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

Angela Merkel will not seek re-election as Germany’s chancellor in 2021

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

Angela Merkel will not seek re-election as Germany’s chancellor in 2021

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

Angela Merkel will not seek re-election as Germany’s chancellor in 2021

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

German Chancellor Angela Merkel

New Atlanticist

Oct 29, 2018

Angela Merkel will not seek re-election as Germany’s chancellor in 2021

By Ashish Kumar Sen

"While one should never underestimate Merkel, it may be time to start thinking about her political obituary," said Atlantic Council distinguished fellow, Fran Burwell.

Elections Germany

New Atlanticist

Oct 26, 2018

#ElectionTracker: No, the United States isn’t the only country getting ready to vote

By David A. Wemer

As seemingly all attention focuses on voters from the Atlantic to the Pacific don’t lose sight of some other contests around the world. Here is a look at the races we are watching in the runup to the US midterms.

Brazil Elections

New Atlanticist

Oct 15, 2018

Bavaria election casts doubt on Merkel’s grand coalition

By Jörn Fleck and Alex Baker

With both Christian Democrats and Social Democrats suffering heavy losses, is this the beginning of the end for German Chancellor Angela Merkel's grand coalition?

Elections Germany

New Atlanticist

Oct 10, 2018

Here’s why Angela Merkel will be paying attention to Bavaria’s election (and you should too)

By Jörn Fleck and Alex Baker

The bigger question for German and perhaps European politics will be how the CSU reacts to a likely loss of an absolute majority at home.

Elections Germany

New Atlanticist

Sep 25, 2018

Europe unlikely to avoid Trump’s Iran sanctions

By Samantha Sultoon

The establishment of a sanctions evasion tool would undermine the EU’s own sanctions enforcement by creating a domestic workaround that could to be applied to any other sanctions program now or in the future.

Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion France

New Atlanticist

Aug 17, 2018

What will Merkel decide on Nord Stream 2?

By Agnia Grigas

Given that Russia is known for using energy as a tool of foreign policy, exporting corruption via its business dealings and seeking to fracture the unity of the EU and NATO, the Nord Stream 2 pipeline is about much more than gas for both Washington and the European Union.

European Union Eurozone

New Atlanticist

Aug 17, 2018

A breakthrough in Berlin? Not so fast.

By Jörn Fleck

Moscow’s vocal reaction to the new US sanctions may also signal Putin’s willingness to pursue a renewed dialogue with Germany.

Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion Germany

New Atlanticist

Aug 14, 2018

Can lowering trade barriers fuel American energy exports to Europe?

By Barbara C. Matthews, Earl Anthony Wayne, and Richard Morningstar

The EU’s efforts to diversify its energy imports through increased reliance on American LNG exports therefore presents a geo-strategic opportunity to increase energy and political security in Europe and bolster the transatlantic relationship in the process.

European Union Germany

In the News

Aug 13, 2018

Fleck Quoted in Newsweek on German-Russia Meeting over Nord Stream 2

By Jorn Fleck

Read the full article here

Germany Russia

In the News

Aug 13, 2018

Shaffer quoted in Newsweek on Merkel-Putin Meeting and Nord Stream 2 Implications

By Brenda Shaffer

Read the full article here.

Germany Russia
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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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