FEATURED COMMENTARY & ANALYSIS

A German leader’s D-Day lesson for Trump 

New Atlanticist May 6, 2025

Is Merz’s double-take chancellor vote a sign of things to come in Germany?

By Jörn Fleck and Jurek Wille

It took two rounds of voting in the Bundestag to elect Friedrich Merz chancellor, a sign of division unprecedented in modern German history.
Defense Policy Elections
A German leader’s D-Day lesson for Trump 

New Atlanticist Feb 19, 2025

Germany’s economy has gone from engine to anchor. Here’s what the next chancellor faces.

By Piotr Arak

Revitalizing growth in Germany’s economy, which appears increasingly mired in stagnation, will demand urgent action from the next chancellor.
Economy & Business Elections
A German leader’s D-Day lesson for Trump 

New Atlanticist Feb 4, 2025

The next German chancellor must lead from the front, not the middle, on European security

By Rachel Rizzo, James Batchik

From support for Ukraine to defense spending, German leaders would be wise to take the phrase Führung aus der Mitte permanently out of their vocabulary.
Elections Germany

Events

Online Event Tue, May 6, 2025 • 10:00 am ET

What to expect from Germany’s next government
Elections Europe & Eurasia European Union Germany
Online Event Tue, February 25, 2025 • 9:00 am ET

Debriefing Germany’s federal elections
Elections European Union Germany Politics & Diplomacy

Program

The Europe Center promotes the transatlantic leadership and strategies required to ensure a strong Europe.

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Content

Inflection Points Today

Jun 8, 2025

A German leader’s D-Day lesson for Trump 

By Frederick Kempe

In the Oval Office, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz delivered a message that no American should ignore.

Conflict Germany

UkraineAlert

May 13, 2025

How much longer will Putin be allowed to continue stalling for time?

By Peter Dickinson

President Trump has made a legitimate effort to broker a generous peace, but the time has now come to acknowledge that Putin is not negotiating in good faith and will only respond to the language of strength, writes Peter Dickinson.

France Germany

New Atlanticist

May 6, 2025

Is Merz’s double-take chancellor vote a sign of things to come in Germany?

By Jörn Fleck and Jurek Wille

It took two rounds of voting in the Bundestag to elect Friedrich Merz chancellor, a sign of division unprecedented in modern German history.

Defense Policy Elections

UkraineAlert

Apr 17, 2025

Putin is attempting to intimidate Merz with yet more Russian red lines

By Peter Dickinson

As Germany’s next chancellor Friedrich Merz prepares to boost support for Ukraine, the Kremlin is already seeking to deter him with intimidation tactics, writes Peter Dickinson. Merz's response will help define whether he is capable of leading Europe.

Conflict Defense Industry

TURKEYSource

Mar 25, 2025

How Germany’s incoming government will work with Turkey

By Hürcan Aslı Aksoy

A stronger German focus on national interests, security, and leading the EU may reshape Germany-Turkey relations to be more transactional in the years ahead.

Defense Policy Elections

Atlantic Debrief

Mar 10, 2025

#AtlanticDebrief – What was at stake in the German federal election? | A debrief with Jörn Fleck

Jorn Fleck, Senior Director of the Atlantic Council's Europe Center speaks with Rachel Rizzo about the German federal election.

Elections Europe & Eurasia

Balkans Debrief

Mar 7, 2025

Will Merz step up Germany’s role in the Balkans? | A Debrief with Gerald Knaus

Ilva Tare, Europe Center Resident Senior Fellow, speaks with Gerald Knaus about the German elections on February 23 and the next government's approach to the Western Balkans.

Elections European Union

New Atlanticist

Mar 6, 2025

How European leaders are responding to Trump’s approach to Ukraine and Europe

By Atlantic Council experts

From London and Berlin to Paris and Brussels, European leaders have taken several notable steps this week on security. This follows the blow-up between the Ukrainian and US presidents on February 28.

Europe & Eurasia European Union

In the News

Mar 5, 2025

Luetkefend co-authors essay with Army War College focused on Germany’s foreign policy shift since 2022

On February 27, Theresa Luetkefend, an Assistant Director in the Forward Defense program, co-authored an essay with Jeff Rathke, the President of the American-German Institute, through the US Army War College’s Strategic Studies Institute. Luetkefend’s essay, titled “The International Dimension: NATO, the EU, and Multinational Cooperation,” was featured in a broader report called Assessing the […]

English Europe & Eurasia

New Atlanticist

Mar 5, 2025

How Europe wants to rearm itself

By Piotr Arak

Ahead of an important European Union (EU) meeting on March 6, plans are in development at both the EU and member state levels to boost defense spending.

Conflict Defense Policy
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Experts

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Nik Foster

Nonresident Fellow

Global China Hub

China Energy & Environment

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Samuel Denney

Nonresident Fellow

Transatlantic Security Initiative

English Europe & Eurasia

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Tyson Barker

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Europe Center

Cybersecurity Digital Policy

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James Batchik

Associate Director

Europe Center

Central Europe Digital Policy

Executive Leadership Intensive participant

Noel Coenraad

Strategy Advisor, Vattenfall AB

Millennium Leadership Program

Energy Transitions Germany

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Hanna Dohmen

Nonresident Fellow

Global China Hub

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