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Episode 133: The SPD and Its Foreign Policy Challenges

The center-left Social Democrats are the junior coalition partner in Friedrich Merz’s government, but they hold two of the most important portfolios for implementing Germany’s security policy revolution known as …

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s Foreign Policy Approach

This is the first of a three-part series addressing German Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s approach to foreign and security policy, initial achievements, the key issues Merz faces through the end of …

Episode 132: Transatlantic Alliances of the New Right

Ties between far-right parties and movements in Europe and the United States are growing. Annett Meiritz and Juliane Schäuble join this episode of The Zeitgeist to discuss their forthcoming book …

“We do not have any fax machines and we have no plans to buy any”*

Germany’s New Digital Ministry Germany has established its first-ever ministry dedicated solely to all matters digital. Spearheaded by political newcomer Karsten Wildberger, the Ministry for Digital and State Modernization aims …

Prospects for U.S.-German Collaboration in AI

The American-German relationship has entered a new era of uncertainty defined by shifting commitments on defense, a renegotiation of longstanding trade partnerships, and an uneasy alignment against strategic competitors including …

A Zeitenwende in Germany’s Israel Policy?

Former Chancellor Angela Merkel’s 2008 speech in the Israeli Knesset set a lasting foreign policy precedent by declaring that Israel’s security was a matter of German Staatsräson—a fundamental German “reason …

Unfriending Silicon Valley

How Germany Is Leading Europe’s Breakup with Big Tech In March 2025, Germany’s highest court handed down a ruling with global implications: Apple, it affirmed, is a company of “paramount …

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 …

The State of AI in Germany

Germany was an early adopter of AI and among the first nations to create a national AI strategy in 2018. At the time, Europe was the global leader in artificial …

Episode 130: Germany’s Transatlantic Coordinator on U.S.-German Relations

Germany’s defense commitments are beginning to match the ambitions of the Zeitenwende, and Germany’s increased investments in European security are being noted in Washington. In his first visit to the …

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 …

Turning Climate Protection into an Economic Success Story

Foreign policy challenges and opportunities for Germany and the EU The Draghi Report of 2024 put the competitiveness of European industries high on the political agenda of European climate and …

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 …