Germany

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

The New Thorn in Merkel’s Side

Issue Brief
May 8, 2026

Can Friedrich Merz’s chancellorship survive?

By
Phyllis Berry

One year into his chancellorship, Friedrich Merz heads a government beset by economic stagnation, low public approval, and coalition tensions.

Economy & Business
Elections

The New Thorn in Merkel’s Side

Dispatches
May 5, 2026

‘Zeitenwende’ is anchoring Germany’s role as a Baltic Sea Power

By
Anna Wieslander

The Merz government has been keen to emphasize that Germany is a trustworthy and long-term security provider in the region.

Defense Policy
Germany

The New Thorn in Merkel’s Side

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

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

Sep 26, 2017

The New Thorn in Merkel’s Side

By Alina Polyakova

In a year of unpredictable elections in the United States and in Europe, Germany’s federal elections on September 24 went as expected: Chancellor Angela Merkel was re-elected to a rare fourth term, signaling that a majority of Germans want more of the same for the next four years. And, why shouldn’t they? Germany has enjoyed […]

Germany Russia

Video

Sep 25, 2017

German Election Analysis with Ambassador Wittig
Germany

New Atlanticist

Sep 24, 2017

Dealing with the Far-Right in Germany

By Ashish Kumar Sen

Atlantic Council experts share their take on the outcome of the German elections. Here’s what they have to say:

Germany

New Atlanticist

Sep 24, 2017

German Election Shows Europe’s Nationalist Wave Has Not Crested

By Ashish Kumar Sen

Interview with the Atlantic Council’s Daniel Fried German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s party came in first, which is good news. But the strong showing by the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) in elections on September 24 is evidence of the fact that the nationalist wave remains a significant factor in Europe, according to the Atlantic Council’s […]

Germany

Defense Industrialist

Sep 13, 2017

An EU air force is impossible; Fortunately, it’s not necessary.

By James Hasik

To rebuild robust air forces, Europeans should just get back to basics. Early last month, as David Cenciotti of the Aviationist reported, A-10Cs of the Maryland Air National Guard were again practicing landings and take-offs from stretches of highway in Estonia, though with occasional casualties amongst the roadsigns. About a year prior, it was A-10Cs of the […]

Defense Industry Defense Technologies

AfricaSource

Sep 6, 2017

Germany’s compact with Africa

By Xaviera Gitau

Over the past three years, as thousands of refugees drowned off Europe’s coasts, Germany’s open-door policy towards asylum seekers propelled the country to a position of global humanitarian leadership, and turned its chancellor, Angela Merkel, into a global icon for human rights advocates. As of 2016, the nation of 82.5 million absorbed 890,000 refugees, and […]

Africa East Africa

UkraineAlert

Aug 3, 2017

Germany’s Key Role in Fighting Kremlin Subversion in Europe

By Jakub Janda and Veronika Víchová

What does the German government plan to do about the Kremlin’s creeping disinformation operations? Germany became interested in Russia’s subversive disinformation campaign only recently, particularly after the infamous “Lisa case” in 2016. The German government has started to implement some new security measures, especially in the area of cybersecurity. Russian interference in Germany’s September elections […]

Germany Russia

In the News

Jul 18, 2017

Burwell in The Hill: German Trade Surplus with US Far More Complex Than Trump Makes It

By Fran Burwell

Read the full article here.

Germany

UkraineAlert

Jul 17, 2017

Twelve Myths about Change in Ukraine

By Alexander J. Motyl

Most Ukrainians will tell you that “nothing has changed” since the Euromaidan Revolution. Meanwhile, most Ukrainian analysts bemoan that Ukraine’s elites are resisting change and that, unless Ukraine changes more quickly, the country will backtrack and be lost. And everyone seems to agree that no change is possible unless corruption is fully eliminated. These views […]

France Germany

New Atlanticist

Jul 13, 2017

An American in Paris

By Louis Golino

A friendship blossoms between Trump and Macron Press coverage of the first meeting between US President Donald J. Trump and his French counterpart, Emmanuel Macron, at the NATO summit in Brussels in May focused on the spirited handshake Macron gave Trump.  But too much emphasis on the symbolism of Macron’s machismo overlooked the fact that […]

European Union France
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Experts

Staff

Jacopo Pastorelli

Program Assistant

Europe Center

Economy & Business Europe & Eurasia

Fellow

Didi Kirsten Tatlow 

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Global China Hub

China Politics & Diplomacy