00 am ET

Summit on the Future of Energy Security
Energy & Environment France Germany Italy
Public Event Thu, July 24, 2025 • 8:45 am ET

Germany’s digital minister on Europe’s digital competitiveness
Digital Policy Economy & Business Germany

Program

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

EXPLORE THE PROGRAM

Content

In the News

Sep 10, 2020

Cohen quoted in Deutsche Welle on sanctions related to Nord Stream 2
Energy & Environment Europe & Eurasia

UkraineAlert

Sep 6, 2020

Has Vladimir Putin poisoned his pet pipeline project?

By Diane Francis

Germany had long resisted US calls to abandon the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline project, but the poisoning of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny has now sparked a dramatic shift in German opinion.

Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion Geopolitics & Energy Security

New Atlanticist

Sep 3, 2020

Navalny, Novichok, and Nord Stream II

By John M. Roberts

The attempted assassination of Russian dissident Alexei Navalny could prove to be the final nail in the coffin of one of Russia’s biggest energy projects: the €9.5 billion ($10.5 billion) Nord Stream II gas pipeline to Germany.

Geopolitics & Energy Security Germany

New Atlanticist

Sep 3, 2020

Can the US and Germany finally see eye to eye on China?

By Roderick Kefferpütz

After much too long a time, the political climate towards China and Russia is finally starting to change in Berlin. This is an opportunity for the United States and Germany to re-engage and turn Germany from a weak link in the transatlantic alliance to a reliable partner.

China Germany

In the News

Aug 25, 2020

Ambassador Fried Quoted in NY Times on Nord Stream II

By Daniel Fried

Read the full article here.

Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion Germany

In the News

Aug 19, 2020

German politics heats up

By Atlantic Council

For the American Institute for Contemporary German Studies, Atlantic Council Resident Fellow Julian Mueller-Kaler joins AICGS’ Jeff Rathke and Eric Langenbacher for a new episode of the Zeitgeist, to talk about German political dynamics, the Social Democratic Party, and Merkel's ending tenure.

Democratic Transitions Elections

In the News

Jul 30, 2020

Simakovsky interviewed on VOA News about U.S. massive troop pullout from Germany
Germany National Security

New Atlanticist

Jul 29, 2020

Experts react: US announces plans for troop withdrawal from Germany

By David A. Wemer

“There may be a strategic case for the withdrawal of almost 12,000 US troops from Germany, but Secretary of Defense Esper’s announcement today does not make it," Daniel Fried says.

Defense Policy Germany

New Atlanticist

Jul 29, 2020

What hurts NATO the most is not the troop reductions. It’s the divisive approach to Europe.

By Olivier-Rémy Bel

At the end of the day, the strength of the Alliance lies less in the number of troops deployed than in the trust among allies. Rebuilding that trust should be the main task of those who care about transatlantic relations—and the first step might be restoring the predictability of American foreign policy.

Defense Policy Germany

New Atlanticist

Jul 15, 2020

US opens door to Nord Stream II sanctions and transatlantic tensions

By Brian O'Toole and Daniel Fried

While nominally targeting Nord Stream II, Pompeo's sanctions announcement may pit the United States against its NATO ally Germany in a stand-off over the long-disputed project.

Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion Germany
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Experts

Fellow

Tyson Barker

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Europe Center

Cybersecurity Digital Policy

Staff

James Batchik

Associate Director

Europe Center

Central Europe Digital Policy

Fellow

Phyllis Berry

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security Transatlantic Security Initiative

Europe & Eurasia France

Executive Leadership Intensive participant

Noel Coenraad

Strategy Advisor, Vattenfall AB

Millennium Leadership Program

Energy Transitions Germany

Fellow

Samuel Denney

Nonresident Fellow

Transatlantic Security Initiative

English Europe & Eurasia

Fellow

Hanna Dohmen

Nonresident Fellow

Global China Hub

China Chinese
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