Time for a Change?
Thoughts on the National Anthem of Germany The story of the Deutschlandlied (song of Germany) is one of turbulence and shifting perceptions. It was written in 1841 by August Heinrich …
Toy Maker 2: Journeys
On June 20, 2018, the article “The Story of Bert Reiner, the Toy Maker, or: An Appreciation for the Individual Experiences of Former Shanghai Jewish Refugees” was published by the …
The With-Limits Partnership
The March 3 visit of German Chancellor Friedrich Merz to Washington was planned well before the launch of the American and Israeli war on Iran. While the U.S. military action …
The AfD’s New Transatlantic Network
Tracking the AfD’s Engagement with the United States As the Alternative for Germany (AfD) has gained support domestically—exemplified by 20.8 percent of the vote in the 2025 Bundestag election—they have …
Gender-Blind, Not Gender-Neutral
Friedrich Merz and Pension Reform Hoping, for the third time, to become CDU party chair, Friedrich Merz declared in January 2021: “I know that we have to be better and …
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Friedrich Merz in Washington: AGI Analysis in the Media
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz met with President Donald Trump in the Oval Office for a third time on March 3, 2026. Chancellor Merz’s visit came days after the United States …
AGI Profiles: Bärbel Bas
Federal Minister of Labor and Social Affairs Over the last few years, Bärbel Bas has emerged as one of the more prominent figures in German politics. At the 2025 party …
AGI Profiles: Ulrich Siegmund
Member of the Landtag of Saxony-Anhalt; AfD Parliamentary Group Leader Ulrich Siegmund is becoming a star within the ranks of the Alternative für Deutschland (AfD). He is a salesman by …
AGI at the 2026 Munich Security Conference
The American-German Institute hosted a series of events in Germany during the week of the Munich Security Conference. Our events engaged top policymakers on transatlantic security, addressed challenges and opportunities …
Germany’s Economy in 2026
Turnaround or another year of gloom? Will 2026 mark the turnaround for the German economy? While many international investors seem to believe in a debt-fueled comeback, fiscally conservative German authorities …
Two Shades of Liberalism
D66’s Rise in the Netherlands and the FDP’s Collapse in Germany When Dutch voters returned to the polls in late October 2025 after the collapse of the short-lived Schoof government, …
Deterrence Under Uncertainty
Europe’s Long-Range Strike Dilemma A Familiar Dilemma in a New Strategic Era The American security umbrella has leaks, the chancellor says. At first glance, this line could easily be mistaken …
Merz Aims to Improve Coordination, Shore up Party Support with Chancellery Shakeup
In office just eight months, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has replaced his once closest aide as part of an effort to demonstrate his focus on economic reform, improve coordination between …
The United States and WTO Reform
While the Trump administration’s trade policy has gained attention for the series of bilateral tariff-raising deals it orchestrated in 2025, at the end of last year, the United States also …
