AGI

Foreign Policy

Today, Germany stands at the center of Europe and is the most influential member of the European Union. Germany is a key partner of the U.S. in its most important international relationships. There is no other country with which the U.S. shares a stronger mix of interests and values on twenty-first century challenges.
Reset

Germany is Back

Chancellor Merz, Defense Investment, and the NATO Summit Since Russia’s first invasion of Ukraine more than eleven years ago, German leaders have struggled to find a fitting response to the …

Chancellor Merz and Germany’s ‘New Determination’

In a June 24 address to the German parliament, Chancellor Friedrich Merz delivered a Regierungserklärung (government declaration) that highlighted a profound shift in Germany’s strategic outlook, characterized by what he …

Merz Bridges G7 Disputes, Eyes NATO

The 2025 G7 Summit in Kananaskis, Canada, opened under the weight of low expectations and closed under the shadow of deepening transatlantic fault lines. The headlines surrounding the summit were …

Friedrich Merz, Germany’s European Vision, and the Constraints of German Coalition Politics

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has been having quite a run. His chancellorship stumbled briefly out of the gate, with a second round of voting necessary in the Bundestag on May …

The American Revolution and Transatlantic Relations

History reminds that there is risk in forcing your vassals to become militarily self-sufficient. A people enjoying the protection of an offshore great power bristles at being asked to pay …

Memo for Merz

Safeguarding German Security in a Turbulent World Dear Friedrich Merz, Congratulations on your election victory. Your party scored slightly lower than expected, but the CDU/CSU once again emerged as Germany’s …

Germany’s Zeitenwende 2.0: This Time for Real?

Opportunities and Challenges for Sustainable Change in Germany’s Foreign and Security Policy Amid Coalition Negotiations For years, European and transatlantic allies have urged Germany to take on greater responsibility for …

AGI at the Munich Security Conference

The American-German Institute hosted a series of events in Germany during the week of the Munich Security Conference. AGI President Jeff Rathke spoke to the media about the relationship between …

Germany’s Accession to the United Nations Command and Why It Matters

The Korean Peninsula has once again become the focus of global attention. This is not only due to an attempt by South Korean President Yoon to impose martial law, which …

The Ukraine War and the German Election

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz lost a confidence vote in the Bundestag on December 16, setting the stage for an early election expected on February 23, 2025. This was the culmination …

Episode 118: Is There a Leadership Vacuum in Europe?

Who does the United States call when it wants to call Europe, especially as Germany enters a transition through early elections and France experiences political turmoil? Dr. Phyllis Berry joins …

Episode 117: Germany in 2025

The second Trump administration will take office in just over one month—how will it approach the European security order and trade with the European Union? What risks and opportunities does …