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

Can Germany stay the course on defense spending?

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

Can Germany stay the course on defense spending?

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

Can Germany stay the course on defense spending?

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

New Atlanticist

Feb 13, 2019

Can Germany stay the course on defense spending?

By Brooks Tigner

Germany has long been an underspender when it comes to meeting NATO’s defense budget guideline of 2 percent of GDP for each of its allies, but that is now changing.

Germany NATO

In the News

Feb 8, 2019

Binnendijk in Defense News: German F-35 Decision Sacrifices NATO Capability for Franco-German Industrial Cooperation

By Hans Binnendijk

Read the full article here

Germany NATO

UkraineAlert

Jan 25, 2019

Ukraine’s Slow but Steady Strangulation Is Taking Place in Plain Sight

By Peter Dickinson

Russia’s war against Ukraine is about to enter its sixth year, but many remain in denial over the true nature of the conflict. There is still widespread international reluctance to acknowledge the global significance of Vladimir Putin’s invasion, leading to a preference for the kind of euphemistic language that blurs the lines between victim and […]

Germany Russia

New Atlanticist

Jan 23, 2019

The new treaty of Aachen: More than just a symbol?

By Nicholas Dungan

The treaty sends a signal that France and Germany are serious about the preservation of the European ideal, pooling of sovereignty, and the postwar international order.

France Germany
Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg and German Defense Minister Ursula von der Leyen, January 14, 2015

NATOSource

Jan 22, 2019

German Defense Minister: The World Still Needs NATO

By Ursula von der Leyen, New York Times

The alliance is not just about bases and troops. It is about defending the world order.

Germany NATO
President Donald Trump at the NATO Summit in Brussels, July 12, 2018.

NATOSource

Jan 9, 2019

President Trump: ‘I Want Europe to Pay’

By Donald Trump, White House

[Acting Secretary of Defense Patrick Shanahan] is working so hard on the military. We have a — we were taken advantage of by so many countries on our military.

Afghanistan Germany

New Atlanticist

Jan 4, 2019

Angela Merkel’s data leaked

By David A. Wemer

The targeted leaks “[look] like a clear attempt to disrupt German politics,” said Ben Nimmo, an information defense fellow in the Atlantic Council’s Digital Forensic Research Lab (DFRLab).

Cybersecurity Germany

New Atlanticist

Dec 13, 2018

Opposition to Nord Stream 2 gathers steam on both sides of the Atlantic

By Agnia Grigas

Although largely symbolic gestures, these actions signal growing bipartisan opposition in Washington and a hardening of Brussels’ stance toward Nord Stream 2.

European Union Eurozone
German Chancellor Angela Merkel

New Atlanticist

Oct 31, 2018

Merkel’s greatest legacy May be her unerring sense of style

By Thomas Klau

Can Germany’s leader for thirteen years last in the chancellery for another three? At this stage it is more than doubtful. Merkel herself left the door discreetly open to an earlier exit.

Elections Germany

New Atlanticist

Oct 30, 2018

As Angela Merkel begins her exit, what next?

By Jörn Fleck and Alex Baker

No matter who succeeds Merkel as leader of the CDU, it is difficult to imagine that person would be content with Merkel staying on as chancellor until her terms ends in 2021. That person will want the opportunity to connect with voters and chart his or her own course for the party.

Elections Germany
Load More

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
Load More