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

Transatlantic Relationship ‘Not an Optional Alliance,’ Says German President

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

Transatlantic Relationship ‘Not an Optional Alliance,’ Says German President

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

Transatlantic Relationship ‘Not an Optional Alliance,’ Says German President

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

Nov 5, 2015

Transatlantic Relationship ‘Not an Optional Alliance,’ Says German President

By Ashish Kumar Sen

Joachim Gauck calls for greater US engagement with Europe On a recent visit to the United States, German President Joachim Gauck delivered an impassioned plea for the revitalization of the transatlantic relationship, describing it as “not an optional alliance,” but rather an “essential strategic alliance.” He also called for far greater US engagement with Europe […]

Germany
US soldiers training in Lithuania, March 2, 2015

NATOSource

Oct 28, 2015

NATO Looks at Stationing More Troops Along Eastern Flank

By Julian E. Barnes, Wall Street Journal

NATO countries are discussing increasing the number of troops stationed in members bordering Russia and putting them under formal alliance command, part of a new effort to deter aggression from Moscow,

Germany NATO

New Atlanticist

Oct 21, 2015

Polish-German Ties: A Return to the Past?

By Adam Twardowski

In late August, three weeks after assuming office, Poland’s President, Andrzej Duda, embarked on a well-received official visit to Berlin. It allayed concerns in some quarters that his presidency would resurrect the combative foreign policy his right-wing party, Law and Justice, practiced toward Germany from 2005 to 2007. At that time, prickly ties between Warsaw […]

Germany Poland

EconoGraphics

Oct 21, 2015

TTIP in Europe

By Global Business and Economics

On October 10th, hundreds of thousands of concerned German citizens marched in Berlin to protest the proposed Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP). TTIP's critics argue it benefits corporations at the expense of ordinary citizens, while its proponents argue it provides significant economic growth.

Economy & Business European Union
German soldiers in Afghanistan, Sept. 11, 2009

NATOSource

Oct 20, 2015

NATO Nations to Keep Presence in Afghanistan, Officials Say

By Robin Emmott, Reuters

Germany, Turkey and Italy are set to keep their deployments in Afghanistan at current levels, senior NATO officials said on Monday after the U.S. government decided to prolong its 14-year-old military presence there.

Afghanistan Germany

In the News

Oct 13, 2015

Aslund: Germany’s Exports to Russia Have Not Suffered from Western Sanctions

By Anders Aslund

Dinu Patriciu Eurasia Center Resident Senior Fellow Anders Aslund writes for German business weekly Capital on why Germany’s share of Russia’s imports has actually increased, despite sanctions: Read the full article here.

Germany Russia
Soldiers Disembarking from a Chinook Helicopter, Feb. 12, 2013

NATOSource

Oct 8, 2015

British Troops to Bolster Baltic Buffer Against Russia

By Financial Times and Guardian

From Sam Jones, Financial Times:  Britain is to join Germany and the US in committing to long-term troop deployments in the Baltic states to deter Russian aggression and shore up Nato’s eastern borders.

Germany NATO
French Defense Minister Yves Le Drian and German Defense Minister Ursula von der Leyen, June 3, 2014

NATOSource

Oct 7, 2015

Letter from Strasbourg (Part Two): French Doubts about European Defense

By Leo Michel

Insights from the 13th annual “summer defense college,” in Strasbourg.

European Union France

Press Release

Oct 6, 2015

Secretary Kerry and German President Gauck to Commemorate Arrival of Berlin Wall Segment and Celebrate Our Transatlantic Friendship

By Atlantic Council

Secretary of State John Kerry will host the President of the Federal Republic of Germany Joachim Gauck at a ceremony to commemorate the arrival of a segment of the Berlin Wall at 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 7, in the Benjamin Franklin Room at the Department of State. The wall will be displayed in the […]

Germany
Russian Su-27 fighter jet intercepted by UK Typhoon participating in NATO's Baltic Air Policing mission, June 17, 2014

NATOSource

Oct 5, 2015

A ‘New Normal’ for NATO and Baltic Sea Security

By Anna Wieslander

It might appear natural that focus on Baltic Sea security would have come quickly for NATO after the Russian annexation of Crimea in March 2014, but this was not the case.

Germany NATO
Load More

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

Fellow

Michael Köhler

Nonresident Senior Fellow, Transatlantic Project

Rafik Hariri Center for the Middle East

European Union Germany

Fellow

Didi Kirsten Tatlow 

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Global China Hub

China Politics & Diplomacy