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German-American Leadership

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Europe’s Illusions

Although for more than 70 years common values were invoked to keep the transatlantic partnership together, now is the time to assert shared U.S.-German interests.

The German Election Only Looks Boring

The consensus on this week’s election in Germany is that it has been a boring campaign, it’s outcome a done deal, and that we can all look forward to four …

Angela Merkel: 4.0

On September 24, Angela Merkel is likely to match former chancellor Helmut Kohl by winning a fourth election to become Chancellor of Germany. Following that, the question is: what will be …

The CSU: Bavarian Partner and Power Player

One of the peculiarities of the German political landscape is the role of the Christian Social Union (CSU). A party whose reach is confined to the borders of Bavaria, it has …

All Politics is Local…also auf Deutsch 

As Tip O’Neill once said, all politics is local. Had he heard the debate on Sunday between Angela Merkel and Martin Schulz, he would have just nodded. The exchange between …

Concentric circles: The meaning of the German elections in international relations

Germany has always been about more than itself. Given its geographical position in the middle of Europe, Germany’s role, its power, and its influence on its neighbors over many centuries has been of importance to Germans and non-Germans alike.

The German Election and German Defense

Foreign policy issues will not play a major role in the decision of most Germans when they go to vote on September 24, yet the campaign which now has opened …

From the AGI Bookshelf: The Retreat of Western Liberalism

Edward Luce is an experienced veteran of U.S. affairs for the Financial Times, but his latest book takes a wider focus in an attempt to provide a framework for how …

The Social Democrat Dilemma

Germany’s Social Democrats are frustrated. Aside from being down in the polls behind Chancellor Merkel and the CDU/CSU, they seem to be plagued by some unfortunately timed incidents that will …

Free Democrats Thinking in New Ways

Germany’s Free Democrats stand a good chance of returning to national government after the German election next month. Polls suggest that the liberal party – “liberal” in the classical European sense, not …

Merkel’s  Method: Another Encore

Germany’s summer vacation is about to be in full force and, with it, the so-called summer hole (Sommerloch). It’s often a silly time in the news, but is also a …

Germany’s Trust Test 

Three months from now, Germans will go to the polls to elect a new government. While German voters are not as subjected to a permanent election campaign mode as are …