American-German Institute

New podcast episode: An Expanding German Memory Culture For decades, memory culture in Germany has largely focused on coming to terms with and memorializing the Holocaust. In recent years, however, memory discourses have expanded to include, among others, Germany’s colonial history, particularly crimes committed in the territory of contemporary Namibia. Dr. Priscilla Layne discusses how German memory culture is evolving, how analogies can aid in understanding atrocities, and how the arts can bring awareness to overlooked histories. Listen: https://lnkd.in/e3nwKk2n

Save the Date! The American-German Institute (AGI) is delighted to honor Joe Kaeser, Chairman of the Supervisory Boards of Siemens Energy AG and Daimler Truck Holding AG and Former President and CEO of Siemens AG, with its Global Leadership Award on October 29, 2025. The work of AGI would not be possible without our dedicated supporters. We invite you to support our mission as we focus on the most pressing issues at stake for the United States and Germany in the global arena. Every year we present our Global Leadership Award to recognize the achievements of business pioneers and government leaders who have profoundly shaped our countries’ partnership. The world has entered into a historic “Zeitenwende,” and a constructive and open-minded dialogue between leaders of the United States and Germany is more important than ever. Learn more about the honoree and opportunities to sponsor the Global Leadership Award Dinner: https://lnkd.in/e2JMcjKr

Member of the Bundestag Roderich Kiesewetter has been advocating for a "Spannungsfall" (state of tension) in Germany to enhance readiness and address the increasing security uncertainties confronting Germany and Europe. For AGI, Lukas Liebscher examined how a Spannungsfall would function and the debate surrounding its implementation in Germany: https://lnkd.in/eJAQTX5a

For a recap of the German elections and a look ahead at the challenges a new coalition will face, listen to AGI President Jeff Rathke on the Current Account podcast:

Yesterday, AGI and the Hertie School hosted "Transatlantic Challenges for the Next German Government." Thurid Hustedt, Eric Langenbacher, Professorin Andrea Roemmele, and Jeff Rathke discussed the outcome of the German elections, the consequences for governance, and how the next coalition will navigate the transatlantic partnership with the Trump administration. If you missed yesterday's discussion, it is now available to watch on YouTube: https://lnkd.in/eQ9ikYd3

On February 27, 2022, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz gave a speech to the Bundestag announcing a Zeitenwende, a “turning point” in security policy prompted by Russia’s full-scale of Ukraine in February 2022. The Zeitenwende’s policy changes have included a renewed commitment to increased defense spending, diversification of Germany’s energy sources, and redefined international relationships. This multiauthor study from the Strategic Studies Institute and US Army War College Press Studies Institute and AGI seeks to understand how far Germany has advanced since 2022 toward achieving the goals set out by Chancellor Olaf Scholz and the German government. It further seeks to assess whether those targets are sufficient to arrest the deteriorating security environment Germany confronts, and what the implications of Berlin’s efforts will be for the United States, with its global security commitments. Key themes addressed by the array of authors from Europe and North America include national security, defense capabilities, energy policy, industrial strategy, and international relations, particularly Germany’s relationships with Russia, China, the United States, NATO, and the EU. Read the publication with contributions from Sophia Besch, PhD, Tim Bosch, Loyle Campbell, Sharon De Cet, John R. Deni, PhD, Marina Henke, Theresa Luetkefend, Dr. Aylin Matlé, Jeff Rathke, Angela Stent, and Prof. Dr. May-Britt U. Stumbaum: https://lnkd.in/epzH4BE3

Join AGI and the Hertie School in-person next Monday, March 3, from 10:00 to 11:30 am ET for "Transatlantic Challenges for the Next German Government." The February 23, 2025, elections to the German Bundestag will result in a change of coalition in Europe’s most influential country. The next government will inherit a stagnating economy and must grapple with the war in Ukraine and the problems arising from a strengthened far-right political movement. Meanwhile, the contours of the Trump administration’s foreign policy are taking shape and represent a new challenge for Germany. What will the Bundestag election results tell us about the shape of the next government and the policy consequences? What will be the effects of Trump’s policies both in the United States and abroad? Register by Thursday, February 27: https://lnkd.in/e7Xt9-Jt

New #podcast episode: The German Bundestag Election Results Shortly after the polls closed in Germany, Jeff Rathke, Eric Langenbacher, and Klaus-Dieter Frankenberger discussed the results of the snap elections. They give their reactions to the performance of the parties and what motivated such a high turnout. They also predict how the results will impact the coalition formation in the coming months and Germany’s international role in the coming years. Listen now: https://lnkd.in/eGxTNNTx

AGI held a series of events in Germany during the week of the Munich Security Conference. On February 15, U.S. Representative Joe Wilson and German Finance Minister Jörg Kukies spoke at "Bad Best Friends? Making the German-American Partnership fit for Purpose," a transatlantic breakfast co-hosted with the American Council on Germany. On February 12, AGI hosted "Transatlantic Transitions: Trump, the EU, and the Next German Government" in Frankfurt, where leading German and American voices to offered crucial insights into the major geoeconomic and security issues that will define the transatlantic agenda in 2025 and beyond. For more information on AGI's events in Germany, a recording of our Frankfurt symposium, and AGI President Jeff Rathke's media engagement in Munich, visit our website: https://lnkd.in/eYRbZ-5n

Ich habe mich riesig gefreut, an dem Roundtable-Podcast von der ZEIT ONLINE — Das Politikteil — Teil zu nehmen. Vielen Dank an Heinrich Wefing und Peter Dausend für die Einladung, und an Constanze Stelzenmüller und Anna Sauerbrey für das einsichtsvolle Gespräch! American-German Institute https://lnkd.in/eePgnRan