Episode 138: The Trump Administration, the AfD, and German Foreign Policy
Germany’s Alternative for Germany (AfD) has been known for its foreign policy embrace of Russia and China, but in recent months, the party has turned its sights on building ties …
Building Resilience
How LGBTQ+ Organizations in Germany and the United States Navigate Right-Wing Backlash Participants in the American-German Institute program “Building LGBTQ+ Communities in Germany and the United States” gathered in Washington, …
(De)Romanticizing Uncertainty at the Transatlantic Science-Policy Interface?
Insights from a U.S.-German Case Study On November 21, 2025, South Carolina became the first U.S. state to sign a Joint Declaration of Intent with Germany, formalizing a new economic …
Episode 136: The Role of Communities in Times of Crisis
In Washington, DC, LGBTQ+ organizations enhance the city’s cultural life, provide services, and represent the community’s political interests. At a time when LGBTQ+ communities are losing protections and facing increased …
The Far-Right Alternative for Germany Seeks Friends in Washington
How Compatible is the AfD’s Foreign Policy with American Interests? Before Friedrich Merz became the chairman of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), he articulated a number of goals, and one …
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“Conservative America Is Waiting”
The New Transatlantic Axis? Last month, two Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) delegations came to Washington. The first, led by AfD parliamentary group vice-chair Beatrix von Storch, included disqualified Ludwigshafen mayoral …
150 Days of the Merz Government
Between Reform and Restraint When Friedrich Merz entered office as chancellor in May 2025, he did so under the banner of stability and reform. After the collapse of Olaf Scholz’s …
AGI Profiles: Johann Wadephul
Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr. Johann Wadephul hails from northern Germany, a region whose people are often described as taciturn and reserved. Defying that cliché, he chose a career …
Kathrin Ritzka, DAAD/AGI Research Fellow
AGI is pleased to welcome Kathrin Ritzka as a DAAD/AGI Research Fellow in Fall 2025. Kathrin Ritzka is a doctoral researcher and Research Associate in Catholic Theology at Humboldt University …
AGI Profiles: Katherina Reiche
Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Energy On April 28, chancellor-in-waiting Friedrich Merz unveiled his cabinet. Alongside some unexpected nominations—such as Johann Wadephul as Foreign Minister and Karsten Wildberger as …
AGI Profiles: Karsten Wildberger
Federal Minister for Digital and State Modernization Karsten Wildberger is a newcomer in more ways than one. His appointment as Germany’s first-ever Minister for Digital and State Modernization appeared as …
Episode 129: German Constitutional Law and Banning Extremist Political Parties
Even though it came in second place in the 2025 German federal election, the Alternative for Germany (AfD) was subsequently classified as an extremist party by the Office for the …
AGI Profiles: Dorothee Bär
Federal Minister for Research, Technology, and Space In May 2025, Dorothee Bär took office as Germany’s first Federal Minister for Research, Technology, and Space. As the former Parliamentary State Secretary …
The Social Democrats Give Their Leader a Yellow Card, Green Light for Stronger Defense
Chancellor Friedrich Merz has devoted significant energy in his first two months in office to restoring Germany’s international partnerships, strengthening the Bundeswehr and hardening the country’s Russia policy. His success depends …
