FEATURED COMMENTARY & ANALYSIS

The Trump-Merkel Showdown

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

The Trump-Merkel Showdown

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

The Trump-Merkel Showdown

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.

Elections
Germany

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Thu, July 24, 2025 • 8:45 am ET

Germany’s digital minister on Europe’s digital competitiveness

Digital Policy
Economy & Business
Germany

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

What to expect from Germany’s next government

Elections
Europe & Eurasia
European Union
Germany

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New Atlanticist

Jul 11, 2018

The Trump-Merkel Showdown

By Mark Fischer and Mark Simakovsky

Managing a growing rift within NATO US President Donald J. Trump traveled to Europe this week with his rhetorical guns loaded, taking aim at NATO allies for failing to adequately pay for their own defense. The primary target of Trump’s ire is German Chancellor Angela Merkel. Despite positive trajectories in both German and NATO allies’ […]

Germany NATO

New Atlanticist

Jul 11, 2018

NATO Ministers Preach Unity, But Divisions Persist

By David Wemer

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu, Polish Foreign Minister Jacek Czaputowicz, and German Defense Minister Ursula von der Leyen stressed the importance of unity in the Alliance during a panel discussion in Brussels on July 11. Although each of the ministers implored the Alliance to find common ground on the challenges facing the bloc, divergent views […]

Germany NATO

New Atlanticist

Jul 10, 2018

Nord Stream 2 is a Bad Deal for Europe

By Agnia Grigas and Lukas Trakimavičius

This week, Western leaders will gather at the NATO Summit in Brussels to discuss the most pressing issues of the day, likely including the construction of the Nord Stream 2 natural gas pipeline. The pipeline, owned by Russian energy giant Gazprom, would significantly increase Moscow’s capacity to export natural gas directly to Germany. Nord Stream […]

European Union Germany

NATOSource

Jul 8, 2018

Merkel: NATO Must Refocus on Russia Threat

By Deutsche Welle and Politico

From Deutsche Welle:  “The challenges for NATO have changed drastically in recent years,” Merkel said.

Germany NATO

NATOSource

Jul 7, 2018

Senior US Official: Trump Wants to Cut American Defense Spending in Europe

By Greg Jaffe, Josh Dawsey, and Carol Leonnig, Washington Post

President Trump will land in Europe next week amid fears that he will blow up a key summit focused on Europe’s defense

Germany NATO

NATOSource

Jul 6, 2018

Withdrawal of US Troops from Germany is Not Being Discussed, US Ambassador to NATO Says

By Washington Post and Defense One

From Washington Post: The Trump administration’s ambassador to NATO said Thursday that no discussions are underway regarding withdrawal of U.S. troops in Germany

Germany NATO

NATOSource

Jul 6, 2018

In Montana, Trump Says ‘Putin is Fine’ and Sticks by Threats to NATO

By Todd Gillman, Dallas Morning News

Ahead of summits with NATO and Russian strongman Vladimir Putin, President Donald Trump used a Montana campaign rally on Thursday to rail against Germany

Germany NATO
German Defense Minister Ursula von der Leyen, June 28, 2017 (photo: Sgt. Jette Carr/Department of Defense)

NATOSource

Jul 4, 2018

German Defense Minister Stands Ground Against Trump on National Defense Spending

By Tobias Buck, Financial Times

Germany’s defence minister has dismissed US accusations that her country is not spending enough on its military,

Germany NATO
German Chancellor Angela Merkel and President Donald Trump, March 17, 2017 (photo: White House)

NATOSource

Jul 2, 2018

Trump Sends Disturbing Letters to Nine NATO Leaders Before Key Summit

By Foreign Policy, New York Times, and AFP

From Foreign Policy: In a sharply worded message to at least some countries in the 29-member alliance that didn’t meet defense spending thresholds

Germany NATO
Soldiers from the 1st Cavalry Division deployed in Europe, October 14, 2014 (photo: US Army/Sgt. Daniel Cole)

NATOSource

Jun 30, 2018

US Assessing Cost of Keeping Troops in Germany as Trump Battles with Europe

By John Hudson, Paul Sonne, Karen DeYoung, and Josh Dawsey, Washington Post

The Pentagon is analyzing the cost and impact of a large-scale withdrawal or transfer of American troops stationed in Germany,

Germany NATO
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Jörn Fleck

Senior Director

Europe Center Transform Europe Initiative

Digital Policy Economy & Business

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Jacob Heilbrunn

Nonresident Senior Fellow

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Stuart Jones

Program Assistant

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James Kirchick

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Europe Center

Central Europe Conflict

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Jacopo Pastorelli

Program Assistant

Europe Center

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Rachel Rizzo

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Europe Center Transform Europe Initiative

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