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

Transcript: Security In and Around Europe

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

Transcript: Security In and Around Europe

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

Transcript: Security In and Around Europe

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

Transcript

Jun 19, 2014

Transcript: Security In and Around Europe

Security in and Around Europe:A Conversation with Ursula von der Leyen,German Minister of Defense Introduction:General James Jones, Jr., USMC (Retired),Chairman Brent Scowcroft Center on International Security,Atlantic Council Moderator:Barry PavelVice President and Director,Brent Scowcroft Center on International Security,Atlantic Council Speaker:Ursula von der Leyen,German Minister of Defense Location:Four Seasons Hotel,2800 Pennsylvania Ave N.W.Washington, D.C. 20007 Time: 1:00 […]

Germany

New Atlanticist

Jun 19, 2014

Storify: #FutureNATO with German Defense Minister Ursula von der Leyen

German Defense Minister Ursula von der Leyen visited Washington, DC on June 19th and spoke at an Atlantic Council event on how best to secure Europe amid rapid change and turbulence.

Germany
German Defense Minister Ursula von der Leyen

NATOSource

Jun 17, 2014

German Defense Minister: ‘Russia Has Destroyed a Massive Amount of Trust’

SPIEGEL: So is the Ukraine crisis a case for defense policy?

Germany NATO
German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk

NATOSource

Jun 17, 2014

Putin Has Exposed Divisions in Europe

By Matthew Kaminski, Wall Street Journal

To the east Russia is on the march. After a spike in violence over the weekend in eastern Ukraine, the Kremlin on Monday cut gas exports to the country, using an economic cudgel to go with the military one.

Central Europe France
German Troops in Multinational Corps Northeast, Sept. 19, 2009

NATOSource

Jun 17, 2014

Is Germany’s Framework Nations Concept a ‘Substantial NATO Compromise?’

By Jan Techau, Carnegie Europe

Something is sprouting in Germany.

Germany NATO

Webcasts

Jun 17, 2014

Security In and Around Europe: A Conversation with Ursula von der Leyen, German Minister of Defense

Please join us on June 19, 2014 from 1:00 p.m. to 2:15 p.m. for a conversation with Germany’s Minister of Defense, Ursula von der Leyen, on the future of security in and around Europe.

Germany
Secretary General and NATO Defense Ministers, June 4, 2014

NATOSource

Jun 6, 2014

NATO Defense Ministers Approve Initiative on Multinational Forces and a New Cyber Policy

By NATO

Ministers approved Germany’s initiative on “Framework Nations”, which will help boost multinational cooperation to develop the forces and capabilities needed to meet NATO’s requirements and cope with new security challenges.

Cybersecurity Germany
Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel after meeting of NATO defense ministers, June 4, 2014

NATOSource

Jun 4, 2014

Hagel Escalates Obama’s Warning to Allies: US Support for NATO Could Be at Risk

By James G. Neuger and Gopal Ratnam, Bloomberg News

NATO defense ministers struggled to find a response to Russia’s Ukraine incursion, hemmed in by financial constraints, U.S. demands that Europe raise defense spending and a desire not to provoke the Kremlin.

Europe & Eurasia France
NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen and Prime Minister of Poland Donald Tusk, May 8, 2014

NATOSource

Jun 2, 2014

German Official Discloses that NATO To Discuss Sending More Troops to Poland

NATO defence ministers will discuss temporarily reinforcing forces in Poland when they meet in Brussels this week

Germany NATO
German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, March 12, 2014

NATOSource

May 21, 2014

Poland Concerned Germany is Impeding NATO’s Response to Russia

By Judy Dempsey, Strategic Europe

Poland fears that Germany will not make the hard decisions required to stop Russia from acting again.

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

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