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 Case for a More Robust NATO Presence in the Baltic Sea

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

The Case for a More Robust NATO Presence in the Baltic Sea

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

The Case for a More Robust NATO Presence in the Baltic Sea

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.

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Content

NATO exercise in Baltic Sea, May 29, 2015

NATOSource

May 6, 2016

The Case for a More Robust NATO Presence in the Baltic Sea

By Franklin D. Kramer and Magnus Nordenman

NATO has also begun to plan and exercise for maritime contingencies in the region, with additional bilateral and national exercises as complements.

France Germany

In the News

Apr 19, 2016

Polyakova Quoted by Bloomberg on Russia’s Involvement in the Increase in Popularity of Right Wing Parties in Germany

By Alina Polyakova

Read the full article here.

Germany Russia

EconoGraphics

Apr 13, 2016

Europe’s Path to Budget Equilibrium

By Alvaro Morales Salto Weis & TK Spandhla

The European Union’s 28 member nations are required by Stability and Growth Pact to keep their budget deficits to within 3 percent of GDP. According to the European Commission forecast (as of winter 2016) six countries will exceed this level in 2016: the U.K., France, Spain, Greece, Croatia and Portugal. Romania will post a deficit at the threshold. This is an improvement from 2009 and 2010, when no fewer than 22 EU countries overstepped the deficit limit.

Economy & Business European Union

New Atlanticist

Apr 13, 2016

Albania’s Prime Minister Edi Rama: Enlargement a Secondary Priority for the European Union

By Ashish Kumar Sen

Leader says Europe preoccupied with economic, security, and migration crises A combination of economic, security, and migration challenges facing Europe could “fuel instability in the Western Balkans” and “bring more uncertainty to the south and east,” Albania’s Prime Minister, Edi Rama, said on April 13. Rama contended that Balkan states such as Albania—eager to deepen […]

European Union Germany

EconoGraphics

Apr 1, 2016

The European Refugee Surge: Transforming Challenges into Opportunities

By Alvaro Morales Salto Weis & TK Spandhla

Asylum applications to the European Union (EU) set an all-time record in 2015, more than doubling the 2014 figure, according to EUROSTAT. After the recent agreement between Turkey and the EU, the influx of refugees is expected to decrease significantly.

Afghanistan Europe & Eurasia

In the News

Mar 10, 2016

Burrows in The National Interest: Germany Is a Great Power—It Should Act Like One

By Mathew J. Burrows

Read the full article here.

Germany
British Marines skiing in Norway, Feb. 17, 2014

NATOSource

Mar 1, 2016

NATO Warned of Vulnerability to Moscow in Eastern Europe

By Sam Jones, Financial Times

A chorus of voices across Nato is warning that the alliance cannot defend Europe’s eastern border against an increasingly aggressive Russia.

Germany NATO

In the News

Feb 25, 2016

Coote and Morningstar Quoted by RT Deutsch on Nord Stream 2 Implications

By Bud Coote and Richard L. Morningstar

Read the full article here.

Germany Russia

In the News

Feb 24, 2016

Wilson in Newsweek: Merkel, Isolated and Under Pressure, Needs American Help

By Damon Wilson

Read the full article here.

Germany
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, June 13, 2015

NATOSource

Feb 20, 2016

NATO Concerned over Possible Russia-Turkey Hostilities

By Spiegel

In Syria, the danger of a war between Turkey and Russia is on the rise

Germany NATO
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Experts

Fellow

Valeska Esch

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Europe Center

European Union Germany

Staff

Jörn Fleck

Senior Director

Europe Center Transform Europe Initiative

Digital Policy Economy & Business

Fellow

Nik Foster

Nonresident Fellow

Global China Hub

China Energy & Environment

Fellow

Jacob Heilbrunn

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Eurasia Center

Media Europe & Eurasia

Staff

Stuart Jones

Program Assistant

Europe Center

Europe & Eurasia European Union

Staff

Jacopo Pastorelli

Program Assistant

Europe Center

Economy & Business Europe & Eurasia
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