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

MEADS Missile Defense Destroyed Two Targets at Once – Lockheed

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

MEADS Missile Defense Destroyed Two Targets at Once – Lockheed

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

MEADS Missile Defense Destroyed Two Targets at Once – Lockheed

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.

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Content

Medium Extended Air Defense System (MEADS)

NATOSource

Nov 7, 2013

MEADS Missile Defense Destroyed Two Targets at Once – Lockheed

By Andrea Shalal-Esa, Reuters

The MEADS missile defense system developed by the United States, Italy and Germany intercepted and destroyed two targets simultaneously in a final test on Wednesday before Washington pulls out of the program, Lockheed Martin Corp said.

Germany Italy

New Atlanticist

Nov 7, 2013

Spying: It’s What’s For Dinner

By Alex Ward

Back in September, Brazil’s President Dilma Rouseff canceled her state visit to the United States, which included the rare honor of a state dinner, because she was “incensed over a series of reports that the NSA tapped her personal communications.” This, of course, was only one grievance among many as it was revealed the United States spies on […]

Brazil Germany
The Franco-German Brigade

NATOSource

Nov 1, 2013

The Widening Gap Between France and Germany Over Defense

By Judy Dempsey, Strategic Europe

Steadfast Jazz takes place against the background of a widening gap between France and Germany over defense and security matters.

European Union France
MEADS is a short-range missile defense system

NATOSource

Oct 25, 2013

US, Germany, Italy Sign Agreement on MEADS Development

By Global Security Newswire

The United States, Germany and Italy this week agreed to maintain trilateral collaboration on a developmental battlefield short-range missile defense system

Germany Italy
German Chancellor Angela Merkel, April 30, 2008

NATOSource

Oct 22, 2013

Time for Germany to Step Up to Its Responsibilities

By Constanze Stelzenmüller, Financial Times

The country’s very existence as an export nation relies on globalisation. So it has an overwhelming interest in the health of the international order that enables global trade and communication networks to function.

European Union Germany
NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen and German Minister of Defense Thomas de Maizière, March 11, 2011

NATOSource

Oct 22, 2013

German Plan to Reform NATO Faces Broad Opposition

By Matthias Gebauer, Gregor Peter Schmitz and Christoph Schult, Spiegel

German Defense Minister Thomas de Maizière wants to strengthen cooperation among NATO members and is calling for reform of the military alliance. But other countries are skeptical.

France Germany
Meeting of NATO Defense Ministers, October 14, 2010

NATOSource

Oct 11, 2013

Should NATO’s Article 5 Only Protect Allies that Bear Fair Part of Defense Burden?

By Andrew Roberts, Hoover Institution

“Britannia’s 19 Ships Can’t Rule a Single Wave” was a recent headline in London’s Sunday Times.

France Germany
German Army Leopard II tank

NATOSource

Oct 9, 2013

German Military Power in an Age of Austerity

By Patrick Keller, American Enterprise Institute

Since 1990, the Bundeswehr has been undergoing constant reform.

Germany NATO
"The existing conventional arms control regime in Europe is in need of modernization"

NATOSource

Sep 27, 2013

Poland, Germany and Denmark Call for Progress in Conventional Arms Control in Europe

By Foreign Ministry of Poland

The foreign ministers of Poland, Germany and Denmark at a meeting today in New York called for renewed engagement in establishing a well-functioning and up to date conventional arms control system in Europe.

Europe & Eurasia Germany

New Atlanticist

Sep 19, 2013

Can Germany Be a Civil Superpower?

By Julian Lindley-French

The Oxford English Dictionary defines ‘superpower’ as a “very powerful and influential nation.” On September 22, democratic Germany will go to the polls. Some commentators and politicians are posing what they believe to be a fundamental and existential question implicit in the election – a German Europe or a European Germany? The Economist in a […]

Europe & Eurasia European Union
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Experts

Fellow

Tyson Barker

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Europe Center

Cybersecurity Digital Policy

Staff

James Batchik

Associate Director

Europe Center

Central Europe Digital Policy

Fellow

Phyllis Berry

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security Transatlantic Security Initiative

Europe & Eurasia France

Executive Leadership Intensive participant

Noel Coenraad

Strategy Advisor, Vattenfall AB

Millennium Leadership Program

Energy Transitions Germany

Fellow

Samuel Denney

Nonresident Fellow

Transatlantic Security Initiative

English Europe & Eurasia

Fellow

Hanna Dohmen

Nonresident Fellow

Global China Hub

China Chinese
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