FEATURED COMMENTARY & ANALYSIS

History’s clock is ticking (again) in Germany

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
History’s clock is ticking (again) in Germany

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
History’s clock is ticking (again) in Germany

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

Events

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

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Content

Inflection Points Today

Feb 24, 2025

History’s clock is ticking (again) in Germany

By Frederick Kempe

Likely incoming Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s election-night mention of the need for “independence” from Washington signals the stakes of this moment for Germany and Europe.

Elections Germany

New Atlanticist

Feb 23, 2025

Germany shifts rightward: Our experts answer the big questions about the country’s election

By Atlantic Council experts

Our experts explain what the outcome of Germany’s elections will mean for policymakers in Berlin, Brussels, and Washington.

Defense Policy Economy & Business

Eye on Europe's elections

Feb 20, 2025

Your primer on the German elections

By Stuart Jones, Rachel Rizzo, and Jacopo Pastorelli

As Germans prepare to elect their next Bundestag, our experts break down the top issues at play.

Elections Europe & Eurasia

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

Inflection Points

Feb 14, 2025

Dispatch from Munich: Trump has put European history in motion again

By Frederick Kempe

As the annual Munich Security Conference opens, there is a palpable sense that the city might again be a place where history is made.

Europe & Eurasia Germany

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

UkraineAlert

Jan 30, 2025

Ukrainian Holocaust survivor: Russia is waging ‘war of extermination’

By Peter Dickinson

Ukrainian Holocaust survivor Roman Schwarzman has implored Germany to increase support for Ukraine in the fight against Russia’s “war of extermination,” writes Peter Dickinson.

Civil Society Conflict

UkraineAlert

Dec 24, 2024

How might Germany’s coming election shape future support for Ukraine?

By Stuart Jones, Katherine Spencer

There is a good chance Germany’s snap elections in February 2025 will result in increased support for Ukraine but Kyiv will be hoping the campaign does not send signals of Western disunity to Moscow, write Stuart Jones and Katherine Spencer.

Conflict Defense Policy

New Atlanticist

Dec 18, 2024

Scholz’s no-confidence vote isn’t the start of political dysfunction. It’s Germany’s way out of it.

By Jörn Fleck, Rachel Rizzo

One might assume that the German chancellor losing a vote of confidence this week signals political paralysis ahead, but look deeper.

Elections Germany

New Atlanticist

Dec 6, 2024

Four questions (and expert answers) about the EU-Mercosur trade deal

By Atlantic Council experts

Our experts share their perspectives on the landmark trade deal between the European Union and the South American economic bloc.

Brazil European Union
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Experts

Fellow

Nik Foster

Nonresident Fellow

Global China Hub

China Energy & Environment

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

Executive Leadership Intensive participant

Noel Coenraad

Strategy Advisor, Vattenfall AB

Millennium Leadership Program

Energy Transitions Germany

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Hanna Dohmen

Nonresident Fellow

Global China Hub

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